Good morning, Surprise.

Momo, a 20-pound Scottish terrier from Surprise, has collected over 1,000 golf balls during his daily walks — each ball now helps the Arizona Special Olympics Golf Team practice and play.

Surprise is inviting local musicians to compete in the Play Your Way to the Park contest at The Vista Center for the Arts at 6 p.m. on Feb 7, 2026—contestants must apply by 11:59 p.m. on Dec 14 to win a $1,000 fee and the chance to open the Out of the Park Music Fest on Mar 21, 2026. The selection panel will notify advancing competitors by early January, and the top three acts will also earn studio recording time through On Stage Now’s Recording Assistance Program.

Students at Deer Valley Unified received an early Christmas gift when North Phoenix business Yoga Cold Bath paid nearly $10,000 in lunch debt for Mountain Ridge High, Sandra Day O’Connor High and Stetson Hills School.

Mountain Ridge and Sandra Day owed about $3,500 each while Stetson Hills owed more than $1,500 (lunch debt follows students when payment is delayed) (the donation helps ease financial burdens for meal programs).

Surprise Police Department will host a motorcycle safety class on Nov.

23 at 7:30 a.m.—1 p.m. at the Surprise Stadium parking lot for current riders to practice skills on an interactive course funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety; riders must bring their motorcycle, valid license and helmet while new riders are not eligible.

Arizona families are struggling to get timely behavioral health care as ghost networks list many inactive providers.

A federal report found up to 55% of mental health provider listings were inactive — leading AHCCCS to promise better oversight and improved provider directories.

Phoenix officials said that despite recording the fourth hottest summer on record, heat-related deaths in Maricopa County declined for the third year in a row.

They credited expanded cooling centers and outreach teams (with 333 confirmed deaths and 152 still under investigation) for protecting vulnerable residents (and are already preparing for next summer).

Highland Prep Surprise girls flag football team made history in its first season by reaching the playoffs.

The team finished second in its region and 14th in the state — they did not allow a touchdown in their last five games.

A Christmas Carol Radio Show

6:30-8:30 p.m. — West Valley Arts Council | Arts HQ Gallery — Free entry — Experience a festive radio-style performance of the classic holiday tale 'A Christmas Carol'.