In case you missed any news action this week, we've got you covered.
Here's our recap of the most-read news stories of the week:
5.) Border Officers Unpack Phoenix Man's Suitcase, Find Thai Woman
Today in Found at the Border: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspecting the vehicle of a Phoenix man on his way back into the United States found a Thai woman in the man's suitcase.
According to a CBP spokeswoman, the 56-year-old Phoenix resident -- whose name wasn't released -- was driving back into the country through the port of entry in Nogales on December 30.
See also: Border Officers Unpack Phoenix Man's Suitcase, Find Thai Woman
4.) Supervisors Spend $375,442 and Counting to Stop Mary Rose Wilcox From Getting $975,000
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has spent $375,442 to stop Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox from receiving a $975,000 settlement and is preparing to spend more.
A lawyer hired by Maricopa County will fly to and stay in San Francisco at county expense for a March 11 hearing on the settlement matter before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The lawyer, Jeffrey Leonard, also will bill the county for his continued work on the case -- even though it's no longer in doubt that Wilcox deserves the settlement money because of the reckless and improper actions of Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
See also: Supervisors Spend $375,442 and Counting to Stop Mary Rose Wilcox From Getting $975,000
3.) A Remote Arizona Church Offers Followers Peyote-Induced Psychedelic Trips
A tall, heavy-set man with shaggy blond hair and straight-cropped bangs stands in the middle of an empty gravel parking lot. He looks around aimlessly, hands shoved in his pockets.
When he sees a car pulling up, he turns, hands still stuffed in pockets, and hurries over to a small building with a satellite on the roof and a serape covering the door.
"Someone's here," he says into the darkened building.
A minute later, a small, wiry man wearing tight, black yoga pants, a fanny pack, and a baseball cap pulled over a graying ponytail appears in the doorway and moves across the lot with a mountain goat's spring in his step.
"Hello, I'm Matthew," he says, a grin touching the corners of his mouth. "Welcome to Peyote Way."
See also: A Remote Arizona Church Offers Followers Peyote-Induced Psychedelic Trips
2.) Mark Connelly, Phoenix-Area Megachurch Pastor, Resigns Over Alleged Affairs
The lead pastor at one of the largest megachurches in the state resigned after leaders at the Gilbert church heard he'd engaged in multiple extramarital affairs.
In a note posted on the Mission Community Church website, lead Pastor Mark Connelly resigned after he "confessed to the affairs."
See also: Mark Connelly, Phoenix-Area Megachurch Pastor, Resigns Over Alleged Affairs
1.) Phoenix Bucket List - 100 Things to Do in Phoenix Before You Die: The Introduction
A funny thing happened in 2013. Both of us -- two curmudgeonly writers who between us have lived in Arizona way closer to 100 years than either would like to admit -- came to a shared conclusion.
We like Phoenix.
That's funny because for years we've loved to hate this place -- even as we wrote dozens of entries for Best of Phoenix, reviewed plays, covered the art scene, and investigated politicians. (True, Amy's always maintained there's nothing more fun than picking the low-hanging fruit at the Arizona Legislature.) But last year, there was a lot of talk about leaving the Valley, and somewhere in the midst of the conversation we each decided that we actually don't dislike Phoenix anymore. The city has grown up; or we have. Or both.
That's why we both jumped at the chance to write up our bucket list for Phoenix -- 100 things to do in this metropolis before you die. Most we've actually done ourselves. A few are still on the "to do" list.
Funny, we had no trouble getting to 100. The challenge was cutting it back. Enjoy our list. This week we start things off with Robrt Pela's first 10 items. Check back next week (and the week after that, and so on) till we get to 100 in March. And please, share the items on your own bucket list in the comments section. We're not going anywhere -- we need some more stuff to do around here.
See also: Phoenix Bucket List - 100 Things to Do in Phoenix Before You Die: The Introduction
