🌱 Patch AM: How one sprinkler kept 12 Scottsdale families home for Thanksgiving

Good morning Scottsdale! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How one sprinkler kept 12 Scottsdale families home for Thanksgiving
• Could Scottsdale’s Axon deal be undone in court?
• What led to Saguaro High’s athletic director abruptly resigning?

Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 76 and low of 47 degrees.
• Thursday: Warm with plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 76, low: 51.
• Friday: Warm with sunshine, with a high of 77 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Apartment sprinklers save Thanksgiving for Scottsdale residents (yourvalley.net) — Scottsdale residents at the San Artes Apartments were able to stay in their homes on Thanksgiving after a kitchen fire was quickly contained by the building’s sprinkler system. Scottsdale Fire crews found the blaze limited to a stove area, assisted the injured resident to a burn center, and confirmed the other 12 units were safe to reoccupy, underscoring the value of residential sprinklers.
   

2. Scottsdale residents prepare lawsuit over Axon headquarters agreement (azmirror.com) — Scottsdale residents are gearing up for a legal fight over the Axon headquarters, hotel, and housing project near Hayden Road and Loop 101 after the City Council approved a new fast-tracked agreement that voided a planned referendum. The group TAAAZE argues the city’s memorandum of understanding is an improper end-run around public zoning procedures and is also challenging a new state law that shields the project from voter review.
   

3. Saguaro High School AD resigns after allegedly sending inappropriate texts to student (azfamily.com) — Scottsdale Unified School District leaders have accepted the resignation of Saguaro High School’s athletic director and assistant principal after officials say he sent inappropriate direct messages to a middle school student using personal accounts. The district placed him on leave, cited violations of communication policies, and emphasized maintaining professional boundaries, while noting there is currently no criminal investigation due to insufficient evidence of a crime.
   

4. Scottsdale Unified votes to close two schools, repurpose campuses next fall (abc15.com) — Families in Scottsdale Unified should prepare for Pima Elementary and Echo Canyon School to close and be repurposed next fall after a split school board vote driven by budget shortfalls and low enrollment. Parents packed Tuesday’s meeting to protest the timeline and urge alternatives, while district leaders promised support for students and staff during the transition.
   

5. Study Ranks Boston as 2025's ‘Second Most Caring City' in America (wearedanbury.com) — Scottsdale earns a spot among WalletHub’s top five “Most Caring Cities in America” for 2026, sharing the list with Virginia Beach, Boston, Gilbert, and Fremont. The ranking looks at factors like charitable giving, crime rates, and support for vulnerable residents, though the story mainly focuses on Boston and New England context.
   

📸 Around Scottsdale

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Scottsdale

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday December 11

• đ­ - Cochise Elementary School | Cochise Chorus Winter Concert
  Cochise Elementary School
  5:00 pm
• đ­ - Chaparral High School | Chaparral Winter Classic Choral Concert
  Chaparral High School
  7:00 pm

Friday December 12

• đ­ - Laguna Elementary School | Tails- The Musical; Everyone find the FURever home eventually!
  Laguna Elementary School
  5:30 pm

Saturday December 13

• Persian Zumba Class
  Arizona Persian Cultural Center (AZPCC) , 7825 E Gelding Dr, Suite 101 , Scottsdale
  10:30 am

Sunday December 14

• Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra | A Season of Light
  Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts , 7380 E 2nd St , Scottsdale
  4:00 pm
• 2025 AZPCC Yalda
  Arizona Persian Cultural Center (AZPCC) , 7825 E Gelding Dr, Suite 101 , Scottsdale
  4:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Keyboard Conversations ®️ with Jeffrey Siegel | Beethoven—The Young Genius 
  Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | Virginia G. Piper Theater , 7380 E 2nd St , Scottsdale
  7:30 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Ribbon Cutting - Aloft Scottsdale
  Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce , 7501 E McCormick Pkwy , Scottsdale
  4:00 pm

📣 Scottsdale Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 10

• Meyer Montessori Open House
  Meyer Montessori , 2615 S Dorsey Ln , Tempe
  5:30 pm
• Fountain Hills Photography Enthusiasts Meeting
  Fountain Hills Community Center , 13001 N La Montana Dr , Fountain Hills
  5:45 pm
• Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse Hosts Austin Hope Wine Dinner DEC. 10
  Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse , 7212 Ho Hum Dr , Carefree
  6:00 pm
• Toastmasters- Fountain Hills Club
  Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce , 16837 E Palisades Blvd , Fountain Hills
  6:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Happy Monday, neighbors.
  My wife and I went to the Farmer's Market on High Street every Sunday, most of the year. I made some new furry friends. Here's one of the more… (Nextdoor Grayhawk Thompson Peak)
• LOST DOG!!
  Please help!! His name is Oliver. He took off down Princess Drive at about 2:45PM today. He does not have his collar on. Please call me if you see… (Nextdoor Scottsdale Stonebook)

• Chipotle posted a job opening for Crew Member in Scottsdale. Apply here.

Ok Scottsdale! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook