MARICOPA — The future of Pinal County’s largest entertainment center changed overnight as UltraStar Cinemas announced it is leaving the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

MARICOPA — Local poets who might have been alone with their thoughts and creativity during recent months will finally have an audience for their craft.

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MARICOPA — With many of the festive occasions to celebrate local creators rendered impossible due to COVID-19, Maricopa artists are resorting to what they do best — getting creative.

MARICOPA — In 2015, the murder of a young pregnant mother shook the small town of Minot, North Dakota. It also shook Maricopa resident Carla Munkirs, who grew up in the town that has a population of about 47,000.

MARICOPA — The fourth annual Copa Shorts Film Fest has gone virtual this year due to the ongoing pandemic. The festival will celebrate the art of film and screenwriting through a two-day event Nov. 7 and 8.

MARICOPA — The Maricopa Music Circle announced a pause from rehearsals and live performances for the upcoming fall season due to COVID-19.

MARICOPA — With COVID-19 cases in Arizona still rising daily, the city of Maricopa decided to nix its annual Fourth of July event, instead opting to ramp up its fireworks with an even larger and brighter display than previous years.

MARICOPA — The city has announced that the gym and pool at Copper Sky Recreation Complex will be closing for at least a month in accordance with Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order, while three of its lifeguards have tested positive for COVID-19.

MARICOPA -- When Chef Colin Ribble is craving the comfort foods that bring back the taste of his childhood, he makes shepherd’s pie.

Antique Appraisal Day

CASA GRANDE — Schools are closed, activities are canceled and the doors to gyms, libraries and other gathering places are temporarily shuttered due to concerns about coronavirus, but there's still plenty to do.

MARICOPA — The Casa Grande Valley Chapter of National Daughters of the American Revolution will sponsor an Antique Appraisal Day from 1 to 3 p.m. on March 21 at Leading Edge Academy, 18700 N. Porter Road. The price of admission is $20 per item in advance or $25 at the door.

MARICOPA — Farm Science Day at the Arid-Land Research Center, operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is canceled this year following USDA’s recent advisory to avoid all non-essential gatherings. The event was scheduled for March 21.

Wyoming Reunion

MARICOPA — It’s hard to imagine Maricopa without nearby Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino. The 12-story tower can be seen from all over the city, but it wasn’t always that way. When Keith McGlaughlin started work with Harrah’s in October 1994, the original building hadn’t even opened yet. …

MARICOPA — Members of Celtic Irish punk rock band Flogging Molly plan to get crowds on their feet dancing in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day with a high-energy show on Friday, March 13 at The Event Center at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino.

Find Your Path to NAU

MARICOPA — For the 16th year in a row, the city of Maricopa is preparing to put on its now-biggest event of the year, the Salsa Festival.

MARICOPA — Local art advocates are hoping to bring creative people of all types together to show just how much talent Maricopa has to offer.

Empty Bowls

CASA GRANDE -- Professional singer Laney Greynolds fought for the past four months to return to the stage after a traumatic traffic accident in October that left her without the ability to walk.

MARICOPA — For most musicians, music calls to them like a songbird. The same is true for Rob Boyd, who heard the melody throughout his life, but too caught up in the world he was born into, he couldn’t follow the tune until later in his life.

Blood drive

MARICOPA — Locals were happy to see the signs for Farm Science Day cropping up around the city, after last year’s event had to be cancelled amid a government shutdown.

Celebrate Black History Month

Gunsmoke Road closing

CHANDLER — Alcurtis Turner, a motivational speaker, business owner, basketball coach and former semi-pro athlete, has added children’s book author to his list of accomplishments.

MARICOPA — Maricopa Community Church plans two upcoming concerts at its church, 44977 W. Hathaway Ave.

Game Night

Garden, landscape short course

MARICOPA — It’s an age-old joke. Turning to a sibling, coworker or classmate, one asks, “Hey, do you want a hurts donut?” the other replies, “Sure!” and gets punched in the arm. When they exclaim and ask why they were punched, the would-be assailant responds, “Hurts, don’t it?”

Copa Glow, Night Market, Hot Air Balloon Festival

MARICOPA — Twelve majestic, glowing hot air balloons will make their appearance on Saturday at Copper Sky Regional Park as part of the newest event put on by the city, Copa Glow.

Garden & landscape short course

MARICOPA — The Maricopa Arts Council and Honeycutt Coffee are welcoming poets to Maricopa from around the state to participate in the fourth-annual All-Arizona Poetry Slam Championship later this month.