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1 week ago | 
gilbertsunnews.com | Aparna Sekhar
Gilbert Town Council approved a $2.46 billion preliminary budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year last week, culminating months of discussions about the town’s financial future as it nears build-out. The proposed spending plan includes 34 new full-time hires across numerous town departments, and $1.67 billion for capital projects such as water system improvements and parks, recreation and open space expansions.
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1 week ago | 
gilbertsunnews.com | Aparna Sekhar
Les Presmyk is no stranger to a life of public service. The Gilbert native has served 12 years on the town council, after being elected to the governing body in 1999, including three terms as vice mayor. During his time on the council, Presmyk also spearheaded efforts to establish the town’s Veterans Day ceremony in 2004. In 2009, he also initiated the Operation Welcome Home ceremonies for returning service members.
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2 weeks ago | 
gilbertsunnews.com | Aparna Sekhar
The Higley Unified Governing Board last week narrowly approved the addition of 17 supplemental novels and four instructional materials for academic use in the new school year after two board members objected to some of them. The board board voted 3-2 to approve a list of new novels reviewed by its 6-12 grade novel committee, with board members Anna Van Hoek and Sara Jarman casting the opposing votes.
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2 weeks ago | 
eastvalleytribune.com | Aparna Sekhar
The Higley Unified School District Governing Board called for a special election in November to again seek voter approval for continuing the 15% maintenance and operations budget override and sparing administration from cutting millions in the next two school years. The board voted 3-1 to approve the election, with board member Anna Van Hoek opposing and Sara Jarman abstaining.
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2 weeks ago | 
eastvalleytribune.com | Aparna Sekhar
The Higley Unified School District Governing Board called for a special election in November to again seek voter approval for continuing the 15% maintenance and operations budget override and sparing administration from cutting millions in the next two school years. The board voted 3-1 to approve the election, with board member Anna Van Hoek opposing and Sara Jarman abstaining.
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2 weeks ago | 
gilbertsunnews.com | Aparna Sekhar
A mixed-use development with 357 apartments with a garage and office space is being proposed at the southeast corner of Val Vista Drive and Pecos Road along Market street. Gilbert planning staff said the 12.27-acre parcel lies in the town’s Central 202 Core Growth Area and the development will consist of three buildings comprising a total 461,344 square feet. At a Gilbert Planning Commission study session on May 7, commissioners gave town staff input about the proposed design for the site.
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2 weeks ago | 
gilbertsunnews.com | Aparna Sekhar
The Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board is considering a total ban on cellphones at K-8 schools, and further limiting their use in grades 9-12 to the cafeteria and to “quickly checking messages between classes” next year – with an outright ban coming for older students in the 2026-27 school year. In the classroom, all district students would be required to turn off their phones or set them on silent and store them in their backpacks.
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3 weeks ago | 
gilbertsunnews.com | Aparna Sekhar
The Gilbert Town Council unanimously voted last week to postpone their decision on an apartment complex after learning the developer wants to expand the number of units from 304 to 367. Developers of the Bella Storia, a 76-acre mixed-use development on the southeast corner of Williams Field and Power roads, wants to expand the apartment complex that had already been approved for 15.91 acres at the northeast corner of Williams Field road and Delatorre Boulevard.
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3 weeks ago | 
gilbertsunnews.com | Aparna Sekhar
Residents of Adora Trails community in South Gilbert for years have been putting up with cattle from a nearby reservation that roam their streets. In recent months, the problem has escalated, with cows breaking through the flimsy fence separating the community and Gila River Indian Community almost daily, leaving a trail of manure on roads and sidewalks and damaging the residents’ landscaping.
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3 weeks ago | 
gilbertsunnews.com | Aparna Sekhar
Life irrevocably changed for Patricia Loyer, a Gilbert mother of two, when her elder son, Joey, did not pass his newborn hearing test. Further medical testing diagnosed then-9-month old Joey with Smith-Magenis Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by distinct facial features, developmental delays and behavioral challenges. The disorder could also cause hearing loss and retinal detachment, leading to blindness.
