2025 June issue of InMaricopa Magazine

June 2025 issue of InMaricopa Magazine InMaricopa.com InMaricopa is Maricopa's premier local news source InMaricopa is your go-to source for hyper-local news and information about Maricopa, Arizona. Stay informed with the latest community updates, events, and stories that matter to our city. InMaricopa is the only dedicated news outlet focusing exclusively on the city of Maricopa, ensuring residents are always in the know.

June 2025

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Flying first class Desert Sunrise’s first brood of Golden Hawks has left the nest

EDUCATION • BUSINESS • COMMUNITY • GOVERNMENT • HOME • MORE

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CONTENTS

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LEADING OFF Editor’s letter 4 Contributors 4 HISTORY The Little Red Engine that Could 6

This month in history 6 GOVERNMENT We rode along with border patrol after they caught a cartel scout in Maricopa 8 A conversation with the fire chief on the department’s 20th birthday 14 Permits 18 EDUCATION Desert Sunrise High School plays ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ for the first time 22 Military recruitment is surging. Enlistees tell us why they joined 26 COMMUNITY We found out what’s inside some of the city’s most unique garages 32 Who is this year’s Best Mom InMaricopa? 38 BUSINESS Mapping new businesses, developments 42 Restaurant inspections 45 These Maricopa entrepreneurs don’t sell where they dwell 46 HEALTH & WELLNESS These 3 popular supplements are greater than the sum of their parts 48

HOME What’s the true value of a home warranty? 50 Extreme home sales 52 The hidden cost of tenant junk 53

EVENTS Calendar 54 PARTING SHOT Mane character energy 64

ON THE COVER Victor Moreno captures Kylah Victum graduating May 21 from Desert Sunrise High School. She’s part of the first ever graduating class..

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InMaricopa.com | June 2025

FROM THE EDITOR

H A little something different Have you guys heard about the new shopping center being built across from Walmart? (If not, you can read about it on page 43.) Legacy on Porter promises to bring Maricopa’s second Goodwill, its second Chipotle and its second Jersey Mike’s. Basically, if variety is the spice of life, this plaza is a plain tortilla.

Publisher SCOTT BARTLE

Reality: These words are signs of my humanity. Vivisection, for example, which means a scrutinous look at an issue, was The New York Times word of the day Jan. 30. I used to write for The Daily Beast

Editorial Director ELIAS WEISS

Advertising Manager TAWNI PROCTOR

and believe I picked up the word when I worked there; also in January, the newspaper said Demi Moore’s story in The Substance was “a metatextual vivisection of the unwinnable game.” I prefer that to whatever ChatGPT’s review of that movie would be. Like musicians’ styles are some amalgamations of their influences, so,

Advertising VINCENT MANFREDI AMBER ROGALLA BRITTANY RUSSELL MICHELLE SORENSEN

If you’ve spent even a tenth of the time I have doomscrolling our many local Facebook groups, you’ll know what people in this city want: Salad and Go, Chick-fil-A, In-n-Out Burger ... or, really, any effort at a diverse commercial

Writers KRISTINA DONNAY

JUSTIN GRIFFIN DAVID IVERSEN DAYV MORGAN

too, are writers’. For me, maybe my choice of words is a simple rejection of the sameness I see around me. My takeaway: While many will not appreciate your uniqueness, a life without it is hardly worth the cost of upkeep. I believe this applies to all people. So, let your uniqueness shine like the Arizona summer sun. Speaking of the sun — it’s getting hot out there. Is our summer worth sticking around for? A snowbird might say no, but what of the first graduating class at Desert Sunrise High School? This summer is the springboard to the rest of their unique, fascinating lives.

landscape. In a place where the houses all look the same, and the businesses seem to self-replicate like amorous desert cottontails, it’s easy to succumb to development déjà vu. That’s why I love David Iversen’s piece in this edition, Behind rolled doors . It’s a photo essay that reminds us that behind a thin layer of homogeneity are tens of thousands of fascinating, multifaceted complexities — human souls. Our garages are reflections of ourselves. As a childless minimalist and onetime winger, my garage is completely empty, except for a lone hockey bag leaning against my water heater. (I bought my Maricopa home two years ago.) This is the same reason why I dislike AI-written articles. I got a chuckle in May when one of our readers suspected in an online comment that my deep investigative dive into the murder of a teen boy in the Maricopa Meadows last fall was written with AI because I used the words “vivisection” and “stonyhearted,” too obscure for a human writer, theorized the reader.

BRIAN PETERSHEIM JR. MONICA D. SPENCER SHERMAN AND EUPHEMIA WEEKES

Photographers DAVID IVERSEN BRYAN MORDT VICTOR MORENO

BRIAN PETERSHEIM JR. MONICA D. SPENCER

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.

ELIAS WEISS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Elias@inMaricopa.com

VALUES

CONTRIBUTORS

• Integrity • Accountability

• Open, honest, real-time communication • Prosperity for clients, community, company

Volume 20, Issue 6 InMaricopa 44400 W. Honeycutt Road, Suite 101 Maricopa, AZ 85138

520-568-0040 Tel News@InMaricopa.com Advertising@InMaricopa.com

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 shares the key to unlocking a new level of wellness.

