News
Mesa Seniors Forced to Leave Forever Homes Amid Steep Rent Increases
Mesa seniors face significant rent increases, forcing them to leave their forever homes. #AffordableHousing #SeniorLiving
Last Updated on July 5, 2024 by Daily News Staff
Mesa, Arizona – The heart-wrenching story of Mesa seniors being compelled to leave their cherished senior community due to exorbitant rent hikes has shed light on the challenges faced by older adults on fixed incomes. For years, these individuals have enjoyed the comfort, companionship, and sense of independence provided by Springdale Village in Mesa. However, recent rent increases, reaching nearly a thousand dollars more per month, have rendered their homes unaffordable. As a result, many seniors, who had hoped to spend their golden years in their forever homes, are now forced to uproot their lives and seek alternatives.
The Impact of Rent Increases on Seniors:
The rent increase at Springdale Village is attributed to inflation and rising costs, with the property management citing the need to match market value. While this may be a reasonable business decision, it fails to acknowledge the financial limitations faced by seniors on fixed incomes. For residents like Jackie Sidbeck and Sherry Groves, the sudden and significant increase in rent is simply unfeasible. Sidbeck, at the age of 86, expressed the overwhelming stress and uncertainty associated with having to relocate at this stage of her life.
Communication and Service Concerns:
Adding to the distress, property management’s handling of the rent increase has been a source of frustration for the affected seniors. Sidbeck and Groves expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparent communication and the feeling of being given the runaround. Moreover, the decline in maintenance and services at the senior community over the years has added to the residents’ discontent. The loss of amenities, such as food plans, housekeeping services, and utility coverage, further erodes the value of their living arrangements.
The Emotional Toll:
Beyond the financial burden and logistical challenges, the seniors are grappling with the emotional toll of leaving behind cherished friendships. For many, the bonds formed within the community have become an integral part of their lives. The prospect of breaking these connections is undeniably heartbreaking.
Seeking Solutions:
While Allegiant Healthcare, the company managing the property, claims to be working with residents on an individual basis, seeking a balance between their needs and business profitability, the impact on the affected seniors remains significant. In response to this situation, local agencies such as the Area Agency on Aging Region One and the Arizona Department of Economic Security are urging seniors to reach out for assistance and support.
The plight of Mesa seniors being priced out of their forever homes due to substantial rent increases highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policies to protect vulnerable populations. The absence of rent control laws in Arizona exacerbates the challenges faced by seniors on fixed incomes. As a society, we must prioritize providing affordable and secure housing options for our aging population. The stories of Jackie Sidbeck, Sherry Groves, and their fellow residents serve as a reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and proactive measures to ensure the well-being and dignity of our seniors.
Source: 3TV/CBS 5
The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
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actors & performers
‘Sanford and Son’ Star Demond Wilson Dead at 79, Report Says
Demond Wilson, known for his role as Lamont Sanford on the classic sitcom “Sanford and Son,” has passed away at 79 from cancer complications. He contributed significantly to television and film, also serving as an ordained minister. Wilson is survived by his wife and six children.
Last Updated on February 1, 2026 by Daily News Staff
HOLLYWOOD — Demond Wilson, best known for playing Lamont Sanford opposite Redd Foxx on the 1970s sitcom “Sanford and Son,” has died, according to TMZ. He was 79.
Wilson died Friday morning at his Palm Springs home from complications related to cancer, TMZ reported, citing his son, Demond Wilson Jr. The family did not specify what type of cancer he had.
Demond Wilson Dies in Palm Springs at 79, TMZ Reports – STM Daily News Podcast
Wilson starred on “Sanford and Son” from 1972 to 1977, playing the grounded, often-exasperated son to Foxx’s junkyard owner Fred Sanford. The show became a defining sitcom of its era, known for Foxx’s catchphrases and Wilson’s straight-man timing.
After “Sanford and Son,” Wilson appeared in series including “Baby … I’m Back,”“The New Odd Couple,”and guest-starred on shows such as “All in the Family,”“The Love Boat,” and “Girlfriends.” His film credits included “The Organization” (1971) and “Me and the Kid” (1993).
Born Grady Demond Wilson in Valdosta, Georgia, on Oct. 13, 1946, he was raised in Harlem and began acting as a child, later studying at the American Community Theater and Hunter College. He also served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968, where he was wounded.
In later years, Wilson became an ordained minister and focused on faith-based outreach and reentry support work, founding Restoration House of America in 1994.
He is survived by his wife of more than 51 years, Cicely Loise Johnston, and their six children.
