Arizona
Military Assistance Mission supports Arizona service members and their families
For U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Dillon Albrechtsen, service is a calling.
“I’ve fallen in love with service. I wake up each morning and I know I can take care of myself, but at the end of the day, there are things that need to be done. There are higher callings and there are challenging things that only certain individuals can take care of,” said Sgt. Albrechtsen.
That being said, when the Mesa native fell on tough times, it was hard to swallow his pride and ask for help.
“It’s definitely a challenge, because in the Marine Corps, specifically, they tell you that you can do anything. You are capable of being given a mission and seeing it through, and Marines, our biggest assets are the Marines to our left and our right. But it’s very hard to be selfish because we’re so often focused on being selfless towards others,” Sgt. Albrechtsen explained.
However, he was able to turn to the Military Assistance Mission, or MAM, for help. The organization provides financial assistance to military families in Arizona.
“Military Assistance Mission literally let us stay in our home, our little apartment. And like I said, I had a baby on the way, and it was just a rough period. Work was slowing down. Things were going to pick up, but she was able to lift such a huge weight off my back because I didn’t know how I was going to pay rent that next coming month,” Sgt. Albrechtsen recalled.
“Murphy’s law happens to any of us, civilians or military. It can be, you know, downright excruciating. The nerves and the stress and all of that to make sure the bills are paid. Happens to all of us and it really happens to them and so we need to be there for them. We as civilians, because we get to enjoy our freedoms because of them,” said Margy Bons, the founder of Military Assistance Mission.
Bons is a Gold Star mom who started MAM after her son Michael Marzano, a marine, was killed in action in 2005.
His death left her determined to help.
“I realized that there was another mom who had a son or a daughter in uniform, and they may have the same need like my son had. And that’s why it’s important for me to make sure that I can help with that need. That’s what my son would want,” said Bons.
After receiving help from MAM, Sgt. Albrechtsen is now paying it forward by helping the organization.
“I’ve been able to be in contact with some other individuals who said, ‘Hey, I took military assistance mission up, and they’ve been able to help me with x, y, z,’ and it’s been so nice to know that my story has been able to help others,” Sgt. Albrechtsen said.
He says it’s important to let other service members and their families know that the help is there for them, especially around the holidays.
“It’s supposed to be a time of comfort. It’s supposed to be a time of family and joy and giving, but when you have something weighing you down, it’s hard to disconnect from the problems of life and to relax,” Sgt. Albrechtsen explained.
Military Assistance Mission is one of five charities that benefit from ABC15’s annual holiday donation drive, Operation Santa Claus.
If you’re interested in donating, head to GivetotheClaus.com.
Arizona’s natural wonders: See the state’s most iconic sites
Arizona’s diverse geography has created some incredible features. Take a look at the best, including Sedona’s red rocks and the Grand Canyon, of course.
The Republic
Despite its desert reputation, Arizona has several exciting roller coaster attractions that make it a fun destination for thrill seekers. One of the best-known rides is the Desert Storm coaster at Castles N’ Coasters in Phoenix.
Arizona is also home to two popular mountain coasters located in the cooler mountain regions of the state.
Mountain coasters are gravity-powered rides built along hillsides or mountains. Riders sit in individual carts attached to a track and control their own speed using hand brakes. Unlike traditional roller coasters, mountain coasters often wind through forests and natural scenery, creating a mix of adventure ride and scenic experiences.
And Arizona is lucky enough to have two mountain coasters. Here’s how to visit.
What roller coaster is in the mountains in Arizona?
There are two mountain coasters in Arizona: the Canyon Coaster Adventure Park in Williams and the Sunrise Apache Alpine Coaster at Sunrise ski resort.
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park in Williams AZ
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park features the Canyon Coaster, which spans 1 mile with a scenic mountain backdrop. It has a peak height of 35 feet and is integrated into the natural curves of the landscape. The 13-acre park also offers tubing across 400 feet of track in summer and snow-covered slopes in winter, facilitated by two conveyor lifts. There’s also a restaurant and bar.