SHERMAN & EUPHEMIA WEEKES The local property management duo has advice for landlords with trashed rentals.

DAYV MORGAN Beware the fine print on your home warranty, warns top Maricopa realtor Dayv.

InMaricopa.com | June 2025

Serving Students in Preschool-4th Grade MUSD Dual Language Immersion Program The Dual Language Immersion Program introduces preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third and fourth grade students to the world of bilingualism, biliteracy, and cultural competency. Students receive instruction and explore content in English/Spanish to develop building blocks that will prepare them to be fluent speakers of a second language.

HISTORY

The Little Red Engine that Could This little 1949 Ford fire engine served as the first Maricopa fire truck for nearly 15 years. In 1978, firefighters Don Pearce and Dwight Hamilton traveled to Superior, Ariz., to investigate a fire truck that was for sale, according to the Maricopa Historical Society. The Superior Fire Department bought the little red fire truck brand new. It served the people of Superior for almost 30 years, and its fire chief was very sad to see it go. The community of Maricopa donated $1,000 toward the purchase of the truck, but the price was $2,000. Pearce loaned the Maricopa Fire Department the remaining amount and brought the truck home to Maricopa where it became “The Little Red Engine that Could” for almost 15 years. This magnificent little machine fought many battles against the fires that had plagued Maricopa for decades and saved more than one life, according to the historical society.

Firefighters Eddie Rodriguez and Don Pearce pose for a photo in this undated picture.

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY For these and other historical stories, visit InMaricopa.com.

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• Higher self esteem and confidence • Improved reading abilities • Better problem solving • Improved cognitive stimulation • Higher levels of engagement • Promotes bilingualism and biliteracy • Greater cultural competency RESERVE A SPACE Program located at Santa Rosa Elementary School. To register for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third and fourth grade Dual Language Immersion classes call 520-568-6150 . Serving Students in Preschool-4th Grade

• English/Spanish programming • Certified teachers • Research-based curriculum

On a 108-degree afternoon, Maricopa police K9 Ike, a 9-year- old Dutch Shepherd, died in the kennel of a patrol truck after Officer Craig Curry found the engine was off. Curry was meeting with commanders to plan Ike’s retirement. Instead, the dog died in the line of duty. Curry was suspended 20 hours without pay. State police investigated, and the Pinal County Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute.

The Arizona Department of Transportation approved $36.2

Maricopa Police Sgt. Aki Stant was fired after refusing to answer questions during an internal investigation related to Officer James Hudspeth, who was pulled over by Casa Grande Police and tested positive for DUI but was not cited. Stant later sued the City of Maricopa and received an $840 wage settlement for unpaid overtime during his administrative leave..

A teenager was arrested for suspected arson in Maricopa Meadows after five unoccupied, framed homes were set on fire, four of which burned to the ground. The fires occurred after four teenagers were seen walking through the neighborhood. In addition to the arrested juvenile, two adults were detained as investigative leads, and a third adult from the Gila River Indian Reservation was being sought as the fourth suspect. None of their names were ever released.

• Instruction and assessment in two languages • Students communicate in two languages; gain fluency in the second language • Planned implementation through Grade 5 • Open enrollment* LEARN MORE Visit www.musd20.org/duallanguage

million in funding for the John Wayne Parkway overpass that now crosses the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The pre-overpass railroad crossings saw as many as of 60 trains and 34,000 cars pass daily. The ADOT injection fully funded construction costs of the $55 million project, which opened to traffic in 2019.

* Preschool: Tuition is $680/month for children ages 4 & 5 Kindergarten-4th Grade: Tuition-free

InMaricopa.com | June 2025

GOVERNMENT

Border Patrol Agent Robert Ortiz stands at a Department of Defense lookout near Lukeville, Ariz., April 15. Behind him, hundreds of miles of border wall unfurl eastward.

Law and border With crossings down, CBP is ‘back to chasing people.’ Where? Maricopa, for starters BY DAVID IVERSEN I

physical crossings may be visible, the planning and intelligence components often unfold far beyond the traditional line itself, embedded in the desert, supported by infrastructure and run with military precision. Because of a growing partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, agents were able to quickly respond and apprehend the men. Ride Along To get a sense of how agents were operating some 90 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, InMaricopa met border agents at an outpost in Ajo to learn more about the changing realities. As the truck clamored south, the road quickly changed from pavement to gravel to dirt. In the backroads of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, conversation flowed about the agents’ personal lives and the history of the border patrol. Suddenly, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Jesus Vasavilbaso gave an order: “Stop the car.” He spotted someone walking in the desert less than a mile from the border wall. Ortiz stopped the conversation as quickly as he did the truck.

more about. This route through which the cartel was sending migrants ran straight through Maricopa, a city in the Casa Grande zone of U.S. border patrol’s vast Tucson sector. “These guys are really hard to get if we don’t have air assets available to us because they are going to see us way before we get to them,” explained Border Patrol Agent Robert Ortiz on a recent ride-along with InMaricopa. Cartel scouts often install solar-powered equipment in remote observation sites, enabling them to charge radios and maintain communication with ground units coordinating smuggling routes. “We know they’re there,” Ortiz added, “but since they’re so high up, they can see what’s coming way before it gets there. And they can hide. They can get away. There’s just so many places.” Agents say scouts like these are almost certainly monitoring the border every day. “Absolutely,” one agent confirmed. “It’s a business, yes.” This scout’s operation, believed to be directed by factions of the Sinaloa cartel, underscores a central tension in border enforcement: While

N FEBRUARY, FOUR MEN WERE found hiding high in the Maricopa Mountains, just a few miles south of the city.

