Outlook: Second place in the West Region is on the line for the Falcons, who make the four-plus hour trek to the Colorado River.

Address: 16100 E. Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills; Records: River Valley 7-1, 3-1 West; Fountain Hills 6-2, 4-0; Gametime: 7:00 p.m.

Beginning Friday night, Fountain Hills and Mohave Valley River Valley were tied for second place in the 3A West Region, but after the Falcons' 22-6 victory, they clinched the second seed in the 3A playoffs and will face Safford at home.

The Valley’s best restaurant is Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in the Gila River Indian Community, according to the 2009 Zagat guide to top eateries nationwide.

The Gila River Indian Community is becoming a key player in the Valley’s economic, water, transportation and political decisions. For these reasons, a group of advanced journalism students at Arizona State University decided to spend a semester researching the Gila River community’s increasing clout.

During film study this week, Coolidge coaches figured Mohave Valley River Valley had the speed to keep up with the Bears. The reality was Coolidge still had the superior quickness, and it showed.

Boaters, tubers and fishermen are finding shallower river waters at the edge of East Valley as the busiest days approach for the spring and summer recreation season on the Salt and Verde rivers.

One of the wettest storms of a rain-soaked winter is headed the Valley’s way.

One of the wettest storms of a rain-soaked winter is headed the Valley’s way. The storm should bring much rain late Thursday and Friday, even to northern Arizona where warm rains could erode snowpack.

Just before the last faint light of dusk fades, two or three bats swoop out of the deep tunnel.

Not all NASCAR fans motor to Phoenix International Raceway in an RV and live and dine in their vehicles. Thousands of race fans are packing East Valley hotels and restaurants this weekend.

Halfway through “Alice’s House of Nightmares,” between the bloody walls and the man tossing his dismembered hand around, we find a lovely open space. “This room has possibilities!” declares Valley real estate agent Zoee Tsighis.

Published June 24-26, 2007 in the Tribune newspapers

East Valley water managers have long been a confident bunch.

If you're looking for an energetic, but easygoing dog the whole family will love - you've found him. River, a 4-year-old border collie, has all the natural fast learner talents his breed is blessed with - and he loves, loves, loves people.

The Gila River Indian Community and its development authority are in negotiations to relocate Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse to a spot just south of Ahwatukee Foothills near Interstate 10.

Without water, a human dies in five hours or less in the Sonoran Desert summer.

The rain clouds are gone but authorities are now dealing with the aftermath of a storm that soaked the Valley.

Ray Gonzales knew he had a great story to tell, because he had a great storyteller in Masaji Inoshita. And now Gonzales has won a great award: America's top student documentary.

Apparently the Nationwide Tour event held the past four years at Whirlwind Golf Club near Chandler will be played in 2005, with a change in name pending.