🌱 Three Valleywise Employees Arrested + Phoenix Sustainable Townhomes

Hi all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Phoenix Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

A drenching thunderstorm. High: 91 Low: 79.

Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. Three employees of Valleywise Behavioral Health Center have been arrested by Phoenix police after allegedly mistreating a patient, who was later found abandoned at a park in Phoenix. The incident, which occurred on Jul. 22, involved the victim, a quadriplegic man, being left at the park by the employees from Valleywise's Maryvale campus. The suspects, Luis Garcia, Eric Espinoza, and Kalen Powell, were indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 21 and are facing criminal abuse charges. (The Arizona Republic)
2. Former City of Phoenix top prosecutor Robert "Bob" Smith, who recently joined the City of Scottsdale, has been arrested on a felony aggravated harassment charge shortly after retiring. Smith allegedly sent numerous unsolicited and threatening text messages to his estranged wife, violating an order of protection that prohibited contact. During his initial appearance in court, concerns were raised about his mental health, which he disputed, and Smith was subsequently terminated from his new position at the City of Scottsdale. The judge set a $150,000 bond and ordered him to have no contact with his wife until his next hearing on Sep. 6. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
3. Phoenix's Arcadia neighborhood witnessed the unveiling of eco-conscious Willow 38 townhomes, a pioneering sustainable community by MEB Management Services. Positioned at the intersection of 40th Street and Indian School Road, the sustainable community boasts spacious floor plans exceeding 2,000 square feet, encompassing three to four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. With extras like EV charging-equipped garages, a sun deck, a dog park, and 10-foot ceilings, Willow 38 aims to not just cater to its residents' desires but also set a precedent for environmentally-conscious multifamily living in the region, according to Nicole Mease, Asset Director at MEB Management Services. (KTAR.com)

Business owners and marketers in Phoenix: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Today in and around Phoenix:

Friday, September 1

• Early Days At The Heard Museum (10:00 AM)
• Phoenix Tattoo Arts Festival 2023 At Legacy Park (2:00 PM)
• After Dark Cabaret | Disaster! At Arizona Broadway Theatre, Peoria (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Have plans to celebrate Labor Day? At the link, explore a list of places to eat and drink in Phoenix this holiday weekend. (Phoenix New Times)
• At the link, the City of Phoenix Public Works Department shared photos of its barrel yard, which is filled with brand-new refuse and recycling bins for residential collection customers in Phoenix. If your bin is broken, schedule a free repair or replacement. (City of Phoenix Public Works Department via Facebook)
• Interest in joining the Phoenix Fire Department? The department is hiring a User Technology Specialist to help analyze and diagnose common telecommunications equipment problems. Apply by Sep. 12 at 11:59 p.m. (Phoenix Fire Department via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Touch Of Class Alterations — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (September 5)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll see you soon.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.