Rocking K closer to development; smaller-scale project will start contruction within two years

Part of the area to be developed includes the Rocking K Ranch. This picture shows the ranch area in February 2008 in the Rincon Valley area on the far-east side of town, on East Old Spanish Trail

Rental properties like single-family homes going up in Tucson area

The living- and dining-room area of the two-bedroom, two-bath unit at the Aerie property near Thornydale and Ina roads. This development opened this year, and one on Tanque Verde Road opened in March 2012. Six more are planned or under construction.

Rental properties like single-family homes going up in Tucson area

Aerie units range in size from 650 to 1,250 square feet, and rents range from $834 to $1,220 a month.

Arizona softball: Once Cats lightened up, wins followed

Since the Wildcats decided to have more fun and relax on the softball field, they have gone a combined 4-2 against No. 5 Arizona State and No. 13 Stanford. UA faces Baylor today.

Music in the Park 4-concert series begins Saturday in Udall Park

University of Arizona professor Daniel Katzen, who was a horn player for the Boston Symphony, will be the soloist at the May 25 Music in the Park concert.

Moms get some special attention

Jessica Vaughan and daughter Anna Vaughan, 3, share a hug at the Mother's Day Brunch at the McCulloch-Wagner American Legion Post 109. Anna had a flower for her mom.

Moms get some special attention

Tucson hip-hop artists pioneer their own sound

Marcus Meridox, who goes by Big Meridox and Big Ox among other stage names, says Tucson has its own hip-hop identity and is developing its own sounds. Meridox is shown in Mr. Head's Gallery and Bar where he performs his rap.

For kids, splash park is cool spot to cool off

Isaiah Orduno-Robinson, 9, gets in the flow of things at the splash park at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park. Four classes from Santa Clara Elementary School, in the Sunnyside District, enjoyed an outing to the park on May 7. Isaiah was with speech pathologist Louis Dachtyl.

For kids, splash park is cool spot to cool off

Gina Celaya

Gina Celaya on the stand in the trial in which she is charged with the murder of Trinidad Lopez. Photo taken Sept. 27, 1994.

Nopalitos offer a tasty intro to our desert foods

Prickly pear cactus fruit, called the

6 years for ex-Altar Valley coach, school-bus driver who fled with teen

Todd Hezlitt addresses the court, apologizing and asking the victim's family to forgive him. His attorney, Chris Kimminau, seated, sought a mitigated sentence Monday, citing Hezlitt's long military record and lack of a criminal record.

Ex-coach who fled with schoolgirl gets 6 years in prison

Todd Hezlitt apologizes Monday to the family of a teen girl he took to Mexico as his attorney Chris Kimminau listens on Monday in Pima County Superior Court. Hezlitt was sentenced to six years in prison.

A movie theater in your own backyard

Friends of Megan and Chris Mogan watch "Nacho Libre." The Mogans don't even need a screen, projecting flicks on the wall of the house next door.

A movie theater in your own backyard

Megan Mogan, left, with friends Annette and Denny Williams. Some friends chipped in and bought the Mogans a new projector for their 10th wedding anniversary, replacing a borrowed one.

Arizona softball: Wildcats looking at road for tournament

This year's tournament will be the last Wildcat hurrah for senior Brigette Del Ponte, being congratulated by coach Mike Candrea after a home run against Portland State in March.

Tucson-area resorts look to summer

The Westin La Paloma Resort in the Catalina Foothills is nearing completion of a $30 million upgrade. Some of it is centered on the pools, where Whitney Peterson took a stroll Thursday. The swim-up bar was spiffed up as part of the project. About all the resort has left is work to upgrade th…

Tucson-area resorts look to summer

La Paloma's pools area with its 177-foot water slide got a major makeover, including improved Wi-Fi to make food and drink orders speedier.

Mexico's consul general leaving after 9 eventful years in Tucson

Helping people like Rosa Maria Guerrero, back to camera, makes up a big part of the job for Juan Manuel Calderón Jaimes, the Mexican consul general in Tucson for the past nine years. He'll head home to Mexico City May 31.

More of Father Kino's influence on the menu

A photo of the Father Kino statue at the intersection of 15th street and Kino Avenue, Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

Arizona Softball: A little slap, and Lavine's bat wakes up for Arizona

UA center fielder Alex Lavine - batting left-handed - drops a bunt for a single against Portland State in a March 3 game at Hillenbrand Stadium.

Early-morning electrical fire damages HoneyBaked Ham

Northwest firefighters and paramedics inside of the HoneyBaked Ham & Cafe at 7090 N. Oracle Road, which will be closed for a unspecified amount of time after a fire behind a refrigerator unit. Damage was estimated at about $20,000.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

Part of the recovery effort from the Aspen Fire involved collecting some of the items that have been salvaged and are in widely varying condition.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

The Aspen Fire as seen from the east side of Tucson. This photo was taken June 23, 2003.

