Gilbert and the town’s Chamber of Commerce have opened enrollment for a business program that helps entrepreneurs grow their operations. The Front Runner series of classes focuses on technology-driven business, including web design, programming, online business services, e-commerce, software consultants and more. Topics include getting a product to market, improving services through customer feedback, marketing, business models, cash management, company culture and financing sources.

Linda Abbott: The trees, lights and ornaments on display in our retail stores throughout Gilbert are ringing in more than just the season: They're also a reminder of a great opportunity to boost our town's economy. 

More than 40 Gilbert employees rallied during Tuesday's Gilbert Town Council meeting, urging the town to make more clear what kind of vote is needed to form a union that would be able to meet and confer with town management over salaries and benefits.

Veterans and their families untied yellow ribbons from trees surrounding the Gilbert Civic Center on Thursday.

Through a streamlined day and additional technology, Pioneer Elementary School in Gilbert is achieving some of the best test scores in the state.

Learn more about the social and emotional needs of gifted children during the next quarterly meeting of the Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted. The event will be held 7 p.m. Thursday at Pioneer Elementary School, 1535 N. Greenfield Road in Gilbert, in the library. The guest speaker will be Joy Arnett, who will discuss how highly gifted children mature and what strengths and difficulties come with that. Arnett is a gifted coach who works with teachers in Gilbert schools. She also has five children and 16 grandchildren.

The Town of Gilbert is the only municipality in the nation to be selected for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for its exceptional support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Gilbert is one of 15 recipients - out of 4,049 nominations nationwide by service members or their families - that will receive the award in September in Washington D.C.

Tribune editorial

The Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter is launching a Gilbert support group for caregivers of people with dementia. The group will meet at the First United Methodist Church, 331 S. Cooper Road, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and third Friday of each month.

Parents of gifted students, their families and educators are invited to the Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted fall social 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Finley Farms Elementary School, 375 S. Columbus Drive, Gilbert.

The supporters of an incorporated San Tan Valley are seeking additional backing for their effort Tuesday from Gilbert. The Town Council will consider giving its approval to San Tan Valley's incorporation, following a vote of support last week from Mesa.

Fifty-six percent of respondents to Gilbert's annual residential survey said they would support increasing the town's sales tax.

Gilbert police Chief Tim Dorn: On Jan. 28, Lt. Eric Shuhandler became the second Gilbert police officer to be killed in the line of duty in less than four years. Eric was ambushed by a career criminal during a traffic stop. Our entire community and police department was victimized by this senseless, cowardly act.

Festival of Trees, a 3-year-old Christmas tree auction in Gilbert benefitting Banner Gateway Medical Center, is hoping to get more folks in the holiday spirit after a 20 percent drop in sales last year.

The Gilbert Unified School District is supporting two different legislative bills that would allow the district to participate in the state’s Career Ladder program.

The Gilbert Town Council hit several stumbling blocks Tuesday night on whether to approve a new town code that would restrict fliers left at homes.

Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman met with Northern Ireland’s highest executive officer during a three-day visit to the sister city of Newtownabbey.