ARIZONA NEWS
Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from May 21-23
PHOENIX — Arizona is part of a multistate federal lawsuit accusing a company of charging customers for internet speeds they weren’t getting, a sporting goods store plans to open one of its huge attractions-filled stores at a Chandler mall and a federal judge ordered a mental health evaluation for Jacob Chansley, the Arizona man known as the “QAnon Shaman.”
Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.
Arizona accuses rural internet provider of charging for speeds it didn’t deliver
Arizona is part of a multistate federal lawsuit that accuses a communications company that serves mostly rural areas of charging customers for internet speeds they weren’t actually getting.
Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Wisconsin, California and the Federal Trade Commission are also part of the complaint filed Wednesday against Frontier Communications.
Arizona, represented by state Attorney General Mark Brnovich in the suit, is seeking reimbursement to customers who may have been overcharged as well as civil penalties against Frontier of up to $10,000 for each willful violation.
The state alleges that the Connecticut-based company didn’t or couldn’t provide the higher speeds in certain premium plans that it advertised and sold.
Sporting goods chain Scheels to open big store at Chandler Fashion Center
A Midwest-based sporting goods seller plans to open one of its huge attractions-filled stores at a Chandler mall in two years.
North Dakota’s employee-owned Scheels said Wednesday it will take over the former Nordstrom at Chandler Fashion Center and expects to open in the fall of 2023.
Nordstrom closed in August 2020, citing coronavirus setbacks.
The new store will take up 220,000 square feet at the mall near Loop 101 and Chandler Boulevard.
Arizona horned rioter ordered to receive mental health evaluation
On Friday, a federal judge ordered a mental health evaluation for Jacob Chansley, the Arizona man known as the “QAnon Shaman,” who has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of civil disorder and obstructing an official proceeding, plus four other misdemeanor charges.
Chansley’s lawyer claims he has mentally suffered since his imprisonment due to Asperger’s syndrome, which could play a factor in the case.
His lawyer, Albert Watkins, has already attempted to grant a pretrial release based on Chansley’s dietary needs.
Watkins, who defends several other clients who were charged due to their involvement with the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, told Talking Points Memo that many of the defendants he represents were “short-bus people.”
Maricopa County approves funding for new animal shelter to be built in Mesa
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved funding for a new animal care facility in Mesa that will be replacing the current shelter located in Tempe, officials announced Friday.
The county has reserved $27 million to build a new shelter on land it already owns at Baseline Road and Lewis Drive, as part of the fiscal year 2022 budget, officials stated in a press release.
With funding reserved, officials are working toward the procurement process and review of qualified construction proposals.
“The Board of Supervisors heard East Valley residents loud and clear about the need for investment in a modernized animal care facility,” said Supervisor Steve Chucri in the release.
Valley dad, mom, son arrested for allegedly trafficking stolen goods
A Valley couple and their adult son have been arrested for allegedly trafficking large quantities of items shoplifted from Phoenix-area Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target stores, authorities said Thursday.
“We believe this is one of the largest trafficking of stolen property investigations that we’ve been involved in in recent times,” Sgt. Ann Justus of the Phoenix Police Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
Dagoberto Valenzuela Herrera, 46, Bianca Herrera, 39, and their son Rigoberto Valenzuela, 22, are accused of buying stolen merchandise – “Mostly tools, home improvement items, that kind of stuff,” Justus said – and then selling it off online.