They were wearing camouflage over their denim jeans, camo ballcaps and jackets. One man peered through binoculars. Electronics were kept in dark satchels they carried with them. They were all carrying solar panels to keep their communication equipment fully charged in the midday sun. They were tell-tale signs of cartel scouts, according to U.S. border patrol agents who managed to intercept these men through a stroke of blind luck. “It was sun reflecting, hitting one of the solar panels,” said Ortiz. The scout’s presence was confirmed with the help of optical and thermal surveillance. Those scouts, who had been positioned on a peak with a panoramic vista of the Maricopa Mountains near Hidden Valley, were watching a human smuggling route, typical for cartel lookouts. It was a much-publicized bust, one that InMaricopa and its readers wanted to know

InMaricopa.com | June 2025

GOVERNMENT

Moving toward Maricopa What made this Maricopa bust possible, agents say, is increased support from the Department of Defense. On top of a steep, recently paved stretch of border, members of the U.S. military sit daily inside a modified pickup truck, utilizing sur- veillance equipment provided by an Israeli con- tractor. According to a DoD initiative, military units now assist Homeland Security operations with aviation support, intelligence gathering and monitoring duties. From this perch, they run surveillance equipment, filling support roles previously filled by the border patrol. That gives agents new assignments into interior zones, like Maricopa, breaking up cartel scouted routes. “What’s changed is that the DoD has the authority to move,” said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Branch Chief John Mennell. “They can move to maintain eye contact or track [migrants]. They’re not going hands on, unless for defense, but they’re not arresting anyone. They call us in.” Mennell calls it “find, fix and finish.” “It’s a military phrase. They find the enemy, fix their location and finish them by bringing artillery down. This ain’t artillery, but the same principle applies. They’re calling in border patrol.” “Our job hasn’t changed,” said Vasavilbaso, “but now, we can do more of it further away from the line because we have the DoD While border patrol agents describe the military partnership as a force multiplier, critics see something else: a creeping militarization of civilian space. What began as logistical support is, in the eyes of watchdogs, rapidly morphing into a broader, less accountable surveillance state — one with few checks and a shifting sense of mission. watching the cameras.” Too much muscle? “There’s a different energy this time,” said Noah Schramm, border policy expert with the ACLU of Arizona. “The rhetoric has changed. The scope has changed. And the fear has changed.” Schramm says residents in the border patrol’s enforcement zone are increasingly reaching out to his office, unsure of their rights if stopped by uniformed personnel — especially those wearing military patches instead of border patrol insignia. “We’ve seen executive orders expand military jurisdiction to zones that blur the line between civilian and federal land,” he said. “If

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Two border agents with nearly four decades of experience between them scanned the horizon. They spoke in near code as they sat and watched for movement. This time, it was a false alarm — just a blowing bush silhouetted against the late morning sun. It is a different border and a different mission than it once was, said these agents. At its height, agents in this 236-mile stretch of the border made contact with 10,000 migrants in a single day. In 2023, Tucson’s sector chief John Modlin told Congress migrant encounters were quadruple what they had been just three years earlier. Things had gone from “unprecedented” to “a point where I no longer have the correct adjective to describe what’s going on.” Ortiz talked about politics by talking around politics. “Since January, things have really changed,” he said, bouncing down the dirt road heading south. “For the last three, four years, we were just inside processing, you know? The newer agents, all they know is processing. They don’t really know what it’s like actually being out here in the field.” Statewide, illegal crossings declined by more than 70% between January and February, Clockwise from above: Border Patrol Agent Robert Ortiz examines a culvert used by migrants to hide from detection. | A stray dog finds shade in the newly erected border wall. | A border patrol badge on Robert Ortiz’s shoulder. | Department of Defense equipment posted at the U.S.-Mexico border.

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according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a federal database of migrant border crossings. Now, across the entire Tucson sector, a massive swath of Arizona desert along 262 border miles and stretching another 100 miles north, agents average fewer than three dozen encounters per day. The agents attribute the drop to new restrictions on asylum eligibility and increased detention capacity. “Before, it was catch and release,” Ortiz said. “Now, people know they’ll be held. That changed the game. We’re back to chasing people again. It used to be they turned themselves in. Now, it’s about pursuit. It’s about evasion.”

