InBuckeye Magazine January/February 2026

InBuckeye Magazine January/February 2026 InMaricopa.com InMaricopa is Maricopa's premier local news source InMaricopa is your go-to source for hyper-local news and information about Maricopa, Arizona. Stay informed with the latest community updates, events, and stories that matter to our city. InMaricopa is the only dedicated news outlet focusing exclusively on the city of Maricopa, ensuring residents are always in the know.

January/February 2026

InBuckeye.com

DOWNTOWN GIRL

Amazing people, rich history and new businesses breathe life into the old city center

HISTORY • COMMUNITY • EDUCATION • BUSINESS • MORE

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

New homes starting in the high $300s

Find your new home here

Contact us for Buckeye specific homebuyer incentives. 480.405.5313 PHXWestInformation@drhorton.com DRH Properties, Inc., Broker. Home and community information, pricing, plans, included features, options, terms, availability, amenities and co-broke are subject to change at any time without notice or obligation. Square footage dimensions are approximate and vary by elevation. Drawings, pictures, photographs, video, square footages, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. Price shown is base home price and does not include closing cost and fees, lot premium, modifications to plans and custom features which may substantially affect final cost of the home. Please see a sales agent for complete details, including a list of available homes. Sales that are conditional may be rescinded by purchaser until receipt and acceptance of the Arizona Subdivision Disclosure (Public) Report. A copy of the public report is available on the State Real Estate Department’s website. D.R. Horton reserves the right to cancel or change all offers without prior notice. If buyer is working with a licensed real estate agent or broker, the agent or broker must accompany and register buyer on first visit to the D.R. Horton sales office. Prices vary by community. Equal Housing Opportunity. Construction by DRH Construction, Inc., ROC # 113105-B.

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

Buckeye’s trusted HVAC experts! Proudly serving Buckeye and the West Valley.

January/February 2026

❋ HVAC Repair ❋ HVAC Replacement

LEADING OFF Publisher’s letter 4 HISTORY

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Learn about Buckeye’s first Pioneer Days 6 Once a Buckeye hot spot, the Roxy Theater now exists only in a museum 8 Buckeye’s history told through list of its oldest buildings 10

YEAR IN REVIEW Here are InBuckeye’s top 10 stories of 2025 12 Extreme home sales 16 COMMUNITY Meet InBuckeye’s new Publisher 18 Service is the mission when Luke AFB airmen tackle Habitat for Humanity build 20

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Glow on Monroe: Were you there to enjoy a little Christmas magic? 24 Horses Seized: An alert sheriff’s deputy saw a collection of horses showing signs of neglect 26 EDUCATION Peek inside Buckeye Elementary School 27 Local elementary schoolers celebrate Veterans Day 28 BUSINESS It’s in the Sauce: Buckeye restaurateur Jason Higgins has made a name for himself — almost by accident 30

Clean Start: A major upgrade brings top-of-the-line machines to Buck’s Laundromat 32 Mapping business news around the city 34 Food Inspections 36 REAL ESTATE Extreme home sales 40 Real Estate Recap: A cooler quarter puts negotiations back in focus 42

DIRECTORY Your guide to Buckeye businesses 44 PARTING SHOT You’ve probably not seen the Cotton Festival like this 46 TRENDING What’s the latest in Buckeye? 47

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ON THE COVER Andy Perez captures Taylor Swindle in Downtown Buckeye. Taylor is a freshman at Buckeye Union High School and, despite living with cerebral palsy, participates on the school cheer squad and stays active in campus life. “She’s never let anything slow her down,” said her mother, Krystin Swindle, noting Taylor also served in the National Junior Honor Society at Liberty Elementary School.

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InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

