The rapid spread of COVID in recent weeks among adults at area schools has resulted in staffing shortages that have forced temporary closures. Villago Middle School joined the list of schools shifting to remote learning this week after 14 staff members contracted the virus.

The History Channel show “American Pickers” is seeking its next filming destination, and it just might be Eloy. Officials from the Eloy Chamber of Commerce said that show producers reached out recently to see if the city could be a good fit for an episode in rural Arizona.

And Coolidge’s annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement will return this year. The MLK Day celebration, organized by the New Destiny Christian Center, returns Monday after a year hiatus caused by the pandemic. Get the details.

Photos, photos and more photos: Did you attend the Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival? How about the Apache Junction Centennial Celebration? Or one of these two recent basketball games? Whether you did, or you missed one of these events, check out our photo galleries to see the highlights captured by our photographers. Also, follow us on Instagram to catch our next Friday photo of the week.