Before, it was catch and release. Now, people know they’ll be held. That changed the game. We’re back to chasing people again. It used to be they turned themselves in. Now, it’s about pursuit. It’s about evasion.” ROBERT ORTIZ, BORDER PATROL AGENT

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InMaricopa.com | June 2025

GOVERNMENT

Humanitarian crisis with tactical tools The car went quiet as it rambled from a dirt road back to pavement. Looking out the window at the vast open desert, Vasavilbaso called the road by its nickname, “The Devil’s Highway.” In 2001, a tragic incident unfolded just miles from the Ajo station, highlighting the perils faced by migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. A group of 28 Mexican migrants, primarily from the state of Veracruz, were led by smugglers through the treacherous terrain of the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. The smugglers abandoned the migrants with minimal water and false assurances that they were close to rescue. Over the next several days, temperatures soared to 115 degrees and 14 of the migrants died, marking one of the deadliest border- crossing tragedies in Arizona’s history. The incident drew attention to the dangers of increased border enforcement policies, such as Operation Gatekeeper, which had pushed migrants to take more perilous routes through remote and inhospitable areas. Critics argued such policies inadvertently led to more deaths by forcing migrants onto hazardous paths. In response to the tragedy, U.S. and Mexican officials pledged to enhance cooperation to prevent similar incidents. The border patrol increased rescue operations and placed more emergency beacons in the desert. “We do what we can,” said Ortiz. “We have EMTs, paramedics, helicopters. But at the end of the day, we’re law enforcement.” Neither agent was in the region during the Yuma 14 incident, but both have experienced What may concern residents most is the extent to which border enforcement now occurs far from the border itself. Maricopa is no longer an outlier. As cartel scouts and stash houses embed deeper into Arizona, the border patrol’s presence follows. “We’re going where the intel sends us,” said Ortiz, “and the intel sometimes sends us north.” Those small towns are all about relationships, added Mennell, the local border patrol chief. “We don’t have enough border patrol agents to man these small towns,” he said of Maricopa and similar communities deeper in the buffer zone. “It’s going to be the cops who hear about this weird sh*t first.” It was a single, weird sunray in a small town that led to the bust in the Maricopa Mountains. the harsh reality of border crossing. Invisible border in the interior

someone unknowingly steps onto one of these areas, the legal consequences could be severe — and totally disproportionate.” The ACLU warns that even absent arrests, the symbolism of soldiers in the desert carries weight. In a region where the Constitution’s protections are already thin near the border, critics say the quiet normalization of military surveillance sets a dangerous precedent. “We’ve seen the military provide logistical support at the border in the past, but this moment feels different,” Schramm said. “There’s a heightened level of rhetoric from the current administration that raises the risk of a significant expansion of military authority in civilian areas. That creates the potential for troubling encounters between armed military personnel and everyday residents of border communities.” Schramm said the ACLU is especially wary of policies that increase surveillance and policing power in already heavily monitored areas, noting that both migrants and U.S. citizens in border towns are impacted. He cited a recent executive order establishing a 60-foot zone for military use along the border as a potential flashpoint. “There’s a real fear about what happens if someone, whether a migrant seeking asylum or a local resident, accidentally steps onto land designated as military territory,” he said. “Those actions could carry criminal penalties, regardless of intent.” While the ACLU has not seen widespread military personnel involvement in Arizona yet, Schramm said community members are increasingly reaching out with concerns. “Right now, it’s mostly fear and uncertainty,” he said, “but the risk of escalation is real.”

Above: Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Jesus Vasavilbaso (left) and Border Patrol Agent Robert Ortiz stop at the border wall. Right: A view facing east along the U.S.-Mexico line.

“It’s like a franchise system,” one agent said. “The cartel runs the whole show, but they sublet areas to plaza bosses, who hire scouts, drivers and smugglers. Everyone pays a quota.” Migrants pay between $1,000 and $1,500 just to be allowed to cross the line. That doesn’t include travel, lodging or the required camouflage kits they must purchase. “People think it’s humanitarian,” said an agent, “but every person crossing without documents is putting money into cartel hands. That’s a hard truth nobody likes to say out loud.” While this view may be operationally accurate, it skirts a more fundamental issue: why migrants feel compelled to turn to these criminal networks in the first place. Agents acknowledge most people they apprehend have been misled or exploited, but there remains little space in enforcement discourse for addressing systemic drivers of migration like poverty, violence and political instability.

The business of exploitation Vasavilbaso and Ortiz don’t share Schramm’s concerns. They say their focus is on intercepting human traffickers and stopping the cartels at the border. Agents describe the cartels operating along the southern border as corporate in their organization and ruthless in execution. steps onto land designated as military territory. Those actions could carry criminal penalties, regardless of intent.” NOAH SCHRAMM, BORDER POLICY EXPERT WITH THE ACLU OF ARIZONA There’s a real fear about what happens if someone, whether a migrant seeking asylum or a local resident, accidentally

InMaricopa.com | June 2025

GOVERNMENT

F.D. turns 20 A conversation about the future with Chief Brad Pitassi BY BRIAN PETERSHEIM JR.

S INMARICOPA ’S BREAKING news reporter, you’ve probably seen me at the scene of a car crash, fire or emergency within city limits.

