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.

Best Game Ever

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