🌱 Retired Firefighter Saves Children + Voodoo Doughnut In Phoenix

Hi all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Phoenix Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in the community today.

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 84 Low: 56.

Our local sponsor has some great stuff to offer:

Today’s Phoenix Daily is brought to you by Banner Health. Banner Health makes health care easier, so your life can be better. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or find the nearest Banner Health location here. With options like telehealth visits, online appointment booking, urgent care services and a convenient app, Banner Health ensures you get the care you need when you need it. Learn more about Banner Health's services in and around Phoenix here.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. Retired firefighter Dana Lambert found himself at the right place at the right time when he noticed early fire signs at a home in Phoenix. He was the first to arrive at the scene where neighbors were screaming that there were children inside the home near 24th Street and Southern Avenue. Lambert jumped over the fence, rescued the two girls, and even saved the little girl's puppy, receiving a long hug from their grateful mother. (KTAR.com)
2. The Arizona Coyotes and their development partner, Bluebird Development, filed a notice of claim against the City of Phoenix for alleged breach of contract, seeking $2.3 billion in damages. The move comes after the Coyotes' plans to build an entertainment district, which would include a new home arena, in Tempe hit a snag due to a legal dispute with the city. Phoenix has asked to rescind Tempe's recent zoning and land-use changes, prohibiting future residential development in an area under airport flight paths. The proposed arena and entertainment district are set to go to a referendum in May, however, the team's bid to find a permanent home has encountered another obstacle. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)
3. Voodoo Doughnut, a popular doughnut shop based in Portland, Oregon, is expanding its reach by opening its first Arizona store in metro Phoenix in late 2023. The shop offers over 50 handmade options, including 25 vegan choices, and is known for its creative shapes such as voodoo doll doughnuts. The Bacon Maple Bar, a classic doughnut at Voodoo, won the title of America's Greatest Doughnut 2022 in the best yeast doughnut category. The new location will be at 1324 S. Rural Road in nearby Tempe. (The Arizona Republic)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Phoenix Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Phoenix Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Phoenix:

• First Fridays, At The Shops at Norterra (5:00 PM)
• Opening Reception: Have Passport Will Travel Exhibit featuring Paula Cullison, At Herberger Theater Center (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Phoenix police are offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest or indictment in a case where a man's body was found burnt in a dumpster in March. A sketch of the man they are looking to identify has been released at the link. If you have any information, call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
• Have you heard the news? Neighbor Market is now open at The Churchill in downtown Phoenix! (The Arizona Republic)
• Are you ready to make a paw-sitive impact? Being an Arizona Humane Society Foster Hero is an amazing way to give back to the sick and injured pets in the community. To learn more about fostering a pet, click here. (Arizona Humane Society via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Our World Energy — (Visit website)
• 9 Cent Color Copies — (Visit Website)
• Faceless Digital — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Easter Egg Hunt and Community Park Parade (April 8)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward Live! (April 15)
• Free zoom meeting about female divorce lawyers in Mesa, AZ! (April 15)
• Add your event

As a heads up, the Patch staff will be taking some time off for the Easter holiday. You won’t be receiving a newsletter this Monday, but I’ll be back soon with your next update. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

— 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.