The big local news this week is about cameras, flood maps, and road work. The fun news is that October is packed.
Here is what matters, and what is coming up.
Flock camera rules are now law
The City Council voted 7–0 on October 6 to adopt rules for the police department’s license-plate cameras and other surveillance technology.
Under Ordinance No. 1579, an employee who misuses the system for personal reasons commits a Class 1 misdemeanor. Plate data must be purged after 30 days. The department must conduct monthly audits, and officers must receive annual training. The rules also cover drones, body cameras, and the real-time crime center.
Thirteen people spoke at the hearing. Two supported keeping the cameras. Most of the others opposed them or asked for stronger safeguards.
Residents asked the council to require a warrant and make the audit results public. Neither requirement made it into the final code. Donna Carr also submitted a petition with 95 signatures asking the city to remove the cameras.
According to the Pinal Post, the push for an ordinance began after an officer used the system for a personal search in April. That officer resigned before the department could fire him.
Speakers also raised concerns about plates being misread. Chief Pooley said misreads happen and that a human checks the photo first. A camera alert by itself is not probable cause.
The cost came up too. Chief Pooley said the department spends about $80,000 on the plate readers. One officer costs about $120,000 with benefits. Dropping the camera contract, he said, “would not pay for one police officer.”
The cameras are staying. The new question is whether the safeguards work as written.
FEMA changed AJ’s flood maps
This one can hit the wallet.
FEMA released new flood maps for Apache Junction this summer. The old maps dated back to 2007. Now 1,984 of AJ’s 22,313 parcels sit in the flood area. About 1,500 of those parcels were newly added.
That is enough to rank Apache Junction ninth in the nation for parcels added, according to Cotality. AJ is the only Arizona city in the top ten.
About half the parcels in the flood area have a structure on them — a house, garage, shed, or shop.
If a home in the zone has a federal mortgage, the owner must carry flood insurance. Regular homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Newly affected owners could pay at least $75 more a month. The average FEMA premium is $885 a year in Arizona and $882 in Pinal County.
The city held a public meeting and mailed letters to the owners it identified as newly affected.
Did you get one of those letters? We want to hear what changed for you. Send a note to tips@apachejunction411.com.
You can read more in the azcentral report.
Road work approved, apartment hearing delayed
The council approved two road contracts with Sunland Asphalt & Construction.
The first is $1,257,020.08 to overlay Old West Highway from Idaho Road to Tomahawk Road.
The second is $1,353,113.47 to reconstruct and pave Lost Dutchman Boulevard from Ironwood Drive to Meridian Drive.
The public hearing for Bela Flor Communities was continued to January 19, 2027. That is the proposed 210-unit, three-story rental project. The delay does not kill the project. It moves the next public fight into January.
The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, October 20, at 7 PM.
Weekend weather
The National Weather Service has a Wind Advisory in place from Friday at 5 AM through Saturday at 11 AM.
Friday should be sunny and windy, with a high near 83 and east winds around 26 mph. Gusts may reach 30 mph.
Saturday turns cloudy and cooler, with a high near 74. The wind sticks around, and there is a small chance of rain. Sunday should be warmer, near 80, with lighter wind.
Plan on a breezy start to the weekend.
What is happening this weekend
Fall Young Entrepreneurs Market — Friday, October 16, 5 PM
2066 W Apache Trail, Suite 112.
Rodeo Royalty Fundraiser — Saturday, October 17
At the rodeo grounds. It is listed as an all-day event.
Paranormal Festival — Saturday, October 17, 9 AM–4 PM
Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum, 4087 E Apache Trail. Expect speakers, vendors, ghost stories, and a crowd that came ready to believe at least a little of it.
Jack San Felice book signing — Saturday, October 17, 11 AM
Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum, 4087 E Apache Trail.
Iron Order MC Phoenix 3rd Annual Poker Run — Saturday, October 17
Registration 9 AM, kickstands up 10 AM, Superstition Harley-Davidson. Benefits Dogs4Vets and the American Service Animal Society.
2nd Annual Casino Night: Costumes at the Casino — Wednesday, October 21, 5:30–10 PM
The Paseo, 3753 N Apache Trail. Hosted by the Rotary Club.
Halloween in AJ
Here is the Halloween lineup we have verified so far.
The deadline comes first: entries for the AJ Public Library’s Spooky Story Writing Contest close Saturday, October 17, at 5 PM. The contest is open to ages 7 and up. Word limits run from 250 words for ages 7–9 to 1,500 words for adults. The winning story will be framed and displayed in the library. AI tools are not allowed.
Oldie’s Subs 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat is Sunday, October 18, from 6 to 8 PM at 725 W Apache Trail, Suite 23A.
The big city event comes next weekend. The Apache Junction Halloween Festival is Saturday, October 24, from 4 to 8 PM at Superstition Shadows Park. Admission is free. There will be trunk-or-treating, costume contests, a pumpkin-carving contest for pumpkins carved at home, a dog costume contest, pumpkin painting, games, and live music from Zero Reasons. Costume judging starts at 5 PM.
Goldfield Ghost Town has the haunted side covered. Fear Frontier’s daytime Spirits of the Bordello tour sells tickets on site during Goldfield’s regular hours. Night tours run on selected October evenings. Book those ahead at fearfrontier.net.
Two more for the calendar:
- Goldfield Ward Trunk or Treat — Saturday, October 24, 6–8 PM, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2520 E Old West Hwy.
- Read & Rec BOO BASH — Friday, October 30, 10–11 AM, Superstition Shadows Park.
- Monster Mash Bike Bash — Saturday, October 31, 11 AM–3 PM, Superstition Harley-Davidson. The costume contest is at 2 PM. There is also an in-store poker run from noon to 3 PM and a pumpkin-painting station for kids.
Live Music This Week
Rusty Buckle Saloon
- Friday — Arizona Blacktop, 8–11 PM
- Saturday — Donny Grubb, 1–4 PM; Whiskey Road, 8–11 PM
- Sunday — Max Tovstyi, 1–4 PM
The Wheelhouse Tavern
- Friday — Fish Fry, 11 AM–8 PM; Halloween Decorating Party from 4 PM
- Saturday — Me & G, 1–3 PM; Sabbatical, 6–9 PM
- Sunday — Canyon State Band, 1–4 PM; Sunday Cruise-In, 6–9 PM
Skies Bar & Grill
- Friday — Highway Outlaws, 6–10 PM
Skies had not posted its Saturday and Sunday music when we checked.
Hitching Post Saloon
- Saturday — bull riding
Schedules can change. Check with the venue before you make the drive.
New here, or thinking about it?
Start with our Moving to Apache Junction guide. It covers housing, 55+ communities, lot rent, utilities, the MVD, schools, healthcare, and a simple calculator that shows what a month might really cost.
Know someone heading down for the season? Send them the guide. It may save them a dozen phone calls.
Got a tip or a question?
Send news tips, event information, and questions to tips@apachejunction411.com.
See you next week.
— Frank Andrix
