Private Prison Issue Comes Up Again at Monday's Globe Council Meeting

Globe City Council meets Monday night at 6:00. The agenda includes a Resolution recomending that the Southern Gila County Economic Development Corporation cease its pursuit of a private prison project.

There will also be a discussion about authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter to the Arizona Department of Corrections expressing the support of a majority of the Mayor and Council for a private prison to be located in the City of Globe.

Blogger Says Museum Bill Should Be Repealed

Yesterday KIKO News reported that the Arizona Mines and Mineral Resources Department is closing down because it has run out of money. Tempe engineer Dick Zimmerman says that actually Governor Brewer starved the department to death by transfering most of its budget to the Arizona Historical Society.

Last year Zimmerman started a weblog to tell the story of the threat to the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum, which was tranferred to the Arizona Historical Society. He says the Arizona Historical Society has consistently been given bad reviews by the Auditor General but still received a budget increase of more than $2 million.

Zimmerman says the top rated Mining and Mineral Resources Museum collection and its earth science programs appear to be threatened and the mineral collection is now under the control of an organization that doesn’t have appropriate scientific credentials. His ultimate goal is to repeal the bill that reassigned the Arizona mineral collection to the Arizona Historical Society.

For more information visit the Mineral Museum Madness website.

NOTE

The Memorial Service for Edd Hicks will be NEXT Saturday at the Pinal Mountain Elks Lodge, not tomorrow, as announced earlier this morning on the KIKO newscasts.

GCC to Offer Criminal Law Class

Gila Community College is offering a Procedural Criminal Law class beginning Tuesday, February 1. The class will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7:30pm at the Gila Pueblo campus.

The course examines the court system and procedures from arrest to final disposition with special attention given to the appellate and Supreme Court decisions, due process of law, and Constitutional Law.

Students can enroll in the class by calling 425-8481 or by visiting the Gila Pueblo campus.

Gas Prices Up Again

AAA Arizona says Arizona gasoline prices rose again this week for the seventh week in a row. The statewide average fuel price is $2.985, an increase of nearly 4 cents from last week. The nationwide average increased 2 cents to $3.115. Here in Globe-Miami prices are around $2.96 for a gallon of unleaded regular.

Police Log

One person was flown to a Phoenix hospital after a car hit a pedestrian yesterday evening on East Ash at East Street. 24 year old Erica Statham was arrested for aggravated DUI.

26 year old Rafael Villela was arrested last night for criminal trespass.

Officers are investigating a harassment report; a burglary on North High Street; and criminal damage at a residence at Copper Country Mobile Home Park.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft report taken at Four Star Mobile Home Park and a report of a theft on Colt Drive.

Obituary

James Collin Key, Jr. passed away Tuesday at San Carlos Indian Hospital. He was 48. He is survived by 2 children; his parents; 6 brothers; 2 sisters; and 3 grandchildren.
The wake for James Collin Key, Jr. will be Sunday at 4:pm at Rita Key’s residence. The funeral is Monday at 4:pm at American Indian Church.

Humane Society to Open Thrift Store

The High Desert Humane Society is opening a thrift store/boutique to benefit animals in the Globe-Miami area. The store will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:am until 4:pm. Just look for the building in downtown Globe with animals painted on the front.

ADMMR to Shut Down on Friday

The Arizona Mines and Mineral Resources Department is running out of money and will shut down tomorrow (Friday).

Last year the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum in Phoenix was traansferred from the Mines and Mineral Resources Department to the Arizona Historical Society to become the Arizona Centennial Museum. This left ADMMR with 3 state funded and a couple of grant funded positions. The Arizona Geology Blog reports that it’s now clear that the state’s overall budget situation won’t allow for supplemental state funding to carry them until the new fiscal year in July.

Governor Brewer has proposed that ADMMR be consolidated with the Arizona Geological Survey. If that’s approved by the state Legislature, it probably won’t take effect until July.

Police Log

Nobody was hurt in a one vehicle accident yesterday afternoon on Ash Street.

There were no injuries in an accident yesterday evening at Highway 60 and Escudilla Drive. One driver was cited for failure to control speed to avoid an accident.

One person was taken to Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center after an accident at Cedar and Broad.

