Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from April 16-18

PHOENIX — Climate experts say one season of rain won’t fix drought conditions in Arizona, a police bust resulted in nine arrests at an “off road party” in Agua Fria and 17 people who were in the country illegally were released after they were found during a traffic stop because federal authorities allegedly wouldn’t help.

Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.

Arizona’s historic drought won’t be fixed in single strong monsoon season

Climate experts say drought conditions in Arizona are the type usually only seen once or twice in a century and one season of rain won’t fix it.

The U.S. Drought Monitor said 58% of the state is in exceptional drought, the worst level. Another 29% is in extreme drought.

“You have to go back to June of 2002 to see anything similar to our current conditions and that was when 35% of Arizona was at this exceptional drought level,” University of Arizona climatologist Mike Crimmins told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Off-road party thwarted by Avondale Police results in 8 arrests, 1 DUI

A police bust resulted in eight arrests for trespassing and one DUI, halting a scheduled “off road” party in Agua Fria and Salt River bottom areas near Avondale.

According to a release by the Avondale Police Department, authorities were tipped off to the event ahead of time.

The Avondale Police, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Phoenix Police Department all worked to proactively stop off-road vehicles from gaining access to the area.

Arizona DPS says ICE, Border Patrol wouldn’t take custody of 17 migrants

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said it released 17 people who were in the country illegally after they were found during a traffic stop Friday morning because federal authorities wouldn’t help.

DPS said in a series of tweets that a trooper conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 10 near Ray Road in the Chandler/Ahwatukee area just after 6 a.m.

The trooper learned that the driver was a U.S. citizen and the vehicle was carrying 17 migrants, DPS spokesman Bart Graves told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“DPS requested assistance from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol to take custody of the undocumented aliens, but both agencies declined the request,” Graves said.

Suspect detained in north Phoenix after gunfire, wreck on I-17

A suspect was in custody after a police chase in north Phoenix resulted in a three-vehicle collision and closed southbound Interstate 17 for four hours Friday, authorities said.

The chase started after a motorcycle officer attempted to stop a blue sedan that was speeding on southbound I-17 near Yorkshire Drive at about 9 a.m., Phoenix Police Sgt. Andy Williams said in an email.

The suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Colin Downs, fired a handgun from the vehicle at the officer before exiting the highway at Greenway Road, Williams said.

Phoenix Zoo welcomed new species and 14 prairie dog pups this week

The Phoenix Zoo welcomed a new species along with the birth of 14 prairie dog pups this week, the zoo announced.

In addition to newborn pups, another two litters are anticipated in the coming weeks.

The zoo also introduced the spiral-horned antelope native to southern Africa, Nyala, which hasn’t been previously exhibited.

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