Monica D. Spencer, Reporter
Monica is a business and development reporter for InMaricopa. Previously, she worked as a photographer for Mesa Community College’s student newspaper The Mesa Legend and interned with The Arizona Republic’s breaking news desk and visuals department. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @monicadspencer.
![An image of shredded paper. [Pixabay]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shredded-paper-168650_1280-324x235.jpg "Shred-A-Thon returns next month")
![An exterior view of Nando's Mexican Cafe on John Wayne Parkway and Edison Road on Jan. 22, 2024. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/spencer-012224-nandos-mexican-cafe-exterior-web-324x235.jpg "Nando’s confirms opening date")
![A tow truck begins to haul away a pickup truck involved in a two-vehicle crash on John Wayne Parkway and Cobblestone Farms Drive on March 13, 2024. First responders were seen attending to crash victims, including three children. [Jeff Chew]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/chew-031324-jwp-cobblestone-crash-324x235.jpg "Crash blocks John Wayne southbound traffic")
![City Planner Derek Scheerer presents a rezoning case during a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Nov. 13, 2023. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/spencer-111323-planning-zoning-commission-meeting-web-01-324x235.jpg "Vote approving pot shop not unanimous")
![Photos, news headlines and other memorabilia are pinned to a board in Senior Medicolegal Investigator Suzi Dodt's office at the Pinal County Medical Examiner in Florence on Feb. 6, 2024. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/spencer-020624-pinal-county-medical-examiner-unidentified-web-01-324x235.jpg "Who are Maricopa’s nameless dead?")
![Gilbert-based Hunter Contracting Company will be installing turn lanes, drainage improvements, and landscaping near the future site of The Home Depot in March. [Brian Petersheim Jr.]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DJI_0158-Edit-324x235.jpg "Permit recap: Home Depot, apartments and homes")
![An aerial view of an empty lot on the southwest corner of Hartman and Bowlin roads on Feb. 29, 2024. A shopping center is proposed for the area, which may include a grocery store, according to City Manager Rick Horst. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/spencer-022924-grocery-store-hartman-bowlin-324x235.jpg "Grocery store likely for east side")
![A view of a preliminary site plan for a Circle K proposed for the northeast corner of Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and Stonegate Road, located just west of Jiffy Lube. The site plan was shown by City Manager Rick Horst during an economic forum hosted by the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 28, 2024. [Courtesy City of Maricopa]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/city-022924-circle-k-the-wells-site-plan-324x235.jpg "Circle K looks to replace Dutch Bros")
![A screenshot from a preliminary plat for Elena Trails, a new subdivision on the southeast corner of Murphy and Farrell Roads. D.R. Horton closed the sale last week, according to Walton Global. [Courtesy City of Maricopa]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/city-022624-elena-trails-preliminary-plat-site-plan-324x235.jpg "Elena Trails takes next step to build 450+ homes")
![Phoenix police stop a stolen vehicle on April 20, 2024. [Facebook]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5040-218x150.jpg "Alleged car thief released without charges")
