2024 April InMaricopa Magazine

www.InMaricopa.com

April 2024

Coparazzi Internet’s most viral cop lays down the law in Maricopa

GOVERNMENT • BUSINESS • COMMUNITY • EDUCATION • MORE

April 2024 | InMaricopa.com

Maricopa Unified School District is Hiring for 2024-2025 School Year Immediate Need for: Certified and Support Staff

Say hello to Cox Fiber in Maricopa Great news! We’re delivering Cox’s GIG-enabled network to your community. Choose the speed you need—and stay connected to what matters most. Learn more at cox.com/internet

CERTIFIED STAFF

SUPPORT STAFF

· General Education Teachers · ESS Teachers · School Counselors · Psychologists

· Bus Drivers · Custodians · Maintenance · Paraprofessionals

To learn more, visit musd20.org/employment, or call 520-568-5100.

We can’t wait to meet you!

FREE OIL CHANGE IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS IN THE MONTH OF APRIL 2024 Includes up to 5 quarts of oil,

SQUEEZING OUT THE COMPETITION IN 2024

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.

BUY 2, GET 2 FREE †** ALL SEASON RADIAL

Make us your last call!

BUY 3, GET 4TH FREE † YOKOHAMA LIGHT TRUCK RADIALS 23575R15 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 108T OWL................... $194.99 26570R16 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 111T OWL....................$239.99 26575R16LT YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 E 123R OWL ................$279.99 24565R17 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 105T OWL.................. $235.99 24570R17 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 108T OWL................... $237.99 26570R17 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 113T OWL .................. $238.99 24560R18 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 109H BW................... $260.99 26565R18 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 114H BW.....................$284.99 27565R18 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 116H BW ................... $290.99 27560R20 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER AT G015 115H BW ....................$299.99 OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE. 60,000 Mileage Warranty SIZE BUY 3 PRICE

NO ONE BEATS OUR TIRE PRICES AND AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE PRICES GUARANTEED

LEXANI 40,000 MILE WARRANTY

FORTUNE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY

SIZE

BUY 2 PRICE EACH

18565R15 19565R15 ALL SEASON RADIAL 88H ..........................................................$99.99 ..........................................................$119.99 ALL SEASON RADIAL 91H ......................................................... $102.99 ......................................................... $122.99 20555R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 94W .........................................................$107.99 ..........................................................$127.99 21555R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 95W ........................................................ $109.99 ......................................................... $129.99 20560R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 92V .......................................................... $112.99 ......................................................... $132.99 21560R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 99H .........................................................$116.99 ......................................................... $136.99 20565R16 ALL SEASON RADIAL 99H .........................................................$122.99 ......................................................... $142.99 22550R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 98W .........................................................$129.99 ..........................................................$149.99 21555R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 98W .........................................................$123.99 ......................................................... $143.99 22555R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 101W ........................................................$134.99 ......................................................... $154.99 22560R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 99V ..........................................................$139.99 ......................................................... $159.99 22565R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 102T.........................................................$144.99 ......................................................... $164.99 23565R17 ALL SEASON RADIAL 103T.........................................................$152.99 ..........................................................$172.99 23545R18 ALL SEASON RADIAL 100W........................................................$132.99 ......................................................... $152.99 MANY OTHER SIZES AVAILABLE.

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 4/30/24 BATTERY AND COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE TEST FREE

BUY 3 FLUID EXCHANGES AND RECEIVE THE 4TH FLUID EXCHANGE SERVICE FREE TRANSMISSION FLUID EXCHANGE COOLING SYSTEM FLUID EXCHANGE POWER STEERING FLUID EXCHANGE Receive either a Brake Fluid Exchange at no charge or a Fuel Injection Service at no charge. With coupon only, disposal fees extra, trans fluid full synthetic fluid up to 10 quarts, up to 2 gallons of new antifreeze flush kits used on trans, power steering, radiator and fuel injection service. Most cars and trucks. Expires 4/30/24.

$ 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

Expires 4/30/24

BUY 2, GET 2 FREE † LIGHT TRUCK/SUV

COMPUTERIZED ALIGNMENT

$ 10 OFF

THRUST ANGLE PROD#29858

4-WHEELS PROD#29866

SIZE BUY 2 PRICE EACH

BUY 3 PRICE

LEXANI 40,000 MILE WARRANTY

FORTUNE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY

SIZE

ASK ABOUT OUR 5-YEAR & LIFETIME ALIGNMENTS

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 .......................................................... $182.99 111T ................................................................................................................................................................................$176.99 .......................................................... $196.99 113T ............................................................................................................................................................................... $189.99 ......................................................... $209.99 105H .............................................................................................................................................................................. $172.99 .......................................................... $192.99 117V ............................................................................................................................................................................... $227.99 .......................................................... $247.99 119H...............................................................................................................................................................................$259.99 ..........................................................$279.99 10PLY ............................................................................................................................................................................. $188.99 ......................................................... $208.99 10PLY ............................................................................................................................................................................. $218.99 ......................................................... $238.99 120Q .............................................................................................................................................................................. $276.99 ......................................................... $296.99 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 4/30/24.

