The global COVID-19 pandemic that started in China has landed in Peoria.

With marching orders to take care of young minds and midsections, school administrators scrambled to develop plans in the era of COVID-19.

The Tohono O’odham Nation is not rolling the dice with public health.

State lawmakers are weighing contingency plans in case public schools do not reopen soon—or at all this school year.

Efforts to quickly enact an $11.8 billion “baseline’’ contingency budget for the coming fiscal year hit a snag Wednesday, March 18, as some Republicans questioned what is in the spending plan and Democrats are holding out for some priorities.

Peoria Police officers arrested robbery suspect Jose Siqueiros March 10.

The House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday.

Banner Health and Abrazo, two of the largest medical providers in the West Valley, have new policies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local and state governments took actions late last week in response to growing concerns about mitigating the COVID-19.

Like cities around the country, tax-fueled West Valley cities have been spreading the “participate in the census” message for nearly a year.

Last week, President Donald Trump, Gov. Doug Ducey and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised those under 60 to avoid crowds and stay home as much as possible, to protect against COVID-19 — which can be deadly for the elderly population.

Hanging around a roadway median, for whatever reason, could soon land you in jail.

Colleges in the West Valley made announcements late last week or over the weekend regarding precautions for the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a few days, Peoria went from “bustling spring” to “nothing-doing spring.”

The Kilt Lifter Kilt run starts at 6 p.m. Friday, March 13, at Westgate Entertainment District. 

The Peoria Arts Commission will dedicate Gordon Huether’s Barrel Cactus sculpture at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, at Deer Village Park, 21217 N. 88th Lane.

Isaiah McGinnis, a seventh-grade honor roll student, was walking home from Santa Fe Elementary School at 3:20 p.m. Oct. 10, 2018. He was crossing West Peoria Avenue at North 77th Avenue, less than a half-mile from school, when a 2006 Ford pickup truck hit him.

Last week, officials made several discomforting announcements regarding COVID-19.

And then there were two.

The spreado of COVID-19 has people around the country and world thinking about their health and how to avoid further spread in the community.

Times Media Group, a Valley-based company with community weekly newspapers and websites throughout Arizona and California, has acquired The Foothills Focus, a community news weekly based in New River.  

The Happy Valley Road bridge between 107th and 115th streets will be closed from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday, March 12, for concrete paving of the bridge deck. 

The Peoria Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a man believed to have committed four robberies, three in Peoria and one in Glendale. 

The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on display on the Great Lawn outside State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive. After an opening ceremony at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 5, the replica will be on display through 3 p.m. Sunday, Marc…

Filing season is almost here.

School district staff and community members gathered at the Peoria Unified School District on Feb. 26 to discuss financial options and prepare to advise the governing board on a potentially impactful decision.

Though health officials insist they are not needed, masks are flying off shelves.

Before President Donald Trump gave a speech at a Phoneix rally last week, Rep. Debbie Lesko of District 8 warmed up Trump supporters. She had stinging criticisms of Democrats.

Other than wanting it to drive “a little faster,” Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat, was impressed by the first public ride in Peoria’s new autonomous van.

Peoria Police Chief Art Miller presented updates — including eight officer vacancies — on his department to the Peoria City Council Feb. 4.

The Trump administration took another step toward expediting construction of a border wall, announcing it is waiving federal contracting regulations to fast track construction in four states, including Arizona.

It’s game on for Spring Training at the Peoria Sports Complex, which the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres call home this time of year.

Public safety is a core function of government, probably the most important thing we do. Jails are a necessary component. I get it, though.  When many of you hear the county spent millions of dollars to build a new jail, your first question might be: Why? Or: Don’t we have enough jails?  So …

A new multi-agency public safety video focuses on the public safety message, “If You See Something, Say Something.”

The Desert Diamond Casino West Valley opening was a full house, literally and figuratively.

Another year of the historic Cactus League play is underway, the first under the watch of Peoria City Councilwoman Bridget Binsbacher. In July, she was named the Cactus League’s first executive director. 

An alleged hidden camera led police on an investigation that resulted in a child pornography arrest.

Glendale Police said they arrested Shata Syreeta Johnson, 39, on charges of killing her husband, Timothy Johnson, 55.

State lawmakers are moving to end “social promotion.’’

As part of budget preparation for the coming fiscal year, Peoria City Council held a Feb. 4 study session with public safety representatives.

Mike and Debbie Christian have been coming to Spring Training since they landed in Peoria a few years back.

The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board Meeting voted unanimously to approve the contract of Dr. Jason Reynolds at the board’s Jan. 23 meeting.

For those who have seen — or heard — cars racing around West Valley streets, avenues and highways, Sen. Paul Boyer can relate.