Second Marana Macro Machines a hit + photo gallery

On Friday, April 12, the Town of Marana held their second Marana Macro Machines event. The event allowed people to get up close and personal with the machines that help Marana Town Staff and their community partners do their jobs to make Marana a great.

This event featured departments and divisions from the Town including Streets, Traffic, Facilities, Fleet, Pavement Preservation, Engineering, Police, Water, Animal Services, and Parks and Recreation. Additionally Northwest Fire, the National Weather Service, the Air National Guard, and several contractors were also on hand.

“This is a great way for our employees to interact with the public and show them what they do,” said Marana Public Works Deputy Director Fausto Burrell.

“The kids really love seeing all of the equipment we use to keep the parks looking great, and their parents love seeing all of the tools we use every day,” said Marana Parks Superintendent David Herman. “I’ve had a lot of questions from some dads about the battery powered chainsaw that we use.”

Marana Macro Machines was held at Marana Heritage River Park and was attended by students from area schools as part of a field trip opportunity, as well as a number of residents.

The firetrucks of Northwest Fire were among the most popular for the students to explore.

A drum roller is one tool used to keep Marana’s streets so smooth.

Kids of all ages were able to check out the vehicles.

One of the many tractors used by the Town of Marana Public Works Department.

There are different tools for different jobs.

The proverbial Mack Truck.

The scoop on this vehicle can move a lot of dirt and materials.

Marana Water employees educate students on the importance of water conservation.

Marana Water were giving away free snow cones that attracted a long line.

A Public Works employee explains how a crack sealer repairs roads.

Looking into the jaws of one of Marana Parks and Recreations’ vehicles.

The Pima County Bomb Squad had a few of their robots on display.

A dump truck.

Marana Water was able to show off a lot of the tools they use every day to service Marana Water customers.

Traffic Alert: Overnight lane closures for Interstate 10 near Ina

Overnight lane closure on eastbound Interstate 10 near Ina Road set for April 11

Motorists who use eastbound Interstate 10 between Cortaro and Ina roads should expect a lane closure the night of Thursday, April 11.

The right lane of eastbound I-10 will close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for striping.

The lane closure is in addition to the previously announced daytime paving work on Ina Road. The on-going Ina Road work requires lane closures and traffic shifts through Monday, April 15, between Silverbell Road and Camino de las Capas.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or go to azdot.gov/contact and select Projects from the drop-down menu. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT's Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Celebrate the completion of the Ina Interchange Project and the Town of Marana’s Ina Beautification Project at the Ina Road Celebration Weekend.

Interstate 10 lane closures scheduled for the night of Thursday, April 11.

There's still time to attend an open house on the General Plan

Manager's Message: Summer Parks and Recreation Programs

Marana Parks and Recreation invites you to Soak In Summer.

Although we have a few months left until the summer heat hits us, registration for our summer programs has already begun. This summer many of your favorite programs return, while we debut some exciting new ones as well

Fun at the splash pad.

There will be plenty to do this summer for the kids. We have a few new camps, including the Full Day Summer Sports Camps and Summer Cheer Camp that will last all summer long, plus Teen Extreme Day Camps and Challenger International Soccer Camps.  Several old favorites also return, including our Create with a Beat/Art Day Camps, basketball, flag football, volleyball, and Speed & Agility clinics, summer horse camps, and both tennis and golf lessons.

There are a number of exciting programs for adults as well including pickleball, open gyms, a men’s basketball league, the “Dance Fit Fun” Fitness Class, Teen Paint Night in the Park, and we close out the summer with the 80’s Doggy Paddle Pool Party at the Marana Pool.

Our goal is to have programs for everyone in Marana. We have programs for our youngest residents with Tots & Me Story art, Pee Wee Sports Camp, and swim lessons. For active adults adult sports leagues, a variety of races on both land and water, fitness classes, walking clubs, and open gym. For the more creative we offer the Marana Community Music Theater, Paint Nights in the Park, and make and take garden classes. Our senior center offers a variety of great programs for only the cost of a Senior membership. These programs include fitness classes, dance classes, table games, and crafting.

Paint Night at the Park.

This past year have expanded our programming to include children with special needs, which is why our Sensory Splash programs return to the Marana Pool and Gladden Farms Splash Pad.

