InBuckeye

Two Abrazo Health executives received distinguished service awards for strengthening partnerships between first responders and West Valley hospital teams. Arizona Fire & Medical Authority Fire Chief Mark Burdick presented the awards during separate September events. The recipients were Stephen Garner, CEO of Abrazo Arrowhead Campus in Glendale, and Brian Elisco, Abrazo Health Arizona’s group CEO. Abrazo announced the recognition in a news release on Oct. 26.

That collection of vintage signs, motorcycles or unusual antiques could put a Buckeye resident on television. “American Pickers” producers are gathering leads for a December 2026 filming trip through Arizona, Southern California and Nevada. As part of that search, Buckeye-area collectors can submit their private collections for consideration. However, the announcement does not identify Buckeye as a confirmed filming location.

The city proposed spending $635,765.65 on water credits to support its long-term water planning. The agreement appeared on the City Council’s Oct. 20 consent agenda. It would purchase 2,017.51 acre-feet of extinguishment credits from Circle G Pegasus LLC. The price includes $315 per acre-foot and a $250 Arizona Department of Water Resources conveyance fee. According to an Oct. 15 staff report, the expense is included in Buckeye’s approved fiscal 2027 budget.

Buckeye’s I-10 and Jackrabbit Trail interchange project moved closer to additional funding Wednesday. The Maricopa Association of Governments’ Transportation Policy Committee unanimously recommended a $36 million increase Oct. 21. Final approval remains with MAG’s Regional Council. The increase would raise programmed funding from $176.3 million to $212.3 million, approximately 20%. Of that amount, $26 million would cover Phase I construction.

Christian Brothers Automotive gave 40 local families a little help keeping their vehicles on the road during its annual National Service Day. The Saturday event provided free oil changes and vehicle safety checks, with additional work such as brake and tire services. Alma Ortiz was one of those recipients. Ortiz, who is partially retired and works for Amazon, said her tires were about 10 years old before Christian Brothers offered to replace them at no cost.

For Raphael Moreno, there’s one thing worth breaking a diet for: See’s Candies. Moreno, his wife and children traveled from Goodyear and arrived at 4 a.m. Saturday to be first in line for the candy shop’s Buckeye grand-opening celebration. “I really love their candy. I always tell my wife that if anything’s going to break my diet, it’s going to be See’s Candies,” Moreno said.

QDOBA Mexican Eats plans to open a Buckeye restaurant later this month, bringing burritos, bowls and approximately 25 jobs. This newest opening will join many other businesses in the area. The company announced the location on Oct. 20 at 1045 N. Verrado Way, Suite 114. The 2,200-square-foot restaurant will serve customers daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to QDOBA. However, QDOBA has not announced an exact opening date.

Drivers can again travel through Verrado Way and Yuma Road after nearly five months of construction closures. The intersection reopened Saturday, Oct. 17, with one lane in each direction, according to the city of Buckeye. However, crews continue working toward opening two lanes in each direction. The city acknowledged the inconvenience and thanked residents for their patience. It also urged drivers to use caution while crews complete the remaining work.

Greg and Debbie Soyka’s newest Robeks will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, Oct. 24, with samples, music and family milestones. The store sits at 21045 W. Roosevelt St. in The Mix shopping center in Buckeye. A ribbon-cutting ceremony starts at 10 a.m. Music, a prize wheel and samples will follow through 2 p.m. The Verrado location is the couple’s third Robeks, joining their existing stores in Buckeye and Goodyear.

A Nextdoor discussion about a reported bobcat sighting brought admiration, pet concerns and other wildlife accounts from Buckeye-area residents. The sighting was in Goodyear, in the Golf Villages at The Fairways at Estrella. “Bobcats are everywhere. You are lucky to see one on your camera,” wrote Mary A., whose profile lists Sundance Community. Pete F., listed in Cantamia, shared his own encounter. “We had a beautiful bobcat on our fence about a week ago. So beautiful!” Frazier wrote.