Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from March 28-30

PHOENIX — From Trump pardoning an Arizona business founder to Phoenix’s rising gas prices, here are some of the Valley’s top news stories from March 28-30.

Convicted founder of Arizona-based electric vehicle startup Nikola pardoned by Trump

Trevor Milton, the founder of Arizona-based electric vehicle start-up Nikola who was sentenced to prison last year, was pardoned by President Donald Trump late Thursday, the White House confirmed Friday.

The pardon of Milton, who was sentenced to four years in prison for exaggerating the potential of his technology, could wipe out hundreds of millions of dollars in restitution that prosecutors were seeking for defrauded investors.

Milton and his wife donated more than $1.8 million to a Trump re-election campaign fund less than a month before the November election, according to the Federal Election Commission.

At Milton’s trial, prosecutors say a company video of a prototype truck appearing to be driven down a desert highway was actually a video of a nonfunctioning Nikola that had been rolled down a hill.

Global data center giant pays $300 million for land in East Valley

Tokyo-based NTT Data Group Corp. just closed on 173 acres of vacant land in east Mesa, paying a record $300 million for the parcel on which it plans to build a huge data center.

The land is at the northeast corner of Pecos and Crismon roads on the former GM Proving Grounds, which is owned by Mesa BA Land LLC and Pacific Proving LLC, which in turn are owned by Levine Investments and Andrew Cohn.

Mesa City Council approved a zoning case last August for the former GM Proving Grounds property to pave the way for a data center that could include seven data halls with 1.7 million square feet, a 100,000-square-foot warehouse and a 106,000-square-foot, two-story office building. The exact scope of NTT’s project is not yet known.

The Promenade Scottsdale shopping center adds 3 new tenants in fashion, fitness

The Promenade Scottsdale shopping center has seen three new retailers join its outdoor selection, headlined by a fitness center backed by Jennifer Aniston.

Pvolve, a gym Aniston has partnered with, has 17 other open locations across the country, but the north Scottsdale location that opened in February is the first in Arizona. Another is coming soon to Gilbert, according to its website.

It relies on resistance equipment to build functional strength, offering equipment for the home in addition to an on-site studio program.

It’s the smallest of the three recent additions at 2,461 square feet. Fashion retailer J. Crew (6,850 square feet) and sports merchandiser Fan Outfitters (4,500 square feet of retail space) also joined the shopping center.

Arizona drivers should buckle up for higher gas prices in coming weeks, expert says

Gas prices in Arizona could increase by 15-30 cents per gallon over the next few weeks, according to an industry expert.

As of Friday morning, the statewide average sat at $3.33, about 18 cents more than the national mark, according to AAA. The average for metro Phoenix, meanwhile, was $3.49.

While local prices have ticked lower over the last week, it might not last for long, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

De Haan said the seasonal switchover to more expensive summer gasoline, coupled with a shortage of fuel to keep up with spring demand, will cause prices to rise.

“We’re again getting into supply issues, [with] refineries in California not running smoothly and still with the outage of a refinery in northern California because of fire over a month ago,” he said.

Police investigating apparent murder-suicide after 3 found dead in Scottsdale home

Three people, including a teenager, were found dead in Scottsdale this week in an apparent murder-suicide case, authorities announced Thursday.

The victims’ bodies were discovered with gunshot wounds around 3 p.m. Wednesday in a home near Pima and Indian Bend roads, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.

The deceased were identified Friday as 51-year-old Tod Lonergan, 46-year-old Lisa Lonergan and 15-year-old Sophia Lonergan.

Police initially conducted a welfare check at the residence around 10 a.m. after receiving a report that one of the victims missed work and could not be reached.

Related

Department of Health confirms first case of Clade I mpox in Arizona but says public risk lowJay Feely, Amish Shah win respective primaries, will face each other for CD-1Kimberly Yee wins GOP primary for Arizona schools chief over Tom HorneMan convicted of felony assault for punching woman at No Kings protest in Prescott ValleyRemains found in Grand Canyon identified as hiker missing since 2012Avondale man receives 5-year sentence for distributing fentanyl