If events are your thing, I invite you to come out to one of the free concerts or movies we offer, enjoy the fireworks at the Star Spangled Spectacular, or just indulge in the benefits of being outdoors in one of Marana’s parks, splash pads, or trails.

Traffic Alert: Ina Road paving dates

Ina Road Beautification Project final paving dates.

The Town of Marana is nearing the completion of the paving portion of the Ina Beautification Project. Below is a schedule of the final paving projects.

Paving on side streets North of Ina road will begin on Thursday April 11 and continue through April 19th. Paving will begin at 7:00 a.m. and continue to 4:00 p.m. Expect delays and use alternate streets when possible. 

Thursday, April 11, 2019 – Oldfather Road and Ulene Place
Friday, April 12, 2019 – Juniper Road
Monday, April 15, 2019 – Thornydale Road at Ina
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 – Meredith Blvd.

Mainline final paving for Ina Road will begin the week of April 22. Expect heavy delays.
Monday April 22 – Friday April 26, 2019 Ina road from Ulene Place to the Canada del Oro Bridge.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs.

Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.

 If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

 Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Marana Water represented at "Water Week" in D.C.

Pictured from left to right: Jeane Jensen (Town of Gilbert), Asia Philbin (Marana Water), Senator McSally, and Brad Hill (City of Flagstaff).

Asia Philbin of Marana Water was in Washington DC last week representing the state of Arizona and the Town of Marana at “Water Week.” Every year, water professionals representing community water systems and water-related organizations converge on DC to discuss current water-related issues with the EPA, Bureau of Reclamation, congressional delegations, and others.

Philbin is the Arizona delegate for the American Water Works Association. She and others were able to discuss items with Senator Martha McSally and Senator Kyrsten Sinema, as well as many other representatives. They specifically explained the need for continued funding for water-related infrastructure and the importance of addressing emerging compounds like PFAs.

Water Week is the only national policy event of the year that draws together water professionals from across the country to advocate for the unique needs of drinking water and clean water utilities. It is not only an opportunity to advance policy priorities for the water utilities, including greater federal investment in water infrastructure, but also to celebrate the role these utilities play in communities nationwide.

The anchor event of Water Week is the National Water Policy Fly-In.

“As a new Congress takes control and infrastructure issues take center stage, your attendance and engagement are more critical than ever,” said the Water Week website.

Although the National Water Policy Fly-In serves as the anchor event of Water Week, there are other events in Washington and around the country that celebrate the importance of water and water utilities. In DC, water advocates participate in Congressional Briefings on water and celebrate with Members of Congress at a congressional reception. Outside of DC, utilities in communities from coast to coast celebrate Water Week by hosting facility open houses or other events that highlight the important contributions and benefits that drinking water and clean water utilities provide to support their communities.

Traffic Alert: Lane restrictions on Interstate 10, Ina Road the week of April 8

Motorists on Interstate 10 and Ina Road in Marana will encounter various lane restrictions starting Monday, April 8, as crews begin the final work to prepare for the opening of the I-10/Ina Road interchange.

• Starting Monday, April 8, crews will begin paving Ina Road between Camino de las Capas and Silverbell Road. Work is scheduled between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, including Saturday and Sunday, for about one week. Ina Road will remain open through the work zone, but drivers should expect flaggers, intermittent traffic shifts and delays. 

• On Monday, April 8, Camino de las Capas will close between Ina Road and Camino de Oeste for paving between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Camino de Oeste will be open as a detour, however, a flagger will limit traffic on Camino de Oeste to a single direction at a time. Motorists should consider an alternate route. 

• Ina Road between Camino de las Capas and Silverbell Road will be reduced to a single lane with flaggers controlling traffic in a single direction at a time while crews remove temporary barriers from 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 10.

• I-10 will be reduced to a single lane in each direction between Orange Grove and Cortaro roads from 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, to 5 a.m. Thursday, April 11 so crews can remove temporary concrete barriers.

