News

On Wednesday, October 15, the Tempe Improv will host “Sheriff Joe’s Pink Collar Comedy Night,” a fundraiser to benefit Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Maricopa Animal Safe Hospice (MASH) unit. Arpaio’s made much of his MASH unit over the past four years, and the press has portrayed him as an animal rights hero. But things are seldom as they seem with Sheriff Arpaio, whose MCSO’s been leveled with accusations of animal cruelty itself and who refuses to provide documentation of where certain MCSO funds are going, including funds raised for MASH.

By Jonathan McNamara It’s amazing what people will do with vegetables these days. For the past five years, Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek has been cutting mazes through corn fields in the likenesses of celebrities including Larry King, Oprah Winfrey and Jay Leno. Whose face would be temporarily etched into…

By John Dickerson The National Commission on Correctional Health Care, or NCCHC, has revoked the accreditation of all Maricopa County jails. The decision is a huge blow to Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the county – as this was the jails’ only third-party accreditation. Among other causes, the NCCHC found Arpaio’s…

By Stephen Lemons House nixes $700 billion bailout. McCain, Wall Street lose. Board of Supervisors critic and MCSA organizer Randy Parraz arrested by MCSO. Local racists attack Native Americans, shooting one. Scottsdale’s Dickie’s Dogs threatened again, this time with fake dynamite. Cards’ Boldin recovering after violent slam by Jets player…

By Amy Silverman OK, so after today’s financial news, you might not be in the market for a mansion. But if you are, you’re in luck! An ad in yesterday’s Arizona Republic announced that on October 25, the “former home of Sen. John & Cindy McCain” will be auctioned. It’s…

By Jonathan McNamara Last week we asked why Phoenicians elect to stay in this dusty desert instead of heading out into the world. Check out this first entry from Phoenician and New Times reader Matt Self: I grew up in the East Valley where the land is flat and dry,…

By Stephen Lemons Guadalupe sues Sheriff Arpaio for trying to pull out of town. Trib op-ed argues Saban can beat Joe. Requests to local food banks up. State Dems can smell a legislative lead coming their way. Nappy knocks on doors for state House and Senate hopefuls. Cards burned badly…

David Nahmod, the San Francisco-based blogger who was served with an Injuction of Harassment and a gag order by a judge in Surprise, Arizona (read the full story here), was denied his request to have the gag order removed at a Maricopa County Justice Court hearing on Thursday, September 25.

By Jonathan McNamara Robert Pela revealed on Thursday that the freedom to pass gas without alerting his neighborhood’s gossip hounds makes living in Phoenix a worthwhile venture even if the symphony sucks. Today, two other New Times employees have stepped up to the plate to espouse their love for this…

By Stephen Lemons Cultish pastor Tony Alamo nabbed in northern Arizona by FBI. At first McCain was flakin’, now he’s headed for debate. Dowling sues Arpaio and county for $1.75M. Supes not allowing public comment in do-over meeting. Postseason hopes dashed for D-Backs. Citizen’s Denogean finds clergy who oppose gay-marriage…

By Stephen Lemons First corn vendors, then landscapers, now Sheriff’s deputies collar door makers. Real tough guys, those deps. Blows to head killed Phoenix cop, AG investigating. McLame wants out of Friday’s debate. Obama says the show must go on. Bishop declares Palin witchcraft-free in video. (Whew, that’s a relief.)…

In Jason Hill’s Phoenix, the sun never sets. His paintings of the city — a vibrant Valley National Bank framed by a glowing sky; a dazzling Financial Center with a jet jauntily speeding past — are thousand-watt, high-color beacons that send the same, simple, not-so-subliminal message: Phoenix is cool. Come…

JOE’S SONG Crackers, gimme a break: The Juan Mendoza Farias case is so typical of what has gone on repeatedly in Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s jails. Somebody gets put inside for a minor crime (in the great scheme of things) — drunk driving, getting high on drugs — and winds up…

When the Housing Authority of Maricopa County began the hunt for a new executive director, it had some specifics in mind. Its hire would be running the county’s public housing program — no small task. Naturally, the ideal candidate would be educated, with at least a bachelor’s degree, and have…

It happens all the time: I’m someplace outside of Arizona, I mention that I live here most of the year, and the Phoenix-bashing commences. “Oh, no! Phoenix!” moaned Dennis, the first time I met him. Dennis owns Parkside Vintage, an amazing antiques store I always visit when I’m in Warren,…

What is an anchor baby? I am a 45-year-old male born in the U.S.A. My mother was born in ex-Yugoslavia (now Serbia), and my father was also born in ex-Yugoslavia (now Croatia). My father arrived to this country via a green card about four years before I was born and…