Public Meetings About US 60 Superior to Globe

The Arizona Department of Transportation has started a study to identify alternatives for improving US 60 between Superior and Globe. Open houses have been scheduled to gather input from the public. Each public meeting will be from 5:30 until 7:30pm with a project overview presentation at 6:pm.

The Globe meeting will be on Wednesday, June 3 in the Globe High School auditorium. Meetings have also been scheduled for Superior and Gold Canyon.

Bill Would Let Offenders Skip Traffic School

The Arizona Daily Star reports that a provision buried in the package of bills for the 2010 budget would let motorists who receive traffic tickets skip traffic school by simply paying a flat fee. Motorists involved in criminal traffic offenses--like drunk driving—would not be eligible. Neither would those who get into accidents that cause serious injury or death.

Arizona law says most motorists can either plead innocent and go to trial, plead guilty and pay a fine, or pay to go to defensive driving classes. The traffic school option means no points against the motorist’s drivers license and the violation is not reported to insurance companies. The new proposal would allow traffic offenders to just pay for the class and walk away.

The plan cleared its first hurdle last week when the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a series of changes to the criminal code.

Committee Chairman Russell Pearce says there’s no evidence that defensive driving schools actually do any good.

Memorial Day Observances

The Town of Miami is having a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday at 9:am in Veterans Memorial Park on Sullivan Street.

The American Legion Post and the VFW Post will hold a Memorial Day observance on Monday at 11:am at the Gila County Courthouse. Following the program they will serve food at 1:pm at the American Legion Post on South Broad Street.

Globe Library Closed for Holiday Weekend

The Globe Public Library will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. The library will reopen Tuesday at 10:am.

Police Log

Nobody was hurt in an accident yesterday morning on Copper Hills Road. One driver was cited for failure to control a vehicle.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 45 year old Richard Marin after a domestic disturbance yesterday afternoon in Six Shooter Canyon. Marin was charged with domestic violence, disorderly conduct and assault.

Globe Police arrested 50 year old Robert Steele yesterday morning at the bridge off of Broad Street for being a public nuisance and for false reporting to law enforcement.

18 year old Zachary Cross was arrested for shoplifting at the Express Stop on East Ash. He was also charged with shoplifting that occurred earlier in the week at Dave’s Fast Stop.

Officers are investigating a theft from a vehicle that occurred in the Judy’s Cook House parking lot.

Only One

Gila Early Education Partnership at Globe Library on Friday

Gila Early Education Partnership will be at the Globe Public Library tomorrow (Friday) from 10:am until Noon. They’ll have books for children age 3 and younger, literacy information for parents, and provide a healthy snack.

Arizona Gas Prices Rising, But Still Lowest in the Nation

Gasoline prices across the state and the nation continue to rise, but Arizona still has the lowest prices in the nation. The statewide average is between $2.13 and $2.14 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. That’s an increase of more than 12 cents from last week. The national average increased more than six cents to $2.33 a gallon. Globe-Miami prices are around $2.12.

AAA says Arizona motorists are paying $1.47 less per gallon than they were this time last year. In fact, the last time prices were this low around Memorial Day was in 2004.

Next Pinto Valley Project Blasts Scheduled for Next Week

The next blasts on the US 60 Pinto Valley project are scheduled for next week. They will be on Tuesday and on Thursday (May 28) from 10:am until noon. Drivers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes following each blast. There may be brief delays at other times during those days.

Work will stop today (Thursday) at 2:pm for the Memorial Day weekend and will resume Tuesday morning at 5:30.

Kirkpatrick Revives Land Swap

US Representative Ann Kirkpatrick introduced legislation yesterday (Wednesday) that throws her support behind a controversial underground copper mine near Superior. Kirkpatrick’s support is considered vital to the project because she represents the area where the mine would be developed and because she is a Democrat. The mine already has the support of Republican Senators John McCain and John Kyl, but it needs bipartisan support in order to be approved by the Democratic-controlled Congress.

The proposed federal land exchange that is necessary for the development of the mine stalled two years ago after Kirkpatrick’s predecessor--Rick Renzi--became involved in a corruption scandal. It has also been blocked by environmental and Native American protests. The land contains cultural and religious sites that are sacred to the San Carlos Apaches and other Native American tribes.

Kirkpatrick says that for her it all comes down to jobs. She says the project could bring as many as 1,000 well paying jobs to the area.

Obituary

Michael James Thomas of Apache Junction passed away Monday at Cobre Valley Community Hospital. He was 57. He is survived by his companion; his son; 2 brothers; 2 sisters, including Janet Lucero of Globe; and 3 grandchildren.
Visitation for Michael Thomas will be Monday from 1 to 3:pm at Lamont Mortuary. A graveside service will be held Tuesday at 11:am at National Memorial Cemetery of Phoenix.

Road Work Near CVCH Postponed Because of Weather

Chip sealing scheduled for today (Thursday) on Hospital Drive and yesterday’s scheduled consruction work on Hope Lane have been postponed until next week because of the weather.