The I-10/Ina Road ramps are set to reopen to traffic in mid-April.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or go to azdot.gov/contact and select Projects from the drop-down menu. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT's Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Monday, April 8

Wednesday, April 10

Marana Town Talk Episode 8 Special Edition: Marana Police Awards

Town of Marana has released its eighth episode of "Marana Town Talk", our government podcast that balances education and entertainment with thoughtful commentary on local current events. This special edition episode focuses on the brave men and women of the Marana Police Department who were honored at last month’s Marana Police Awards

Communications Manager Vic Hathaway and Communications Specialist Brad Allis kick off the episode with a brief summary of the award winners before sitting down with Officer of the Year Award winner Randy Korth, Sgt. Jeff Pridgett, who was one of 10 honored in de-escalating a potential active shooter situation, and Luis Magana and Esteban Nozagaray, who were given the Life Saver Award.

AUDIO

Full Re-Cap of the Marana Police Awards

Marana Regional Airport To Host U.S. Marine Memorial Service

Marine Memorial at Marana Regional Airport/Photo courtesy Tucson Local Media

Tom Wilson, Sr., Commandant of the Nighthawk 72 Marana Detachment #1344 Marine Corps League, announced today that there will be a Memorial Service at the Marana Regional Airport on Saturday, April 6, 2018 at 10:00AM to honor the 19 U.S. Marines that were tragically killed in an MV-22 Osprey Tilt rotor aircraft accident at the Airport on April 8, 2000. 

The ceremony will include posting of colors by the Marine Corps; wreath laying by various organizations; guest speakers Honorable Mayor Honea, Department of Arizona Marine Corps League Commandant John Rodriguez, and Cpl Joshua Hanson, 3rd Battalion 5th Marines 0331 Machine Gunner; rifle salute, taps, bagpiper and vocalist Amanda Sinner. 

A special missing man formation flyover provided by the Scorpion Squadron of the West Coast Ravens Formation Team. 

The event is free and open to the public. 

March 16, 2019 the roadside memorial was moved slightly northeast and a parking area was created. The new area is more suitable for the ceremony. 

 Additional Background Information The MV-22 Osprey Tilt rotor aircraft was conducting a training mission in support of Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) when it went down at the Marana Regional Airport in Marana, Arizona on April 8, 2000. During the mission, the crew and Marines conducted Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) exercises as part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, with Marines embarking and disembarking the aircraft. The mission was conducted at night utilizing night vision goggles and forward looking infrared radar to enhance night operational capability. This mishap aircraft was part of the Multiservice Operational Test Team, based at Patuxent River, Maryland, but was temporarily attached to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. 

The 19 Marines Lost were as follows: 

3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division 
Sgt. Jose Alvarez, 28
Pfc. Gabriel C. Clevenger, 21 Pfc. Alfred Corona, 23 
Lance Cpl. Jason T. Duke, 28
Lance Cpl. Jesus Gonzalez Sanchez, 27
Lance Cpl. Seth G. Jones, 18
2nd Lt. Clayton J. Kennedy, 24
Lance Cpl. Jorge A. Morin, 21
Cpl. Adam C. Neely, 22
Pfc. Kenneth O. Paddio, 23
Pfc. George P. Santos, 24
Lance Cpl. Keoki P. Santos, 24
Cpl. Can Soler, 21
Pvt. Adam L. Tatro, 19 

 Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38 
Cpl. Eric J. Martinez, 21

Marine Helicopter Squadron 1
Maj. John A. Brow, 39
Maj. Brooks S. Gruber, 34
Cpl. Kelly S. Keith, 22

Marine Tilt-Rotor Training Squadron 204
Staff Sgt. William B. Nelson, 30 

Marana Water wins Environmental Project of the Year

On Thursday, March 28, Marana Water staff received the award for “2019 Public Works Environmental Project of the Year - Small Cities/Rural Communities” from the Southern Arizona Branch of the American Public Works Association for the Water Reclamation Facility Phase I Expansion and Recharge Facility. 

Also sharing the award were contractors PCL Construction, Carollo Engineers, and HDR.

The project was awarded based on the project’s ability to meet the needs of the community and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.  The Environmental Project of the Year award is for treatment and recycling facilities, landfill reclamation projects, and sewer projects. 

The Water Reclamation Facility opened last year and had their grand opening ceremony last November.

The new wastewater facility can treat triple its previous capacity, equating to a total of 1.5 million gallons per day. Marana can now handle up to 10,000 new homes or businesses coming into the area.

The new facility uses a process known as conventional activated sludge treatment. The process uses bacteria and biological matter to break down waste and help purify the water. The facility utilizes two separate treatment trains that can treat up to 750,000 gallons per day each. The two treatment trains also allow for redundancy should maintenance be required.

