Life Coach in Marana, AZ

5A SONORAN — MARANA TIGERS

2022 record: 10-2 overall, 5-0 in 5A Sonoran

Head coach: Philip Steward, 18-5 third year at Marana and overall.

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Key returners:

MARANA HEAD COACH PHILLIP STEWARD

MARANA WR/CB JAELEN COLLINS

MARANA QB JASON WOOD

Coaching staff:

Notes: Phillip Steward became Marana’s head coach before the 2021 season after Louie Ramirez took an assistant coaching position at powerhouse Scottsdale Saguaro. Steward is from Missouri City, Texas, a suburb of Houston, where he was an all-state linebacker. He was with the St. Louis Rams in 2013 and 2014 after signing as a free agent following his career at Houston (where he played for former Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin). He also played in the Fall Experimental Football League and the Canadian Football League. He joined former Arkansas standout and NFL player Alonzo Highsmith Jr. at Willcox. He coached with Highsmith (who resigned before the 2021 season) for three years before joining Ramirez’s staff in 2020. He coached outside linebackers and running backs. Steward moved to Tucson because his fiancée is attending pharmacy school at Arizona. … Although Steward has a defensive background, he calls the plays for Marana as the defensive coordinator. He has mentioned he enjoys that role because he knows what defensive coordinators prepare for and wants to scheme against them. … Steward’s style is an uptempo, no-huddle, quick-read offense that prevents the defense to get situated before the ball is snapped. That generally negates blitzing defenses and consistent pressure on the quarterback. The extraordinary production indicates that offense is efficient. … Jason Wood started as quarterback in Marana’s first two games last season against Mountain View and Buena and led the Tigers to big wins in each game. He completed 31 of 44 pass attempts for 528 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. When Elijah Joplin returned in the third game from an eye injury, Wood shifted to a receiver on offense and finished with 515 receiving yards on 29 catches and 10 touchdowns. … Wideouts Dezmen Roebuck and Jaelen Collins are one of the best duos in the state along with Sabino’s Berryhill brothers (Savaughn and Shamar). Roebuck, a junior who has a scholarship offer from Arizona, had 92 receptions for 1,274 yards and 13 touchdowns. Collins (17 catches for 417 yards and two touchdowns) played more on defense as a cornerback last year. He finished with 63 tackles and four interceptions.

Keep an eye out for: LB Markus Gonzalez, a senior who is 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. Had a breakout season last year tallying 73 tackles, five for loss with 3.5 sacks. … He also had two pass deflections, a fumble recovery and a caused fumble. … He had nine tackles in Marana’s 26-17 over Phoenix Sunnyslope in the first round of the 5A state playoffs last year. … He also had nine tackles in Marana’s impressive wins over Cienega and Sunnyside last season.

MARANA

Head coach: Phillip StewardTigers compete in the 5A Southern. *Region game, Games at 7 p.m.

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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator five years ago and is presently a special education teacher at Sunnyside High School in the Sunnyside Unified School District

A private golf course in Marana is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Agriculture for chopping down two saguaro cactuses to make room for hospitality tents for the upcoming LIV Tournament.

In February, a video surfaced of a landscaping company cutting down two mature saguaro cactuses on The Gallery Golf Club's property, which incited outrage within the community and questioning by the state agriculture department.

The Gallery Golf Club claims the removal was a mistake by the landscaping company, Santa Rita Landscaping, which did not ask for permission from management, according to The Gallery Club General Manager Jeremy Duda.

Saguaros, which can reach up to 50 feet, are found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert and have an average lifespan of 150 to 175 years. They are well-known and recognized in Arizona and are one of many protected plants under Arizona's native plant law.

Under this law, landowners have the right to destroy or remove protected native plants growing on their land, but they are required to notify the AZDA 20 to 60 days prior to the destruction. They must also obtain permits from the AZDA during this notification process.

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That's what The Gallery Golf Club and its landscaping company failed to do before removing the two saguaros to make room for temporary hospitality tents arriving for the LIV Golf Invitational Tournament.

"The AZDA did not identify records of a permit or notice of intent for The Gallery Golf Club to cut down the two saguaros, and we are currently conducting an investigation related to this action," said Heather Flowers, assistant director of Strategic Initiatives and Policy at the AZDA.

According to state law, removing a saguaro, or any native plant, without obtaining the proper permit from the AZDA is a class one misdemeanor, punishable by a civil penalty in an amount of no more than $5,000.

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"We were under the impression that they were going to be relocated," Duda said, regarding what the landscaping company said to management. "That's what we were told, and they ended up chopping them down without our permission."

Relocation of saguaros on the same property does not require a permit, according to AZDA.

Duda said The Gallery Golf Club is fully cooperating with the AZDA's investigation, and it plans to replace the saguaros once the tournament is over.

Reach breaking news reporter Ellie Willard at ellie.willard@gannett.com or on Twitter @EllieWillardAZ.

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The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that the town of Marana is in violation of state law after forcing future homeowners to bear the complete costs of a new wastewater reclamation facility.

The justices said in an unanimous decision that development investment fees may not be imposed onto new residents if it is a burden that all taxpayers should carry equally, according to state law.

The justices emphasized that their ruling was to not second-guess Marana’s policy judgements about what is needed to obtain a 100-year water supply, but to “narrowly construe the Town’s authority to assess development fees… to ensure that new residents do not bear a disproportionate share of the costs of necessary public services.”

“As a threshold matter, most if not all of the acquired, new, improved, and expanded facilities clearly provide necessary public services,” Justice Clint Bolick wrote.

Back in 2012, Marana obtained the wastewater reclamation facility from Pima County. This allowed for the facility’s effluent to contribute to the 100-year water supply and use it to “recharge” the aquifer, demonstrating long-term water supply.

