Man held 42 years in deadly Tucson Pioneer Hotel fire to be released

A Tucson man who has spent 42 years behind bars in connection with the downtown Tucson Pioneer Hotel fire that killed 29 people is expected to be freed from prison Tuesday.

Man convicted of 1970 Pioneer Hotel fire to go free

A Tucson man who has spent 42 years behind bars in connection with a downtown Tucson hotel fire that killed 29 people is expected to be freed from prison Tuesday.

Cochise jail officer arrested in drug case

A 31-year-old Cochise County detention officer was arrested Thursday night at his residence on drug charges.

Casa Grande girl, 11, killed in gun accident

Authorities say an 11-year-old girl is dead after an accidental shooting at her family's home in Casa Grande.

Local craftsman seemed bound to restore books

Mark Andersson has always loved to make and fix things, but when a church in Boston asked him to repair some books in its archives, he couldn't sleep.

Ben's Bells: Green Valley man, tailor to Casa de los Niños, is honored

This week's recipient of Ben's Bell is Michael Stewart.

Motorcyclist goes over guardrail on Mount Lemmon highway

A 19-year-old motorcyclist suffered non-life threatening injuries when he lost control of his motorcycle on Catalina Highway shortly before 6 p.m.

Longtime court reporter says 'So long'

After nearly eight years at the Arizona Daily Star and 23-plus years as a criminal justice reporter, I'm saying goodbye to the newspaper business and starting an exciting new career as a public information officer at Pima County Juvenile Court.

The look of the book draws book binder's expertise

Mark Andersson has always loved to make and fix things, but when a church in Boston asked him to repair some books in its archives, he couldn't sleep.

Tucson-bound mail will be routed through Phoenix this year, not next

Mail destined for Tucson will begin being processed in Phoenix sometime this year, rather than next year as was originally planned.

4-year-old Tucson boy in abuse case dies

Jaedyn Minley loved bounce houses, but was terrified of Chuck E Cheese.

Tucson boy, 4, in abuse case dies

A Tucson woman and her boyfriend, who were arrested last week on suspicion of child abuse, are now facing first-degree murder charges because her 4-year-old son died Saturday as a result of injuries he received Wednesday night in a severe beating, said Tucson Police Sgt. Maria Hawke.

'Temblor' wins state spelling bee for Tucson boy, 13

Christopher O'Connor thought he was in trouble at the Arizona Educational Foundation's Arizona Spelling Bee Saturday when he first heard the word "temblor."

Severely injured Tucson boy, 4, had been beaten for about hour, records show

A 4-year-old Tucson boy who was taken to a hospital in critical condition Thursday was beaten for up to an hour by both his mother and her boyfriend for "talking back," court documents indicate.

Tucson kid wins state spelling bee with 'temblor'

Christopher O’Connor thought he was in trouble at the Arizona Educational Foundation’s Arizona Spelling Bee Saturday when he first heard the word “temblor.”

Tucson child, 4, is found badly beaten; mom, boyfriend held boyfriend arrested

Paramedics called to a report of a near-drowning Thursday morning instead found a 4-year-old boy who had been severely abused, police said.

Tucson mom, boyfriend arrested in abuse of 4-year-old

Tucson paramedics called to a report of a near-drowning Thursday morning instead found a 4-year-old boy who had been severely abused, police said.

2 Tucson groups are tops on AZ Gives Day

Nearly 8,600 people across the state came together for nonprofit organizations Wednesday, donating nearly $929,000 as part of the first-ever Arizona Gives event.

Police say man sent nude photos to girls

A 32-year-old Tucson man is in the Pima County jail on suspicion of sending sexually explicit photos to two 13-year-old girls.

Police: Man in photo might be bank robber

The Tucson Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a man who they say might have robbed a Pyramid Federal Credit Union in the 5800 block of East Broadway two months ago.

Tucson man accused of sending nude photos to girls

A 32-year-old Tucson man is in the Pima County jail on suspicion of sending sexually explicit photos to two 13-year-old girls.

Tucson police: Man in photo might be bank robber

The Tucson Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who they say might have robbed a Pyramid Federal Credit Union on Broadway two months ago.

Woman badly hurt in rollover crash

A 47-year-old Tucson woman was taken to University of Arizona Medical Center with life-threatening injuries Wednesday morning after a one-vehicle rollover crash.

Volunteers make attractive bags for kids told by CPS to pack up

Imagine young children being told to say goodbye to Mom and Dad for a while so they can go live with strangers in an unfamiliar neighborhood and attend a school where they don't know anyone.