Most cars & light trucks with coupon only. Expires 4/30/24

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 4/30/24 FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE

$ 30 OFF $ 60 OFF

2-WHEEL 4-WHEEL

All work guaranteed at 2000 locations nationwide FACTORY SPECIAL BUYS

ASSURANCE MAXLIFE 85,000 Mileage Warranty

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 4/30/24

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 4/30/2024.

Get Pre-approved with

(520) 779-5300

NO DEALERS • NO WHOLESALERS NO CARRYOUTS WE SERVICE NATIONAL ACCOUNTS IconicTire.com Family Owned & Operated

NO CREDIT CHECK FINANCING AVAILABLE

FREE FLAT REPAIRS

InMaricopa.com | April 2024 Whether we sold you the tire or not, it is free on repairable tires up to 20 " . See store for details.

NO INTEREST If paid in full within 6 months See store for details.

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

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

April 2024 | InMaricopa.com

CONTENTS

GET FAST INTERNET AT EVERYDAY LOW PRICES.

LEADING OFF Editor’s letter 4 Contributors 4 HISTORY Before the county jail was in Florence 8 This month in history 8 GOVERNMENT Taking shrooms on a trip to the governor’s desk 10 TikTok famous ‘copfluencer’ a local lawman 14 How the city spent your money on its birthday party 20 City leaders focused on job creation 26 Permitting 27 BUSINESS Briefs 28 Food inspections 29 Local utility announces new award, investments 31 COMMUNITY Community theater stage-struck after city says no more special treatment 32 Women who read with weed find friendly spot for pot 34 Take a step toward healing heel pain 38 City’s first med spa celebrates five years 39 EDUCATION Local college is building the county’s future 40 Fewer long, yellow buses taking local kids to the Valley 42

NO LIMITS, NO COMPROMISES, NO WORRIES.

Experience the power of FIBER INTERNET in Maricopa’s newest communities. Whether you live in Province, The Lakes, Sorrento, Rancho Mirage, Trails of Maricopa Amarillo Creek, Copa Flats, or El Rancho Santa Rosa, you can enjoy blazing-fast symmetrical speeds for all your online needs. 1G! $ 89 95 per month just

 No Contracts  No Data Caps  24-hour Tech Support

34 46

SENIORS Meet the plaintiff in a landmark Supreme Court women’s right ruling 46 HOME Say ‘Hi!’ to hibiscus 50 Realtor’s take on manmade lakes 51 Why long-term rentals are better than short-term 52 Extreme home sales 53

EVENTS Calendar 54 TRENDING A look at what’s hot on InMaricopa.com 63 PARTING SHOT Beep beep! 64

800-998-8084 www.orbitelcom.com WE MAKE IT EASY!

ON THE COVER Bryan Mordt captures Deputy Frank Sloup doing his job in front of Copper Sky Regional Park Feb. 28. Not pulling people over — but his other job, posing for the camera. Sam Salzwedel, the man behind the viral TikTok camera, sits shotgun.

April 2024 | InMaricopa.com Speed listed is maximum wired speed. Maximum download speed 940 Mbps when hardwired via Ethernet. Many factors affect speed. Actual speed may vary. Equipment, taxes, installation, and other fees not included. Taxes, equipment, franchise, and other fees not included. Other restrictions may apply. Call office for details.

InMaricopa.com | April 2024

FROM THE EDITOR

COMPREHENSIVE HOSPITAL CARE FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN

Publisher SCOTT BARTLE

A As you’re leafing through this edition of InMaricopa , you might notice we rolled this paper full of stories that bear a consistent theme. It was a joint effort among our reporters to weed out the nonsense and smoke out a good scoop. Take a trip through stories about magic shrooms and marijuana — and you’ll see they’re no puff pieces. Our local senator goes against some Meanwhile, a local no-boys-allowed book club finds solace and sisterhood in its novel take on getting high as city planners prepare to bring the first-ever marijuana dispensary inside city limits. Speaking of pot, Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Sloup, world-renowned for his “Fridays with Frank” web-series and its 300 million views, has a bit of a pro-pot streak going. I’ll bet you recognize his grinning mug on the cover from YouTube, or TikTok, or the side of some road around Maricopa. (If it’s the last one, I’m sorry.) of his best buds in the Republican Party in his effort to legalize trippy mushrooms for veterans and other traumatized people in Maricopa and beyond. Rolling Stoned

Managing Editor ELIAS WEISS

Advertising Director VINCENT MANFREDI

They say not to meet your heroes, but let me tell you — this guy is one cool cop. He doesn’t smoke the stuff, but his chill attitude and beloved pothead sister led him to admit to me he might nibble the

Advertising TAWNI PROCTOR

VERONICA RODRIGUEZ MICHELLE SORENSEN MERCED VILLALOBOS

head off a pot gummy bear after he retires. Until then, he’ll settle for being the internet’s most famous traffic cop. Personally, I don’t partake, either. But if a hit of the blunt hits you like a cold can of Blue Moon hits me, I say more power to ya. At the end of the day, no matter what you choose to partake in, I hope you’ll continue to partake in this magazine when

Writers ANGELA ASKEY ALICE BATSCHE JEFF CHEW KRISTINA DONNAY JUSTIN GRIFFIN RICK HORST DAYV MORGAN BRIAN PETERSHEIM JR. TOM SCHUMAN MONICA D. SPENCER SHERMAN AND EUPHEMIA WEEKES

it finds its way to your mailbox every month. Enjoy your April, folks, and I may see you again next time around.

