$770,000 to Go to Homeless Shelters

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has announced more than $770,000 in awards in emergency assistance to homeless shelters. The money will allow services to more than 700 Arizonans—including children—to continue into fiscal year 2010. Funding cuts and declines in contributions are threatening homeless programs around the state. Arizona Department of Housing Director Donald Cardon says that economic conditions have created a wave of Arizonans who have never been homeless before. These individuals and families are showing up at shelter doors only to be denied services. He says the funding will provide help to those who desperately need it.

No Blasting Through Next Week

The Arizona Department of Transportation says there is no blasting scheduled on the US 60 Pinto Valley project from now until next Friday, April 24. The road will be narrowed to one lane from 7:am until 4:pm today, and Monday through Thursday of next week. This is for removal of rock and placement of concrete barricades. Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes as flaggers direct traffic in alternating directions. Both traffic lanes will be open tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday.

Sweepstakes Scam

Globe PD says a citizen has reported receiving a telephone call saying that he had won $1.8 million in a sweepstakes. The citizen was told to send an $1800 money transfer to an overseas account for processing fees and taxes. He then was supposed to call a 900 number in the Dominican Republic to notify a sweepstakes representative that the transfer had been completed.

The Globe Police Department says this is a scam. There are many scams going around that are similar to this. Be aware that a person who has won a legitimate prize is never required to pay in order to receive the prize.

Copper Community Players Schedule 'Moon Over Buffalo'

The Copper Community Players announce the performance dates for their next comedy production, Moon Over Buffalo. The production dates are: May 1st and 2nd at 7 p.m. and on May 7th, 8th and 9th at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 each.

For ticket information and reservations, call the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts at (928) 425-0884. Seating is limited.

Quilters Yard Sale

A Giant Yard Sale will be held tomorrow (Saturday) to benefit the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts. It's sponsored by the Copper Country Quilters Chapter of the Arizona Quilters Guild. There will be patterns, books, fabrics, notions and other quilting and sewing supplies, as well as good used household and decorator items. The yard sale will be at the Historic Train Depot on South Broad Street in Globe from 9:am until 3:pm.

Miami Senior Center Pancake Breakfast

The Miami Senior Center Site Council is sponsoring a pancake breakfast fundraiser tomorrow (Saturday) at the Miami Senior Center. It’s from 7 until 11:am. It includes pancakes, ham, orange juice and coffee. Adults $4.00; children under 12, $2.00.

No Charge for Greenwaste at Landfill Saturday

The Russell Gulch Landfill will accept greenwaste at no charge tomorrow (Saturday), in honor of Earth Day. Greenwaste includes tree limbs, brush, grass clippings and leaves.

Police Log

A Globe Police officer was dispatched to Highway 60 in front of Pinal Lumber after a report of a man standing in the highway. 69 year old Wayman Harney was arrested for obstruction of a roadway.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 22 year old Natasha Darnell for disorderly conduct and domestic violence.

Obituary

Louis Lopez Holguin of Globe passed away Monday at Friendship Village Nursing Home in Tempe. He was 79. He is survived by his wife Panfila; his sons Louis and John; his daughter Linda Robles; 3 sisters, including Vera Valencia of Globe; his brothers Phillip and Faustino Holguin; 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
A graveside service for Louis Holguin will be held Wednesday at 3:pm at Globe Cemetery.

'The Gratitude Dance'

Materials Needed for Historic Mining Park

The committee working to create a historic mining park at the Old Dominion Mine site is looking for materials to build ramadas for benches and picnic tables and other structures. The committee is working to get the area ready to turn over to the City of Globe by the end of the year. The lease has been recently signed by the City and BHP, and grant funding for park development has been acquired. If you can help with the needed building materials, call the Chamber of Commerce at 425-4495.

'Burger Flippin' for a Cure'

The “Tax Collectors” Team for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life invites Gila County employees and the public to a fundraising lunch next tomorrow (Friday). It’s from 11:am until 2:pm on the Gila County Courthouse Patio. A combination plate of a burger, chips and a drink will be served for a suggested donation of $5. All money will go to the Relay for Life. The annual event at Harbison Field is only about a month away. To participate, call Cynthia Bach at 425-3677.

Local Libraries Will Close for Regional Forum

Both the Miami and Globe Public Libraries will be closed tomorrow (Friday). The staffs will participate in the annual Arizona Library Association Regional Forum being hosted by the Gila County Library District at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts.

Veterans Counselor Coming to DES Next Week

Veterans Benefits Counselor Valerie Williams will be at the Department of Economic Security office next Friday, April 24 from 9:am until 3:pm. Call for an appointment at 425-3101 ext 1008.

School District Consolidation to Be Discussed at Chamber Luncheon

The Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce April luncheon will be Thursday, April 23 at Guayo’s El Rey in Miami. Representatives of the committee studying consolidation of the Globe and Miami school districts will discuss the timeline, needs and goals. To make a reservation, call the Chamber at 425-4495.

