DETECTIVE O’NEAL A bunch of amateurs at Tempe P.D.: It’s always a hoot to read stories about how local cops, politicians, and whoever cozy up to celebrities (“Shaqzilla,” Paul Rubin, September 22). This story says more about the Tempe Police Department’s willingness to kiss Shaquille O’Neal’s posterior just to hang…
I am forever amazed that otherwise seemingly sane politicians seek and accept the endorsement of the grab bag of certifiable nuts, conspiracy theorists, and bigots that make up the Tea Party. Though I know I shouldn’t be.After all, politicians are shameless and at one time in American history, the Ku…
In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times’ blogs. Today’s entries:…
Former Alaska Governor/the best person Governor Jan Brewer could find to write the foreword to her new book, Sarah Palin, isn’t going to run for president this year — but there’s a Senate seat in a certain Southwestern haven for far-right-wing-nuts that she’s rumored to have been eying for several…
If you’re a criminal, illegal immigrant, or just don’t want to get hassled by Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s boys in beige, avoid West Phoenix tomorrow — the MCSO’s staging its latest “crime-suppression operation.”The MCSO isn’t saying where it will focus its op, only noting that it will be in Phoenix and…
Dennis Burke, who abruptly resigned in late August as the United States Attorney for Arizona after becoming mired in controversy, had to deal with another traumatic event earlier that month: Burke nearly killed a pedestrian with his vehicle in an accident on North Central Avenue. Phoenix police records show that…
This weekend is the 11th annual International Accordion Festival in San Antonio, Texas. It’s a three-day gathering of accordions, polka music, and, of course, beer.But if you ask Gwen Rivera, director of the International Accordion Festival, it’s more than just a gathering of polka fans who sit around and consume…
Just when you thought you could go one day without more shenanigans from the pro-Pearce crowd, here comes Anthony Tsontakis, attorney for sham recall candidate Olivia Cortes, with a desperate appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court, seeking to halt a Friday hearing where more evidence is to be introduced in…
Unbelievably, there was only one fatality in a series of large-vehicle wrecks on Interstate 10 yesterday afternoon, and the deceased has been identified 66-year-old William Tatsch of Austin, Texas.In total, there were three separate wrecks — involving nearly 30 vehicles — caused by a dust storm that hit the highway near…
Kimmie Dwayne Baker apparently is a religious man. Well, at the very least, he owns a Bible — in which he allegedly stashed evidence from a burglary he’d committed at Tempe High School where he works.According to the Tempe Police Department, Baker was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing more than…
Despite the fact that police recommended that former Glendale cop Christopher Balmaceda be charged with one count of sexual abuse and four counts of luring a minor for sexual exploitation for allegedly sending inappropriate text messages to teenage girls — kissing and touching one of them — the Maricopa County…
The Arizona Diamondbacks overcame a do-or-die situation last night and kept their postseason dreams alive by scorching the Milwaukee Brewers 8-1 during Game Three of the National Leagues Division Series. And it was largely ’cause of the hitting heroics of Paul Goldschmidt. The rookie slugger provided two hits and five…
The Arizona Diamondbacks are down, but they’re not out.Trailing the Milwaukee Brewers two games to none in the National League Division Series, the Snakes thumped the Brewers 8-1 last night, with an exclamation point in the form of a Paul Goldschmidt grand slam in the fifth inning (the rookie first baseman…
In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times’ blogs. Today’s entries:…
Oddly, this one seems like a long time ago, what with the Diamondbacks about to take the field in a few hours to stave off playoff elimination at the hands of the suddenly mighty Milwaukee Brewers. But when we have an opportunity to reflect on the 2011 season, Ryan Roberts’…
We were there for this one, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ NL West division-clinching 3-1 win over the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants. It happened to be one of the more exciting games of the year, and not just because of the momentous occasion of the icing on the home team’s…
The Diamondbacks went into a road series with the Los Angeles Dodgers with an eight-game cushion over the fading San Francisco Giants. Ace pitcher Ian Kennedy got the start for Arizona, and scuffled at the start, giving up four runs in the first inning before settling down. LA still led 4-3…
UPDATE: See the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office’s explanation for not charging Balmaceda here.A former Glendale cop accused of sexting several teenage girls, and sexually abusing another, won’t be charged with any crimes.Police recommended that former Glendale Officer Christopher Balmaceda be charged with one count of sexual abuse and four counts…
At least one person is dead and more than a dozen are injured thanks to a dust storm that caused a wreck on the I-10 this afternoon involving at least 30 vehicles.According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the wreck occurred near milepost 217, about a quarter-mile east of…
United States House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith wrote a letter to President Barack Obama today asking that he appoint a special counsel to investigate whether Attorney General Eric Holder lied when he testified before Congress about “Operation Fast and Furious,” the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms botched gun…
The owner of a Tempe medical marijuana club raided by the DEA last week was already being sought by cops for possession of methamphetamine, records show.James Chaney, 37, was arrested along with co-worker Rachel Beeder, 25, on September 29 during the morning raid of the Arizona Go Green Compassion Club…
Phoenix police found the body of a man in the bottom of his pool last night who just happened to be a suspected kid-diddler.Phoenix Sergeant Steve Martos tells New Times that detectives went to the Phoenix home of 58-year-old James Ziarnick about 9 p.m. yesterday to talk to him about…
