SCOTTSDALE - Police say a 22-year-old Scottsdale man died early Tuesday morning when his car left the road and rolled into the desert.

Tempe detectives arrested a teenager Tuesday in connection with a New Year’s Day fatal shooting.

With the arrival of the new year comes a variety of New Year’s resolutions.

All is quiet on New Year’s Day. A world in white gets under way. I want to be with you, be with you night and day. Nothing changes on New Year’s Day. —"New Year’s Day," U2

If what you’re doing at midnight on New Year’s Eve is what you’ll be doing more of for the rest of the year, maybe standing in the street with thousands of strangers doesn’t seem like such a good idea.

As I celebrated my 78th New Year, it was a little more difficult to get out of bed on New Year's Day. And it wasn't because of a hangover. I was in the rack at 10:30 p.m., and as sober as a judge. The partying is left to the younger generations who don't know any better.

"Happy New Year!" I cheerily e-mailed my cousin. "It can only get better!" They had finished the year in the throes of a particularly challenging time, including a catastrophic house fire, a car accident and an ailing parent. Like anyone at a loss for real words of encouragement, I had fallen back on glib greeting card sentiment punctuated by excessively happy exclamation marks. Keep smiling! There's a silver lining somewhere! It can't get worse!

"Happy New Year!" I cheerily e-mailed my cousin. "It can only get better!" They had finished the year in the throes of a particularly challenging time, including a catastrophic house fire, a car accident and an ailing parent. Like anyone at a loss for real words of encouragement, I had fallen back on glib greeting card sentiment punctuated by excessively happy exclamation marks. Keep smiling! There's a silver lining somewhere! It can't get worse!

It's the season for resolutions, and for many people that means vowing to get their home in the best shape possible.

Getting bad news is - well - BAD. Last year it seemed like just about every week I learned of something difficult a loved one was facing or painful losses others had endured. Sometimes it feels like the best choice is to hide in the house and not answer the phone or turn on the Internet. Unfortunately (like those big, dumb ostriches) trying to shut out the tragic and threatening events surrounding us does work. Not knowing isn't the same as making bad things unhappen.

Getting bad news is - well - BAD. Last year it seemed like just about every week I learned of something difficult a loved one was facing or painful losses others had endured. Sometimes it feels like the best choice is to hide in the house and not answer the phone or turn on the Internet. Unfortunately (like those big, dumb ostriches) trying to shut out the tragic and threatening events surrounding us does work. Not knowing isn't the same as making bad things unhappen.

New Year's Eve, like Christmas Eve, will be a "no burn day" in Maricopa County.

Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in the Chinese culture. This holiday has built up many traditions over the centuries. Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. This holiday is a 15-day celebration that starts on the first day of the Chinese lunar month. Each New Year also brings about a new animal from the Chinese Zodiac. For example, 2010 was the "Year of the Tiger." And 2011 will be the "Year of the Rabbit" and will fall on Feb. 3. The 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in the Chinese culture. This holiday has built up many traditions over the centuries. Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. This holiday is a 15-day celebration that starts on the first day of the Chinese lunar month. Each New Year also brings about a new animal from the Chinese Zodiac. For example, 2010 was the "Year of the Tiger." And 2011 will be the "Year of the Rabbit" and will fall on Feb. 3. The 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

AAA Arizona will again provide Tipsy Tow service over the New Year’s holiday. It will start at 6 p.m. Monday and will run through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

From family fun to massive block parties, East Valley partygoers have a wide variety of places they can go and celebrate the new year.

Brushing aside local concerns, Gov. Jan Brewer on Monday signed legislation that will limit cities to electing officials only in even-numbered years — and only on two days each year.

Brushing aside local concerns, Gov. Jan Brewer on Monday signed legislation that will limit cities to electing officials only in even-numbered years — and only on two days each year.

Brushing aside local concerns, Gov. Jan Brewer on Monday signed legislation that will limit cities to electing officials only in even-numbered years -- and only on two days each year.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are an extended celebration of “out with the old, in with the new.” And in the case of 2008, there is a lot of the old that we are more than happy to put behind us.

After the champagne, confetti and noisemakers, the new year offers an opportunity to make a fresh start financially so there’s more to celebrate a year from now, according to Valley financial planning experts.

“Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunderstorm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.” Thomas Mann (1875–1955), German author, critic.

New! What a great word… “New!” It brings to mind all sorts of possibilities and opportunities. Who doesn’t love that “new car smell” or a “new” baby! Just think about the excitement of a “new” house or a “new” job! Consider the joy of a “new” friendship or a “new” adventure! “New” – what a great word!