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🌱 How fast will your e-bike be allowed to go in Mesa parks?
Greetings Mesa! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How fast will your e-bike be allowed to go in Mesa parks?
- How will Mesa’s overhauled park rangers operate after the misconduct probe?
- Why did Mesa council suddenly delay this key housing project vote?
Also on today's calendar: International John Violinist coming to The Herberger Theater Center Stage West on Sun. January 4, 20 and 7 more events.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Mesa? Post it to Mesa photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Partly to mostly sunny, with a high of 75 and low of 47 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 75, low: 50.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 77 and low of 53 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. E-bike access to Mesa parks seems assured (eastvalleytribune.com) — Mesa is close to allowing most e-bikes in city parks and on shared-use paths, with a 5 mph park speed limit and 15 mph on paths headed for final council action Jan. 12. The proposal adds helmet rules for riders under 18, clarifies which electric devices are allowed, and outlines enforcement plans using park rangers and targeted police responses. Residents and councilmembers remain split over safety and speed concerns. 
2. Probe confirms allegations of Mesa park rangers going rogue (eastvalleytribune.com) — Mesa officials say an independent probe confirmed serious misconduct by several former park rangers, prompting leadership retirements and a full overhaul of the ranger unit under Mesa Police supervision. Remaining rangers are retraining in de-escalation, legal limits, and bias education while their duties are scaled back. Police plan to reintroduce a revamped, community-informed ranger program in the coming weeks.
3. Mesa transitional housing project faces delays as council postpones final vote (azfamily.com) — Mesa’s plan to turn the old Grand Hotel on Main Street into transitional housing is being pushed back after the City Council delayed its final vote until February. Advocates say the extra wait worsens already long housing backlogs for seniors, families, and domestic violence survivors. Construction is still moving forward, with completion expected next year.
4. Communities at outskirts of major metro areas pace population count for Arizona (azdailysun.com) — Mesa’s estimated population has reached 529,391 as of July 1, 2025, growing about 0.9% over the past year, according to new state figures. The data show how Mesa compares with fast-growing neighbors like Queen Creek and Buckeye, and with larger cities like Phoenix and Tucson, offering a snapshot of where our region’s growth is strongest.
5. Weekend wrap: Biggest Arizona news stories from Dec. 12-14 (ktar.com) — A deadly early-morning crash in Mesa near Dobson and Southern killed an adult driver and a juvenile passenger and left three responding officers with minor injuries after a car burst into flames. Officers and Mesa Fire and Medical pulled other occupants from the burning vehicle, and police say no charges will be filed in connection with the collision.
📸 Around Mesa
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
Mesa
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
International John Violinist coming to The Herberger Theater Center Stage West on Sun. January 4, 20
Herberger Theater Center, 222 E Monroe St, Phoenix
6:00 pm
Sunday January 4
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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C-Town Suitcase Club: Snowy Day
Chandler Museum , 300 S. Chandler Village Drive , Chandler
10:30 am -
Mesa PetSmart Adoption Event
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Events , 1733 S Stapley Dr , Mesa
4:00 pm -
NEW- Litchfield Park Farmers Market!!!!!!
Momma's Organic Market , 14154 W Denny Blvd , Litchfield Park
10:00 am -
Chandler PetSmart Adoption Event
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Events , 2860 E Germann Rd , Chandler
4:00 pm -
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa
The Post , 26 N Macdonald , Mesa
6:00 pm -
DC Steakhouse Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus
DC Steakhouse , 180 S Arizona Ave Ste 106 , Chandler
6:00 pm -
Santa's House
Dr. A.J. Chandler Park , 3 S. Arizona Ave. , Chandler
9:00 am -
Mesa PetSmart Adoption Event
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Events , 1733 S Stapley Dr , Mesa
11:00 am -
Ugly Sweater: Tennis Social
Chandler Tennis Center , 2250 S. McQueen Road , Chandler
3:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 Mesa Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Little Penguin and the Lollipop story and craft
Southeast Regional at The Dig (Event Room in Children's Section)
10:15 am -
EVENT FULL: Little Penguin and the Lollipop story and craft
Southeast Regional at The Dig (Event Room in Children's Section)
10:15 am -
Full STEAM Ahead!
Perry Branch
4:00 pm -
EVENT FULL: Confetti Ornaments (Adult Craft)
Southeast Regional at The Dig (Event Room in Children's Section)
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Update: reunited 12/14
12/14/25 HE’S BEING REUNITED TONIGHT MDog found in Mesa anyone know if this sweet boy has a home? Or is anyone willing to help home him. He seams… (Nextdoor Woodglen ll) - Hi all- wondering if anyone may have seen our ole curious dog, UPTON in Dobson ranch east- Guadalupe and longmore.
He got out while I was doing yard work(I left the gate open for too long, he got curious). He’s 13 years old, nervous like most chihuahuas, about… (Nextdoor Dobson Ranch East)
- MCSO is asking the public’s help in locating 76-year-old Francis Morlock. Francis Morlock was last seen by his roommates leaving his residence on... (X: MCSOAZ)
- Mesa city officials have released an independent investigator's findings on the city's Park Ranger Unit, months after a newly-hired ranger made... (X: FOX10Phoenix)
- Aerotek posted a job opening for Machine Operator in Mesa. Apply here.
- ABM Industries posted a job opening for School Custodial Cleaner in Mesa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mesa here.
Ok Mesa! 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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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