That Person Calling You on Behalf of John Shadegg Just Might be a Perv

By Sarah Fenske This just in: Congressman John Shadegg’s campaign appears to be using some pretty shady surrogates. And no, I’m not talking about Shadegg’s fellow Republican congressman, Rick Renzi, who’s awaiting trial on a host of felony counts. Or former Arizona Attorney General (and fellow Republican) Jack LaSota, who’s…

Storied Detective Quits Phoenix Police Department

By Paul Rubin Alex Femenia, the Phoenix police detective whose exploits were a big part of this paper’s “Murder City” series in 2006, retired last Friday after three decades on the force. Movie star Meg Ryan once played with Detective Alex Femenia’s (basket)balls. Femenia is going to work as an…

At Long Last, Joe Arpaio Debates Dan Saban…Um, Kinda-Sorta.

The Coward of the County finally goes toe-to-toe with Dan Saban — in this video, if nowhere else. Activist Dennis Gilman, the Michael Moore of the local lefty community, has made happen what no one thought was possible this election cycle: A debate between challenger Dan Saban and our cowardly,…

New Times Web site to Cover Election on Tuesday

Look for the latest election coverage here in Valley Fever on Tuesday night. We’ll be updating blog articles throughout the night, so whether you’re stuck at home or out on the town with a beer in one hand and your Internet-ready mobile phone in the other, we hope you’ll check…

“Edifice Lex” Burns Down on East Roosevelt

By Paul Rubin Passersby were diverted for hours this morning as Phoenix firefighters sought in vain to extinguish an intense building fire at 105 East Roosevelt, the onetime office of storied late attorney Tom Thinnes and his con man sidekick, Robert Shawn Owens (pictured below as a part of the…

Scottsdale Man Who Starved Kids Gets Sentenced to 14.75 Years

By Ray Stern Blair Parker was sentenced to nearly 15 years in prison today for starving his three young children nearly to the brink of death under a low-calorie, vegan diet. While stiff in some respects, the sentence is less than half of what his wife, Kimu Parker, received last…

Hot Links: Nelson Says Thomas Authored Attack Site, Guadalupe a “Ghost Town,” Obama Commercial Draws Huge Numbers, McCain on SNL Saturday.

By Stephen Lemons Thomas behind nasty attack Web site, claims Nelson. Thomas doing something sleazy? Naaaaah. Guadalupe a ghost town thanks to Joe’s April anti-Mexican sweep. Maricopa County Republicans ahead of Dems in early ballots cast. “Cookie bandit” collared by Phoenix po-po. Seems they followed the crumbs. Hornets surpass Suns…

Hot Links: McCain Camp Claims They’ll Take Arizona, Phillies Win World Series, Napolitano Stumps for Obama in Ohio, More Miley Cyrus Racy Pics on the Way.

By Stephen Lemons McCain’s people swear he’ll take Sand Land. (Anyone else hear that — the sound of a ship sinking?) Vigil held for fallen Phoenix cop. MCSA protests peacefully at Supervisor Kunasek’s office. Photo radar on Valley freeways ready to go. Don’t all holler your approval at once. Suns…

Sheriff Joe’s Day of the Dead.

Come as your favorite inmate murdered by Joe’s guards…There are so many to pick from. It’s Halloween, and I see dead people. In Sheriff Joe’s House of Horrors, of course. Yep, any of Joe’s gruesome gulags could double as a Haunted House of the Dead, from the Fourth Avenue Jail,…