PHOENIX — From a Loop 202 on-ramp closing for construction to a sizable drug bust and more, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from Aug. 15-17.
Loop 202 Santan Freeway on-ramp in Chandler closing for 2 months
The westbound Loop 202 Santan Freeway on-ramp at Arizona Avenue will be closing for two months.
The Chandler ramp is scheduled to close on Monday at 11:30 p.m. for 60 days, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The ramp is expected to reopen in mid-October. ADOT advises drivers to enter westbound Loop 202 at Alma School or McQueen roads.
Verrado Marketplace announces 5 new tenants as owners prepare for 2026 opening
Five new tenants were confirmed for Verrado Marketplace, a 500,000 square foot project expected to open in 2026 near Interstate 10 and Verrado Way.
Sourdough & Co., See’s Candies, CityVet, Great Clips and NextCare will occupy 10,000 square feet of space in the project, according to a release by Vestar, the shopping center’s owner.
Hit-and-run crash leaves man riding e-scooter dead in Phoenix
A man died in a hit-and-run crash while riding an electric scooter in Phoenix on Saturday night, authorities said.
The crash happened near the intersection of 67th Avenue and Indian School Road around 7:40 p.m., according to the Phoenix Police Department.
When the fire department arrived on the scene, they found 59-year-old Eden Cuautli Zacatelco unresponsive and in critical condition.
Church near South Mountain in Phoenix sells for nearly $3 million
A church near South Mountain in Phoenix recently sold for nearly $3 million.
The Riverside Baptist Church, located in South Mountain Village at 1050 E. Baseline Rd, was bought by Arizona Church of God for $2.95 million.
Arizona Church of God purchased the property for Life Church at South Mountain, which is led by Pastor Dalton May.
2 arrested in connection with drug sales in Scottsdale
Two men were arrested on Wednesday in connection with drug sales in Scottsdale, authorities said.
Matsemala Zuzu Moloi, 31, and Luke Asher McConnell, 26, were arrested following a monthslong investigation into drug sales in downtown Scottsdale, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.
During the arrest, police seized $34,000 worth of drugs including cocaine, ketamine, meth pills, a synthetic drug mixture known as “Tusi,” MDMA, Xanax and psilocybin.
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