BUCKEYE TEEN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER, PAGE 3
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Bringing out the big guns Cannons used in Batman v Superman come from AZFirearms in Avondale by Glenn Gullickson staff writer
WEST SIDE STORY Desert Edge to perform classic musical with a twist — Page 11.
View photo by Jordan Christopher
CARRIE LIGHTFOOT of The Well Armed Woman shoots a vintage World War II Howitzer cannon with AZFirearms April 3 in Buckeye. The cannon was featured in the new movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. To see all photos from this shoot, go to www.westvalleyview.com/pictures.
Batman and Superman may be the big guns of the superhero world, but an Avondale firearms shop was called on to provide some of the firepower for the movie about the clash of the titans. AZFirearms supplied two vintage Howitzer cannons that are featured in a scene in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. “They’re 7,000 pounds of pure machine,” said Dan Todd, owner of AZFirearms. Todd said when he bought the cannons about two years ago, he was told to expect calls from Hollywood since the guns had been used in previous films. The Batman v Superman production company contacted Todd about a year and a half ago, then came to Avondale and spent a week painting and detailing the cannons. The weapons were transported by trailer to New Mexico, with Todd and his son-in-law, Jason Jameson, traveling by air to witness a week of filming at an old mining camp about 20 miles west of Deming. “I had to be with the cannons,” said Todd, who showed the movie makers how to set up the weapons, which shot blanks. The experience that Todd called “awesome” included meeting the (See Guns on Page 5)
Mayor promotes Avondale’s progress Residential, commercial growth touted during State of the City address TAKING THE PLUNGE Air show returns to Luke Air Force Base — Page 12.
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by Glenn Gullickson staff writer
Avondale’s residential and commercial growth is striking a balance for a future that the city’s mayor said could include highrise office buildings, the return of a popular annual celebration and perhaps even national recognition. Mayor Kenn Weise delivered his State of the City address with the theme “Striking a Balance” March 30 near the bowling lanes at Main Event, an entertainment complex that’s one of the city’s major new commercial developments. “2015 was a great year for Avondale,” Weise told a group of about 180 public officials, business leaders and others who attended the event. Among the new developments opening soon is Copper Springs Hospital, which Weise said will have 150 high-wage jobs. Two locations for QuikTrip gas and convenience stores will also open this year and seven restaurants will open in the next 18 months along McDowell Road, Weise said. Other developments include the construction of a facility for Copper State Rubber and 200,000 square feet of entertainment and retail
space on the city’s east side, Weise said. “If 2015 was the year of groundbreakings, 2016 will be the year of ribbon-cuttings,” Weise said. He said the city should be willing to take risks to attract future development, including high-rise office buildings where Interstate 10 runs through the city. “We are in a very competitive market,” Weise said. “If we do not try harder, we will not land those businesses.” Weise said Avondale is among the healthiest home construction markets in the country, with an increase of 175 percent in permits for new houses in 2015. “People want to live in Avondale. This is where they want to raise their families,” he said. “They will eat, they will shop, they will play here.” Weise credited city government for promoting Avondale’s progress and investing in core services. “Avondale remains among the most stable government organizations in the Valley of the Sun,” Weise said. As the city observes its 70th anniversary this year, Weise called for the return of Billy Moore Days,
View photo by Jordan Christopher
AVONDALE MAYOR Kenn Weise speaks at the annual State of the City address March 30 at Main Event Entertainment in Avondale. an annual celebration of Avondale’s founder that was canceled after the 2008 festival because of the economic downturn. “These events bring families together,” Weise said, noting that other cities stage similar events to promote their history.
Weise also noted that Avondale is among 20 cities named as finalists for the 2016 All-America City Award. A team from the city will present Avondale’s story June 17-18 at the National Civic League meeting in Denver, where 10 winners will be named.