HISTORY
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Two major projects broke ground in Maricopa as the city continued to expand its services and retail base. Sonoran Creek Marketplace, the retail complex along John Wayne Parkway anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market, began construction with leases also signed for Jimmy John’s, Filiberto’s, State Farm Insurance, Wynn Nails & Hair and The Joint Chiropractic. Farther south, Exceptional Community Hospital launched its $18 million, 20,000-square-foot facility, bringing Maricopa its first full-service hospital with a 24/7 emergency department, imaging suites, inpatient beds and air ambulance access.
Two Phoenix residents were arrested after sheriff’s deputies found 171 pounds of marijuana in the back seat of a sedan stopped at State Route 84 and Amarillo Valley Road. Driver Tawnya M. Othon, 43, and passenger Mykel D. Dorsey, 32, were each charged with possession, transportation and conspiracy, and booked on $25,000 bonds. Then-Sheriff Paul Babeu said the drugs were packaged in camouflaged bales “consistent with baled marijuana we see from Mexico,” adding, “The smugglers aren’t even trying to hide the drugs anymore. In this case, the smugglers threw the drugs into the back seat of the small sedan and off they went.” Both pleaded guilty to selling drugs.
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office announced it would fight an order requiring the reinstatement of Deputy Raul Alverado, who was fired after allegedly abusing a frog while on duty in Maricopa. Investigators said Alverado admitted to witnesses that he kicked the frog, painted it with White Out and shocked it with a Taser in 2009 because he was “bored,” reportedly joking that the animal was “taking it like a champ.” He was terminated in April for lying about the incident, violating
Maricopa Unified School District Superintendent Alma Farrell announced she would retire after more than three decades of educating the community. She moved to Maricopa in 1958, began teaching reading in 1972 and was named superintendent in 1999. Looking back on her early days in town, Farrell said, “Everybody was so friendly. I fell in love with it from the beginning.” She passed away in March at age 80.
conduct codes and misusing county equipment. PCSO was ultimately forced to rehire him.
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InMaricopa.com | October 2025
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October 2025 | InMaricopa.com
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