Headlines Wednesday

Mosquito killing to start early Maricopa County environmental health officials plan to start monitoring and killing mosquitoes as early as next week to prevent a repeat of last year when the Valley was at the epicenter of a West Nile virus outbreak. 18 legislators back right-to-die bill Eighteen Arizona legislators are lining up behind a bill that would legalize suicide under extreme cases involving patients likely to die within six months. Number of flu cases rises Flu cases in Arizona jumped last week by about one-third, boosting the state to the next-highest flu category of ''local activity.'' Inaugural flower power A Valley man will play a big role in making this week's inauguration beautiful. Brown tap water OK to drink, officials say Linda Goodwin had serious concerns about drinking brown water. $25,000 for information on slaying PHOENIX - The family of a Canadian tourist shot to death last year outside a Phoenix eatery announced Tuesday a $25,000 reward for information on the killer. Alma School Road bridge to reopen MESA - Driving between Mesa and Scottsdale will get much easier at noon today when the Alma School Road bridge across the Salt River will reopen thanks to around-the-clock work by highway crews. Peoria to consider annexing 979 acres PEORIA - With territorial control and money in mind, the City Council will soon consider annexing 979 acres of the proposed Tierra del Rio development into the northern part of the city. Tribal leaders decry official-English effort Native American leaders visited the state Capitol on Tuesday for the 10th-annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day and expressed their displeasure with a proposal to make English the official language of Arizona. U.S. is asked to block part of Prop. 200 Democratic state legislators are urging federal officials to block Proposition 200's voting provisions from becoming law on the grounds that they may keep minorities from voting. Cessna to build facility on 11 acres in Mesa MESA - The city on Tuesday signed a lease agreement with Cessna Aircraft Co. that would build a maintenance facility at Williams Gateway Airport. Pinal County tapped for geothermal benefit CASA GRANDE - Some farms and communities in western Pinal County may be sitting on a valuable natural resource called geothermal energy, which could help heat homes and benefit farmers, experts say. Hearing is set for off-road rule plan The Pima County Board of Supervisors took another step Tuesday toward more regulation of private off-road-vehicle racetracks. Board members unanimously voted to schedule a Feb. 23 public hearing TUSD will study visits by military TUSD will examine how often military recruiters should be allowed to visit high-school campuses after parent complaints that Tucson High was frequently letting recruiters mingle with students during lunch. Noted lawyer Hirsh to join Pima defender's office Renowned veteran Tucson defense attorney Robert Hirsh will be the new second-in-command at the Pima County Public Defender's Office, Public Defender Robert Hooker confirmed on Tuesday. Teacher in pot case scrutinized by state The Arizona Department of Education is investigating a Sabino High teacher who was arrested last week on marijuana possession charges, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. Century-old bones found Human skeletal remains more than 100 years old were found at a construction site on the Northeast Side Tuesday, police said. Legislative panel backs bill to expand eligibility for defensive driving school PHOENIX (AP) -- Some state legislators want Arizona motorists to be able to have their cake and eat it too when it comes to traffic tickets.