Publisher’s Letter DAVID KENNARD

I N THE SPIRIT OF CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR, THIS EDITION OF INBUCKEYE Magazine takes a look at a new editor/publisher (who’s still figuring out that Watson Road isn’t a through street), new businesses and a couple of stories that let us appreciate how far we’ve come as a city. I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to all of you who’ve made my getting here possible - most importantly to U-Haul and the over-and- above service it provided responding when a trailer I rented blew a tire. I’ve made two big moves this year, one pulling my own trailer, which blew a tire outside of Amarillo, Texas, and the most recent trailer tire blowout just north of Buckeye. The latter was covered by U-Haul’s roadside assistance. Note to readers: ALWAYS pay for the extra equipment rental insurance. The nicest older couple you will ever meet came to my rescue from Salome at about 11 p.m. to discover that the damage to the tire was caused by a detached leaf spring and would require transferring my belongings to a new trailer. They hauled the trailer to their tow yard, unloaded my stuff into a new trailer and delivered it to my hotel in the morning. Talk about a welcome. I am so glad that my first impression of Buckeye turned out to be such a positive experience. On page 28 and 30 of this edition of InBuckeye Magazine you’ll meet two new businesses who are doing their part to welcome newcomers like me as well as you long-timers. I put to the test Buck’s Landromat’s promise of getting visitors in and out in less than an hour. My clothes were clean and I still had time to do all my other chores. At Jupiter Rings in Buckeye you will find a chef who has perfected barbecue sauce to the point that he can barely keep up with orders coming from across the country. He’s found his success right here in Buckeye. My 30-ish years spent in the field of journalism has taken me all across the country, introducing me to the most wonderful people and personalities – I’ve interviewed high altitude climber Ed Viesturs, who summited Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen; I’ve interviewed Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and I’ve sat down with former astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn. But so far though, I’ve met some of the most grounded folks right here in Buckeye, who are just as wonderful. Finding my way to Buckeye

Publisher DAVID KENNARD

Editorial Director ELIAS WEISS

Editorial Consultants SCOTT BARTLE HAL DEKEYSER

Operations Director TIFFANY WELCH

Print Manager MICHELLE SORENSEN

Advertising VINCENT MANFREDI ERIKA PARAMO AMBER ROGALLA BRITTANY RUSSELL

Writers DAVID IVERSEN

KAYDENCE SHIPMAN MONICA D. SPENCER

Photographers ANDY PEREZ MONICA D. SPENCER

Designer CARL BEZUIDENHOUT

Visit InBuckeye.com/Join or scan the QR code to get every issue delivered to your mailbox.

MISSION Inform readers/viewers. Enrich advertisers.

DAIVD KENNARD PUBLISHER David@InBuckeye.com

BELIEFS We believe in: • An informed citizenry. • Holding ourselves and others accountable. • The success of deserving businesses.

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• Integrity • Accountability

• Open, honest, real-time communication • Prosperity for clients, community, company

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Published advertisements are not an endorsement of products or advertising claims by InBuckeye . No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of InBuckeye . Copyright 2025.

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

HISTORY

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THE FIRST PIONEER DAYS

The first Pioneer Days, sponsored by the Buckeye Woman’s Club, was held in the spring of 1967 to raise money to build a library. Led by Lola Johnson, the club began a project of hometown cooperation, fun and community spirit under the theme of “Build with Youth for a Better World.” Pictured to the right are the 1967 royalty of pioneer ladies, all of whom have lived in the Buckeye Valley for 60 years or more. Honoring Queen Pearl Couch is Sherry Vincent, the 1967 Phoenix Jaycee Rodeo queen. Other honorees, from left to right, are May Kreager, Dessie Miller, Mildred Shepard and Loretta Beloat. The first Pioneer Days brought families to the Town Park for a pit barbeque dinner on Sunday afternoon. Woman’s Club president Dorothy Marionneaux organized the day’s event for folks to savor the barbeque cooking skills of Wallace Bales, who oversaw the burlap bag-wrapped beef being tossed into a pit (above) for 24 hours of cooking.

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InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

HISTORY

BARELY A MEMORY Once a Buckeye hot spot, Roxy Theater now exists only in a museum BY DAVID KENNARD N OT MUCH REMAINS FROM BUCKEYE’S Roxy Theater, once located near the site of City Hall in Downtown Buckeye today. Photos and historical documents at the Buckeye Valley Museum suggest the 25-cent theater, which ran one or two movies a day during its run, was wildly popular, providing jobs for the high school-age students working there.

“We went to the movies, the Roxy Theater. That was actually really good because one year Hopalong Cassidy and Tonto came to the movies. And I remember getting an autograph from Tonto, a picture — have no idea where it’s at — but he signed it, whatever his name was.” Today, the Buckeye Valley Museum includes a display dedicated to the memory of the iconic theater. It includes a replica movie marque – advertising 25-cent movies – and a section of seats pulled from the debris after the fire of 1971. In recent years, Buckeye moviegoers have had to travel out of town for shows on the silver screen; that’s expected to change soon with the recent announcement that a movie house is returning to Buckeye in the Verrado Marketplace just north of Interstate 10 on Verrado Way. Harkins BackLot will introduce its latest concept, a 75,000-square-foot space featuring a luxury movie theater, a full-service restaurant and bar, a state-of-the-art sport viewing area, arcade games, a bowling alley and private areas for events.

