The long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact Study on the potential effects of the proposed South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway extension — a project that would give the East Valley another artery to the Phoenix region’s west side — is now available to the public for review and comment.

Folks, when did America’s greatest treasure, United States citizenship, become a bartering commodity for votes with the Hispanic/Latino community as per Sen. John McCain? When did America’s greatest treasure, United States citizenship, become a bartering commodity with the Hispanic/Latino Community for converts to the Mormon religion or the recapturing “fallen away” parishioners of the Catholic church or more donations in the Sunday Mass collection basket or monthly tithes.

Three term state Sen. Al Melvin announced Monday he intends to run for governor this coming year.

While visiting a second-grade classroom in Chandler some seven years ago, Barbara Blalock witnessed a 7-year-old girl hand in her right tennis shoe as collateral. She was borrowing a pencil from her teacher.

NEW YORK — With the housing recovery gaining steam, Americans have more incentives to paint up, touch up and otherwise redecorate their homes. But there's no need to spend willy-nilly.

It’s Easter Sunday, so please indulge me with a bit of a sermon, one you can take in a human context as well as a spiritual one.

They come from all parts of the Valley — 475 men, women, teens and children — and spend countless hours in practice and performances during the month leading up to Easter. The goal: presenting to the community the story of the life and mission of Jesus Christ in music, drama and dance.

We learned in school about the inventors such as Edison and Bell who parlayed their inventions into fortunes, of the great capitalists of the Gilded Age such as Rockefeller and Carnegie and Morgan who took great risks on their way to becoming titans of industry.

"Oz the Great and Powerful" aims for nostalgia in older viewers who grew up on "The Wizard of Oz" and still hold the classic dear while simultaneously enchanting a newer, younger audience. It never really accomplishes either successfully.

MGM’s “The Wizard of Oz” is the rare film adaptation that has officially become even more cherished than the timeless book that inspired it. Over the years, “The Wizard of Oz” has influenced numerous sequels, prequels, and reimaginings in just about every entertainment medium. Although there have certainly been some good additions to the “Oz” franchise, it’s unfortunate all of them must live in the shadow of an unbeatable classic. While nothing will ever top the Judy Garland version, the most we can ask from a modern “Oz” interpretation is that it remains true to L. Frank Baum’s universe while also sprinkling in something fresh. On that basis, Director Sam Raimi sufficiently delivers in his vibrant and fun “Oz the Great and Powerful.”

In recent years, there have been some really good Oscar hosts like Hugh Jackman, some acceptable hosts like John Stewart, some disappointing hosts like Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin, and some flat-out horrendous hosts like James Franco & Anne Hathaway. Despite the best efforts of some, none have come close to capturing the same wit, timing, and showmanship of reoccurring hosts like Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, or Billy Crystal. At the 85th Annual Academy Awards ceremony however, Seth MacFarlane of “Ted” and “Family Guy” emerged as the single most entertaining first-time Oscar host of the 21st century.

It’s hard not to love the colorful and imaginative world of Eric Carle, portrayed beautifully in his numerous children’s books. Three of those books are the inspiration behind Mermaid Theatre Company of Nova Scotia’s magical production, which uses puppetry, live and computer generated animation to bring Carle’s characters to life. It is on stage Feb. 24 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.