Friday, September 30, 2011

Supervisors to Adopt Final Redistricting Plans on Monday

The Gila County Board of Supervisors will adopt final redistricting plans for Supervisorial and Community College districts at the regular meeting on Monday. The meeting starts at 10:am at the Gila County Courthouse.

Mapping alternatives under consideration are available for public review at the Gila County Website at www.gilacountyaz.gov. The meeting is open to the public.

Police Log

Two people were airlifted to a Valley hospital after a single vehicle accident last night on Kellner Canyon Road. The vehicle knocked over a power line, causing a power outage.

Nobody was hurt in an accident yesterday morning on East Street.

Two people were arrested after a disturbance early yesterday afternoon in the area of 2070 West Highway 60. 32 year old Sabrina Elgo was charged with domestic violence and assault. 24 year old Anthony Weasel was arrested on failure to comply warrants for possesion of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.

46 year old Tina Robinson was arrested yesterday for possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia.

39 year old Michele Aguirre was arrested last night for extreme DUI.

Payson Police arrested 23 year old Joshua Merrill of Globe on warrants for burglary, impersonating a peace officer, use of dangerous drugs and use of marijuana.

Obituary

Jack Johnson Saye passed away Tuesday at his home in Globe. He was 90. He is survived by his wife Mary; his son Mike; and five grandchildren.
Visitation for Jack Saye is tomottow (Saturday) at 2:pm at Lamont Mortuary. Memorial Services will be held next Saturday, October 8 at 2:pm at the VFW.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Final Hamburger Fry of the Season

The final hamburger fry of the season starts tomorrow (Friday) at 5:30pm at the Gila County Historical Museum.

The museum sponsors the monthly fries from April through September each year..The meal consists of burgers and all the fixings, chips, salads, beans and desserts for $5 a person.

The Bustle and Boots Square Dancers will be there for fun and dancing.

Weekend Nature Walks at BTA

Several events are going on this weekend at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior.

The Saturday Bird Walk starts at 8:30am, led by Arboretum volunteers Pete Moulton and Cynthia Donald. Bird walks continue with Arizona Game and Fish expert Troy Corman on October 9, ASU Professor David Pearson on October 15 and Kathe Anderson on October 23.

The “Season Finale” Dragonfly Walk starts at 9:30am on Saturday.

The Fall and Winter series of guided history walking tours resumes Saturday at 10:am with Phoenix historian Sylvia Lee.

And the Plants of the Bible Guided Walk begins at 1:30pm on Sunday.

Read the complete season schedule of guided nature works on the Arboretum website, or call 520-689-2723.

Underage Smoking a Problem in Rural Arizona

The latest statewide inspection of retail tobacco outlests shows that underage smoking is a problem in rural Arizona. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office says that employees are selling to minors 15% of the time.

But in Gila and seven other rural Arizona counties, the percentage is 25% or higher.
The inspection included nearly 2,000 retail tobacco outlets in Arizona.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference

A Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference will be held tomorrow (Friday) from 9:am until 2:pm at the Casa Grande Holiday Inn. The conference is for grandparents or older adult relatives raising children 1 to 18.

To register or for more information call 520-723-1237.

Miami School Board Meets Tonight

Miami School Board meets tonight (Thursday) at 6:30pm in the Miami High School Library. The Board will conduct student disciplinary hearings.

Globe Library to Show Free Halloween Movies

Globe Public Library wiill have free Halloween movies every Friday at 2:pm during the month of October.

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” will be shown on Friday, October 7. You can see “Monsters vs. Aliens” and “Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space” on October 14; “Scared Shrekless” on October 21; and “Spooky Buddies” on October 28.

For more information call the Library at 425-6111.

Globe Wrestling Benefit Dance

The 2nd Annual Globe Wrestling benefit dance will be on Saturday, October 22 from 7 until 11:pm at the Pinal Mountain Elks Lodge. To purchase tickets or for more information call 425-5164.

GHS Hall of Fame Induction Dinner

The Globe High School Hall of Fame Inaugural Induction Dinner will be held Monday, October 3 at Globe High School.

Tickets for the dinner may be purchased from any member of the nomination committee, or call Gail Lenox at 200-9777.

Police Log

Globe Police arrested 26 year old Steven Nolin for threats and intimidation/domestic violence after a disturbance on Main Street.

