It took more than four hours, nine sets, and an upset of the No. 1 seed, to create an all-Gilbert final in the boys volleyball state tournament.

With an estimated 24,000 blood donations by the end of the school year, teens have retained their status as United Blood Services largest statewide donor group for the ninth consecutive year. The D-backs honored the accomplishments of students in the 2012-13 High School Blood Drive Challenge by donating 1,000 tickets to 83 award-winning schools for their May 1 game against the San Francisco Giants. Championship banners were presented on-field during pregame ceremonies to the nine schools earning the highest honors. The team invited the top two high schools, Gilbert's Highland (most total donors) and Williams (highest percentage participation) to share a party suite at the game.

“I don’t know why everyone is complaining that the Gilbert school board cut salaries, eliminated the teachers’ voices from negotiations, and secured all the power of decision making for themselves. After all, this strategy has worked very successfully in Communist Russia, Nazi Germany, and... and... oh wait... maybe there IS a problem here!”

Banner Health is scheduled to open its first Queen Creek medical facility May 1.

Mesa United Way is inviting residents to make a donation to its Community Chest and enter “The Happiest Sweepstakes on Earth!” to win a Disneyland vacation and other prizes.

Banner Health will open its first medical facility in Queen Creek May 1 at the Banner Health Center, which will offer primary care, basic imaging and lab services for adults and children.

Banner Children’s at Cardon Children’s Medical Center will have a free “Asthma Attackers” swim class 11:30 to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6 in Mesa.

Across the East Valley this week, educators, school leaders, elected officials, family and friends expressed their sorrow upon hearing about the death of Eddie Basha, Jr.

As it gains more and more attention on the regional, national and international stages, Mesa Arts Center is fast becoming mecca for artists from all over.

Growth and expansion over the last few years has made Banner Health the leading employer in the City of Mesa.

Online applications are available for the new Learn to Earn summer program sponsored by Mesa Counts on College.

LOS ANGELES -- I’m here in a nice getaway from too-early 90-degree temperatures back in the East Valley this weekend. Low 80s here.

Q: Is a VPN the safest way to use an unsecured (public) Wi-Fi connection? Are there other ways to stay safe? Are there any free VPNs out there for personal use? — Kevin

With an invitation that seems to resound with a hearty “All Aboard,” the Arizona Big Train Operators have announced their Annual Spring Open House Railway Tour. For the 2013 Tour, 22 members — including seven stops in Mesa, two in Chandler, four in Sun Lakes, two in Gilbert and another in Gold Canyon — will open their large-scale backyard railways for the public to view and enjoy.

James Christensen of Gateway Bank has been named 2013 board chairman of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

Geronimo “Jerry” Diaz was named development director at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix.

At the Chandler Chamber of Commerce’s economic update luncheon Wednesday at the Hilton Phoenix/Chandler, City of Chandler Economic Development Director Christine Mackay followed a spirited state budget overview presentation by highlighting some of the incoming businesses and development opportunities for Arizona’s fourth most populous city.

A handful of Mesa Unified School District campuses could be converted next school year — one to house special needs programs and one to test creative education methods — under a plan proposed this week.