Good morning, Maricopa.

Funeral services for two DPS employees killed in a helicopter crash on Feb.

4 are scheduled; Robert Skankey’s service is today at a chapel in Kingman while trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett’s service will take place on Feb. 23 at a church in Gilbert.

Reenactors staged a Civil War skirmish in Vulture City on the outskirts of Wickenburg using working replicas that fire blanks to accurately depict historical battles.

Organized by the Arizona Civil War Council, the event showcased diverse community participation in a family-friendly demonstration of local heritage.

Tess Ulrey of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education is calling for added child safety + academic benchmarks as homeschooling grows in Arizona.

She recommends portfolio reviews and more interaction with mandated reporters so homeschoolers can access quality resources like their public school peers.

Theresa Crimmins (from the University of Arizona) said Maricopa and the state are set for a lively wildflower season after abundant fall rains, though recent dry, warm spells have raised questions about a full superbloom.

Residents can expect early blooms in the coming weeks.

Environmental groups warned that another missed deadline in Colorado River talks has raised concerns about potential water cutbacks for Arizona communities if negotiators do not reach an agreement before current guidelines expire this fall (raising risks for municipal supplies and local recreation).

Team owner Michael Bidwill (listed as president until 2019) said he is the team president during a Feb.

19 media scrum in north Phoenix as the Cardinals broke ground on a new practice facility. His reply confirms the team does not have a separate business leader.

The Diamondbacks are using many regular starters today in their Cactus League opener against the Colorado Rockies (manager Torey Lovullo said this gives needed reps ahead of the World Baseball Classic) to prepare key players for international play.

On Feb. 19, the Cardinals completed their coaching staff by hiring new positional coaches with limited NFL experience and retaining some returning names (Frye, Feeney, and Garcia) while leaving a few assistant roles open.

An NFL analyst said the Cardinals looked into signing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers — a free agent who threw for 3,322 yards with the Steelers last season — as the team planned to upgrade its quarterback position.