Globe Police arrested a 17 year old juvenile for assault yesterday at Globe Education Center.

An officer took a report of stolen proerty from a location on Broad Street.

Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 46 year old Robert Holy yesterday for contraband at the Gila County Jail.

Obituary

A Memorial Service for Warren W. Herzog will be held Wednesday (January 26) at 11:am at Globe Christian Center.

Museum Needs Volunteers for Special Exhibit

The opening of the special Smithsonian Exhibit at the Gila County Historical Museum is on Friday, January 28. The museum needs several extra volunteers to help during the six weeks that the exhibit is on display.

Special training for the exhibit will be held on Wednesday, January 26 at noon, and at 11:am on Saturday, January 29.

If you are interested, call the museum at 425-7385 and leave your name and telephone number.

Vote for Globe in Reader's Digest Contest

Your vote can help the Globe Public Library get a share of $5 million from the Reader’s Digest We Hear You America contest. The money will be divided among the top 20 entrants. You can vote 10 times a day until February 7. Go to www.rd.com, type in “Globe, Arizona” or the zip code “85501,” and then vote.

Globe Senior Center Events

Globe Senior Center’s Alzheimer’s Support group meets today (Wednesday) at 12:30. This is the place to get ideas, tips and techniques for caregiving, even if your caregiving situation isn’t Alzheimer’s related.

On Tuesday (January 25) the Benefits Assistance program begins at 8:am. This is the time to ask questions about Medicare or other insurance.

Police Log

Yesterday morning Globe Police arrested 18 year old Beemis Gooday at Globe High School for underage consumption. Later in the day they removed an incorrigible juvenile from High Desert Middle School.
A Gila County School Resource Sergeant took an aggravated assault report at Charles Bejarano Elementary School.

Miami Police arrested 36 year old James Chacon on warrants for child support, posession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary in the area of Malachite and a fraud report taken at the Tri City Fire Department.

Globe Police are investigating a mail scam and a criminal damage report taken at a residence on Cactus.

Obituaries

James Alan Howell passed away January 10 at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center. He was 62.
A luncheon and Celebration of Life for “Alan” Howell will be held Saturday from Noon until 3:pm at the FOP Lodge in Claypool.

Louis C. Yniguez of Miami passed away December 27 in Argentina. He was 54. He is survived by 3 children; his father; 2 brothers; his sister; and 8 grandchildren.
Rosary for Louis Yniguez will be Saturday at 9:30am at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. The funeral is at 10:00. There will be a lucheon immediately afterwards in the church reception hall.

George Edward Hicks of Globe passed away last week at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center. He was 64. He is survived by his children JoDawn and Shane Hicks of Globe.
A Memorial Service for “Edd” Hicks will be held Saturday, January 29 at 10:am at the Pinal Mountain Elks Lodge.

GCC Board Member Accuses Chairman of Violations

Gila Community College Governing Board member Tom Loefler is accusing Board Chairman Robert Ashford of illegally repealing Board policies so that he can ignore term limits and be elected chairman again.

In an article in the Rim Country Gazette, Loeffler asks for community members to attend the next Board meeting and speak out about it.

Loeffler says Ashford refused to follow the wishes of the entire board by ignoring two valid motions to table all discussion of policies until a work session is held. He also says Ashford violated the Open Meeting law, Robert’s rules of order and the public trust.

The next meeting will be Thursday, January 27 at 2:pm. by ITV at the Payson and Globe campuses.

Governor Proposes Dropping 280,000 from Medicaid Coverage

Governor Jan Brewer says that the state has no choice but to drop Medicaid health care coverage for about 280,000 low income adults. This would be done by lowering eligibility standards to federal minimums. Brewer says the alternative would be to cut programs and services even further, or risk losing the entire Medicaid program.

KTAR in Phoenix reports that reducing the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System’s enrollment would save more than $560 billion. The plan would need both authorization from the Legislature as well as the Obama administration.

Brewer’s proposed Medicaid cutback would roll back much of the enrollment increase authorized by voters ten years ago.

Police Log

Last night a car flattened about 20 feet of chain link fence and knocked down 2 poles on Central Avenue. The driver left the scene. The case is under investigation by the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.

45 year old Ronald Marconnet was cited and released yesterday for driving with a suspended license.

