"It’s a little surreal, but it’s a good feeling."

In Mesa city government, changes at the top have been few and far between.

In Mesa city government, changes at the top have been few and far between.

Founded in 2008, Over Easy has made its mark on the Valley’s dining scene by producing such morning treats as its Waffle Dogs.

The three-mile stretch of Elliot Road in Gilbert and Chandler may look like any other suburban thoroughfare in the Valley. But the street's a battlefield where two global grocers are about to pick a fight.

Danielle Mershon stood patiently for her turn at a computer station inside Mesa’s Main Library on a recent weekday afternoon. After a 30-minute wait, with seven people ahead of her in the queue, the 22-year-old Mesa resident gave up.

The Mesa Police Department keeps a binder full of complaints by insurance adjusters and automobile owners who think they’ve paid too much over the years after vehicles are towed and impounded. That cost is about to go up, substantially.

The elections are over and the results are in. Tempe dumped Vice Mayor Hut Hutson and refused to elect Julie Jakubek. Both were endorsed by Mayor Hugh Hallman, who needed these two to support his vision for what some called Hughville.

The Mesa police department got the go-ahead this week to apply for federal stimulus money to hire up to 25 police officers.

From skis to savings accounts, banking is the latest incarnation for a vintage, ultra-modern landmark outside Fiesta Mall in Mesa.

Main Street is starting to look a lot like the Mill Avenue of 10 years ago.

Main Street is starting to look a lot like the Mill Avenue of 10 years ago.

Main Street is starting to look a lot like the Mill Avenue of 10 years ago.

Main Street is starting to look a lot like the Mill Avenue of 10 years ago.

In a battle of East Valley versus West Valley, Mesa is finding itself pitted against Surprise to land a new water-sports adventure park that’s projected to pump millions of dollars in profits and provide jobs to hundreds.

In a battle of East Valley versus West Valley, Mesa is finding itself pitted against Surprise to land a new water-sports adventure park that’s projected to pump millions of dollars in profits and provide jobs to hundreds.

Fabian De La Rosa has a simple rule for knowing who will stop in his downtown Mesa shop: If they park their car in front of his Lamb’s Shoe Repair, they’re going to walk through his doors.

Men file in and out of Myranda’s motel room in Mesa for one thing — sex. Fifty bucks is the minimum, $100 for an hour. It will pay to keep her high for a few more hours. She probably was pretty once.

Children cling to the wrought-iron fence this morning. The weather has been iffy — clouds and a rippling winter wind. But more than 70 boys and girls, hoods up and hands in pockets, have camped out early along the side street.

 Mesa leaders are worried that Queen Creek might allow developers to build houses in areas they say are too close to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

Country fans rejoice! Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill is gearing up to open next month at Mesa Riverview by hiring a staff of than 120 employees.

Mesa’s police chief says the city didn’t plan to patrol the burgeoning retail complex at Mesa Riverview, and the fallout has led officers to be diverted from other high-crime areas in west Mesa.

If you think you can get away with partying guests screaming at 10 p.m. in the backyard, or playing loud music within easy earshot of a neighborhood, or owning a pet that "howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds," Mesa police could come knocking on your door pretty soon.

Mesa Southwest Museum was born inside a single room in the old city hall building in 1977. It only had one employee to oversee its exhibits. There were no moving dinosaurs or towering bones of a Tyrannosaurus bataar in the lobby.