FROM THE EDITOR
J Blank squares JANUARY BEGINS WITH BLANK CALENDAR pages, as every new year does. But in Maricopa, daily life does not pause to match them. Neighborhoods are full. Patios are buzzing again. The city has entered its winter season, and it‘s a familiar contrast here: quieter on paper, fuller in real life. This issue reflects that moment. You’ll find reporting on the wave of data center and energy proposals quietly taking shape across rural Maricopa. Our coverage focuses on where these proposals are, who is behind them and why their scale and proximity matter to this community. You’ll also read about innovation happening inside Maricopa classrooms. The educators featured in this issue are being recognized for new approaches to teaching math, work rooted in daily classroom practice that has gained attention far beyond the city. Winter shows up in different ways as well. Monica D. Spencer’s foodie photos lean into how this season actually plays out in Maricopa, a time when people linger longer over meals, restaurants settle into their busiest stretch and food becomes part of how the city experiences winter.
Publisher SCOTT BARTLE
Advertising Director VINCENT MANFREDI
New homes starting in the $300’s
This issue also includes our annual Year in Review , a look back at the stories that shaped Maricopa in 2025. Growth, debate, development
Editorial Director ELIAS WEISS
and community moments all left their mark, and we’re proud of the work our newsroom did to document them accurately and consistently. That coverage continues every day online. Since our last magazine issue, InMaricopa.com launched a new homepage on Dec. 17. It’s faster, cleaner and easier to navigate, and it’s where we publish daily coverage of the city we all call home, whether
Operations Director TIFFANY WELCH
Find your community here
Advertising ERIKA PARAMO AMBER ROGALLA BRITTANY RUSSELL MICHELLE SORENSEN
Writers KRISTINA DONNAY
DAVID IVERSEN DAYV MORGAN BRIAN PETERSHEIM SR. CHERYL PURVIS
you’re here year-round or just for the winter. As for me, I’ll be here all 365 days, covering Maricopa with our amazing team. Yes, even on New Year’s Day. Thank you for reading, and welcome to January in Maricopa.
KAYDENCE SHIPMAN MONICA D. SPENCER SHERMAN AND EUPHEMIA WEEKES
Photographers DAVID IVERSEN VICTOR MORENO MONICA D. SPENCER
ELIAS WEISS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Elias@inMaricopa.com
Designer CARL BEZUIDENHOUT
Send your reactions with a photo of yourself at the QR code to be published in a future edition of InMaricopa magazine.
MISSION Inform readers/viewers. Enrich advertisers.
BELIEFS We believe in: • An informed citizenry. • Holding ourselves and others accountable. • The success of deserving businesses.
CONTRIBUTORS
VALUES
• Integrity • Accountability
• Open, honest, real-time communication • Prosperity for clients, community, company
Volume 21, Issue 1 InMaricopa 44400 W. Honeycutt Road, Suite 101 Maricopa, AZ 85138
D.R. Horton is an Equal Housing Opportunity Builder. DRH Properties, Inc., Broker. Home and community information, pricing, plans, elevations, included features, options, terms, availability, amenities, and co-broke, are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. Drawings, pictures, photographs, video, square footages, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. Square footage dimensions are approximate and vary by elevation. If Buyer is working with a licensed real estate agent or broker, the agent or broker must accompany and register buyer on first visit to the community. See sales agent for complete details and pricing, including a list of available homes. Prices vary by community. D.R. Horton reserves the right to cancel or change all offers without prior notice. Prices shown are base home prices and do not include closing cost and fees, lot premium, modifications to plans and custom features which may substantially affect final cost of the home. Furnishings and decorative items not included with home purchase. Construction by DRH Phoenix East Construction, Inc., License #ROC 064532-B. Contact us for Maricopa specific homebuyer incentives. 480-780-2171 or PhoenixInfo@drhorton.com
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Published advertisements are not an endorsement of products or advertising claims by InMaricopa . No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of InMaricopa . Copyright 2025.
KRISTINA DONNAY Dr. Kristina knows how to make your weight-loss resolution stick in 2026.
BRIAN PETERSHEIM SR. Realtor Brian recaps 2025 and looks ahead to the 2026 market.
CHERYL PURVIS Master gardener Cheryl warns the desert holds its own threats to plants in winter.
InMaricopa.com | Janaury 2026
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