By Alexander Lomax It’s been a great year for our friends at Axon, hasn’t it? We probably don’t have to remind you of their egregious apartment megacomplex plans, their rezoning plan which seems to have shortchanged Arizona schools to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, the bullying of the Scottsdale City Council, and the end around at the … Read More
How Creepy is Cringy Josh Isner?
By Ronald Sampson When it comes to public faces of corporations, many of us know of Rick Smith, CEO of Axon. You have probably read many pieces about his unwanted apartment megacomplex in Scottsdale and his push to circumvent the will of the people to get his wish (you can read our coverage here). But there has been a significantly … Read More
Counterpoint: Opposition to Horse Sanctuary Proposal in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
A proposal is under consideration to relocate approximately 60 ownerless Salt River horses from the Tonto National Forest to 600 acres in the northern part of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. While the intent of protecting the horses is commendable, the plan poses serious environmental, legal, logistical, and public safety concerns that conflict with the Preserve’s core mission. Environmental and Ecological … Read More
Old Town Scottsdale’s Unexpected Summer Renaissance
Something extraordinary is happening in Old Town Scottsdale this summer, and it’s rewriting the rules of Arizona’s entertainment landscape. While most entertainment districts typically slow down during the brutal desert heat, Scottsdale’s iconic nightlife scene is experiencing what industry insiders are calling a full-blown renaissance. The numbers tell the story: eight new nightlife concepts have debuted in rapid succession this … Read More
Guest Editorial: WestWorld is the cornerstone of Scottsdale’s equestrian legacy & tourism economy
By Mayor Lisa Borowsky WestWorld of Scottsdale is more than just a venue — it’s the beating heart of our city’s vibrant equestrian community and a significant driver of our local economy. As a lifelong Scottsdale resident, equestrian and horse show competitor, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact the equestrian industry and, in particular, this facility has on our local … Read More
Wild Horses in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve? It May Come to Reality Soon
By Alexander Lomax To any close observers of Scottsdale politics, it’s no secret that Mayor Lisa Borowsky loves horses. In a fun little campaign quirk, she even put her horse on campaign signs. So a recent development is right up her alley, and she may have a perfect solution for a problem. In the midst of escalating tensions over the … Read More
Is Freedom of Speech Next on the Chopping Block for Scottsdale?
By Betty Janik The first 6 months of the new Scottsdale City Council have been tumultuous with no end in sight. With a shift in the majority, expectations were for smooth sailing ahead. Instead, we have witnessed internal power struggles, jealousy, and even legal charges filed with the county attorney by council members against each other. Unfortunately, this is consistent … Read More
From Badge to Therapy: Aiden’s Sweet Retirement in the Heart of Scottsdale
Law enforcement is often in the crosshairs of the public eye, for reasons both unfair and sometimes justified. That said, I think we all can agree that police horses never deserve any ire. They are the unimpeachable good guys in law enforcement, as a Scottsdale story is now demonstrating. Only in Scottsdale could a police horse named Aiden transition from … Read More
When Advocacy Meets Enforcement: A Troubling Pattern in Scottsdale?
By Julia Moffett We always want to assume the best in our city’s management and employees, but politics often creeps in where it shouldn’t. While it’s sometimes tough to parse out intentions, sometimes it’s difficult to believe in coincidences. For instance, days after Cory Pilger publicly aired his frustrations about construction impacts devastating his Best Life Nutrition business, Scottsdale code … Read More
Property Managers Gone Wild: Scottsdalians Fined For…A Bad Review?!?
If you rent a property through a property manager, you’ve probably either heard horror stories or dealt with them firsthand. Between hidden charges, service requests gone unheeded, or rising rents, everyone’s got a story to tell. Few people read all of the fine print and are a target as a result. But a recent story is a new one and … Read More