Weekend wrap-up: The biggest Arizona-related stories
Apr 8, 2018, 5:39 PM
North American B-25 Mitchell (Collings Foundation Photo)
(Collings Foundation Photo)
PHOENIX – If you were too busy at Country Thunder or Phoenix Lights this weekend to pay attention to the news, we’ve got you covered.
Here are the top stories of the weekend you may have missed.
Arizona Senate votes to penalize owners of fake service animals
The state Senate passed a bill that would make it illegal to pass off pets as service animals on Thursday.
The piece of legislation, passed on a party-line vote, would create a fine up to $250 for misrepresenting the animal.
Lawmakers debated whether the proposal will help crack down on the people who improperly bring pets out, but it’s not clear if this is a widespread issue. Sen. Steve Farley thinks the bill could lead to people with legitimate service animals being unfairly questioned.
Sen. John Kavanagh said this measure will stop people from putting their pets in fake vests. Another supporter, Sonny Borrelli, called the proposal a “stolen valor” initiative, comparing it to laws that punish people for faking military service.
Tempe hoping tiny homes help solve city’s affordable housing issue
Tempe is working to solve an affordable housing problem.
Students at Arizona State University and the Newton Community Development Corporation are developing a project called Humble Homes.
The living community would consist of a cluster 600-square-foot micro homes with one bedroom, a kitchen and a living space. It would be located near Apache Boulevard and Rural Road.
“We’re not just building houses,” said Tempe City Councilwoman Lauren Kuby. “We’re building affordable houses and building community.”
Prices have not been set, but they could be as high as $130,000. Owners could qualify for decreased costs based on sustainability perks such as solar power.
Phoenix man guilty of beheading wife sentenced to 29 years
Kenneth Dale Wakefield was sentenced to 29 years in prison for beheading his wife and their dogs.
He told police he was “trying to get the evil out” of Trina Heisch, who was found at their home with multiple stab wounds to her torso, hands and arms.
Before killing Heisch, Wakefield had decapitated one of their dogs. That sparked the fatal argument.
After stabbing Heisch, he killed the remaining dog.
Wakefield was high on methamphetamine and other drugs. He also mutilated himself, gouging out an eye and cutting off part of his left forearm.
He told investigators he had heard voices during the attack and had done it “for God and the end of the world to be peaceful.”
World War II airplane tour to touch down near Phoenix next week
The Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour was scheduled to begin Monday at the Phoenix Goodyear Airport.
The group will bring several airplanes, including a North American TF-51D Mustang fighter and at least three bombers.
The Consolidated B-24J Liberator is the last of its kind that is still airworthy.
Visitors can walk through the aircraft from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday. The planes will then depart for Bullhead City.
Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Attendees can also pay to hop into the planes for a short flight.
Here’s what your salary should be to afford an average Arizona home
A new study shows the average salary needed to buy a house in every state in the country.
A prospective home-buyer needs an average salary of $67,280 to afford a house in Arizona, according to the HowMuch.com study.
The most expensive state was Hawaii, which requires an average salary of $153,520 per year to buy a house. The least expensive was West Virginia at $38,320.
A similar study from the National Low Income Housing Coalition determined that in the Arizona, a renter would need to make $17.55 per hour at a full 40-hour-per-week job to afford an average two bedroom apartment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