PETERSHEIM: Tell me a bit about the upcoming retirements. PITASSI: Over half of my department is going to be eligible to retire in the next three years. A vast majority of us were hired around the same time—between 2005 and the end of 2006. I was No. 55. We added a few more after that, but starting in early 2027, all those members will be eligible to retire at their 20-year mark. That means a massive turnover is coming. And with that, we’re losing 20 years of experience, training and education. They’ll be replaced by firefighters fresh out of the academy — motivated, eager to serve and ready to learn. You can’t rush 20 years of experience. But we’re also preparing for our ambulance service, which could bring 30 new firefighters, plus 15 more with future fire stations. So, we could be looking at nearly 50% turnover and 45 new hires in just a few years. This department will look very different. That said, it’s an amazing opportunity. Those original members took a risk — joining a new department with no history, no guarantees. Losing their stories and culture will be a hit. But we’re also bringing in new energy. Some of our probationary firefighters have already pitched After nearly five years on the job, many of the Maricopa Fire and Medical Department’s crews are starting to recognize me. Sometimes, a firefighter will repost one of my photos — capturing them mid-rescue or at the scene of a fire — on social media. It’s one of those rare perks of journalism: watching people share moments they’re proud of. I recently sat down with Fire Chief Brad Pitassi to talk about the department’s 20-year legacy and its future. With a wave of retirements looming and major expansions on the horizon, Pitassi sees both challenges and opportunities ahead. Below is a condensed and edited version of our conversation.

Maricopa Fire Chief Brad Pitassi

InMaricopa.com | June 2025

June 2025 | InMaricopa.com

GOVERNMENT

Fire Engineer John Campanaro, a longtime crew member, praises then-cadet Emily Colhour after a tough workout May 10, 2024.

Turf Removal Landscape Incentive

2008 crash, many left. Some are starting to come back as housing becomes more affordable. Right now, most of our staff commute. Some live as far as Prescott Valley, Payson or Wickenburg. But they’re committed. Our schedule helps — long shifts and multiple days off — but we are seeing signs that more might settle here again, especially younger hires. What is this new generation of firefighters bringing to the table? I’m really inspired by them. I don’t buy into the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset. This new generation brings fresh skills, enthusiasm and perspective. They’re tech- savvy. They challenge us in good ways. They’ve made immediate contributions. It’s not always comfortable, especially for those of us who started in an analog world — but it’s necessary. We’ve seen probationary firefighters bring forward ideas that changed how we do things. Our senior staff provide the guardrails — they’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. But the younger generation is eager, motivated and engaged. We’ve built a system that lets them test gear, do research and present proposals. That’s ownership. That’s buy-in. I don’t use the nozzles anymore. But the people who do should have a say in what tools we’re using. And they’re stepping up. That’s what’s really exciting. Where is the department planning to expand? We’re assessing now, but the next station will likely be south of Station 571, which is at Porter and Smith-Enke. We’re eyeing the Amarillo Creek area — there’s a lot of growth down there with new schools, housing and industry. We’ve already purchased land for Station 576. We’re just waiting for development fees to

ideas that got implemented. Because if it’s a good idea, it doesn’t matter where it comes from. Police Chief Mark Goodman and I talk constantly about where we’ll be in 10 years. The people retiring now get to hand off a department they helped build — and that’s special. It’s rare in this country to witness that kind of full-circle moment. Chief Goodman and you say you like to think 10 years ahead. What might the department look like 20 years from now? If you’d asked me 20 years ago where we’d be today, I probably wouldn’t have guessed this. Our department will have to scale with the city. If the population triples, our department might have to triple as well. That means more stations, more staff and more resources. As the city’s footprint grows, public safety has to grow alongside it — police and fire both. It’s about balanced growth and meeting community needs. How many staff are in the fire department? We have 77 staff in the fire department right now. We have four fire stations, each with three shifts — A, B, and C — so we’re covering the city 24/7, 365 days a year. We’re actively looking at expanding. We need to not only keep up with the city’s growth — we need to get ahead of it. If the state grants our certificate of necessity, we’ll launch an ambulance service, adding 30 more firefighters. We’ve grown fast before. We’ve opened stations rapidly. And we’ve learned from that. We won’t repeat past mistakes. We’ll probably make new ones — but that’s how you grow. I don’t believe in failures. I believe in lessons. You’re going to break 100 staff soon. Do they all live here in Maricopa? Not right now. When the department started, most firefighters lived in the city. But after the

Fire Captain Matthew Bradbeer responds to a carfire in the Maricopa Meadows community Aug. 30.

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come in before we break ground. Another future station will be Station 573, likely in a more central location to support long-term city growth. You’re at 18½ years with the department. Will you be retiring soon, too? I plan to stick around. Transitioning a fire chief is a major process and I want to see through the 10-year capital improvement plan we’ve started. I’m healthy, I’m still young and I love this community. I’m also a cancer survivor, and while everything looks good right now, any early exit would be health related. But my goal is to stay and keep pushing forward. I love this job, I work with incredible people and we’re gaining real momentum. It’s too good to walk away from.