The Roxy opened in 1935, showing all the popular movies of the era. It closed in 1971 and sat empty for years until fire destroyed the building in 2021. In its day, the theater drew more than movies and moviegoers; it also saw a number of celebrity appearances from Hollywood stars promoting their films. In a 2011 interview with the Arizona Memory Project, Buckeye resident Vicki Hunter Schulz said she recalls attending the theater as one of several things children did for entertainment in the 1950s.

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

HISTORY

6 THE BUCKEYE TIN SHOP BUILDING From tin shop to grocery, bath house, audio shop and burger joint, this century-old building has seen a lot of changes in Downtown Buckeye throughout the years. Today, it hosts an assortment of vintage and handmade goodies to bring some historic charm back to your home.

1 THE WARE BUILDING Formerly the home of the Buckeye Valley Bank, the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce and Buckeye Restaurant, The Ware Building has worn many hats in its century old existence. Today, the building offers retail space for those looking to sell their wares in historic Downtown Buckeye.

HISTORY JUST AROUND THE CORNER 3 THE BUCKEYE VALLEY BANK BUILDING Founded by Buckeye’s first mayor, Hugh Miller Watson Sr., the Buckeye Valley Bank served as the town’s financial institution for decades. Much of the façade has changed over the years. Today, the stone exterior is clad in stucco masking its former beauty.

8 THE OLD COURTHOUSE BUILDING Also known as the Old Courthouse and Jail, this small structure once housed Buckeye’s public library, hosted some of the first Buckeye Woman’s Club meetings, served as a food bank and offered a home away from home for local criminals. Today, it still stands waiting for the next chapter in its life.

2 THE BUCKEYE PHARMACY BUILDING As if plucked from the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, the Buckeye Pharmacy once served sodas and health supplies to the townspeople of Buckeye. Today, the building is shorter in stature than its former self, yet it continues to keep Buckeye healthy.

9 BUCKEYE WOMAN’S CLUB The first meetings for the Buckeye Woman’s Club were held at members’ homes. As membership grew, the club relocated their meetings to the Old County Building, which housed the prison and library. Unfortunately, the prisoners were loud and frightened some of the women. This inspired the group to build their own clubhouse. Thankfully, Mrs. Annie DeRosier donated the land where the clubhouse now sits. On June 6, 1935, the Buckeye Woman’s Club met for a potluck dinner in their new clubhouse for the first time.

2 5 6

4 3

4 THE JOSLIN BUILDING Built by Wallace Joslin, the Joslin Building has also been known as the 3H Mercantile and the home of the San Linda Hotel. Like many buildings in Downtown Buckeye, the Joslin has transformed with some frequency throughout the years. Aside from a hotel, the building is said to have been a speakeasy during Prohibition, a pharmacy, a grocery and even a dance hall. Today, she beacons for someone to transform her again.

10 H.E. KELL & CO. GENERAL MERCHANDISE BUILDING The oldest building still standing in historic Downtown Buckeye, the former home of the H.E. Kell & Co. General Store now serves as the Buckeye Valley Museum and Historical Society.

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7 THE BUCKEYE ICE COMPANY BUILDING Once known as the “coolest” place in Downtown Buckeye, the Buckeye Ice Company supplied artificial ice to Buckeye residents for five decades before modern refrigeration forced demand to dwindle. During the 1960s and ‘70s, the building doubled as a local meat locker and offered housing to the business owners and their families in three apartments upstairs.

5 PALM’S CAFE & BAR Built during the Great Depression, this beautiful brick building just east of the Joslin Building was once home to the Palm’s Cafe & Bar. Today, the building continues to serve delicious homestyle food and specialty coffee to Buckeye residents and visitors.

MAIN STREET

BUCKEYE HISTORY

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

WELCOME TO IMAGINE BUCKEYE!

