Spend time with U.S. Congress District 8 candidates Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Jesse Kelly.

Expanding rapidly northward from its human-caused point of origin near the international border with Mexico, the Monument Fire would eventually consume more than 30,000 acres and destroy more than 60 structures. Started on June 12, nearly a month would pass before full containment would be achieved.

With clouds of dust billowing in the rearview mirror as widespread fields of golden grasses covering vast Southern Arizona ranchland are passed, the final miles toward Cochise Stronghold Trailhead are covered along Ironwood Road.

Joe Myers is not your average history buff.

Reminded recently by a friend about a canyon hike not yet experienced, my hiking boots were making tracks on Ventana Canyon Trail on a recent mid-January day, with temperatures in the 60s, and the sky cloudless and windless. Two-and-a-half miles ahead with 1,200 feet in elevation gain lies today’s destination, Maiden Pools.

Read more about local events commemorating the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.

Steve Ross, representing the National Park Service, talks about the historical significance of the Anza Trail and its route through present-day Marana at the Fall Harvest Festival this Saturday.

“The Wild Mustang and Wild Burro trails got their names because there were wild horses up here,” Ellis said, gazing out across a golf course that now graces the area. “I’ve heard reports that there still are some.”

Christina Vanoverbeke, CVanoverbeke@ExplorerNews.com

Marana celebrated the opening of the first paved portion of the Santa Cruz River Trail at Sanders Road. The town plans to extend the trail, built on top of the river levee, from Sanders east and south to Continental Ranch. It will eventually connect to Tucson's Santa Cruz River Trail and the trails built along the Cañada del Oro Wash and Rillito River.

When Marana Mayor Ed Honea reaches the top of a ridge – often after hiking upwards of 10 miles – he takes a seat, peers out at the world below, and life falls into perspective. 

On Feb. 3, at approximately 5:20 p.m., the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Unit responded to assist an 18-year-old male who fractured his ankle while hiking the Finger Rock Trail with his family.

Train track road crossing at Cochie Canyon Trail is closing next weekend for improvements.

There are two congressional races still up in the air in Southern Arizona, as no winner as been announced in Congressional District 1 and Congressional District 2.