State | KNXV

GINGERBREAD HOUSE ON TOP OF A SHAKE! New at Zuzu

Kari Steele — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 21:25:11 GMT

Come, I'm telling you, pa rum pum pum pum...to ZuZu, pa rum pum pum pum! The entire month of December you can find the White Chocolate Gingerbread Show Stopper Shake at the Hotel Valley Ho. Stop by between 11-5 p.m. for a gingerbread palooza inside ZuZu, the hotel's restaurant.

Watch the video above to see what is inside this funnel cake freakshake!

The extreme milkshake, or “freakshake” first took over the social media scene in 2015. ZuZu is capitalizing on its popularity by creating a new sugar-rush-inducing treat every month! Keep your eyes posted for next month's Showstopper Shake!

MORE: Extreme Milkshake! Mint Chocolate Showstopper

ALSO: Extreme Milkshake! Cinnamon Horchata Showstopper Shake at Hotel Valley Ho

What happens in AZ if Cali. has 'the big quake'

Nick Ciletti — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 05:21:02 GMT

It was the day the ground started shaking - a day few people could forget.

"The scary thing is you have no control over anything!" explained Richard Andersen.

Andersen was there - It was January 17, 1994 - the Northridge Earthquake, shaking Southern California to its core. The magnitude 6.7 quake destroyed freeways, demolished homes, and caused billions of dollars in damage.

"I thought, this is just a sign. I need to get the hell out of here. I had enough!" Andersen said.

So just six months after that massive quake, Andersen relocated to Sun City, Arizona.

He may have been slightly ahead of the curve, leaving his home and heading to Arizona, but first responders say it's a real possibility as hundreds of thousands of Californians flee their homes after a big quake.

How many people? Experts say it could be upwards of 400,000!

"If there were an exodus from California, it would involve I-40, I-10, and I-8, so we need to be prepared at all levels and all corners," explains Colin Williams with the American Red Cross.

All of those cars could lead to major gridlock on our freeways, but that's not the only problem.

Back in May, the Arizona Department of Emergency Military Affairs hosted a 3-day National Mass Care Exercise in Phoenix, involving more than 1,000 first responders and officials from dozens of federal, state, local, and tribal governments. It was the largest of its kind ever conducted in Arizona.

In the drill, they worked around some different scenarios like damaged fuel lines, water shortages, reuniting families, caring for and transporting the injured, and providing temporary housing for evacuees.

Experts predict there will be another large earthquake in Southern California at some point in the next 20-30 years, but say one could occur at any time.

But the good news is, organizers of the drill tell ABC15 that Arizona is prepared, telling us the drill was their chance to put into action what has been on paper and see if it works. They're calling the mission a success.

St. Mary's Food Bank gives Valley man hope

Steve Irvin — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 21:33:14 GMT

Imagine starting your life over, especially at a time when most people are thinking about retirement.

Chris Evans is one of the many people, given a second chance, thanks to St. Mary's Food Bank. On November 18, 1978, Evans' mother, brothers and sisters were killed in Jonestown, Guyana. More than nine hundred people died in the mass, murder-suicide in South America.

Evans was 16 years old at the time. He says he started using alcohol and pot. He hung out with the wrong crowd, and he turned to crime. Evans would spend 31-years in prison for robbery. "I was scared because I didn't know what the world held for me out here," said Evans.

Evans wanted a fresh start and turned to the Community Kitchen at St. Mary's Food Bank. He entered the program to train to work in a restaurant. "I thought that they would look down on me because of my past criminal history. I thought they would fear me, and there would be distance. But there was love from the moment I walked in," said Evans.

Evans has a job lined up, but most importantly, he has direction and hope.

The Community Kitchen is one of the many programs administered through St. Mary's Food Bank. Each year, the alliance distributes food through five hundred nonprofit partners in 13 Arizona counties.

Trump warns of 'massive surge' at AZ border

Sat, 08 Dec 2018 02:29:23 GMT

President Trump is focusing on "a massive surge" at Arizona's border in a tweet posted Thursday night.

Arizona, together with our Military and Border Patrol, is bracing for a massive surge at a NON-WALLED area. WE WILL NOT LET THEM THROUGH. Big danger. Nancy and Chuck must approve Boarder Security and the Wall!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2018

The tweet comes just hours after Congress passed a stop-gap measure to keep the government from shutting down. The bill only extended budget talks for two weeks.

Sources say the biggest sticking point for both sides of the political aisle is the border wall.

In the tweet, President Trump said "Arizona, together with our military and border patrol, is bracing for a massive surge at a NON-WALLED area. WE WILL NOT LET THEM THROUGH." Trump added that Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer must approve funding for border security and the border wall.

The new deadline to pass a funding bill which would prevent a government shutdown is Dec. 21.

Special Olympics Arizona helping inspire youth

Katie Raml — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 03:02:03 GMT

Special Olympics Arizona offers twenty Olympic-type sports for more than 22,000 people with intellectual disabilities in our state.

It's why you might be surprised to learn Carla Simon ever felt alone.

Simon said she was isolated as a kid but turned to Special Olympics in high school to get active and boost confidence. Little did she know, it would be a lifeline, especially after her mom passed away in 2013.

"I had a lot of anger issues and a lot of the coaches help me work my way out of the attitudes that I had about being down in the dumps," said Simon.

Swimming was one of Simon's escapes. Win after win, her spirits grew.

"It was really exciting I was so proud of myself. I didn't realize I could do those kinds of things and it made me more confident to work my way up -- thinking maybe I could do more," said Simon.

That confidence eventually led her to employment opportunities.

Simon hopes no matter where you are in life; you let one message of hope find its way to your heart.

"People can change, and that's why I always tell people don't think you're gonna be down forever. Your life can change," said Simon.

HOLIDAY HAZARD! How to avoid package theft

Kari Steele — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 21:10:24 GMT

There's nothing more disappointing than anticipating your package's arrival, rushing to your doorstep, and finding that it has disappeared!

23 million people said they have had packages stolen from where they live before they could open them, per InsuranceQuotes.com. ABC15 collected the best tips to help prevent package theft!

Watch the video above to make sure you get to your package before someone else does!

MORE: Best hikes to see Fall colors in Arizona!

ALSO: There is a REAL Polar Express in Arizona!

BACON! 5 Fail-proof steps to bacon-wrap a turkey

Kari Steele — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 21:04:52 GMT

Everyone loves bacon and turkey is pretty good, too. Put them both together and we present you with the savory goodness of the bacon-wrapped turkey. Bacon is meat candy and it's time to take your Thanksgiving cooking seriously.

ABC15 interviewed bacon expert Michael Reimann, President of the AZ Barbecue Club, about the process and he gave us 5 simple steps to celebrate everyone's favorite meaty treat!

Watch the video above to see how easy it really is to bacon-wrap a turkey!

This new addition to tradition is the latest pop culture phenomena in the food industry. According to Bloomberg, bacon has bloomed into an industry that accumulates more than $4 billion/year.

Time to get your bacon on!

What you need:

12 to 15 pound turkey

1 pound (OR MORE) sliced bacon

1 stick of butter

Toothpicks

Salt, Pepper, Garlic for seasoning

MORE: Cozy cabins to escape to in Arizona

ALSO: Best hikes to see fall colors in Arizona!

UA scientists celebrate craft's asteroid arrival

Associated Press — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 02:24:52 GMT

After a two-year chase, a NASA spacecraft arrived Monday at the ancient asteroid Bennu, its first visitor in billions of years.

The robotic explorer Osiris-Rex, right on cue, pulled within 12 miles (19 kilometers) of the diamond-shaped space rock. It will get even closer in the days ahead and actually go into orbit around Bennu on Dec. 31. No spacecraft has ever orbited such a small cosmic body.

It is the first U.S. attempt to gather asteroid samples for return to Earth, something only Japan has accomplished so far.

Flight controllers applauded and exchanged high-fives once confirmation came through -- exactly one week after NASA landed a spacecraft on Mars.

"Relieved, proud, and anxious to start exploring!" tweeted lead scientist Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona.

WATCH: University of Arizona full news conference on the asteroid announcement

With Bennu some 76 million miles (122 million kilometers) away, it took seven minutes for word to get from the spacecraft to flight controllers at Lockheed Martin in Littleton, Colorado. The company built the spacecraft there.

Bennu is estimated to be just over 1,600 feet (500 meters) across. Researchers will provide a more precise description at a scientific meeting next Monday in Washington.

