Opposition to Land Exchange

The Apache Moccasin reports that the Retired Miners Coalition of Superior has joined with the San Carlos Apache Tribe in its opposition to the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act. The group says they are concerned that the town of Superior could collapse if the block cave mining operations proceed without proper administrative review by the Federal government.

Meanwhile a forum was held May 2 in North Carolina about the potential environmental, cultural, and spiritual effects of the proposed mining operations. More than 20 organizations were represented at the meeting, where a delegation from the San Carlos Apache Tribe gave a presentation. Organizers of the forum say that the Congressional bill allows Resolution Copper to avoid the environmental, cultural and historical preservation studies required by the National Historic Preservation Act. They say they will focus their efforts on the protection of the Oak Flat/Apache Leap landscape as an important part of Apache religion.

Most Arizona politicians and business leaders support the land exchange bill, saying the operation will provide thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue.

Globe Council Meets Monday

Globe City Council meets Monday at 6:pm. The Council will consider authorizing an $84,000 purchase order to construct an enclosed steel building at the Public Works yard on Hagen Road to store and protect the City’s special equipment. Another purchase order for $173,000 will pay for the complete rehabilitation of the 1 million gallon Arlington tank.

The Council will also consider and possibly approve one of two proposed job descriptions for the “Recreation Manager” job classification. They may also authorize the City Manager to proceed with the recruitment process.

The agenda also includes a staff presentation and Council discussion about the special needs and priorities to be conisdered for the Globe Senior Center and Besh Ba Gowah in the 2009-2010 budget.

Arizona Gas Prices Lowest in the Nation

Even though Arizona gasoline prices increased slightly this week, Arizona currently has the lowest prices in the nation. AAA Arizona says the statewide average is just under $1.93 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. The nationwide average increased nine cents this week to $2.14 a gallon. Globe-Miami prices are around $1.92.

Obituary

Sally (Carter) Webb passed away today (Friday) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is survived locally by her mother, Louise Carter; her brother, Larry Carter; and her sister Etta Johnson.
Funeral arrangements are pending.

ADOT Will Restore Traffic Lanes on SR 87

The Arizona Department of Transportation will close the southbound lanes of State Route 87 at the junction of State Route 188 from 9:pm on Tuesday to 5:am on Wednesday. Southbound traffic will be detoured on State Route 188 to US 60 in Globe during the closure. The closure is necessary to remove the crossover detour on the SR 87 Slope Stabilization project. On May 12 the highway will be restored to two northbound and two southbound lanes.

Copper Rim Office Open for Enrollment Next Week

Copper Rim Elementary School is holding their Kindergarten Roundup next week. They strongly encourage parents to enroll incoming students early. Kindergarten students must be 5 by September 1, first grade students must be 6.

The Copper Rim office will be open for enrollment next week from 8 to 11:am and from 1 to 3:pm.

Wildlife Presentation at BTA

Boyce Thompson Arboretum will have a special Mother’s Day wildlife presentation on Sunday. It features a noontime walk through the flower gardens followed by a family picnic. Then at 1:00 there will be a talk by popular photography instructor Maggie Leef. It’s not a photo workshop but a one hour introduction to the creatures—large and small—that have been seen at the arboretum over the years.

Police Log

Globe Fire Department quickly put out a fire in the alley between the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts and the Old County Jail. Damage was minimal. Globe Fire Department says the fire was caused by careless disposal of a lit cigarette.

Nobody was hurt in a two vehicle accident yesterday morning at Ash and Third Street. One driver was cited for failure to control his vehicle to avoid a colision.

Globe PD arrested 48 year old Charles Bejarano yesterday for a domestic assault incident that occurred on Wednesday.

Yesterday afternoon officers arrested 22 year old Iroquois Sullivan for criminal treespass at Copper Country Mobile Home Park. A few hours later Gila County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Sullivan for domestic violence at a residence on Russell Road.

Globe PD arrested a 55 year old Texas woman yesterday afternoon at the Circle K on Hunter Drive. She was charged with aggravated DUI, driving with a suspended license and for outstanding warrants. Three dogs and seven cats were removed from the car and taken to the Gila County Animal Shelter for safekeeping.

27 year old Rachel Arney was arrested for disorderly conduct last night at Horizon Human Services.

Panel Says Keep AIMS Test and Add More

A state task force recommends that Arizona keep the AIMS test as a high school graduation requirement. But it says future test development should focus on college and career readiness.

The task force of educators was created by legislation enacted last year. It submiited its report this week to Governor Brewer, legislative leaders and the state Board of Education. The task force says the AIMS test is “an importatnt measure of proficiency” of 10th grade standards. But it recommends further steps that include requiring a college and career readiness test. The Arizona Daily Star reports that parents would have the option of exempting their children from the readiness test.