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InMaricopa.com | June 2025

June 2025 | InMaricopa.com

GOVERNMENT

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for a Peaches & Gains Woman’s Fitness center at 19342 N. Maricopa Road, Suite 110. Diamond Communications cell tower modification permit to upgrade a T-Mobile tower at 45330 W. McDavid Road. Valued at $24,650. Amerco Real Estate Company 2 permits for a 115,761-square-foot U-Haul building, valued at $13.6 million. Volkswagen of America detached structure permit for a 400-square-foot temperature and humidity control lab, valued at $65,736. RESIDENTIAL Castlerock Communities to construct 5 homes in El Rancho Santa Rosa. Century Communities to construct 2 homes in The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado and 1 in The Trails at Tortosa. DF Construction to construct 4 homes in Rancho Mirage. D.R. Horton to construct 3 homes in The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado. Forestar USA to construct 4 homes in Moonlight.

KB Home to construct 4 homes in Desert Passage. Lennar Arizona to construct 9 homes in Anderson Farms. Richmond American Homes to construct 8 homes in The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado.

BRIEF

Permits April 11 – May 10

COMMERCIAL Hiro Investment cell tower modification permit for height extension on an AT&T tower at 42660 W. Rancho El Dorado Parkway. Valued at $25,000. Jared Pope Properties certificate of occupancy permit for a Cash Time Loans at 44480 W. Honeycutt Road, Suite 103. Gunsmoke Ranch Apartments multifamily residence permits for 34 duplexes at Gunsmoke at Hancock. Total value is roughly $5.3 million. Heritage Academy 2 permits for a 14,000-square-foot auditorium, valued at $2.6 million. Forestar USA Real Estate Group 2 detached structure permits for restrooms and a ramada at Moonlight . Total value is $373,215. ACP Properties certificate of occupancy permit

22 RESIDENTIAL SOLAR 10 RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS 40 SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES 2 TEMPORARY SIGNS

Innovative cancer care starts with the heart , not the head. At Cancer & Blood Specialists of Arizona , we provide diagnostic imaging, surgery, radiation oncology and medical oncology services for a truly comprehensive and innovative approach. With compassionate care that centers around you, every interaction is focused on your experience and well-being.

Cancer Clinic 1281 E. Cottonwood Lane Casa Grande, AZ 85122 (520) 836-9800

Providing enhanced services such as diagnostic PET/CT imaging and TrueBeam ® radiation treatments.

Cancer Clinic 1281 E. Cottonwood Lane Casa Grande, AZ 85122 P (520) 836-9800 Surgery Clinic 580 N. Camino Mercado Suite 5 Casa Grande, AZ 85122 P (520) 876-0416

Surgery Clinic 580 N. Camino Mercado Suite 5 Casa Grande, AZ 85122 (520) 876-0416

Ramon Mourelo, MD

Samrat Sanghvi, MD

Carlos E. Arce-Lara, MD

Ronak Shah, DO

June 2025 | InMaricopa.com Your all-access pass to premium HVAC care! Cool-Mechanical.com • 877.We.R.Cool

CancerBloodSpecialistsAZ.com

InMaricopa.com | June 2025

FREE OIL CHANGE IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS IN THE MONTH OF JUNE 2025 Includes up to 5 quarts of oil,

NEW LOCATION AT 2825 E. RIGGS IN GILBERT 1 BLOCK WEST OF HIGLEY ROAD ACROSS FROM THE FIRE DEPT.

new oil filter, and disposal. (5 quarts synthetic blend 5W30 or 5W20; or full synthetic 0W20, 5W20 and 5W30) Some oil filters may have an additional cost. Most cars & light trucks. Please show birthdate ID. One oil change per person.

NEW LOCATION AT 2825 E. RIGGS IN GILBERT 1 BLOCK WEST OF HIGLEY ROAD ACROSS FROM THE FIRE DEPT.

ON 40K AND 60K WARRANTY TIRES! RBP HEADQUARTERS WE DO LIFT KITS. MANY OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE LARGEST DISTRIBUTOR OF RBP PRODUCTS

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LEXANI 40,000 MILE WARRANTY

FORTUNE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY

SIZE

BUY 2 PRICE EACH

18565R15 19565R15 ALL SEASON RADIAL 88H ..........................................................$99.99 ......................................................... $139.99 ALL SEASON RADIAL 91H ......................................................... $102.99 ......................................................... $142.99 20555R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 94W .........................................................$107.99 .......................................................... $147.99 21555R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 95W ........................................................ $109.99 ..........................................................$149.99 20560R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 92V .......................................................... $112.99 ......................................................... $152.99 21560R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 99H .........................................................$116.99 ......................................................... $156.99 20565R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 99H .........................................................$122.99 ......................................................... $162.99 22550R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 98W .........................................................$129.99 ......................................................... $169.99 21555R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 98W .........................................................$123.99 ......................................................... $163.99 22555R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 101W ........................................................$134.99 ..........................................................$174.99 22560R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 99V ..........................................................$139.99 ..........................................................$179.99 22565R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 102T.........................................................$144.99 ......................................................... $184.99 23565R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 103T.........................................................$152.99 ......................................................... $192.99 23545R18 ALL SEASON RADIAL 100W........................................................$132.99 ..........................................................$172.99 MANY OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE.