The recharge facility is able to recharge 100 percent of the effluent from the new water reclamation facility. Marana will receive recharge credits for 100 percent of the water stored in the facility from the Arizona Department of Water Resources. These credits allow the town to provide safe, reliable and sustainable resources for its customers.

“For a successful community in the state of Arizona to be enduring, we have to have proper resource management of our local water supplies,” said Marana Water Director John Kmiec.

The APWA Public Works Project of the Year was established to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant/architect/engineer, and the contractor who, working together, complete public works projects

The project team from the awrds banquet. From left to right: Amanda Jones (Marana Water), Jared Rubinoff (PCL), Kelley Newman (Carollo), Andrew Gilmore (Carollo), Jesse Schultz (Marana Water), Stephen Dean (Marana Water), Scott Schladweiler (Marana Water) Mike Osborne (Marana Water), Corin Marron (Carollo), and Ty Morton (HDR).

Busy weekend in Marana

Saturday, April 6 is a very busy day in the Town of Marana. There are two fun events in our parks, a Memorial at the airport, and a Shred-It event for those needing the safe disposal of documents.

8:00 a.m. - Kids at the Park Day + Fitness Fun 5K

Kids at the Park Day on April 6.

Join Marana Parks and Recreation for a FREE day of fitness and fun in Gladden Farms Community Park. This event is robust with activities that encourage families to get outdoors and explore their local parks and paths! The best part… it’s all FREE! Don’t miss out.

Not only is it the start of Splash Pad Season, but we will have a face painter, balloon twister, inflatables and more.

Come early and celebrate the new 2.5 mile extension of the shared use path in north Marana! Enjoy on-course entertainment provided by Salpointe High School Drum-line.

Kids at the Park Day

7:00 p.m. - Free Music In Marana: Caiden Brewer

Caiden Brewer

Bring your dancing shoes for a night of free music in the park! Enjoy music while lounging in a chair or on a blanket (borrow one from us if you don't have one). ​The first free concert of the year is Marana's own Caiden Brewer. Brewer plays country music and has become a real fan favorite at Marana events. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park.

Grab a bit from our great food vendors Carole’s Homemade Salsa & Up In Smoke BBQ and Sweet Sensations.

Free Music In Marana

9:00 a.m. - Paper Shred-It

Town of Marana and Shred-It partner for a paper shred event.

Free paper Shred-It Event for Marana Residents with non-commercial documents that need shredding. The shredding will occur on-site at Twin Peaks Elementary from 9:00 a.m. until noon, unless the truck fills up. Donations to the Marana Community Food Bank are encouraged and greatly appreciated.

Paper Shred

DOWNLOAD FLYER

10:00 a.m. - U.S. Marine Memorial Service

Nighthawk 72 Marina Memorial at the Marana Regional Airport/photo courtesy Tucson Local Media

The Marana Regional Airport will host a U.S. Marine Memorial Service on April 6, 2019 at 10 a.m. The Memorial Service at the Marana Regional Airport is to honor the 19 U.S. Marines that were tragically killed in an MV-22 Osprey Tilt rotor aircraft accident at the Airport on April 8, 2000.

The ceremony will include posting of colors by the Marine Corps, wreath laying by various organizations, guest speakers Honorable Mayor Honea, Department of Arizona Marine Corps League Commandant John Rodriguez, and Cpl Joshua Hanson, 3rd Battalion 5th Marines 0331 Machine Gunner, rifle salute, taps, bagpiper, and vocalist Amanda Sinner.

A special missing man formation flyover provided by the Scorpion Squadron of the West Coast Ravens Formation Team.

The event is free and open to the public.

Other events

There are some other great events in Marana later in April.

April 12 - Marana Macro Machines

Marana Macro Machines, Friday April 12 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Splash Pad at Heritage River Park.

On Friday, April 12 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Splash Pad at Heritage River Park, get up close with the people and machines that work to make our community great! Free ice cream vouchers for the first 200 kids. Visit a wide variety of vehicles, including a sweeper, loader, blade, striping truck, landscape truck and trailer, fire truck, police squad cars, and morel Observe police squad car demonstrations and more.