Copper Rim Spring Fling

Copper Rim PTO is holding a Spring Fling event Saturday at Harbison Field. It’s from 10:am until 1:pm. They’ll have water games, fry bread, hot dogs and prizes. Tickets are 50 cents. Events range from 1 to 8 tickets each.

Konopnicki 'Tweets' About Possible Congressional Run

State District 5 Representative Bill Konopnicki says he is thinking about running for Congress next year against US Representative Ann Kirkpatrick. The Arizona Republic reports that Konopnicki is the latest politician to use social media to broadcast his intentions, floating the idea on Twitter.

Konopnicki considered running for Congress last year when Rick Renzi announced he wasn’t running for re-election. Konopnicki finally decided against it. His current term in the State House is limited after the 2010 session. He estimates he’ll need $2.5 million to make the run for Congress.

Meth Coalition Sponsors Free Movie Night

The Gila County Meth Coalition is sponsoring a free Movie Night at the Apache Drive In this Saturday. The movie will be Race to Witch Mountain and the show starts around 7:45pm. The program is funded through the Governor’s Initiative on Methamphetamines.

Letter Carrier Food Drive This Saturday

The National Association of Letter Carriers will be collecting nonperishable food items on Saturday. You are invited to place a food donation next to your mailbox. Your letter carrier will pick it up and deliver it to the food bank.

Miami School Board Meets Tonight

Miami School Board meets tonight (Thursday) at 6:30 in the Miami High School Library. The agenda includes possible action on employee and retiree insurance.

Police Log

Last night Gila County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbance between two brothers at a residence on Glendale Avenue. 52 year old Ernest Campos was arrested on a warrant for criminal damage/domestic violence.

A School Resource Officer took a report of an assault at Miami High School involving two 14 year old boys.

Deputies are investigating a report of an assault at a residence on Main Street.

Globe Police are investigating a domestic disturbance at a residence on Skyline; criminal damage at the skate park; a report of shoplifting from a business on Ash Street; and a burglary at a residence on East Bailey.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Reopens Weekends

The State Parks Department has announced that Tonto Natural Bridge State Park will be open for the Memorial Day weekend and for the next five weekends through June.

The park has been closed because of funding cuts and because a park building needed urgent repairs. The Town of Payson and “community partners” have agreed to provide funding for the seasonal staff needed to open the park.

Kirkpatrick's Office Accepting Applications for Nomination to Service Academies

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is inviting qualified members of the high school class of 2010 to apply for a congressional nomination to one of Amrica’s service academies.

High school seniors who would like to enter the US Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs or the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point must apply for the Congresswoman’s nomination by October 20.

Nomination packets are available from Kirkpatrick’s district headquarters and from high school guidance counselors in District 1.

AG Reports 300% Increase in Business 'Opportunity' Complaints

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard is warning consumers about a sharp increase in work-at-home or get-rich-quick opportunity scams. These scams typically offer a simple at-home job or a plan for starting a business that promises large profits in exchange for a significant up-front payment.

Complaints received by the Attorney General’s Office about these kinds of offers have increased 300% since this time last year. They are now listed as the most common scam complaint.

These schemes operate by requiring consumers to pay an initial price or fee with the promise that they will be able to easily make extra income. After the promoter collects the money, the consumer finds that the business venture is either completely unsuccessful or produces a return much smaller than the start up costs.

Goddard suggests that you avoid work-at-home jobs that charge an up-front fee. Be skeptical about claims of income potential or recovery services for losses.

Prescribed Fires Planned Near Globe-Miami

The Globe Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest announces that there will be three prescribed fire projects from now through the end of the year. The projects target about 6,000 acres north of Globe on Highway 60 in the Seven Mile Wash area, 400 acres in Timber Camp/Carol Spring Mountains and 20 acres of miscellaneous piles around Superior and Globe.

The purpose of the fires is to reduce the hazardous fuels in these areas and lower the chance of catastrophic fire. Burning dates will depend on weather conditions and availability of fire management specialists to safely conduct the burns.

Area residents can expect to see smoke from these prescribed fires, which at times may become moderately heavy. For more information, call the Globe Ranger District or visit the Tonto National Forest website.

Arizona Recognized as 'Bicycle Friendly'

The League of American Bicyclists has honored the State of Arizona for actively supporting bicycling and encouraging cycling among riders of all ages.

The award comes at the beginning of National Bike Month. Six states won awards.

Arizona scored high for promoting protection of cyclists through a three foot minimum passing law. The ADOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program produces a “Share the Road” guide to help educate bicyclists and motorists about the legal and safe ways of sharing the roadway. The Arizona Department of Transportation also has policies designed to accommodate bicycle travel on most of the state’s highways.

Police Log

Globe Police arrested 28 year old Joseph Vance yesterday for child abuse, giving a minor a tatoo, using a needle that was not sterile and operating a tatoo business out of a residence.

