Tonto National Forest Lifts Fire Restrictions

Starting today (Wednesday, July 1), all campfire and smoking restrictions affecting the Tonto National Forest have been lifted. The fire restrictions are no longer needed because fire danger has been reduced by increased moisture and humidity from the annual monsoon season.

Police Log

Three people were arrested at a traffic stop this morning shortly after 1:00. 21 year old Brandon Wright was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. 19 year old Darleen Gallegos had an outstanding warrant. She was also charged with false reporting to law enforcement. 20 year old Alexander Juvera was arrested for underage consumption and open container in a vehicle.

28 year old Joseph Duperron was arrested at a traffic stop early this morning for extreme DUI.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 59 year old Dennis Heath on a DUI warrant.

Miami Police arrested 21 year old Jacob Napolitano for possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia, and for driving with a suspended license.

Globe Police are investigating criminal damage to a residence at Copper Country Mobile Home Park.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft from a vehicle at a residence on Marion Canyon.

The Time of My Life

Audit Shows CPS Deficiencies

A state audit of Child Protective Services says the agency has failed to investigate complaints of abuse in group homes and treatment centers within the required time frame.

The Arizona Daily Star reports that the audit also found record-keeping gaps that allowed treatment center employees with substantiated complaints of child abuse get new jobs in group homes, where they committed further abuse.

State law requires CPS to complete an investigation at a group care facility within 21 days and enter their findings into a database. The Auditor General found that since 2007, CPS completed its investigations on time in only 4 out of 147 cases. More than half of the reports took another one to six months to complete.

The Department of Economic Security oversees CPS. They say they agree with the findings and will make changes to fix the problems.

Interior Secretary Fast Tracks Solar Plans

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the federal government is going to fast track plans to build solar power generating plants in Arizona and five other Western states.

Salazar says the government is setting aside 1,000 square miles of Bureau of Land Management property. He calls the 24 tracts of land Solar Energy Study Areas. He says the goal is to speed the process of tapping the sun’s energy to power homes, businesses and industries.

CVCH To Be Tobacco-Free

Starting tomorrow (July 1), Cobre Valley Community Hospital will be tobacco free. No tobacco use of any kind will be permitted on hospital property—inside or outside. This includes the elimination of designated areas outside where employees, patients and visitors are currently allowed to use tobacco products.

Cobre Valley Hospital Community Relations Coordinator Jane Allen says tobacco use in and around hospitals poses health and safety risks. She says this is not an attempt to force anyone to quit smoking. It’s an attempt by the hospital to show its commitment to healthy living.

Police Log

One person was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries after an accident yesterday morning at Third and Ash Streets. One car was towed and a driver was cited for a stop light violation.

Nobody was hurt in an accident yesterday afternoon at Main and Highway 60.

Globe Fire Department quickly contained an electrical fire in a fuse box yesterday evening at a residence on 9th Street.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office received a report of found stolen property. Parts were found from a dune buggy that was reported stolen on June 19. 33 year old Michael Rivera was arrested for theft and possession of stolen property.

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a break in at a residence at Holiday Hills Mobile Home Park and a report of telephone harassment taken at a residence in Ice House Canyon.

Globe Police are investigating a report of a burglary at Copper Country Mobile Home Park.

AHRQ Releases Health Quality Data

The federal Agency for Healthcare Researh and Quality has released its annual state-by-state report. The State Snapshots are an interactive Web tool that analyzes health care quality for all 50 states and the Disrict of Columbia.

Arizona ranks sixth in the nation for its low number of deaths from breast cancer. But Arizona is 50th for its low percentage on non-institutionalized, high risk adults with diabetes who had a flu shot in the last 12 months.

Supervisors Meet Tuesday

The Gila County Board of Supervisors holds a Special Meeting and Work Session tomorrow morning (Tuesday) at 10:am.

The Work Session includes a presentation of potential facilities projects. The Supervisors will then visit proposed project sites, including the site of the Gila County Jail women’s dormitory, the WIC program building site at the Central Heights facility, and County-owned property next to Cobre Valley Community Hospital.

US 60 Paving Project Begins July 6

The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin a project on July 6 to repave 7.8 miles of US 60 west of the Salt River Canyon from Timber Mountain to Seneca. A layer of pavement will be removed from the roadway surface and a new layer of pavement plus a layer of rubberized asphalt will be applied.

Work hours will be from 5:am to 7:pm Monday through Friday. One lane of the highway will be open with vehicles allowed to pass through the work zone in alternating directions. Drivers should expect delays of 20 to 30 minutes. The project should be completed in mid-August.

Miami Working to Raise Funds to Fix Sewer System

Miami Mayor Chuy Canizales has issued a press release concerning the town’s wastewater collector system. A recent inspection reported that the system is 100% inadequate.

Canizales says the Water Infrastructure and Finance Authority has approved a $26,000 grant to help fund the required engineering report for possible stimulus funding through the US Department of Agriculture. Gila County has pledged $7500. The Pinal Mountain Sanitation District has been asked to contribute $50,000. Congressman Ed Pastor is working to provide up to $400,000 from his contingency funds to pay for a new grit separator and 6 pumps for the pump station across from Walmart.

The WIFA has asked Miami to consider accepting a $4 million line of credit to help move the town toward qualifying for USDA funds of up to $18 million.

Canizales says the town is solidifying its collection of sewer accounts. It is recommending approval of a rate increase for sewer service in order to meet requirements for stimulus funding to repair the sytem. The new rate for residents would be $32.45.

JBS Swift Expands Beef Recall

JBS Swift Beef Company has expanded its beef recall to include about 380,000 pounds of products because of possible E. coli contamination. A recall last week involved about 41,000 pounds.

The US Department of Agriculture says that all of the beef products were produced on April 21. They are in boxes marked "EST. 969," with a package date of "042109" and a time stamp ranging from "0618" to "1130."

Police Log

One person was flown to a Valley hospital after a one vehicle rollover accident shortly before 1:00 this morning at Albany and Ice House Canyon. The car was towed for a 30 day hold.

A skull was found yesterday afternoon in the area of Carol Springs Mountain.It was partially buried in the bank on the side of a wash. It is not known if it is the skull of a human or an animal. The case is under investigation.

A 70 year old Tucson man was arrested yesterday morning for driving under the influence of drugs after a two vehicle accident with unknown injuries. One car was towed from the scene.

Globe Police arrested 45 year old Martha Garcia for domestic assault after a threat report was taken at a residence on Escudilla Drive.

25 year old Esquiel Flores was arrested after a beer run last night at Dave’s Fast Stop. Flores was charged with DUI, speeding, open container and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A 17 year old passenger was referred to juvenile authorities for underage consumption and open container.

23 year old Jenna McLendon was arrested early Sunday morning for extreme DUI.

Miami Police arrested 69 year old Theodero Serna on a warrant for threats and intimidation.

54 year old Gary DeMichelis was arrested Saturday night for threats and intimidation.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating criminal damage at the Cobre Valley County Club and a theft at a residence on Marion Canyon

Globe Police are investigating an assault at a residence on Agave and a beer run late Saturday night at the Circle K on Santee.

Obituary

Ernie Singh passed away last week at his home in Miami. He was 40. He is survived by his mother Socorro; 2 sisters; and 3 brothers.
Visitation for “Lupe” Singh will be Wednesday at 9:am at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. Rosary is at 9:30 and the funeral is at 10:00.