Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Oct. 26-28

Over the weekend, 11 people were killed in a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Here are some stories that headlined the news cycle, both locally and nationally, over the weekend.

Pittsburgh synagogue massacre leaves 11 dead, 6 wounded

A gunman who’s believed to have spewed anti-Semitic slurs and rhetoric on social media barged into a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday and opened fire, killing 11 people in one of the deadliest attacks on Jews in U.S. history.

The 20-minute attack at Tree of Life Congregation in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood left six others wounded, including four police officers who dashed to the scene, authorities said.

The suspect, Robert Bowers, traded gunfire with police and was shot several times. Bowers, who was in fair condition at a hospital, was charged late Saturday with 29 federal counts, including hate crimes and weapons offenses. It wasn’t immediately known if Bowers had an attorney to speak on his behalf.

“Please know that justice in this case will be swift and it will be severe,” Scott Brady, the chief federal prosecutor in western Pennsylvania, said at a news conference, characterizing the slaughter as a “terrible and unspeakable act of hate.”

In wake of the incident, Phoenix Police has boosted patrols around houses of worship.

Historic Phoenix restaurants leave lasting impact

Rosa Gonzales was crying as she waited in the long line, waiting to eat her last meal at a restaurant closing its doors after 90 years in business.

She was grieving Sing High Chop Suey House, the downtown Phoenix fixture where she and her husband stopped by every week for a meal.

“It was our favorite place when we first just got married. We’d been coming here since 1971. It was our weekend thing to do,” Gonzales said. “He has since passed, so it holds a lot of memories.”

Sing High, which served its last meal on Sept. 30, is among several longtime restaurants rooted in decades of history, relying on loyal customers and an appreciation for the past to survive. Others have recently closed doors.

Mesa Arts Center to host Dia de los Muertos festival this weekend

Mesa Arts Center is hosting the Dia de los Muertos Festival on Saturday and Sunday featuring a Mercado Marketplace where local vendors will be selling jewelry and arts and crafts.

Attendees will be able to enjoy traditional Day of the Dead style face painting and Ballet Folklorico dancing performances.

The annual festival has added a custom car show to go with live entertainment, stilt walkers and studio art demonstrations.

As with any Day of the Dead celebration, personalized and decorated alters will be on full display to celebrate those who have passed away.

Admission to the event is free and it goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Gilbert named top place in Arizona to celebrate Halloween

If you don’t have plans this Halloween, don’t get spooked.

According to WalletHub, three cities from Arizona rank in the top 50 in the country for places to be on Halloween.

Gilbert was the top-ranked city in Arizona, coming in at No. 11 overall.

“About 25 percent of the population is trick-or-treating age or children aged 16 and below.”

“Gilbert has a lot of young families, and that’s what really pushed it to the top here,” WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez told KTAR News 92.3 FM. Gilbert ranked No. 3 nationally in the category of trick-or-treater friendliness.

California restaurant chain Dog Haus to open 3 locations in the Valley

An all-beef hot dog served on King’s Hawaiian Rolls, a side of crispy sweet potato fries and a cold, local craft beer to tie it all together.

If this sounds like paradise to you, you’re in luck.

California chain Dog Haus is planning to open three locations in the Valley, according to ABC15 Arizona.

A 1,700-square-foot restaurant with an outdoor patio and eight beers on tap is expected to open in the Scottsdale Quarter in December.

Related

Teen found with life-threatening injuries in San Tan ValleyRob Schneider helps Andy Biggs mock Gov. Katie Hobbs’ debate refusalStage 12 West, a new restaurant and live entertainment venue, opens in downtown MesaIt’s another busy weekend of construction across the Valley freeway systemMonday is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general electionPortland Trail Blazers fire former Valley sports broadcaster over old social media posts