Barbara and Derek Habbeshaw, right, listen to a pastor speak during the candlelight vigil at Pacana Park in Maricopa, AZ, on Friday, July 3, 2015, for the recently slain Maricopa couple. After finding their bodies buried in Jose Valenzuela's yard, detectives accused him of murdering the couple.http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/pinal/2015/07/04/community-vigil-maricopa-couple-abrk/29689955/
It's been a long, yet fun and productive stretch recently at the Arizona Republic. I've had the pleasure of working on some well-reported stories around the Phoenix area along with the Republic's writing staff. Variety has been the spice of life for me. In the past three weeks I've hiked up a good chunk of Camelback Mountain in search of a missing hiker, photographed a vigil for a murdered couple, explored recreational areas in Tonto National Forest, continued to cover the Arizona Diamondbacks, and ridden along with police officers among other varied assignments. I always tell people that newspapers provide a work environment that is always changing and never the same day twice. It's a crazy work environment at times, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love trying my luck at each challenge that quickly-evolving assignments offer, and feel that I'm making ground churning out assignments quicker and quicker.
Included in a few of these captions are links to the stories the photos center around. I thought it would be best to direct further questions on the stories these images accompany to the informative narratives written by the reporters.
Todd Lentz of the Phoenix fire department waits for an airlift to carry away the body of the deceased hiker. Search crews found the body of an English tourist who lost her way on Camelback Mountain late in the afternoon on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, in Phoenix, AZ.http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/07/07/camelback-mountain-rescue-lost-hiker/29841277/
Todd Lentz of the Phoenix fire department views the area where the body of a missing hiker was found with his binoculars.
A helicopter crew pulls up the body of the missing woman just after sunset.
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) is tagged out by Colorado Rockies second baseman Daniel Descalso (3) between second and third base in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) sticks his tongue out after being struck out in the 4th inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ, on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez (30) pitches in the 8th inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. (Created using an in-camera triple exposure)
Arizona Diamondback's left fielder David Peralta (6) beats the tag by Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) after leading off at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ, on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) shouts in frustration after he is struck out to end the game at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 8-1.
People lay out on blankets and in lawn chairs in preparation for the evening's fireworks during the Fabulous Phoenix 4th celebration at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, AZ, on Saturday, July 4, 2015.
Spectators view the city's firework display during the Fabulous Phoenix 4th celebration at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, AZ, on Saturday, July 4, 2015.
James Wrenn, left, and Mark Jory, holding flag, talk during the candlelight vigil at Pacana Park in Maricopa, AZ, on Friday, July 3, 2015, for the recently slain Maricopa couple. After finding their bodies buried in Jose Valenzuela's yard, detectives accused him of murdering the couple.
Antonette Bafaloukos, center, sings along to "Amazing Grace" during the candlelight vigil at Pacana Park.
Mesa police officer Jamie Bernau writes a warning for a motorist he pulled over in Mesa, AZ, on Wednesday, July 1, 2015.http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/politics/2015/07/01/self-driving-cars-city-revenue/29598929/
Jeff Berghoff, owner of Berghoff Design Group and president of the Scottsdale Gateway Alliance, poses for a portrait in his business in Scottsdale, AZ, on Friday, June 26, 2015. The Scottsdale Community Alliance is looking to rebrand the McDowell Road corridor.
Carly Copp, dressed as Jessie from Toy Story, paints with children as other parents play with their kids at Playtime Oasis in Scottsdale, AZ, on Sunday, July 5, 2015. More and more, parents are hosting children's birthday parties and other kid-related events outside of their homes and also look to hire entertainers.
Melissa Daniels, right, watches as Emily Daniels, 13, center, crosses the creek to join Dylan Brooks, 12, left, and Caden Bowman on the rocks at Water Wheel recreational area that is located on Houston Mesa Road just north of Payson, AZ, in Tonto National Forest on Monday, July 6, 2015. Also see video in article:http://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/road-trips/2015/07/09/recreation-payson-houston-mesa-road-water-wheel/29883185/
Melissa Daniels, left, takes a stick her dog retrieved as Gina Brooks, right, awaits the other dog to return his stick at Water Wheel recreational area which is located on Houston Mesa Road just north of Payson, AZ, in Tonto National Forest on Monday, July 6, 2015.
Foreground, Christine Paparone holds her son Charlie Paparone, 11, as her husband, Jeff Paparone, holds Oscar Paparone, 8, as they watch "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" while relaxing in an inner tube as part of the Dive 'n' Movies series at Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix waterpark in Glendale, AZ, on Thursday, July 9, 2015. The park plays a different movie every Thursday and Friday night starting at 8 in the evening.
Oscar Paparone, right, 8, sits forward as he watches "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" with his family as part of the Dive 'n' Movies series at Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix waterpark.