April 30th, 2025
PHOENIX – With increasing fire danger across Arizona, Tonto National Forest officials will implement emergency stage 2 fire restrictions and recreational shooting restrictions for the entire forest beginning Thursday, May 1 at 8 a.m.
These emergency stage 2 fire restrictions also include recreational shooting restrictions to protect the public, wildland firefighters, and our natural resources from the risk of a recreational shooting-caused ignition due to very high fire danger conditions across the forest. Restrictions will remain in effect until Forest Service officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.
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These emergency stage 2 fire restrictions also include recreational shooting restrictions to protect the public, wildland firefighters, and our natural resources from the risk of a recreational shooting-caused ignition due to very high fire danger conditions across the forest. Restrictions will remain in effect until Forest Service officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.
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February 28th, 2025
TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents arrested three suspected cartel scouts, and one foot guide associated with the Los Memos transnational criminal organization, a faction of the Cártel de Sinaloa, in southern Arizona this week.
The first arrest occurred Monday morning near the town of Maricopa, when Casa Grande Station agents patrolling an area south of the Maricopa Mountains, north of Interstate 8, encountered and apprehended a man illegally present in the country. As they conducted an immigration inspection, the Mexican national admitted he had crossed the border illegally. Agents further discovered communication and observation devices commonly used by cartel scouts in the man’s possession.
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The first arrest occurred Monday morning near the town of Maricopa, when Casa Grande Station agents patrolling an area south of the Maricopa Mountains, north of Interstate 8, encountered and apprehended a man illegally present in the country. As they conducted an immigration inspection, the Mexican national admitted he had crossed the border illegally. Agents further discovered communication and observation devices commonly used by cartel scouts in the man’s possession.
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February 28th, 2025
AZGFD wolf experts correct some common misconceptions
Over the past year, assertions have appeared in news releases and opinion pieces by some wolf advocacy groups and individuals that have been misleading to the public.
In this article, wolf experts with the Arizona Game and Fish Department provide information that addresses some of those assertions so that people have a truer picture of the facts about Mexican wolf recovery efforts.
The geography of recovery of any endangered species is paramount in crafting a successful restoration of a native species. more...
Over the past year, assertions have appeared in news releases and opinion pieces by some wolf advocacy groups and individuals that have been misleading to the public.
In this article, wolf experts with the Arizona Game and Fish Department provide information that addresses some of those assertions so that people have a truer picture of the facts about Mexican wolf recovery efforts.
The geography of recovery of any endangered species is paramount in crafting a successful restoration of a native species. more...
February 18th, 2025
On February 18, 2025, a court sentenced Eric T. Scionti to 47 months’ incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. Scionti pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and Animal Crushing in two separate cases (18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(8), 48(a)(1)).
In December 2022, federal authorities received an anonymous tip that Scionti, a convicted felon, possessed a number of handguns, as well as grenades and bullet-proof body armor. On January 18, 2023, agents executed a search warrant, seizing six firearms and 1,826 rounds of ammunition from areas of a residence controlled by the defendant. Scionti has multiple Arizona state felony convictions and was prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
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In December 2022, federal authorities received an anonymous tip that Scionti, a convicted felon, possessed a number of handguns, as well as grenades and bullet-proof body armor. On January 18, 2023, agents executed a search warrant, seizing six firearms and 1,826 rounds of ammunition from areas of a residence controlled by the defendant. Scionti has multiple Arizona state felony convictions and was prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
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February 14th, 2025
PHOENIX, Arizona – Miguel Angel Gaytan-Ramirez, 34, an undocumented Mexican National living in Phoenix, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 151 months, followed by three years supervised release. Gaytan-Ramirez pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl on November 5, 2024.
According to court documents, on January 25, 2024, an undercover agent working for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agreed to purchase 150,000 fentanyl pills (approximately 15 kilograms) from a member of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Mexico. The individual in Mexico instructed the undercover agent to travel to a parking lot in Phoenix to complete the transaction.
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According to court documents, on January 25, 2024, an undercover agent working for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agreed to purchase 150,000 fentanyl pills (approximately 15 kilograms) from a member of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Mexico. The individual in Mexico instructed the undercover agent to travel to a parking lot in Phoenix to complete the transaction.
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February 06th, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves
355th Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Rickenbach, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, left, and his mother, right, attend a ceremony in Oro Valley, Arizona, Feb. 4, 2025. At the ceremony, Rickenbach was awarded the Red Cross Certificate of Merit for administering life-saving actions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Rickenbach, a 355th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, was awarded the Red Cross Certificate of Merit for administering life-saving actions, in Oro Valley, Arizona, Feb. 4.
The Red Cross Certificate of Merit is the highest award given to an individual who saved or sustained life using skills learned through Red Cross training.
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355th Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Rickenbach, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, left, and his mother, right, attend a ceremony in Oro Valley, Arizona, Feb. 4, 2025. At the ceremony, Rickenbach was awarded the Red Cross Certificate of Merit for administering life-saving actions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Rickenbach, a 355th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, was awarded the Red Cross Certificate of Merit for administering life-saving actions, in Oro Valley, Arizona, Feb. 4.
The Red Cross Certificate of Merit is the highest award given to an individual who saved or sustained life using skills learned through Red Cross training.
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