Flooding at Cheney Lake forces campground closures, evacuations

Gila River Police Department impounded a recreational vehicle after the driver was caught picking corn from a community field on June 24. The suspect received criminal citations and the RV was seized. Authorities noted that some corn in the area is grown for livestock feed and not safe for human consumption.

American art teacher and designer Jay Shafer built a 96-square-foot tiny house on a trailer chassis for $4,000. By mounting the structure on wheels instead of a concrete foundation, he classified it as a recreational vehicle (RV), avoiding property taxes and minimum size requirements (37–50 sq m). In 2002, local inspectors tried to evict him, but his lawyers proved the house legally qualified as a vehicle. In 2018, the International Code Council (ICC) adopted Appendix Q, officially legalizing dwellings under 37 sq m.

Brad Twait, CEO of The Motorcoach Store in Bradenton, Florida, reports a steady rise in retiree customers purchasing RVs. He notes that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend as domestic travel replaced international trips. Modern RVs can include heated floors, home theaters, adjustable beds, and can be retrofitted for people with disabilities with wheelchair lifts and ramps.

A black bear that attacked a woman at Eagle Point Campground near Lake Tahoe was euthanized after multiple dangerous encounters. The bear entered a trailer searching for food; the woman was injured trying to scare it away. It also broke into a campervan with sleeping teenagers and entered a vehicle with a child. Two 5-month-old cubs were sent to a wildlife rehabilitation facility.

Adventure Van Conversions from Colorado unveiled the Reef Rover camper based on an all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a 144-inch wheelbase. Externally, the vehicle features Raptor protective coating, Agile Off-Road suspension, a snorkel, and an electric pop-up roof tent. The interior is upholstered in Range Rover leather and Alcantara, including a living area, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping zone. The electrical system provides 400 Ah and a 125-liter water tank ensure autonomy; price is undisclosed.

Turkish company Fibrosan, part of the Yücel Group, announced the construction of a fiberglass production plant in Cassopolis, Michigan. The first phase investment is $16.8 million (approximately 800 million Turkish lira). The facility will produce components for the North American caravan market, where the company sees growing demand. Fibrosan operates 8 production centers across 6 continents, 28 offices worldwide, and employs over 400 people.