Where: 700 E. Route 66, Williams, Arizona.
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-7p.m. Fridays-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday year-round.
Admission: The Canyon Coaster costs $20 per person per ride. Riders must be over 4 feet, 5 inches tall. Children who are at least 3 years old and 38-54 inches tall ride for $10 with a driver who is 18 or older. Visit the website for other attractions and pricing.
Details: 928-707-7729, canyoncoasteradventurepark.com.
Sunrise Apache Alpine Coaster at Sunrise ski resort
Spanning over half a mile with 3,287 feet of track, the coaster’s carts can reach up to 25 mph. Hand brakes let you choose a mellow or zippy ride. Sunrise Park has skiing and other snow activities in winter, plus mountain biking, scenic chair lift rides and more in summer. Dining options include a restaurant and pub.
Where: Sunrise Park Resort, 200 State Route 273, on the Fort Apache Reservation near Greer.
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, closed Monday-Thursday. Open every day starting June 2026.
Admission: $19 per ride or buy two rides for $38 and get a third ride free. Tickets are available in person. See the Sunrise Park website for other seasonal activities and prices.
Details: 928-735-7669, sunrise.ski/apache-coaster.
Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.
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Last night was the seventh consecutive game where the Diamondbacks were held to six hits or fewer. That ties a franchise record, last done in April 2022, and previously in August 2011. The team’s .477 OPS over that time is actually lower than either streak, though due to the efforts of the pitching staff, Arizona are actually 3-4 during the current run. They went 2-5 in 2022, and 1-6 in 2011. There hasn’t been a longer streak in the majors since the Angels went nine in April last year. In the National League, the Pirates went eight in June 2023. And in case you are wondering, the last team to reach a double-digit streak of games with 6 or fewer hits each time? The 1968 Astros reached 11, the year before the mound was lowered.
Let’s hope the D-backs render that moot and the offense comes to life a bit. The three runs added in garbage time last night, because one of the Rangers’ relievers couldn’t find the strike-zone, certainly padded Arizona’s resume. But they were more because of walks than hits. I’ve no doubt the team will hit better. They have batted .152 over the past week. It’s the second lowest in franchise history for a seven-game span. The only worse was April 7-15, 2022 when Arizona hit a remarkable .135, going 28-for-208 in that span. They actually scored three more runs than the current streak, mostly because they had twice as many home-runs (6-3).
Superintendent Tom Horne speaks at 2026 State of Education address
Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne spoke about controversial topics like DEI and ESAs at the State of Education address to the Legislature on Jan. 20, 2026.
Provided by Arizona Legislature
Democrats Brett Newby and Teresa Leyba Ruiz are set to make the argument to voters that they’re the best candidates to serve as Arizona’s top education official for the next four years.
The Arizona Republic will be streaming the Democratic debate for the Superintendent of Public Instruction race in partnership with the Arizona Media Association. The debate starts at 6 p.m. on May 13.
The office is currently held by Tom Horne, who will on May 14 face off in an Arizona Media Association debate against fellow Republican candidate Kimberly Yee, who currently serves as state treasurer.
Newby has worked as a behavioral analyst and professor, according to his campaign. He received a master’s degree in special education. His campaign has hinged on issues like downsizing the state’s controversial Empowerment Scholarship Program, retaining teachers and hiring more school counselors.
Ruiz attended Roosevelt Elementary School District and Phoenix Union High School District as a child before earning her Ph.D. from Arizona State University. She worked as a teacher at the middle and high school level before becoming president of Glendale Community College.
Like Newby, her campaign has also focused on the ESA program. She has also focused on advocating for more funding for public schools and supporting both rural and urban school districts. Ruiz has also spoken publicly about the teacher retention crisis as part of her campaign.
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