Camper’s ‘Miracle’ Rescue Detailed

The rescue of missing camper Janelle Banda was “nothing short of a miracle,” Sarah Banda said in detailing her older sister’s ordeal earlier this month near Sedona. 

Janelle Banda, 32, suffered sprained ankles, cuts, and bruises after losing her footing and falling several hundred feet during a nighttime walk near the Edge of the World campsite.

She survived for more than two days without food and water. On June 16, a Pinal County Sheriff’s helicopter located an extremely dehydrated Banda and airlifted her to safety.

“There’s obviously the mental toll of … the trauma of not just falling but being in the canyon alone,” Sarah Banda said. Janelle Banda was treated at a hospital and released the next day.

Ex-Treasurer Gets 10 Years for $38M Theft 

Former Santa Cruz County treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for stealing more than $38 million from taxpayers over 10 years. 

Her defense attorney sought a shorter prison term while acknowledging her scheme, describing it as “one of the dumbest, ill-conceived, short-sighted, and most audacious crimes in Arizona state history.”

Gutfahr, who used the money to buy several cars and a luxury ranch home, pleaded guilty to embezzlement and tax evasion in November. 

She has sought to sell items purchased with the stolen money to repay Santa Cruz County. 

Trillion-Dollar Tech Park Eyed

The founder of Japanese investment company SoftBank Group Corp. wants to develop a trillion-dollar robotics and artificial intelligence-aided industrial complex in Arizona, possibly in partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). 

SoftBank didn’t specify what role TSMC would play in development, and it’s not clear whether the chipmaking company is interested in a partnership.

TSMC in March announced plans to invest an additional $100 billion in Arizona to build six plants to produce semiconductor chips for big-name tech brands such as Intel.

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➤ Glendale: Luke Air Force Base tightened security in response to a federal alert about a “heightened threat environment” tied to recent Middle East events. (Watch)

➤ Scottsdale: A man pleaded guilty to stealing $250,000 in artwork. Police discovered him on the gallery’s roof. (Watch)

➤ Tucson: The University of Arizona launched four new master’s degree programs, including one related to artificial intelligence in business. (More)

➤ Camp Verde: Two people were airlifted to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a crash involving an SUV and a semi-truck Monday on I-17. (More)

➤ Safford: Police asked for public assistance as they investigate the fatal shooting of a calf near Blue Ponds on June 14. (Details)

➤ Prescott Valley: Town officials will accept public input through July 18 for a large-scale recreation project planned for Glassford Dells Regional Park. (More)

➤ The University of Arizona extended baseball coach Chip Hale’s contract through 2030 after he led the Wildcats to the 2025 College World Series. (More)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll will miss an unknown amount of time with a chip fracture in his left wrist after being hit by a pitch. (Watch)

➤ Several sports analysts say Houston got the better end of the Kevin Durant trade deal with the Phoenix Suns. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ The 60-acre Springs Camp in Prescott, which has hosted thousands of children for summer camps, went on the market for $4.5 million. (Watch)

➤ The Hub Grill and Bar in Mesa closed indefinitely as the owners make repairs after a fire on Friday. (More)

➤ Restaurant Zona 78 on Tucson’s east side will close June 28, with the site to be rebranded into Mediterranean eatery FIGS Oven + Enoteca in the coming months. (More)

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➤ A viral Instagram video captures an Arizona woman cooking an egg in a pan on her driveway after the pan allegedly sat in the summer sun for an hour. (Watch)

➤ Newly-released footage shows a man firing twice at his departing Uber driver at Chandler Fashion Center in March. The man was tased and arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. (Watch)

➤ Rafi Law Group is hosting a Brandon B. Rafi look-alike contest today, inviting fans to cosplay the billboard-famous attorney for a chance to win part of $5,000 in prizes. (Photos)

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