Sex Offender Sentenced for Murdering Weed-Buyer, and More

Welcome to Courthouse Update, a weekly rundown of goings-on at the Maricopa County Superior Court.This week, a few creeps had court dates: a sex offender got his sentence for killing a man looking to buy pot, the alleged snatcher of a little girl pleads not-guilty, and more:…

Another Unlicensed Marijuana Dispensary Raided in West Valley

Not long after Peoria police made public a bust of an unlicensed medical-marijuana facility, Sheriff Joe Arpaio was touting a similar bust by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Avondale.In both cases, police allege the businesses were illegally selling the pot to medical-marijuana patients by using a fitness or wellness…

Scott Smith, Mesa Mayor, to Run for Governor

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, a Republican, announced that he’s entering the race for governor.Unlike several others who have threatened to run for governor, including a B-list actor and a disbarred attorney, Smith actually has a solid chance of becoming Arizona’s governor in 2014…

Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon Trail to Re-Open on January 15

Echo Canyon Trail at Camelback Mountain is scheduled to re-open to the public on January 15 with a new trailhead, restroom facilities, and expanded parking lot. This looks like a firm date (following an “oops” moment in September). Expected temperatures in the low 70s should help make it a great…

A Remote Arizona Church Offers Peyote-Induced Spiritual Journeys

A  tall, heavy-set man with shaggy blond hair and straight-cropped bangs stands in the middle of an empty gravel parking lot. He looks around aimlessly, hands shoved in his pockets. When he sees a car pulling up, he turns, hands still stuffed in pockets, and hurries over to a small…