About the size of an SUV, the spacecraft will shadow the asteroid for a year, before scooping up some gravel for return to Earth in 2023.

Scientists are eager to study material from a carbon-rich asteroid like dark Bennu, which could hold evidence dating back to the beginning of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago. As such, it's an astronomical time capsule.

A Japanese spacecraft, meanwhile, has been hanging out at another near-Earth asteroid since June, also for samples. It is Japan's second asteroid mission. This latest rock is named Ryugu and about double the size of Bennu.

Ryugu's specks should be here by December 2020, but will be far less than Osiris-Rex's promised booty.

Osiris-Rex aims to collect at least 60 grams, or 2 ounces, of dust and gravel from Bennu. The spacecraft won't land, but rather use a 10-foot mechanical arm in 2020 to momentarily touch down and vacuum up particles. The sample container would break loose and head toward Earth in 2021.

The collection -- parachuting down to Utah -- would represent the biggest cosmic haul since the Apollo astronauts hand-delivered moon rocks to Earth in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

NASA has brought back comet dust and solar wind particles before, but never asteroid samples. Japan managed to return some tiny particles from its first asteroid mission.

Both Bennu and Ryugu are considered potentially hazardous asteroids. That means they could smack Earth years from now. At worst, Bennu would carve out a crater during a projected close call 150 years from now.

Scientists contend the more they learn about asteroids, the better equipped Earth will be in heading off a truly catastrophic strike.

The $800 million Osiris-Rex mission began with a 2016 launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Its odometer read 1.2 billion miles (2 billion kilometers) as of Monday.

Both the spacecraft and asteroid's names come from Egyptian mythology. Osiris is the god of the afterlife, while Bennu represents the heron and creation.

Osiris-Rex is actually a NASA acronym for origins, spectral interpretation, resource identification, security-regolith explorer.

To learn more about the NASA Osiris-Rex mission, click here.

Zinke blasts AZ congressman in tweet

Associated Press — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 19:29:10 GMT

U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke unleashed a scathing personal attack Friday against a congressman who had called on him to resign, accusing the Arizona Democrat of drunkenness and using taxpayer money to cover up inappropriate behavior.

Zinke sent his tweet after Rep. Raul Grijalva wrote an opinion column, published in USA Today on Friday, saying that Zinke must resign because of what Grijalva called "ethical and managerial failings."

"It's hard for him to think straight from the bottom of the bottle," Zinke tweeted. "This is coming from a man who used nearly $50,000 in tax dollars as hush money to cover up his drunken and hostile behavior. He should resign and pay back the taxpayer for the hush money and the tens of thousands of dollars he forced my department to spend investigating unfounded allegations."

The tweet also included the hashtag (hash)TuneInnForMore, a reference to a Washington, D.C., bar. It wasn't immediately clear why Zinke made that reference.

Grijalva released a statement in response to Zinke's tweet that did not directly address the Interior secretary's accusations.

"The American people know who I'm here to serve, and they know in whose interests I'm acting. They don't know the same about Secretary Zinke," Grijalva said.

Zinke's extraordinary accusations come against the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee who is seeking to head the panel once Democrats take control of the House in January. The committee oversees Zinke's Interior Department, and the back-and-forth on Friday sets a sharp tone for their relationship if Grijalva becomes chairman.

Zinke spokeswoman Heather Swift didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Zinke's comment on "hush money" is a reference to news reports last year about a $48,000 settlement between Grijalva and a former staffer who accused him of being drunk and creating a hostile work environment.

The Washington Times and The Arizona Republic reported that the 2015 settlement paid the staffer five months' additional salary when she left the job after working there for three months.

Grijalva told The Republic then that he does not attend work-related events drunk and has never created a hostile work environment.

New safety fee raises AZ car registration cost

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:43:21 GMT

Your vehicle registration is about to get more expensive starting in December.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration renewals will have a new Public Safety Fee of $32 per vehicle. The fee will be $5 for street-legal golf carts and off-highway vehicles.

The changes go into effect on December 1.

The fees will go toward Highway Patrol operations including “response to collisions on Arizona highways, enforcing state laws designed to keep the motoring public safe, arresting impaired drivers, assisting motorists in distress, air-rescue operations and patrolling more than 6,800 miles of highways.”

ADOT says the fees will also help improve Arizona’s infrastructure.

In the past decade, ADOT says most of Highway Patrol’s budget came from gas tax. The Public Safety Fee will allow gas tax money to better support roadway maintenance and construction.

For more information, click here.

Campaign memo blames Trump for McSally loss

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 19:40:35 GMT

An internal memo from Congresswoman Martha McSally's senate campaign strategists is shedding light on her narrow loss earlier this month.

The memo, obtained by the Washington Post , lists a number of factors as contributing to McSally's loss, including ad spending, a brutal primary, name recognition and President Trump's popularity in Arizona.

"A significant segment of the AZ GOP was hostile to the President," the memo says. "In internal polling during the primary, President Trump never broke 80 percent favorability among Republican voters. A certain segment of AZ Republicans was [sic] outright hostile to President Trump, and was against the Kavanaugh appointment... These factors, coupled with an opposing candidate who portrayed herself as willing to work with President Trump and who often tweeted her respect and admiration for Senator McCain's legacy, were significant challenges to McSally's candidacy."

McCain is frequently mentioned throughout the memo, citing the popular Arizona senator's opposition to Trump as a key factor in fracturing the state's Republican party.

"Sinema hugged McCain tightly, and never once had the word 'Democrat' in a TV advertisement," the memo says.

Another section, titled "Ducey Factor," attempts to explain Gov. Doug Ducey's easy re-election while McSally's was more difficult. The memo credits the governor's win to outspending his opponent, 12-to-1. It also claims Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Garcia was an easier opponent in mostly conservative state.

"Ducey's opponent ran as a progressive, and the opponent was essentially abandonned by national Democrats, as evidenced by the spending gap," the memo says.

The memo also blames the bitter, crowded Republican primary with damaging McSally's image before the general election.

"In a year like this past one where McSally was coming out of a hard fought and ideological [sic] divisive primary, the McSally campaign was running from behind for the entire general election," the memo says. "Having had to drain her campaign war chest to defend against attack ads lobbed from a known Democrat Super PAC supporting Sinema, McSally went into the General elections with millions less than anticipated."

With some initial speculation that Gov. Ducey may appoint McSally to the Senate when Republican Jon Kyl steps down in March, the Washington Post reported earlier this week that there are tensions within the party about that choice.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story cited the author of the memo as the Arizona Republican party. That is incorrect. The memo was written by consultants for the McSally campaign.

DPS: Wrong-way driver had opioids in system

Mike Pelton — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 03:36:27 GMT

A just-released investigative report reveals new details in a wrong-way crash near Holbrook that killed two people and injured five others, including members of a youth group returning home from church camp.

In June, the deadly crash occurred along Interstate 40 east of Holbrook in the middle of the afternoon.

Authorities say 72-year-old Craig Allen, from Sun Valley, was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes when he crashed into a passenger van. Both Allen and the driver of the van, 35-year-old Kayleen Candelaria, died in the crash.

Candelaria was part of a large group returning to New Season Christian Fellowship in Apache Junction after spending time at a church camp in Oklahoma. Allen also died in the crash.

A newly released report by the Arizona Department of Public Safety sheds light on what led up to the crash.

According to the report, Allen's neighbor told investigators Allen lived alone and was in poor health and suffered from dementia. That same neighbor told authorities in the days prior to the crash, he had found Allen in his driveway in a dazed and confused state. The neighbor indicated he worried Allen's mental heath was deteriorating.

ABC15 is working to figure out if Allen was even legally allowed to drive.

According to toxicology results, Allen also had several substances in his system, including Oxycodone.

A youth pastor at New Season Christian Fellowship tells ABC15 the surviving victims are recovering from a varying degree of injuries.

A fundraiser is scheduled to take place Saturday for two of the victims.

Former Arizona Congressman Ed Pastor dies at 75

Associated Press — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 05:29:34 GMT

Former U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, Arizona's first Hispanic congressman, has died after suffering a heart attack. He was 75.

Pastor, a Democrat, served 23 years in Congress. He was the longtime senior member of the state's U.S. House delegation before he decided in 2014 against running for re-election.

