Retirees vary on Mexico violence

Tourists and locals go to this park along Lake Chapala in Ajijic, Mexico, to relax or walk their dogs.

Retirees vary on Mexico violence

GUADALAJARA, Mexico - Seven months ago, the discovery of 18 headless bodies stuffed into cars on a highway here jolted a nearby community of thousands of American and Canadian retirees.

Hijacked cargo new threat for firms in Mexico

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco - International companies that move goods from Mexico into the United States have beefed up security measures in response to increasingly organized, well-armed highway robbers.

Star 200: Construction jobs made a slow recovery in 2011

In the years following the peak of the housing market, Tucson saw half its construction jobs evaporate.

Real estate: Watch out for scammers in foreclosure settlement

With Arizona set to receive $1.6 billion from banks that bungled the foreclosure process, a new crop of scammers looking to manipulate vulnerable homeowners is on the rise.

Watch out for scammers taking advantage of mortgage settlement

With Arizona set to receive $1.6 billion from banks that bungled the foreclosure process, a new crop of scammers looking to manipulate vulnerable homeowners is on the rise.

Real estate: Tucson's No. 1 for housing investors

Tucson is the best market for real estate investors, an online real estate company says. The Old Pueblo, where home prices have tumbled to levels not seen since the early 2000s, topped Realtor.com's top 10 list of investment towns. Realtor.com tracks data in 146 major metropolitan markets.

Tucson store covers up pregnant Simpson magazine cover

It seems the image of a pregnant Jessica Simpson, with one hand covering an exposed breast and another wrapped around her nude belly, is too risqué for some customers at a Tucson Safeway.

Banks, credit unions here in good shape

Tucson's banks and credit unions stayed on stable financial footing through the end of 2011, the latest ratings from BauerFinancial Inc. show.

Real estate: New high-density student housing may displace locally owned art shop

When family-owned Posner's Art Store turns 100 next year, it might have to celebrate its centennial in a new location.

Student housing may displace Tucson store

When family-owned Posner’s Art Store turns 100 next year, it might have to celebrate its centennial in a new location.

S. AZ poll: Lack of good jobs, K-12 ed are concerns

Southern Arizona residents prize the area's climate and natural beauty, but they're concerned about a lack of well-paying jobs and the state of K-12 education, the results of a nonscientific poll show.

Poll: Tucson shines but education, economy top concerns

Southern Arizona residents prize the area’s climate and natural beauty, but they're concerned about a lack of well-paying jobs and K-12 education, the results of a non-scientific poll show.

Real estate: Proposed rental for 17 students upsets First Avenue neighbors

Kevin Illige and Pam Lambert, who live northwest of the University of Arizona with their two young children, aren't too keen on the possibility of 17 fraternity members living across the street from their home.

Walmarts on the march

The Walmarts are coming. In the wake of the Great Recession, Walmart is one major retailer with significant plans for expansion in Tucson. The company has three new supercenters and two neighborhood markets in the works.

17-bedroom student rental a concern for Tucson neighborhood

Kevin Illige and Pam Lambert, who live northwest of the University of Arizona with their two young children, aren’t too keen on the possibility of 17 fraternity members living across the street from their home.

Five new Walmarts in the works for Tucson

The Walmarts are coming.

Foreclosures in February up 20% over year earlier

The number of foreclosure notices issued in the Tucson area spiked in February after ebbing for the last several months.

Tucson-area foreclosure notices jumped in February

The number of foreclosure notices issued in the Tucson area spiked in February after ebbing for the last several months.

Real estate: South side set to get minidorm alternative

Here's what's going on in Tucson's real estate scene: A student housing developer who's looking to solve the minidorm conundrum snapped up properties on the south side and is ready to move forward with a project there.

Tucson real estate roundup: Student housing, resort foreclosure, QuikTrip

Here’s what’s going on in Tucson’s real estate scene:

Car washes are free, thanks to Truly Nolen

An exterminator company surprised customers at a Tucson carwash Wednesday afternoon by paying to have their vehicles shined up.

Construction under way on prime Foothills corner

A property owner is working to rezone vacant land on the southeast corner of North Craycroft and East River roads for a mixed-use development that will include shopping centers, office space and houses.

Development proposed at River/Craycroft

A property owner is working to rezone vacant land on the southeast corner of North Craycroft and East River roads for a mixed-use development that will include shopping centers, office space and houses.

