Marana High School senior Jordan Morgan put pen to paper Wednesday morning, joining the 2019 recruiting class for the University of Arizona.

The 6'5 offensive lineman, who had offers from the University of Southern California, Arizona State and Northern Arizona University, joins coach Kevin Sumlin's first full recruiting class.

The Southern Arizona native described his choice of the Wildcats as second-nature, given his love for the area.

"I'm a homebody and I have everything I need to succeed right here in Arizona," Morgan said during his announcement.

Joe Gilbert, who will coach Morgan and the Wildcats other offensive linemen in Tucson, vouched for the senior's athleticism and speed in his assessment, posted to the University of Arizona football team's Twitter page.

"Long athletic offensive tackle with great change of direction and bend. Has the quickness and athletic ability to play left tackle and has good power in the run game," Gilbert said of Morgan.

The Wildcats' 2019 early signings are being released in live time on their Twitter page (@ArizonaFBall), as Wednesday is the start of the Early Signing Window, which runs through Friday.

National Signing Day for Division I football is Wednesday, Feb. 6, when the rest of Arizona and the other 130 teams in the sport's highest division will finalize their incoming recruiting classes. 

Seth Nichols, who pleaded guilty to federal bank fraud in U.S. District Court after he was caught last year stealing from his employer, will serve a maximum sentence of five years in prison and must pay $3 million in restitution fees. He was sentenced on Tuesday, Dec. 18 by Judge Cindy Jorgenson.

From 2013 to 2017 Nichols was the office manager of the family-owned Marana Stockyards and Livestock Market, located at 14901 W. Kirby Hughes Road. The business is a livestock auction that specializes in selling Arizona-raised cattle.

Nichols was hired by the owner and a personal friend, Clay Parsons, to manage the business’ financial operations. Nichols used this opportunity to fake bank records in an attempt to make it seem like the stockyard had good financial standings. But behind-the-scenes, he was buying the cattle under his own personal company name and reselling it to other buyers without reimbursing his employer, pocketing the money for nearly four years.

The Arizona Daily Star reported the Parsons family discovered the fraud in August 2017 when their accounts were missing $1.3 million. Their business’ line of credit was down nearly $2 million, putting the family in financial crisis.

Nichols’ father, Donald, was indicted that same month in connection with the fraud of over $1 million in cattle sales at the Parsons’ auctions. His federal trial will begin in February 2019.

On their company website, the Parsons family gave a statement to concerned community members who have seen the news. They wrote:

“Although it has been difficult at times for our family we have kept our focus on the business as well as each other. Through the struggle, we have timely honored each and every obligation to our buyers, sellers, employees, vendors and all other parties… Here at Marana Stockyards we embrace the spirit of the Arizona rancher ‘When the desert gets dry you keep working and pray for rain.’”

Kroger announced a new vehicle it will be using to deliver groceries to interested customers. The automated vehicle comes from the company Nuro, a Silicon Valley startup. According to a press release, customers will pay a $5.95 fee on deliveries, which can be scheduled for next-day or even same-day delivery.

Orders are made through the Fry's Food Stores mobile app, and groceries are available for delivery seven days a week.

The new vehicles, known as the Nuro R1, travel on public roads without drivers or passengers, delivering groceries from Kroger stores (such as Fry's and Ralph's). Nuro has been developing the R1 since 2016.

With this initial announcement, this service is only available at a single Fry's food store in Scottsdale, but more locations across Arizona are expected. 

When you think of the top foodie cities in the country, you probably think of New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas etc. But, here in Tucson, we are quietly sitting on a culinary goldmine. Great Mexican food, a long line of historical restaurants plus more breweries popping up every day, Tucson is a great place for those who love to enjoy some delicious food and drink.

Experts at Travelzoo conducted a survey to fine the 6 Top Foodie Cities in the Country Right Now and Tucson tops the list!

The nation’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy has beguiled the Travelzoo team thanks to delicious, approachable fare like the bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dog at El Güero Canelo’s, plus plenty of brunch hotspots, bakeries, and a new bean-to-bar chocolate spot, plus temporary pop-up dinners and other special foodie events. - The Feast

Way to go Tucson! Other cities that made the list were Detroit, Greensville South Carolina, Houston, Oakland and Portland Maine. View the full list here.

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I want it all! Pic by @asoltero213.

A post shared by El Guero Canelo (@guerocanelogram) on Oct 2, 2015 at 11:41am PDT

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Frog and Firkin's Eighth Annual Holiday Sing Along. To celebrate the season, Frog and Firkin is hosting a holiday extravaganza: there will be crafts, cookie decorating and even a special visit from Santa. Plus, a sweater and singing contest! Trophies will be awarded to "Most Festive Family," "Most Enthusiastic Caroler," and "Ugliest Holiday Sweater." 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. 874 E. University Blvd. Details here.

Children of Men. Who doesn't love a dystopian sci-fi flick that is slowly becoming our reality every day? Adapted from a 1992 P.D. James novel of the same name, Alfonso Cuarón's haunting and poignant thriller examines a future world destabilized by lack of human reproduction, and the philosophical questions it asks. But besides any of that, you get to see one of Michael Caine's best performances and some of the best cinematography of the decade. 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Regular admission prices. Details here.


Southern Arizona Senior Pride Book Club. You know what? We're less than two weeks away from Christmas, and while you might not have vacation from work quite yet, you deserve to do a little something you enjoy each day until you make it to the holiday break. How about reading a book—or even less demanding, a graphic novel? And then, how about discussing it with some of Tucson's LGBTQ seniors? At this meeting, they'll discuss Alison Bechdel's graphic novel/memoir Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. The book, based on Bechdel's life and relationship with her father, explores topics ranging from sexuality and suicide to dysfunctional family life and the importance of literature. Bechdel spent seven years creating it! You'll love spending an hour and a half discussing it. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. Ward 3 Council Office conference room, 1510 E. Grant Road. Free. Details here.