Pastor went to Congress after winning a 1991 special election for the seat vacated by fellow Democrat Morris K. Udall.

Ronnie Lopez, a longtime friend of Pastor and finance director of all of his campaigns, said Pastor had a heart attack Tuesday night while dining at a restaurant with his wife, Verma.

Laura Pastor, a Phoenix City Council member and one of the former congressman's two daughters, said he "will be remembered for his commitment to his family, and his legacy of service to the community that he loved, the state of Arizona and the nation."

It's hard to imagine an Arizona without Congressman Ed Pastor. He was there for me when I was getting my start in Congress, just like he was there for all of us. Ed never cared about accolades, he just cared about making our state a better place to live. He will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/Wp76L80cFJ
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) November 28, 2018

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, called Pastor "an Arizona trailblazer and true public servant" and ordered that flags lowered statewide to half-staff to recognize "the long-lasting impact he will leave on Arizona."

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat who now represents the congressional district, said Pastor "dedicated his career to protecting the civil rights of every American and making the American Dream accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable in our society."

Pastor represented a heavily Democratic district centered on Phoenix. He previously served on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Current Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams and former Mayor Greg Stanton said Pastor, who served on the House Appropriations Committee, championed transportation projects such as funding for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport improvements and construction of the metro area's light rail system.

"I adored Ed Pastor, and Phoenix is a better city because of him," Williams said.

Besides his wife and daughter Laura Pastor, other survivors include a second daughter, Yvonne, and a sister, Eleanor.

Laura Pastor said arrangements for a celebration of her father's life are pending.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS! Most festive front lawn in USA?

Kari Steele — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 20:46:07 GMT

One of the most iconic holiday movie scenes of all time occurs when Clark Griswold finally succeeds in lighting the family Christmas lights in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. But Bill Donmoyer from Lebanon, Pennsylvania has taken it upon himself to dethrone the cult-classic character at the top of the holiday lights leaderboard.

Watch the video above to see this intense front lawn display of holiday light cheer!

Video shows gender reveal sparking AZ wildfire

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 00:30:38 GMT

Newly-released video shows the moment an explosive gender-reveal sparked a 47,000-acre wildfire in southern Arizona back in 2017.

The Sawmill Fire erupted near Green Valley on April 23, 2017, when off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent Dennis Dickey shot a target with his high-powered rifle so that it would explode in pink or blue powder, according to a previous release from the U.S. Attorney's office.

Video obtained Monday by the Arizona Daily Star shows the moment the explosion went off, sending sparks into the air and flames spreading just seconds later. Watch the video in the player below.

To pull off the reveal, Dickey made the target himself and filled it with Tannerite, a legal but highly explosive substance.

The target and Tannerite worked, but not in the way the 37-year-old Tucson resident imagined. The shot caused an explosion that ignited the Sawmill Fire and the wildfire spread to Coronado National Forest. Dry conditions at the time also exacerbated the spreading of the fire, which grew to about 47,000 acres in size and cost an estimated $8 million in damage.

Exploding targets are prohibited on the Coronado National Forest, and any type of recreational target shooting isn't allowed on state land where the fire started, officials said.

Land management agencies have seen wildfires spark from lightning, abandoned campfires, chainsaws, a horse's hoof clipping a rock, tow chains dragging along the road, cigarette butts and welding outside on a windy day.

"We pass that message on all the time -- one spark is all it takes, one spark is all it takes," said Tiffany Davila, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. "It's true. When you see that video, you see how quickly the grasses catch on fire and how quickly it moves."

Dickey immediately reported the fire to law enforcement, cooperated with the investigation and admitted that he started the blaze. He also repeatedly told the judge the incident was "a complete accident."

He pleaded guilty in October 2018 to a misdemeanor violation for starting a fire without a permit and made a plea agreement, agreeing to a sentence of five years of probation and to making a public service announcement with the U.S. Forest Service. He also has to pay a restitution totaling $8,188,069 with an initial payment of $100,000 and monthly payments of $500.

What can Arizona do to counter climate change?

Justin Pazera — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 11:48:36 GMT

We all know the Valley can get hot. That's nothing new, but there is a new plan to figure out how to combat the urban "heat island."

A "heat island" is when a metro area is a lot warmer than the rural areas surrounding it because of human activity.

Through a three-year, $3-million grant, Maricopa County is teaming up with Arizona State University to figure out how to reduce the rising temperatures.

"I think it's trying to get to the root cause of why we're seeing certain things happen the way they're happening," said Steve Chucri, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman.

Data from ASU shows over the last few decades, the average daytime temperatures in the core of Maricopa County have increased four degrees. The average nighttime low has jumped 17 degrees.

Compare that to temperatures in Casa Grande -- the daytime temps have stayed flat while the average low is inching up just six degrees.

"I believe if you look at climate change and these types of things, it's going to mean 20 different things to 20 different people," said Chucri, "What we're really trying to find out here - why is this occurring?"

The City of Phoenix is also trying to lower urban heat and lower its carbon emissions. Mark Hartman is the city's chief sustainability officer. He says, just a few years ago, Phoenix didn't really have a plan.

"If you don't know where you're going then any road will take you there," said Hartman, emphasizing the importance of having a plan.

Today Hartman says the city is on the right road to making a difference by lowering its greenhouse gases and adding more shade by planting trees.

Since 2012, the city has lowered its greenhouse gases by 10 percent. The city hopes to increase the number to 30 percent by 2025.

As for adding shade, right now there are about 92,000 trees on the city's public land and right of ways. They want to double that number by 2030.

"We find 92 percent of people will park further away to park in the shade," said Hartman. "Most people would say I'd walk a lot more often and bike a lot more often and not take my car if there was a shaded pathway to where I can shop."

Phoenix has also joined more than 7,000 cities around the world committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

Kelli Ward seeks Arizona GOP post

Associated Press — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 23:34:38 GMT

Two-time U.S. Senate candidate Kelli Ward said Monday she'll seek the top post in the Arizona Republican Party and likely forego any effort to seek the late Sen. John McCain's seat in 2020.

Ward said she believes her two Senate runs and background in the state Senate make her a solid candidate to shore up the party as Arizona becomes a battleground state.

"I think that it's time for a new strategy, it's time for a new leader, it's time for the old guard to be moved out and people who embrace the entire party to move in," Ward said.

Ward would likely face current chairman Jonathan Lines in a scheduled Jan. 26 election by party committee members. Party spokesman Robert Maxwell said Lines is expected to seek a second term, but had no further comment Monday on Ward's announcement.

The state party has been fractured for years between moderates who embrace business-friendly strategies and avoid hot-button social issues and a more conservative wing that has embraced the tea party and President Donald Trump's initiatives. McCain, who died last summer, was a frequent target of those conservative party activists, and Ward challenged him in the 2016 primary but lost by 11 percentage points. She ran again for Sen. Jeff Flake's seat this year, but lost in a three-way primary won by Rep. Martha McSally.

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema beat McSally in the general election.

Despite her campaign losses, Ward said those two statewide efforts have given her insight into what Republican voters want and an understanding of the issues that others don't have.

The physician from Lake Havasu City said she'll focus on changing GOP messaging on education and health care that she says has been poorly managed. She said she supports school choice, and public school teachers, but that GOP message hasn't resonated. The same is true with health care.

"I think that as the GOP chairperson I can help us at the state level, at the local level and at the national level to make sure that our messaging and our strategy are appropriate so that we take the state from the purple that's it's become under the last two GOP leaders and become strongly right once again," she said.

DUI suspected in I-10 wrong-way at Queen Creek

abc15.com staff — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 01:27:34 GMT

Eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 were closed near Chandler for several hours following a wrong-way crash on Sunday night.

I-10 EB is now CLOSED at Queen Creek Road. Traffic must exit at Queen Creek. Drivers can then re-enter I-10 using the Queen Creek on-ramp. #phxtraffic pic.twitter.com/vnIJKtiE85
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) November 26, 2018

Officials with the Arizona Department of Public Safety say the driver of the wrong-way vehicle, a 2017 Nissan Rogue, was injured. There is no word on the severity of the driver's injuries, but According to DPS, the 37-year-old man is from Mesa.

The 21-year-old victim driver from Tucson, who was traveling in a 1997 Chrysler van, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Impairment is believed to be a factor in the crash, according to DPS.

So far this year, DPS told ABC15 they've investigated 52 crashes involving a wrong-way driver. They investigated a total of 55 in 2017. In general, authorities say impairment is an underlying factor.

