Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from July 10-12

It is monsoon season, and some storm activity moving south of Phoenix this weekend could bring dust, high winds and storms to the Valley.

The National Weather Service has Phoenix, Mesa and southeast Arizona toward the Mexico border at a slight risk threat assessment for Sunday afternoon into the evening.

Storms are expected to develop over higher terrain and in southern Arizona, which could produce damaging winds and dense blowing dust in outflow boundaries.

There is a 30-50% chance of storms in lower-elevation communities.

Valley-based developer buys land in Peoria with plans for project featuring a ‘specialty grocer’

Scottsdale-based SimonCRE is buying another West Valley property for a commercial project.

The developer is under contract to acquire a 6.2-acre site at the southeast corner of Lake Pleasant Parkway and West Yearling Road in Peoria from homebuilder K. Hovnanian, according to CEO Josh Simon.

A rezoning item for a mixed-use project there is heading to Peoria’s Planning and Zoning Commission and will be up for discussion at a July 16 meeting.

According to a city notice for a June 3 community meeting, the commercial component “will feature a specialty grocer.”

This story is posted in partnership with Phoenix Business Journal. Click to read the full story. 

Woman matching description of missing person found dead in Phoenix

A woman matching the description of a missing person was found dead in Phoenix on Thursday, authorities said.

There were no signs of foul play, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

Officers responded to a home near 16th and Bowker streets, between Roeser Road and Southern Avenue, about 3:45 p.m. to look into reports of a missing 60-year-old woman.

Family members were concerned because the woman had not returned home. Police learned she took medication for existing health issues.

Attorney buys midtown Phoenix office building for $6.8 million

An attorney recently bought a midtown Phoenix two-story office building for $6.8 million, making it one of the larger recent owner/user office acquisitions in midtown Phoenix.

Maryam Parman of Avrek Law bought the property from LevRose CRE. It is located at the intersection of 7th Street and Osborn Road, which sits across from the Phoenix Country Club and has convenient access to State Route 51, Interstate 10 and the Loop 202.

“While the office market has faced challenges over the last several years, quality assets in exceptional locations continue to attract strong buyer interest,” Jason Reddington, a partner at LevRose, said in a news release. “This sale, which generated multiple offers, demonstrates that well-positioned office properties offering a combination of occupancy flexibility and stable in-place income remain highly desirable.

“We believe this transaction will serve as a significant market comp for owner-user office acquisitions in Midtown Phoenix moving forward.”

The property was about 83% occupied at the time of marketing, with a strong profile of long-term tenants.

The building was built in 1984 and has an adjacent parking lot with 138 spaces, including some covered and garage parking.

The $6.8 million office building has updated common areas and renovated office suites, in addition to being within walking distance from a Starbucks, Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup, Taco Guild and business amenities.

Paradise Valley estate with shooting range, go-kart track sells for state record $40M

A sprawling Paradise Valley estate featuring an underground go-kart track and a private shooting range has shattered the record for the most expensive home sale in Arizona history.

The 20,919-square-foot mansion at 5531 E. Mockingbird Lane closed on July 9 for $40.24 million in an all-cash deal, according to reporting from the Phoenix Business Journal.

The transaction breaks the previous state record set just last year in February 2025, when a 23,417-square-foot Paradise Valley mansion sold for $33.5 million. Both record-breaking deals were secured by Katrina Barrett, the designated broker and owner of Local Luxury | Christie’s International Real Estate.