More Than $500,000 in Impact Aid Grants for San Carlos Schools

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick announces that the US Department of Education will be providing more than $500,000 in Impact Aid grants to school systems serving the San Carlos Apache Tribe. The funds are part of more than $7 million that the Department is releasing through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help repair and modernize underfunded schools in Arizona.

Police Log

Last night a citizen called Globe PD to report a fight between two men in the Fry’s parking lot. One man was waving a handgun. 22 year old Andrew Channel was charged with misconduct with a weapon, prohibited possessor and aggravated assault. 25 year old Robert Adams was arrested on warrants for criminal damage and disorderly conduct.

Another citizen reported a woman screaming for help in the area of Oak and Pine. 44 year old Robert Holy was charged with domestic assault and the victim was taken to the hospital.

29 year old Reggie Standing was arrested early this morning at Globe Mobile Home Park for domestic violence/disorderly conduct.

Two people were arrested for separate disturbances at Copper Country Mobile Home Park. 32 year old Ricky Vargas was charged with disorderly conduct. 22 year old Iroquois Sullivan was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 45 year old Manuel Gaona on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of resisting arrest.

25 year old Marcelina Spurgeon was arrested on a warrant for disorderly conduct.

The Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft reported at the El Paso Natural Gas meter station near New Street.

'Internet Symphony' Global Mash Up

YouTube presents the world premiere of the Tan Dun composition "Internet Symphony, Eroica" as selected and mashed up from thousands of video submissions from around the world.

CBS News Story:

Arizona Lags Behind New Jersey in Solar Power

The Zonie Report website says that Arizona—which is tied with Nevada as the sunniest state in the union—lags far behind New Jersey when it comes to solar power. New Jersey is the 39th sunniest state.
According to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, New Jersey has more than 70 megawatts in grid-tied photovoltaic capacity. That puts it in second place, behind California. Arizona is seventh on the list with a little more than 25 magawatts.

Miami Library Hosts Forum Open House

The Miami Memorial Library hosts the Arizona Library Association Pre-Forum Event tomorrow (Thursday) from 5:30 until 7:30. It’s an open house for Library Association members and the public. It will showcase the Miami High School Hall of Fame with entertainment provided by “The Big Band Sound.” Refreshments will be served.

Governor Brewer Appoints Claudia DalMolin to ASAP Advisory Board

Gila County Sheriff John Armer announces that the Sheriff’s Office Bureau Commander Claudia DalMolin has been appointed by Governor Jan Brewer to the Arizona Substance Abuse Partnership Community Advisory Board.

The goal of the Community Advisory Board is to bring coalitions together to improve substance abuse prevention, treatment and enforcement policy and programs. It will provide a link between the community coalitions and Arizona Substance Abuse Partnership.

Bureau Commander DalMolin is a lifelong resident of Gila County and has been with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office for more than 27 years.

Rep. Kirkpatrick's Staff Hosts Office Hours in Globe Today

Staff members from Representative Ann Kirkpatrick’s office are hosting open office hours today (Wednesday) in Globe. The staff members will be at the Gila County Complex on Ash Street from 10:am until 4:pm.This is an opprtunity for Gila County residents to get help dealing with the federal government and share their thoughts on what’s happening in Arizona and in Washington.

Police Log

Globe Police arrested 34 year old Shanon Lopez for fraudulent schemes while he was an employee at Auto Zone.

25 year old Terry Vinsant was arrested yesterday in connection with a shoplifting incident that occurred on March 31.

Officers are investigating a theft that occurred at a business on Highway 60 and a burglary at a business on North Broad Street.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports of a sexual assault in the Roosevelt area; theft of a mailbox and mail on Walliman Road; and the theft of a commercial cement moxer at the H&E Ranch in Wheatfields.

Obituary

Dennis Gett passed away Sunday at Copper Mountain Inn. He was 98. He is survived by his son Clyde and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation for Dennis Gett is today (Wednesday) from 5 to 7:pm at Lamont Mortuary with a short service at 7:pm.
Interment will be at 11:am tomorrow (Thursday) at Paradise Memorial Gardens in Scottsdale.

CVCH Photo Accompanies Article on Rural Hospitals

Arizona Capitol Times is running a story about the vulnerability of rural hospitals to budget cuts. The article is accompanied by a photograph of Cobre Valley Community Hospital. The article says that state and federal programs that have helped support these hospitals are being threatened by possible budget cuts.

Arizona has a program that provides supplemental funding for hospitals with fewer than 100 in-patient beds located in counties with populations of less than 500,000. The state’s SAVE program—which stands for Safe, Accessible, Visible and Efficient—is on the short list of state health programs to be cut. The Critical Access Hospital Program created by Congress in 1997 is also threatened by cuts.

State health officials have warned Governor Brewer that these cuts could force rural hospitals to shut down.

Weather Service Needs Spotters

The National Weather Service is looking for storm spotters. Spotters are needed to look for dust storms, hail, high winds and localized flooding. There are plenty of spotters in the Valley, but help is needed in Gila and Pinal County and other rural areas. The Weather Service provides free training on how to look for cloud features that are associated with microbursts and tornadoes, and how to estimate wind speeds.

