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Stricter regs needed for medical pot
Supporters of an effort to legalize medical marijuana in Arizona have taken steps to avoid some of the problems that have riddled California since voters there passed Proposition 215 in 1996. Californians approved a seven-paragraph initiative that protects physicians, caregivers and medical marijuana patients from prosecution. But it led to a massive outgrowth of doctors who prescribe the drug [...]
Wired informant useful in investigation of boxing promoter
Perhaps lunch hour at a busy restaurant wasn't the best time to wire an informant for a meeting with an investigative lead. The noise of all those customers made it hard for detectives to understand just what Mary Rose Wilcox had to say. As it turned out, Wilcox, a Maricopa County supervisor and former boxing commissioner, didn't say much anyway.
Arizona’s tough-on-crime stance costs big bucks
Crime in Arizona has dramatically declined this decade, but the number of Arizonans in prison continues to climb and has grown by nearly 50 percent since 2002, thanks in part to the creation of new crimes and tougher sentencing guidelines. Supporters of the tough-on-crime approach say the figures show that the laws are doing what is intended: making Arizona safer by keeping dangerous criminals [...]
Supreme Court won’t hear water fund sweep challenge
For the moment, the state Legislature can count out one of the many lawsuits it faces, as the Arizona Supreme Court will not hear a challenge to the sweeping of millions of dollars from a fund used to carry out a multi-state water-rights agreement.
Goddard takes pro-gun stance in Supreme Court case
After sitting on the sidelines while the U.S. Supreme Court mulled a 2008 landmark gun control case affecting the nation's capital, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has added his name to a legal brief that asks the court to strike a handgun ban enacted by the city of Chicago.
Pearce bill would give sheriffs, others more power over budgets
The constant budget battles between Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Board of Supervisors could be a thing of the past, or at least more muted than they have been, if Sen. Russell Pearce can get a long-sought bill through the Legislature.
Judge sets date for SRP records hearing
Salt River Project and a pair of Arizona municipalities will face off in court over a public records dispute in February. A Maricopa County judge on Dec. 2 set a hearing date of Feb. 17. The two sides will debate whether the quasi-governmental utility company is subject to the state's public records law. Prescott and Prescott Valley have filed two public records requests with SRP, and the utili[...]
Officials: Progress made on virtual fence project
Government officials overseeing the construction of a "virtual fence'" along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border hope to turn over the first segment to the Border Patrol in January, while beginning construction on a second stretch in coming weeks.
Secretary of State: Accurate Census count important to funding rural projects
LAVEEN - Adequate federal funding for broadband Internet, water systems, law enforcement and other areas vital to rural Arizona depends on residents participating fully in the upcoming U.S. census, Secretary of State Ken Bennett said Dec. 1.
State looks at dropping emissions tests on cycles
Chopper, Honda, Harley riders, the state wants to give you and all motorcycle owners a pass on emissions tests. The state argues that testing motorcycles is more trouble than it's worth.
Sports authority cuts back on obligations
Youth sports activities are expected to take a hit after the state sports authority announced a funding scale back. Along with youth leagues, the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority is holding back funds for renovating spring training facilities in Scottsdale and Tempe.
Former Phoenix police employee takes helm of medical marijuana initiative
The push for legalized medical marijuana use in Arizona has gone from corporate to personal, now that the Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project has designated a Tucson woman suffering from multiple sclerosis to head its 2010 ballot initiative committee.
