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Hi San Tan Valley, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Lost Dutchman’s gold mystery, Tony Gemignani’s Slice House opening, a historic home tour, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Swift workforce action honored: ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County and the City of Phoenix received the 2025 Golden Prospector Award for a Rapid Response to Nikola layoffs that engaged over 740 job seekers and 44 employers — see why rapid response matters.
Operational milestones and setbacks: Florence Copper construction is complete, and Taseko is commissioning the plant and wellfield. First copper is expected in early 2026, with activity ramping up near San Tan Valley — see how operations are progressing.
Small-town charm and value: Heading out from San Tan Valley for a hike? Apache Junction’s Hacker’s Grill serves old-fashioned breakfasts, from the Mountain Man Plate to homestyle chicken fried steak with friendly service — read the full story.
Trio of pizza styles: Pizza king Tony Gemignani is bringing Slice House to Gilbert’s Val Vista corridor this month, pending a liquor license. This East Valley spot will be the chain’s first Arizona location — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Financing Arizona’s water future: Queen Creek will make its first $140 million payment on Feb. 17 for a $244.4 million purchase of Harquahala Basin water, securing 1.2 million acre-feet over 100 years. Residents will pay about $12.1 to $14.8 million annually to service the debt. See how the deal works.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
A century-old desert mystery: Arizona’s Lost Dutchman tale gets a spotlight. The story traces Jacob Waltz, a German immigrant said to have found a gold mine in the 1800s, and the park east of Phoenix in the Superstition Mountains named for him. Treasure hunters still search, but officials say the landscape is the reward. Read the full story.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Need a purr break: At Kitty Pause Kitty Cafe, unwind with an hour of cuddle time with adoptable cats, a comfy spot to work on free Wi‑Fi, and a coffee or pre-packaged snack when you need it. The vibe stays low-key and mood-lifting, and the experience is surprisingly habit-forming.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Natural wine, local vibes: Sunbeat Cellars pours low-intervention, low-sulfite wines in San Tan Valley. A by-appointment peek behind the scenes leads to a relaxed, informative tasting that’s easy-sipping and unfussy. Ideal for a midweek reset, no long drive across the Valley required.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
🎲 Let’s Play! @ San Tan Valley Library | Friday (2/13) at 1:00 PM – Take a break from being an adult and drop in for board and card games, 18 and up. Friday afternoons, casual and come and go, bring your friends, make new ones, and enjoy friendly competition, grown-up company, and the satisfying clack of shuffled decks.
❤ Valentines Party Membership Drive @ Coolidge Florence Elks Lodge | Friday (2/13) at 5:00 PM – Valentine’s at the Elks, open to the public and perfect if you like romance with a side of membership form. Holy Smokes brings the tunes. Reservations required, claim your spot, choose prime rib or half roasted chicken, $30 with baked potato, green beans, and dessert.
🎤 Erika Wennerstrom | Friday (2/13) at 7:00 PM – Pop-up show alert: Erika Wennerstrom of Heartless Bastards is rolling through for an intimate set that hits like a hug and a headrush. Toss in a $25 suggested donation, 100 percent to the artist, bring a dish, BYOB, and call it community therapy.
🚗 Queen Creek Cars & Coffee @ Rock Point Coffee Co. | Saturday (2/14) – Nothing beats a second Saturday morning at Rock Point Coffee Co., sipping a proper brew while wandering rows of shiny toys. Queen Creek Cars & Coffee delivers caffeine, chrome, and those nod-along build chats you Google later in the lot.
🏡 Historic Home Tour | Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 AM – Celebrate 40 years of sanctioned snooping on the Historic Home Tour, where once-a-year doors on Main Street swing open, and the trolley ferries you to the grand old outliers. It’s equal parts architecture, gossip, and civic pride. Perfect Valentine’s Day plans, if flowers feel phoned in.
🀄 Come Learn MahJong @ San Tan Valley Library | Saturday (2/14) at 11:00 AM – Always wanted to learn MahJong? This friendly Saturday meetup teaches you the tiles, the table talk, and just enough strategy to keep up with your aunties. Come for the brain workout, stay for the laughs, the rituals, and no gambling required.
🎸 Guns Out @ The Windmill Winery | Saturday (2/14) at 6:00 PM – The Windmill Winery is turning the volume up as Guns Out cranks the classic rock you know the words to. Think bold pours, singalong choruses, and a dance floor that counts as cardio, with enough guitar solo to remind your knees they’re vintage, too.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 San Tan Valley report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 77°F – Low: 53°F – Precip: 2%
Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. East northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 67°F – Low: 46°F – Precip: 49%
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
This house is wild
1278 E Altadonna Ct offers a two-story layout with a pool and three-car garage. The kitchen features an accent backsplash and stainless appliances. A main-level bedroom and full bath complement an upstairs loft. The primary bath offers double sinks, plus separate tub and shower. A covered patio, built-in BBQ, fresh paint, new carpet, and a 100-day warranty round it out.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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