Here are InBuckeye.com's top 10 stories of 2025

From heartbreaking loss to courtroom revelations to big-name restaurants arriving in town, Buckeye readers paid close attention in 2025. These were the stories that drew the most interest, sparked the biggest conversations and helped define the year for our community.

At Imagine Buckeye, we are proud to serve our students and families with a commitment to academic excellence and character development. Rooted in our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Open-Mindedness, and Honesty, everything we do—both in and out of the classroom—is designed to help our students grow into well-rounded, confident learners.

Jessica Kramer repeatedly pulled a student out of class, spent inappropriate time with him and even had him drive her home while she was intoxicated. Kramer had already been sentenced in 2023 to three years in prison in a separate sexual-abuse case. The suit named the school, an exchange program and a Buckeye police officer, claiming officials failed to stop the relationship. The lawsuit was dismissed. 5 BURGER BUZZ SEPTEMBER In-N-Out Burger broke ground at Buckeye Commons on Verrado Way. The banner went up, the buzz followed and readers wanted to know when they could finally grab a double- double. An opening date was announced for 2026 as the project signaled another national brand planting roots in Buckeye’s growing retail corridor.

1 HEROIC MOTHER OCTOBER

3 BETRAYAL OF TRUST APRIL

Michelle Marie Perez, who lived in Verrado’s Heritage District, died while protecting her 4-year-old daughter from an oncoming SUV outside Walmart. Perez, 41, had been shopping with her mother and child when the collision occurred. A GoFundMe created afterward raised about $36,000 to support the family.

A former Verrado Middle School teacher was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts tied to the attempted sexual exploitation and luring of a 12-year-old student. Prosecutors said Brendan Barnett abused his position at Verrado Middle School, secretly messaged the child and deceived her parents to arrange sleepovers. A judge imposed a sentence above the presumptive term, citing the seriousness of the betrayal and planned deception. 4 TEACHER LAWSUIT MAY A civil lawsuit filed in late 2024 alleged that former Odyssey Preparatory Academy teacher

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Michelle Marie Perez died while protecting her 4-year-old daughter from an oncoming SUV outside Walmart.

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A Buckeye man was arrested after shooting a dog that had reportedly bitten his child, igniting discussion about self-defense, animal-cruelty laws and parental judgment. The story, which took place in the Acacia Crossing community near the Fry’s on Yuma Road, sparked debate over how far residents can legally go to protect their kids. Prosecutors later dismissed the charges against the shooter.

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Construction began on the California-based fast food chain In-N-Out Burger in the Buckeye Commons retail area along Verrado Way.

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InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

Repairs • Springs • Openers • New Doors

6 SIDE OF FRY’S AUGUST

8 ADMITTED ABUSE APRIL

BUCKEYE’S TRUSTED INJURY LAW EXPERTS

Fry’s Food Stores opened a new 123,000-square- foot supermarket at Miller and Broadway Roads, complete with a 24-hour, 18-pump fuel center, drive-thru pharmacy and Starbucks. Buckeye's third Fry’s anchors an 18-acre development led by Barclay Group that will add restaurants and services including Taco Bell, Black Rock Coffee Bar, Barro’s Pizza, Swig, Tropical Smoothie Café and Great Clips. 7 ROAD-RAGE KILLING JUNE A Buckeye man was charged in the road- rage shooting that killed Steven Bevan in Tempe. Prosecutors accused 26-year-old Dustin Jackson of opening fire during the confrontation at a stoplight, firing once into Bevan’s Dodge Challenger as his sons watched and recorded their father’s killing from the backseat. The first-degree murder case moved toward a jury trial, which was scheduled for Jan. 15 at publication time.

Former Buckeye teaching assistant Diana Pirvu, 25, avoided prison after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted child molestation. Court records show Pirvu admitted to having sexual contact with a 13-year-old student on multiple occasions. She was sentenced to lifetime probation with restrictions and must register as a sex offender, with up to 15 years in prison possible if she violates terms. Prosecutors said mistakes in the police investigation influenced the extremely lenient plea deal. 9 APPROVED ACRES APRIL Buckeye City Council approved a 168-acre mixed-use project at Verrado Way and Yuma Road. The former dairy site will be developed by Sunbelt Land Holdings with single-family homes, townhomes, multifamily units, neighborhood retail and a small business park. 10 CAUGHT ON DUTY AUGUST Buckeye police officer Robin Brown received a written reprimand after being caught kissing an off-duty firefighter while on duty and in uniform outside a school district facility. An investigation found Brown parked at the site for nearly an hour across two visits, raising concerns about judgment and professionalism. She was warned that further misconduct could lead to termination.

