🌱 Unidentified Skeletal Remains + Phoenix Trail Closures + Rent Costs

Hello all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Daily. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in the community today.

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 65 Low: 39.

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Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. This month, the skeletal remains of an unidentified male were found on tribal land near Phoenix’s Laveen neighborhood. Authorities are working to identify the person whose remains were found on Jan. 12 in an irrigation canal along Elliot Road in the Gila River Indian Community. The person has been described as a white or Hispanic male between the ages of 15-20, who weighs 160 lbs, is six feet tall, and has brown dreadlocks. Tribal police posted a sketch depicting the subject to social media, which can be viewed here. (KTAR.com)
2. The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is considering closing trails two hours earlier in extreme heat. On days that the National Weather Service issues a heat warning, Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain currently close from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, under this new expansion, the parks would be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on those days. The public is welcome to submit feedback here. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
3. New data shows that renting in Phoenix costs $1,116 less per month than buying a home. According to Realtor.com's Monthly Rental Report, released on Friday, the monthly cost of a starter home in metro Phoenix comes in at $2,708, while the median monthly rent is $1,592. This difference of over 70 percent landed metro Phoenix in the No. 9 spot on the list for markets with the largest monthly savings for renters. (AZ Big Media)

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Today in and around Phoenix:

• M Culinary Concepts Hiring Fair At M Culinary Concepts (9:00 AM)
• Western Week At Various Locations In Old Town Scottsdale (9:00 AM)
• Bubbles & Beats At Sutra Studios (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Arizona Humane Society is searching for a foster to help some loving pets on their journey to a forever home. If you're interested in fostering, click here. (Arizona Humane Society via Facebook)
• Native milkweed and native nectar plants are essential for monarch butterflies. The City of Phoenix Public Works Department shared information on protecting monarch butterflies here. (City of Phoenix Public Works Department via Facebook)
• Join the City of Phoenix today for the 2023 Regional Unity Walk at Tempe Beach Park! The festival begins at 4:30 p.m. The one-mile walk to promote mutual respect and understanding starts at 6:00 p.m. More information is available here. (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)
• Heads-up commuters! There are several Phoenix-area freeway closures and restrictions to be aware of this weekend. Click the link to learn about all the closures happening through Jan. 30. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)
• AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan, has launched a statewide Future Career Art Contest! The contest is open to children in K-6. (Arizona Education News Service)

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Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (January 31)
• JW Marriott Desert Ridge Open (February 1)
• Le Creuset Factory to Table (February 2)
• Zedd Headlines the 2023 TAO X Maxim Big Game Party - Catch Me If You Can (February 11)
• 2023 Maxim Party (February 11)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— 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.