Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Jan. 11-13
Jan 13, 2019, 5:18 PM
(Concierge Auctions Photo)
(Concierge Auctions Photo)
An unforgettable mansion, a messy water main break and updates on the Hacienda HealthCare investigation.
Here are some stories that headlined the news cycle, both locally and nationally, over the weekend.
Paradise Valley mansion once listed for $35 million to be sold at auction
It’s considered the most expensive home in Arizona, and it’s going up for auction.
The Paradise Valley mansion known as Villa Paradiso was previously listed for $35 million in 2016, a state record for a residence.
New York-based Concierge Auctions will take bids on the opulent property at the end of the month.
The house is more than 30,000 square feet with eight bedrooms, 11 full bathrooms and six half bathrooms.
The interior design was done by Frank Lloyd Wright-trained architect Vernon Swaback and includes a grand rotunda with a domed ceiling, twin staircases and multiple fireplaces.
North Phoenix water main break could impact traffic for days
A water main break in north Phoenix could cause days of headaches for drivers, police announced Friday.
The break near Seventh Avenue and Deer Valley Road covered a large portion of the roadway during the early morning hours, completely blocking traffic.
Seventh Avenue was closed in both directions between Deer Valley Road and Melinda Lane.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Armando Carbajal said that extensive damage from the break could cause sinkholes in the road, but added that he has not yet been informed of any.
Hacienda HealthCare 911 call released, report says facility faced criminal probe in 2016
The Hacienda HealthCare employee who called emergency services after a patient gave birth to a baby while in a vegetative state said the infant was not breathing after delivery.
“Is the baby breathing? The baby is not breathing, the baby is blue. They’re doing CPR on the baby,” the unidentified caller said in the 911 call released by Phoenix police on Friday.
“We had no idea this person was pregnant…We had no idea this patient was pregnant. This is a complete surprise, we were not expecting that,” the caller, a nurse, said during the 5-minute call.
Regulators wanted to remove developmentally disabled patients from a Phoenix long-term care facility years before a woman in a vegetative state gave birth, the Arizona Republic reported Sunday.
Hacienda HealthCare faced a 2016 criminal investigation for allegedly billing the state more than $4 million for bogus 2014 charges for wages, transportation, housekeeping, maintenance and supplies.
The criminal case was dropped in 2017 and no charges were filed, but a court battle is continuing in an effort to force Hacienda to turn over financial records.
Barrett-Jackson classic car auction rolls into Scottsdale
The 48th annual Barrett-Jackson car auction kicked off Saturday as car enthusiast and bidders made their way to WestWorld of Scottsdale.
But this year, the weeklong event, which ends on Jan. 20, is packing a bigger punch.
According to Barrett-Jackson, there are 1,800 no-reserve vehicles, the most on record for any public collector car auction.
On Jan. 19, Sanderson Ford will auction off a hand-built 50th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang Cobra Jet at the car show.
The auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. and benefits the Fighter Country Foundation, which supports Luke Air Force Base.
Phoenix light rail riders bared legs Saturday for annual no-pants event
Phoenix once again took part in the annual Global No Pants Subway Ride.
Comedy collective Improv Everywhere started the cheeky tradition in New York in 2002, and pants-free rides were planned in more than 20 cities in North and South America, Europe and Australia this year.
The Phoenix version, which is in its 11th year, was organized by Improv AZ and included an afterparty with food, drinks and games at The Churchill.