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Dustin Jackson, 46, is accused of fatally shooting 29-year-old Steven Bevan during a confrontation near Priest Drive and Warner Road.

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InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

COMMUNITY

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Real Estate

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MOST EXPENSIVE 2. 3744 N. Rock Wren Court, Verrado.......................................................................$2,750,000 3. 3478 N. Mountain Cove Place 59, Verrado.........................................................$2,350,000 4. 3756 N. Rock Wren Court, Verrado......................................................................$2,095,900 5. 4098 N. Golf Drive, Verrado...................................................................................$2,025,000

Previous sales: $275,000 (lot, 2023) Community: Verrado Square feet: 7,303 Price per square foot: $427.41

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Lot size: 1.82 acres Days on market: 67 Builder: Jada Homes Year built: 2024 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 6½

LEAST EXPENSIVE

Buena Vista Mobile Home Park dominated the bottom of the market this year. All five of 2025’s least expensive sales came from the same community at 2000 S. Apache Road, about a half mile south of Interstate 10 near Yuma Road. The neighborhood offers modest double-wide homes, shared amenities including a community pool and an entry-level price point that consistently attracts value-minded buyers and investors.

HISTORY • COMMUNITY • BUSINESS • EDUCATION • MORE

LEAST EXPENSIVE 1. Lot 144...........................................................................................................................................$55,000 2. Lot 383 .........................................................................................................................................$70,000 3. Lot 280 ........................................................................................................................................$90,000 4. Lot 65 .........................................................................................................................................$102,000 5. Lot 225 ......................................................................................................................................$104,000

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InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

COMMUNITY

GOT NEWS? Kennard works out of the InBuckeye office at:

220 N. 4th St. 910-635-1557 David@InBuckeye.com

Now Open – Verrado 20650 W Roosevelt St In the Costco Plaza (623) 624-8183

Buckeye 825 S Watson Rd In Sundance Towne Center (602) 975-4783

Reach out to him with a story idea or to just to share your slice of Buckeye with the newcomer.

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Co-owner Scott Bartle said Kennard’s experience made him a natural fit for the role. “David is a real pro and will do a great job telling the stories that make Buckeye special,” he said. “ InBuckeye and the whole city will benefit greatly from his decades of newsroom, leadership and management experience.” Most recently, Kennard served as news editor for EastIdahoNews.com in Idaho Falls and as executive editor for North Carolina’s The Robesonian . With those papers, he not only produced a steady flow of online articles but also increased breaking news coverage and follow-up stories. Looking ahead, Kennard said he wants to bring that same focus to InBuckeye while ensuring the publication continues to focus on local priorities, such as public safety, business and education. “We’re here to provide a service to readers through good, solid journalism,” he said. “We just want to make sure that the issues are covered responsibly and thoroughly.” Kennard's move to Buckeye marks a return to the state for the career journalist, who lived in the Phoenix area as a child. "We lived in Maryvale back in the day," Kennard said. "I have very fond memories of the area. My father was going to school at Arizona State, so I still cheer for the Sun Devils — although Mom was a Kansas Jayhawk, so we had some spirited debates during football season.” Kennard and his wife, Suesan, have four grown children living in Idaho and Washington.

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D AVID KENNARD HAS SPENT MOST OF HIS WORKING LIFE WRITING FOR AND EDITING COMMUNITY papers. “My first job was with a small weekly newspaper, and I covered everything from crime to education to business. It was small, so we had a small staff, and everybody covered everything,” he recalls. Even after moving into larger newsrooms, Kennard time and again returned to community-oriented papers. Why? “I think this job really allows me to write a crime story in the morning but also dive into an education feature story... it just offers a wide variety of news,” he said. That variety is partly what drew the veteran news editor to his new role as publisher for InBuckeye . NEW TO BUCKEYE; NOT TO NEWS InBuckeye welcomes David Kennard as new publisher BY MONICA D. SPENCER

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January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

COMMUNITY

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Louie Magcalas (left) and Airman 1st Class Andre Castro, Air Control Squadron cyber systems technicians, are instructed by David Elston, Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona volunteer house leader, on proper use of a miter saw during a Habitat for Humanity volunteer event Dec. 13.