Photographers JEFF CHEW BRYAN MORDT BRIAN PETERSHEIM JR.

ELIAS WEISS MANAGING EDITOR

Designer CARL BEZUIDENHOUT

ACCEPTING ALL INSURANCE PLANS INCLUDING MEDICARE & MEDICAID

MISSION Inform readers/viewers. Enrich advertisers.

BELIEFS We believe in: • An informed citizenry. • Holding ourselves and others accountable. • The success of deserving businesses.

COMPLETE LAB & IMAGING, INCLUDING X-RAY, CT SCAN & ULTRASOUND

CONTRIBUTORS

VALUES

• Integrity • Accountability

Because someone as as you deserves our care exceptional

24/7 EMERGENCY & TRAUMA CARE INPATIENT HOSPITAL SERVICES W/LARGE INDIVIDUAL ROOMS

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

Volume 19, Issue 4 InMaricopa 44400 W. Honeycutt Road, Suite 101 Maricopa, AZ 85138

520-568-0040 Tel 520-568-0050 Fax News@InMaricopa.com Advertising@InMaricopa.com

BOARD CERTIFIED DOCTORS & STAFF

TOM SCHUMAN Tom tracks down a woman who helped give mothers the right to work.

ANGELA ASKEY Angela explains how Central Arizona College is key to local economic development.

DAYV MORGAN Dayv gives us his take on a manmade lake. Is quasi-waterfront real estate worth the premium?

19060 N. John Wayne Parkway (520) 534-0700 info@ehc24.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.

Visit our new website www.ehc24.com

InMaricopa.com | April 2024

HISTORY

Maricopa

Red Hot Buys valid through April 30

APRIL 27, 2024

Law of the land In the late 1950s, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office built a substation and jail in Maricopa just east of West Garvey Avenue. Even after Maricopa was incorporated in 2003, the city’s law and order mostly came from the county sheriff and justice of the peace. The city contracted with PCSO until it established its own police department in 2007. Once Maricopa Police Department was established in 2007, the substation property was no longer used by PCSO but continued to be owned by the county. In 2012, the building was leased to F.O.R. Maricopa food bank, which remodeled it for a very different use, though the jail cells and outdoor enclosure remained. The building was demolished to clear the path for the John Wayne Parkway Overpass in 2018. Before the sheriff’s office sent personnel to town, the primary law enforcement was a series of justices of the

peace, according to the Maricopa Historical Society. Before the judges, the main turn-of-the-century lawman in Maricopa was John “Maricopa Slim” Powers, a Southern Pacific railroad detective who took policing the whole community upon himself. His main nemeses were the many hoboes who illicitly road the rails into and out of town. He was reportedly killed by a vengeful circus clown in 1914, according to the historical society.

REWARDS Get your $5 bonus to use INSTANTLY † when you download the Ace mobile app and link your Ace Rewards account.

† Limit one bonus coupon per Ace Rewards member. Bonus coupon will be available after a member downloads the Ace mobile app for the first time. Exclusions apply. Download the Ace mobile app for details.

ALWAYS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

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

What to do to your home in April

• Sharpen lawn mower blades • Change oil

• Clean or replace air filters • Lubricate moving parts • Spread new mulch • Plant flowers or bushes • Use Preen to prevent weed growth • Consider Scott’s Foundation to improve soil quality • Trim bushes in early spring for healthy growth –Your Local Ace Experts

2004

2009 2014 2019 A woman was booked on pot charges

The First Annual Maricopa Rotary Club Invitational Golf Tournament at The Duke at Rancho El Dorado was part of the 46th Annual Stagecoach Days. Stagecoach Days, a bygone Maricopa tradition, included carnival games and rides, rodeos and a barn dance. The Easter Bunny was a special guest.

Maricopa firefighters extinguished a house fire on West Windmill Drive in Maricopa Meadows that killed four family pets. The fire was accidental, sparking in the kitchen and spreading to the attic.

A Cobblestone Farms resident shot accused home intruder

after her friend dumped her off at Walmart because she was acting erratic and looking for a fistfight. The woman ended up flashing her pot pipe at the cops and chucked it into a garbage can. Trashing the hash heater didn’t spare her a free ride to the Pinal County jail that day.

Kenneth Lewis after he heard glass shattering. Lewis reportedly charged the homeowner, who produced a gun and shot him twice, striking him once in the arm. Lewis, 43, was cleared at the hospital and booked into jail for the break-in. The homeowner wasn’t charged.

April 2024 | InMaricopa.com 21542 N John Wayne Pkwy, Maricopa (520) 494-7805 • www.KarstensAce.com 9

Dave & Cheryl Karsten

InMaricopa.com | April 2024

GOVERNMENT

Move over, liberal western lawmakers —Republican state Sen. T.J. Shope is the guy gunning for legal shrooms in Arizona. Within reason, of course.

