One year ago
featured top story
COOLIDGE — After a two-year hiatus in assigning school letter grades to accommodate COVID-19 pandemic-related learning gaps, the Arizona Board of Education determined Coolidge High School had improved from a “C” in 2019 to a “B” in 2022.
top story breaking
FLORENCE — In a trial for a 56-year-old Coolidge man in a 2012 Maricopa murder that lasted about three weeks, the jury in about three hours of deliberations Wednesday morning found him guilty.
featured top story
TUCSON — The new Anza Trail History Park officially opened in Tucson in January, reigniting interest in the epic, 1,200-mile expedition led by Lt. Col. Juan Bautista de Anza in 1775.
top story spotlight
COOLIDGE — On Jan. 19 the Coolidge City Council Chambers hosted a community forum sponsored and moderated by Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer’s office on topics related to the dangers of fentanyl, curbing illegal dumping and graffiti, as well as economic growth in Coolidge.
featured top story spotlight
PHOENIX — Coolidge electric semi-truck manufacturer Nikola Motor Co. announced its move into the hydrogen energy sector with the launch of a new brand, HYLA, Wednesday at a press conference at Nikola headquarters.
top story
FLORENCE — Overriding the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission and county staff, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted to redesignate 360 acres in the Coolidge area as green energy production for NextEra Energy’s Valley Farms solar project.
FLORENCE — The 56-year-old Coolidge man on trial for a 2012 Maricopa murder chose not to take the stand in his defense.
featured top story
COOLIDGE — Last year presented a series of challenges to local Nana’s Coffee Shoppe owner Kristen Szakacs.
One year ago
top story breaking
COOLIDGE — The Coolidge Police Department arrested four people in the Jan. 19 drive-by shooting death of 14-year-old Miyka Crawford.
FLORENCE — A 35-year-old Coolidge man has been accused of having videos and photos of underage minors engaged in sexual conduct.
top story
FLORENCE — The murder charge against a 56-year-old Coolidge man was downgraded in court Wednesday morning from premeditated first-degree murder to second-degree murder.
top story
COOLIDGE — No matter what, when United Dance Company members took off for a trip to Honolulu earlier this month, they knew they were going to create unforgettable memories and diverse life experiences.
FLORENCE — The public will be able to take part in the Pinal County treasurer’s annual tax lien sale beginning on Feb. 9.
featured top story
CASA GRANDE — Casa Grande Police officers on Sunday arrested Joey Mata, 37, and Breannon Pinkus-Magana, 45, after a traffic stop investigation led to the alleged discovery of a significant number of drugs and weapons in their vehicle.
FLORENCE — The defense attorney in the trial of a 56-year-old Coolidge man accused of premeditated first-degree murder attempted to poke holes in the testimony of a man who claimed he sold a gun to the defendant.
top story breaking
COOLIDGE — Coolidge Police are looking for a shooter responsible for a drive-by incident that left a teen girl dead early on Thursday morning.
top story
PHOENIX — The lengthy, ongoing battle between the residents of Randolph and energy utility Salt River Project may be coming to a close after the Maricopa Superior Court delivered a decision on Friday.
top story
COOLIDGE — An incumbent and newly elected member were sworn in and a president and vice president selected to lead the Coolidge Unified School District Governing Board at the first regular meeting of the year on Jan. 11.
One year ago
top story spotlight
COOLIDGE — At the end of 2022, Coolidge Municipal Court Presiding Magistrate Elisa “Georgie” Garcia celebrated 50 years with the city.
top story
FLORENCE — In the second week of the trial for a 56-year-old Coolidge man accused of premeditated first-degree murder, jurors were shown pictures of the defendant’s house and attic, where a gun was found inside plastic grocery bags, and DNA evidence.
COOLIDGE — With just under four months of new ownership, the historic Shope’s IGA may soon be the site of a new gas station.
top story
COOLIDGE — A community meeting featuring various county and city representatives is set to take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Coolidge Council Chambers at 911 S. Arizona Blvd.
top story spotlight
COOLIDGE — Nikola Corporation announced Friday it will be closing its battery manufacturing facility in Cypress, California, by July to consolidate operations of truck, battery module and pack production and fuel cell power module assemblies under one roof within the Coolidge plant.
featured top story
SIGNAL PEAK — Coolidge City Manager Rick Miller expressed serious concerns about proposed state legislation that would scrap taxes on rent and food while impacting city finances.
featured top story
PHOENIX — Arizona taxpayers could end up having to shell out another $360 million if they want to smooth car and truck traffic between Tucson and Phoenix.
top story spotlight
COOLIDGE — Christ Lutheran Church is a historic place of worship in Coolidge. After holding its West Vah Ki Inn Road residence for the last 61 years, 2022 was a year of major improvements and expansions, building on ideas and goals that began over a decade ago.
COOLIDGE — Last November, decorated U.S. Naval Reserve veteran and retired Master Chief Petty Officer George Arredondo was elected to serve on the Coolidge Unified School District Governing Board.