SERVICE IS THE MISSION Luke AFB airmen scramble into Habitat project

Above: Staff Sgt Cole Failla (left), and Airman 1st Class Jakob Schofield construct a wall during a Habitat for Humanity volunteer event Dec. 13.

Right: Airman 1st Class Quinn Hartley assembles a frame.

BY DAVID KENNARD A IRMEN WITH THE 607TH AIR CONTROL SQUADRON ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES IN BUCKEYE IN December, partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build a new home. The volunteer effort, coordinated through Luke Air Force Base, brought airmen to the construction site to pour concrete, frame walls and prepare the house for finishing work. A Luke AFB spokesperson said the hands-on project reflects the teamwork the squadron brings to its mission and the community. The 1,600-square-foot home is rising at 411 4th Ave. East in Buckeye’s Valencia neighborhood. It is scheduled for completion in April and will feature accessible design elements throughout, according to Anne Mickey, community engagement manager at Habitat’s Phoenix office.

The veteran-led project allowed the 607th to translate their service ethos into meaningful work off base, organizers said, strengthening ties with the city and the neighbor who will soon call the house home. “Their work contributes to one of more than 250 volunteer events Luke Air Force Base airmen support annually, reinforcing a culture where service extends beyond the base and into the community,” Mickey said.

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

COMMUNITY

Left: Magcalas marks a measurement on a beam during a Habitat for Humanity volunteer event Dec. 13. Below: The team’s work contributes to one of more than 250 volunteer events Luke Air Force Base airmen support annually, reinforcing a culture where service extends beyond the base and into the community.

Opposite: Andre Castro shoots a nail gun to construct a wall.

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

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GLOW IN THE DARK

Thousands enjoyed a lighted Christmas parade march, stroll and drive down Monroe Avenue for the annual Glow on Monroe Parade on Dec. 13.

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InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

COMMUNITY

EDUCATION

THEY'RE NOT HORSING AROUND Sheriff’s office takes horses showing signs of neglect BY DAVID KENNARD T

HE MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SERVED A SEARCH warrant on Dec. 16 and seized three horses from an owner in Buckeye. Detectives with the Animal Crimes Unit, along with members of the M.A.S.H. Unit, seized three horses “showing obvious signs of neglect and lack of

LEARNING IN DOWNTOWN BUCKEYE

Right: Students arrive at Buckeye Elementary School in downtown Buckeye, one of the original campuses in the Buckeye Elementary School District, which traces its roots to an 1889 one-room schoolhouse built to serve a small farming community. Above: In the school library, students work quietly during the school day, reflecting the district’s continued focus on literacy and classroom learning as enrollment has grown to more than 6,000 students across nine campuses. Below: Buckeye Elementary principal Joshua King points to a historic black-and-white aerial photograph of the campus while discussing the school’s past, offering students and visitors a visual reminder of how the district has evolved alongside the city it serves.

care,” according to a prepared statement from the sheriff’s office. Pictures show very thin horses, some of which also had hooves that were in need of trimming. The sheriff’s office said the animals were transported to receive “the proper medical attention and care they need.” “We seize them and take them to our M.A.S.H. unit, where they are cared for [and] receive veterinary care while the case is adjudicated through the courts,” stated Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, answering a post on social media.

Top: The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office M.A.S.H. unit seized neglected horses from a home in Buckeye. Above: The sheriff’s office found several horses looking very malnourished and in desperate need of hoof trimming. Left: MCSO took the animals to its M.A.S.H. unit for veterinary care while the case is adjudicated through the courts.

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

EDUCATION

TALK ABOUT 'LIBERTY' Before the first bell rang, Liberty Elementary students were already hard at work serving coffee, smiles and handmade thank-you cards to veterans gathered for the school’s annual Veterans Day Breakfast and Assembly. The morning event continued a growing tradition across the Liberty Elementary School District, which spans Buckeye and Goodyear. Students welcomed guests with patriotic music and classroom tributes before an all-school assembly that recognized local service members. Liberty Elementary was among seven LESD25 campuses hosting celebrations that holiday week, from parades and classroom projects to guest speakers and live performances.

