Grocery Prices Expected to Rise in 2011

The Arizona Farm Bureau says food prices in the state held steady in 2010 and were below the national average. But prices are expected to increase in 2011.

As oil prices approach $100 a barrel, costs for farmers and ranchers are increasing. That means higher grocery prices.

But the Farm Bureau says food retailers understand that prices have to stay reasonable because so many Arizona families are having hard times. Prices are expected to rise in 2011 but not skyrocket.

Globe Council Meets Monday

Globe City Council meets Monday at 6:00. Ellen Kretsch will present the annual Chamber of Commerce report. The Council will discuss a couple of items relating to the licensing of medical marijuana facilities. And they’ll consider amending the Globe City Code relating to out of city and other users of Globe’s water and sewer service.

Arizona's First Things First Receives Stimulus Funds

Arizona’s First Things First has received $2.5 million in federal stimulus funds to help enhance the quality of early education for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

The money will be used to provide training to child care centers about state standards for teaching kids 3 to 5 years old; develop program standards along with training for caregivers; and to test a 5-star quality rating system to help families locate child care.

Free Admission to National Parks Over MLK Weekend

Admission to all 394 National Parks will be free over the Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday weekend, January 15 through 17. Park admission will also be free on 15 other days in 2011. These include National Park Week, April 16 to 24; the first day of summer on June 21; Public Lands Day on September 24; and Veterans Day weekend November 11-13.

Other parks related fees—such as for camping and tours—will still be inforce.
There are two more fee free days this year than last year. And the Park service is encouraging concessionaires to offer additional discounts on those days.

Police Log

One person was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital yesterday around 5:pm after a one vehicle rollover accident on North Broad Street near the Chamber of Commerce.

Globe Police arrested 56 year old Tony Redondo for domestic violence assault after a disturbance at an address on South Second Street.

An intoxicated student at Globe High School was referred to juvenile authorities and then released to parents.

18 year old Michael Jimenez was arrested for shoplifting at the Fast Stop in Central Heights. He was also charged with possession of prescription drugs.

Globe PD arrested 41 year old Terrance Gutierrez on failure to appear warrants for loitering and DUI.

32 year old Luv Estavane was arrested on a contempt of court warrant for driving with a suspended license.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office cited and released 26 year old David Hayes for driving with a suspended license.

A deputy responded to a burglary in the McKinney area. The property was located and a report was taken.

Globe Police are investigating a harassment report; criminal damage caused by a BB gun at an address on Blake Street; a burglary to a vehicle that occurred on Linda Vista Drive; and a burglary to a vehicle at a residence on N. Fourth Street.

First Friday Presents Harvey House History

Tomorrow’s First Friday program is the first of three to be connected with the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, “Key Ingredients: America By Food.” The exhibit’s coordinator Ann-Mary Lutzick will give a visual presentation about 1870’s entrepreneur Fred Harvey who opened a series of eating houses along the Santa Fe Railway. They evolved into America’s first restaurant chain, the Harvey Houses.

The program starts at 6:00 at the Miami Library.

Walking Speed May Predict Who Will Live Longer

A new medical report suggests that you may be able to tell how long a person will live by how fast they walk. An analysis of studies involving more than 34,000 people 65 and older shows that predicting survival based on walking speed is as accurate as predictions based on age, sex, chronic conditions, smoking history, blood pressure, body mass index and hospitalization.

The report by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh says the findings can provide doctors with an inexpensive, safe and simple way of measuring performance that can help identify health problems.

Second Person Dies After Losing Transplant Coverage

A second person has died after being denied transplant coverage by Arizona. The unidentified person died on December 28 at another medical facility after earlier being removed from University Medical Center’s list for a liver transplant.

Arizona reduced Medicaid coverage for transplants on October 1 as part of cuts in the state budget.

'Key Ingrediants' Food Exhibit at CVCA

Cobre Valley Center for the Arts is hosting an art exhibit called "Key Ingredients," focusing on foods from the local area. It is being presented in conjunction with the Smithsonian and the Gila County Historical Museum. The hours for the show are 10:am to 5:pm Monday through Friday and 10 to 4 on Saturdays.

There will be an Opening Reception for the exhibit on Saturday from 11 until 2 at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts.

Police Log

Early this morning Globe Police received a call about a vehicle theft at the Drift Inn. An officer located and stopped the vehicle and arrested 37 year old Elbert Hernandez for theft of means of transportation.

34 year old Amanda Wallace was arrested on warrants for child support, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.

59 year old Frankilin Reede was arrested on a failure to comply warrant for shoplifting.

A juvenile at High Desert Middle School was referred to juvenile probation for possession of marijuana.

There was a hit and run accident yesterday afternoon on Kline Street. The case is under investigation.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of a computer tower at Community Bridges and a theft report taken in the area of Cherry Avenue.

Obituary

Mary Nunez Hernandez passed away Friday at her home in Claypool. She was 80. She is survived by 8 daughters, including Juanita Hernandez and Mona Sluyter of Globe; 35 grandchildren, 70 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.
Visitation for Mary Hernandez will be Friday at 9:am at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. Rosary is at 10:30 and the Funeral Mass is at 10:00.

Arizona Universities Drop from 'Best Values' List

Arizona’s universities have fallen from the annual Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges list.The Arizona Daily Star reports that the University of Arizona slipped off the list pretty quickly. Four years ago the U of A was No. 34—a fact that is still on the admissions website. Two years ago the UA was No. 96. Now it doesn’t make the top 100.

Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University aren’t on the list either.

The list is based on admission rates, graduation rates, cost of attendance and financial aid.

Arizona Minimum Wage Up 10 Cents

Some Arizonans will have a slight increase in their paychecks this year. Arizona is one of seven states that raised minimum wage on January first.

