The world of off-road racing has its share of hot shot drama, as we chronicled in our recent cover story on local trophy truck driver “Pistol” Pete Sohren. But the desert racing community can be close and charitable, too, especially in times of crisis.To wit: The Larry Beshaw Ride set…
A report by Arizona State University says drug use is on the rise among Maricopa County jail inmates. Using urine tests and inmate questionnaires, researchers found that opiate use had increased. Opiates include heroin and many prescription drugs. Officials with the Maricopa County jails and Correctional Health Services claim they…
Police discovered and shut down an auto chop shop operating in a west Phoenix home. A spokesman for the Department of Public Safety says officers served a search warrant on a home near Sweetwater Road and 33rd Avenue, and found vehicle parts for resale. One man was arrested and charged…
Arizona State Game and Fish agents say poaching is on the rise in Arizona. Agents aren’t sure why they’ve seen a dramatic increase in complaints about wildlife poaching (up 70 percent from 2008), but theorize that during difficult financial times, Arizonans are poaching for food and profit. Some of the…
We’ve covered so many caffeinated products in this column over the past year that sometimes it’s hard to find the next product for review. But whenever we’re looking for the latest in high-octane sodas and energy drinks, we just stop by Pop the Soda Shop on 74th street in Scottsdale…
The Palo Verde nuclear power plant shut down one reactor after a minor explosion on Sunday. According the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an electrical fault caused the explosion, which resulted in damage to bus work. The other two reactors at the plant were not affected by the explosion and are operating…
In this week’s feature story, “Dirt Devil,” we chronicle the world of off-road racing and local driver “Pistol” Pete Sohren. As mentioned in the story, one of Sohren’s big influences was local racing legend Larry Ragland, who won the Baja 1000 five times during the 1990s. Cave Creek resident Ragland,…
A bus collided with a semi-truck on Interstate 10 this morning, at milepost 173 south of Ahwatukee. Multiple fatalities were reported in the about 5:30 a.m. accident. Westbound I-10 lanes will be closed for several hours while emergency personnel try to clear the area. Six fatalities were reported by 8…
The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control is putting the smack-down on underage drinking, thanks to two law enforcement programs and a big grant from the Governor’s Office. Despite being severely understaffed, DLLC police officers issue an average of 216 underage liquor citations each month, to both alcohol retailers…
In November, we wrote about an opulent party house in Chandler called Rasputin’s Equestrian Manor, where partygoers enjoyed an “anything goes” atmosphere. The unlicensed “private club” was operating out of a residential estate, and closed in December amidst accusations from the property owner that organizers of the Manor stiffed her…
This week, we profiled off-road racer “Pistol” Pete Sohren and his quest for victory in the highly competitive, dangerous sport of Baja and desert racing. For those who wish to see Sohren in action, we’ve posted some videos below…
The Arizona Department of Transportation plans to hold a giant “garage sale” on Saturday, to sell more than 120 fleet vehicles to pay for snow-plowing across Arizona. ADOT decided to hold the auction to help balance their budget shortfall, and will be selling more than 50 sedans, 35 pickup trucks,…
Pete Sohren drives his truck through the Arizona desert like an angry kid beating a toy car against the dirt. The truck — a Ford F-150 modified for off-road racing — streaks across the landscape, a bright yellow blur trampling bushes, mud, and rocks under massive black tires. The tires…
The Arizona Senate voted yesterday to kill a proposal that would have made text-messaging while driving illegal in the state. The proposed legislation would have called for $50 fines for violators, or $200 fines if the driver was involved in an accident while texting. There weren’t enough Senate votes to…
The Mesa City Council has approved a new police chief for the city. On Monday, Commander Frank Milstead was formally hired. Milstead, who officially starts the job March 22, has 25 years of experience in supervising a major crimes bureau and homeland security…Tamara Hoffman, the Chandler teacher involved in a…
Coffee’s great for a caffeine kick, but it’s not the best thing for one’s breath. However, people looking to get a boost without acidic energy drinks and bitter java can be energized and minty-fresh with something called M Power Energy Mints.These fat, potent tablets look like Tums, but contain 120…
The Phoenix City Council will vote tomorrow on a proposal that would save late-night Metro light-rail service on weekends. The plan calls for other cuts, primarily reduced light-rail hours during the weekdays. If approved, the changes would take effect in July…The Mesa High School Choir will participate in a March…
The Mesa City Council approved $10 million in funds to make over the Fiesta District. Among the renovations will be narrowing of Southern Avenue, plus shaded sidewalks, more colorful street signs, and better landscaping…Bob Gebhard, special assistant to the Arizona Diamondbacks, suffered a mild heart attack on Wednesday. Gebhard, 67, underwent…
Mesa is considering a surcharge or a ban on plastic bags in retail stores. The Neighborhood Services Committee is reviewing options for eliminating use of non-biodegradable bags, including a five-cent surcharge per plastic bag. The Mesa City Council wants to know how well restrictions have worked in other cities, and will…
The band’s moniker is a reference to the jacket of an old hardback book, and front man Conan Zimmerman is an avid reader of literary legends like Salinger, Hemingway, and Chekhov. It’s no surprise, then, that Dust Jacket’s poetic lyrics stand out like Bob Dylan next to that first, infamous…
The Department of Public Safety is considering lowering fines for criminal-speeding tickets. Because of budget cuts, the DPS says it doesn’t have enough officers to enforce the criminal tickets, and recommends all tickets be reduced to civil violations. That means all fines would run about $180, as opposed to the $235 base…
A shooting at Luke Air Force Base killed one man and injured another. Air force base officials confirm that base security opened fire on two men who drove a stolen car through the base gate. Both men were taken to a hospital, and no one on the base was injured…