Officers were dispatched to Fry’s parking lot after a call about an intoxicated man who had shoplifted at Fry’s and was walking around the parking lot cursing. 44 year old William Salter was contacted at the Sonic drive in and arrested for shoplifting and disorderly conduct.

31 year old Daniel Reyes was arrested for domestic violence/assault and criminal trespass.

Veterans Can Now Apply for Expanded Education Benefits

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is encouraging elligible veterans to apply for expanded education benefits under the 21st Century G.I. Bill. Personnel on active duty since September 11, 2001 are eligible, including reservists and members of the National Guard activated for more than 90 days. Among other things, the bill allows service members to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.

The application period officially began on May 1. Payments will be processed beginning August 1 for classes starting this fall.

For the application form, click here.

For questions about eligibility and other details, visit this site.

A full pamphlet about the program is available here.

Chamber Mixer on Wednesday at Jewels by Jess

The May mixer for the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce is tomorrow (Wednesday) from 5 to 7:pm. It’s at Jewels by Jess at 160 South Pine Street.

Police Log

Nobody was hurt in a two vehicle hit and run accident yesterday morning at Kaiser Crossing. Officers located the suspect vehicle at Cobre Valley Community Hospital. 49 year old Kari Craft was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident. Kraft also had an outstanding warrant for forgery and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Three people were arrested after officers responded to an assault at Copper Country Mobile Home Park. 29 year old Alfred Valtierra and 48 year old Richard Gabler were both arrested for assault. 26 year old Jennifer Gabler was arrested for disorderly conduct.

36 year old John Badilla was arrested last night at Walmart for aggravated domestic violence and harassment.

Yesterday morning 35 year old Dugan Polacca was arrested for disorderly conduct at a business on South Hill Street.

Two people were arrested after a disturbance at the Economy Inn. 58 year old Joan Harney was arrested for an outstanding warrant. 45 year old Robert Holy was charged with criminal trespass.

Officers are investigating a theft report taken at a residence on Mesa Street and a shoplifting incident that took place early this morning at the Circle K on 7th Street.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft from a construction company. More than $13,000 worth of equipment was taken from a storage shed.

Obituary

Monica Lupe of San Carlos passed away Friday at Trillium Specialty Hospital in Mesa. She was 72. She is survived by 5 sons; 3 daughters; 4 sisters 3 brothers; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
The wake for Monica Lupe will be Saturday at 4:pm. The funeral is Sunday at 1:pm at World Evangelism Revival Church.

SME Meeting May 19

The Pinal Mountain Section of SME is holding their May meeting at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts Theater on Tuesday, May 19 at 5:pm. The program will be a production of the Copper Cities Community Players production of “Moon Over Buffalo.”
Reservations must be called in by Noon on Friday, May 15. Call 473-7510.

Supervisors Meet Tuesday

The Gila County Board of Supervisors meets tomorrow morning (Tuesday) at 10:00. The meeting includes a presentation about Globe District Department of Transportation projects.

Globe PD Warns About Sweepstakes Scam

The Globe Police Department has received information about another scam. This one is delivered through the mail from Canada. It tells you that you have won $350,000 in a sweepstakes drawing. It includes a $4,000 check that it says is to pay non-resident government service tax. You are given the name of a tax agent for you to contact.

Globe PD says do not accept or cash this check and do not send money to the sender. For more information about this scam, call the Globe Police Department.

Police Log

Nobody was hurt when a car rolled over to avoid a deer yesterday morning in the 7 Mile Wash area.

There were no injuries in a one vehicle accident Saturday afternoon at the Highway 70/77 junction.

There were also no injuries in an accident Saturday evening on Highway 60 near the Drive In.

Globe Police arrested 25 year old Harris Nakai for assault/domestic violence and false reporting to law enforcement.

Three people were arrested for shoplifting at Fry’s. 29 year old Gerald Valentino, 20 year old Joshua Malone and 21 year old Anthony Stewart were cited and released.

Globe Police are investigating the shoplifting of liquor by three juveniles at the downtown Safeway; shoplifting of beer from the Circle K on Santee; criminal damage to a vehicle at Pine and Sycamore; and a report of harassment taken at a residence on Escudilla.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic disturbance on Calle de Loma; a domestic disturbance in the Central Heights area; and the theft of a motor home and a boat from a residence in Marion Canyon.

Obituaries

Isabelle Magana of Miami passed away Friday at Copper Mountain Inn. She was 96.
Rosary for Isabelle Magana is at 9:30 this morning (Monday) at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. A Memorial Mass starts at 10:00.

Ester Nelda Swift of Bylas passed away Wednesday at Mt. Vista Medical Center in Mesa. She was 57.
She is survived by her husband Robert; her son; 4 daughters; 5 sisters; her brother; and 11 grandchildren.
The wake for Ester Swift will be Thursday at 4:00 at the Robert Swift residence. The funeral is Friday at 1:pm at Ernest Stanley Memorial Hall in Bylas.