Police Log

A 31 year old Gila County Jail inmate was arrested yesterday for assaulting a detention officer. Brandon Turner of Phoenix was charged with aggravated assault and threats and intimidation.

65 year old Joseph Raymond was arrested at a traffic stop for possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon.

22 year old Iroquois Sullivan was arrested on a warrant for possession of a dangerous drug and driving under the influence of drugs.

Globe Police arrested 42 year old Christopher Brice on a warrant for possesion of drug paraphernalia.

An officer took a report of a theft of money from a local fast food business.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary that occurred at Miami High School.

Obituaries

Cleland Conwell of Globe passed away Monday at Odyssey Healthcare in Mesa. He was 92.
The funeral for Cleland Conwell will be Saturday at 10:am at Miles Funeral Services Globe.

Former Globe-Miami resident Rosita Lopez of Lakeside passed away Monday at Tall Pines in Show Low. She was 84.
Visitation for Rosita Lopez will be Monday at 9:am at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. Rosary is at 9:30 and the funeral is at 10:00.

Don't Know Why Y Didn't Come

Asarco Settles With Arizona and Other States

The Arizona Daily Star reports that court settlements with the Asarco copper mining company will result in cleanups of three Arizona abandoned mine sites. Asarco has agreed to pay the state $23 million for the cleanups.

A second settlement will give the state ownership of four miles of land along the San Pedro River, allowing the Game and Fish Department to protect endangered wildlife there. The land is valued at about $4 million. It is meant to compensate the state for contamination of the river from nearby mines.

Two of the abandoned mine sites are near Patagonia. The other is in Sacaton, northwest of Casa Grande.

Arizona is one of 11 states involved in settlements with Asarco, filed last month in US Bankruptcy Court in Texas.

Chip Sealing on Hospital Drive

Chip sealing will be done tomorrow (Thursday) near Cobre Valley Community Hospital on Hospital Drive and from Hospital Drive to US 60. Flagmen will be at the site and there will be detours. Gila County Public Works Division asks you to be alert for traffic pattern changes.

Lee Kornegay Awards Assembly

Instead of eighth grade promotion exercises, Lee Kornegay Junior High School is having an awards ceremony tomorrow (Thursday) at 9:am. The assembly will honor both seventh and eighth grade students.

Walmart Agrees to Monitor Prices

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has announced a $1 million settlement with Walmart.

Between 2001 and 2006, Walmart paid more than $450,000 in fines for failing price accuracy inspections conducted by the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures. Goddard brought the lawsuit in 2006 to require the company to fix the problems that led to the failed inspections and to provide more reliable pricing for consumers.

Walmart has agreed to appoint an independent monitoring company to conduct price accuracy and price posting inspections at 40 of its Arizona stores every year for three years. If a Walmart store fails an inspection, it will pay the state a fine and the store will be re-inspected until it passes.

Police Log

Globe Police arrested 21 year old Edgardo Martinez at a traffic stop yesterday. Martinez had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on charges of hindering prosecution, and possession and use of marijuana. Two juveniles were given referrals for possession of marijuana.

68 year old Norman Medlin was arrested yesterday for being disorderly at a business on Hospital Drive.

Miami Police arrested 46 year old David Stenhouse for criminal damage and disorderly conduct/domestic violence.

A Gila County Sheriff’s deputy took a missing person report at a residence on Mayss Street. John P. Lyman hasn’t been seen since Monday at the Diversion Dam.

Hope Lane Closed Today for Construction

Gila County Public Works announces that Hope Lane will be closed today (Wednesday) until 4:00 between Russell Road and the hospital. They ask that you please be careful and obey posted traffic signs when traveling near the construction area..

Boulder to Birmingham

Study Shows Only 51% of Arizona Disadvantaged Students Have True Opportunity to Learn

The Schott Foundation for Public Education has released a state by state education study on the opportunities that historically disadvantaged students have to learn. The study measures the chance such students have to be in a school that provides a quality education leading to proficiency in reading and math and high graduation rates. It shows that only 51% of Arizona minority and low income students have a true opportunity to learn when compared to white, non-Latino students.

The study also ranks Arizona 48th in the nation when the access to students’ opportunity to learn is combined with the overall education proficiency in the state (based on eighth grade NAEP reading scores).

The Schott Foundation study found that 84% of the states fail to provide disadvantaged students with an opportunity to learn. Arizona is near the bottom.

White House Calls for New Mileage Standards

Today the White House is issuing new national greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. They raise fuel efficiency targets to 35.5 miles per gallon for new passenger vehicles and light trucks by 2016. That’s four years earlier than what was required in the 2007 energy bill.

The stricter standards are similar to those of the state of California, which has been fighting for a waiver from federal law in order to set its own guidelines.

Environmentalists say the new rules will help limit global warming.

Miami Memorial Day Ceremony

The Town of Miami will have a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday (May 25) at 9:am at Veterans Memorial Park. Miami veterans will be recognized during the ceremony.

Kirkpatrick Recommends Transportation Projects for District One

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick has announced the projects she has recommended for consideration by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Every six years, Congress considers legislation to authorize surface transportation improvements, including highways, public transit and rail.

