Comedian Steve Trevino PAGE
‘Help … I lost my trust’
17
PAGE
peoriatimes.com
INSIDE
This Week
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
Peoria on right track to strengthening economy
February 18, 2021
State supreme court rules against ‘sweetheart deal’ BY LAUREN SERRATO Peoria Times Staff Writer
OPINION..........8
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of Peoria taxpayers, stating that the city of Peoria violated the state Constitution’s Gift Clause after it gave away nearly $2.6 million to two private businesses, with nothing in return to the public. The taxpayer money was provided to Huntington University and its landlord Arrowhead Properties LLC. In return, the
private companies announced their hope that their existence in Peoria would improve the local economy. Neither company, however, provided anything further to the public in exchange for the millions of dollars they received from Peoria taxpayers. The private, Christian college based in Indiana that offers only a digital media arts program ran its business without benefits to the community such as access to facilities, jobs at the college or reduced tuition.
“The court said very clearly that Peoria can’t give away money to private businesses that promise to do nothing in return for the public but only to run their own businesses for themselves,” said Christina Sandefur, executive vice president at the Goldwater Institute and lead attorney. Arrowhead additionally agreed to renovate its building to house Huntington University, exclusively for private profit and
Maes held on $2M bail on murder charge
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor
FEATURES..... 15 Local breweries, wineries pair bottles, cookies
OPINION...................8 BUSINESS...............10 SPORTS...................13 FEATURES...............15 RELIGION................18 YOUTH....................20 CLASSIFIEDS...........21
18
Eric Maes is being held on $2 million bail on charges of premeditated first-degree murder, kidnapping in apprehension of injury, endangerment and theft of means of transportation. On Feb. 9, Maes, a transient, allegedly kidnapped his 10-month-old son, Abel, from his sister’s Peoria house and stole a van from outside of it, said Sgt. Amanda Gaines, Peoria Police Department public information officer. The infant’s mother, Brittany Martie of Phoenix, was picking up her child when she tried to save him. She sustained injuries either by jumping out of the
SEE SWEETHEART PAGE 5
Foundation celebrates Peoria-based Arizona Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary. See story on Page 3. (Photo by Pablo Robles)
SEE MURDER PAGE 5
The latest breaking news and top local stories in Peoria!
www.PeoriaTimes.com .com
JUST A CLICK AWAY