🌱 Phoenix Suns Fire Coach + Daddy's Chicken Shack Coming to Arizona

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Phoenix Patch newsletter — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and hot. High: 100 Low: 78.

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Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. The Phoenix Suns fired Monty Williams on Saturday, two years after reaching the NBA Finals and a year after he was the overwhelming choice as coach of the year. Williams had great success in his four regular seasons in Phoenix, winning 63 percent of his games. However, after three consecutive years of playoff frustration was likely too much for the Suns to overlook, especially after two straight years of Phoenix trailing by 30 points at halftime of elimination games at home. (Arizona Sports)
2. A Phoenix area couple is seeking justice after their son with autism was reportedly beaten up at a pizza restaurant last week. The incident occurred in nearby Peoria on Saturday, May 7. According to the victim's parents, he was watching people play games and ended up tapping someone on the shoulder. That person allegedly took offense to and beat the boy up as a result. The suspect has been identified as a 24-year-old El Mirage man, but no arrests have been made. (Fox 10 Phoenix)
3. Around the corner in Scottsdale, residents will be getting their own Daddy's Chicken Shack after the company was purchased by a local entrepreneur, Dave Liniger. The new location is expected to be the first of nine throughout the state and will feature complimentary food samples and 50 percent off full-size menu items. The first 50 people to come will receive free chicken for one year. As they expand to the southwest, the restaurant will now offer a Southwest Daddy sandwich in honor of the desert and their local cuisine. (KTAR News)

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Today in Phoenix:

• Stretch It Out Story Time At Sunrise Mountain Library (10:15 AM)
• Family Lawn Games At Arizona Biltmore (3:00 PM)
• Panchiko At Crescent Ballroom (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• This year, 16 Phoenix students around the city have been chosen to receive the 2023 Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader of the Year awards. These prestigious awards are typically held at the Phoenix Country Club and focus on honoring various high school students for their outstanding achievements and positive contributions to society. (Daily Independent)
• Due to the unprecedented amount of drowning in Phoenix these last few weeks, community partners from across the Valley came together to share water safety information. Individuals from both private and public sectors attended and focused on urging everyone to watch their kids around water. (Phoenix Fire Department)
• Reminder, Councilwoman Betty Guardado's Splish Splash Community Bash is set to take place on Saturday, Jun. 3. The event is intended to celebrate the grand opening of the new City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department Mariposa Splash Pad. The Phoenix Fire Department will also be attending sharing the importance of fire and water safety. (Phoenix Fire Department)

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Featured events:

• Free Zoom Meeting about female divorce lawyer in Mesa, AZ (May 15)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (May 16)
• Estate Planning Seminar at Saguaro Library (May 16)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (May 16)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 19)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Sunday! I'll see you soon.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.