Buckeye City Councilman Craig Heustis

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

BUSINESS

make dinner for himself to help his mother, who worked. “She’d get home tired and say let me rest my eyes. And I knew what that meant. So, I just started tinkering around with stuff and trying stuff.” As he got older, he took various jobs, including working in kitchens around the Lexington, Kentucky, area where he grew up. It was there he developed recipes for various sauces. But he credits his son for coming up with the idea of bottling and selling his Sunday game day chicken wings sauces. “We took it to one store, and she hit me back maybe like eight hours later,” Higgins said. “And was like, ‘This is great, can we get 12 cases?’ And I said man, we only have two bottles, not 12 cases.” It wasn’t long after that his sauces began gaining a reputation around Lexington — with at least one store packaging their name brand wings with Higgins’ sauce already on them. His move to Buckeye was the result of his marriage to his wife, who had family here. It quickly became obvious that Arizona was going to be his new home, he said. His shift into the restaurant business was a slow migration that began with a trailer selling chicken wings outside a bakery in Glendale. Again, it didn’t take long for the word to get out about his wings and sauce. From there, he came up with an idea to set up shop in a bar that was normally closed on Sundays and Mondays. That led to a brick-and- mortar restaurant in downtown Phoenix. “So, in May of 2020, we opened Jupiter Rings, Wings and More,” Higgins said. The name came from his son, who had a passion for planets. Jupiter Rings came to Buckeye last year and set up shop in a food trailer owned by Chilling Fusion at Monroe Avenue and 7th Street. Higgins said that owner “has been a great partner.” “I came in here to eat one day and saw the trailer and asked him what he was going to do with it,” Higgins said, “and he said to take it, fix it up.” It wasn’t long before Higgins was invited to move his wings — and his customers — from the outdoor food trailer into the restaurant itself. Local food fans can enjoy Jupiter Rings in Buckeye 4-9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 6-10 p.m. on Saturdays and 12-4 p.m. on Sundays. And, at various public events from Old Buckeye to Tartesso. You can get his buffalo sauce locally or online at JrRings.com.

IT’S IN THE SAUCE

J ASON HIGGINS WAS JUST A YOUNG BOY when he discovered a talent for creating in the kitchen. Today, his Jupiter Rings Buffalo Sauce is quickly becoming a household staple in Arizona and throughout the country. “I was doing sampling at a nutrition center in Avondale and the manager of the store said, ‘I keep hearing good things about your sauce, but I can't try it because I’m vegan.’” Wildly popular Jupiter Rings found success almost by accident BY DAVID KENNARD

WASH & FOLD SERVICE 24 HR TURN AROUND!

FULL WASH AND DRY IN AN HOUR.

Jason Higgins prepares some of his renowned Jupiter Rings chicken wings at his restaurant in Buckeye. Below: NASCAR fans are used to seeing Jupiter Rings on the racing curcuit.

He said after the orders just started pouring in. After doing the sauce for a while, Higgins said he started catering and “doing food for vegan events.” He said people loved the cooking, so he started buying vegan products and “people started putting the vegan sauce on my vegan wings. Higgins’ plant-based vegan chicken wings — which have a sugarcane center in place of a chicken bone — continue to be a hit among the vegan crowd. At his Jupiter Rings restaurant in Buckeye, visitors can order the vegan wings and varying grades of buffalo sauce from mild to very hot. The vegan wings are fried in a separate fryer to keep them separate from real meat wings. Higgins said as a child, he would regularly

So, Higgins said he went home and formulated a recipe to remove all the animal byproducts with substitutes. “The next time I went up to do sampling, I took it to [the manager] and she said, ‘this is amazing, I let the owner try it and the owner said the vegan is better than the original.” That’s when he knew he may have something. He started Googling vegan stores. “I didn’t know there were all-vegan stores in the United States – and throughout the world. And so, what I did was send samples to all of them.” It wasn’t long before he got a hit back. “A guy called me from Veg News , which is a big vegan magazine and he said, ‘I think you hit something.’ And I said, ‘Yeah what’s that?’ and he said, “I think you created the first vegan buffalo sauce. Get ready to get busy.”