SIZE

PRICE EACH

• Identify Freon Type • Visually Inspect System for Leaks AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE CHECK FREE

BRAKE FLUID SYSTEM REPLACEMENT

• Battery tests include (electronically hand-held test). • Cooling system test includes pressure testing the cooling system with tester and visual inspection of cooling system. Expires 6/30/25 BATTERY AND COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE TEST FREE

331250R17 RBP RTE BLK..................................$198.99 351250R17 RBP RTF BLK................................. $206.99 331250R18 RBP RTE BLK .................................$198.99 351250R18 RBP RTE BLK ................................$206.99 331250R20 RBP RTE BLK.................................$216.99 351250R20 RBP RTF BLK.................................$221.99............... 1.38 FEET 331250R20 RBP MT3 F BLK .............................$216.99 351250R20 RBP MT3 F BLK .............................$221.99...............1.30 FEET

$ 74 99

Includes: • Drain & Refill Brake Fluid • Clean Brake Fluid Reservoir • Inspect Hydraulic System

Most Cars

We do 30, 60, 90K Service See Store for Details. FREE BRAKE INSPECTION

331250R22 RBP MT3 F BLK............................. $242.99 351250R20LT RBP XITRX E BLK ........................ $216.99 WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.

Expires 6/30/25

ORIGINAL PRICE $ 59 99 NO CHARGE!

COMPUTERIZED ALIGNMENT

We verify all A/C systems Does not include R1234YF systems. Expires 6/30/25

BUY 3 PRICE LIGHT TRUCK/SUV LEXANI 40,000 MILE WARRANTY

$ 10 OFF

THRUST ANGLE PROD#29858

4-WHEELS PROD#29866

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FORTUNE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY

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23575R15 26570R16 26570R17 24560R18 27555R20 27560R20 24575R16LT 24575R17LT 27565R18LT

TRUCK RADIAL TRUCK RADIAL TRUCK RADIAL TRUCK RADIAL TRUCK RADIAL TRUCK RADIAL TRUCK RADIAL TRUCK RADIAL TRUCK RADIAL

105T .............................................................................................................................................................................. $162.99 ......................................................... $202.99 111T ................................................................................................................................................................................$176.99 .......................................................... $216.99 113T ............................................................................................................................................................................... $189.99 ..........................................................$229.99 105H .............................................................................................................................................................................. $172.99 .......................................................... $212.99 117V ............................................................................................................................................................................... $227.99 .......................................................... $267.99 119H...............................................................................................................................................................................$259.99 ......................................................... $299.99 10PLY ............................................................................................................................................................................. $188.99 ......................................................... $228.99 10PLY ............................................................................................................................................................................. $218.99 ......................................................... $258.99 120Q .............................................................................................................................................................................. $276.99 ..........................................................$316.99 MANY OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE. NO DEALERS NO WHOLESALERS NO CARRYOUTS. WE SERVICE NATIONAL ACCOUNTS

COMPENSATE 4 WHEELS

• Computer precisely aligns front and rear wheels • Ensures straight steering wheels • Necessary for accurate alignment of newer cars • Adjust all 4 wheels for accurate alignment • Shims extra

OIL CHANGE

• For non-adjustable rear suspensions • Computer precisely aligns front wheels to rear • Enusures straight steering wheels • Necessary for accurate alignment of newer cars

LUBE-OIL-FILTER Prod#01C5 INCLUDES: Battery check, lubricate your car’s chassis (if applicable). Drain old oil & add up to 5 quarts of new 5W30 or 5W20 oil synthetic blend. Install a new oil filter. (Special oil filters slightly higher). $ 29 99* FREE TIRE ROTATION Upon request • See store for details Reg. $39.99 *with coupon Includes hazardous waste fee. If your MFG. Requires 20W50, or full synthetic oil, or other special weights, there’s an additional charge for other weights of oil. Price is for 5W20 or 5W30 synthetic blend oil up to 5 quarts. With coupon only. Expires 6/30/25.

Most cars & light trucks with coupon only. Expires 6/30/25

FRONT OR REAR BRAKE SERVICE

$ 76 99 Includes up to 5 quarts of full synthetic oil (not Mobil 1 oil) 0W-20, 5W-20 or 5W-30. Includes a new oil filter (some specialty filters extra). Includes disposal. Most cars & light trucks with coupon only. Expires 6/30/25 FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE

