When one Chandler teenager imagined her Sweet 16 birthday, she imagined spending it the same way she has spent many Sundays in the past seven years — with the homeless friends she served in the parking lot in downtown Phoenix.

In just over five years, the Ride for Reading program has delivered more than 110,000 books to kids in schools in needy communities, including a spot here in the Valley.

Spring sprang, and now summer has set in.

When our nation’s founders wrote the language in the First Amendment guaranteeing the right to “petition the government for a redress of grievances,” there were no words describing the form of that petition.

A “Celebration of Life” service to honor respected educator and leader among state high school sports circles Art Wagner is scheduled for Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert.

Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department will join fire departments Valley-wide for the first coordinated fire station open house Saturday, May 18.

In his first mock-up leading into the June 6-8 Major League Baseball draft (Insider subscription access required), ESPN baseball analyst Keith Law had both D.J. and Dustin Peterson landing in the first round.

Here is a collection of thoughts and stories from those who've crossed paths (personally or professionally) with former Higley district athletic director Art Wagner, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on May 15.

Plan for another hot day with a high of 100 degrees in Phoenix

EXTERNAL LINK: A weekly roundup of Arizona geek culture happenings by Best of East Valley 2011 blogger Jonathan Simon.

Gilbert district schools will continue to offer free, full-day kindergarten next school year following a vote Wednesday night by the governing board.

A Valley man's beloved pet was saved with the same "medical finesse" you'd see on a battlefield.

Higley Unified School District athletic director Art Wagner, 43, was found dead near Higley High School Wednesday morning, according to the Gilbert Police Department. Police say the matter is still under investigation, but believe Wagner died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Twice a year, two distinct cultural groups — foodies and penny pinchers — meet on common ground, or more accurately, at local restaurants.

EastValleyTribune.com presents ABC15.com's 'most accurate forecast' coverage, bringing you updated forecasts, seven-day outlooks, radar maps, current conditions,  and weather network look-ins from throughout the state.

Valley museums, including Arizona Military Museum, Arizona Museum for Youth and Pueblo Grande Museum, celebrate the role of museums in communities by offering free admission for a day. Museum times and locations vary.

Using their talents for hilarious, family-friendly improvisational comedy, Jef and Shurlin Rawls of Mesa hope to lift spirits while lightening the load for a family in their neighborhood with an event they are calling a “FUN-draiser.”

Hotel room hackers have hit the Valley and now police agencies are working together to try and find the culprit or culprits who have stolen items from hotel guests in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe.

Now that the final championships have been crowned and before everyone scampers away from schools and scalding heat for the summer, a few programming notes: