FLORENCE — Total state prison population has declined by almost 4,000 inmates in the last year, making it easier for the state to close North Unit in Florence and transfer inmates and employees, a state corrections spokesman said.

This is the third in a series of four articles in which Florence’s mayoral candidates respond in writing to questions from the Florence Reminder. Grammar and typos are the candidates’ own. The General Election is Nov. 3.

Q. Is tourism important to Florence? If so, do we have all we need to offer tourists a worthwhile experience? If not, what ingredients or pieces do we need to complete the package, and how do we get them?

FLORENCE — When Pinal County voters go to the polls Nov. 3, they’ll be strongly encouraged to wear face coverings.

FLORENCE — The Town Council approved for a contract for a top-performing street preservation known as HA5 at cost of up to $293,467 at its Oct. 5 meeting.

ORACLE — Tropical forests may be more resilient to predicted temperature increases under global climate change than previously thought, a study published in the journal Nature Plants suggests.

FLORENCE — The Town of Florence Recreation Division is happy to announce the opening of registration for the upcoming JR NFL Youth Flag Football League.

FLORENCE – With little discussion, the Town Council held a final public hearing and approved a Major General Plan Amendment for Grinder Sports Group, Inc.

SUPERIOR — Superior Police Department officers were able to recover a water truck that was stolen from Mesa and arrested a man who was found sleeping inside.

FLORENCE — A Florence man, who served time in a sentence for a California homicide, is facing assault and drug charges after he allegedly slapped a woman on her rear end at a halfway house.

APACHE JUNCTION — An Apache Junction man is facing charges after he allegedly attacked a woman as they were preparing to go on a trip.

FLORENCE — The state is following through on Gov. Doug Ducey’s plan to close Arizona State Prison-Florence Complex, with almost half of inmates there transferred out, the Town Council was told Monday.

SAN TAN VALLEY — EPCOR Water, the company appointed to run Johnson Utilities two years ago, announced it has reached an agreement to buy it.

Q. What are your qualifications to serve the town in an elected position? Which one of your past positions or experiences best prepares you for this job? Please include your highest level of education.

Q. What are your qualifications to serve the town in an elected position? Which one of your past positions or experiences best prepares you for this job? Please include your highest level of education.

FLORENCE — Unincorporated areas, especially the ones south of town, are growing. But If there’s a big fire, there’s no telling who — if anyone — will show up to fight it.

FLORENCE — Thursday marks the first day the Pinal County Historical Museum will reopen its doors to the public. The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with all safety precautions in place.

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to stalking a female acquaintance while on parole for a similar crime that happened in Las Vegas.

FLORENCE — The town will begin an exhaustive audit of energy inefficiencies throughout all its facilities, and Library & Community Center visitors will soon have covered parking, following action at Monday’s Town Council meeting.

SUPERIOR — Resolution Copper has awarded more than $185,000 in grants to five area school districts for the upcoming school year.

FLORENCE — Firefighters kept a blaze just outside the southern Florence town limits from spreading to four nearby houses Thursday afternoon.

APACHE JUNCTION — Apache Junction Police officers have a person in custody after the death of a 68-year-old woman Thursday evening.

FLORENCE — Developing the Poston Butte Preserve off Hunt Highway will take several years, and with the design 60% complete, is estimated to cost $6.3 million in today’s dollars, the Florence Town Council was told.