Sources:
- https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/demond-wilson-dead-lamont-sanford-and-son-1236647050/
- https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/demond-wilson-dead-sanford-son-153658639.html
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Entertainment
Funny, Tender, Goofy: Why Catherine O’Hara Stole Every Scene From SCTV to Schitt’s Creek
Catherine O’Hara, a beloved actor and comedian, passed away at 71. Her career spanned over 50 years, showcasing her unique comedic timing in various roles, including Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice and Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek. O’Hara’s influence and creativity left a lasting legacy in comedy, inspiring many.
Ben McCann, Adelaide University
Funny, tender, goofy – Catherine O’Hara lit up the screen every time she showed up
Catherine O’Hara, the beloved actor and comedian who has died aged 71, occupied that rare position in contemporary screen culture: a comic actor, a cult figure and a mainstream star.
Her work spanned more than 50 years, from improv sketch comedy to Hollywood features and off-beat TV classics.
She was celebrated for her unmatched comic timing and chameleon-like character work. Her roles were often absurdist and quirky, but they hid a razor-sharp humour.
Born and raised in Toronto in a close-knit Irish Catholic family, O’Hara was one of seven siblings. She once remarked humour was part of her everyday life; storytelling, impressions and lively conversation helped hone her comedic instincts.
After high school, she worked at Toronto’s Second City Theatre, a famed breeding ground for comedy talent, and sharpened her deadpan improvisational skills.
Big break
O’Hara’s break came with Second City Television (SCTV), a sketch comedy series that rivalled Saturday Night Live in creativity and influence. Alongside contemporaries Eugene Levy, John Candy, Rick Moranis and Martin Short, she defined her distinctly smart, absurdist comedic voice.
O’Hara was not merely a performer on SCTV; she was also a writer, winning an Emmy Award for her contributions. This dual role shaped her career-long sensitivity to rhythm, language and character construction.
Unlike sketch performers who rely on repetition or catchphrases, O’Hara’s humour emerged with a different comedic logic. Audiences laughed not because the character was “funny”, but because the character took herself so seriously.
Though briefly cast on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, O’Hara chose to stay with SCTV when it was renewed, a decision she later described as key in letting her creative career flourish where it belonged.
The transition to film
By the mid-1980s, O’Hara was establishing herself as a screen presence. She appeared in Martin Scorsese’s offbeat black comedy After Hours (1985), and showcased her comic range in Heartburn (1986).
In 1988, she landed what would become one of her most beloved film roles: Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s left-field Beetlejuice (1988).
Delia – a pretentious, New York art-scene social climber – allowed O’Hara to combine physical comedy and imbecilic dialogue (“A little gasoline … blowtorch … no problem”).
Burton once noted
Catherine’s so good, maybe too good. She works on levels that people don’t even know. I think she scares people because she operates at such high levels.
She went on to play Kate McCallister, the beleaguered mother in the holiday blockbusters Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). Audiences loved the fact that this rather thinly written role became the films’ beating heart.
Working with Christopher Guest
Another distinctive phase of O’Hara’s career was her work with writer-director Christopher Guest on a series of largely improvised mockumentaries that have become cult classics.
Three standouts were Waiting for Guffman (1996), where she plays a desperate local performer in a small-town theatre troupe, and A Mighty Wind (2003), where she teamed up with old pal Levy as an ageing folk duo.
Her best turn came in Best in Show (2000), in which she and Levy played a couple competing in a national dog show. Her character Cookie Fleck remains one of the finest examples of improvised comedy on film. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ay1cJ1QMOms?wmode=transparent&start=0
Her relentless monologues about former lovers are objectively inappropriate, yet O’Hara delivers them with such earnest enthusiasm that they become strangely compelling.
Her gift for improvisation glittered in these films: these eccentric characters were often laugh-out-loud funny – but O’Hara never mocked them.
Late success
She returned to TV in Six Feet Under (2001–05) and guest appearances on The Larry Sanders Show (1992–98) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999–2024). More recently, she appeared in prestige shows such as The Last of Us (2023–) and The Studio (2025–).
But it was the role of Moira Rose, the eccentric, ex-soap opera star in the Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek (2015–20), created by Eugene Levy and his son Dan, that would become O’Hara’s most significant late career move. And what a role it was!
Written for O’Hara’s unique talents, Moira was a larger-than-life character with a bizarre, unforgettable vocabulary, dramatic mood swings and a wardrobe that became nearly as famous as the character herself.
Feminist media scholars have noted the rarity of such complex roles for older women, particularly in comedy, making O’Hara’s performance culturally significant.