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Events compiled by Tirion Morris, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

It was a night of fits, starts, and missed opportunities for the Tucson Roadrunners last Wednesday evening.

The Roadrunners (15-6-2), struggled to crack the swarming defense posed by the visiting Colorado Eagles, resulting in a 2-0 loss on home ice.

The two sides slogged through the opening period, with neither team able to crack the scoreboard, before the Eagles struck first with just under eight minutes left in the second period.

The opening goal, scored by Colorado forward Logan O’Connor, was all the Eagles needed, with Colorado goalie Spencer Martin turning away each of the Roadrunners’ 22 shots.

The home side struggled to find much offensive consistency, thanks, at least in part, to the seven penalties they committed.

First-year coach Jay Varady summed up the home side’s frustration, calling the Roadrunners’ loss a head-scratcher for all involved.

“I didn't really like how we played,” Varady said. “I thought we were undisciplined. We were in the box too much, and then chasing the game … I thought they did a great job killing penalties, but we were just in that situation too much for things that we shouldn't be doing.”

The Roadrunners had several prime scoring chances in the game’s final period but couldn’t find a way to get one past Martin.

Team captain Dakota Mermis voiced his frustration with how the team played against the Eagles, which Tucson split.

“That one stings,” Mermis said. “Both of the games here this series, there wasn’t a lot of consistency. A lot of penalties both ways. It’s hard to get into a flow when you’re killing penalties that much and unfortunately, we just couldn’t get it going tonight.”

Wednesday’s loss took the shine off the Roadrunners’ eight-game point streak, where they earned either an overtime loss or a win.

Tucson remains in a tie with San Jose for first place in the American Hockey League’s Pacific Division, with each team collecting 33 points to-date.

Return from injury

A high-note for the Roadrunners on Wednesday was the long-awaited season debut of forward Nick Merkley.

Merkley suffered a serious knee injury in March, keeping him off the ice for an extended period of rehabilitation.

Merkley described his long offseason, saying it was a relief to finally return to the ice, getting his legs back under him.

“I feel really good. I feel very well-conditioned,” Merkley said. “I’ve been bag skating for about two or three months now, but I felt really good tonight.”

Being away from the sport for eight months was a tough reality for the veteran forward, grinding away to get in game shape.

“I think mentally it's pretty tough, I mean it's kind of a long process, you've got to stick with it,” he said. “It was nice being around the guys and got in that environment, but yeah it was a good experience. I think I'll be better for it.”

Varady believes that Merkley’s return will help bolster the Roadrunners’ offensive attack, adding another scoring threat to their potent front line.

“He's a talented player, he made some plays tonight, I think as he continues to get in the rhythm of the game, he'll be making more plays throughout the course of it,” Varady said. “So, I think it just gives you another weapon, another look, another right shot.”

Gov. Doug Ducey today announced the appointment of U.S. Representative Martha McSally to the United States Senate following the resignation of U.S. Senator Jon Kyl.

“All her life, Martha has put service first — leading in the toughest of fights and at the toughest of times,” said Gov. Ducey, in a release. “She served 26 years in the military; deployed six times to the Middle East and Afghanistan; was the first woman to fly in combat and command a fighter squadron in combat; and she’s represented Southern Arizona in Congress for the past four years.
With her experience and long record of service, Martha is uniquely qualified to step up and fight for Arizona’s interests in the U.S. Senate. I thank her for taking on this significant responsibility and look forward to working with her and Senator-Elect Sinema to get positive things done.”

McSally represents Arizona’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees and chairs the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee.

A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, McSally is a veteran of 26 years, retiring as a full Colonel in 2010. During her military career, she deployed to the Middle East and Afghanistan six times and was the first woman in U.S. history to fly a fighter jet in combat and the first woman to command a fighter squadron.

“Over the last year, I’ve traveled across this great state, meeting with countless Arizonans, and listening to them,” McSally said, in a release. “I’ve heard about the challenges they face and the hopes they have for the future – and I’ve learned a lot. I am humbled and grateful to have this opportunity to serve and be a voice for all Arizonans. I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Kyrsten Sinema and getting to work from day one.”

Governor Ducey appointed Senator Kyl to the Senate in September of 2018, filling the seat vacated by the late Senator John McCain. Senator Kyl’s resignation from the Senate will be effective Dec. 31.

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City of Gastronomy and SAZAND December Mixer. Here's your chance to learn about what Tucson is doing with its UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation from members of the non-profit "Tucson City of Gastronomy" and the "Southern Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics." 10 percent of all drink and food sales at the bar will be donated to the organizations. 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink. 101 East Pennington Street. Free. Details here.

Don Pedro's 12th Avenue Pop-Up Lunch. Now that winter is coming into Tucson, Don Pedro's Peruvian Bistro is serving up some chilly season favorites: a limited-time aguadito soup, plus other secret menu items that are perfect for warming you up. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19. 4101 S. 12th Ave. Details here.

Whale Rider. In a sense, this is the superior and arguably more art-house version of Free Willy (minus the Michael Jackson soundtrack). This 2002 movie tells of a young Maori girl who "fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize." The lead actress, Keisha Castle-Hughes, received an Oscar-nomination for her role at only 12 years old. 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Details here.


Send Us Your Photos: 
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

Events compiled by Tirion Morris, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.