Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Sept. 2-4
Sep 4, 2022, 6:00 PM
(ADOT Photo)
(ADOT Photo)
PHOENIX — Travel from Phoenix and Payson will face delays as a pavement project on State Route 87 will begin Tuesday, a Democratic Arizona house member who won his state Senate primary last month announced his resignation Friday to pursue a career outside of politics and a man believed to be connected to an attempted home burglary in Phoenix died in police custody Saturday afternoon.
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
SR 87 pavement replacement to affect traffic between Phoenix and Payson
A pavement replacement project on State Route 87 south of Payson will restrict lanes and delay travel to and from the Valley and the White Mountains, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced.
The $3.9 million project, which aims to extend the life of the roadway and provide a smoother ride, will begin Tuesday at milepost 241 in Rye. The work will continue nine miles north to Indian Road, milepost 250.
The highway will narrow to one lane each way during construction, while all lanes will open when crews are not present and the pavement has cured.
Work is expected to finish by spring 2023, according to a press release.
Democratic Arizona House member who won Senate primary race resigns seat for new career
Democratic Arizona Rep. Diego Espinoza, who won his state Senate primary last month, announced his resignation Friday to pursue a career outside of politics.
Espinoza, who represents District 19 in Tolleson and other parts of the West Valley, will join Salt River Project’s government and community relations team.
His last day will be Monday.
Suspect in Phoenix home burglary dies in police custody
A man believed to be connected to an attempted home burglary in Phoenix died in police custody Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
The incident happened around 2:30 p.m. near 27th Avenue and Van Buren Street when officers received calls about a man approaching the front doors of residential homes and acting erratic in the area, the Phoenix Police Department said in a press release.
Officers attempted to detain 36-year-old Enrique Cantu lll and were met with resistance, police said.
Dust storm moves into Valley ahead of expected evening thunderstorms
A dust storm was seen Friday evening in the southeast Valley just before evening thunderstorms are expected.
Traffic cameras in the East Valley captured the wall of dust creating low visibility.
OdySea Aquarium resumes shark, sloth, penguin, stingray experiences
Just in time for Labor Day weekend, OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale is resuming animal experiences featuring sharks, sloths, penguins and stingrays.
Visitors to the aquarium on Via de Ventura just east of the Loop 101 Pima Freeway can again participate in behind-the scenes shark tours, sloth and penguin encounters and stingray feedings. Each experience requires a fee on top the admission price.
The tours and encounters are available on weekends and select weekdays starting Saturday. The aquarium’s website has information about availability and prices.
