PHOENIX — From a Tucson woman indicted for attempting to smuggle ammunition across the Arizona-Mexico border to Tempe City Council passing a backyard casita resolution, here are some of the Valley’s top news stories from April 11-13.
Arizona woman accused of trying to smuggle 8,000 rounds of ammunition into Mexico
A Tucson woman was indicted last week for attempting to smuggle roughly 8,000 rounds of ammunition across the Arizona-Mexico border, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced Thursday.
Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the vehicle of 32-year-old Andrea Villalva on March 7, 2024 at the Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. During their inspection, officers found eight “sealed cases of 5.56 XP193 rifle ammunition” tucked away near the “rear wall of the trunk,” according to a press release.
Villalva told authorities she would have been paid $150 per ammunition pack that reached her buyer in Mexico. She also said she had successfully smuggled ammunition into Mexico three previous times.
Phoenix ties daily heat record, nearly hits triple-digits for 3rd straight day in April
Phoenix residents nearly endured a third consecutive 100-degree afternoon on Saturday, as an unseasonably warm April continues.
The reading at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which is the official measuring spot by the National Weather Service, peaked at 99 degrees. The Sky Harbor thermometer displayed 103 degrees on Friday, the hottest day of 2025 so far.
Saturday’s daily high tied a record set in 1936, per NWS.
Motorcyclist dead in north Phoenix crash involving Valley Metro bus
A male motorcyclist died after colliding with a Valley Metro Paratransit bus in north Phoenix on Friday morning, authorities said.
Phoenix police responded to the area of Peoria Avenue and 28th Drive at about 11:40 a.m. and found Michael Do, 20, with severe injuries. First responders with Phoenix fire took Do to a nearby hospital for treatment, but he later died from his injuries.
Detectives assigned to the crash learned that Do — who was wearing a helmet — was heading west on Peoria Avenue before the Valley Metro bus “pulled in front of him” while making a left turn onto 28th Drive from Peoria.
US 60 reopens in Mesa after fatal crash at Country Club Drive
The eastbound lanes of US 60 were reopened in Mesa Saturday morning, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The closure was due to a crash at Country Club Drive, which was where authorities then diverted traffic.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety also reported the crash involved multiple vehicles and resulted in one fatality.
Tempe City Council passes backyard casita resolution, announces casita design contest
The Tempe City Council on Thursday made it a simpler process for home owners to install a backyard casita.
The council passed a resolution that waives “the initial plan review fee” of more than $2,000 for city-approved designs, according to a press release.
Additionally, Tempe is unveiling a massive selection of casitas — officially labeled “Accessory Dwelling Units” (ADUs) — with the waived fee applicable for any and all designs.
The post Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest news stories from Phoenix from April 11-13 appeared first on KTAR.