Marana Macro Machines

April 27 - Camping Under the Stars

Camping Under the Stars

Join us for the 11th Annual Camping Under the Stars event!! Experience the great outdoors by camping overnight in our beautiful Ora Mae Harn Park. Registration will include your tent site, movie in the park, campfire, star gazing, crafts, games, and environmental exhibits

Camping Under The Stars

We are showing Peter Rabbit as part of our Marana Camping Under the Stars event. Join in on the fun and spend the night camping or just come for the free movie. Whether you come for just the movie or the movie and the camping event, it is sure to be a great time for all.

Peter Rabbit and his three sisters -- Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail -- enjoy spending their days in Mr. McGregor's vegetable garden. When one of McGregor's relatives suddenly moves in, he's less than thrilled to discover a family of rabbits in his new home. A battle of wills soon breaks out as the new owner hatches scheme after scheme to get rid of Peter -- a resourceful rabbit who proves to be a worthy and wily opponent.

Peter Rabbit

Traffic Alert: Overnight lane closures of Interstate 10 near Ina Road set for April 3-4

Temporary Ina Road traffic shift set for April 5

Motorists who use Interstate 10 near Ina Road should expect lane closures the nights of Wednesday, April 3, and Thursday, April 4.

The left lanes of both eastbound and westbound I-10 will be closed near Ina Road between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

In addition, drivers will encounter a temporary traffic shift on westbound Ina Road near I-10 on Friday, April 5, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ina Road will remain open with a single lane in each direction. Law enforcement will be on site directing traffic, at times.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or go to azdot.gov/contact and select Projects from the drop-down menu. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT's Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Founders' Day Photos and Parade Video

This weekend’s Marana Founders’ Day was a huge success. Great crowds turned out for the parade and all the festivities at the Marana Municipal Complex. Relive the event with full video coverage of the parade and a great photo gallery.

Photos by JD Fitzgerald

MPD and NW Fire Honor Guards

Mayor and Council ride on a vintage firetruck.

Sports Park BMX with their giant bicycle.

A young parade watcher is all smiles.

Sabbar Shriners Mini Car.

MUSD had a colorful float.

Jumping Castles were free for the kids.

All smiles for his parade participant.

Horses in the Founders’ Day Parade honor Marana’s ranching tradition.

The Marana High School marching band.

Marana High School mascots.

Folklorico dancers brought plenty of color.

There was plenty to see and learn during Founders’ Day.

Sonora Borealis rocked the house.

More fun on the inflatables

This classic Corvette won Best of Show at the car show

May 4 Ina Road Celebration Weekend to welcome community back to the corridor after reopening of Ina Interchange

MARANA – The Town of Marana is celebrating the reopening of the Ina Road Interchange with the “Ina Road Celebration Weekend” on May 4-5. Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

 The celebration weekend kicks off with an opening ceremony on Saturday, May 4, at 9 A.M. and features Marana Town Council and representatives from the Arizona Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Authority, and Marana Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony will be located at the Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot at 4075 W Ina Rd. The ceremony will then be followed by a weekend-long business block party located along Ina Road Corridor between Thornydale Road and the interstate.

For more block party information, visit the “Ina Road Celebration Weekend” Facebook event page, which will be updated with business specials and attractions.  

The “Ina Road Celebration Weekend” is a collaboration between the Town of Marana and the Regional Transportation Authority, with support from the Marana Chamber of Commerce.

BACKGROUND

The celebration follows the near completion of two separate projects: the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Ina Road Interchange project and the Town of Marana Ina Road Beautification project.

The Interstate 10/Ina Road Interchange improvement project required rerouting local street access to Interstate 10 to reconstruct a new interchange that stretches over the interstate and the Union Pacific railroad tracks and eliminates the at-grade crossing.  The project also included widening I-10, widening Ina Road to two lanes in each direction between Silverbell Road and Camino de la Cruz, reconstructing the frontage roads and building two Ina Road bridges over the Santa Cruz River. This project met the long-range planning objectives of ADOT, the Town of Marana, Pima County, Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to improve interchange capacity, public safety, and operations. The Arizona Department of Transportation and Town of Marana managed the RTA plan-approved project.

The Town of Marana Ina Road Beautification Project was done in conjunction with the Ina Interchange project in an effort to improve portions of Ina Road. The project includes landscape, mill and pave, street light and traffic signal improvements along Ina Road between Camino de las Capas and the eastern Town limits. Arizona Department of Transportation is administering the work between Silverbell Road and Camino de las Capas.