Arizona’s hourly wage is up 10 cents to $7.35 an hour. A state law approved in 2006 established a state minimum wage separate from the federal wage. The law includes an annual cost of living increase.

Copper Price Hits Record Highs in London Trading

The BBC reports that the price of copper has hit another record high in London trading. Copper to be delivered in three months rallied to more than $9,000 a ton, up from Friday’s peak of $9600.

This means copper prices have now hit all time highs on the London Metal Exhange in five of the past seven trading sessions. Analysts say prices are being lifted by expectations of high demand in 2011.

Globe School Board Meets Tonight

Globe School Board meets tonight (Wednesday) at 6:00 at Mofford Activity Center. There’ll be a presentation about the High School Reorganization Proposal and a presentation evaluating last year’s After School Program.

Police Log

Yesterday Miami Police arrested 46 year old John Falquez for disorderly conduct/domestic violence and violation of a court order.

Globe Police are investigating a non-injury hit and run accident that occurred at the Globe High School parking lot; a burglary at a business on East Ash; and a report of phone harassment taken at an address on Bankers.

Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating criminal damage at Johnson Ranch on Highway 60 and a domestic violence report taken at a residence on Skyline.

Obituary

Elmer K. Lowe passed away Friday at his home in Globe. He was 88. He is survived by his wife Jean; 3 children; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service for Elmer Lowe will be held Sunday at 10:am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran church.

Two Arizona Mining Companies Among 100 Biggest

The Arizona Geology blog reports that two Phoenix-based copper companies are among the largest mining companies in the world. The Mineweb.com list ranks Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold at #8. Southern Copper (Grupo Mexico) is #13.

The list is based on their market capitalization. Freeport’s value is $56.55 billion and Southern’s is $41.43 billion.

'Medications and You' at Globe Senior Center

Next Tuesday, January 11, the Globe Senior Center presents “Medications and You.” The presentation will discuss medication management, including possible medication interactions, and how to recognize the side effects. It starts at 10:30am.

Public Roundtable Discussion Tonight

Supervisor Shirley Dawson invites the public to a roundtable discusion tonight (Tuesday) at 6:30 in the Board of Supervisors’ hearing room. These discussions will be held every first and third Tuesday for the next several months. This is an opportunity to express your ideas, concerns and suggestions about County Government. If you have any questions call 402-8511.

Police Log

One person was taken to Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center after a two vehicle collision on Highway 60 in front of Bank of the West. Both cars were towed from the scene.

Miami Police arrested 30 year old Kevin Fraze for DUI.

28 year old Christopher Lofgreen and 25 year old Kristen Lofgreen were both charged with domestic violence after a disturbance last night at Copper Country Mobile Home Park.

Earlier in the day an officer took a delayed domestic assault report at Copper Country Mobile Home Park. The case is pending contact with the suspect.

Another assault report was taken at Copper Country Mobile Home Park and a domestic report was taken at the Motel 6. That case is also pending contact with the suspect.

20 year old Courtney Walton was arrested yesterday for use of a stolen credit card.

Officers are investigating a fraud report taken at a business on Highway 60; criminal damage at a residence on Manzanita; and a theft from a vehicle at a residence on 5th Street.

Supervisors Meet Tuesday

Gila County Board of Supervisors meets Tuesday at 10:am. The Supervisors will hear a presentation from the Gila County Recycling and Landfill Management Department on the annual program of recycling and refurbishing of discarded bicycles for distribution to disadvantaged youth.

The Supervisors will meet as the Gila County Library District Board of Directors to consider the Library Service Agreement with the San Carlos Public Library and the Resource Access and Attainment Policy for the Library District.

New Mexico Reaches $13M Settlement with Freeport-McMoRan

The State of New Mexico has reached a $13 million settlement with Freeport-McMoRan over groundwater contamination from mining in southwestern New Mexico.

KOLD reports that money from the settlement will be used for restoration projects.

New Mexico’s governor says the settlement is a model for resolving natural resource damage claims.

Police Log

An injury accident occurred Saturday afternoon at Cedar and Hill Streets. A 16 year old was cited for failure to control a vehicle to avoid an accident.

Last night the Gila County Sheriff’s office arrested 47 year old Eberto Hernandez for disorderly conduct/domestic violence.

48 year old Scott Worthem of Payson was arrested for an assault that occurred in the Gila County Jail.

23 year old Albert Pacheco turned himself in for two disorderly conduct warrants.

On Saturday 39 year old Jody Robitson was arrested on a warrant for failure to obey a traffic control device and driving with a suspended license.

Friday morning a Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the area of Noble Drive for a dead body. The body was turned over to Lamont Mortuary and the case is under investigation.

27 year old Manuel Marquez was arrested for child abuse and aggravated assault/domestic violence after a distubance Friday night on Locomotive Drive.

31 year old Waylon Cobb was arrested Friday night for domestic violence/disorderly conduct.

35 year old Karrie Moya was was cited and released for driving with a suspended license. The vehicle involved was towed and impounded for the mandatory 30 days.

21 year old Chantilly Sanders of Tonto Basin was arrested after a fight Friday night at Six Shooter Canyon and the Gila Pueblo college turnoff. Sanders had a warrant for contempt of court on a charge of underage consumption.

Globe Police were able to locate a vehicle with two shoplifting suspects late Saturday morning. 46 year old Frank Rodriguez and 42 year old Dennis Umphenour were booked into the Gila County jail for shoplifting at the Claypool Safeway.

30 year old Donald Huggins was arrested Saturday night for driving with a revoked license.

Officers are investigating a burglary at a residence on Hunter Drive; a report of telephone harassment taken at Globe Mobile Home Park; a report of telephone harassment taken at a residence on Sunset; criminal damage at a residence on Maurel; and a hit and run accident that occurred at Walmart.