The Foothills Focus is Arizona 's fastest growing weekly newspaper. We are your source for community news in Anthem, Black Canyon City, Carefree, Cave Creek, Desert Hills, New River, North Phoenix, and North Scottsdale.

Photo of the Week: PRETTY IN PINK

Glare of criticism shines on Anthem Council regarding church variance Let there be light! Why was the public left in the dark?

Gold medallist talks meddle with Cave Creek students Rulon Gardner grew up on a dairy farm, the youngest of nine children. From an early age hard work defined his life.

COURAGE UNDER FIRE Getting to know the men and women of Daisy Mountain Fire Department

CCUSD considers school closure For the second consecutive year the Cave Creek Unified School District governing board is exploring the closure of Desert Arroyo Middle School.

Forum brings Anthem Community Council candidates together
All six candidates for two Anthem Community Council seats are expected for a Meet the Candidates Forum set for 7 p.m. Feb.11 at the Anthem Community Center.

New River Elementary hosts meeting about override
The Parent Teacher and Student Association is sponsoring a meeting about the upcoming override at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at New River Elementary.

Black Canyon City takes applications for Head Start
Black Canyon City Head Start program is accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year. Head Start is a federally funded free preschool program for income eligible families from prenatal to 5 years of age.

Medical Center opens in Scottsdale
Desert Springs Cancer Care Center, the first medical oncology practice located north of Loop 101 in Scottsdale and first green-built facility in Arizona, is now open.

Plane crash kills pilot
A 24-year-old pilot died Thursday morning near I-17 and Deer Valley Road after the plane hit power lines.

Tax aid available for seniors at Anthem Community Center
The Anthem Community Center is hosting an AARP Tax-Aide site for the coming season.

Meeting addresses proposed cuts to state parks
New River/Desert Hills Community Association (NR/DHCA) will host Cristie Statler, Executive Director, Arizona State Parks Foundation, at their 7:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting at Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church.

Boulder Creek finds offensive flow in region win
Boulder Creek girls basketball coach Theresa Beall has ridden a roller coaster this season, otherwise known as her team’s offense this season.

Cave Creek teen wins national competition
While soccer is her favorite sport, one which has her playing on a travelling Olympic Development Program team, the 14-year-old Cactus Shadows freshman has already shown her talents on the basketball court, helping Desert Arroyo Middle School to a state championship last year as an eight grader.

Boulder Creek shreds O’Connor
The Boulder Creek Jaguars made the game of basketball look startlingly easy Friday night at Sandra Day O’Connor High School.

Cactus Shadows hunts down Bears
The Cactus Shadows girls basketball program has racked up an 83-24 record in the state of Arizona dating back to the 2006-2007 season. Having won 73 percent of their games during that stretch, losses of any kind have been uncommon, with the Falcons being on the short end of blowouts occurring even less frequently.

Arizona Musicfest kicks off five week run Arizona Musicfest 2010 kicked off Monday with the first of 13 shows over a five week time frame, bringing international artists to venues in North Scottsdale and Carefree along with a performance in Sun City.

New River teen to compete in Phoenix pageant
Emiele Eardley of New River was recently selected to participate in Nationals' 2010 Miss Jr. Teen Phoenix pageant competition that will take place Feb. 6.

Community College hosts film festival
The Desperado Film Festival, a new event screening independent
gay and lesbian films from around the world, will take place Friday and Saturday at Paradise Valley Community College.