Arizona
Monsoon in the Arizona Desert is a Real Thing
Arizona… home of the heat dome!
It’s so hot in Arizona, no it’s not the start of a joke, it’s actually super hot in Arizona! Anyone who has traveled through Arizona already knows that the heat there is no joke; this year alone the heat in Phoenix has already broken record reaching 113 degrees! Summer hasn’t officially began!
Last year’s heat in Arizona was so extreme that the medical examiner’s office was over capacity due to heat-related deaths that officials had to bring in coolers to store the bodies. This year, doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better! However, the people of Arizona are hoping that the heat will calm down a bit with monsoon rain. Yes, you read that right, “monsoon” rain.
There is most definitely a monsoon season in the Arizona desert; and to get the rains to bless the desert, it needs to get really hot first!
Arizona’s monsoon season starts on June 15 and runs through September 30 every year. This period is characterized by increased humidity and frequent thunderstorms, which can bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and sometimes even flash flooding to the region. The monsoon season significantly impacts the desert landscape, providing much-needed moisture and relief from the intense summer heat.
With monsoon season underway, it doesn’t always mean that there will be rain in the forecast everyday. Robert Cerveny, a professor of geographical sciences at Arizona State University, told KTAR News 92.3 FM:
People have to realize that it doesn’t start out wet, that the first few weeks of our monsoon are dry. That means a lot of lightning, a lot of wind, very little rain, and those are the perfect recipes … for wildfires.
With a dry season and brutal temperatures, I’m sure everyone in Arizona patiently await the first rainfall of monsoon season! You can learn more about Arizona’s monsoon season here.
15 of the Best Places to Discover History in Arizona
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Gallery Credit: Val Davidson
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Arizona
Lakota Ballers gearing up for NABI in Arizona
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA)- The Lakota Ballers is a team made up of local high school basketball players. The team is coached by Dale Pine, Jr. The Lakota Ballers will play at the Native American Basketball Invitational in Arizona next month.
Copyright 2024 KOTA. All rights reserved.
Arizona
High-profile Arizona criminal cases database
Seven suspects arrested and charged in death of Preston Lord
Arizona Republicans arraigned in ‘fake electors’ case
Aaron Saucedo
Man accused of killing 9 people during serial street shootings
- Aaron Saucedo, 28, was arrested in April 2017 in connection with serial street shootings that began in August 2015 and ended in July 2016. His next hearing is scheduled for July 15, 2024.
Alex Anthony Madrid
Mesa man charged with rape, murder of teen girl found in a dumpster in 2013
- Alex Anthony Madrid is facing first degree murder, kidnapping, sex conduct with a minor, molestation of a child, child abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment/concealment of a body and tampering with physical evidence. His trial is set for August 5, 2024.
Angel Mullooly
Three people, including one with Neo-Nazi ties, charged in beating death of Jake Kelly
- 34-year-old Angel Mullooly is facing murder charges. Cory Young, 44, and Shannon Young, 37, are accused of hindering prosecution.
Anthony Milan Ross
Vegan chef, motivational speaker accused of killing ex-wife and 2 children on Christmas Day 2017
April McLaughlin
Woman accused of keeping dozens of dogs in horrifying conditions at a home in Chandler
- April McLaughlin pleaded not guilty to the charges in January, 2024. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for June 27, 2024.
Blaze Thibaudeau
Leader of doomsday family back in Arizona to face charges in Gilbert teen’s disappearance
- Blaze Thibaudeau was reportedly taken by his uncle, Brook Hale, his non-custodial mother, Spring Thibaudeau. Hale, 47, is charged with one count of custodial interference and one count of conspiracy to commit custodial interference. Spring Thibaudeau is still awaiting extradition back to Arizona.
Christopher Rand Hoopes
Man allegedly shoots, kills wife at Tempe home after claiming she ‘startled’ him
- 36-year-old Christopher Rand Hoopes will be in court July 15, 2024. His trial is scheduled for July 22, 2024.
Cleophus Cooksey
Phoenix man charged in serial killing spree that left 9 dead in 3 weeks
- Cleophus Cooksey is accused of killing nine people, including his mother and stepfather, in the Phoenix area in 2017.
