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Hey San Tan Valley, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Eight classic rodeo events, a century-long water plan, and dog adoptions with CAAR + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around San Tan Valley protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Eight classic rodeo events: Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek, a Top 5 PRCA Small Rodeo in 2024, will return to Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre with Rodeo 101 tours, cowboy marketplace, music from CrossRoad — get all the details.

A bridge to independence: EVIT’s HopeTech in Mesa is helping foster youth and young adults experiencing homelessness pursue careers with housing and training. The program serves 27 students, and enrollment for 2026-27 is underway — read the full story.

Century-long water supply strategy: Next door to San Tan Valley, Queen Creek’s plan to bring Harquahala Basin water will cost $180 million. Council approved $19.3 million, with a water resource fee expected in January — see what’s planned and funded.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Use promo code GIVEBACK at Freddy’s
• Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day dinner specials
• Bid on baskets and browse books

🫶 We got your back

Italian sub situation: When you crave a hearty sandwich, Paladino’s Italian Eatery serves Italian beef, hot subs, and deli classics that simply hit, made to order with generous portions. Fold it into your midweek lunch rotation, easy and satisfying, unmistakably Apache Junction.

Desert reset, no fuss: When the walls close in, Lost Dutchman State Park delivers craggy Superstition views, spring wildflowers, and trails from mellow strolls to Flatiron grinders. Catch a pastel sunrise or a glowing golden hour, breathe a little easier, and remember why you live here.

Weekend tinkering, solved: Superstition Hobbies has RC cars, planes, helicopters, rockets, plastic models, tools, and all the parts and accessories you need to keep fixes and upgrades moving. Think of it as your neighborhood pit stop for getting something buzzing, rolling, or whooshing around the house by the weekend.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🏛 Pinal County Board of Supervisors Meeting @ Pinal County Administrative Complex, Board of Supervisors Hearing Room (Florence) | Wednesday (3/11) at 10:30 AM – Take a civic coffee break with the Pinal County Board of Supervisors meeting, tune in online or sit in if you like democracy with fluorescent lighting. Parking at the Florence Campus is a construction mess, so arrive early, or just watch live at pinal.gov/bos.

🐜 Innovative Insects Arthropod Hike @ Lost Dutchman State Park (Apache Junction) | Thursday (3/12) at 10:30 AM – If you’ve been meaning to meet the neighbors with eight legs, join a one-mile Sonoran stroll to spot bugs, learn their survival tricks, and appreciate the desert’s weird genius. Free with park entry, bring sturdy shoes, water, and curiosity, leashed pups okay, limited to 12.

🌵 Sonoran Desert Botany Hike @ Lost Dutchman State Park (Apache Junction) | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – If you like your science sunbaked, tag along with volunteer Valerie for an hour of Sonoran plant wit and wisdom. Expect small hills, loose gravel, and no shade, so bring water and sturdy shoes. Free with park entry, leashed pups ok, first 12 only.

⚡ Pokémon Club @ Empire Park | Friday (3/13) at 2:00 PM – Whether your kid can recite the Pokédex or just knows Pikachu, Empire Park hosts a free Pokémon meet for trading, battling, and chatter. Monthly tourneys, patient helpers, beginners welcome, no signup, but not a drop-off, so you’ll supervise your tiny trainer, then enjoy the playground.

🐶 Dog Adoptions with CAAR @ Kahoots Feed and Pet | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Puppy love is taking over KAHOOTS in San Tan Valley, with CAAR bringing adoptable dogs, wagging tails, and free kisses. Come support a local rescue, get your serotonin levels up, and maybe leave with a new best friend who approves of early bedtimes.

🏀 Youth Open Gym Night @ Family Life Center at Mountain View Lutheran Church (Apache Junction) | Saturday (3/14) at 6:00 PM – Got a teen ricocheting off the walls? Drop them at Mountain View Lutheran’s Family Life Center for the Open Gym kickoff, with basketball, volleyball, cornhole, music, and free pizza and soda. Free and monthly, waiver at the door, and you score a couple quiet hours.

🤝 Volunteer Orientation @ Manes and Miracles | Tuesday (3/17) at 3:00 PM – Trade your gym membership for barn time at Manes & Miracles’ volunteer meet and greet, where equine therapy helps our neighbors with special needs. Tour the ranch, meet the horses, then find your fit as a side-walker, barn buddy, or behind-the-scenes helper. Refreshments included.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 San Tan Valley report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 73°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 25%

A chance of rain showers before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. South wind 0 to 5 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 80°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 80. West southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 51. North northeast wind 0 to 5 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Arizona but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

The Pineridge by David Weekley Homes brings polished comfort to Soleo in San Tan Valley. An elegant kitchen with a big island, butler’s pantry, and backyard sightlines anchors open family and dining spaces. The luxe Owner’s Retreat adds an oversized walk-in closet. A private guest suite, junior bedrooms, a flexible retreat, a courtyard, and a quiet study expand the options.

Take a peek inside →