Government

Having judges verify that mortgage lenders followed proper procedures before foreclosures would protect homeowners from misrepresentations and fraud, a state lawmaker contends.

At the city council meeting earlier this week directors of several city departments presented capital improvement plans for fiscal year 2012, which begins July 1.

The Maricopa City Council approved submission of a Community Development Block Grant application for a project to increase water pressure in an area south of the Union Pacific tracks. The vote came at last night's council meeting despite a strong plea from Mayor Smith that the council instead approve an application for those funds submitted by F.O.R. Maricopa food bank.

The city council will meet on Tuesday to consider approving  the site plan for a nearly $1 million multimedia center.

District 23 Representative John Fillmore (R) has introduced legislation that would dramatically reduce penalties for marijuana possession.

A 23 percent revenue reduction could result in the city of Maricopa having to cut an additional $1.9 million from the current year's budget.

An anonymous citizen complaint has led to the arrest of an elected Pinal County official for allegedly driving under the influence.

The Environmental Protection Agency has designated the city of Maricopa and surrounding areas as non-compliant with the federal PM 2.5 air quality standard.

The Maricopa City Council got its first look this week at a three-phase plan to build a massive flood-control channel that would open 3,200 acres of land within the city for development.

City of Maricopa police officers have chosen the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) as their representative in contract negotiations with the city.

The city of Maricopa has been debating regulations to govern the placement of a medical marijuana dispensary in the city. City staff first proposed zoning restrictions so tight that a pot shop probably would not have been able to find a legal location in Maricopa.

The Maricopa City Council heard last night about $23 million worth of development services projects city staff want to begin in the coming fiscal year.

 

The National Sheriffs' Association has selected Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu as the 2011 Ferris E. Lucas Sheriff of the Year.

Spice, an herb often smoked as a legal alternative to marijuana, should be banned in Arizona because of its dangerous side effects, according to one state lawmaker.

The city of Maricopa is considering major changes to its draft marijuana zoning ordinance to make it easier for a dispensary to open within city limits.

The courtroom saga of former city of Maricopa Community Services Director Marty McDonald continued in Florence Monday when he made a pretrial appearance before Pinal County Superior Court Judge Janna Vanderpool.

An Arizona lawmaker has introduced several bills in the state Legislature that would allow both students and teachers to carry concealed weapons on college campuses.

The Maricopa City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday to hire a broker to sell three city fire trucks, a move designed to improve the dependability of the fire department and rid the city of potential liability issues.

A budget plan revealed last Friday, Jan. 14, by Governor Jan Brewer could result in tuition hikes for Central Arizona College students.

City officials, members of MEDA's board of directors and a representative of TIP Strategies met with the public last night, Jan. 19, at Global Water headquarters to ask for guidance about the future economic development of Maricopa.

The Maricopa City Council moved last night to slash the amount of money allocated for public transit next year by more than 60 percent and begin a drastic overall of the city's public transit system.

The Maricopa City Council will meet this tonight to vote on the future of the Maricopa Max and Comet bus services.  

During a panel discussion on medical marijuana last Friday morning at Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said legalization of the substance for medical use is raising great concern among law enforcement officials.  

The city of Maricopa is working with a group of developers and landowners on an agreement to build a massive flood-control channel that would open 3,200 acres of land within the city for development.    

It was supposed to be a moment of new beginnings for the legislative District 23 team--a trio of Republicans, including two who defeated Democratic incumbents, promising better representation for Pinal County. But the mood on the Arizona State House floor on Monday was not one of celebration.

The Maricopa City Council met last night to appoint City Clerk Vanessa Bueras interim city manager. Bueras was the second person hired by the city after incorporation in 2003 and is the longest serving employee in city hall.

The Maricopa City Council will meet in a special session tonight at 6 p.m. to vote on naming City Clerk Vanessa Bueras interim city manager.

In her inauguration speech as the 22nd governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer promised to give Arizona a balanced budget, a self-sustaining commerce authority, a safe and secure border and a solar industry that was the envy of the world.

The EPS Group has unveiled three designs for a grade separation at the intersection where White and Parker Road crosses Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and the Union Pacific tracks. A grade separation involves building either a bridge or an underpass to route traffic over or under a railroad or other roadway.