Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from July 2-4
Jul 4, 2021, 6:00 PM | Updated: 6:33 pm
PHOENIX — Coronavirus-related executive orders were rescinded, a “Castle on the Hill” mansion was listed for sale at $22 million and heavy monsoon rains hit the Phoenix metro area.
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey rescinds 25 pandemic-related executive orders
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced on Friday he will be rescinding 25 pandemic-related executive orders following action by the Arizona Legislature to codify into law many of the policies enacted by the orders.
“Throughout the pandemic, we took action to protect Arizonans and their individual freedoms, like banning vaccine passports and protecting access to state universities,” Ducey said in a press release. “Working with our Legislature, we’ve enacted these reforms into law.”
Among the executive orders that were rescinded on Thursday include allowing caregiver trainees to utilize on-the-job training to meet a certification program, ensuring cost-sharing requirements for the COVID-19 vaccine are waived.
Executive orders that will be rescinded on July 9 include the extension of expired driver’s licenses and allowing pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of maintenance medications.
Scottsdale ‘Castle on the Hill’ mansion recently listed for $22M
A mansion that was constructed on a hillside in Scottsdale has hit the market for nearly $22 million.
The more than 12,500-square-foot property in a private corner section of Upper Canyon Silverleaf consists of the main home with five bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, along with a separate detached guest house with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen.
Other amenities of the property include an exercise room, a heated pool and spa as well as a large dining room that overlooks a wine room.
It was built in 2020 and developed by world-renowned master developers “Fratantoni” using luxury materials, according to the listing.
The property on which the estate sits has been sold multiple times.
Monsoon rains strike Phoenix metro area, Flash Flood Warning issued
Metro Phoenix experienced another dose of monsoon season 10 days after receiving its first measurable rain since April 27.
With winds coming in from the north, storms were first reported in the area near Sun City and Surprise and quickly worked their way south.
Another storm cell generated from the east in the Fountain Hills area before converging on Scottsdale, Phoenix and Glendale.
Parts of Fountain Hills received more than than half-an-inch of rain and other parts of the Valley received more than 1 inch.
Phoenix Sky Harbor would go on to set a daily rainfall record with .25 inches, breaking the record set on July 3 in 1927.
Tiger Fire burning east of Crown King forces evacuations for Horsethief Basiny
Evacuations were ordered Sunday for a wildfire burning east of Crown King, according to authorities.
A GO order for evacuation was issued for Horsethief Basin Sunday morning. Lorena Gulch Cabins is now at a SET position and should begin preparing in the event an evacuation order is issued.
The wildfire, known as the Tiger Fire, started Wednesday around 3:45 p.m. and has grown to 9,800 acres as of Sunday morning, up from 1,700 acres on Friday, with no containment.
Authorities said there is approximately 159 personnel assigned to the blaze.
Chandler resident’s resentment toward roommate leads to fatal shooting
A man living in Chandler was arrested Thursday night after shooting his roommate out of resentment multiple times in front of family members and children, authorities said.
Police responded to a call Thursday about a shooting near McQueen Road and Chandler Boulevard around 8:53 p.m. where they learned Cruz Guadalupe Martinez-Homo, 32, had fired four shots into his roommate of four years’ torso while he was standing near the barbeque grill, surrounded by seven family members, including two children.
The investigation revealed Martinez-Homo, an undocumented resident from Sinaloa, Mexico, had developed hatred toward Eduardo Nunez-Ayala, 27, over the past few weeks, culminating in the shooting, according to police.
Martinez-Homo also told police he and Nunez-Ayala together consumed 12 beers in the afternoon, heading into the evening of the shooting.
Nunez-Ayala was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