Leasing market hot for medical pot spots

At least one landlord who owns property that meets Tucson's strict zoning requirements for a medical marijuana dispensary has chilled to the idea of leasing space for that kind of operation.

Medical pot dispensaries a hot issue for Tucson landlords

At least one landlord who owns property that meets Tucson’s strict zoning requirements for a medical marijuana dispensary has chilled to the idea of leasing space for that kind of operation.

New Bookmans outlet to sell used sports gear

Tucson-based Bookmans Exchange plans to open a new store this fall that will sell used sporting goods, exercise equipment and outdoor gear.

Bookmans to open used sporting-goods store in Tucson

Tucson-based Bookmans Exchange plans to open a new store this fall that will sell used sporting goods, exercise equipment and outdoor gear.

Bad timing rubbed out hotel dreams

A pair of Tucson real-estate investors sought to bring local control to signature properties as they built an impressive hotel portfolio. But they bought as property values were near their peak. And like thousands of Arizona homeowners, they borrowed too much for overpriced real estate.

QuikTrip to rise on old De Anza site

QuikTrip Corp. has purchased a portion of the former De Anza Drive-In and plans to open a location there by the end of the year.

QuikTrip plans new store for old DeAnza Drive-in site

QuikTrip Corp. has purchased a portion of the former De Anza Drive-In and plans to open a store there by the end of the year.

Tucson Oddity: Disinfection equipment once hummed on well site

On the west side of South Nogales Highway, just north East Hermans Road, a small, empty brick building sits in a dirt lot.

Real estate: Brokers express guarded optimism for future of commercial market

After years of working in a hobbled commercial real estate market, brokers don't anticipate rapid improvement any time soon.

Brokers voice guarded optimism about Tucson commercial market

After years of working in a hobbled commercial real estate market, brokers don’t anticipate rapid improvement any time soon.

Westward Look joins the Wyndham brand

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts LLC has added to its brand the 241-room Westward Look Resort, which sits on 80 acres just north of Tucson in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains.

Tucson resort now has Wyndham brand

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts LLC has added to its brand the 241-room Westward Look Resort, which sits on 80 acres just north of Tucson in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains.

Real estate: Lenders battle over Marriott Starr Pass

An auction on the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been pushed to March 2.

Tucson resort avoids auction block, for now

An auction on the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been pushed to March 2.

Real estate: New-home builders offer a fresh take on in-law quarters

When Tom Moser went to his friends' holiday party, he learned their house had been modified to give personal space to some older relatives.

Firms' go-to employees

Saving cash and bringing in new business is a big deal for any company - especially in a lingering downturn that locally has yet to show significant signs of recovery.

New Tucson homes make room for families, inlaws under one roof

When Tom Moser went to his friends’ holiday party, he learned their house had been modified to give personal space to some older relatives.

OV to get bioscience-tech campus

Construction on a planned 160,000-square-foot bioscience and technology campus is expected to begin by the end of the year in Oro Valley.

Tucson firm to build new Oro Valley biotech campus

Construction on a 160,000-square-foot bioscience and technology campus should begin by the end of the year in Oro Valley.

Sluggish outlook for commercial real estate here

Tucson's commercial real estate market will likely continue its lackluster performance for the foreseeable future, several brokers told a gathering of property owners and managers Tuesday.

2012 seen as lackluster year for commercial Tucson real estate

Tucson’s commercial real estate market will likely continue its lackluster performance for the forseeable future, several brokers told a gathering of property managers this morning.

Real estate: For $15.9 mil, you can can be anonymous in 25,000 sq. ft.

For $15.9 million you could buy a six-bedroom oceanfront Mediterranean-style house in Golden Beach, near Miami, Fla.

What $15.9 million buys you in Tucson vs. other resort towns

For $15.9 million you could buy a six-bedroom oceanfront Mediterranean-style house in Golden Beach, near Miami, Fla.

To stay afloat, El Parador diversifies income stream

A longtime Mexican eatery is shifting its business toward multiple revenue sources - including making and selling salsa - after facing a tough couple of years.

New owners to put millions into La Paloma

An investors group led by the majority owner of the Phoenix Suns has taken over a Tucson resort and plans to start a complete renovation in coming months.

Salsa business helps Tucson eatery survive

A longtime Mexican eatery is shifting its business toward multiple revenue sources — including making and selling salsa — after facing a tough couple years.