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🌱 What new “strong theory” are Gilbert police pursuing in Rachel Hansen’s case?

Gilbert, Arizona Patch AM: a 5 min read

What's up Gilbert! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What new “strong theory” are Gilbert police pursuing in Rachel Hansen’s case?
  • What will happen to Freestone Park’s turtles as the lake drains?
  • How one Gilbert teen’s bike ride turned into a lifesaving rescue

Also on today's calendar: Special One-Day Labor Systems Seminar for Restaurant Owners in Phoenix Area and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: A man rode into Fenton on Friday. He stayed three days and left on Friday. How did he do that? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Record-tying temperatures, with a high of 115 and low of 90 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Very hot, temps: high: 115, low: 93.
  • Sunday: Hazy with record-tying heat, with a high of 113 and low of 91 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Gilbert police say they have a 'strong theory' in Rachel Hansen murder case (abc15.com) — Gilbert police say they now have a “strong theory” in the 2022 shooting death of 19-year-old Rachel Hansen, a case that remains active and unsolved. Investigators are pursuing new leads, adding supplements to the report, and urging anyone near SanTan Village Parkway and Williams Field Road that June night to come forward, with a $20,000 Silent Witness reward still available.
   

2. Freestone Park's beloved turtles face uncertain future as renovation drains their lake (azfamily.com) — Freestone Park’s lakes in Gilbert are being drained for a multimillion‑dollar renovation, and neighbors worry the town still lacks a firm plan to save the turtles and other wildlife that live there. The town says it aims to rescue as many turtles as possible with help from a sanctuary and local groups before the water is fully removed in the coming weeks.
   

3. Teen Hailed as a Hero After Saving Woman With Dementia From Dangerous Arizona Heat (howzitkohala.com) — A 14-year-old biking through Gilbert spotted an elderly woman in triple-digit heat who seemed disoriented, stayed with her in the shade, and helped her recall her son’s phone number. Her family and Gilbert firefighters say his actions likely prevented a far worse outcome, and he’ll be formally honored by the Gilbert Fire Department and Air National Guard.
   

4. Maricopa County SOAR Center keeps youth out of detention after family conflicts (abc15.com) — Maricopa County’s SOAR Center at the Durango Juvenile Detention Facility is giving youth a short-term alternative to detention after family conflicts, focusing on cooling off and creating safety plans. Gilbert police alone referred 378 young people there over the past year, and families are being connected to mentorship and community resources aimed at preventing future crises.
   

5. WATCH: Arizona father walks 1,400 miles with son's ashes to launch nationwide recovery movement (abc15.com) — A Gilbert father turned the loss of his son to alcohol poisoning into a 1,400‑mile walk from Gilbert to Kalispell, Montana, carrying his son’s ashes in a backpack. His journey, shared with families and schools along the way, has grown into the Million Mile Challenge to raise awareness and hope around substance abuse recovery.
   

📸 Around Gilbert

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Gilbert

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Saturday August 1
  • PTSO Welcome Back Pool Party
    Patterson Gilbert, AZ 85234
    8:00 am
    • Monday August 3
  • Picture Day
    Perry High Gilbert, AZ 85297
    6:30 am
  • Athletics Parent Night
    Highland High Gilbert, AZ 85234
    5:00 pm
    • Tuesday August 4
  • Picture Day
    Perry High Gilbert, AZ 85297
    6:30 am
  • Early Release - 1:55 PM
    Burk Gilbert, AZ 85234
    11:00 pm
  • Early Release (1 hour)
    Islands Gilbert, AZ 85233
    11:00 pm
    • Wednesday August 5
  • Wolfpack PTO meeting
    Towne Meadows Elementary Library
    4:30 pm
    • Wednesday August 12
  • Special One-Day Labor Systems Seminar for Restaurant Owners in Phoenix Area →
    Hundred Mile Brewing Company, 690 N Scottsdale Rd, Tempe
    9:00 am

📣 Gilbert Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday July 31
  • Virtual Job Interview Practice →
    Maricopa County Human Services East Valley Center (EVC) • 1001 W. Souther
    9:00 am
  • The Leadership Game from John C Maxwell
    Chandler Chamber of Commerce Signature Events ASU Chandler Innovation Center 249 E Chicago St Room 121 Chandler 85225
    11:00 am
  • OPAC & Typing Tests →
    Maricopa County Human Services East Valley Center (EVC) • 1001 W. Souther
    1:30 pm
  • Peter Piper Pizza
    Kyrene De Las Brisas Chandler, AZ 85226
    3:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Gilbert PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Found dog with collar but no tag.
    Anyone missing a dog? Islands Neighborhoods McQueen and Bayshore Blvd Update, 2hrs later: Good news! We found his owner and took him home. He… (Nextdoor The Islands Lake 2)
  • This sweet little cat is out front of our house.
    Sweet as can be with a little blue collar but no tag. It’s near Del Rio and Longspur. (Nextdoor Ashley Heights)
  • Arizona Staffing posted a job opening for Maintenance Custodian Associate in Gilbert. Apply here.
  • Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Gilbert. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gilbert here.

Ok Gilbert! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: His horse's name was Friday (Thank you Coco S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Gilbert

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Gilbert

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.