David Schnirch
Scottsdale luxury car dealer arrested on multiple counts of sexual exploitation, luring girls under 15
- David Schnirch was arrested in the Summer of 2021 on child sex crime charges. His next hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2024.
DaVonte’ Neal
Former U of A football player charged with murder
- DaVonte’ Neal is charged with first-degree murder, drive-by-shooting, and discharging a firearm at a structure in the 2017 death of Bryan T. Burns. Neal is expected back in court July 22, 2024.
Essa Williams
Phoenix man accused of shooting officer 8 times in 2021
- Essa Williams is facing attempted murder charges, accused of gunning down Phoenix police officer Tyler Moldovan in 2021.
Germayne Cunningham
Former Phoenix PD detective and wife accused of killing 7-year-old daughter
- Pre-trial conference starts August 23, 2024. Trial is scheduled for September 3, 2024.
Ian Mitcham
Man arrested in gruesome murder 2015 of Scottdale woman after DNA evidence was found years later
- Ian Mitcham was arrested for the murder of Allison Feldman, who was sexually assaulted, strangled, and beaten to death at her Scottsdale home in February 2015. Mitcham will be back in court September 26, 2024.
Isaac King
Avondale man accused of shooting, killing DPS Trooper on Interstate 10
- Isaac Damon King plead not guilty in the 2018 shooting death of DPS Trooper Tyler Edenhofer.
James Estep
Mesa man accused of sexually assaulting 5 women, teen girl
- James Estep is being held without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for July 2, 2024.
Jonathon Altland
Man accused of killing Chandler police officer, injuring Gilbert officer after leading them on a car chase
Joshua Ben Anderson
Former White Mountain Apache police officers indicted after hitting and killing woman with squad car
- Joshua Ben Anderson pled guilty to attempting a cover up after a hit and run in his squad car. His sentencing is August 5, 2024.
Larry Edward Brown Jr
IRS agent indicted in deadly shooting of fellow agent following Phoenix training exercise
- On August 17, 2023, Special Agent Patrick Bauer was shot during training at a federal gun range located on prison grounds in north Phoenix.
Lori Vallow
Former valley mom convicted in Idaho of killing her kids, now facing charges in Maricopa County
- Lori Vallow’s next pre-trial conference is set for July 25, 2024.
Octavia Rogers
Phoenix mother accused of killing her 3 kids in 2016
- Octavia Rogers is facing 3 counts of first degree murder after her three young sons were found stabbed to death.
Raad Almansoori
Man accused in a violent multi-state crime spree, including two stabbings in the Valley and the death of a woman at a New York City hotel room
- Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has refused to extradite him to New York until he stands trial for his alleged crimes in Arizona.
Rachel Henry
Phoenix mother accused of suffocating her 3 children to death
- Rachel Henry is set to appear in court in August 2024. She pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in February 2020.
Samuel Bateman
FLDS polygamist leader arraigned in court on child sex abuse charges
- Samuel Bateman faces 51 felonies. The FBI says he had 20 wives, many of them underage. Ten of his followers, including some of his adult wives, were also charged with aiding him. Sentencing is set for July 15, 2024.
Sophia Simmons
Mom arrested after young daughter found dead in dumpster behind Phoenix business
- 38-year-old Sophia Simmons is facing a murder charge after her young daughter was found dead in a dumpster behind a business in Phoenix on Christmas Eve 2023. Simmons’ trial is set for September 5, 2024.
Stephanie Davis & Thomas James Desharnais
Prosecutors to seek death penalty for murder of 11-year-old boy in Scottsdale hotel
Terrance Santistevan
Man accused of gunning down two teens in Casa Grande in 2022
- Terrance Santistevan is in Pinal County jail on charges of first-degree murder. His next court appearance is set for July 22, 2024.
Zion Teasley
Man accused of stabbing, killing Lauren Heike while hiking in North Scottsdale
- Zion Teasley’s next court hearing is set for September 22, 2024.
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Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.