The High Chamber Lawmaker wants to take shrooms on trip to governor’s desk

BY MONICA D. SPENCER

recover from the trauma of his 1969 tour as a Marine in Vietnam. Parsons’ story awakened a new passion for Shope, who also serves on the senate’s Health and Human Services Committee. “Mushrooms in general have allowed [Parsons] to mentally come home from Vietnam all these years later,” Shope told InMaricopa . “I watched that interview with a lot of interest and I thought maybe we ought to consider at least just looking into it, not necessarily even thinking that I was going to run legislation.” ‘Another tool in the toolbox’ If there’s anything the pandemic did for Americans, it made people more aware of their healthcare options and become more open to alternative treatment options, according to Shope. “People with PTSD have told me they’ve tried all these different prescriptions that don’t work, or they don’t like taking pharmaceuticals,” he said. That includes people like Willbanks, who said his medications left him feeling “pretty numb.” “I was on everything from standard antidepressants to different types of sleeping aids to help me sleep through nightmares,” he said. “They all left me feeling awful and pretty numb to just about everything. It wasn’t great.” Treatment options for Arizonans living with serious mental illness or substance abuse issues are few, according to Josh Mozzell, president of the Psychedelic Association of Arizona and a mental health attorney. “People living with major depression, bipolar disorder and PTSD have a lifetime diagnosis and a lifetime of medicine,” he said. “Right now, once you get a diagnosis, you see your doctor every three months and you take a pill every day for the rest of your life, but you don’t necessarily get any better.”

HE FIRST TIME MARLENA Robbins ate magic mushrooms, it wasn’t to see music or hear colors at a jam band concert. It was to cope with

sobriety and trauma. “I grew up in a home with domestic violence, addiction and child abuse,” she said. “I developed toxic habits and turned to alcohol and started abusing it.” Talk therapy helped some. But she needed chemical succor. “I felt it wasn’t going deep enough,” she said. “It wasn’t touching the core of what I needed but couldn’t verbalize.” Some of her loved ones suggested trying psilocybin mushrooms to help process her trauma. One evening, she drank a shroom smoothie — and began to experience waves of colors, euphoria and an acceptance of her past. “I remember lying on the floor and looking up at the ceiling and seeing these rainbow octagons coming at me, and it was beautiful,” she recalled. “Some of the imagery was scary. I said, ‘Thank you for presenting yourself, goodbye.’ And then they were gone.” Alex Willbanks, a Navy veteran from Mesa, had a similar experience following his struggles with prescription medications to treat the post-traumatic stress disorder he developed in combat. “A friend suggested I try mushrooms and it was calming,” he said. “I felt at peace and ease, and even the next day I felt better. It did more in one good evening compared to months of prescription drugs.” Experiences like these inspired Arizona state Sen. T.J. Shope to blaze a path for legalizing psilocybin mushrooms for clinical use through Senate Bill 1570. For the Republican representing Maricopa, the idea emerged from a morning news segment. A few months ago, Shope watched as billionaire entrepreneur Bob Parsons touted psychedelic drug-assisted therapy to help him

depression, PTSD and substance abuse disorders. One study from Johns Hopkins University showed just two sessions could alleviate symptoms for up to one year. “It was unthinkable, like, how could this be happening,” Mozzell said. “And then the studies on bipolar II and PTSD, all this stuff is a revolution in mental health.” Playing catchup Those results aren’t surprising to Robbins, a doctoral candidate at the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for the Science of Psychedelics and a member of the Navajo Nation. Psilocybin mushrooms, peyote and other psychedelics have a long history interwoven in the ceremonial practices of Indigenous people. For example, the Mazatec in Oaxaca, Mexico incorporate teonanacatl — their word for the psilocybin mushroom, which translates to “the flesh of God” — into their ceremonies. “They have used these medicines forever and know how they’re supposed to be experienced,” she said. “Western medicine is playing catchup trying to figure out what Indigenous people have known forever in how to experience these medicines for healing.”

“Western medicine is playing catchup trying to figure out what Indigenous people have known forever in how to experience these medicines

for healing.” MARLENA ROBBINS

SB 1570 would allow doctors to have an additional option for patients. “Doctors currently have heavy drugs in their toolkit, like Xanax, Zyprexa, OxyContin,” he said. “This bill would allow them to have another tool in their toolbox, whether its psilocybin or, eventually, MDMA.” Studies on psilocybin taken with talk therapy show benefits in treating anxiety,

InMaricopa.com | April 2024

April 2024 | InMaricopa.com

GOVERNMENT

20236 N. John Wayne Pkwy., Ste. 100 Maricopa, AZ 85139 Your Neighborhood URGENT CARE! We can help you year-round with a variety of issues & needs such as: Sore throat / Flu symptoms ◆ Congestion ◆ Cough ◆ Allergic reactions Asthma ◆ Ear & Eye infections ◆ Fever ◆ Runny nose ◆ Sinus infections Coronavirus testing ◆ Bronchitis ◆ Burns from heat or chemical exposure ...and any of your other urgent medical needs. • Check-in Online: Call or pre-register online and we’ll let you know when your exam room will be ready! • All major insurance is accepted including Medicare, Medicaid (AHCCCS) and TRICARE; or discount programs are available if you are uninsured. • Convenient and affordable physicals & On-site X-rays & labs to save you time and money.