"If you happen to be in a situation where you see people taking...prescription medication, or illicit drugs or alcohol, you should be thinking about where that person is driving," said Raul Garcia, the public information supervisor for the Arizona Department of Public Safety. "Do everything you can to get those keys out of their hand."

Group panhandling to help feed Valley homeless

Sonu Wasu — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 04:12:25 GMT

You might have noticed large groups of "panhandlers" at intersections throughout the Valley on Friday.

They are panhandlers with a cause, all part of a non-profit group called the Purpose Movement, and their goal is to feed 5,000 people in December.

Shannon Gillette, an organizer with the group, said the Purpose Movement offers a one of a kind volunteer experience.

The project offered volunteers an opportunity to stand together in teams on the street corners and walk in the footsteps of the community experiencing homelessness. The goal was not only to raise funds to feed the homeless, but also to raise awareness about the thousands of men, women, and children who are in need.

"There are starving people in our community. There are 25,000 homeless people in Maricopa County, and 30 percent of those are families. I mean there are kids that go to bed hungry each night," said Gillette.

The group had been around for two years. Volunteers included many members from Rock Point Church, several East Valley high schools and businesses as well.

"Today we've had 300 people out on street corners. These guys have been out here since 8 a.m just to raise money to feed the homeless and those in need," said Gillette.

One of those volunteers was 16-year old high school student Gage Marr. His group alone raised $1,000 from generous motorists who passed by the group standing at the Loop-202 and San Tan Village Parkway exit.

Marr said standing out there gave him a sense of what panhandlers go through every day.

"I saw people put their heads down when they saw us, avoiding all eye contact, some pretending they're on their phone. Now I know what it feels like," said Marr.

Volunteers said they were not there to judge why some homeless chose to panhandle over getting jobs.

Their goal was to raise awareness about being homeless, and acknowledging that every homeless person out there had a story that led them toward life on the streets.

"I used to be guilty of judging the homeless. Oh, why don't you get a job, why are you panhandling? When you get to know the homeless community, you know we're called to love everyone and not to judge people," said Gillette.

The group collectively raised more than enough money to feed over 5,000 people this December. Gillette said they worked with shelters and food banks that already worked on providing meals to people in need.

Gillette said Purpose Project Inc. is a registered non-profit 501c3. The pizza chain Dominos had partnered with the group and agreed to become their primary food provider. Volunteers will be delivering Dominos pizzas with healthy toppings that included chicken and vegetables in hot bags throughout December until 5,000 people are fed.

The group said they were also "panhandling" online. To volunteer or donate, click here.

6 sentenced in UA student's fatal beating

Associated Press — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 12:23:53 GMT

A Greek court on Thursday convicted and sentenced six of nine suspects in the fatal beating of an American tourist in an island resort last year.

They were handed sentences ranging from five to 15 years on reduced charges of deliberate bodily harm.

Bakari Henderson, a 22-year-old University of Arizona student, died after being beaten in the street following an argument in a bar in the popular Laganas resort area of Zakynthos island in July 2017. One Greek, seven Serbs and a British citizen of Serbian origin were accused of involvement and tried in the western port city of Patras.

The prosecution had been seeking the conviction of six of the suspects for deliberate homicide, which carries a life sentence, but the court reduced the charge to deliberate bodily harm.

The British citizen of Serbian origin was sentenced to 15 years in prison. One of the Serb suspects was sentenced to 10 years, three received seven-year sentences and one other a five-year sentence. All had been held in pre-trial detention and are to return to prison after the trial.

The court dropped charges against three of the suspects, including the Greek barman who had been accused of blocking Henderson's escape route but not of participating in the beating.

The barman was released from prison, where he had been held in pretrial detention since his arrest last year. The other two who had charges against them dropped had been released on bail and had returned to Serbia.

Class ring lost 21 years returned to Valley man

Cameron Polom — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 12:59:10 GMT

As the saying goes, lost things are never meant to be found until they're forgotten.

"I just said to myself, you know what, I'm never gonna find it," said Derrick Stinson.

Stinson says the hope of finding the 1995 class ring now the center of conversation on Thanksgiving Day had long passed.

"I was the first person in my family to get a master's degree, I was the first person to get a bachelor's degree," said Stinson.

The former New Mexico State football player says it was an accomplishment his parents took great pride in, purchasing him a gold-plated class ring topped with a red ruby to let him know.

But in just 15 short months, he says it disappeared.

"I had lost the present that was given to me by my parents, and I didn't want to tell them I lost it and I never did," said Stinson who searched for years trying to find it before declaring it a lost cause.

The location of the ring remained a mystery for two decades until a Facebook message popped up on Stinson's phone.

"It says, 'Hi Derrick, you don't know me, but I have something of yours I think you would like back,'" said Stinson, reading the message.

Stinson could only chuckle at his first reaction.

"I was like, I hope it's not a child because I was like I already have three boys," said Stinson laughing.

Then came several pictures of a gold-plated ring with New Mexico state engraved in the top and etched inside the band, Derrick L Stinson.

"They had had it for a while, tried to find me. Facebook wasn't out at that time, they couldn't find me, but my name was in the ring," said Stinson.

Years would pass before a woman named Melissa Gutierrez would reveal her brother found the ring at the Albuquerque Airport.

Her brother had recently passed and they came across the ring again and gave it one last ditch effort to find the owner.

Stinson's mother, who lives in New Mexico, promptly picked up the ring from Gutierrez and hand-delivered it back to her son this holiday with a simple message.

"'We're happy for you for that moment but you know what, don't lose it again.' Next time I said I won't tell mom," said Stinson with laughter.

Derrick says he offered Gutierrez a reward for finding and returning the ring, but she declined, telling him she was just happy it found its way home.

Florida man with viral mugshot arrested again

Mary Stringini — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 03:26:09 GMT

OPELIKA, AL — A Florida man whose mugshot went viral last week was arrested again early Wednesday morning in Alabama.

Charles Dion McDowell, 31, was booked into the Lee County, Alabama, Detention Facility on charges including attempting to elude, second-degree possession of marijuana, driving with license revoked, reckless driving and improper lane usage, according to jail records.

McDowell was released after posting his $5,400 bond.

His mugshot went viral last week when he was arrested in by deputies in Escambia County, Florida.

The sheriff's office posted his mugshot on Facebook, after he was arrested for fleeing/eluding police with lights and sirens active, possession of meth with intent to sell/manufacture/deliver, possession of cocaine with intent to sell/manufacture/deliver schedule ii, possession of controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana and possession of drug equipment.

He was released shortly after he posted his $57,000 bond.

Sinema in the Valley for Thanksgiving holiday

Justin Pazera — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 00:51:11 GMT

Senator-elect Kyrsten Sinema is back in the Valley after spending some time in Washington D.C. It was her first time talking to the media since her acceptance speech a couple weeks ago.

Sinema has met with Governor Doug Ducey since being back in town, with his office taking several photos of the meeting at the state capitol in Phoenix.

Sinema told ABC15 Wednesday the meeting with Ducey went well and she's looking forward to working with his administration.

"We've got a lot of work that needs to be done at the federal level," said Sinema. "We've got a lot of work that needs to be done to protect our long-term water source for Arizona's future. We've got work to do to ensure that Arizona can continue to have a robust and healthy trade relationship with Mexico and Canada, our two largest trading partners."

Sinema also took time to pass out turkeys at the HonorHealth Desert Mission, a food bank in the Sunnyslope area of Phoenix.

Sinema says her first job out of college was at an elementary school a few blocks from the food bank. At the time, she was a social worker and worked with the food bank to ensure families had food on a daily basis.

The food bank was expected to pass out more than 2,000 Thanksgiving turkeys in two days. Normally, they serve up to 300 people a day.

OH! There is a secret fairytale world in Arizona

Kari Steele — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 20:25:52 GMT

Watch where you step! You might trip on a glass slipper or fall down a rabbit hole. Valley of the Moon is a delightful reimagined fairytale land that brings animation to life in front of your eyes here in the desert.

Photo courtesy of ValleyoftheMoonTucson/Facebook

Watch the video above to see the animated fairytale land imagined here in Arizona!

Walt Disney was a member of the "Fairy Investigation Society." One of his fellow members created Arizona's enchanted storybook land! Valley of the Moon has brought whimsy to life for 93 years in Tucson.

