Monica Spencer

Phoenix

Freelance Writer and Photographer at Freelance

Reporter and Photographer at InMaricopa

Navajo journo & murderino. Tódich'ii'nii nishłi, Tsi'naajinii bashishchiin. @InMaricopa reporter. Past: @azcentral, @LegendNewspaper, @onlyinyourstate.

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Articles

State troopers name road rage suspect said to have opened fire on SR 347

1 week ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

The Arizona Department of Public Safety has named the road rage suspect who shot at least nine times at another motorist on State Route 347 last week. State troopers arrested Darnell Edwards Lemons II and charged him with drive-by shooting, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, endangerment and criminal damage, DPS spokesperson Bart Graves told InMaricopa today. The incident took place Tuesday when a Ford F-150 pickup truck allegedly cut off Lemons’ Lexus ES sedan.
Homestead director's foster care documentary 'I Am' premieres this month in Scottsdale

1 week ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

A new documentary highlighting the ongoing struggles in the American foster care system is being released next week, and one Maricopa woman had a hand in developing it. Homestead resident Judy Nganga said serving as the assistant director and producer for I Am has been an exciting venture.
Moonlight Ridge signs first home contract at grand opening

1 week ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

One of Maricopa’s newest subdivisions not only welcomed prospective homeowners but also sold its first home this afternoon. Moonlight Ridge, a subdivision sitting on the northwest corner of State Route 238 and Green Road, hosted a grand opening event complete with food, activities and a new home sale.
Meadows man pepper balled, arrested after welfare check

1 week ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

A Maricopa Meadows man faces three misdemeanor charges after a welfare check turned into an arrest earlier this week. Police arrived at a home on Sheridan Road around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday after a neighbor reported someone was screaming, “f*ck the police, I will kill them all,” in a house all day. Upon their arrival, officers spotted an agitated 41-year-old Kawika Leongneefuk standing at the front door, according to a probable cause statement.
Highway 238 Industrial Park fills blue-collar business gap

1 week ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

Commercial and industrial space in the city is horribly limited. At least according to prominent Maricopa businessman Ray Nieves, who thought all hope was lost when he needed a place to store his fleet of air-repair vans. “There’s just not that kind of space available,” Nieves said.
What we learned following LD16 representatives around the Capitol

1 week ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

Accompanying Rep. Teresa Martinez through the hallways of the Arizona State Capitol feels a lot like walking through Copacabana with Ray Liotta in Goodfellas. She’s rattling off what’s behind the doors of an underground passageway leading into the Senate chambers. That one’s the back entrance to a committee room, she says. She’s rifling through her to-do list — Oh! She had to write that speech today.
Hidden Valley residents’ ‘emergency’ cools, but not opposition to large development

1 week ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

It was just a little over a year ago that Hidden Valley and Thunderbird Farms residents spoke out about a large new development creeping into their neighborhood. Their position hasn’t changed — and they’re preparing to speak up again. A few dozen residents showed up to an emergency meeting last night at Thunderbird Fire Station in preparation for a now-rescheduled Pinal County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on the Rio Blanco Ranch development.
City hosts first of 3 sales tax events

1 week ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

A few dozen people filtered in and out of the Maricopa Community Center this morning to learn more about a half-cent sales tax proposed by the city. A drop-in open house is one method the city is using to inform residents about the tax before the city council votes on it next month. The tax was proposed in February and would help generate necessary funds to widen State Route 347. City Manager Ben Bitter was one of a handful of government employees present to field questions from residents.
Ono Hawaiian BBQ on the menu for Sonoran Creek Marketplace

2 weeks ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

It looks like Filiberto’s may not be headed to Sonoran Creek Marketplace after all. The long-empty Suite 130 had been slated for sizzling Styrofoam platters of carne asada fries and paper-wrapped California burritos since at least 2020, but the city’s What’s New Maricopa site shows there’s been a new development. California-based Ono Hawaiian BBQ is now listed as an under construction commercial project at 20320 N.
Triangular self-storage proposed near Santa Rosa Springs

2 weeks ago | inmaricopa.com | Monica Spencer

A new self-storage facility has been proposed for about 8 acres of undeveloped land near Santa Rosa Springs. Maricopa landowner and realtor Dayv Morgan last month submitted pre-application paperwork to the city for an RV and self-storage development along Sonoran Desert Parkway, right between Santa Rosa Wash and Lunar Street. Attached is a request to amend the land use and zoning from general rural to light industrial.