Arizona
Tracking former Southern Arizona & Arizona Wildcats baseball players in pros (6/17) | ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com
NOTE: This is a compilation of stats involving players from Southern Arizona and the Arizona Wildcats’ program in MLB-sanctioned leagues (MLB and minor leagues). The list does not include players in foreign leagues or independent leagues in the US.
LOCAL BASEBALL PLAYERS IN THE PROS
Listing of local baseball players either from high school or Arizona currently playing in pro baseball.
*Barraza, Sahuarita graduate
*Romero, CDO graduate
*Salazar, Sahuaro graduate
Player | Pos | Sch | Yrs | Team | Lvl | Org |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nate Baez | 1B | IRHS | 16-19 | Cedar Rapids | A+ | MIN |
Christopher Barraza | P | UA* | 21-23 | Inland Empire | A | LAA |
Branden Boissiere | 1B | UA | 19-21 | Wilmington | A+ | WAS |
Tony Bullard | 3B | UA | 20-23 | Beloit | A+ | MIA |
Alex Bustamante | P | CDO | 16-18 | Tampa | A | NYY |
Demetrio Crisantes | SS | Nogales | 19-22 | ACL Dbacks | RK | ARI |
Bobby Dalbec | 1B | UA | 14-16 | Boston | MLB | BOS |
Chase Davis | OF | UA | 21-23 | Palm Beach | A | STL |
Jose Dicochea | P | Sahuarita | 16-19 | Stockton | A | OAK |
Matthew Dyer | C | UA | 19-20 | Montgomery | AA | TB |
German Fajardo | P | Nogales | 16-19 | Modesto | A | SEA |
Michael Flynn | P | UA | 16-18 | Oklahoma City | AAA | LAD |
Matt Fraizer | OF | UA | 17-19 | Indianapolis | AAA | PIT |
Kevin Ginkel | P | UA | 16 | Arizona | MLB | ARI |
Nick Gonzales | INF | Cienega | 14-17 | Pittsburgh | MLB | PIT |
Darick Hall | 1B | Buena | 11-13 | Lehigh Valley | AAA | PHI |
Garrett Irvin | P | UA | 20-22 | Lansing | A+ | OAK |
Scott Kingery | 2B | UA | 13-15 | Lehigh Valley | AAA | PHI |
Randy Labaut | P | UA | 17-19 | Columbus | AAA | CLE |
Gil Luna | P | UA | 18-21 | Birmingham | AA | CHW |
Nik McClaughry | 2B | UA | 20-23 | Fort Wayne | A+ | SD |
Tylor Megill | P | UA | 17-19 | NY Mets | MLB | NYM |
Ian Mejia | P | Sahuarita | 16-19 | Mississippi | AA | ATL |
Andrew Nardi | P | UA | 19 | Miami | MLB | MIA |
Kevin Newman | SS | UA | 13-15 | Arizona | MLB | ARI |
Jared Oliva | OF | UA | 15-17 | Arkansas | AA | SEA |
Tanner O’Tremba | OF | UA | 21-22 | Eugene | A+ | SF |
Spencer Packard | OF | CDO | 13-16 | Tacoma | AAA | SEA |
Rob Refsnyder | OF | UA | 10-12 | Boston | MLB | BOS |
Alfonso Rivas | 1B | UA | 16-18 | Memphis | AAA | STL |
Kiko Romero | 1B | UA* | 23 | Hudson Valley | A+ | NYY |
Milo Rushford | CF | WGHS | 18-21 | ACL Royals | RK | KC |
Cesar Salazar | C | UA* | 16-18 | Houston | MLB | HOU |
Chase Silseth | P | UA | 21 | Salt Lake | AAA | LAA |
Austin Smith | P | UA | 21 | Mississippi | AA | ATL |
Daniel Susac | C | UA | 21-22 | Midland | AA | OAK |
Cal Stevenson | OF | UA | 17-18 | Lehigh Valley | AAA | PHI |
Alex Verdugo | OF | Sahuaro | 11-14 | NY Yankees | MLB | NYY |
Avery Weems | P | UA | 18-19 | Frisco | AA | TEX |
Austin Wells | C | UA | 19-20 | NY Yankees | MLB | NYY |
Donta’ Williams | OF | UA | 18-21 | Norfolk | AAA | BAL |
LOCAL BATTERS IN THE PROS
Through games of June 16
*Injuries:
Boissiere (60-day/arm)
Player | Team | Lvl | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | AVG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baez | MIN | A+ | 33 | 101 | 19 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 0 | .252 |
*Boissiere | WAS | A+ | 33 | 112 | 11 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 0 | .214 |
Bullard | MIA | A+ | 8 | 25 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .200 |
Crisantes | ARI | RK | 29 | 121 | 31 | 43 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 10 | .355 |
Dalbec | BOS | MLB | 33 | 76 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | .132 |
Davis | STL | A | 49 | 175 | 22 | 37 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 30 | 3 | .211 |
Dyer | TB | AA | 35 | 106 | 16 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | .217 |