The illusion is real — not just a trippy desert dream. With a little help from music and magic, defy convention and choose your own happily ever after!

MORE: This small town might be the scariest in Arizona

ALSO: Grab chips! Party roadmap to Arizona's official salsa trail

PHX business challenging anti-discrimination law

Associated Press — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 22:26:19 GMT

Arizona's highest court will hear arguments from a custom stationery business that believes a Phoenix anti-discrimination law violates their religious freedom.

The Arizona Supreme Court said Tuesday it will take the case between Brush & Nib Studio and the city.

The business is appealing a ruling brought by the Arizona Court of Appeals last June.

Brush & Nib's Christian owners said in a 2016 lawsuit that the ordinance forces them to make invitations and other stationery for same-sex weddings under threats of fines and jail time.

The appeals court ruled the ordinance was constitutional.

Phoenix expanded the law in 2013 to include protections against discrimination and bias based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Winnie the Pooh shares moment w/ disabled child!

Kari Steele — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 21:48:20 GMT

Everyone's favorite yellow bear had a moment with a disabled child that these parents will remember forever! Kentucky's Jessie Barber was visiting Walt Disney World when a Winnie the Pooh character approached her 18-month-old son who has cerebral palsy. Barber shared a video on her Facebook page showing Pooh playfully allowing the boy to touch his nose. Barber's son has the functionality of a four to six-month-old and communicates by smiling and other facial expressions.

Watch the video above to see the cutest thing on the internet!

SNOW! There's a REAL Polar Express in Arizona!

Kari Steele — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 21:20:09 GMT

Hold onto your footie pajamas and keep your eyes wide open! Take a ride to the North Pole and receive your own silver bell on the Polar Express. There is a secret train that rolls through snowy Northern Arizona and pays homage to the Christmas classic. The Grand Canyon Railway has been running the Polar Express for 17 years, and it is still as magical as ever.

Watch the video above to see the special snowy experience!

The family-friendly train bonanza is based on the Chris Van Allsburg book, in which a young boy takes an enchanted trip to the North Pole. Fill your heart with the spirit of the season!

Riders roll up to the festive train depot for a daytime or nighttime departure. If choosing a dinnertime departure, families can elect to stay in one of the 297 rooms at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel across the street.

Once tickets are purchased inside the train station, riders will watch the terminal come to life through a laser light show synchronized to music. Upon culmination of the dazzling light experience, riders turn their attention to the platform. The train pulls in and the train crew hangs out of doorways – welcoming guests into the cars.

The ride begins with immediate merriment as chefs sing and dance down the aisles to songs from the movie. Riders are served hot chocolate and cookies as everyone reads the story of the Polar Express together.

Excitement builds as the train goes through a magic tunnel. On the other end, Santa and his elves magically appear on a platform! The train comes to a stop and Santa bursts through the door! Jolly St. Nick greets every passenger with a hug and their own silver bell, just like in the movie. Remember, if the bell rings when you shake it, it means you believe in Christmas! After Santa finishes his rounds, he departs to meet Mrs. Claus and the train heads back to the station. Guests sing carols with the chefs during the ride back.

Give your dreams the wings to fly and BELIEVE! The Polar Express services 95,000 people every year and each train holds 1,300 guests. Tickets are limited but still available here!

MORE: Best hikes to see fall colors in Arizona!

ALSO: Verde Canyon Railroad: The party train where you can make friends with bald eagles

SNOW! There's a REAL Polar Express in Arizona!

Kari Steele — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 22:37:17 GMT

Watch the video above to see the special snowy experience!

The family-friendly train bonanza is based on the Chris Van Allsburg book, in which a young boy takes an enchanted trip to the North Pole. Fill your heart with the spirit of the season!

Give your dreams the wings to fly and BELIEVE! The Polar Express services 95,000 people every year and each train holds 1,300 guests. Tickets are limited but still available here!

MORE: Best hikes to see fall colors in Arizona!

ALSO: Verde Canyon Railroad: The party train where you can make friends with bald eagles

Ducey names former rival to AZ Board of Regents

Associated Press — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 18:30:11 GMT

Gov. Doug Ducey has appointed former political rival Fred DuVal to the Arizona Board of Regents.

Ducey announced Monday that DuVal, the 2014 Democratic nominee for governor, would fill a vacancy on the board.

DuVal was the board chairman in 2011.

Ducey calls his former opponent a remarkable leader with "immeasurable higher education experience."

DuVal says he wants to make college more affordable for students and impact the workforce in Arizona.

A graduate of the University of Arizona, DuVal has worked closely with the school serving on various boards.

He will fill a seat previously held by Rick Myers.

Globe PD: Liquor license suspended from Jammerz

abc15.com staff — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 22:09:24 GMT

Jammerz bar in downtown Globe has had its liquor license suspended one week after a deadly shooting left three people dead.

The suspension was confirmed by Globe Police Chief Dale Walters on Sunday.

Records obtained from the state Department of Liquor License and Control detail that the bar's license was suspended as a result of what happened the night of the shooting.

The shooting occurred at the Jammerz bar near Ash Street and Hackney Avenue late Sunday night. Around 10:30 p.m., police say a lone gunman walked in and opened fire.

Police tell ABC15 four people were shot during the incident and two of those people, a 22-year-old man, and a 44-year-old woman, were killed at the scene.

Paperwork filed by state regulators say only one employee was working at Jammerz at the time of the shooting, and was outside smoking marijuana when the suspect opened fire, "leaving no on-duty employee inside the establishment while it was open for business," officials said.

Several days later on Thursday, 22-year-old Ashley Sanchez passed away at the hospital. Ashley’s mother and two younger sisters made the decision to end her life support. On top of the recent loss, Ashley’s father passed away just three weeks before the shooting from an illness, according to the family.

On Tuesday, police said the man killed was Daniel Albo, and the 44-year-old-woman was Cristi Licano.

Family members said Licano worked at Jammerz but was not working at the time of the shooting. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help her family pay for funeral expenses.

GoFundMe pages have also been established for the family of Daniel Albo and for the family of Ashley Sanchez. You can also donate at any Wells Fargo bank by mentioning “the Ashley Sanchez benefit donation fund” and “the Danny Albo benefit memorial fund.”

"I kept getting phone calls and I couldn't believe it, it's like the worst thing ever," said Chris Mejia, a family member of one of the victims. "That's my family, that's my cousin, we grew up together since we were kids. She had a heart of gold, ever since she was little."

The other person injured in the shooting, Charlene Peak, remained hospitalized in stable condition, officials said.

A fifth person, Scott Mills, was shot at in the incident but not injured, police said Tuesday.

In a briefing held Monday afternoon, police said 22-year-old Sterling Hunt was taken into custody on the San Carlos Apache Nation on unrelated charges but is considered the only suspect for the shooting.

Police say this appears to be an isolated act of violence, according to information they have gathered, and investigators are not aware of any ongoing threats to the community.

"It doesn't even seem like reality," resident John Flores said. "I just...I pray for their peace, and everybody here I know is doing the exact same thing. This is how our community is. Our community is strong, we're a small community but when push comes to shove, our community, we bind together like a family."

Gila County Sheriff's Office posted that their officials were asked to assist with the scene, along with their Drug, Gang, and Violent Crimes Task Force.

Police are asking anyone who was at the bar or knows something about what happened inside around the time of the shooting to call the Globe Police Department and speak with Detective Steve Williams.

85,000 ballots left to count in Maricopa County

Associated Press — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 18:20:11 GMT

Arizona Secretary of State officials say the large counties of Pima and Maricopa still have thousands of ballots from the Nov. 6 election to count going into the weekend.

The agency's data analyst Garrett Archer said Friday on his Twitter account The AZ Data Guru that Arizona's 13 smaller counties have completed their tallies, but some 85,000 ballots are outstanding in Maricopa, home to Phoenix and more than half the state's population. He says about 7,000 ballots are uncounted in Pima County, home to Tucson.

Arizona's election manual requires each of the state's 15 counties to canvass, or certify its final results and send them to the state.

Secretary of State Michele Reagan is to issue the final canvass for Arizona's total election results Dec. 3.

Gov. Ducey's department directors departing

Associated Press — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 21:22:30 GMT

Arizona Doug Ducey's administration will have new heads of several agencies as he begins his second four-year term of office.

