The latest domino in the DACA saga fell when Judge Andrew Hannen out of the Southern District of Texas ruled that the DACA program was unlawful, immediately halting the processing of an estimated …

Our world is slowly returning to normal as more Arizonans become vaccinated and restrictions start to lift. Now it is time to catch up on critical health screenings and preventive health visits that …

Back to school/work is here with a mixture of excitement and hesitation as we return to face-to-face interactions. It behooves us, therefore, to equip our bodies with the best strategies to stay …

Where did the summer go? Many of our children have started school or will be starting soon. Because they spend over a third of their day at school, manners are of great importance. Talking to …

I am disappointed by the Independent’s lack of journalism and basic ethics, publishing a story about a video capturing a cross being pulled out of the ground. To continue to smear the …

Since starting my term as Scottsdale Unified School District’s Governing Board president, it has been my goal to improve communication between our district and our broader community. In …

We know our beautiful mountains, rural desert lifestyle, and one-acre zoning make Paradise Valley a great place to live, but the people who live, work and volunteer here truly make this …

I am responding to Mr. Eric Kurland’s “Point Of View” regarding his position on the asylum seekers in Scottsdale. He asked for people to speak up and I am doing just that. Do …

It’s summer in Arizona, it’s hot, and most Arizonans are spending their time lounging by or in the pool to stay cool. A day laying out soaking in the sun or swimming in the pool is …

After reading the Dezelon article I thought I might have unconsciously written it in my sleep. I live in a Paradise Valley 85253 gated community with an HOA. Among four contiguous construction …

Sunday, June 27, is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Injury Awareness Day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness around the signs, symptoms and stigma associated with PTSD.

Welcome to the fifth in a series of articles authored by committee members of the Town of Paradise Valley Historical Advisory Committee. The mission of the advisory committee is to, …

Sadly, we are seeing deaths from heart disease and stroke on the rise. The good news is that heart disease and stroke can be prevented 80% of the time by making healthy choices. The American …

I have lived in Paradise Valley for 27 years, the first 10 years of which was a slice of heaven. We had wonderful neighbors that went out of their way to make you feel part of the neighborhood and we …

Being diagnosed with any type of cancer is life-changing and as a 29-year-old, healthy, female with no history of cancer in my family — being diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer was …

As a lifelong gardener, I realize how important fresh fruit and vegetables are to staying healthy and so I devote my time to growing tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower. Gardening has …

Editor's note: This commentary was edited due to libel in accordance with Independent Newsroom Guidelines. If you live in Scottsdale’s middle class, you find a school board that does not …

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” or so countless generations of students have been told by family members, teachers and professors, and pundits on …

Dear Chompie’s Paradise Valley customers and friends, We are at the end of an era! Along with the closing of Paradise Valley Mall, our Phoenix location within the mall will be closing its …

Welcome to the fourth in a series of articles authored by committee members of The Town of Paradise Valley Historical Advisory Committee. The mission of the Advisory Committee is to, …

Scottsdale recently established a working group to “examine existing laws and tools available to the city of Scottsdale regarding short-term rentals.” Basically, since the state …

Federal banking laws have created more than just an isolated crisis for Arizona’s multi-billion-dollar marijuana industry. They’ve created a dangerous problem for the state of Arizona. …

To the Tonalea community: Having attended the most recent May 13 SUSD community meeting, and having reviewed the publicly available video replay of the event, I wish to share my impressions of …

In the past year, COVID-19 has become one of the top five causes of death. While the Coronavirus alone can take such a terrible toll on the body, it can be even worse for those with …

Last month, Arizona lawmakers had an opportunity to support legislation that would have made it easier for local cities to address nuisance short-term rental properties that have been the cause of …

Welcome to the third in a series of articles authored by committee members of the Town of Paradise Valley Historical Advisory Committee. The mission of the advisory committee is to, …

Maricopa County is one of the fastest growing counties, which means having to constantly navigate safely around work zones and orange cones. Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) …

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our economy saw record-breaking growth. In 2018 and 2019 we saw wages, our unemployment rate, and revenues hit record-breaking levels. This record growth came …

Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is well under way. We all hope this is a means to an end of social restrictions and making our way back to life as we once knew it. According to the CDC over …

Last week while unloading the dishwasher, I came across a pair of very clean takeout-sushi chopsticks. I looked at my husband Gary, who, with a twinkle in his eye said, “If you can wash and …

Your newspaper was contacted by various concerned residents of Paradise Valley who felt unscrupulous developers and the city of Phoenix were inappropriately and permanently changing our residential …

Supreme Court Justice George Sutherland (who also was a former US Senator and congressman from Utah) famously noted in the landmark 1926 case of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co that: “A nuisance may …

The short-term rental platforms are working hard to spin their recent loss. They would have you believe that they offered legislation to “fix” the STR rental problems that they created in …

Our town has the greatest public works department in the state of Arizona. Without a doubt. We all enjoy how special our unique town is with the ambiance of open space and desert landscaping. We …

Recently, I read an article about two entrepreneurs who were opening a new restaurant and they laughed at themselves for picking this time to go into business but, in reality, it is a great time to …

SUSD proudly declares it provides “Education Excellence” because its “average scores exceed Arizona standards at all levels.” However, they fail to also point out that …

After nearly two months the Paradises Valley 2022 General Plan Community Survey closed on Monday, March 1. A total of 386 community surveys were completed, which equates to over a 95% confidence …

It was only a matter of time before Americans would find themselves wearing facemasks. I manufacture facemasks and understand that while not everyone wants to wear them, they are a necessity in a …

Welcome to the second in a series of articles authored by committee members of The Town of Paradise Valley Historical Advisory Committee. The mission of the advisory committee is to, …

Responsible tourism is critical to our state’s economy, and in the wake of COVID-19, we can’t afford to enact policies that would cripple recovery efforts. But Rep. Kavanagh has proposed …

If anything has shaped a theme for this school year, aside from the obvious of teaching and keeping school safe in a pandemic, it’s the phrase “the only constant is change.” All …

Mr. Hildebrand: What can I say but “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” The willful ignorance on the part of the short-term rental industry about the very real …

The STR industry is in trouble. People are rising up to save their neighborhoods and are demanding meaningful restrictions on STRs. State and local governments are responding to peoples’ …

Watch out for the big lies being told about small businesses. I’m talking about opponents of vacation rentals. They’re happy to blame these properties for everything from crime to COVID-19 to the rising price of housing.

A nearly 40-page study publicly released on March 1 by well-known and highly respected Arizona economic and real estate analysis firm Elliott Pollack and Co. (“Pollack”) explains that …

COVID-19 has dominated the medical space for the last year. As we continued to learn more about the coronavirus, we learned that people with underlying conditions like diabetes and obesity are more …

It was a year ago when COVID-19 struck and our world changed.

Call me biased, but I am confident I can convince anyone that Arizona is one of the most scenic states in the country. So, with spring just around the corner, I want to encourage you to lace up your …

Did you know that one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers in the United States is colorectal cancer? In fact, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and is the …

Dear Senator Mesnard: Reference: SB1379 — I would like to meet with either you or your staff on SB1379 the important short term rental issue, and fixes to make SB1379 a better bill. As a …

Our town’s elected mayor and councilmembers need to exhibit leadership, ethics, and honor our town’s Code of Conduct. I am one of your Town Council members committed to serving residents …

This is Environment Week at the State Capitol, and I want to highlight some of the bills that I have introduced this session to help Arizona deal with climate change. Arizona is the most …

Welcome to the first in a series of articles authored by committee members of the Town of Paradise Valley Historical Advisory Committee. The mission of the advisory committee is to, …