Kirkpatrick is requesting $535 million for 35 projects in Arizona’s District One. The requests include $23 million for the Tonto Creek Bridge construction.

Police Log

Nobody was hurt in an accident yesterday afternoon at Broad and Oak Streets.

There were no injuries in an accident yesterday evening at Ash and South Hill Street.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 68 year old Norman Medlin yesterday morning at a residence on Woodward. Medlin was charged with aggravated harassment/domestic violence, assault, burglary, criminal trespass, and threats and intimidation.

30 year old Rhea Tucker was arrested for assault/domestic violence.

Globe Police were dispatched to a vacant residence on Hill Street where two people were seen entering the residence. 57 year old Charles Mull and 51 year old Lorraine Belkna were arrested for felony criminal trespass.

Two students were referred to juvenile probation after an incident yesterday afternoon at Globe High School.

Globe Police are investigating a shoplifting that occurred shortly after midnight at the Circle K on Santee.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft from a residence on McKinney.

Canyon Fire assisted with the removal of a rattlesnake from a yard on San Carlos Drive.

Motorcyclist Killed in Highway 60 Accident

A motorcyclist from out of state was killed last night (Monday) in a traffic accident on Highway 60 near Enterprise Car Rental. Globe PD says some metal debris in the road caused one car to have a flat tire. The motorcyclist either tried to avoid the debris or the other car and hit the sidewalk. He was hit by the car behind him. The accident is under investigation.

Toss the Feathers

FTC Tries to Stop Robo-Calls

The Federal Trade Commission is asking a federal court to shut down a telemarketing campaign that is responsible for up to 1 billion robo-calls that tell people the warranty on their cars is about to expire. The calls target people regardless of whether they have warranties or even own cars.

According to the papers the FTC filed with the court, the robo-calls have prompted tens of thousands of complaints from consumers who are either on the Do Not Call Registry or have asked not to be called. Consumers received the calls at home, work, and on their cell phones, sometimes several times in one day. Businesses, government offices and even 911 dispatchers have received the calls.

Those who answer the calls are told to “press one” to speak to a “warranty specialist.” The “specialists” then try to sell consumers a service contract for between $2,000 and $3,000, which they falsely portray as an extension of the vehicle’s original warranty.

The sellers of these extended auto warranties have allegedly taken in more than $10 million.

Supervisors Meet Tuesday

The Gila County Board of Supervisors meets tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at 10:00. The agenda includes possible approval of a Weatherization Low Income Assistance Contract with the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office. The agreement includes $1,700,000 in federal stimulus funds.

HDMS Parent Forum

High Desert Middle School presents an open forum tomorrow night (Tuesday) for parents to ask questions about the school. Principal Steve Estatico will also talk about some of the changes to the policies and schedule for the next school year.

The forum is from 6 until 7:pm in the school auditorium.

Lightning and Winds Increase Wildfire Danger

Arizona weather officials say there is a high potential for a significant wildfire because of high winds and possible lightning strikes without rain.

Parts of Gila County and the Tonto National Forest should see thunderstorms with lightning but little or no rain. Winds are expected to reach 40 mph.

If lightning ignites dry vegetation, high winds could cause the fire to grow out of control.

Temperatures are expected to reach near record highs.

Police Log

Globe Fire Department, Canyon Fire and Southwest Gas responded to a report of a strong odor of gas from a residence in Miami. The gas leak was located and repaired.

Globe Police and EMS responded to Horizon Human Services late yesterday afternoon to an assault victim. 23 year old Charles Long was arrested for aggravated assault.

Officers went to a residence on Hunter Drive yesterday morning to serve a warrant. Three people were arrested. 44 year old Laura Molina had a warrant for failure to comply on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. 39 year old Timothy Milam was arrested on a child support warrant. 47 year old Manuel Benavidez was charged with hindering prosecution.

Miami Police arrested 33 year old Paul Burnham for assault/domestic violence.

22 year old Iroquois Sullivan was arrested for disorderly conduct.

Roosevelt Lake deputies responded to the Cholla Bay campground after a call about a man shooting at other campers. A 50 year old Phoenix man was arrested for disorderly conduct with a weapon.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 51 year old James Anderson Saturday night on a warrant for probation violation for resisting arrest.

Saturday night Globe Police received a call about a man trying to kick in a door at a residence on Yuma Street. 45 year old Manuel Gaona was arrested for criminal damage and taken to the Gila County Jail.

Officers are investigating a domestic disturbance at Pinal Mountain Apartments; an assault that occurred on Crestwood; and shoplifting of beer at Dave’s Fast Stop.

The Gila Coumty Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic disturbance on Montecito Drive; shots fired in the Silver Hills area; a stolen vehicle from a residence on Kachina Trail; and slashed tires to a vehicle at a residence on Braley Street.

Obituary

Martha F. Villegas of Globe passed away Thursday at Banner Gardens Hospice House in Mesa. She was 77.
Visitation for Martha Villegas will be Wednesday at 9:am at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Rosary is at 9:30 and the funeral is at 10:00.

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