FOR SHROOM THE BELL TOLLS

Robbins said part of that catching up includes understanding the respect users need to show the medication. “Psilocybin mushrooms are a medicine that’s meant to help a person when they’re experiencing something difficult,” she said. “We have to give them as much respect and honor as we can because [from an Indigenous perspective] these medicines have spirits with them; they’re the Holy People and we’re asking them for help.” A lesson from marijuana Shope said the state legislature learned a lot from legalizing medical and recreational marijuana use over the years. That includes the difficulty of adjusting voter-approved initiatives. “Mainly, when the voters pass something, the legislature really can’t change anything,” he said. Mozzell agreed. “Marijuana has been a nuclear bomb that has gone off in mental health because we cannot regulate it,” he said. A handful of pot-related bills typically go through the House and Senate each year, but few advance to the governor’s desk. Shope said this includes bills meant to better regulate testing of marijuana products for public consumption. “Even small fixes like that require three- quarters vote and [can] only further the intent of the law,” he said. “It’s as impossible as can be, which is why you’re probably not going to see any changes even with acknowledgment of those in and outside the industry.” Shope’s 15-page bill legalizing medicinal magic mushrooms outlines thorough training protocol, licensure and regulations on use of mushrooms in a medical setting. Most notably, it limits patients to consuming psilocybin only at a licensed psychedelic-assisted therapy center and only under the supervision of a staff member or medical director. “It does not legalize the use of psilocybin outside of a clinic, and only under the care of a doctor,” said Mozzell, who assisted in drafting the original version of the bill. “It does not decriminalize psilocybin, and it doesn’t allow microdosing.” For Shope, the bill emphasizes the medical purposes of psilocybin, not the recreational ones. “What we’re talking about here is truly medicinal in its purest sense,” Shope said.

“You have to be monitored when you’re having a dose of psilocybin. It’s entirely clinical at this point in time.” With Oregon and Colorado recently legalizing psychedelics like mushrooms, Shope and Mozzell remain optimistic Arizona could follow suit. “It is coming. Psychedelics are coming just like marijuana to every state in 10 years,” Mozzell said. “We’ll see them legalized or decriminalized and we have to do it in a way that protects the citizens of Arizona against

When it comes to eating magic mush- rooms, most Maricopans say, “No way.” In a February InMaricopa.com poll of 400 Maricopa residents, more than half opposed any efforts to legalize mush- rooms, even in a medical setting. Roughly 1 in 6 said they would like to see the fungus be approved for medicinal use only, like a new take on Arizona’s famous Proposition 203 in 2010. That voter initiative legalized cannabis for medical use only, approved by 50% of the state population, a decade before recreational pot became legal. About one-third of Maricopans said shrooms should be legal for recreational use. Should mushrooms be legal?

Paired with the songs and prayers led by medicine practitioners in ceremonies, the use of psychedelics helps correct a physical, mental or spiritual imbalance in the patient. “Ceremonies are created because we’re opening ourselves up for healing and the medicine people are there to sing certain songs and say specific prayers because they’re navigating us,” she said. “They are there to help us get where we need to go with the medicine and then bring us back.” “Psychedelics are coming just like marijuana to every state in 10 years.” JOSH MOZZELL, PRESIDENT, PSYCHEDELIC ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA

“What we’re talking about here is truly medicinal in its purest sense. You have to be monitored when you’re having

Yes, let me use shrooms anytime 33% Yes, but only for medicinal use 16%

No, don’t Oregon my Arizona 51%

NextCare.com | 800-574-3486

a dose of psilocybin.” T.J. SHOPE, ARIZONA STATE SENATOR

the potential risks.” Path to legalization

WHAT TREATS WHAT

Shope introduced the bill Feb. 5 with a first reading on the Senate floor and it swiftly moved through the Health and Human Services Committee and additional Senate readings. The bill has so far passed the Senate with bipartisan support and cleared health committees in both chambers. Opposing votes came from Shope’s party mates Sen. Anthony Kern and Rep. Barbara Parker. As of mid-March, the bill has yet to pass the House. If it clears that hurdle, it can be sent to the governor’s desk for her autograph or veto stamp. Mozzell is gunning for Gov. Katie Hobbs’ signature. Full-throated Democratic support of Shope’s bill in the state legislature is a good sign. “I’m just hoping we can get it out of the House and to the governor’s desk soon,” Mozzell said. “Then we can start getting the advisory board together, creating the training, getting the public educated.”