In 2017, Marana approved a Capital Improvement Project that would raise the town’s Class B+ water quality standard to the highest water quality possible, Class A+. But then, the town assigned 100% of the project debt to future water and sewer customers.

A lawsuit was then filed in 2018 by the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.

The court of appeals upheld the trial court’s decision to side with Marana saying that the intent of the project was “entirely for purposes of new development” and that the town’s assessment of development fees was valid. However, the state supreme court says that validity does not apply in this case when the need for improved facilities are “unchallenged.” The court also added that intent is irrelevant, especially when permission is determined through a town’s compliance with state requirements.

Marana’s attorneys contended, saying that the level of service for existing residents remained the same.

“They get tap water. They flush the toilet and it goes away.”

Bolick disagreed, saying that state law actually requires “new development costs [to be] based on the same level of service provided to the existing development,” which was B+ water quality– not A+. Yet, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality required Class A+, based on available technology.

“The uncontroverted evidence demonstrates that the improvement in water quality from B+ to A+, which ADEQ mandated as a condition of the project, provides healthier water that may be used for a wider variety of purposes— to the entire community’s benefit,” the justice wrote.

Now, the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association may be able to argue expenses included in the fees. However, this does not mean that new development does not have to pay their proportionate share. The proper allocation of costs requires “evidence-based findings” under the state statute.

The state supreme court sent the case back to the trial court to determine cost allocation.

Marana won its third straight elimination-bracket game of the West Region Junior League Softball Tournament on Tuesday night at Arthur Pack Park, defeating Alaska 2-1 behind the pitching of Cadence Beck.

Marana will face Washington in the championship round Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Marana, which lost to Washington 10-5 on Sunday, has to beat Washington twice on Wednesday to win the title and advance to the Junior League World Series that starts Sunday at Kirkland, Wash.

Beck, who took part in the national Little League Home Run Derby two years ago, was dominant in the circle against Alaska allowing five hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and one walk.

Alaska scored first in the top of the first inning on Kinsey MacDonald’s RBI single.

Marana was held scoreless until rallying for two runs in the fourth inning.

After Brooke Beck singled, she stole second and then scored on an error on a line drive hit by Bella Sayre to center field by to tie the game at 1.

Sayre later scored on another error with two outs to put Marana ahead 2-1.

Cadence Beck and Alaska’s Alaina Reynolds then engaged in a pitcher’s duel.

Reynolds allowed only three hits in her six innings of work.

TUESDAY, JULY 25

WEST REGION JUNIOR SOFTBALL ARTHUR PACKMarana 2, Alaska 1Mesa Four Peaks 9, Utah 8 (Consolation final)

ARIZONA STATE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FLAGSTAFFSunnyside 2, Canyon View 1 (Forced deciding game)Canyon View 9, Sunnyside 3 (Final)

ARIZONA STATE JUNIOR BASEBALL TEMPERandolph 9, Cactus Foothills 7 (Elimination final)

ARIZONA STATE 50-70 INTERMEDIATE BASEBALL QUARTERFINAL NOGALESDouglas 11, Nogales 0 (Nogales eliminated)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

WEST REGION LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL SEMIFINAL SAN BERNARDINOWillcox vs. Southern California, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

WEST REGION JUNIOR SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ARTHUR PACKMarana vs. Washington, 5 p.m.

ARIZONA STATE 50-70 INTERMEDIATE BASEBALL SEMIFINAL NOGALESDouglas vs. Hawaii, 8 p.m.

ARIZONA STATE JUNIOR BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TEMPERandolph vs. Mountain Pointe, 6 p.m.

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Veterans and volunteers gathered at Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Marana to place flags and recognize the fallen heroes who fought for our freedom.

Mike LaBarbera is the president of the Veteran’s Club at Sun City in Oro Valley and said it’s important people know the meaning of the holiday.

“You don’t want to wish someone a Happy Memorial Day because that’s not what it’s for,” said LaBarbera.

It’s a day of remembrance to honor those who lost their lives fighting for our country.

Attendance at the cemetery was record-breaking. The event started at 8:00 a.m. and took just five minutes to place flags on 3,800 markings.

Bill Schaeffler Sr., VFW Arizona State Junior Vice Commander, said the attendance was shocking.

“When we pulled in we kind of were expecting six cars, and to see the entire parking lot covered in patriots and they’re all here putting flags in the ground before 8:00 AM, it was wonderful,” said Schaeffler.

Everyone in attendance had a different story or reason for serving.

“I’m a Vietnam Veteran Commemorative partner, where I give out Vietnam Veteran Pins to our members who served in Vietnam because of how badly we were treated back then and our country is now recognizing that,” said LaBarbera.

The focus of the event, though, was clear.

“Memorial Day is not for those of us who are still walking on this earth. The census bureau says more than one million Americans have given their lives and service to this country since 1861. That’s what this day is for, to honor and remember their sacrifice,” said Schaeffler.

Due to the high turnout, one veteran made a point to make her “thank you” a little more personal.

“By the time I got here, all the flags were already placed, so the next best thing for me was to honor every single veteran or military spouse that is laying here. I may not have a relationship with them, but I am bonded with them because we answered the call to serve,” said Monica Gupta-Abram, retired U.S. Army Officer.

She stopped at all 3,800 markings and gave her respects to every individual.

A reminder of what the day is actually about.

“The message that we really want people to get is we really hope they’re enjoying their Monday and enjoying their hot dog and going water skiing, but we want them to remember that this day was paid for. It’s not free,” said Schaeffler.

There will be a ceremony at the cemetery on Monday at 8:00 a.m.

The public is invited to attend.

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