Everyone in the community benefits when neighborhood public schools are strong and students are successful. Great schools are good business. They attract employers, strengthen the local economy and enhance property values. Great schools ensure our students will be prepared to keep our nation competitive in a global economy. Great schools keep the American Dream alive with opportunity for every child to receive a world-class education. Great schools keep the quality of life in a community high by producing citizens who pay taxes and obey the law. Great schools teach students from all backgrounds how to live and participate in our democracy.

Donating blood platelets is a laid-back kind of heroism. It feels a lot like watching “Matlock” on closed-captioned TV because, well, most of it IS watching “Matlock” on closed-captioned TV. So your discomfort is proportional to your feelings about Andy Griffith.

Tempe Leadership is hosting its fifth annual Conversations in Leadership on May 22, featuring outgoing Mayor Hugh Hallman along with the mayor-elect that will have been chosen a week earlier. During the event, Hallman will evaluate his eight years as mayor. And attendees will hear either Michael Monti’s perspective as a business owner or Mark Mitchell’s viewpoint from his time on the City Council. The participants will discuss their roles in leadership along with the past, present and future of Tempe.

The 1937 Ford Cabriolet convertible driven by Leonardo DiCaprio in the critic-lauded film “The Aviator” will cruise onto the block at the Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction in January.

One of two teenagers accused in the Nov. 7 shooting death of a Gilbert man had been released from juvenile prison one day earlier.

In the middle of the night, a school for troubled teens moved into a Mesa neighborhood without warning — and without the proper city permits.

 Two men were indicted Monday on charges related to the July 11 theft of Surprise police Chief Dan Hughes’ badge, uniform, gun and unmarked police SUV from a fitness center.

Mark Mitchell has been sworn in as the new mayor of Tempe.

Three Mesans who have demonstrated “a willingness to go the extra mile for others” have been recognized for their service to the community with the title of Mesa Citizen of the Year.

$4.1 million is quite a birthday gift for a 5-year-old.

Tempe will swear in Mayor-elect Mark Mitchell and three councilmen in a ceremony on July 2 that will be followed by a reception. Mitchell is a 12-year veteran of the City Council who won a narrow election bid against restaurant owner Michael Monti.

Surprise hired El Mirage Police Chief Michael Frazier to take over the police department. He starts in the new position Feb. 14.

Mesa school district's Associate Superintendent Michael Cowan said he is ready to lead the largest school system in the state if given the chance later this year.

Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau said Wednesday it launched a Web site aimed at capturing the lucrative gay and lesbian travel market.

Arizona State tight end Zach Miller earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors on Monday, leading a group of 12 Sun Devil players who were recognized by the conference.

May 3, 2005

The Scottsdale Unified School District governing board voted Tuesday night to terminate two teachers charged with criminal acts on school property, including a fourth-grade teacher who has admitted to molesting a girl in his classroom.

Phoenix police are investigating the death of a Paradise Valley Community College student who was found by paramedics in a comatose state inside her psychology professor’s condominium on Sunday.

Gilbert police have arrested two men on suspicion of killing Chandler resident Scott Michael Kraft during an attempted robbery on Nov. 7. Tactical units swarmed the homes of Arturo Miguel Rodriguez, 17, of Phoenix and Bradley Jermone Hughes, 18, of Chandler and arrested both in connection with a violent crime spree.

As in all of its tight games this season, Centennial was in search of a spark in the 5A-II state title game Friday afternoon at University of Phoenix Stadium against Avondale Westview.

A severe case of osteoarthritis left Dorothy Hughes of Tempe in a wheelchair.

The field of candidates for Tempe's mayoral and City Council races grew Friday with a pair of candidates jumping in the race.