A group of homeowners affiliated with LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America — has sued KB Homes and Countrywide Mortage for allegedly conspiring to pad the value of homes to defraud home buyers.Seven West Valley homeowners who belong to the Alliance for Homebuyer Justice, a LIUNA spinoff,…
There was a lot of talk about “passion” Friday afternoon as the Arizona Diamondbacks new manager was officially announced. Most of it from the fledgling skipper himself, A.J. Hinch. Let’s hope his exuberance rubs off on the lackluster D-Backs lineup. We want to be optimistic that a positive attitude is…
The Arizona Department of Public Safety should open a farmer’s market. This morning, the agency told us about a truck driver busted with 508 pounds of pot hidden with watermelons. A few minutes ago, DPS announced it had made an even bigger produce-related seizure on Monday: More than 5,000 pounds of marijuana…
Arguments are set to begin Monday morning in a case that pits the would-be owners of a Tempe tattoo parlor against officials who think the business is seedy. Tom and Elizabeth Preston, who already own a tattoo shop in Mesa, told the press in 2007, when the lawsuit was first…
Police are warning women to take precautions when out and about after a Phoenix resident was brutalized in a field near 7th Avenue and Indian School. The 47-year-old woman had been walking through alleyways on her way home from work about 2:30 a.m. Thursday when a man grabbed her, hauled her into a…
The traffic stop of a big-rig near New River on Tuesday turned into a juicy bust for the Arizona Department of Public Safety after 508 pounds of pot was discovered along with a load of watermelons.DPS says the rig (below) was hauling its load from Nogales, Arizona, where the driver picked…
In the mood for a garden party? Try the Anniversary Tea this morning in downtown Phoenix. The cause: To celebrate the 80th annivesary of the Washington Garden Club. Sounds like a bloomin’ good time…
As far as losses go, yesterday’s Arizona Diamondbacks’ 4-3 extra-inning loss to the San Diego Padres didn’t seem to be that big of a deal, all things considered. But to the team’s front office, however, it might have been the last straw, as manager Bob Melvin got his pink slip…
As we reported yesterday, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin was fired. Now, it looks almost certain his replacement will be Director of Player Development, A.J. Hinch. An official announcement will be made today at a 3 p.m. press conference…Mesa police arrested four illegal immigrants and confiscated 16 pounds of meth…
In the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. Worry not! We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times’ blogs. Today’s entries: Feathered Bastard:Joe Arpaio Fanboy/Neo-Nazi “Vito Lombardi” is Thomas Vito Coletto, Alleged Columbine Copycat Up on…
An allegation of racial profiling in the East Valley Tribune’s Pulitzer-prize-winning series on Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was unsubstantiated by the Sheriff’s Office because of a series of memory lapses. We’ve been waiting for months for this report, the record of an internal affairs investigation against a 287(g)-trained deputy assigned to…
Two years ago, Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Bob Melvin was the National League’s manager of the year. And now he’s (reportedly) toast. KTAR sports jock John Gambadoro (of Gambo & Ash fame) is reporting that Melvin will be axed as soon as he returns from San Diego, where Arizona lost 4-3…
The number of bank robberies in the Valley have doubled compared to the first few months of 2008, prompting authorities to pledge to work harder on the cases. From January to May 1 in 2008, robbers held up 44 Valley banks. In the same four months in 2009, they hit 88. There…
You can get a glimpse of a real fox in downtown Tempe near Arizona State University — we’re not talking about the college girls, but rather the small, predatory canines. Urban coyotes have been getting all the attention in recent years, but it appears that at least some native…
We did a double-take The story spoke of a filly named Rachel Alexandra, who may be running against the guys next week at the Preakness, the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown. “She is a graceful athlete,” Rachel’s owner said of the record-breaking filly with the big white stripe running…
I’ve discovered the true identity of the neo-Nazi who posed for a pic with Sheriff Joe Arpaio on May 2, which he then posted on Stormfront.org. His name is Thomas Vito Coletto, birth date 8/23/1989. And he has a record. Specifically, He was arrested back in 2007 and later indicted…
ManRam’s bad news is D-Backs’ good fortune.Thanks to an unlikely boost from Diamondbacks killer Manny Ramirez, the struggling D-Backs may have just gotten a new lease on life. Arizona started 20-8 last April before a deep summer swoon and the L.A. Dodgers’ signing of Ramirez left them for dead. In…
A retired police chief from Montana racked up six perfect games of bowling during his league season in Sun City West. Greg Waldon, who retired last year from the Belgrade Police Department and bowls in a pro senior circuit, accomplished the feat in three different leagues between September and April at…
It was a close shave for two people shot and wounded last night in Mesa barber shop. Cops say a guy walked into Horacio Styles, 724 E. University, just after 9 p.m. — when the shop usually closes. He “exchanged words with employees and customers.” Then he pulled out a…
PBS Channel 8 (KAET-TV) is crying wolf over its financial situation, but it’s a real wolf. Make that a metaphorical real wolf. Whatever — they’ve got a cute, little drawing of it on an e-mail sent to potential donors and a Web page. Money problems plague the station because the public is donating less, what…
If you’re an Arizona Diamondbacks fan, you’re looking to the future already, drooling perhaps at the notion of Justin “The Franchise” Upton becoming a perennial All-Star, hitting 40 homers, stealing 30 bases, hitting .315. It can happen. Until that day arrives, you’ll have to reside in Fantasyland, because this year’s…
An SUV collided with a light rail train Wednesday night at 7th Avenue and Camelback. The crash sent another car careening over the barrier, but no one was hurt, and light rail continues to run as usual…Chandler fire crews battled a two-acre palm tree fire near Brooks Farms and Tower…
