Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from March 4-6

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was detained in Russia for vape cartridges in her luggage, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden is scheduled to visit Arizona this week as part of a three-day trip, and an Arizona lottery winner from Casa Grande was charged with fraud and theft.

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

Mercury’s Brittney Griner detained in Russia for vape cartridges in luggage

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was detained in Russia after vape cartridges were found in her luggage in an airport in Moscow, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

The Customs Service at the airport said in a statement that while Griner was in line at security someone tried to remove a package from her bag.

The cartridge found in Griner’s luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport had “hashish oil,” a type of cannabis.

A criminal case has been opened into the large-scale transportation of drugs, a sentence of up to 10 years in prison in Russia, according to the statement.

“We are aware of and are closely monitoring the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia. We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and NBA,” the Mercury said in a statement. “We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home.”

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden scheduled to visit Arizona as part of 3-day trip

First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Arizona on Monday as part of a three-day trip promoting President Joe Biden’s agenda.

She is expected to arrive at Sky Harbor and visit the Intel Ocotillo Campus and the Democratic National Committee finance event, both located in Chandler.

From there she is expected to travel to Tucson for Tuesday events with Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra at the San Xavier Health Center in Tohono O’odham Nation and a performance by Tohono O’odham dancers.

The First Lady is expected to depart Tucson on Wednesday for events in Reno, Nevada, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, later in the week.

Casa Grande woman who won Arizona lottery charged with fraud, theft

A Casa Grande woman has been charged with fraudulent schemes and practices after authorities allege she falsely claimed she was eligible for a nearly $200,000 Arizona Lottery cash prize in order to obtain it.

A Trekell Chevron employee, Barbara White, 50, is accused of stating she wasn’t a “retailer or employee of a retailer” on a statement when she picked up the $191,107 cash prize in June 2020.

The indictment claims White wasn’t eligible to receive prizes from the Arizona Lottery because she’d been an employee of a lottery retailer, Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office said in a press release Friday.

Mexican food chain Someburros to open 3 locations in Valley this year

Someburros is expanding operations across the Valley with three new sites preparing to serve customers before the end of this year.

The Mexican food restaurant will be adding locations in north Phoenix, Peoria and Goodyear, officials said in a press release.

The earliest opening is set for April, with the Goodyear location opening near Van Buren Street and Estrella Parkway.

The location in north Phoenix is set to open in the winter and will be on Jomax Road and Norterra Parkway, while the Peoria location will open in the fall on Thunderbird Road and 83rd Avenue.

Ostrich Festival in Chandler announces stacked list of artists for its return this month

The Ostrich Festival in Chandler is returning in a big way this month with a packed list of artists that will grace the stage as the event expands to two weekends for the first time.

The 32nd annual event, which had been postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, takes place at Tumbleweed Park at 745 E Germann Rd. on March 11-13 and 17-20.

The first weekend gets underway with Uncle Kracker at 7:30 p.m., followed by The Band Perry at 9:30 p.m.

Country artist Walker Hayes follows on Saturday at 9:30 p.m., while rapper Flo Rida concludes the first weekend on Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

The second weekend gets underway on Thursday for St. Patrick’s Day with The Spazmatics at 8:30 p.m.

The Beach Boys follows on Friday at 9:30 p.m., with multiple Grammy-winning artist Nelly taking the stage Saturday at 9:45 p.m.

The event concludes on Sunday with the Four Tops at 8 p.m. and the Temptation at 9:15 p.m.

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