Fitz Blog: How Hot is it?

How hot is it? It's so hot the Sabino Canyon glacier is receding. It's so hot my evaporative cooler evaporated. It's so hot all of the Eskimos left town. It’s so hot I couldn’t think of any more jokes so I asked my Facebook friends,”how hot is it?”

Fitz Blog: Sabino Canyon Glacier threatened by summer heat

The thousands of visitors who come to Tucson every year to see the world famous Sabino Canyon Glacier will be greeted by disappointment this month. It's so hot the glacier is receding.

Hiker, mountain lion survive close encounter on Tucson trail

Lose the sunglasses if you find yourself face to face with a mountain lion in the wild.

Hiker, mountain lion survive close encounter on Catalina Mountains trail

Mountain lions, like this one in Sabino Canyon, will generally try to avoid a confrontation.

NE-side 'casitas' project loses zoning vote

A roomful of angry homeowners helped persuade a majority of Pima County's Planning and Zoning Commission to oppose the rezoning of 5.9 acres on Tucson's northeast side.

Plan for 53 rental homes on Tucson's northeast side sparks criticism

A development group's plan to turn untouched natural desert along Sabino Canyon Road between East River and Cloud roads into rental homes is drawing flak from nearby residents concerned about property values and increased traffic.

Reader photo: Scenic Sabino Canyon

Joseph Cyr took this photo in November 2012 in Sabino Canyon. He writes that it was "one of those perfect November mornings in Tucson when the rest of the country is descending into the cold gray, the skies are perfect here in the desert."

Reader photo: Scenic Sabino Canyon

We're looking for your best photos to print in the Foothills Star. Share images from high school events, shots of Arizona's wildlife or photos of fabulous scenery. Go to azstarnet.com/foothills to upload your pictures.

Brewd, A Coffee Lounge departs downtown, heading east

Downtown construction played big role in move.

Graffiti becoming more common amid natural beauty around city

"Simon says leave him" is written in bright red paint across the face of a boulder near the trailhead of Pima Canyon, just north of Tucson. It's not the only instance of defacement of nature, and attempts to remove the graffiti are difficult.

Graffiti becoming more common in Tucson's backcountry

A springtime walk on the Pima Canyon Trail can be a bonanza of beauty - and also a bit of a bummer.

Road runner: Reader Q&A: Why is Sabino-Kolb link not under way yet?

Road Runner has been running around getting answers to a bunch of good questions from you. Keep 'em coming!

Today's road conditions in Pima County

Today’s road condition report from Pima County’s Transportation Department:

Sabino Canyon mountain lion caught on video

Tucson residents Jay and Nancy Carey had a thrilling experience while walking in Sabino Canyon on Tuesday morning: the sight of a mountain lion crossing a road in front of them.

Sabino Canyon cougar caught on video

A mountain lion crosses a side road, heading toward the Cactus Picnic Area. Jay Carey caught the cat on cellphone video Tuesday.

Snowmelt makes for what may be short-lived spectacle

Charlotte Calhoun, left, and her brother, Colten, scout for interesting rocks in one of Sabino Canyon's clear pools. The children, from Coldwater, Mich., were in the canyon Tuesday - a good time to see the creek flow.

Snowmelt makes for what may be short-lived spectacle

The flow was strong enough Sunday to send water over the Sabino Dam, where some visitors were able to enjoy the sight and sound.

Snowmelt makes for what may be short-lived spectacle

Sabino Creek, which was bone-dry for months due to an ongoing drought, is flowing again, thanks to runoff from melting snow in the Catalina Mountains.

'A perfect morning' near Sabino Canyon

Joseph Cyr took this photo on New Year's Day on the trail to Rattlesnake Canyon. He wrote, "After the recent winter storm, a perfect January morning above Sabino Canyon: snowcapped peaks over the cottonwoods still hanging onto last fall's leaves."

'A perfect morning' near Sabino Canyon

We're looking for your best photos to print in the Foothills Star. Share images from school events, shots of Arizona's wildlife or photos of fabulous scenery. Go to azstarnet.com/foothills to upload your pictures.