Fraizer | PIT | AAA | 22 | 75 | 8 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | .231 |
Gonzales | PIT | MLB | 32 | 122 | 17 | 38 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 2 | .311 |
Hall | PHI | AAA | 48 | 189 | 19 | 47 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 26 | 0 | .249 |
Kingery | PHI | AAA | 58 | 205 | 34 | 50 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 31 | 9 | .244 |
McClaughry | SD | A+ | 46 | 140 | 17 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | .171 |
Newman | ARI | MLB | 52 | 159 | 23 | 45 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 3 | .283 |
O’Tremba | SF | A+ | 38 | 126 | 25 | 28 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 9 | .222 |
Oliva | SEA | AA | 42 | 113 | 23 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 18 | .212 |
Packard | SEA | AAA | 6 | 25 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .400 |
Refsnyder | BOS | MLB | 42 | 129 | 16 | 42 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 1 | .326 |
Rivas | STL | AAA | 50 | 172 | 27 | 43 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 0 | .250 |
Romero | NYY | A+ | 34 | 102 | 15 | 23 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 4 | .225 |
Rushford | KC | RK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
Salazar | HOU | MLB | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .500 |
Sands | SF | AAA | 13 | 51 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | .176 |
Stevenson | PHI | AAA | 58 | 169 | 28 | 43 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 15 | .254 |
Susac | OAK | AA | 41 | 162 | 14 | 43 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 3 | .259 |
Verdugo | NYY | MLB | 71 | 265 | 35 | 69 | 15 | 1 | 9 | 41 | 1 | .260 |
Wells | NYY | MLB | 41 | 120 | 14 | 25 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 1 | .200 |
Williams | BAL | AAA | 4 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .154 |
SUNDAY’S HOME RUNS
1B Nate Baez (Ironwood Ridge), Twins A+, 2 HRs (2-run HR and solo HR) (7th overall, 3rd in three days and 4th in last six games)
SUNDAY’S STANDOUTS
Spencer Packard’s FIFTH hit of the game is this RBI double to make it 12-3 in the ninth pic.twitter.com/Zfls9JLz9b
— Tacoma Rainiers (@RainiersLand) June 17, 2024
LF Spencer Packard (CDO), Mariners AAA, 5-6, 2 runs, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs
1B Nate Baez (Ironwood Ridge), Twins A+, 2-3, 2 runs, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs
LF Matthew Dyer (Arizona), Rays AA, 2-4
2B Nick Gonzales (Cienega), Pirates MLB, 2-5, run
RF Rob Refsnyder (Arizona), Red Sox MLB, 2-3, run
1B Alfonso Rivas (Arizona), Cardinals AAA, 2-3, 3 runs, double, RBI
CF Chase Davis (Arizona), Cardinals A, 1-2, 2 runs, RBI, stolen base
1B Kiko Romero (CDO/Arizona), Yankees A+, 1-4, double
LOCAL PITCHERS IN THE PROS
Through games of June 16
*Injuries:
Bustamante (60-day/arm)
Silseth (60-day/elbow) – rehab assignment
Weems (7-day/arm)
Player | Team | Lvl | W-L | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barraza | LAA | A | 0-2 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 21.1 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 19 | 3.80 |
*Bustamante | NYY | A | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Dicochea | OAK | A | 1-4 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 31 | 6.21 |
Fajardo | SEA | A | 2-1 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 25 | 19 | 14 | 18 | 36 | 4.20 |
Flynn | LAD | AAA | 1-0 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 24.1 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 36 | 4.44 |
Ginkel | ARI | MLB | 5-1 | 29 | 0 | 5 | 28.1 | 29 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 22 | 3.18 |
Irvin | OAK | A+ | 1-1 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 18.2 | 23 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 22 | 6.75 |
