Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from April 17-19

PHOENIX — From Phoenix Sky Harbor issuing a ground stop on Sunday morning to Mr. ORNG being sentenced to 3.5 years in prison, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from April 17-19.

Ground stop issued for departures to Phoenix Sky Harbor due to weather

A ground stop was issued for departures headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor on Sunday morning.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the ground stop was issued at 8:15 a.m. MST due to low visibility and weather.

It was expected to last until 10 a.m. and was listed as having a medium probability of being extended.

Erika Kirk event with Phoenix high school club members moved off campus

Conservative activist Erika Kirk will speak at a Phoenix high school student club meeting next week, but it won’t be on campus during the school day, officials said.

Kirk, chair and CEO of Turning Point USA, was originally scheduled to address members of the Pinnacle High School chapter of Club America and their guests on April 24 during their lunch period.

Kirk has been leading Turning Point USA since Charlie Kirk, her husband and the Phoenix-based group’s co-founder, was killed during an appearance at a Utah college last year.

Pinnacle High School principal Jeremy Richards took the unusual step of sending parents and guardians a message on Tuesday to let them know about Erika Kirk’s visit and alert them to increased security measures that day.

He noted that he doesn’t typically notify the community about club speakers but did so in this case to be “proactive and transparent.”

However, the announcement sparked concerns about how Kirk’s presence and the extra security would impact the learning environment. As a result, the event was moved to an off-campus location at a time after school is out for the day, Richards told parents and guardians in a follow-up message Thursday.

Sen. Ruben Gallego denies misconduct allegations as woman reportedly prepares to come forward

A woman is preparing to come forward with attorneys alleging sexual misconduct by Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, according to claims made by Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna on national television Thursday.

Gallego’s office flatly denied the allegations, calling them “right-wing conspiracy theories.”

Luna, speaking on CBS News’ “The Takeout,” said a woman is preparing to come forward with attorneys regarding an incident with Gallego that was “sexual in nature.”

Luna also alleged two instances of campaign finance violations but did not provide evidence for either claim.

3 dead, 4 hospitalized after passenger van with 12 occupants crashes in Arizona

A passenger van crashed in southeastern Arizona on Thursday night, leaving three people dead and four hospitalized, authorities said.

The van was carrying 12 people when it crashed just after 9:05 p.m. on southbound US 191 in Pearce, about 85 miles east of Tucson in Cochise County, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Three occupants were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Four people were airlifted to hospitals in Tucson. Two were listed in critical condition and two were in stable condition, according to DPS.

Five other passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

The roadway was closed for the investigation until Friday morning. No information about the cause of the crash has been released.

1 lucky Powerball player in Arizona wins $250,000 thanks to Power Play option

One lucky Powerball player bought a ticket in Arizona worth $250,000 in Wednesday night’s drawing.

The ticket was bought at a Safeway grocery store in Page, which is in northern Arizona, right on the border with Utah.

The Powerball numbers drawn on Wednesday were 13, 21, 27, 43 and 45. The ticket matched four of the five numbers, plus the red Powerball number: 26.

That’s good for $50,000, but the winnings were quintupled thanks to the $5 Power Play option.

Phoenix Suns superfan Mr. ORNG sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for child sexual exploitation

A former Valley high school coach known to Phoenix Suns fans as Mr. ORNG was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison on Friday.

Patrick Battillo was arrested two years ago on suspicion of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and child sex trafficking, according to the Peoria Police Department.

He was also sentenced to lifetime supervised probation.

Battillo was the head coach of the Peoria High School boys basketball team and volunteered at the West Valley campus. School administrators contacted authorities after learning he had allegedly offered juvenile students money in exchange for sexually explicit images and videos.

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