Phoenix bans cooking fires in mountain preserve

The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department has banned open fires in city mountain and desert preserves effective May 11.

The ban takes effect about this time every year, as the vegetation dries out and humidity levels drop. The ban includes the following conditions:

• Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in any part of the mountain preserve;

• Propane or gas grills may be used, but only in established picnic areas;

• Smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) is prohibited year-round outside of enclosed vehicles.

Fire chief Bob Khan says it takes only a small ember picked up by the wind to start a fire in dry brush. Then, the fire can grow quickly. Fires in the mountain preserve are extremely difficult to fight due to the steep terrain.

The ban applies to Camelback Mountain, Papago Park, all areas of the Phoenix mountains, South Mountain Park/Preserve, and North Mountain and its adjoining areas. The ban does NOT apply in regular city parks.

Salon owner shoots suspect after hearing the 'code word'

A salon owner shot a man trying to rob his shop in Phoenix, Arizona
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It all happened at a salon near 25th Street and Indian School. There have been several robberies in the area so the owner had a code word in case they were being robbed. They had rehearsed it several times and today they used it.

Phoenix Police surrounded a business where the owner is being called a hero. Rodd Wolff took matters into his own hands Tuesday afternoon when a man armed with a gun tried to rob his salon.

Wolff says,“He picked the wrong business and the wrong cowboy to mess with." Police say Wolff shot the suspect three times in the chest after his wife gave the code word. He says, “Today she gave me the word I was hoping I would never hear.” It meant Hair Productions was being robbed.

Wolff adds, "And the next thing I know, she and a client was pushed in my room and a 9 mm was stuck in my face but at that time I had the gun behind a towel ready for him and it was either him or me."

The suspect ended up in the hospital. Wolff held him outside until police arrived.

It's about time we heard some news where the good guy wins!

Shop the line! Phoenix, Arizona

While the the Metro is being built, there are a lot of shops that feel the pinch of their shoppers not being able to get to them as easy as before. This site, www.ShopTheLine.net, is dedicated to supporting small business on the Phoenix portion of the METRO Light Rail line.

Buying goods and services from local companies is the smartest investment we all can make.

The city of Phoenix encourages you to purchase here first, and keep your community going strong.

Click here for the official website!