The Northwest Explorer

1 week ago | tucsonlocalmedia.com | Karen Schaffner

At 35 years old, Cassandra Bodanza is looking toward an electrifying and bright future, pursuing something few women consider. As part of a joint apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Bodanza is training to become a commercial electrician. “It seemed like a good fit,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed math. I’ve always enjoyed science, and I like being active, too.

1 week ago | tucsonlocalmedia.com | Christina Fuoco

Hughes Federal Credit Union is accepting applications for its 20th annual Roberta Reeves Scholarship and celebrating the milestone by doubling its total award amount to $20,000. This year, 10 high school seniors will each receive $2,000 to support their higher education goals. The scholarship, named in honor of Roberta Reeves, a long-serving Hughes Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors member, has awarded more than $100,000 since its launch in 2005.

1 week ago | tucsonlocalmedia.com | Karen Schaffner

As an entrepreneur, Mort Fertel, the CEO and co-founder of Poplin, recognizes a good business idea when he hears it. One day, his wife offered one. “My wife was home with our five kids buried in laundry,” he said. “She said, ‘This is crazy. I can tap an app and get to the airport, FaceTime someone on the other side of the world, but I’m still doing laundry like my grandmother.” Fertel agreed. “Technology has transformed every aspect of our lives,” he said.

1 week ago | tucsonlocalmedia.com | Tom Danehy

It’s a strange thing about rivalries these days. Back in the day, it was school vs. school in everything. Bisbee vs. Douglas, Amphi vs. Canyon Del Oro, Tucson High vs. Rincon. Now, it’s individual team vs. individual team. In girls’ basketball, it’s Sahuaro vs. Pueblo. In boys’ soccer, it’s Salpointe vs. Ironwood Ridge. And these days, in boys’ volleyball, it’s Flowing Wells vs. Catalina Foothills. Well, the Flowing Wells team aims to be competitive.

1 week ago | tucsonlocalmedia.com | Karen Schaffner

Tuesday, April 1, promised to be fun. Katie Holmes, a 17-year-old high school junior, boarded a school bus in Kingman, Arizona, with her Future Business Leaders of America teammates, expecting to arrive in Tucson for a competition. She was anticipating a good showing because, according to her mom, Katie had already qualified for the national competition. Things didn’t go as planned. A bus crash got in the way.