Community Alert: Help Locate Missing Gilbert Teen Zoey Rivers

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance from the public to locate 17-year-old Zoey Rivers, who has been reported missing from her Gilbert home.

Last seen on the evening of April 9, around 9:30 p.m., near the vicinity of 181st and Vencino Street, Zoey's disappearance has prompted concerns for her safety.

Described as 5-feet-6 inches tall, weighing 158 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, anyone with information on Zoey's whereabouts is encouraged to contact MCSO at 602-876-1011, referencing report No. IR24-008854.

Elderly Couple Discovered Dead in Gilbert Home, Police Investigating

In a solemn discovery in Gilbert, local police found the bodies of two individuals, identified as 72-year-old Ray Janus and 71-year-old Renata Janus, within a residence following a welfare check initiated just before 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The welfare check, prompted by unsuccessful attempts to contact the occupants, led officers to a home situated near Warner Road and Islands Drive. Upon entering the residence after compiling significant scene evidence, officers uncovered the grim reality.

The Gilbert Police Department, maintaining the integrity of the ongoing investigation, has thus far withheld specific details regarding the manner of death or the precise relationship between the two deceased individuals.

The incident is deemed isolated, assuring the community of no broader threat.

Historic Clare House in Gilbert Threatened by Demolition, Community Seeks Rescue

In a poignant chapter of Gilbert's history, the Clare House, a cornerstone of the town's heritage and the second oldest building in Gilbert, is on the verge of demolition.

This historic site, once home to Forest Clare's family and later the beloved Bergies Coffee Roast House, was sold to a developer planning to replace it with a restaurant and nightclub. The transaction, valued at $3.1 million, signifies a significant shift for the 0.19-acre site, nestled in the heart of downtown Gilbert.

Forest Clare, a prominent figure in Gilbert's early 20th-century community, established a sheet metal shop in 1919, a business that thrived for over five decades.

After its closure in 1975 and subsequent demolition, the Clare family home remained, serving various community purposes until its recent sale. Now, without protective status under the Arizona Register of Historic Places or the National Register of Historic Places, the Clare House faces demolition scheduled for May 15.

Community leaders, including Casey Kendel of the town’s Redevelopment Commission and Denise Lopez of HD South, are rallying to save and relocate the Clare House to the grounds of HD South, home of the Gilbert Museum. This ambitious endeavor requires raising approximately $135,000 to move the house safely and ensure its preservation as part of Gilbert's tangible history.

The proposed demolition has sparked widespread concern among residents, highlighting the tension between preserving historical identity and accommodating new development.

While the fate of the proposed Bottled Blonde venue, known for its lively nightlife and distinctive ambiance, is secure under current zoning regulations, the community's efforts focus on salvaging a piece of Gilbert's past.

Efforts to finance the relocation of the Clare House are underway, with promises of support from the developer to contribute towards the cause. As the deadline approaches, the town and its residents face a critical moment of reflection on the value of historical preservation and the shape of Gilbert's future.

To donate: Go to hdsouth.org and hit donate and indicate the donations is for the Clare House.

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