Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from Aug. 14-16

From rewards for following parking rules to the Valley’s first permanent outdoor Ferris wheel opening, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from Aug. 14-16.

Downtown Mesa to leave monsoon-themed ‘Cloud Citation’ on windshields

Visitors parking legally in Downtown Mesa over the next few weeks might find a slip under their windshield wipers, but there is no need to panic, it isn’t a parking ticket.

Through early September, the district is handing out “Cloud Citations” to reward motorists who follow parking rules. Instead of demanding a fine, the mock tickets give drivers a chance to win Downtown Mesa merchandise, gift cards and prize packages from local businesses.

The campaign is designed as a playful nod to Arizona’s monsoon season while encouraging people to head downtown and support local shops, restaurants and venues.

Woman dead after firing at officers, barricading herself inside Casa Grande home

A barricaded subject investigation in Casa Grande ended Saturday morning after a woman shot at police officers before taking her own life inside a residence, authorities said.

Officers with the Casa Grande Police Department responded around 5:48 a.m. to a report of a disturbance at a home near the 1300 block of West Orchid Place, located near Gila Bend Highway and Burris Road.

A caller inside the residence reported that a family member was acting erratically, armed with a handgun, and threatening to shoot people. The caller had locked themselves inside a separate room for safety.

Valley’s first permanent outdoor Ferris wheel opens at Arizona Boardwalk

The Boardwalk Big Wheel opened at the Arizona Boardwalk Monday as part of its 10th anniversary celebration, becoming the first permanent outdoor Ferris wheel in the Valley.

The new attraction stands 80 feet tall, with 18 fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas that can fit up to six guests. The trip around the Ferris wheel offers a 360-degree view of McDowell, Black, Mummy, Four Peaks and Camelback Mountains, with onboard music and LED lighting that illuminates the ride at night.

Novus Innovation Corridor to expand with new hotel on ASU’s Tempe campus

Novus Innovation Corridor, a multi-phase mixed-use development that is integrated with Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, is adding an upscale hotel to its main street entertainment district.

The hotel will be seven stories and 116,855 square feet located off University Drive and Rural Road. It is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio and will feature 168 guest rooms, a rooftop pool and bar as well as a 2,700-square-foot meeting space.

The exterior of the hotel will be a combination of contrasting finishes and textures, but still include hints of the ASU’s campus identity.

‘I’ll remain true to my principles’: John Giles says joining Katie Hobbs matches conservative values

Former Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles is defending his decision to join Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs on the Arizona Democratic Party’s first-ever lieutenant governor ticket, saying they share similar values despite their different political backgrounds.

Giles, who changed his voter registration from Republican to unaffiliated in May, said joining Hobbs’ campaign does not mean abandoning his conservative beliefs.

“Yes, I’m going to, of course, remain true to my principles. But that’s very complementary to working with Gov. Hobbs,” Giles told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Friday. “There was a reason I was a Republican, and I continue to identify with a lot of the principles that the Republican Party says they identify with.”

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