$ 30 OFF $ 60 OFF

All work guaranteed at 2000 locations nationwide FACTORY SPECIAL BUYS

ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 85,000 Mileage Warranty

2-WHEEL 4-WHEEL

BUY 3, GET 4TH FREE † 19565R15 ASSURANCE ALL-SEASON 91T BLK ......................$142.99 20555R16 ASSURANCE ALL-SEASON 91H BLK......................$150.99 20560R16 ASSURANCE ALL-SEASON 92T BLK ......................$160.99 21560R16 ASSURANCE ALL-SEASON 95T BLK ...................... $157.99 21555R17 ASSURANCE ALL-SEASON 94H BLK......................$180.99 23555R17 ASSURANCE ALL-SEASON 99T BLK ......................$196.99 23545R18 ASSURANCE ALL-SEASON 100H BLK ....................$218.99 OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE SIZE BUY 3 PRICE ASSURANCE ALL-SEASON 65,000 Mileage Warranty

All work guaranteed at 2000 locations nationwide

Prod. #21814/21830 Special! Save $60 on Lifetime Brakes! Free brake inspection Most cars & light trucks with coupon only. Expires 6/30/25

BUY 3, GET 4TH FREE † FACTORY DIRECT 23575R15 WRANGLER TRAILRUNNER AT ............................$159.99 27560R20 WRANGLER SRA ............................................ $229.99 27555R20 EAGLE LS-2.................................................. $240.99 24565R17 FORTERA HL ................................................$209.99 26550R20 FORTERA HL ................................................$262.99 OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE SIZE BUY 3 PRICE

BUY 3, GET 4TH FREE †

19565R15 ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 91H BLK .................................... $167.99 20555R16 ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 91H BLK .................................... $179.99 20565R16 ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 95H BLK ...................................$186.99 21560R16 ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 95V BLK.................................... $184.99 22560R16 ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 98H BLK....................................$179.99 21545R17 ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 87V BLK .................................... $217.99 21555R17 ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 94V BLK ....................................$215.99 22565R17 ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 102H BLK .................................. $217.99 OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE SIZE BUY 3 PRICE

We honor extended warranty programs.

19945 N. John Wayne Pkwy.

† Buy 3 get the 4th free or Buy 2 select tires and get 2 free. Select tires only. Must purchase tire protection plan and nitrogen package, which includes valve stems, balancing, free tire rotations, free alignment checks, free flat repairs and free replacement for the first 25% of tread wear on a tire that is not repairable (with the nitrogen and tire protection plan purchased). Restrictions and exclusions apply. See store for complete details. Offer may not be combined with any other discounts unless otherwise stated. No dealer or carryout. (Buy to get two free other brands may be substituted, but will carry the same warranty as purchased)**. Offer ends 6/30/2025.

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FREE FLAT REPAIRS

Whether we sold you the tire or not, it is free on repairable tires up to 20 " . See store for details.

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Up to 1 year no interest. Ask for details. OAC

State or local taxes or surcharges for Environmental protection will be an extra charge.

EDUCATION

Where Inspired Learning Creates Confident Students

From left: Abigail Barba, Jaaziel Dominguez and Nathan Alarcon are among the first graduating seniors at Desert Sunrise High School.

NO COST GRADES K–8

Lessons in Class, Lessons in Life Legacy builds a strong foundation so students can discover their strengths and pursue them with confidence. •Accelerated academics paired with personalized support from teachers and staff. •A well-rounded education that includes art, PE, and music. • Frequent events and strong parent involvement to help your family feel right at home. •Truly affordabl e Pre-K programs that will spark curiosity and grow passion. A Traditional Approach to the Future of Learning

What it means to be first Voices from Desert Sunrise High School’s inaugural graduating class BY DAVID IVERSEN

cycle cohort, and for many of these students the experience has been both formative and unforgettable. “It’s almost like breathing in new air,” said Jaaziel Dominguez, a senior who moved from Texas in 2023. “Everything here is way newer, way more modern. My old school was built in the 1940s. It was cracking, falling apart. Coming here, it felt like I could just focus and grow.” Dominguez is one of 166 students who walked across the stage last month. Though he’s only been a part of the Desert Sunrise community for two years, he described its impact as lasting. His favorite class, Chemistry 130, left him inspired to pursue civil engineering at Arizona State University, with dreams of becoming a project manager and eventually launching his own company. The sentiment of forging a new path resonates throughout the class. With

T HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE IN 1959. Then, last month, it happened again. In a rapidly growing city, it was only a matter of time before a second public high school would celebrate its first graduating class. Desert Sunrise High School, which opened its doors in 2022, graduated its inaugural seniors in May. They’re a group of unwitting trailblazers, plucked by the cosmos to graduate high school at this time in this place. And now they’re the first. Hoisted on their shoulders is the responsibility of shaping the very identity of a school still finding its rhythm. Nestled on Maricopa’s ever expanding east side, Desert Sunrise stands as a symbol of Maricopa’s widening footprint. Designed to accommodate up to 1,600 students, the campus opened originally to only ninth and tenth graders and has since grown year by year. The class of 2025 marks the school’s first full-

With purposeful technology integrated into daily learning, your student will gain the skills they need to succeed in high school and beyond .

Start the enrollment process!

Everything here is way newer, way more modern. My old school was built in the 1940s. It was cracking, falling apart. Coming here, it felt like I could just focus and grow.” JAAZIEL DOMINGUEZ, DSHS SENIOR

Empower your child’s journey towards life-long success. Visit legacytraditional.org

InMaricopa.com | June 2025

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