Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which 2025 City Hall battles will shape Scottsdale’s future most?
Also, don't miss New Years Eve Improv Show on the Scottsdale Patch calendar

Hello Scottsdale! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Which 2025 City Hall battles will shape Scottsdale’s future most?
- How Scottsdale police say they cracked a Valley-wide power tool theft ring
- How Scottsdale’s recovery leader turned personal tragedy into statewide healing work
Also on today's calendar: New Years Eve Improv Show and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Scottsdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Scottsdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Turning cloudy, with a high of 68 and low of 55 degrees.
- Thursday: Cloudy with showers, temps: high: 65, low: 56.
- Friday: Clouds and breaks of sun, with a high of 68 and low of 50 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Scottsdale's drama-filled year (eastvalleytribune.com) — Scottsdale residents saw a tumultuous 2025, from fierce City Hall power struggles and the Axon development fight to school closures and major new projects reshaping Old Town and North Scottsdale. Key decisions on DEI funding, sustainability, ambulance service, public comment rules, and big-ticket developments like Mack Innovation Park and The Parque will influence how you live, work, and get around the city.
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2. Docs: Mesa theft suspect says he took power tools to give as Christmas gifts (azfamily.com) — Scottsdale police arrested a man they say is tied to a string of power tool thefts at Home Depot stores, including a north Scottsdale location. Court documents describe how investigators tracked his car, linked clothing to security footage, and say he claimed some tools were taken as Christmas gifts before requesting a lawyer.
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3. Turning pain into purpose: How one Arizona leader is helping others begin again (abc15.com) — In Scottsdale, recovery leader Lee Yaiva now heads Scottsdale Recovery Center, using his own journey through addiction to guide others toward lasting change. The Hopi CEO emphasizes culturally informed care, support for Indigenous families, and building new life paths that continue well beyond treatment programs across Arizona.
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4. See the humor that Arizona readers captured in 2025 (azcentral.com) — Scottsdale scenes feature prominently in this lighthearted roundup of funny reader photos from around Arizona, including Santa-themed cactuses at Pinnacle Peak Park and a staring great horned owl. The gallery invites residents to submit their own quirky snapshots for possible publication, showcasing everyday humor in familiar local spots.
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5. Permanent water solution arrives for Rio Verde Foothills after years of uncertainty (azfamily.com) — Scottsdale’s temporary water agreement with Rio Verde Foothills ends at midnight on Dec. 31, as EPCOR opens a permanent standpipe system Jan. 1 to serve the community. After Scottsdale cut off hauled water in 2023 to conserve supplies for its own residents, state lawmakers, regulators, Maricopa County and the city worked with EPCOR to create this long-term solution.
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📸 Around Scottsdale
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 Scottsdale
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- New Years Eve Improv Show
SD Acting Studio/Acting & Improv , 4425 N Granite Reef Rd , Scottsdale
7:00 pm - Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market
3806 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251
8:00 am - Taoist Tai Chi® Open House
St Stephen's Episcopal Church , 2310 N 56th St , Phoenix
10:00 am - AZPCC Daf Circle - Winter
AZPCC , 7825 E Gelding Dr Suite 101 , Scottsdale
6:30 pm - Scottsdale Sounds
3839 N Drinkwater Blvd , Scottsdale
5:00 pm - Make Traditional Sushi With Chef Sarah - Cooking Class by Classpop!
The Wine Collective of Scottsdale, Wine Store, Wine Tasting & Wine Bar , 4020 N Scottsdale Rd , Scottsdale
6:00 pm - Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market
3806 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251
8:00 am - Irrigation In The Southwest - Garden Seminar Series
Town Council Chambers , 33 Easy St , Carefree
9:30 am
Wednesday December 31
Saturday January 3
Tuesday January 6
Wednesday January 7
Thursday January 8
Saturday January 10
📣 Scottsdale 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
- Keelers Steakhouse Announces 6th Annual New Years Eve Gala DEC. 31
Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse , 7212 Ho Hum Dr , Carefree
6:00 pm - Toastmasters- Fountain Hills Club
Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce , 16837 E Palisades Blvd , Fountain Hills
6:30 pm - 2026 Reading Challenge registration
Fountain Hills Branch - Town Hall Closed for New Years
Cave Creek Calendar , 37622 N. Cave Creek Rd. , Cave Creek
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Scottsdale PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- #REUNITED Lost Dog who’s definitely missing an owner.
Found around 16th St. and Glendale in Phoenix this afternoon. (Nextdoor 52nd St /Acoma) - Here’s some important advice to carry into the new year: don’t hire anyone to do anything without consulting the brilliant and helpful NextDoor folks.
I’ve found many expert service people and healthcare providers doing just that. I’ve also been told how to do some things myself. This group I’m so… (Nextdoor Grayhawk)
- Scottsdale Police officials say a man is being accused of multiple offenses following a weekend barricade situation where he allegedly shot at... (X: FOX10Phoenix)
- Scottsdale man arrested after shooting inside his home, at responding officers and police vehicles, and forcing a barricade situation (X: ScottsdalePD)
- Integrated Resources, Inc posted a job opening for Mail Processor in Scottsdale. Apply here.
- Latitude, Inc. posted a job opening for Billing Associate in Scottsdale. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Scottsdale here.
Ok Scottsdale! 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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