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is a multimodal transportation agency serving one of the fastest-growing areas of the country. ADOT is responsible for planning, building and operating a complex highway system in addition to building and maintaining bridges.  

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

The Regional Transportation Authority is a state-established political subdivision within Pima County that collects a half-cent excise tax from the RTA’s special taxing district. The tax funds the RTA’s 20-year regional transportation plan, which voters in the district approved in May 2006 along with the excise tax. To date, the RTA has invested over $1 billion in the region to deliver transportation projects and services that improve our region’s mobility, safety, economic vitality and quality of life. Please visit www.RTAmobility.com for more information. 

MARANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Marana Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business that works to build economic growth and quality of life in our community. It is committed to building business and community relationships.  

RELATED 

March 14, 2019 - Ina Road opens over I-10 in Marana as interchange nears completion


March 6, 2019 – Ina Road Beautification Project Update

October 19, 2016 – Marana sets up program to help businesses affected by Ina construction

EVENT FLYER

Downloadable file

Marana In The Media: Bringing history to life in Marana

The Marana News had a story about this weekend’s Wings of Freedom tour at the Marana Airport.

An interactive tour coming to Marana gives the term “history lesson” a whole new meaning. This WWII plane tour brings real, fully restored World War II-era planes to Marana for a chance to brush up on history and experience what it was like to be around these giant metal birds.

The Collins Foundation is an educational, nonprofit organization that puts the “Wings of Freedom” tours together. Going to over 30 cities across the United States, the tour will take place at the Marana Regional Airport from March 29 to 31. 

The Town of Marana has been one of the tour’s stops for about 15 years, giving the community a little piece of World War II history no one else could provide. Attendees can even hop inside of each plane and take it up into the air with a pilot for a fee. 

Read the rest of the story at the Marana News.

The Wings of Freedom Tour is coming to the Marana Regional Airport from March 29-March 31.

Mayor's Message: Enjoy Founders' Day

Marana Mayor Ed Honea provided a Mayor’s Message to the Marana News regarding Founders’ Day.

Marana Founders’ Day logo.

This Saturday is the return of Marana Founders’ Day, one of my favorite events in the town. Founders’ Day is a great way to remember Marana’s humble beginnings, while also celebrating where we are going as a community. 

I take great pride in our community, and love showing it off during our signature events. At Founders’ Day, we remember how the town’s founders came together over 40 years ago to protect the water rights of local farmers. Many of those families, including my own, still call Marana home. 

Marana’s history dates back further than its incorporation in the 1970s. Western people have settled here since the late 1800s, and in the 1930s the residents in the area came together to form the Cortaro-Marana Irrigation District in an effort to protect water resources and purchase electrical power at a low rate.

Once again, Founders’ Day will be located at the Marana Municipal Complex in the heart of Downtown Marana. The first Marana Town Hall was in a small strip mall on the corner of Sanders and Marana Road. Today, we have a beautiful, modern complex that has become even more striking with the addition of our brand-new police facility.

The highlight of Founders’ Day is the parade. To me, the parade sums up how diverse and interesting Marana is. Horseback riders travel the same parade route as modern police vehicles. We will have marching bands, kids on bicycles and floats. We will also have vintage tractors that harken back to Marana’s farming roots travelling alongside giant concrete mixers that remind us that we live in one of the fastest growing communities in the state. 

The floats represent so many great organizations that make Marana a great town. All of the schools from Marana Unified School District as well as the Open Doors School are represented, as is MHC Healthcare, Northwest Fire and so many of our great churches. The Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts will be in the parade, as will organizations like 4-H, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Marana-Foothills Optimists Club and the Shriners. Truly a cross section of Marana.

The Anway Family will serve as the Grand Marshalls of the Parade. They represent the families that have called Marana home for generations. The Anway family first arrived in Marana over 100 years ago. They were among the first families to plant cotton, and were the first to sink a well in Avra Valley and bring dairy cows to the area. 

It is exciting to welcome so many generations of the family to the festivities, and I believe they are the perfect representatives for what Founders’ Day is all about. They are truly the history of the Town, as well as the future of this community. 