Labaut | CLE | AAA | 2-4 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 26.2 | 24 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 24 | 4.72 |
Luna | CHW | AA | 2-1 | 19 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 20 | 22 | 2.70 |
Megill | NYM | MLB | 2-3 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 30.2 | 27 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 37 | 3.52 |
Mejia | ATL | AA | 5-0 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 60.1 | 38 | 12 | 12 | 21 | 67 | 1.79 |
Nardi | MIA | MLB | 0-0 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 25.2 | 28 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 31 | 5.61 |
*Silseth | LAA | AAA | 0-2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7.2 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10.57 |
Smith | ATL | AA | 0-0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3.2 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 12.27 |
*Weems | TEX | AA | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
SUNDAY’S STANDOUT
RHP Chris Barraza (Sahuarita/Arizona), Angels A, 1.2 IP, 2H, 0R, 0ER, 2BB, 2K (no decision)
RHP Kevin Ginkel (Arizona), Diamondbacks MLB, 1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1K (no decision)
LHP Garrett Irvin (Arizona), Athletics A+, 2.2 IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 3K (no decision)
LHP Gil Luna (Arizona), White Sox AA, 1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1K (no decision)
RHP Tylor Megill (Arizona), Mets MLB, 5 IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 5K (win)
RHP Chase Silseth (Arizona), Angels AAA, 5 IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 4K (loss)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS (LAST 14 DAYS)
Tuesday, June 11
Spencer Packard – Assigned to Tacoma Rainiers (AAA) (Seattle Mariners)
Someone’s PACKING up and moving to Tacoma!
Spencer Packard gets his call up to Triple-A! Through 50 games with Arkansas this year, Pack raked with a .285 AVG, having collected 5 2B, 5 HR, and 29 RBIs. pic.twitter.com/pWQ9eAdd3t
— Arkansas Travelers (@ARTravs) June 11, 2024
Cesar Salazar – Recalled from from Sugar Land Space Cowboys (AAA) (Houston Astros)
Just do it https://t.co/8xhg7I3uVW pic.twitter.com/LTaFU2v7fm
— Cesar Salazar (@cesarsalazar34) May 16, 2024
Chase Silseth – Assigned to Salt Lake Bees (AAA) for rehab (Los Angeles Angels)
Chase Silseth (elbow) moving rehab to Triple-A https://t.co/hYemiNOeVk via @BKemp17 #RepTheHalo
— FantasyPros (@FantasyProsMLB) June 11, 2024
Sunday, June 9
Donny Sands – Released by Giants. The 28-year-old Salpointe graduate signed a minor-league deal with the club in mid-May after the Tigers released him at the end of spring training. The Yankees selected Sands in the eighth round of the 2015 draft, and he spent the next seven seasons in their system before the Yankees traded him to the Phillies ahead of the 2022 campaign. Sands made his MLB debut with Philadelphia the following September. He appeared in three games as a pinch-hitter and caught two innings behind the plate that season, the extent of his big-league career. The Phillies traded him to the Tigers during the 2022-23 offseason. Sands’ background of being a homeless teen while at Salpointe made national news. This occurred after his father died of a heart attack and his mom Alma had to move to her native Mexico to find employment.
Thursday, June 6
Branden Boissiere – IL-60 Injured/arm (Washington Nationals)
Tuesday, June 4
Matthew Dyer – Assigned to Montgomery Biscuits (AA) (Tampa Bay Rays)
Milo Rushford – Assigned to ACL Royals (Rk) (Kansas City Royals)
Donta’ Williams – Assigned to Norfolk Tides (AAA) (Baltimore Orioles)
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator five years ago and is presently a special education teacher at Sunnyside High School in the Sunnyside Unified School District.
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