Ducey was re-elected Nov. 7, and his office announced Friday that Department of Revenue Director David Briant and Department of Gaming Director Dan Bergin will soon retire and that Jeff Whitney is stepping down immediately as director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

Current DOR Chief Deputy Director Carlton Woodruff will be interim director of the tax agency, while the Gaming Department will be overseen on an interim basis by James Ashley, who will continue as director of the Industrial Commission of Arizona.

Similarly, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management's interim director will be David Tenney, director of the Residential Utility Consumer Office.

Two killed in Heber-Overgaard plane crash

Clayton Klapper — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 21:52:09 GMT

Two people have been killed after a plane hit a home in the Heber-Overgaard area Friday night.

The FAA says the plane was a single-engine Zodiac 601 with two people on board.

The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened around 5 p.m.

NCSO says a homeowner came home around that time and found a plane a few feet from his house, with damage done to the home.

The FAA says it’s unclear what caused the plane to crash.

In a Saturday afternoon update, authorities identified the victims as Jay Lynch, 82, and Randal Lynch, 52, both from Florida.

The FAA and NTSB will continue to investigate.

The NCSO Criminal Investigations unit is also on scene assisting with the investigation.

Gov. Ducey fires embattled state parks director

Associated Press — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 04:12:42 GMT

Embattled Arizona state Parks Director Sue Black was fired Friday following numerous complaints, including the bulldozing of potential archeological sites to rush the development of cabins and other improvements.

Gov. Doug Ducey announced in a news release that Black and deputy director Jim Keegan were departing Arizona State Parks and Trails effective immediately.

The action came after a former state archeologist filed a complaint in October alleging that top parks officials ignored his repeated warnings that their actions violated regulations prohibiting destruction of artifacts and archeological sites.

Native American lawmakers called for an investigation. Black and Keegan were put on administrative leave Nov. 1 while the governor's office conducted a review.

Will Russell, a former tribal liaison and compliance officer with the agency, told The Arizona Republic and the Today's News-Herald that managers scolded him whenever he reiterated his concerns. He alleged Black rarely consulted with tribes on a Lake Havasu State Park project to build updated restrooms and beachfront cabins. She later eliminated his liaison position, he said.

Paula Pflepsen, another staff archeologist, accused Black and Keegan of going over qualified personnel to push through the building of new hiking trails or renovating existing ones at Kartchner Caverns State Park.

Ducey was a longtime supporter of Black, praising her for bringing in new revenue. In November 2016, he approved a 9 percent raise giving her an annual salary of $175,000, The Arizona Republic reported.

Black had kept her job despite facing three previous inquiries over other allegations. Among them were that she berated staff or acted disrespectfully.

She also had one of the highest turnover rates for a director of a state agency. Of the agency's 180 employees, nearly 120 quit or were fired since her February 2015 appointment, according to public records obtained by The Arizona Republic.

Ted Vogt, who previously served as the chief operating officer for the state of Arizona, will serve as the agency's interim director.

Northern AZ woman stuck in carwash during chase

Clayton Klapper — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 19:50:07 GMT

A Mohave County woman led deputies on a nearly 20-mile pursuit, and at one point found herself trapped behind another vehicle inside a carwash.

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office says deputies attempted to stop 43-year-old Carey Sims for speeding Wednesday night just before 7 p.m. in Bullhead City.

Sims stopped but refused to roll down her window more than an inch or give identification to the deputies.

Mohave Co. says Sims then sped through a barrier and drove into a nearby carwash.

Once inside the carwash, Sims was trapped because another car was inside being washed. Deputies placed a spike strip inside and successful disabled one tire.

Deputies then attempted to break a window and open the door to arrest Sims, who allegedly drove into the vehicle in front of her, damaging it and pushing it out of the carwash.

In the process, the rear of her vehicle allegedly hit a deputy but did not cause serious injury.

A pursuit then began on Highway 95, with Sims’ vehicle reaching speeds of at least 80 mph and running several red lights.

The pursuit lasted about 19 miles, and in the process debris from the blown tire caused a hole in one deputy’s windshield hitting him with glass fragments in the eye and arms.

Sims eventually came to a stop near Rio Vista Road and Ramar Road in Bullhead City. Authorities said she continued to resist arrest but was eventually taken into custody.

No deputies were seriously injured during the incident.

The woman faces felony charges for endangerment, two counts of aggravated assault on an officer, aggravated criminal damage, resisting arrest, and unlawful flight from law enforcement.

Talk increasing about McSally replacing Kyl

Justin Pazera — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 00:32:30 GMT

The idea of Governor Doug Ducey appointing Republican Martha McSally has been an idea being talked about well before Election Day. The governor appointed Jon Kyl to fill part of the late Senator McCain's term, but Kyl has only committed to serving through the end of the year.

The idea of replacing him with McSally, who lost her race to Senator-elect Kyrsten Sinema, is getting local and national attention after how close the race was.

Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts, whose been critical of McSally during her campaign, says Republicans might just get what they wanted.

"We have a million people plus roughly 30-thousand that wanted Kyrsten Sinema," said Roberts in an ABC15 interview. "We have a million people minus 30-thousand that wanted Martha McSally. The fact is, we could have them both and maybe that's not just a terrible thing."

Governor Ducey's office addressed the idea Tuesday afternoon, saying the governor is hopeful Jon Kyl will continue to serve in the Senate until 2020 and at this point, isn't speculating on a vacancy that does not exist.

BIGHORN SHEEP! 30 returned to home in Tucson

Kari Steele — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 22:25:15 GMT

After the rain comes the rainbow! Thirty bighorn sheep are calling Payson their home once again thanks to the special care of Arizona's Game and Fish Department. April 2018's Tinder Fire engulfed more than 16,300 acres close to the release site. Something good is now coming from the forest devastation -- an opportunity for vast vegetation regrowth which will provide improved habitat conditions for these beautiful creatures.

Watch the video above to see just how happy these majestic animals are to be back in the mountains!

Thirty other bighorn sheep were simultaneously released into the Picacho Mountains closer to Tucson. The video you see is from that release by Arizona's Game and Fish Department.

STATS: Sex trafficking in the United States

abc15.com staff — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 20:24:50 GMT

Human trafficking remains a major issue in Arizona and the U.S.

WATCH: ABC15's Danielle Lerner sits down with a sex trafficking survivor

Over 10,600 sex and labor trafficking survivors in 2017 contacted the National Human Trafficking Hotline, with more than 7,200 of those cases being classified as sex trafficking, according to a nationwide report from nonprofit group Polaris.

A total of 3,126 survivors were considered minors, while 1,956 were adults, per the report. About 5,500 of the survivors' ages were unknown.

The average age of someone initially being sex trafficked is 19, while around 80% of those trafficked are female, the report states. Ages 15 to 17 saw the most survivors, with a total of 269.

Of the 10,000+ survivors, just over 2,000 sex trafficking survivors indicated different recruiting tactics, with the top tactics being from intimate partners/marriage propositions and familial connections, according to the report.

"Escort services" was the most common type of sex trafficking in 2017, with "residential" (typically brothels) and "outdoor solicitation" (selling themselves on the street corner) holding the second and third most common types, respectively.

If you need help or suspect that you’ve observed human trafficking, call: 1-888-373-7888, text: 233733, or TTY: 711 the National Human Trafficking Hotline. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Polaris lists itself as a 501-C nonprofit organization that wants to "eradicate modern slavery" and focuses on victims of trafficking.

Congratulations pour in for Sinema after victory

abc15.com staff — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 05:47:07 GMT

Kyrsten Sinema's victory over Martha McSally in Arizona's closely-contested Senate race led to an outpouring of support for Arizona's first female senator from fellow Democrats and others across the political spectrum, including from the person whose seat she will take in Washington.

Congratulations to @kyrstensinema on a race well run, and won. It’s been a wonderful honor representing Arizona in the Senate. You’ll be great.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) November 13, 2018

Congratulations to Senator-Elect @kyrstensinema on a hard-fought victory. We also salute Rep. @MarthaMcSally — thank you for your service to our country in uniform and your representation of #AZ’s 2nd Congressional District. Thank you both for your historic campaigns.
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) November 13, 2018

Gabby Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, also sent along their congratulations.

