Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from Nov. 22-24
Nov 24, 2024, 7:00 PM
Stephanie Hockridge, a former Valley newscaster, and her husband have been charged in a COVID-19 loan fraud case. (YouTube Screenshot)
(YouTube Screenshot)
PHOENIX — From a former Phoenix newscaster being charged for fraud to the push to incorporate San Tan Valley, here are some of the Valley’s top news stories from Nov. 22-24.
Former Valley newscaster, husband charged in COVID-19 loan fraud case
A former Valley newscaster and her husband have been charged in a COVID-19 loan fraud case, authorities announced Friday.
Stephanie Hockridge (aka Stephanie Reis), 41, and Nathan Reis, 45, allegedly conspired to commit Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud, according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Public Affairs.
Under an indictment unsealed Thursday in the Northern District of Texas, they each were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud.
The maximum penalty for each count is 20 years in prison, meaning they face the prospect of spending the rest of their lives behind bars if convicted on all charges.
ADOT completes 5-mile stretch of US 93 highway widening project in Wickenburg
A section of a road project widening 5 miles of US 93 from two to four lanes in Wickenburg has been completed, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced Thursday.
The project cost $55 million and added the extra lanes between Tegner Street and Wickenburg Ranch Way, according to ADOT.
Additional improvements made include roundabouts, new pavement, lighting, drainage systems, erosion prevention and landscaping.
The larger plan is to completely widen and reconstruct the entire 200-mile section of US 93 from Wickenburg to the Hoover Dam into a four-lane divided highway.
Leader of push to incorporate San Tan Valley feeling optimistic about latest attempt
Residents of San Tan Valley, a northern Pinal County community with a population of about 100,000, are making another push for incorporation.
Tyler Hudgins, chairman of STV Inc., the group behind the campaign to incorporate San Tan Valley, said Thursday he’s optimistic about the latest attempt to turn the unincorporated area into a town.
“There’s been some incorporation attempts in the past, but San Tan Valley residents have never been given the choice to be able to decide their future. And, so, that’s really the heart of what we’re trying to do,” he told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show.
Tucson woman sentenced to 5 years in prison for smuggling undocumented migrants for profit
A federal judge sentenced a Tucson woman to 5 years in prison last week for smuggling undocumented migrants for profit, authorities said.
Mariana Garcia-Tapia, 32, pleaded guilty on July 10 to conspiring to transport four undocumented migrants into the U.S. and putting their lives in danger, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
The incident she pled guilty for took place on Feb. 2 near Naco, an unincorporated area right on the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona.
Teenager in critical condition after being shot at party in south Phoenix
A teenager was in critical condition after being shot in south Phoenix early Saturday.
Phoenix police officers were called to an area near the intersection of 7th Street and Alta Vista Road just after 3:30 a.m. to investigate a reported shooting at a house party.
When officers arrived, they found a teenage boy who had been shot.
The boy, whom police did not immediately identify, was taken to a nearby hospital.
