Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from March 18-20

PHOENIX — Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport extended a security reservation program to Terminal 4, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed 19 bills that cover various topics, and a former Arizona state legislator was sentenced to six months in prison for filing a false tax return.

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

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport extends security reservation program to Terminal 4

Less than three weeks after debuting a program that allows some passengers to save a spot in the security checkpoint line for free, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport has made it available at its busiest terminal.

Customers starting Friday were able to use the PHX Reserve system at the D checkpoint in Terminal 4, Sky Harbor announced.

The pilot program went into effect March 1 at Terminal 3, the other terminal at Arizona’s largest airport.

Airport spokeswoman Heather Shelbrack told KTAR News 92.3 FM earlier this month that expansion of the program to Terminal 4 was possible.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signs 19 bills, including nursing home, botox, fireworks regulations

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed 19 bills into law on Friday, including legislation on nursing home background checks, cosmetic procedures and overnight fireworks.

SB 1242 enhances screening procedures for caregivers and administrators at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Tyler Pace and passed with strong bipartisan support in both houses.

SB 1074 gives dentists permission to administer botox shots for cosmetic purposes. Dentists already could use the procedure for medical purposes. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Nancy Barto and passed both houses with strong bipartisan support.

SB 1275 allows cities to prohibit the use of consumer fireworks between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. during the days they are permitted each year around New Year’s, Cinco de Mayo and Independence Day. The cutoff starts two hours later, at 1 a.m., for the New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July holidays.

In most cases, new Arizona laws take effect 90 days after the close of the legislative session.

Former Arizona state legislator gets 6 months in prison for filing false tax return

A former Arizona state legislator was sentenced Wednesday to six months behind bars for filing a false tax return, authorities said.

Keith Allan Bee, 56, of San Tan Valley, admitted that during each tax year from 2011 to 2013, he inflated the business expenses of his school bus transportation company to reduce profits and the taxes owed.

Bee included personal expenses and the depreciation of personal assets as if they were costs incurred as part of the business, the United States Attorney’s Office District of Arizona said in a press release Thursday.

Personal assets included several Ford Mustangs, a Chevrolet Corvette and a Porsche, authorities said, with the tax loss being $214,414.

Cox doubling speed of low-cost internet programs in Arizona, across nation

Cox Communications announced Wednesday it is increasing the speed of its low-cost internet programs later this month.

The ConnectAssist and Connect2Compete programs will be boosted from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps for no additional cost on March 31, according to a press release.

The more than 500,000 customers that use the programs nationwide will only need to reset their routers to see the speed difference.

The programs are available for people who participate in eligible income-based government assistance programs.

Phoenix police arrest woman for attempted homicide after allegedly stabbing mother

The Phoenix Police Department has arrested a woman accused of stabbing her mother multiple times in the early morning hours on Wednesday.

Brenda Villela, 27, was wanted after she allegedly stabbed her mother while the victim was driving near 7th Avenue and Elwood Street at about 5:30 a.m., police said.

The stabbing caused the vehicle to crash and Villela fled on foot, according to police.

Villela’s mother was taken to a hospital in critical condition and has since been upgraded to stable condition.

Villela was booked Friday on one count of attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of burglary, endangerment and criminal damage.

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