One year ago
FLORENCE — In his opening statement to the jury Wednesday morning, the prosecutor in the case against a 56-year-old Coolidge man accused of premeditated first-degree murder called the trial a “whodunit” case.
top story
COOLIDGE — Bishop Vince Smith, co-founder of Coolidge New Destiny Christian Center with his wife Tammy, is set to host the church’s eighth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade and celebration at San Carlos Park on Monday, Jan. 16.
top story
RANDOLPH — A Randolph man lost his home in a fire Friday morning, but no injuries or fatalities were reported.
featured top story
PHOENIX — Sen. T.J. Shope told PinalCentral on Monday he has pushed aside the initial disappointment of the rejection of a MEGA grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and said the state of Arizona will raise the money for much-needed improvements to Interstate 10.
top story
FLORENCE — The judge in the case of a Coolidge man charged in the 2012 death of a Casa Grande man in Maricopa made rulings Monday before a trial scheduled Tuesday.
top story
COOLIDGE — A 76-year-old woman was killed and her 42-year-old daughter critically injured in a rear-end collision with a semi truck on State Route 87 early Monday morning.
top story
FLORENCE — A firearms expert retained to provide testimony in the case against a Coolidge man charged in the 2012 death of a Casa Grande man in Maricopa was questioned about his role on the witness stand at trial.
top story
COOLIDGE — Everybody appeared OK after two Jeeps collided in front of a Coolidge Circle K on Thursday, causing one to roll over onto its side.
top story
COOLIDGE — After a little more than a year in his role, Pinal County’s economic and workforce development director, James Smith, has been party to unprecedented job and industrial growth for the region.
top story
FLORENCE — Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer was once again in the position of acknowledging serious mistakes election officials made while refuting any nefarious accusations during Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
top story spotlight
COOLIDGE — A driver has been cited for negligence following involvement in a collision at State Route 87 and North Skousen Road at around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
featured top story
COOLIDGE — Nineteen members of the local United Dance Studio’s competitive United Company have been practicing their moves and packing their bags for the trip of a lifetime after winning a spot in the World of Dance Championship Series in Honolulu, which begins Saturday.
top story
PHOENIX — Abe Hamadeh wants the judge who threw out his challenge to the election returns in the race for attorney general to give him another chance to make his case.
top story spotlight
COOLIDGE — It was a monumental year for investments into public infrastructure and services and economic development in the city of Coolidge. However, Mayor Jon Thompson and City Manager Rick Miller recall a time when it wasn’t clear how they would afford their staff or desired projects with…
featured top story
COOLIDGE — San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District staff and farmers are rejoicing as an uncertain and difficult year comes to a precipitous, bountiful end with the reservoir storage level at Coolidge Dam the highest it’s been since 2017.
featured top story
CASA GRANDE — 2022 was a year of new employers and new jobs.
top story
CASA GRANDE — If there was one thing Howard Wuertz enjoyed most about growing up on a farm in Coolidge, it was farming itself.
FLORENCE — A 24-year-old Coolidge man is accused of threatening to use a metal bat to assault a woman
top story
COOLIDGE — The final recount results released Thursday in the Arizona attorney general’s race — which shrank to a razor-thin margin of 280 votes but confirmed Democrat Kris Mayes’ victory — show that ballot-counting errors in Pinal County were largely responsible for the shift.
top story
PHOENIX -- While the statewide recount confirmed Thursday that Democrat Kris Mayes was elected the new state attorney general, the numbers show Pinal County had the biggest discrepancy between canvassed results and the recount.
COOLIDGE — After a final 12 minutes that felt many times longer, the buzzer rang and the girls in blue on the field all embraced, having accomplished something nobody in attendance could remem…
COOLIDGE — The Coolidge Junior High girls’ softball team continues to improve its state ranking coming out of the COVID-19 period, maintaining the Central Region Champion title and finishing s…
COOLIDGE — The answer seemed simple for the Coolidge boys soccer team — win and keep the season alive.
COOLIDGE — It’s been a steady process for Kim Hoke and the Coolidge girls soccer team over the past three seasons.
Trending
Delivered to your inbox!
COOLIDGE — An incumbent and newly elected member were sworn in and a president and vice president selected to lead the Coolidge Unified School District Governing Board at the first regular mee…
COOLIDGE — Last November, decorated U.S. Naval Reserve veteran and retired Master Chief Petty Officer George Arredondo was elected to serve on the Coolidge Unified School District Governing Board.
COOLIDGE — Every year, the Arizona School Boards Association selects only one Career and Technical Education program in the state for the Golden Bell Promise Program Award. On Dec. 16, the ASB…
COOLIDGE — When local teacher Tristen Gillespie first spoke to PinalCentral in May, he was preparing for a transition as a fourth grade teacher and Botanical Club founder at West Elementary Sc…
COOLIDGE — There are few as passionate about providing a quality music education and opportunities for students to shine as Imagine Coolidge Elementary’s Chris Steward.
COOLIDGE — Last week, the Arizona Board of Education released the first compiled list of A-F grades for Arizona schools since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
COOLIDGE — Vying for his third term on the Coolidge Unified School District Governing Board, President Michael “Mikey” Flores had a lead Wednesday morning of more than 500 votes, attributing t…
COOLIDGE — For many high school students, an after-school club could be the start of a lifelong passion. It is often a place to test out interests, build skills and confidence or just make new…