The show became a global streaming blockbuster during COVID lockdowns and O’Hara’s multi-award-winning performance became a social media phenomenon, spawning memes and viral clips.
There are so many standout moments – her drunken meltdown after losing her wigs, her audition for The Crows Have Eyes 3 and the show’s moving finale where she performs Danny Boy at Alexis’s graduation.
An enduring legacy
O’Hara had a remarkable ability to play flamboyant, self-absorbed characters who were often uproariously funny.
Many comedians and actors have cited O’Hara as an influence for her fearlessness, her ability to blend absurdity with emotional truth, and her steadfast commitment to character integrity. She influenced performers like Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
O’Hara also refused to chase conventional stardom. Rather than choosing projects designed to flatten her eccentricities, O’Hara favoured collaborative environments that valued creativity over control.
For her, comedy was always an art of intelligence, empathy and generosity.
Ben McCann, Associate Professor of French Studies, Adelaide University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Local Business
Original Tommy’s: How a Chili Burger Became a Southern California Icon
Original Tommy’s, established in 1946 in Los Angeles, is famous for its thick chili burgers and late-night appeal. It remains family-owned, embodying authentic Los Angeles culture and serving as a cultural landmark despite the fast-food industry’s evolution.
In a city famous for reinvention, reinvention was never the point at Original Tommy’s. Since 1946, the no-frills hamburger stand at Beverly and Rampart has served generations of Angelenos the same way: chili dripping, paper wrapped, eaten standing up, usually late at night. Original Tommy’s isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a piece of Los Angeles history.
From a Small Stand to a City Landmark
Original Tommy’s was founded on May 15, 1946, by Thomas James “Tommy” Koulax, the son of Greek immigrants. What began as a modest walk-up stand selling hamburgers and hot dogs quickly gained attention for one reason: chili. Not the thin, soupy kind — but a thick, meaty chili ladled generously over burgers, fries, hot dogs, and eventually tamales.
The location mattered. Sitting just west of downtown Los Angeles, the stand became a crossroads for working-class Angelenos, night-shift workers, musicians, cops, cab drivers, and anyone else looking for something filling at all hours. Long before the phrase “LA street food” existed, Tommy’s was already living it.
The Chili Burger Becomes an LA Staple
By the 1950s and 1960s, Original Tommy’s chili burger had become legendary. The menu stayed intentionally simple: burgers, hot dogs, fries, tamales, and breakfast items — all enhanced by the same signature chili. The stand-up counters, fast service, and absence of indoor seating created a rhythm that felt uniquely Los Angeles.
This wasn’t fast food chasing national trends. It was local food defining a city.
Growth Without Franchising
Unlike many post-war burger chains, Original Tommy’s expanded cautiously. Beginning in the 1970s, additional locations opened throughout Southern California and later into Nevada. At its height, the chain operated more than 30 restaurants.
What made Tommy’s different was its refusal to franchise widely. Remaining family-owned helped preserve consistency — the chili tasted the same, the portions stayed generous, and the experience remained unmistakably “Tommy’s.”
A Cultural Shortcut for “Real Los Angeles”
Original Tommy’s became more than a place to eat — it became a visual and cultural shorthand for authenticity. Filmmakers and TV producers regularly used the location to signal a grounded, working-class Los Angeles. If a character eats at Tommy’s, you immediately know who they are.
- Films: Heat, L.A. Confidential, They Live
- Television: Bosch, Californication, numerous food and travel shows
Musicians, athletes, and actors have long cited Tommy’s as a post-show, post-game, or late-night ritual — a place that didn’t care who you were, only whether you were hungry.
Why Original Tommy’s Still Matters
Nearly 80 years later, Original Tommy’s endures because it never tried to be trendy. It represents a post-war immigrant success story, a city built on late nights, and a version of fast food rooted in place rather than branding.
In a region overflowing with burger options, Original Tommy’s remains singular — messy, unapologetic, and inseparable from Los Angeles itself.
Original Tommy’s: Then & Now
Original Location (1946–Present):
2575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA — the iconic stand-up counter location that started it all.
Expansion Era:
1970s–1990s locations spread across Los Angeles County, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and Nevada.
Today:
A smaller but focused footprint, still family-owned and operated from headquarters in Monrovia, California.
Also Good to Know
- Original Tommy’s Official History
The chain’s own account of its founding and legacy. - Los Angeles Magazine: Original Tommy’s
A deeper look at Tommy’s role in LA food culture. - Tasting Table: Chili Burger History
Context on how chili burgers became a regional staple. - Time Out LA: Original Tommy’s
Why the stand remains a must-visit for locals and tourists.
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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