Congratulations to @KyrstenSinema on your historic win! Arizona’s first woman senator led her campaign with character and decency. Mark and I are glad you’re in the Senate. https://t.co/WxdBz3Mn0z
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) November 13, 2018

Congrats, @KyrstenSinema. Gabby and I both admired your grace and grit throughout this election. Arizona is in good hands. https://t.co/oObSiS41ZU
— Mark Kelly (@ShuttleCDRKelly) November 13, 2018

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and other senators, were quick to welcome their newest colleague.

BREAKING: We just flipped another red-to-blue seat! Congrats @kyrstensinema on the win tonight! #AZSen pic.twitter.com/mZZvxP9IwJ
— Senate Democrats (@dscc) November 13, 2018

Congratulations Senator-elect @kyrstensinema on your historic win!https://t.co/9jcfrkDhBJ
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 13, 2018

Former Vice President Joe Biden also weighed in late Monday night.

Congratulations to @kyrstensinema for a well-earned victory tonight. She’s going to do incredible work for Arizona. Credit to @MarthaMcSally as well for handling the results with true dignity and class.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 13, 2018

VIDEO: Martha McSally concedes Senate race to Kyrsten Sinema

VIDEO: Kathy Hoffman talks superintendent win

Associated Press — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 16:52:16 GMT

Democrat special education teacher and political novice Kathy Hoffman has won the race for Arizona superintendent of public instruction, beating an experienced Republican politician.

Hoffman was declared the winner Monday night as her lead over Frank Riggs grew insurmountable during Arizona's lengthy vote count.

FULL ARIZONA ELECTION RESULTS

Hoffman was one of hundreds of current and former educator-activists on general election ballots across the nation following this year's Red for Ed protests. Demonstrators called for support of higher teacher pay and increased public school funding.

Hoffman beat a former state senate minority leader in the August primary and stressed her work at a blue-collar school in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale in her bid to run the state's education department. She said career politicians and political insiders don't necessarily make the best candidates.

Hoffman sat down with ABC15 Mornings on Tuesday -- hear what she had to say after her win in the video player above

Riggs is a former California U.S. congressman who also headed a nonprofit group that helped charter schools with funding. He criticized Hoffman's lack of experience and stressed his own political and management experience.

An unprecedented May teacher strike shut down Arizona public schools for nearly a week. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a plan for teacher pay raises that will reach 20 percent by 2020, including 1 percent granted during the past budget year.

VIDEO: McSally concedes Senate race to Sinema

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 03:49:43 GMT

Martha McSally has conceded the Senate race to Kyrsten Sinema, who will become the state's first female senator.

"I just called Kyrsten Sinema and congratulated her on becoming Arizona's first female senator after a hard-fought battle," McSally said in a video posted Monday afternoon. "I wish her all success as she represents Arizona in the Senate."

Congrats to @kyrstensinema. I wish her success. I’m grateful to all those who supported me in this journey. I’m inspired by Arizonans’ spirit and our state’s best days are ahead of us. pic.twitter.com/tw0uKgi3oO
— McSally For Senate (@MarthaMcSally) November 13, 2018

McSally also thanked her staff, volunteers and her supporters.

"I'm so grateful for you as my wingmen and wingwomen in this journey. We sure wish it came out with a different result, but I am so thankful for you," she said.

While votes are still being tallied, the Associated Press projected Sinema as the winner Monday evening after the latest vote tallies were released.

As long as I’ve served Arizona, I’ve worked to help others see our common humanity & find common ground. That’s the same approach I’ll take to representing our great state in the Senate, where I’ll be an independent voice for all Arizonans.

Thank you, Arizona. Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/iX6u6VQ9bQ
— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) November 13, 2018

GOOD GRIEF! 6 silly secrets about Snoopy Rock

Kari Steele — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 03:16:05 GMT

It's a great red rock formation, Charlie Brown! Everyone loves the Peanuts characters but who knew Snoopy moved his doghouse to Sedona?

Don't be a "blockhead," see how many Peanuts characters you can spot next to Snoopy! HINT: there's more than one!

Watch the video above to see how many Peanuts characters you can spot as rock formations next to Snoopy!

MORE: 5 affordable day trips from Phoenix!

TUB OF NACHOS! ISM Raceway's new 2018 menu

Kari Steele — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 18:16:06 GMT

Diners -- start your engines! The Trackside Bar & Grill out at the ISM Raceway is debuting its new menu for the 2018 season and boy does it look good! Ready to fuel up on some gameday grub?

Watch the video above to see the loaded 6-2-3 NACHOS!

AZ Sec of State: Hobbs, Gaynor are neck and neck

Shane Dale — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 00:23:30 GMT

For the second time since Election Night, Democrat Katie Hobbs took another lead over Republican Steve Gaynor in the Arizona Secretary of State race Monday afternoon.

Hobbs took a brief lead for the first time Sunday afternoon before Gaynor reclaimed the lead with another updated vote count later in the day.

As of Monday afternoon, Hobbs has 1,083,210 votes, putting her 5,667 votes ahead of Gaynor's 1,077,543. Those numbers include updated vote tallies from Maricopa and Pinal counties.

Over 200,000 ballots are still yet to be counted in Arizona.

The Associated Press called the race for Gaynor on Election Night, but Hobbs refused to concede. Since Tuesday night, Gaynor's lead, which was once over 40,000 votes, continued to shrink.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ELECTION RESULTS AND COVERAGE

“The Associated Press has incorrectly called the Secretary of State race in Arizona with a razor-thin margin and hundreds of thousands of ballots remaining to be counted,” Niles Harris, Katie Hobbs' campaign manager, said in a statement Tuesday night. “We are cautiously optimistic that when all the ballots are counted, Katie Hobbs will be elected Arizona’s next Secretary of State. This decision by the Associated Press is head-scratching, but Katie Hobbs will not stop until every Arizona citizen’s vote has been counted.”

A graduate of Harvard Business School, Gaynor has been a commercial printing plant owner in Arizona, California and Colorado. He defeated incumbent Secretary of State Michele Reagan by a two-to-one margin in August's Republican primary election. He has not previously held political office.

Hobbs served in the Arizona State House and Senate. She has a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University and a master's degree from Arizona State University, and she served on the adjunct faculty of Paradise Valley Community College's social and behavioral sciences department.

MAP: 2018 police-involved shootings reaches 72

Courtland Jeffrey — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 23:02:48 GMT

The latest officer-involved shootings mark 72 in the Valley so far this year.

A total of 72 officer- and deputy-involved shootings have happened across the Valley as of November 13.

The latest incident occurred at the end of a police pursuit in Glendale on Tuesday afternoon.

For context, there were a total of 43 officer- and deputy-involved shootings in all of 2017, according to data from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

Of the 72 incidents, 41 of the county's 2018 officer-involved shootings have occurred in the city of Phoenix.

In 2017, the city of Phoenix had a total of 18 officer- and deputy-involved shootings.

At least 40 people have died in connection to these shootings, according to media reports.

A police K-9 died during an altercation connected to an officer-involved shooting in the middle of April.

Take a look at the map below for details on each known incident so far this year.

The incident on July 25 that resulted in the death of a Department of Public Safety trooper and the injury of two others is not considered an authority-involved shooting, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. It is considered a homicide involving a trooper, but no authorities fired guns in the altercation.

The July 25 incident was initially included in this list but has since been removed since the clarification.

Editor's note: This story previously totaled media-reported incidents. It has since been updated with confirmed incident information from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

FIRST LOOK! USA's 1st medical weed kitchen

Kari Steele — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 21:19:11 GMT

The Mint Dispensary in Tempe, Arizona has opened the first full-service cannabis kitchen in the United States.

Patients possessing a medicinal marijuana card will now be able to purchase a warm meal customized with a dose of cannabis.

What does that mean?

The Mint Dispensary added a state-of-the-art kitchen that features cannabis-infused breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by fresh on-site by executive chef Carylnn Principal. Just want a snack? You can grab one of those as well. The kitchen offers a full menu of pizza, pasta, artisan burgers, street tacos, fries, and other cannabis-infused meals for patients to pick up and consume on the go. Also on the premises, you will find a juice bar, barista, gelato, and a pastry counter. You can find the full menu at themintdispensary.com.

Doses of cannabis?

The meals and snacks are prepared with a range of doses available from 10 mg and up. "This is a tolerance thing. For someone who doesn't smoke, they will be able to take 10 mg to 25 mg doses and it will get them a normal high," stated Raul Molina, Marketing Director and Chief Operations Officer.

Hours of operation and catering?

