Here is a collection of thoughts and stories from those who've crossed paths (personally or professionally) with former Higley district athletic director Art Wagner, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on May 15.

Higley Unified School District athletic director Art Wagner, 43, was found dead near Higley High School Wednesday morning, according to the Gilbert Police Department. Police say the matter is still under investigation, but believe Wagner died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Using their talents for hilarious, family-friendly improvisational comedy, Jef and Shurlin Rawls of Mesa hope to lift spirits while lightening the load for a family in their neighborhood with an event they are calling a “FUN-draiser.”

The Gilbert Unified School District governing board failed to approve Tuesday night future discussion about placing a budget override renewal on the November 2013 ballot.

Horrible, the loss of three innocent lives in the Boston bombing! Then what word could one use to express the fact that between 158,000 and 202,000 civilians have died as a result of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan? It is understandable that the attack in Boston is a national tragedy for the United States. Our sympathies and prayers go out to the victims. But why is it that the loss of innocent lives in the Middle East has been hardly worthy of a second thought, if any, on our part?

My Mom & Dad were born in 1921, married in 1943. They grew up during the Great Depression and lived through WWII. Tonight on PBS I watched “Celebration: Stephanie Blythe Meets Kate Smith” where an opera singer sang songs made famous by Kate Smith during the 30s-40s and WWII era. I only vaguely remember Kate Smith, but apparently she was more successful than about any other star of the time, and I remember my Mom loved Kate Smith. One of her iconic songs was:

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says she's horrified and heartbroken by the bombings at the Boston Marathon that left at least two people dead and dozens badly injured.

Why does Bon Jovi crank out an unending string of relentlessly upbeat, unavoidably catchy songs in the style that made the Jersey boys famous 30 years ago and kept them there 'till now?

SALT LAKE CITY — For the first time in the event's 183-year history, a woman led a prayer Saturday at the semiannual gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Classes stopped at St. Timothy Catholic School in Mesa for a few moments last week as students and staff watched televisions, awaiting for the announcement of a new pope.

Christ the King Catholic Church of Mesa will host its 6th Annual charity golf tournament and luncheon this Saturday that will benefit the only shrine in Arizona dedicated to those who are affected by cancer.

Kazimierz World Wine Bar will host a benefit concert for Valley singer Dennis Rowland on Thursday, Feb. 28.

In recognition of World Understanding Month, the Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club dedicated a Peace Pole in front of Mesa City Plaza. Each Peace Pole is a handcrafted monument that displays the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" on each side of the pole written in different languages reflecting the community’s population.

VATICAN CITY — Benedict XVI always cast himself as the reluctant pope, a shy bookworm who preferred solitary walks in the Alps to the public glare and the majesty of Vatican pageantry. And on Monday, the Vatican announced that the leader of the world's billion Roman Catholics was stepping down — the first pontiff to do so since 1415.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he lacks the strength to fulfill his duties and on Feb. 28 will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. The announcement sets the stage for a conclave in March to elect a new leader for world's 1 billion Catholics.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on. Here is the text of his announcement, delivered to cardinals gathered for a ceremony to name three new saints.

A second victim in Wednesday's Phoenix office shooting has died, according to his law firm Friday.

Enjoy free buttermilk pancakes Feb. 5 at IHOP restaurants around the East Valley in celebration of National Pancake Day. During the event, guests will be encouraged to make a voluntary contribution. Proceeds from Valley IHOP locations will benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital, which has a clinic and after-hours care center in Mesa.

Vintage dishware doesn't have to gather dust in the china cabinet.

WASHINGTON – Middle school students from Tucson woke before sunrise Monday so they could compete with hundreds of thousands for a seat on the National Mall to see the presidential inauguration.