By Josh Miller and Mike Norton — In just 24 hours, over 4,500 people have signed two Petitions calling for Scottsdale City Council Member Guy Phillips removal from office.   News of Phillips “I Can’t Breathe” moment has swept throughout the U.S. making headlines on nationwide morning news shows and dozens of national newspapers. In a joint statement, the two Petition … Read More

By Recker McDowell — There were plenty of questions regarding Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane’s and the city’s response to the looting and property destruction at Scottsdale Fashion Square. But Lane was spot on today with his quick response to Scottsdale City Councilman Guy Phillips’ use of the phrase ‘I Can’t Breathe’ during today’s rally against COVID-19 mask mandates. ‘I Can’t … Read More

By Recker McDowell — The country and our communities are filled with unrest, and uncertainty. COVID-19, the economy and jobs, race and policing are all sowing worry and divisions. But through all the economic and social angst and anarchy in some cities, there are great opportunities. We have a chance to build communities focused on inclusion and growth. We have … Read More

Squirrel’s Stories — These days 15-year-old Sierra and Sophia Smith share more than just a bond of being twin sisters.  The Hamilton High School sophomores now share a piece of art called Hands of Freedom. Art, they hope inspires change. “Hands of Freedom originally started off with my sister just putting a bunch of hands on a canvas. A painting … Read More

By Recker McDowell — We need positive and uplifting stories these days. One of those is from Boston where Danielle Geathers has been elected student body president at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Geathers, who is from Miami, is the first African American woman to be elected student body president in MIT’s 159-year history. She is majoring in mechanical … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Metrocenter Mall is closing. The north Phoenix mall opened in 1973, once included an ice rink and was one of the film locations for Keanu Reeves’ Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Metrocenter will close later this month. It joins Fiesta Mall in Mesa on the list of zombie malls. There are and have been redevelopment plans … Read More

The Scottsdale Charlatan Led The Opposition To The McDowell Sonoran Preserve In 2004. There aren’t many things nearly everyone in Scottsdale can agree on.  Good weather.  The Indian Bend Wash.  And the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  The Preserve came about because of a courageous vision in the 1990s to increase the city sales tax to set aside the city’s most beautiful … Read More

With early voting starting in about three weeks for Arizona’s August 4th primary it’s about that time when the attacks start flying.  And, Scottsdale is no exception. Intruding on the orthodoxy of not attacking another in a multi-candidate field, Scottsdale City Council candidate Betty Janik took aim at former City Manager and fellow candidate John Little in this Scottsdale Independent … Read More

Politics and development can both be important aspects of life. And, like most everything else, it helps when you live and learn. That certainly appears to be the case for a recent redevelopment proposal, tentatively labeled The Scottsdale Collective, for an area of largely non-descript buildings east of Scottsdale Road and south of Camelback. It’s mostly known today for numerous … Read More