For information about the Weather Spotter Program, click here.

New Location for Food Pickup

Gila Community Food Bank announces that the pickup location for $16 boxes and for produce is now the Walmart parking lot where the gas station used to be. The $16 boxes will be distributed this Friday. Produce will be available on Monday.

Obituary

Mariam Wheat of Globe passed away Sunday. She was 95. She is survived by 3 children, including Joel Wheat of Globe; 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
A funeral service for Mariam Wheat will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) from 2 to 4:pm at Lamont Mortuary.
A vistation and funeral service will be held Thursday beginning at 10:am at Greenwood Memorial Lawn in Phoenix.

1 Million Arizonans Will Get $250 Recovery Money

People who get monthly checks from programs such as Social Security are eligible to receive an extra $250 in federal recovery money. The Arizona Republic reports that about 1 million Arizonans qualify. It’s not necessary to call or file any paperwork to get the check. The money will automatically be paid in a check separate from your regular monthly payments. Most people who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement or Veterans benefits are eligible.

The Social Security Administration says scammers are already trying to con people out of their payments by telling them they can get their money faster if they give the callers their bank account and Social Security numbers. Remember—you don’t have to do anything to receive your check. The checks will begin going out in early May.

Police Log

Nobody was hurt in a three vehicle accident late yesterday morning at the Walmart intersection. One driver was cited for failure to control her vehicle.

Globe Police arrested 31 year old Robert Hartment for domestic violence/disorderly conduct after a disturbance at a residence on Hackney.

22 year old Iroquois Sullivan was arrested Sunday on an assault charge.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 44 year old James Berry for domestic violence, assault and criminal damage.

29 year old Vernon Kenton was arrested on Sunday for domestic violence.

Miami Police arrested 35 year old Michelle Stout for disorderly conduct/domestic violence.

Obituary

Purlita Noline of Peridot passed away Sunday at Serenity Hospice in Phoenix. She was 61. She is survived by 7 children; 4 brothers; 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
The wake for Purlita Noline will be tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6:am at the LDS Church in San Carlos. The funeral is tomorrow at 10:am.

Arizona Receives EPA Funds to Reduce Diesel Emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1.7 million in Economic Recovery Funding to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The money will be used to reduce diesel emissions. The EPA says clean diesel projects reduce early deaths, asthma attacks and other health problems. The agency says this will also create jobs and boost local economies. Arizona will use the funding to implement a truck stop electrification project along the US-Mexico border. The project allows truckers to “plug in” so they don’t have to run and idle their trucks. This will result in less diesel emissions.

Supervisors Meet Tuesday

The Gila County Board of Supervisors meets tomorrow morning (Tuesday) at 10:00. The Regular Meeting will be followed by a Work Session featuring a presentation about opportunities for federal funding.

Register for Kindergarten in Miami

The Miami Unified School District is asking all residents with a child who will be five years old before September 1 to pre-register their child for the 2009-2010 school year. Kindergarten Roundup will be held at Las Lomas Elementary School tomorrow (Tuesday) through May 20 from 8:am until 3:pm. Please bring your child’s immunization records, birth certificate and Social Security number.

ADOT to Have Public Hearing On Disparity Study

The Arizona Department of Transportation will have a Public Hearing on Thursday (April 16) to discuss the use of minority and women contractors in ADOT projects. A study {pdf} has been completed that will help the agency to comply with federal guidelines. A presentation about the study and public discussion will be held on Thursday from 1 to 3:pm at the ADOT Human Resource Development Center (1130 N. 22nd Ave.) in Phoenix.

ADOT Says Stimulus Funds Will Create 6,000 Jobs

State transportation officials say that the federal stimulus money they will be receiving will create 6,000 jobs. The money may be used for state, county and local projects. ADOT says five projects in Maricopa County alone will provide more than 2,000 jobs. A third of Arizona’s construction workers are unemployed. The Arizona Daily Star reports that that’s higher than in any other state and much higher than the 21% national unemployment rate for construction. The agency says some contractors are hoping ADOT projects will help keep them in business.

Globe Council Meets Tonight

Globe City Council meets tonight (Monday) at 6:00. They’ll hear a presentation from the Gila County Sheriff’s Office about the national WeTip program that has been known to significantly reduce crime and improve prosecution and conviction of criminals.The Council will consider and possibly approve an ordinance to establish camping restrictions in order to protect residents and businesses within the City limits. The agenda also includes a discussion about the special needs and priorities of the Police Department to be considered in next year’s budget. And City Clerk Gina Paul will give a presentation about the 2010 Census.

Miami Council Public Hearing and Regular Meeting

Miami Town Council holds a Public Hearing tonight (Monday) at 6:00 to discuss the use of Communmity Development Block Grant funds. The Council’s Regular Meeting begins at 6:30 and includes a discussion and possible action on a lease agreement with the Town of Superior for the use of a firetruck. They will also discuss and possibly act on emergency sewer rapairs on Sullivan Street.