Gas Prices Rise But Still at Four Year Low

AAA Arizona says gasoline prices are starting to rise again but are still at a four year low. Arizona motorists are currently paying an average of just under $2.51 for a gallon of regular unleased gas. That’s an increase of 1.5 cents since last week. But Arizona’s July average of $2.545 is the lowest statewide fuel average for the month of July since 2005.

The nationwide average price is close to $2.52.

Globe-Miami prices are a fraction of a cent lower than last week at a little more than $2.48 a gallon.

Season Ends for Local Swimming Pools

Today (Friday) is the last day to enjoy the Miami Hostetler Swimming Pool. Swimming is free today from noon until 4:pm.

The last day of the season for the Globe Community Center Swimming Pool is Sunday. The pool will be open on Sunday fom Noon until 5:pm.

Police Log

Globe Police arrested 40 year old Rudy Mojica on charges of domestic violence and criminal damage after he turned himself in at the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.

30 year old Rhea Tucker was arrested yesterday on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault/criminal damage and child abuse, and for false reporting to law enforcement.

DPS arrested 42 year old Magalita Swimmer on warrants for failure to appear on a bad check charge.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 37 year old David Wagner for assault/domestic violence, and threats and intimidation.

Depuites are investigating an assault that occurred at a residence on Marion Canyon Road.

Obituaries

Nancy Slick Gilson of San Carlos passed away Sunday at Kindred Hospital in Phoenix. She was 78. She is survived by her sons Robert Garcia and Kenneth Gilson; her daughter; and two brothers.

The wake for Nancy Gilson is tomorrow (Saturday) at 4:am at Apache Independent Church. The funeral is at 10:am.

More Stores Accepting Food Stamps

USA Today reports that more and more retail stores are now accepting food stamps—now known as Electronic Benefit Transfers. Family Dollar and other stores say their earnings have been stable during the recession partly because they participate in the federal food stamp program, now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In its third quarter earnings report, Family Dollar cited the debit-like EBT cards as one of the reasons for its success in the current economy.

Other stores now accepting the EBT card include Target, Costco and Seeven-Eleven.

An estimated 39 million people currently receive food stamps. Arizona and several other states have seen a 30% growth in the numbr of people using food stamps in the last year.

Click here for eligibility guidelines and here for a breakdown on what you can and cannot buy using the EBT cards.

Gila County Historical Museum Hamburger Fry

The monthly Gila County Historical Museum hamburger fry is tomorrow night (Friday) at the museum on Broad Street. The fundraiser takes place on the last Friday of each month through September. It starts at 5:30, and it’s $5 a person for hamburgers, chips, salads, cowboy beans, desserts and drinks.

Concert in the Park Features 'Gone Country'

Tomorrow night’s (Friday) Concert in the Park features Gone Country. It’s at Miami Memorial Park from 6:30 until 9:30pm. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers. Staff from the Miami Recreation Department will have food items to sell.

AAA Launches Online Community for Teen Drivers

AAA has launched an online social community designed especially for teen drivers. Teens are invited to log onto aaateendriving.com to share their on the road experiences with other teens. There are also safe driving tips and other resources.

The site has introduced a Teen Driving public service announcement contest. Teens interested in entering the contest should create a 60 second PSA designed to build awareness on the biggest issues facing teen drivers.

Entries must be submitted by August 31. The top five PSAs will be posted on the Web site, where the public will be invited to vote for their favorite. The grand prize is $2,000. The second place winner will receive $700 and third place will receive $300.

Obituaries

Charles Thomas Fisher passed away Tuesday at his home in Globe. He was 85. He is survived by his daughters Debra Madrid and Sharon Kowalzyk.
Services for Charles Fisher will be private.

Ethel Evaughn Banta of Globe passed away Wednesday at Copper Mountain Inn. She was 97. She is survived by 2 daughters; her son; and her sister.
Services for Ethel Banta will be private.

Police Log

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28 year old Laverne Copeland on warrants for extreme DUI, assault and child support.

Depuites are investigating the theft of a 500 gallon propoane tank from a residence on highway 77; a burglary at a residence on First Avenue in Country Club Manor; a theft from a motor home in the area of Randall and Apache; and a burglary from a residence on Kellner Canyon.

Globe Police are investigating a theft from a residence on Lipton.

Obituary

E. Kendrick Holder of Globe passed away Monday at Friendship Village in Tempe. He was 87. He is survived by his wife Lora; his brother; his son; and 2 daughters.
The funeral for Kendrick Holder will be Saturday at 10:am at the Pinal Mountain Elks Lodge.

Nearly Half of Arizona Crashes Caused by Four Safety Concerns

AAA Arizona reports that nearly half of all auto crashes in Arizona last year were caused by one of four major AAA safety concerns. These concerns are: distracted driving, red light running, tailgating and speeding.

AAA’s Traffic Safety Culture Index shows that most drivers share these concerns, and yet many of them continue the same behaviors themselves.

80% of motorists surveyed said distracted driving is a very serious threat to their safety. But more than two thirds of them admitted to talking on a cell phone, and 21% admitted to reading or sending a text message or email while driving.

Nine out of ten people considered running a red light unacceptable, yet 26% of those same people admitted to running a red light.

Nine out of ten people considered tailgating unaccepatable, but 24% of them admitted to tailgating in the last 30 days.

And 63% considered speeding a threat to safety, but 28% admitted to speeding on the highway and 21% admitted to speeding on residential streets.

AAA says it is their goal to help drivers realize the dangers and change their behavior for the safety of everyone on the road.

Globe School Board Special Meeting

The Globe School Board is holding a Special Meeting tomorrow night (Thursday) at 8:10pm at the Mofford Activity Center. The agenda includes a presentation and possible approval of the Cerified and Classified Personnel Report.

Arizona 'Kids Count' Data Shows Disparity Between Rural and Urban Communities

A national report released this week ranks Arizona 40th in the nation on 10 indicators of child well being, including education, death rates and poverty. This is the third consecutive year that Arizona’s ranking has slipped in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s "Kids Count" report.

County by county data show sharp disparities between conditions in urban and rural areas. Children and teens in Arizona rural counties fared significantly worse in rates of child deaths, teen deaths, high school dropouts and poverty, compared to children living in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

Rural counties have the worst teen death rates. Gila, Graham, Cochise and Apache Counties report twice as many deaths per 100,000 teens as Maricopa and Pima Counties.

Chilren’s Action Alliance vice president Amy Kobeta attributes this to a lack of economic opportunities and less access to mental health services.