ARIZONA NEWS

Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Sept. 9-11

Sep 11, 2022, 6:00 PM

PHOENIX — Nearly 70 geographical features in Arizona were renamed by federal officials to replace a word considered derogatory toward Native American women, a New York woman was given prison time for interfering with flight crew members on a plane that diverted to Phoenix, and police released video Friday of a suspect who fatally shot two people before turning the gun on himself last month.

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


US renames sites in Arizona, other states with Native American slur

Nearly 70 geographical features in Arizona were renamed Thursday by federal officials to replace a word considered derogatory toward Native American women.

The Interior Department completed a yearlong process of changing out the names of nearly 650 mountain peaks, lakes, streams, springs and other components of the federal landscape that contained the word “squaw.”

Arizona ranked third on the list with 67, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.


New York woman sentenced 4 months in prison for disrupting flight diverted to Phoenix

A New York woman was sentenced to four months in prison for interfering with flight crew members on a flight that diverted to Phoenix.

Kelly Pichardo, 32, of the Bronx, was also ordered to pay restitution to American Airlines in the amount of $9,123 as the flight from Dallas to Los Angeles was diverted to Phoenix as a result of the altercation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona said in a press release.

Pichardo and another passenger, Leeza Rodriguez, were engaging in intimidating behavior while traveling first class in 2021.


Phoenix changing trash, recycling pickup days for most households starting Oct. 3

If you live in Phoenix, you’ll probably have to remember to roll out your trash bins on a new day starting next month.

New pickup days go into effect Oct. 3 for 80% of Phoenix’s trash, garbage and green organic pickup customers. The quarterly bulk trash pickup schedule is not affected.

“We’re really trying to get the word out, because we understand this is a big service change for many of our residents,” Lorizelda Stoeller, deputy public works director for the city, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday.


Police release video of suspect who fatally shot 2, killed self in Phoenix rampage

The Phoenix Police Department released video Friday of a suspect who fatally shot two people and injured more before turning the gun on himself last month.

Isaiah Steven Williams, 24, exited his room at the Days Inn motel near 27th Avenue and Deer Valley Road at about 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 armed and in tactical gear.

Video (WARNING: Graphic Content) shows Williams leaving the hotel out of a side door and immediately shooting an automatic rifle at nearby vehicles and buildings.


East side of Phoenix hit by monsoon storm overnight

Rain fell Friday afternoon and continued through the night in parts of the East Valley as Phoenix’s monsoon season continued.

After rain hit much of the West side of the Valley Friday afternoon, as from north as New River all the way south to Queen Creek received rain overnight on the east side of town, according to the Flood Control District of Maricopa County.

The rain stemming from Hurricane Kay off of Mexico’s coast left one-fifth of an inch of rain near New River, while Paradise Valley saw .3 inches.

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Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Sept. 9-11