Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Brad Shafer has been sworn in as the newly elected Peoria City Councilmember for the Mesquite Distric.
This special election pitted Shafer against former state schools superintendent Diane Douglas, and fills former councilmember Bridget Binsbacher’s seat, who stepped down to run for mayor.
In the race for the Mesquite District, Shafer had 6,438 votes or 52% of the vote, and his opponent former state schools superintendent Diane Douglas had 5,831, or 48%, according to official results.
Shafer was previously appointed by city council in April to fill the vacancy. His term will run through 2024.
Judge George Anagnost administered Shafer’s oath of office.
In competitive contests Jason Beck was elected mayor and Jennifer Crawford was elected to the Acacia District council seat during the general election. Incumbernts Michael Finn and Denette Dunn ran unopposed. They will be sworn in as councilmembers in January.
Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts.
He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing.
Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards.
In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
By 