Law & Order Briefs

Mom of tot who died had contact with CPS

Online fundraising campaign to aid Arizona charities

Four years ago, nonprofit organizations in Minnesota decided to try something new to educate people about their needs and to raise more funds. They created Give to the Max Day, and last year Minnesotans donated more than $16 million to charities on that one day alone.

Tucson woman killed in crash

A 63-year-old Tucson woman died Monday night following a one-vehicle crash on West Ajo Way near South Mission Road.

UA asks tuition hike, fee increase

Students at the University of Arizona could face a base tuition and fee hike of 3 percent this fall and an $80 fee increase for libraries.

Ben's Bells: Volunteer 'epitomizes kindness'

This week's recipient of Ben's Bell is Marilyn Reno.

University of Arizona students face increases in tuition, fees

Students at the University of Arizona could face a base tuition and fee hike of 3 percent this fall and an $80 fee increase for libraries.

Program's aim: Get new hookers off the street, into counseling

It wasn't the usual crowd at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church that night. Instead of church members braving the cold, windy night and gathering to pray, social workers, police officers, prosecutors, a City Council member, a judge and suspected prostitutes came and went throughout the night.

Kicanas: New pope is a 'sign of unity'

The newly elected pontiff is from an area of the world with a flourishing Catholicism that will be relatable to many Southern Arizonans, local Catholic leaders said Wednesday.

Davis-Monthan training means more jets over Tucson

Tucson residents may be hearing a bit more air traffic for the next week or so.

Law & Order Briefs

Deputies seek man in double slaying

Teens learn how to tap C-SPAN resources

Few of the students who stepped inside C-SPAN's ultra-high-tech recreational vehicle Monday had more than a vague idea of what C-SPAN is, but when they walked out, they were abuzz.

TUSD intermediate-school clerk charged with sexual conduct with 15-year-old

A 21-year-old attendance clerk at Lawrence Intermediate School is facing criminal charges after investigators discovered h e may have been involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy for several months.

Teen murder suspect might have posed as girl in texts, online

A Pueblo Magnet High School student accused in the fatal shooting of a romantic rival might have pretended to be the girl in texts and on Facebook, luring the victim to his death, court records indicate.

Tucson man killed, 2 injured in wreck

A 26-year-old Tucson man was killed Sunday night and two other men injured in what appears to be an alcohol and drug-related crash.

Tucson teen arrested in romantic rival’s killing might have posed as girl in texts, records show

A Pueblo Magnet High School student accused in the fatal shooting of a romantic rival might have pretended to be the girl in texts and on Facebook, luring the victim to his death, court records indicate.

Tucson Kmart targeted in smash-and-grab theft

The cleaning crew at an east-side K-Mart received an unpleasant surprise at 4 a.m. Monday.

$3M overrun is expected by Sheriff's Dept.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department expects to be $3 million over budget this year and has asked the county for a $3.5 million increase next year.

Arivaca man, 60, admits guilt in drug, gun case

An Arivaca man arrested last June on drug-trafficking charges is eligible for probation after pleading guilty Monday to transportation of marijuana for sale and being a prohibited gun possessor. Robert Dennis Williams, 60, could be placed on probation or to up to 15 years in prison when he's…

Atwood's attorneys want a new sentencing hearing

A California man on death row nearly 26 years for kidnapping and murdering 8-year-old Vicki Lynne Hoskinson will be back in court today.

Cause unclear in '70 hotel fire, new probe finds

Attorneys hoping to win a new trial for a Tucson man accused of killing 29 people in the 1970 Pioneer Hotel fire say an investigator with the Tucson Fire Department recently reviewed all of the available evidence in the case and wasn't able to determine what caused the blaze.

Phillips defense team: 'Hit team' killed Triano

Pamela Phillips has been sitting in the Pima County jail since July 2010, unable to post her $5 million bail.

Second peeping case vs. Vail man dismissed

Agustin Gonzalez Gongora of Vail, who was placed on four years' probation last week for looking up a woman's dress, is no longer facing a second voyeurism charge.

Man given 19 years in drug-related killing

A Tucsonan who shot a friend to death and desecrated his body told the man's family he wishes he could bring him back.

Input sought on two sitting judges

As you probably noticed, I wrote a blog earlier today saying the public's input is being sought on who the next two Pima County Superior Court judges should be.

Two more Pima County Superior Court judges retiring

Judge Jan Kearney and Judge Terry Chandler are retiring from the bench and the hunt is on for their replacements.

Woman admits role in deadly shooting

A Tucson woman indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the shooting death of a man outside a north-side Eegee's pleaded guilty Monday to attempted hindering prosecution.