A Globe Police officer conducted a traffic stop last night at the Wendy’s Shell station. The officer was confronted by a family member of the driver. 67 year old Ann Garlinghouse was arrested for disobeying a lawful order.

Globe Police are investigating a vehicle burglary report taken at a residence on Verde Lane.

Supervisors Meet Today

Gila County Board of Supervisors meets today (Tuesday) at 10:am. They’ll hear a presentation about the Miami School District winners of the 2011 Gila County Law Enforcement Agencies Calendar Contest. They’ll consider providing a $65,000 Gila County Economic Development Grant to the City of Globe for the Old Dominion Historic Mine Park project. And they’ll consider adopting a Resolution supporting changes to the Arizona Revised Statutes that would allow a provisional community college district transition to a community college district.

Obituary

Aubrey Denton passed away last week at Copper Mountain Inn. Aubrey was 89.
Visitation for Aubrey Denton will be Saturday at 10:am at Miles Funeral Services Globe. The funeral is at 11:00.

Smithsonian Exhibit Coming to Gila County

A Smithsonian Institute exhibit will be on display at the Gila County Historical Museum from January 28 until March 12. The exhibit is about America’s diverse regional cooking and eating traditions.

A series of events and activities related to the exhibit will take place around the community while the exhibit is here. The first of these events is going on rght now at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts. It features quilts and art by local artisans.

The grand opening for the exhibit will be Friday evening, January 28 from 6 until 8:pm.

Community Discussion Tuesday Night

Gila County Supervisor Shirley Dawson invites the public to a roundtable discussion Tuesday night at 6:30pm These discussions will be held every first and third Wednesday of the month in the Supervisors’ Hearing Room at the Gila County Courthouse.

Gila Monster Meeting

Gila Monster Go Carts is having their 2011 season meeting on Wednesday at 6:30pm at the FOP Lodge in Claypool. Gila Monster Go Karts are for ages 6-18 years old. Anyone interested in racing is encouraged to attend.

Police Log

Nobody was hurt in a motorcycle accident yesterday morning in the area of Apache Hills Lane.

There were no injuries in an accident Saturday night in Little Acres Mobikle Home Park.

Nobody was hurt in a one vehicle accident early Saturday morning at Highway 70 and Saguaro Drive. 20 year old Allen Gates was arrested for DUI and 19 year old Christopher Young was cited for underage consumption.

No injuries in an accident Friday morning at Ash and Fourth Street. One driver was cited for making an unsafe lane change.

Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23 year old Levi Packard yesterday for domestic violence/disorderly conduct, and threats and intimidation.

22 Jacob Napolitano was cited and released for driving with a suspended license.

Yesterday Miami Police arrested 26 year old Robert Drennan on a shoplifting warrant.

Miami Police arrested 47 year old Tracy Rodriguez on warrants for criminal trespass, criminal damage and leaving the scene of an accident.

Saturday evening a Globe Police officer contacted a group of people at Cobre Valley Plaza. 18 year old Stefen Conchola was arrested for use of marijuana. Two juveniles were referred to juvenile probation.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested 20 year old John Roten for domestic violence after a disturbance Saturday night on Washburn Avenue.

39 year old Andrew Martin was arrested Friday night for shoplifting from the Hill Street Safeway and an outstanding warrant. 30 year old Darrel Patten was also arrested for shoplifting.

20 year old Brandon Dillard was cited and released for leaving the scene of an accident.

18 year old Thomas Henson was arrested Friday night for possession of alcohol at Globe High School.

22 year old Roxana Moon was arrested Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Globe Police are investigating a hit and run accident that occurred Saturday afternoon at Walmart; a theft report taken at a business on Highway 60; a theft at a residence on S. Agave; and shoplifting at the Wendy’s Shell station.

Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an assault that occurred in the area of McKinney; a theft on Sharps Road; a theft on Cherokee; a theft on Van Winkle Drive; and criminal damage on Russell Road.

Obituary

Harry C. Durham of Globe passed away Thursday at Heritage Healthcare Center. He was 80. He is survived by his son and his daughter Debra Mesman of Globe.
A graveside service for Harry Durham will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11:am at Globe Cemetery.

Martin Luther King, Jr. on War