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Mesa works to preserve Arizona's fading citrus history

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Mesa works to preserve Arizona's fading citrus history


Arizona was founded on the five Cs: copper, cattle, cotton, citrus and climate.

As time has moved on, citrus has fallen off, but the city of Mesa is trying to preserve that part of our agricultural history.

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What we know:

More than 200 acres are tucked away in the city of Mesa at Gene Autry Park.

“These are one of the last bastions here of citrus here in the East Valley,” Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman said. “Ironically, this area is one of the last city of Mesa-owned orchards. We’re here at Gene Autry Park. These trees are well over 90 years old.”

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The land these oranges are grown on can’t be used for much else.

“We’ve created a safety zone for the aircraft flying back and forth through Falcon Field, and so this area will always be predominantly citrus,” Mayor Freeman said.

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So citrus it will remain – beautiful, a great smell when they bloom – but also a history lesson growing right in front of our eyes that started in the 1910s.

“These orchards were established and, remember, there was nothing out here and this citrus here, it was sent all over the world because, predominantly, the competition was between California, Arizona and Florida,” Mayor Freeman explained.

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Dig deeper:

Over the years, as Mesa’s population has exploded, orange groves have become more and more rare.

“The land has become more valuable for development, so the landowners that own their land in citrus today are selling to developers for building homes or other things,” Mayor Freeman said.

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But, these Valencia oranges will remain.

Once they’re ready, they’ll be sold and shipped to Yuma where they’ll be squeezed for fresh orange juice. 

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That’s the way it will be, because these trees will grow just like the city of Mesa, and they aren’t going anywhere.

“The protection of our agriculture is so important and Mesa stands ready to preserve that,” Mayor Freeman said.

Map of where Gene Autry Park is:

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What you can do:

Click here to learn more about Arizona’s 5 Cs.

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Arizona man convicted for role in bringing cocaine to Cincinnati, other US locations for over 5 years

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Arizona man convicted for role in bringing cocaine to Cincinnati, other US locations for over 5 years


CINCINNATI — An Arizona man has been found guilty of supplying dozens of kilograms of cocaine to multiple U.S. locations, including Cincinnati, bi-weekly for more than five years.

Tucson resident Cesar Cervantes, 52, was convicted of participating in drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies in a jury trial after the government seized more than 160 kilograms of cocaine, three kilograms of fentanyl and $1.4 million in cash from him.

According to court documents, Cervantes would use a network to deliver drugs that originated in Mexico to multiple locations across the country, including designated couriers in Cincinnati, between at least July 2018 and August 2023. Officials said he would supply between 25 and 50 kilograms biweekly to his coconspirators.

Cervantes would then use money launderers to funnel money back to Mexico. In one instance, court documents said he had coconspirators deliver around $300,000 to two separate money launderers — one based in China and another in Colombia.

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The jury found Cervantes guilty on all counts for his role in the conspiracies following a trial before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland in the Southern District of Ohio. He faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison.





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Backyard blaze erupts after Arizona monsoon lightning strike

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Backyard blaze erupts after Arizona monsoon lightning strike


Investigators are analyzing two ransom notes sent after Nancy Guthrie vanished, as a retired FBI agent questions whether the latest message is real. A new development in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance centers on two ransom notes sent to her family after she vanished. Investigators believe the messages may have come from the same person or group, possibly from the same computer IP address. The first note demanded billions in bitcoin, while the second claimed Guthrie had died and offered an apology. Retired FBI agent John Iannarelli says he is skeptical of the second note and questions why the sender has not provided credible information about her location. The case remains active as detectives continue following any reliable leads.



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Lit cigarette sparks fire at Arizona wildlife park

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Lit cigarette sparks fire at Arizona wildlife park


CAMP VERDE, AZ (AZFamily) — An Arizona wildlife park is asking visitors to follow its rules after a visitor discarded a lit cigarette in the park, sparking a fire.

Park officials said Saturday a visitor ignored the no-smoking policy and threw a lit cigarette on the ground near the Tiger Splash Arena, causing the fire.

A visitor discarded a lit cigarette in the park and sparked a fire, park officials said.(Out of Africa Wildlife Park & Sanctuary)

“If you are not willing to respect our policies, we understand that our park may not be the right destination for you,” Out of Africa Wildlife Park and Sanctuary said in a social media post.

Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District firefighters put out the fire before it could spread or threaten any animals, park officials said.

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“Every policy we have in place exists for a reason, even if it may seem inconvenient to some visitors,” park officials said. “The outcome could have been devastating for the animals. We respectfully ask all visitors to follow the rules that are in place for everyone’s safety.”

Park officials said the safety of the animals, guests and staff is the highest priority.

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