This year we are bringing the festivities to the courtyard of the Municipal Complex. Those watching the parade near MHC, Ora Mae Harn Park or the roundabout will have just a short stroll to get to all of the great activities.

Town staff will be on hand getting feedback on the next iteration of the Marana General Plan, and our Community and Neighborhood Services Department will be answering questions and helping to license and adopt dogs. A number of great local non-profits and businesses will also be on-site.  

A new addition to Founders’ Day is the Marana Art Expo. This is the second Art Expo hosted by Marana Parks and Recreation. This time, local middle and high school artists will be featured. These great works of art will be hosted in the main lobby of the Municipal Complex.

At the town we strive to provide free family activities, and Founders’ Day will be no different. This year, we will have a variety of inflatable attractions, a kids’ craft area and a small recreational train. 

I like to think there is a lot of great talent in the Town of Marana, and that talent will be showcased at Founders’ Day. We have four diverse acts performing, beginning with Ballet Folklorico Xochitl starting at 11:30 a.m., and followed by the Marana High School Choir, the Lion Dance Chinese Cultural Dancers and classic rock ban Sonora Borealis. 

Founders’ Day is about the history of the town, and there will be a number of historical and cultural displays and booths. This is a great way to learn more about Marana’s rich history.

I love Founders’ Day, and hope you will join me on Saturday to take in the festivities. See you there. 

Ed Honea is the Mayor of Marana.

UPDATE - Traffic Alert: Aerie Drive

UPDATE - Due to a construction delay final paving on Aerie Drive will begin on Friday, March 29 and conclude on Monday, April 1.

Aerie Drive  reconstruction will begin on Monday, March 25, 2019 through Monday, April 1, 2019. Construction crews will mill and repave the surface of the road. Expect lane closures and traffic delays.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs.

Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

UPDATE Traffic Alert: Overnight lane closures for Interstate 10 near Ina

Overnight lane closures set for Interstate 10 near Ina Road starting March 26

Motorists who use Interstate 10 near Ina Road should expect overnight lane closures starting Tuesday, March 26.

Lane closures are scheduled in the following locations:

• March 26 - Eastbound and westbound I-10 near Ina Road between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.

• March 28 - Westbound I-10 near Ina Road between 8 p.m. Thursday and 5 a.m. Friday

• March 29 - The far right lane of both eastbound and westbound I-10 will be closed near Ina Road between 8 p.m Friday and 5 a.m. Saturday

The lane closures will allow crews to complete striping, move barriers and other work.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or go to azdot.gov/contact and select Projects from the drop-down menu. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT's Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

NW Fire among top 1% of nation's fire districts

Northwest Fire engine.

The Northwest Fire District, a community partner of the Town of Marana, announced that they have received an improved Class 1/1Y Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating issued by the Insurance Service Office (ISO) which places the District’s fire protection community in the top 1% in the country.

The enhanced score takes effect on July 01, 2019 and works to ensure lower insurance costs for property owners within the Northwest Fire District, including much of the Town of Marana and areas of unincorporated Pima County northwest of Tucson.

ISO collects and evaluates fire suppression capabilities in over 48,000 communities in the United States. ISO notes that most insurers use the PPC classification for underwriting and calculating premiums on residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The PPC score is a measure of the community’s overall ability to reduce property losses due to fires.  

The scale of a PPC rating ranges from 1-10, with Class 1 being the highest rating. Northwest Fire’s community Class 1 PPC rating, improved from Class 2, comes on the heels of a recent analysis performed by the ISO on the Northwest Fire community’s fire prevention and suppression systems. The ISO is one of two third-party entities that regularly assess the Northwest Fire District.

The Commission on Fire Accreditation International also evaluates Northwest Fire District is one of only 258 accredited fire and rescue agencies in the country.

Northwest Fire Boundary Map

Map of Northwest Fire’s coverage area.

Traffic Update: Marana Road

Road work on Marana Road just west of Sandario Road.

Portions of Marana Road at Sandario Road will be closed beginning on Monday, March 25, 2019 through Friday, March 29, 2019. The closure will be in place to construct a traffic control median. Sandario traffic will not be affected. Marana Road drivers should use the traffic circle located at Sandario Road  and Marana Main Street.

This will only impact the western portion of the intersection. All driveways to Circle K will remain open.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs.

Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Marana Road and Sandario Road.