MDMA-assisted therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety. Mescaline: This is the main component found in peyote, a cactus native to Mexico and the American Southwest that binds to serotonin receptors in the brain. Some research has shown mescaline-assisted therapy is effective for drug and alcohol addiction and depression treatment. DMT: This ingredient is found in ayahuasca, a medicinal plant found in Central and South America, creating a quick and short- lived experience described by many as religious. The drug has undergone studies in treatment for depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

In the U.S., psychedelic- assisted therapy took off in the mid-20th century after the advent of LSD. However, such efforts were quickly put to bed with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which effectively rendered these drugs illegal with no “accepted medical use” by the DEA. Here’s a look at a few psychedelics undergoing studies for treating various mental illnesses: Ketamine: This synthetic drug affects the glutamate neurotransmitter, which scientists believe may be responsible for mood regulation. Created as an anesthetic in the 1960s,

ketamine only recently gained FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression.

2016 RZR XP TURBO

2022 RZR XP 1000

$13,599 6693 MILES

$16,499 3180 MILES

MDMA: Better known

by its street names, ecstasy and molly, this is a popular drug at raves and parties. The drug releases neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which can affect emotions, memory and attention. Researchers have spent the last decade using

YOUR ONE-STOP DESTINATION FOR QUALITY PARTS, EXPERT SERVICE, AND RUGGED ACCESSORIES

1867 N PNIAL AVE. CASA GRANDE 520-836-1971 WWW.IRONCITYOFFROAD.COM 520-836-1971 WWW.IRONCITYOFFROAD.COM

5635 W VAN BUREN ST.PHOENIX 602-272-5551 WWW.ICPOLARIS.COM 602-272-5551 WWW.ICPOLARIS.COM

InMaricopa.com | April 2024

April 2024 | InMaricopa.com

GOVERNMENT

COPARAZZI TikTok famous ‘copfluencer’ made his name here

Internet famous Deputy Frank Sloup (left) is a sniper on a Pinal County SWAT team. But on this stakeout (right), he’s not waiting to spy a criminal through his rifle’s scope. Rather, he and sidekick cameraman Sam Salzwedel are waiting to spot their next viral TikTok moment through the viewfinder of Sam’s camcorder.

BY ELIAS WEISS

gear, but he doesn’t want to miss a viral moment. “I’ve seen you on social media,” the driver says. Sloup responds: “Yeah, that’s it. I’m out there doing exactly this, stopping people from criminal speed on MCG.” Sidekick cameraman Sam Salzwedel films the interaction from inside the cruiser and uploads it to YouTube a couple of days later. The video grabs 653,000 views right after it’s posted. Meh, small potatoes. A single YouTube video from November sits at 41 million views. In the last four months, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office YouTube channel has tripled its subscribers to about 750,000. The “Fridays with Frank” show has drawn an eye-popping 262 million views on YouTube — and 36 million more on TikTok. “I was confident that it would go well,” Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb told InMaricopa . “I wasn’t surprised it became popular. It was only surprising to me just how popular it became.” Lamb last month touted PCSO eclipsed NYPD — the biggest and then-most followed police department in America — in social media followers. “After 2020, there aren’t famous cops anymore,” Sloup told InMaricopa minutes after that traffic stop. “But now there’s me in Pinal County, the land of the dirt people. Here I am.” Pilot officer Sheriff Lamb, who was a business owner and marketer in a past life, was quick to sign his department up for A&E Network’s “Live PD” and “60 Days In.” He and his crew are accustomed to sitting in the viewfinder — and the director’s chair. PCSO last year won an Emmy Award for its public service announcement, “Left lane campers BUSTED,” filmed by Salzwedel on State Route 347 near Maricopa and posted to YouTube.

centered on the black rally stripe that bisects his car. With windows tinted to the legal max, it’s hard to make him out before he pops open the driver’s side door. But this criminal speeder already knows who he’s dealing with — the internet’s most viral cop, who just happens to patrol the streets around Maricopa. As Sloup approaches the driver’s window, a furry grey puffball of a microphone muff peeks out from behind the taser tucked into his tactical vest. Not the most standard law enforcement

EPUTY FRANK SLOUP’S knuckles are as white as his unmarked Dodge Charger as he speeds west along Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

He didn’t plan to write any tickets on his way to an interview with InMaricopa that morning — not until he clocked a turn-of-the-century Dodge Caliber zooming at 87 miles per hour in a 50 zone. Red and blue lights strobe beside a shrewdly tongue-in-cheek sticker reading “PLEASE BE PATIENT, STUDENT DRIVER,” neatly

InMaricopa.com | April 2024

April 2024 | InMaricopa.com

GOVERNMENT

Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Sloup doesn’t shy away from a face-to-face chat with reporters (right). Former TV journalist Sam Salzwedel knows a little something about getting the perfect shot (below).

