Apache Junction is on a mission: to weed out the fast-growing problem of overgrowth in the wake of a particularly rainy winter. The Development Services Department has issued a reminder to residents about the need to tame any unruly vegetation that has sprung up. With the lush landscapes comes a less welcome burst of weeds which, if left unchecked, could create fire hazards as they dry out.

Homeowners and tenants have a legal obligation to cut down any weeds exceeding 10 inches in height, a mandate from the city's Code Compliance Division found on the municipal website. These rules compel locals to maintain not only their yards but also any alleys to their rear and the patches of earth stretching to the front pavement. The Apache Junction authorities are determined to quite literally nip this issue in the bud before it becomes a larger problem.

In a statement obtained by the official Apache Junction website, Mayor Chip Wilson called on the community to "beautify our community by keeping weeds at bay." Wilson stressed the importance of everyone chipping in to preserve the charm of their city.