Gilbert News

Highland High School in Gilbert will host high school students from northern Arizona competing in the English-Speaking Union's annual Shakespeare Monologue Competition at 10 a.m. Feb.

It may say February on the calendar, but East Valley communities are starting to hire for summer - and some year-round - aquatics jobs.

The plaques are part of a "History Walk" project being developed by a group of around 25 civic-minded residents taking part in the current Gilbert Leadership class, a program developed and operated by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.

About 500 Gilbert employees will be barred from the town's annual labor talks due to stringent standards for union recertification set by the Town Council in December.

Gilbert earned $900,000 in 2011 by selling cans, bottles, papers and other materials to recycling centers, according to town spokeswoman Beth Lucas.

Gilbert Public Schools' Superintendent Dave Allison made the decision last month not to extend Ken Hein's one-year contract to continue with the strategic plan process.

Teens and their parents can attend a session Feb. 27 about summer volunteer opportunities at Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers and at Dignity Health Urgent Care centers in Ahwatukee, Gilbert and Queen Creek.

Frustrated Gilbert residents are asking why the town hasn't done anything to alleviate a dangerous bottleneck on Higley Road near the Santan Freeway, where a major six-lane artery abruptly constricts into a congested two-lane capillary.

Valley Metro added two bus routes on the edge of Gilbert last year, along Arizona Avenue and Power Road, and ridership on routes across town increased more than 18 percent.

A master-planned community in east Gilbert sold more units last year than any other community of that type in Arizona, according to a national housing-market analysis firm.

That's why the Gilbert Police Department hopes more will take advantage of Lock'em Out , a program it introduced in 2000 to help homeowners with home security.

Jim Lockwood, associate superintendent with Apache Junction Unified School District, was hired last month as chief financial officer for Higley Unified School District.

A man known as the "Gotta Have It" bandit who Mesa police believe is responsible for 11 armed robberies throughout the East Valley, was arrested Wednesday.

Developers continue to see Gilbert as a prime location for new-home building as proposals for four more subdivisions went before the Planning Commission on Wednesday.

At the end of each weekday, weary workers step off the express bus at Gilbert's Park-and-Ride and hop into their cars to finish off the evening commute.

Perry High School, 1919 E. Queen Creek Road in Gilbert, will host the CTE Electives Expo 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb.

Recess isn't just a break for kids, it's a break for teachers too. But police say a thief in the east valley is using recess time to go after teacher's wallets.

The Gilbert Police Rock and Run will be this weekend to benefit Arizona Special Olympics.

Gilbert students likely will see larger portions of fruits and vegetables in the upcoming school year as officials comply with new nutrition standards unveiled last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Parking: When you make a turn onto Page Ave. from Gilbert Rd., you'll head all the way down and there will be a massive parking lot on the left, in between you and the market.