FROM THE EDITOR
J JOURNALISTS ARE PROSECUTORS IN THE COURT of public opinion. They are advocates; they are keepers of vital records. And, at times, they are P.I.s you don’t have to pay. People often ask me if I’m afraid A.I. will take my job one day. After all, any generative chatbot worth its bytes can spit out an instant novella if you ask it nicely — and I’m still under 30. My longtime AM radio cohost, Bill Brady, has often said on the air that what makes the InMaricopa team special is that, unlike most news outlets in cities this size, we “get our fingernails dirty.” By the time this December edition of the magazine was ready to print, let me tell you, our fingernails were absolutely filthy. Let’s start with the cover, and it is an evocative one. Our newest reporter, Kylie Werner, writes that there’s never been a worse time to be a dog in Maricopa. Pinal County quietly resumes euthanasia at its shelters as an underground dog fighting ring, even more quietly, expands its enterprise in Maricopa, sources say. An eye-popping 97% of Maricopa residents support an animal shelter here in the county’s But my answer is always a swift and confident “Nope,” often delivered with a chuckle. Because A.I. chatbots don’t have fingernails. Let me tell you what I mean. Can you dig it?
Publisher SCOTT BARTLE
most populous city, as the other shelters are perpetually overfull and understaffed. Yet the few dissidents are likely the people who could bring such a project to fruition.
Managing Editor ELIAS WEISS
Advertising Director VINCENT MANFREDI
A similarly large majority of Maricopa residents believe their HOA agreement is unfair, and with good reason. Our Monica D. Spencer tells us what she learned in conversations with homeowners who plan to protest outside their neighborhoods with signs urging others not to move there. As for me, this month, I’m exposing how a top official covered up the assault
Advertising TAWNI PROCTOR MICHELLE SORENSEN
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Writers JEFF CHEW KRISTINA DONNAY
DAYV MORGAN CHERYL PURVIS BRIAN PETERSHEIM JR. BRIANNA REINHOLD TOM SCHUMAN CHRIS J. SCOGGIN MONICA D. SPENCER KYLIE WERNER
Merry Christmas AND A VERY HAPPY 2025 WISHING OUR READERS A ❄ ❅ ❆ ❆ ❉
of a child on city property. Then, I’ll take you inside the Maricopa murder house that, for years, no one even knew was there. So, there you have it. We’ve done our digging for the month. And while I’d like to say we left no stone unturned, there are simply too many stones, and too few of us. But, hey, if you need a free P.I., why don’t you give me a call? I know a guy for that.
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Photographers BRYAN MORDT
BRIAN PETERSHEIM JR. MONICA D. SPENCER
Designer CARL BEZUIDENHOUT
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MISSION Inform readers/viewers. Enrich advertisers.
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ELIAS WEISS MANAGING EDITOR Elias@inMaricopa.com
BELIEFS We believe in: • An informed citizenry. • Holding ourselves and others accountable. • The success of deserving businesses.
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CONTRIBUTORS
VALUES
• Integrity • Accountability
• Open, honest, real-time communication • Prosperity for clients, community, company
Volume 19, Issue 12 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 2024.
CHERYL PURVIS Master gardener Cheryl prefers this seasonal succulent at Christmas to the overdone poinsettias of yesteryear.
BRIANNA REINHOLD Professional counselor Brianna tells us what she learned after a year of self-reflection.
CHRIS J. SCOGGIN Accountant Chris shares a dozen ways to pinch a penny on your tax bill before the year ends.
InMaricopa.com | December 2024
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