OPEN DAILY 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last wash at 8 p.m.) Locally Owned and Operated

Buck’s Laundromat (Desert Laundry)

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

BUSINESS

“ “It’s the only laundromat in town. We wanted to give Buckeye residents a better washing experience.” KYLLE TWAREK, OWNER

CLEAN START All new machines and more lift laundromat experience

“The air conditioning was top on our list,” Seth says. “It used to be so hot in here.” The coinless system includes credit and debit card readers. The top-of-the-line machines are something Seth knows something about; he sells laundry machines to laundromats throughout the state. Longtime customers will notice some other changes, including a remodeled office, a new snack and detergent vending machine and two high-capacity washers “with commercial grade detergent that is allergy and asthma certified,” Kylle says. Kylle says her new machines can do a full wash and dry in an hour, thanks in part to industry-leading spin cycles in her washers. “People tell us they love our dryers,” Kylle says. “But our washing machines do such a good job of extracting the water, that the dryers can work faster.” Seth made a point that Buck’s is a female- owned business, although the operation involves the full Twarek family and a small staff. Kylle says Buckeye was a ripe location for the laundromat upgrade. “It’s the only laundromat in town,” she says. “We wanted to give Buckeye residents a better washing experience.” Bucks offers a handful of other services beyond the do-it-yourself washing and drying. A wash, dry and folding service is available for $2.70 per pound. And ironing is also available. Kylle said horse blankets are also welcome. The sale of the laundromat included the Desert Carwash next door at Monroe and 7th Street. Seth said getting all carwash bays operating was the first improvement he made to the wash. He said that although the automatic wash is operational, it will soon be replaced. “Oh yeah, that thing’s got to go,” Seth said. “We’ve got plans to install a new touchless wash.”

BY DAVID KENNARD

Y OU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT KYLLE Twarek has done to the new Buck’s Laundromat at 705 E. Monroe Ave. Buck’s opened in the former Desert Laundry site in November and upgraded it immediately. It took several weeks for the total makeover to take shape, including the replacement of every washer and dryer in the laundromat. During her multi-staged makeover, Kylle, together with husband Seth, brought in new lighting, a new coinless pay system and air conditioning.

Above left to right: Seth and Kylle Twarek stand with their kids, Allie, Kelton and Maddy, at the new Bucks Laundromat. Left: Seth shows off one of the new top-of-the-line washers designed to clean even the most soiled materials — yes, even horse blankets.

InBuckeye.com | January/February 2026

January/February 2026 | InBuckeye.com

BUSINESS

BRIEFS

Don’t get burned by the odds 7 simple steps can dramatically cut your risk of skin cancer, the most common in U.S.

water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. 6 Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens may be used on babies over six months, but they should also be protected by shade and clothing. Just one severe sunburn in childhood doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life. 7 Examine your skin head to toe every month. While self-exams shouldn’t replace the important annual skin exam performed by a dermatologist, they offer the best chance of detecting early warning signs of skin cancer. If you spot anything unusual or simply want a professional skin check, make it a priority. Regular visits to a dermatologist can make all the difference in early detection and peace of mind.

1 CUPPA YO FROZEN YOGURT Cuppa Yo marked its third anniversary with a community event that thanked Buckeye residents for their support. The shop offered giveaways, discounts, free hot dogs and a visit from Santa. Franchise owners Lois and Steve Weaver said the celebration was meant to feel like a neighborhood gathering, reflecting how the self-serve shop has become a regular stop for families since the former church building was remodeled into a bright, modern space in 2022. 2 DAYCARE CENTER Buckeye City Council approved a rezoning that allows a new childcare center inside a former church in a residential neighborhood. The ¾-acre property shifts from Planned Residential to Downtown Residential,

S KIN CANCER IS A DISEASE THAT AFFECTS PEOPLE of every age, gender and ethnicity. One in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. In fact, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. But there is good news: Skin cancer is also highly preventable. About 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 86% of melanomas are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Knowing the risk factors and practicing sun protection year-round are key to reducing your risk. “It’s never too early or too late in life to start protecting your skin from sun damage,” says Dr. Neil Superfon of Buckeye Dermatology. Here are some tips for reducing your skin cancer risk:

1 Seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest. 2 Do not burn . Melanoma risk doubles after five sunburns at any point in life. 3 Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths. Indoor UV tanners are 74% more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors. Tanning bed users are also 1½ times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma and 2½ times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma. 4 Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Wear densely woven and bright- or dark-colored fabrics, which offer the best defense. The more skin you cover, the better. 5 Use a broad-spectrum daily of SPF 30. For extended outdoor activity, use a

825 S. Watson Road, Suite 107 602-754-6075