Ransom Hoaxer Gets Probation

A Tucson federal judge sentenced a California man to serve five years of probation for sending fake ransom texts to Nancy Guthrie’s family.

Derrick Anthony Callella, 42, faced a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison. Callella said his methamphetamine addiction “removed his inhibitions and his capacity for clear decision-making.”

Investigators said Callella texted Guthrie’s oldest daughter and son-in-law demanding bitcoin, moments after the family released its first video message asking Guthrie’s kidnappers for proof of life.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said fake ransom notes and texts exploit the family and impede the ongoing investigation into Guthrie’s Jan. 31 disappearance.

Burn Scar Worsened Flood

Investigators said the burn scar from last summer’s Dragon Bravo wildfire contributed to Saturday’s deadly Grand Canyon flooding, which followed heavy rainfall in the area.

A satellite-based text alert system available to hikers and rafters since 2024 may have limited the death toll, emergency officials said.

Three friends from Texas and Wyoming who were camping and hiking in the canyon were caught in the flood, with two of them killed and the third missing. About 80 others in the area were rescued.

Colleges Kick Off Seasons

Arizona and Arizona State open their football seasons Saturday, with the Wildcats hosting Northern Arizona in Tucson.

Northern Arizona enters the game 1-0 and ranked No. 22 in the FCS after rallying past Eastern Washington 34-27 on Saturday in Flagstaff.

Arizona, 9-4 last season under Brent Brennan, is heavily favored as quarterback Noah Fifita seeks to build on his school record 73 touchdown passes.

Arizona State will host FCS-level Morgan State in Tempe, with coach Kenny Dillingham entering his fourth season and Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley taking over at quarterback.

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➤ Statewide: House Speaker Steve Montenegro said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes left a bribery allegation out of her memo clearing Gov. Katie Hobbs of pay-to-play allegations. Mayes said the allegation cited by Montenegro amounted to a “he said, he said” dispute. (More)

➤ Glendale: A family that owns a 106-acre parcel across Loop 101 from the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium seeks a special use permit to open 15 youth sports fields and space for concerts and festivals. (More)

➤ Statewide: Campers who book Friday and Saturday stays at select state parks in September can get up to two additional nights at a $15-per-night discount. (More)

➤ Glendale: Construction continues on a 50-home Veterans Village, with the first residents expected to move in next summer. (More)

➤ Oro Valley: A multiagency probe into retail theft produced eight arrests, two felony offenses, 15 misdemeanor charges, and $1,000 in recovered merchandise. (More)

➤ Marana: Emergency crews used a 4×4 to transport 19 children and a driver from a school bus blocked by a flooded wash Tuesday morning. (More)

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➤ Ketel Marte returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks lineup and heard boos from fans at Chase Field, two weeks after he left the team. (More)

➤ Saguaro High School canceled its football game against Chaparral on Friday, citing a lack of enough healthy players to compete safely. (More)

➤ Arizona State tennis alum Desirae Krawczyk co-hosts The Player’s Box podcast with two Grand Slam singles finalists and an Australian Open champion. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer

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➤ The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry joined a coalition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review an EPA fine-particle rule the group says complicates manufacturing permits. (More)

➤ Attorneys general from Arizona and 21 other states joined the Federal Trade Commission in suing Amazon, alleging hidden surcharges inflated ad auction prices. Amazon denied the allegations. (More)

➤ U.S. Bank hired six business bankers and two support staff in Phoenix and plans six new Arizona branches through 2027, calling the state a top growth market. (More)

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➤ For the first time in 12 years, Arizona will not have any citizen initiatives on the November ballot. The ballot will include statewide measures referred by the legislature. (More)

➤ The state’s new Power AZ program offers middle-income households up to $640 a year toward utility bills plus up to $500 in crisis aid, aiming to help those who earn too much for federal energy assistance. (More)

➤ Thieves stole $70,000 worth of Pabst and non-alcoholic Old Milwaukee beer bound for Tucson in two heists from the same Southern California distributorship, authorities said. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ Buying these seven things before you retire could save you thousands, but the clock is ticking. (See List)

➤ Federal officials say a monthlong immigration sweep across New York netted thousands of arrests, including a number of violent criminals. (Hear Details)

➤ A Lake Tahoe swimmer needed nearly 40 stitches after an otter pulled her underwater and wouldn’t let go. (Hear Story)

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