Gila County Narcotics Task Force arrested 26 year old Brandy Clark of Superior for possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Local fire departments put out a vehicle fire at August Hills Mobile Home Park.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Initiative Would Redesign Arizona Primary

A group led by former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson has proposed a major change in Arizona’s election system. They’ve launched a ballot measure campaign that would ask voters to replace separate party primaries with a single ballot.

Under the propsal the two candidates who receive the most votes in the single primary –regardless of political party—would advance to the general election.
KTAR.com reports that the change would apply to all elections except those that elect candidaes on a nonpartisan basis. It would also not apply to the election of president or vice-president.

Supporters say their proposal would promote open government and encourage the election of candidates who will work together for the good of the state. Proponents of top-two primaries also say this would help elect more moderate candidates from the major parties while giving independents an equal voice. Opponents say the proposed system would reduce ballot access for third-party candidates and could reduce voter choice if the only two candidates for an office are from the same party.

Governor Brewer and the Arizona Republican Party have voiced opposition to the proposal.

Tanner Fire Update

The Tanner Fire in the Tonto National Forest has burned about 5,500 acres and is 20% contained.

The fire reached the Arizona Elks Youth Camp on Monday night, but crews protected it by conducting burn-out operations between the fire and the creek to prevent the fire’s spread.

The smoke is visible in the Globe, Tonto Basin, Young and Payson areas, or when traveling Highway 87 between Payson and the Valley, and from the northeast Valley.

Study Shows Connection Between Rural Voting and Candidate Success

A study by the Center for Rural Strategies shows that rural Arizonans could have a bigger impact on the 2012 elections than most people might think.

Public News Service reports that the group has tracked how people in rural areas have voted in recent elections. They found a connection between how a candidate does with these voters and his or her unltimate success in getting into office.

The group says that their poll of rural voters in battleground states shows that when Republican candidates run up big margins among these voters, they win national elections. But when Democrats reduce the Republican lead in rural areas, Democrats tend to win elections.

These trends held true in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, as well as the 2006 midterm elections.

The study is online at ruralstrategies.org.

Benefit Car and Truck Show October 14-15

The Flashback Classic Cruisers of Arizona will host a Benefit Car and Truck Show on Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15 to raise money for the Globe-Miami Boys and Girls Club. The show will be on Sullivan Street in Miami.

The Cruise Night will be Friday, October 14 from 5 to 8:pm and the show will be from 9 until 2 on Saturday.

They’ll have a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, T-shirts for sale, and will play “oldies” music. Awards will be presented at the end of the show.

Police Log

A garbage truck ran into a fence on Snedden Street yesterday morning. A Sheriff’s deputy later located the truck and the driver returned to take care of the problem.

Mesa Police arrested 30 year old Robert Radcliff of Globe on a probation violation warrant on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Globe Police are investigating a theft at a residence on Mesquite Street and a report of threats taken at High Desert Middle School.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Women's Health Tips Presentation

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is National Women’s Health and Fitness Day. Globe Active Adult Center will have a presentation about “Women’s Health Tips” at 11:30.

Drought Conditions Could Deepen

Weather experts say that Arizona’s drought conditions could get even worse. The National Drought Mitigation Center says all of Arizona is in some degree of drought and that the La Nina weather pattern has returned.

The Arizona Republic reports that dry conditions have forced some ranchers to continue to reduce livestock herds. Brittle forests contributed to a record wildfire season that has burned more than 1 million acres.

San Carlos Lake is nearly empty, leaving less water for farmers in Gila and Pinal counties.

Arizona Population Still Climbing

Arizona is about to jump ahead of Indiana in the population rankings. Phoenix Business Journal says Arizona should surpass 6.5 million people by Saturday. About 161,000 people have moved to Arizona in the past year.

The state with the largest population is California, with 38 million people. It is followed by Texas, New York and Florida.

Tanner Fire Update

The Tanner fire has now burned about 4,800 acres. The fire began August 20 near the peak of Armer Mountain. It is 10% contained.

Smoke from the fire is visible in the Globe, Tonto Basin and Young areas. Smoke can also be seen from the northeast Valley and when traveling on Highway 87 between the Valley and Payson. Highway 288 is closed from Reynolds Creek south to the A-Cross Road.

For more information, call the Pleasant Valley Ranger District at 928-462-4300. or stay updated at www.fs.usda.gov/Tonto.

To report a wildland fire, call the fire emergency number at 866-746-6516, or dial 9-1-1.

