Hit the road for tour of scenic Southern AZ

Passing trains, lavish homes, mountain views are among the many sights near the Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon trailhead.

Hit the road for tour of scenic Southern AZ

Stop for breakfast at Reb's Cafe & Coffee Shop in Benson. Two eggs, potato, choice of meat and toast ($5.29) is a popular choice.

Hit the road for tour of scenic Southern AZ

In the Elgin-Sonoita area, you'll have several choices if you'd like to stop and sample some Arizona wine.

Hit the road for tour of scenic Southern AZ

This abandoned filling station sits in front of a mercantile store at the Fairbank historic town site in Southeast Arizona. The town site is open daily for self-guided tours.

Hit the road for tour of scenic Southern AZ

Singing Wind Bookshop owner Winn Bundy points out a few interesting titles. The book shop, at 700 W. Singing Wind Road north of Benson, is open seven days a week.

Hit the road for tour of scenic Southern AZ

One of the wonderful things about the holidays is having family and friends at your house. Here's something almost equally wonderful: finding an entertaining way to lure everyone out of the house for a while.

EPA imposes new emission limits on Ariz. power plants

FLAGSTAFF - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has prescribed new pollution limits on three coal-fired Arizona power plants, aiming to protect the environment and air quality for wilderness areas and landmarks such as the Grand Canyon.

Verizon rolling out faster network in Sierra Vista, Benson, border towns

Verizon Wireless will roll out its latest, fastest network in Sierra Vista, Benson, Douglas and Nogales on Thursday, as part of a nationwide expansion in more than 400 markets.

Rest area in Texas Canyon to close this week for repaving

The rest area on westbound Interstate 10 near Texas Canyon will close for three days this week while state Department of Transportation crews finish repaving the parking area and the entrance and exit ramps.

Sierra Vista Buena 49, Santa Rita 15

In Sierra Vista, Buena earned revenge against the Eagles and won in coach Ryan Scherling's debut.

Cottonwood Fire spreads to 650 acres in Whetstones

A helicopter prepares to drop water over the Cottonwood Fire below Cottonwood Peak southwest of Benson. No evacuations had been ordered as of Wednesday.

Cottonwood Fire spreads to 650 acres in Whetstones

A wildfire burning in the Whetstone Mountains southwest of Benson grew to about 650 acres Wednesday.

530-mi. power-line plan stirring up rural passions

The proposed SunZia Southwest Transmission Project would use lattice steel towers similar in height to these near Spearville, Kan., at nearly 130 feet tall and 90 feet wide, to support the 500Kv lines across Southern Arizona and New Mexico. They would be spaced approximately 1,400 feet apart.

530-mi. power-line plan stirring up rural passions

A proposed power-line system to deliver renewable energy across the Southwest could disturb habitat for sensitive species, harm more than 300 cultural sites, damage scenic views and increase fire risk while it's being built, a new federal environmental report says.

So. Ariz. cousins who ignited state’s largest wildfire plead guilty to misdemeanors

FLAGSTAFF — Two cousins charged with accidentally causing the largest wildfire in Arizona history pleaded guilty Tuesday to a pair of misdemeanor charges after reaching an agreement with prosecutors.

Former Tucson airman arrested in deadly wreck

A former Davis-Monthan airman has been arrested in connection with a February wreck that killed an 18-year-old woman near Benson.

Law & Order Briefs

Interstate 10 crash at Houghton kills 1

Willcox teen killed in weekend wreck

An 18-year-old woman was killed in a three-vehicle crash involving a Davis Monthan airman early Saturday on eastbound Interstate 10 near Benson.

Amphi vs. Phoenix Sierra Linda basketball

Amphitheater forward Charles Benson is congratulated by teammate Marvin Herrera following the team's 74-59 victory over Sierra Linda in the boy's Division II state quarter-final basketball game at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012.

Amphi vs. Phoenix Sierra Linda basketball

Amphitheater forward Charles Benson gets a hug from his grandfather Frank Padilla following their 74-59 victory over Sierra Linda in the boy's Division II state quarter-final basketball game at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012.