On Thursday, February 2, 2023, detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) served a search warrant in the area of South 6th Avenue and East Ajo Way in Tucson. The search warrant followed a months-long investigation into drug trafficking.

While serving the search warrant, detectives seized the following items:

93.9 pounds of fentanyl pills
2.9 pounds of methamphetamine
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Horne: School safety grants should prioritize police presence
Armed officers best line of defense against violence

PHOENIX- As the Arizona Department of Education opens the latest round of School Safety Grant Program applications, Superintendent Tom Horne is urging schools to prioritize having armed officers from law enforcement or highly trained security providers on campus.

“Every school should have a law enforcement officer to protect students and staff, and this should be accomplished on an urgent basis”, Horne said. “Delay in implementing this goal could leave schools more vulnerable to a tragic catastrophe. Schools that currently have no armed presence yet submit grants applications that do not request an officer will not receive a recommendation from this Department to the State Board of Education.”

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On Thursday, January 19, 2023, at approximately 7:55 p.m., a three-vehicle collision occurred on westbound Interstate 10 near 43rd Avenue, in Phoenix. Multiple 9-1-1 callers reported several vehicles engaging in street racing in the area at the time of the crash.

Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers suspect the driver of an Infiniti sedan was racing other vehicles when he swerved right to avoid slowing traffic, lost control of his car, and struck a highway barrier wall before swerving back across highway travel lanes and striking a commercial tractor-trailer. The impact from the Infiniti caused the tractor-trailer to swerve left, collide with a pickup truck and strike the median barrier.

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Corporation Commission held its monthly Open Meeting on January 10th, 2023, to discuss and vote on various utilities and securities items. Below are highlights from the meeting.

Arizona Public Service Company Power Supply Adjustment Surcharge

The Commission voted 3-2 to approve not resetting the Arizona Public Service Company (APS) Power Supply Adjustment (“PSA”) on February 1, 2023. Commission Staff was ordered to analyze the APS PSA and provide recommendations by February 13, 2023, regarding possible modifications.

All documents related to this agenda item can be found in the Corporation Commission’s online docket at https://edocket.azcc.gov and entering docket number E-01345A-22-0297.

Southwest Gas Corporation Rate Increase Approved

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Four suspects have been arrested in connection to two separate large drug busts in Mesa in one of the largest busts in the department’s history.

On November 9, 2022, officers were able to seize over 700,000 fentanyl pills and more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.

In the first bust, Raymond Cabrera, 42, was arrested after police discovered and seized 28,500 fentanyl pills, 7.5 ounces of methamphetamine, 2 grams of cocaine, over $3,100 in cash, and a .9mm handgun.

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Corporation Commission held its monthly Open Meeting on November 9th and 10th, 2022, to discuss and vote on various utilities and securities items. Below are highlights from the meeting.

ENERGY

Commission Approves SunZia Transmission LLC Amended Transmission Project

Commissioners voted to approve a modification to the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) for SunZia Transmission LLC (SunZia) which will allow it to construct new transmission lines in a corridor connecting Central New Mexico with South Central Arizona. The original CEC was approved in 2016 by the Line Siting Committee and the Commission for SunZia to construct the project, however, that decision was challenged in the Superior Court and then the Arizona Court of Appeals, both of which upheld the Commission's Decision.

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