Supervisors Meet Today

The Gila County Board of Supervisors has a Work Session today (Tuesday) at 10:am. They’ll discuss proposed congressional and legislative redistricting maps for rural eastern Arizona. They will also discuss the future use of Gila Community College property and a potential four-year college in Payson.

Police Log

No injuries were reported in an accident last night at Second and Ash. 23 year old Daniel LaPraire was charged with DUI.

Globe Police arrested 35 year old Jessica Lopez yesterday at a business on South Broad Street. Lopez was charged with possession of drug parapherbnalia and two outstanding warrants.

Officers are investigating an attempted burglary at a residence on Oak Street and a hit and run in the Copper Mountain Inn parking lot.

Phoenix Police arrested 38 year old Tawnya Calvillo of Globe on a child support warrant.

Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating criminal damage at a residence on Yuma Trail. Nails and bolts were thrown in a driveway, causing vehicles to get flat tires. Also, a theft report taken on Lower Glendale Avenue and a report of a stolen vehicle at a residence on Calle De Loma.

Monday, September 26, 2011

'Show Stoppers'

The Copper Cities Community Players Annual Fall Theater production will be “Show Stoppers.” The musical review will be on Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15, and October 21 and 22. Performances begin at 7:pm at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts. There will also be a matinee on Saturday, October 22.

The performances include music from the Broadway shows Cats, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, Annie, Fiddler on the Roof and more.

Tickets are $15. To reserve tickets call the Cobre Valley center for the Arts at 425-0884.

Frio Fire Continues to Burn in Pinal Mountains

Globe Ranger District fire specialists continue to manage the lightning-caused Frio wildfire in the Pinal Mountains.

The Frio fire has burned 3,600 acres. The fire is 90% contained, but lower humidity and the fuel type where it is located has caused it to be more active over the last 2 or 3 days.

Fire officials say smoke will continue to be visible for the next several days.

Pleasant Valley Ranger District fire specialists are managing the Tanner wildfire which began August 20 near the peak of Armer Moountain. It has burned 4,300 acres.
Fire activity may be visible to visitors and residents in the Tonto Basin, Globe and Young areas.

Police Log

A car went off the embankment on Highway 288 yesterday morning. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed.

Yesterday evening a car went over the embankment on Russell Road. The owner called the Gila County Sheriff’s Office and said that the vehicle had been stolen. But after further investigation a deputy arrested the owner, 31 year old Charles Berry for failure to control a vehicle to avoid a collision, DUI, and false reporting to law enforcement.

A deputy took a report of a hit and run accident Saturday night at the fairgrounds. An Attempt to Locate was issued for the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was located in Globe and 31 year old Manuel Avarez of Casa Grande was cited and released for DUI.

There was a hit and run accident Saturday night at a residence on Boston Street.

Nobody was hurt in a one vehicle rollover shortly after midnight Friday night on Pinal Creek Road near Silver Hills.

There was a two vehicle accident about 7:00 Friday night on US 60 and Fairgrounds Road. No further information is available.

There were no injuries in an accident Friday afternoon on Highway 60.

There were also no injuries in an accident Friday afternoon on Eleventh Street.

One person was taken to Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center after an accident Friday night near the fairgrounds.

Globe Police arrested 21 year old Ashkeya Vallejos for domestic violence and aggravated assault after a disturbance at a residence on Hill Street.

47 year old Jeffrey Jackson of Whiteriver was arrested Saturday night at a business on US 60 for aggravated DUI.

Officers are investigating a theft at Copper Country storage units; a theft at a residence on Third Avenue; criminal damage to an automobile on Santee Street; and criminal damage at a residence on East Street.

Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 21 year old Hillary Garcia on a contempt of court warrant for shoplifting.

Body of Missing Round Valley Man Found

The body of a missing Round Valley man was found Saturday by a neighbor on Round Valley Trail.

55 year old William Allen left his home on Sunday, September 18 and told a friend he was going to take his own life. He continued to text family and friends throughout the day. When the texting and calls stoped, friends and family contacted the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office, Tonto Rim Search and Rescue, Gila County Mounted Posse, and the Gila County Sheriff’s Posse conducted a five day search of the Round Valley area and the Tonto National Forest.

Allen was found Saturday with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Miami Wastewater Advisory Board

The Miami Wastewater Advisory Board meets today (Monday) at 4:pm at Miami Town Hall.

There will also be an open meeting law training before the meeting, starting at 3:30. This training is recommended for any propospective candidates for Town committees or boards.