If you’ve tried to drive through downtown Tempe this morning, you already know something is up. The streets are a maze of orange cones, and the hum of thousands of sneakers hitting the pavement has replaced the usual Sunday morning quiet. It's the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon, and honestly, it’s basically taken over the city’s core today, January 18, 2026.
But beyond the sweat and the road closures on Mill Avenue, there’s a lot more bubbling under the surface in our corner of the East Valley. From a somber recovery at a construction site to a massive $175 million tech move, Tempe is moving fast.
The Search for Apolonio Romero Ends in Heartbreak
We’ve all been watching the updates for nearly two weeks. The Silver Alerts, the social media pleas, and the volunteers scouring the desert heat. On Wednesday, January 14, the search for 91-year-old Apolonio Romero took a tragic turn.
Tempe Police confirmed that a body was recovered from a construction site near N. McClintock and Weber Drives. While the Medical Examiner is still doing the formal work, the department’s tone made it clear: they believe this is the end of the search for the beloved community member who lived with dementia.
It’s a heavy blow for the neighborhood. Romero had been missing since early January, and the massive search effort involved everyone from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to the Scottsdale and Salt River police departments. It’s one of those moments that reminds you how tightly knit this community actually is, even as the city grows into a high-tech hub.
AbbVie’s $175 Million Bet on Tempe
Speaking of growth, have you heard about the AbbVie deal? This isn't just corporate fluff. The pharmaceutical giant is officially moving to acquire a major manufacturing facility right here in Tempe from West Pharmaceutical Services.
They aren't just taking over the lease; they’re planning to dump $175 million into modernizing the site. Why does this matter for you?
- 200 new jobs are coming to town.
- They’re focusing on "on-body injector technology" for immunology and neuroscience.
- It cements Tempe as a serious player in the national "Bio-Valley" scene.
The deal is slated to close by mid-2026. If you’re looking for a career pivot, this is probably the time to start polishing the resume.
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Breaking News Tempe AZ: The Guadalupe Standoff
Earlier this week, things got incredibly tense near the I-10 and Baseline Road intersection. What started as a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office traffic stop for a stolen vehicle out of Washington State turned into a full-scale tactical standoff.
Witnesses at the nearby Circle K—just trying to grab their morning coffee—found themselves ducking behind counters. One witness, Raul Molina, filmed the whole thing as SWAT teams, drones, and robots swarmed the area.
The situation ended tragically when the suspect, who had stayed barricaded in the car for hours, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No deputies fired their weapons, but the busy intersection was a ghost town for hours as investigators combed the scene. It was a stark, violent reminder of how quickly a routine stop can spiral in the middle of a workday.
The Mill Avenue "Vibe Shift" and the 2026 Elections
If you feel like Mill Avenue looks different every time you visit, you aren't imagining it. The city just entered negotiations for two of those iconic historic buildings on Mill.
At the same time, the Tempe City Council race is heating up. We just had a candidate forum on January 14 at the Tempe History Museum, and honestly, the gloves are starting to come off. Seven people are fighting for three seats.
The big argument? Housing.
Incumbent Jennifer Adams is pushing the "General Plan 2050," basically saying if we build enough of everything—from luxury condos to workforce housing—prices will eventually stabilize. Others, like candidate Brooke St. George, are pushing for more direct public involvement.
There’s also a new "drink spiking prevention" ordinance being debated. The city wants to give bars a discount on liquor licenses if they provide lids and covers for drinks. It’s a direct response to safety concerns that have been plagueing the nightlife scene for a few years now.
Quick Hits You Might Have Missed:
- ASU is back: The spring semester is officially in full swing. If the lines at Dutch Bros seem longer, that’s why.
- Pup Festival: Yesterday, Tempe Beach Park was basically a sea of Golden Retrievers for the Pup Festival. It raised a ton of money for local rescues.
- E-Bike Safety: A new subcommittee was just formed to look at e-bike and scooter safety. Given how fast people fly down the multi-use paths, this one is probably overdue.
What’s Coming Up Next?
The road closures for the half marathon should start clearing out by this evening, but don't get too comfortable. Tempe Blooms is hitting downtown on January 24-25. Expect huge floral installations and a lot of "influencer" types taking photos in the middle of the street.
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Also, Spring Training is right around the corner. The Los Angeles Angels will be back at Tempe Diablo Stadium soon, and tickets are already moving.
If you're a resident or just someone who spends a lot of time here, keep an eye on the January 31 Zero Waste Day. It's the best time to dump those old electronics or documents you've been hoarding since 2024.
Tempe is in a weird, exciting, and sometimes painful transition phase right now. We're balancing the heartbreak of losing community members like Mr. Romero with the high-octane growth of companies like AbbVie. It’s a lot to keep track of, but that’s the desert for you.
To stay ahead of the curve, you should check the official Tempe Road Closure map before heading out next weekend for Tempe Blooms. If you're looking for work in the growing biotech sector, set up a Google Alert for "AbbVie Tempe careers" now, as those 200 positions will likely start posting internal requisitions before the mid-year acquisition close. Finally, if you have any information regarding recent safety incidents on Mill Avenue, the Tempe Police non-emergency line remains the best point of contact at 480-350-8311.