Kirkpatrick Amendment Helps Communities Get Wildfire Assistance

The US House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act. The amendment was introduced by First District Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick. It is intended to help cut through red tape to make it easier for cities and towns to receive federal funds to combat wildfires. The amendment allows communities in wildfire prone areras that make a good faith effort to prepare for the season to access necessary resources by allowing them to be declared “fire ready.” This makes them eligible for Firefighting Capability Grants.
Under the original terms of the bill, communities would have had to meet five different criteria. The FLAME Act establishes a fund dedicated solely to suppressing wildfires, which has taken up nearly half the Forest Service’s budget in recent years, forcing cuts in other vital programs. The bill now goes to the US Senate.

Pump Prices Tighten as Oil Rises

Arizona gasoline prices tightened up this week as crude oil prices reached new highs for the year. Statewide, motorists are paying an average of $1.935 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. That’s a dcrease of less than a penny fom last week. Prices in Globe-Miami are around $1.92.
AAA says the price of crude oil rose this week to its highest level in almost four months, pushed largely by a rally in the stock market. Crude prices have increased more than 20% since the beginning of the year.

Pinto Valley Project Blasts Next Week

The next blasts on the US 60 Pinto Valley project are scheduled for Monday (March 30) through Thursday of next week. There will be two or three blasts each day. The first blast will be around 10:am and the last blast will be no later than 2:30pm. Drivers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes following each blast. There may be brief delays at other times during the day.

Dark 'Earth Hour' Intends to Enlighten

Millions of people around the world will be celebrating Earth Hour tomorrow (Saturday) from 8:30 until 9:30pm, their local time. People are asked to turn off non-essential lighting, gaze at the stars and reflect on the connection between energy use and the health of the planet. Emergency lighting, televisions and computers can stay on. The main point of Earth Hour is to unite people, companies and governments around the world through the symbolic flip of a switch. It is not a black out. It is a symbolic, voluntary power down of non-essential, decorative lighting.
More than 2500 cities in 82 countries are participating. That's quadruple the number that participated last year.
The international event was started two years ago by the World Wildlife Fund. The group has persuaded countries around the globe to dim the lights on their most iconic buildings. Scheduled to go dim or totally dark are the Eiffel Tower, Niagra Falls, the Las Vegas Strip, Manhatten’s Broadway, the Golden Gate Bridge and many others. Many locations are having star parties and other special events.



Click here for a list of fun things to do during the “dark hour.”

Police Log

Globe Police arrested 46 year old George Moran yesterday for shoplifting at Auto Zone.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic disturbance last night at a residence on Cooley Ranch Road.

Obituaries

Dorothy Jean Smith passed away Tuesday at her home in Globe. Sh was 78. She is survived by her companion Ray Gonzales; 2 sons; and 3 grandchildren.
A graveside service for Dorothy Smith will be held this morning (Friday) at 10:00 at Mt. Breeze Memorial Gardens in Miami.

Eva K. Kentera passed away Monday. She was 102. She is survived by 3 children; 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Visitation for Eva Kentera will be Monday from 9 to 10:am at Miles Funeral Services Miami. A graveside service will be held Monday at 11:am at Serbian Cemetery in Central Heights.
Memorial donations may be made to the Serbian Cemetery.

Former Miami resident Richard Campos passed away last week. He was 55. He is survived by 2 children; 5 grandchildren; 2 brothers; and 2 sisters.
Visitation for “Rick” Campos will be held Monday from 12:30 until 2:pm at Community Church of New Thought in Mesa. Also on Wednesday at 9:am at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Miami. Rosary is at 9:30 and the Funeral Mass at 10:am.

Congress Approves Protection of Arizona Public Lands

After years of debate, the US Congress has passed legislation that permanently protects more than 3.3 million acres of public lands in Arizona. The bill now goes to the president for his expected signature. The legislation designates more than 2 million acres of wilderness in nine other states and establishes or expands several national parks. The bill also permanently recognizes more than 850 federal sites nationwide under the National Landcape Conservation System, such as national monuments, wilderness areas and scenic trails. The Arizona Republic reports that the most watched provision of the bill in Arizona is the addition of Fossil Creek to the national list of Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act means that it will be much harder for industrial or commercial development to take place at monuments in Arizona.
Republicans say the bill will cost jobs and shut off access to natural gas deposits.

Globe Sanitation Department Begins Summer Hours on Monday

The City of Globe Sanitation Department will begin summer hours on Monday, March 30. Summer hours are 6:am to 2:30pm.
Globe residents will need to put their garbage out one hour earlier to ensure pickup.

Besh Ba Gowah Open House This Weekend

Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park is celebrating Arizona Archaeology Awareness Month this weekend with an Open House on Saturday and Sunday. Park admission is free on Saturday but returns to $3 general admission on Sunday. Events include guided tours both days at 10:am and 2:pm.

'Shoot and Scoot' Immuniztion Clinic on Saturday

The Gila County Health Department presents the "Shoot and Scoot" Immunization Clinic on Saturday for working parents. It will be from 8:am until Noon at the Gila County Health Department Office on Apache Avenue.
W.I.C. will also be available.

San Carlos Transportation Study Public Meetings

The San Carlos Apache Tribe Planning and Economic Development Department will hold two public meetings on Saturday. The public is invited to attend and learn about progress on the development of the Tribe’s Long Range Transportation Plan Update. Tribal Planning staff, ADOT representatives and the project consultant will be there to answer questions. The meetings will be held at the Bylas Exhibit Hall from 1 to 3:pm and at San Carlos Burdette Hall from 4 to 6:pm.

First ADOT Economic Recovery Projects Advance This Week

The first round of state highway construction projects to be advanced by federal economic recovery funds will be advertised for bids this week. The Arizona Department of Transportation says these 14 projects are the first of 41 projects that have been approved by the State Transportation Board. Among the first 14 projects are safety improvements to State Route 87 between Payson and Pine in Gila County.
The remaining economic recovery projects will be advertised in the near future. They include pavement preservation on US 60 between Miami and McMillan Wash. All transportation projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act must be completed within three years.

Miami School Board Meets Tonight

Miami School Board meets tonight (Thursday) at 6:30pm in the Miami High School Library. The agenda includes a Work Session to discuss budget issues and possible action on employee and retiree insurance, closing Lee Kornegay Middle School, and school position cuts and changes.

Police Log

One driver was taken to Cobre Valley Community Hospital after a two vehicle accident yesterday morning at the Highway 60 and 188 junction. A driver was cited for failure to stop for a red light.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19 year old Joshua Robles on a warrant for assault/domestic violence.

A Gila County Task Force agent arrested 48 year old Jesse James on a warrant for assault and domestic violence.

A deputy was dispatched to the Department of Motor Vehicles for an altered VIN number on a quad. The vehicle was impounded for further investigation. 45 year old Mitchell Moffett was arrested for false reporting.

Globe Police are investigating a burglary from a vehicle at the Wendy’s/Shell station