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Sheriff accused of racial profiling


by Brent Whiting staff writer


Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio remained defiant after the federal government filed a civil-rights lawsuit last week accusing him and his office of racial profiling and other abuses. “I am very happy that we are being sued,” Arpaio told reporters May 10 during a press


Joe Arpaio


… grows the tortoise. Estrella Mountain Regional Park holding naming contest for surprise babies — Page 3.


SLOW AND STEADY …


conference in Phoenix. However, many political leaders,


including some in the West Valley, accused Arpaio of abuse of power and described the lawsuit as long overdue. State Sen. Steve Gallardo, a Democrat, said


it’s time for the federal government to force public accountability by Arpaio and his law- enforcement agency. “There have been hidden shenanigans at the


sheriff’s office for too many years,” Gallardo said May 10. “The day of covering up things has ended today.”


the lawsuit by the civil-rights division U.S. Department of Justice “should have been filed a long time ago.” Quezada accused Arpaio and his office


of abuse of power through “systematic” intimidation and discrimination against the


State Rep. Martin Quezada, a Democrat, said


Latino community in the Valley. “It’s absolutely against Latinos, and I think


it’s blatantly obvious,” Quezada said. “He’s attacking this community and it’s about time for this to stop.” Rep. Anna Tovar, a Democrat and the House minority whip, said, “It is time for Sheriff Joe to be held accountable.” Under Arpaio’s management, the sheriff’s


office has a “troubling history of racial profiling and financial mismanagement,” Tovar said, adding that Maricopa residents “deserve better.”


Gallardo, Quezada and Tovar represent District 13, which covers portions of Avondale,


(See Sheriff on Page 4)


throws earn him free trips — Page 2.


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View photo by Michael Clawson


BUCKEYE FOOD BANK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CASSIE WILKINS looks through a bin of donated laundry detergent May 8 in Buckeye. The food bank is collecting detergent and other laundry essentials for “Suds For Duds,” which provides laundry materials for needy families.


Food banks provide more than food


Buckeye Food Bank hopes to start campaign for laundry supplies


by Emily McCann staff writer


first thing that probably comes to mind is edible donations, but the local sites provide so much more. Lighthouse Fellowship Church in Buckeye saw


When people think of giving to a food bank, the


there was a need for laundry not being met and stepped in to help by starting “Suds for Duds.” The program is a spin-off of its “Suds for Soldiers” program that gives laundry supplies to


homeless veterans. Now it also helps All Faith Community Services Buckeye Food Bank by donating individual bags containing one scoop of laundry soap, dryer sheets and quarters, Pastor Clay McGuire said. “We found that it was really an area of need that nobody was meeting,” he said. “So it’s been a real blessing for us, as well as for the people. We’re always looking for more ways to be a blessing to the public and serve any way we can.” Food Bank Director Cassie Wilkins said she’s hoping the program will catch on and more


people will donate. “I know laundry soap is


bank’s Steps to Work program, which provides job training for the unemployed. Without the


difficult,” she said. “This way we can help supplement the laundry needs for families, especially right now when things are really tight.” The laundry soap will also aid the 40 to 50 volunteers who are in the food


(See Food banks on Page 4)


expensive, so by the time you put that on top of having to do your clothes at the Laundromat, the ability to maybe even do a load of clothes for families is


WILL TRAVEL Wigwam Creek 7th-grader’s free


HAVE BALL,


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