Since 2004 Centered on your Success • Local CPAs with over 80 Year Experience • Specialize in Small Businesses and Business Owners • Real Estate, 1031 Exchange and FIRPTA Expertise • Complex Returns including multi-state filings • Accurate and Timely Tax and Accounting Services • Call for an appointment Today (in person or zoom)

“Sheriff Lamb is not afraid to put stuff out on the internet,” Sloup said. “He’s not afraid of the pushback, not afraid of the trolls.” Sloup’s first cameo on the YouTube channel was meant to be a one-time deal to bring awareness to Arizona’s new texting and driving law, which came under enforcement in 2021. “The traffic sergeant voluntold Frank to ride with the camera guy and shoot a video about texting and driving,” Salzwedel recalled. “We didn’t have any intention to keep on putting Frank on the internet after that.” But the video went viral, and the chemistry in the car between Sloup and Salzwedel was instant and undeniable. Enter “Fridays with Frank”— a sort of “Cops” meets “Reno 911” for the YouTube era, as the New York Post put it when the show’s virality made national headlines late last year. Lamb announced he’ll retire his six-pointed star after seven years as the county’s top cop as he shifts his focus to a bid for U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s jilted seat. But thanks to “Fridays with Frank,” his media legacy will doubtlessly endure. FIND FRANK Deputy Sloup is dressed as a “tactical pickle,” in his own words, during an interview with InMaricopa at Copper Sky Recreation Complex Feb. 28. “Hello, citizens!” he bellows at passersby, whose eyes widen as they snap photos of the celebrity cop to share to the “Find Frank” Facebook group’s 30,000 members. The group was created last year

THIN GREEN LINE

YouTube and TikTok fame aren’t the only things that make Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy Sloup “the world’s coolest cop,” as one of his fans put it last month. Sloup recently appeared on cop- turned-stoner A.J. Jacobs’ podcast, “Blue to Green,” to bridge the gap between pot-bashing thin blue liners and cop-hating cannabis enthusiasts. The show is based in San Tan Valley. “My sister is a pothead — always has been,” Sloup told InMaricopa . “She is the most pro-police pothead you’ll ever meet. It’s not often, but those two things can exist in the same space. It’s ignorant to think that you have to be one or the other.” There’s no difference between weed and whiskey, Sloup said. Unlike some of his colleagues, he backed Arizona’s proposition legalizing recreational marijuana in 2020. And while he can’t — and doesn’t want to — smoke any of the devil’s lettuce these days, “When I retire,” he said, “I might eat the head off a gummy bear and see what happens.”

“In person, he’s a super cool, down-to-earth guy,” Owen told InMaricopa . “He’s a positive dude and what he’s doing is wonderful for PCSO and the community.” “Fridays with Frank” inspired

Owen, who’s a police aide at Arizona State University Police Department, to pass the academy and become a sworn law enforcement officer in the future. “He brings positive attention to policing,” he said. “And it gives a lot of people a really good laugh.”

by a San Tan Valley woman who prefers to remain nameless. She bills it as “Pinal County’s favorite online social media game,” an interactive take on “Where’s Waldo?” for people like 20-year-old Senita resident Zachary Owen. Frank was at his favorite spot for a

Zachary Owen

21300 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 110 Maricopa, AZ 85139 (520) 568-3303 www.CSCPAGroup.com

HATERS GONNA HATE Fame brings fans, but it also brings haters. While many people ask for a selfie with the guy who just gave them a traffic ticket, others who have never met Sloup bombard him with death threats.

refreshing snack in Maricopa, Bahama Buck’s on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway (he orders the Royal Princess shaved ice with a Bahama Rama Mama, by the way), when Owen found him and snapped a photo to share in Facebook group. It garnered 1,000 likes.

InMaricopa.com | April 2024

GOVERNMENT

It was his stint with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, however, than landed Sloup on the Brady List. He had some unsavory things to say about his former employer after voters ousted the infamous Sheriff Joe Arpaio in the wake of losing more than a quarter-billion dollars in civil rights lawsuits. MCSO is under a federal monitorship because of that catastrophe, something Sloup calls “the biggest Ponzi scheme anyone has ever seen.” “Seeing the money they are sh*tting away… It’s a giant, federally mandated scam. It’s an abortion of the law,” he said. “The morale is terrible. The culture is terrible.” At PCSO, Sloup says he’s never been more fulfilled in his career. And he’s got the full support of the sheriff, who questions the authority of the Brady List. “So many agencies, out of pure spite, will put people on the Brady List,” Lamb said. “I did not agree with the termination that put him on that list. We gave him a chance because we could see the good things he did.”

beyond a justifiable return on investment. “There’s almost no budget for it,” Lamb explained. “It doesn’t cost the taxpayer anything.” THE BRADY BUNCH Once a bartender on Long Island, Sloup’s journey to internet stardom wasn’t without some choppy waters. For him, it’s a bit of a comeback story. Sloup left two other Arizona law enforcement agencies under less-than-stellar circumstances following internal affairs investigations into whether he tampered with a police report and broke a laptop computer and tried to cover it up, among other things. Sloup is on the Brady List, an index of

law enforcement officials with credibility and honesty issues who are barred from testifying in court. His former colleague at Scottsdale Police Department, Brandon Sullivan, is one of his most outspoken haters. “The tone and tenor of the videos alone irritated me,” Sullivan says of “Fridays with Frank.” “I worked around him, taking a few calls for service with him. I remember thinking that for a brand-new cop, he was an absolute f*cking jerk to every citizen and criminal he interacted with, regardless of their demeanor. I was relieved when he was fired, er, resigned.”

SR 347 IS ‘A RACEWAY’

Police Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety on State Route 347. For weeks, the coalition had people pulled over left and right all the way from Interstate 10 to city limits to make up for a lacking

police presence on one of the state’s most embattled and dangerous highways. “It’s a raceway out there,” Sloup said of SR 347. “I could go out there right now and get someone at a criminal amount of speed in a very short time.”