The Aspen Fire in 2003

Smoke from the Aspen Fire on Mount Lemmon is visible from miles away. This photo was taken from the east side of town. 

Baseball: Arizona 5, Washington 3: Must avoid at all costs

Arizona's Johnny Field slips past Washington catcher Parker Guinn to score one of three seventh-inning runs that put the Wildcats ahead for good.

Baseball: Arizona 5, Washington 3: Must avoid at all costs

Sophomore Riley Moore stops at first base after his two-run single in the seventh put UA ahead.

Neto's Tucson: Bissell, Packard acclaimed for work to help homeless

Nancy Roberts has been in the Primavera Foundation program for several years The foundation's organizers, Nancy Bissell and Gordon Packard, started a soup kitchen that became Primavera some 30 years ago.

Arizona basketball: Practices in the fall can begin earlier now

The annual Red-Blue Game is always fun, and the new rule gives the UA more flexibility in scheduling the scrimmage.

San Pedro due bird recognition

An Arizona Bell's vireo feeds her babies at her nest. At San Pedro, you're likely to encounter sights like this.

Police identify suspect in UA stabbing attack

UA police and detectives check out the area on North Tyndall Avenue near the Park Student Union where a man was stabbed early Wednesday.

Angry workers unite in May Day rallies around the world

Supporters of Justice and Dignity for Immigrants' and Workers' Rights swarm into Tucson's Rudy Garcia Park, at Irvington Road and South Sixth Avenue, after a march on the south side to commemorate International Workers Day, or May Day.

Law & Order Briefs

Tucson police officers work near yellow evidence markers in front of the Walmart Neighborhood Market at Grant and Alvernon, where a man was shot and killed early Wednesday.

Chamber music show takes on a modern note

The 20th Century Chamber Music Madness concert featured musicians John Snavely, on clarinet; Yvonne Creanga, on violin and viola; and Marie Sierra, on the piano. The performance was this past Sunday at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. Other musicians also par…

Chamber music show takes on a modern note

Couple dips into the smoothie business

Co-owner Jessica Burns prepares a yogurt smoothie at her Fruit Shack Smoothies & Yogurt, 10785 N. Oracle Road. Burns and her husband, Jared, acquired the business in late 2012.

Tucson march

Justice and Dignity for Immigrants' and Workers' Rights marchers heading to Tucson's Rudy Garcia Park for a rally. Here, they are just getting started from Ajo and 12th Avenue. Photo by Benjie Sanders/Arizona Daily Star  

Horne: 18 in copper theft ring indicted

State Assistant Attorney General Mike Jette discusses the copper thefts. Mine workers are accused of selling the copper to recyclers at a fraction of the price. The recyclers would then resell it to Chinese importers, investigators say.

High school softball: Cienega advances to play Desert Ridge

Cienega's A.J. Hervey steals second in the third inning, beating the throw to Tucson's Nena Corral. Hervey went 3 for 3 with a double and a triple.

Poll: Arizonans back tighter gun checks

Sen. Jeff Flake may have lost significant constituent support for his vote against expanded background checks, one poll suggests.

High school baseball Greg Hansen: Sahuaro pitcher is next can't-miss kid

Sahuaro lefty Alex Verdugo, a 6-foot-1-inch junior, takes an 8-0 record and a .500 batting average into today's state playoffs against Foothills. "It's mind-boggling what he's done," coach Mark Chandler says.

High school baseball Greg Hansen: Sahuaro pitcher is next can't-miss kid

Sahuaro pitcher Alex Verdugo has struck out 102 in 51 innings, can hit and has 46 career steals. "He's a five-tool guy," coach Mark Chandler says.

La Cholla Blvd. bridge over CDO Wash

Surveyor Adam McCartney from Hubbard Engineering, takes measurements on the La Cholla Blvd. bridge over the CDO Wash with some girders already set in place.

La Cholla Blvd. bridge over CDO Wash

Looking south from near Overton Road at the new CDO Wash bridge at La Cholla Blvd. The temporary bypass road is at left.

La Cholla Blvd. bridge over CDO Wash

Markham Construction worker is helping guide this large cement girder into place on the La Cholla Blvd bridge over the CDO Wash. Each girder is 99-feet long and weights 42 tons.

La Cholla Blvd. bridge over CDO Wash

Markham Construction workers will place girders on both the south and north bound bridges at the Cañada Del Oro Wash. Each concrete girder is about 99 feet long and weighs 42 tons; there will be a total of 72 girders.

La Cholla Blvd. bridge over CDO Wash

Large, 99-foot-long girder ready to be hoisted into place, making a total of eight they put up on the first day, Monday. There will be 72 girders.

La Cholla Blvd. bridge over CDO Wash

A large crane lifts the 42-ton girders into place on the La Cholla Blvd bridge over the CDO Wash.

Driveways with elegance

Tucson Asphalt Contractors Inc. did this driveway. It specializes in patterned asphalt, stamped to look like bricks or pavers and then covered with a colored epoxy layer.