Hot Links: Arpaio Probed, Resort Approved, Sinatra Blown

By Niki D'Andrea Wed., Mar. 11 2009 at 7:36 AM

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department is investigating Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the MSCO, looking for evidence of discrimination based on race. Arpaio says "We'll open our books. We have nothing to hide." If that's true, then why has he repeatedly refused to release public records to Valley media, his office even going so far as to tell New Times to "sue" for them?...Mesa voters approved the construction of a new resort by Gaylord Entertainment Company, voting 84 percent in favor of the project, which entails $51 million in bed-tax rebates for the resort...Mesa may also be the home of a new Cactus League facility, if the city can raise enough funds to build the complex so the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies can move their training from Tucson. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community announced on Monday it will bid on the complex...The Arizona Board of Regents and University of Arizona Faculty Senate are considering cutting 25 majors at UA, including undergraduate majors in engineering and secondary education...State lawmakers are considering a bill that would amend the penalties for people whose license plate frames obscure the word "Arizona." The bill would reduce the current fines from $130 to $30 for a first offense...A Florida man won the 47th annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest in Key West with an apparently stunning rendition of Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night." Ol' Blue Eyes would be proud -- or maybe weirded out.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio Targeted in Justice Department Probe, Finally...

Mesa voters approve Gaylord deal by wide margin

Mesa seeks financing for D-Backs facility

25 majors face chopping block at UA