Chef Principal and her five-member staff dish up goodies during the dispensary's regular operating hours -- 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Chef's background?

Chef Carylann Principal is a classically-trained chef and cancer survivor. She created all of the recipes for the dispensary and is looking forward to sharing her nutritional knowledge with others who are fighting similar battles.

Cooking classes?

When the holiday season begins, The Mint Dispensary will hold free cooking classes on Sunday mornings. Class sizes will be limited to 15 people. Patients with a medicinal cannabis card will be required to register ahead of time online.

ABC15 investigation finds unlicensed 'doctors'

Dave Biscobing — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 19:42:39 GMT

They may seem like random, unconnected stories.

An impostor doctor busted for running a medical clinic. A fake nurse caught injecting people. Phony dentists running a practice. A bogus surgeon performing procedures.

But they’re all part of much larger – and until now – hidden problem involving the unlicensed practice of healthcare across Arizona.

In the past year, ABC15 has exposed and confronted a handful of impostors and obtained thousands of pages of documents from health boards, police, and prosecuting agencies related to unlicensed healthcare activity.

In all, the station found there have been nearly 130 individuals officially questioned, accused, and/or found to have participated in unlicensed practice of health since mid-2012. The individuals can be found across Arizona and in many of the state's regulated health fields, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, psychology, and massage therapy.

See the 130 individuals and their relevant records in the database below. *An explanation for the database is at the bottom of this report.

DATABASE: UNLICENSED HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN ARIZONA

What’s troubling: There are likely many more out there.

“That number is high but not surprising,” said Steve Duplissis, head of the Arizona Attorney General healthcare fraud unit, in response to ABC15’s findings. “The number is probably smaller than what else is going on out there.”

In fact, Duplissis told ABC15 his office had 10 open investigations regarding impostor health professionals.

Despite all of the unlicensed people in Arizona providing health care outside the law, only two of Arizona’s nearly two-dozen health boards openly warn the public.

Those two are the Acupuncture Board and the Nursing Board.

“(We do it) for public protection,” said Emma Mamaluy, attorney for the Arizona Nursing Board. “We take it very seriously.”

The Arizona Nursing Board lists all nurse impostors in a special section on its website. The names date back to 1997.

The board recently added a new name to its list after ABC15 went undercover to bust an impostor who stole the identity of a real nurse and was injecting patients in a salon suite in Scottsdale.

“We’re not required to post the impostor names on our website. That’s a decision we made at this board,” Mamaluy said. “Our mission is to protect the public. So if someone is holding themselves out without a license, we want the public to know about that.”

Some health boards refused to give ABC15 names or records, including the Arizona Medical Board.

Here’s one example of how that puts you at risk.

Before ABC15 exposed a convicted felon named Craig Scherf running a Tempe medical clinic, he had been reported at least four different times to state health boards dating back to 2005.

None of the boards that received information about Scherf openly warned the public.

After ABC15’s investigation last year, the Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation. Scherf is now serving an eight-year prison sentence.

[Editor’s note: ABC15 Investigator Dave Biscobing has spent the past year investigating unlicensed health professionals. He’s working on a project that will air / publish in the coming months. Anyone with information about an impostor health professional can contact Dave at dbiscobing@abc15.com.]

*About our database: ABC15 compiled a database of individuals who officials have questioned, accused, and/or found to have participated in the unlicensed practice of healthcare since mid-2012. ABC15 obtained this information through public records and information about unlicensed activity from law enforcement agencies and 20 of Arizona's health oversight boards. ABC15 added additional names based on the station's own investigation. Corresponding documentation is available for nearly every listed individual; exceptions are listed below. If you have additional information or concerns about a name in the database, please email dbiscobing@abc15.com.

2004 armored car killing still generating leads

Joe Enea — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 16:12:04 GMT

The murder of an armored car guard in Ahwatukee in 2004 still generates weekly leads as the FBI continues its search for a 'Top Ten' wanted fugitive.

Brown ambushed Palomares shooting him five times in the head

The Crime:

It was just after 10 a.m. on November 29, 2004, when Keith Palomares, 24, was transporting $56,000 in cash from an AMC theater in Ahwatukee to the Dunbar armored car parked nearby. The suspect, later identified as Jason Derek Brown, ambushed Palomares, shooting him five times in the head with a .45 caliber handgun, in a manner the FBI describes as 'an assassination.' Palomares' gun was found at the scene, but he was shot before he had time to defend himself.

After grabbing the money bag, Brown fled on a BMX mountain bicycle, then ditched the bike for a silver BMW convertible he had parked nearby.

Witnesses would tell police that they saw the BMW in the parking lot during the weeks before the robbery. On December 1, the police and FBI received information that a man, matching the description of the murder suspect, had been staying at a hotel in Chandler from November 25 and left abruptly on the day of the crime. That person was seen driving the same silver BMW M3 and identified as Jason Derek Brown, age 39. Brown checked into the hotel listing his contact information as being from Salt Lake City, Utah. A fingerprint lifted from the BMX bike matched Brown, and police found out that he recently bought a gun and ammunition that matched the type of weapon used in the murder. Brown was quickly labeled as the suspect in the robbery, and the murder of Keith Palomares.

The Suspect: Jason Derek Brown was born on July 1, 1969. He speaks fluent French, has a Master's degree in international business and enjoys outdoor sports like golf, snowboarding and dirt biking. Brown was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and completed his Mormon mission near Paris, France.

The FBI says he has ties to Utah, California, and Arizona but has also traveled to Mexico and France. He enjoys the high life, showing off expensive vehicles and boats and going to nightclubs. Brown would usually scam people out of money, posing as an international businessman, usually a golf equipment importer.

FBI Supervisory Special Agent Lance Leising has been working on the Brown case since it began twelve years ago. He describes Brown as an "unusual character," saying, "It's not often you see somebody that had that much going for him and that much support, turn to this life of crime."

Jason Derek Brown also goes by the names: Greg Johnson, Harline Johnson, John Brown and Jay Brown.

He's 5-foot ten about 170 pounds with blond hair and green eyes.

The Initial Search: After the robbery and murder, Brown quickly made two bank deposits, on November 30 in Henderson Nevada and another the following day in Laguna Niguel California, South of Los Angeles. While in Nevada, Brown changed vehicles leaving the BMW there, before going to California. Authorities in California came close to getting Brown when they raided a house there, just missing him by a couple of hours. This raid would end up being their best chance so far at arresting Brown.

From California, it appears that Brown made his way to the Pacific Northwest where authorities found an abandoned Cadillac Escalade belonging to Brown at the Portland International Airport. They believed the Escalade was dropped there in mid December and found on January 18, 2005. They also believe that Brown mailed a package from there to relatives in California.

On December 4, 2004, an arrest warrant was officially issued for Brown, and he soon became the 489th person to be placed on the FBI "Ten Most Wanted List." Since 1950, of all those on the list only 31 have not been located.

The Brother:

David Brown, Jason's brother, pled guilty of providing false statement's to investigators as they were searching for Derek in the immediate days after the crime. FBI agent Lance Leising, "David knew exactly where the BMW was. He kept that hidden from us and, in fact, took it, cleaned it out completely and brought it back (from Nevada) to California, where he tried to conceal it further."

He also knew of storage lockers Jason had in Las Vegas but lied about it when questioned by the FBI.

He was given three years supervised probation for providing false information to authorities.

The Active Investigation Continues:

FBI agent Leising says they have received over 10,000 leads regarding Brown over the years and the search is far from over. "It's definitely an active investigation; we still get 5-6 tips a week." The FBI says they 're-scrub' this case often and have posted Brown's DNA profile on law enforcement databases around the world. Leising says "If he crosses any of those databases, we're going to find him."

Authorities still get 5-6 tips a week

Authorities believe he is going by a different name, using one of his many government-issued fake ID's and probably has returned to using and scamming people to make money. "His background allows him to fit into multiple cultures, multiple areas and multiple countries," said Agent Leising.

Meanwhile, the FBI continues to track down leads as the family of Keith Palomares waits for justice.

"I would like to find that for Keith and his family," Leising vowed, "We'll keep looking, we're not going to stop."

The FBI is hopeful that national and international exposure will bring Brown to justice.

If you have any information regarding the current whereabouts of Jason Derek Brown you can leave an anonymous tip at 1-800-call-FBI or FBI.gov. A reward of up to $200,000 is available for information leading directly to an arrest.