“Those legitimate death threats that come in go straight to the FBI and they get investigated,” Sloup said. “If you stand for anything, there are always going to be haters.” Someone out there wants to go down in history as “the guy who shot Frank,” he said. “As I get more and more popular, there’s a better chance someone will drive by and light rounds off at me.” But the threats don’t deter him. Fans and haters alike prove “Fridays with Frank” accomplishes its goal of giving Arizona’s third-most populous county an identity other than that place where you stop for In-N-Out Burger between Phoenix and Tucson. “It humanizes us, and it puts Pinal County on the map,” Sloup said. Sheriff Lamb agreed: “Not only is it beneficial for recruiting, which has been tough for law enforcement, but the county is more in the limelight. People constantly tell me they moved to Pinal County because they love what we do.” TICKET FARE You might think “Fridays with Frank” funnels a lot of cash into the county coffers. YouTube pays up to $29.30 per 1,000 views, according to Business Insider . That means the PCSO channel should stand to have earned as much as $7.7 million on the back of “Fridays with Frank.” But because the channel is tied to a government agency, none of the videos are monetizable. The channel hasn’t earned a penny from YouTube despite its explosive success. That could change soon, according to Salzwedel. “The agency is talking about trying to monetize because there’s potential there,” he said. “We are in the process of starting to jump through some hoops to see. At this point, are we doing a disservice to the taxpayers by not taking free money from YouTube?” The beauty of it all, though, is the show doesn’t cost anything to create. For PCSO, the recruiting and community relations benefits are “At this point, are we doing a disservice to the taxpayers by not taking free money from YouTube?” SAM SALZWEDEL

Last year, Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Sloup worked a traffic detail in conjunction with Maricopa Police Department, Gila River

‘LEGIT CRIME IN MARICOPA’

Search for Moving Waldo on Google and the first result is a post on the social networking site Reddit, under the r/Scams subreddit. In a news release, the city said Moving Waldo was “a leading resource for relocation information.” Moving Waldo asserted per capita crime was higher in places like Fountain Hills and Paradise Valley than in Maricopa. There’s “not a chance” crime in those cities is higher than in Maricopa, Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Sloup told InMaricopa in a recent interview. A traffic cop by day, Sloup moonlights as a sniper on a regional SWAT

and its own source plainly states the crime rate in Maricopa is 30% higher than in Paradise Valley, which isn’t even on Moving Waldo’s list of the five safest cities. Yes, some of those are towns, not cities — but despite Moving Waldo calling its list “safest cities” in Arizona, its own list includes Florence and Gilbert, which are towns. Heck, the Town of Gilbert is No. 1 on the list of “safest cities.” And the DPS data doesn’t even include places like Fountain Hills that don’t have their own police departments, making the

City Hall raved in February about its recent rank as Arizona’s second-safest city. But the city forgot to check its source, which turns out to be totally bogus. There are at least 28 safer places than Maricopa in Arizona, according to the same source used in that ranking — places like Queen Creek, Florence, Buckeye and even Tucson. The ranking came from Moving Waldo, a little- known moving broker that is not based in the U.S. and has no online reviews. The report said Maricopa was the safest city in Arizona after Gilbert, leading many residents to scratch their heads. InMaricopa in the last three months reported a murder, animals burned alive, a handful of shootings, kidnappings, drug dealers, hostage situations, murder threats and plenty more. Gilbert, meanwhile, has grappled with the Gilbert Goons street gang, tied to a murder and other violent crimes.

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. 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

list of cities safer than Maricopa even longer.

team alongside some officers from Maricopa

The Moving Waldo report says Florence has a crime rate of 90 per 1,000 people. That’s just a math fail — its own source states it’s just 9 per 1,000 people. That’s twice as safe as Maricopa, with a crime rate of about 20 per 1,000. Whoops. The report also says San Luis has a crime rate double Maricopa. But its crime rate is only half of Maricopa’s, according to the same DPS data.

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 P (520) 876-0416

Police Department. He said MPD officers often remark at the prevalence of crime in Maricopa — and PCSO data shows Maricopa isn’t even the second-safest city in the county. “Maricopa is busy,” he said. “There’s legit crime in the city of Maricopa.” Moving Waldo cites the Arizona Department of Public Safety as a source —

Ramon Mourelo, MD

Samrat Sanghvi, MD

Carlos E. Arce-Lara, MD

CancerBloodSpecialistsAZ.com

InMaricopa.com | April 2024

April 2024 | InMaricopa.com

Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12-13 Page 14-15 Page 16-17 Page 18-19 Page 20-21 Page 22-23 Page 24-25 Page 26-27 Page 28-29 Page 30-31 Page 32-33 Page 34-35 Page 36-37 Page 38-39 Page 40-41 Page 42-43 Page 44-45 Page 46-47 Page 48-49 Page 50-51 Page 52-53 Page 54-55 Page 56-57 Page 58-59 Page 60-61 Page 62-63 Page 64-65 Page 66-67 Page 68