'Medical Tourism' is Increasing

The Arizona Republic reports that many Amricans are traveling abroad to get hip replacements and other medical care. Estimates vary, but it is believed that at least 85,000 people and possibly as many as 750,000 people a year go outside the US for health care.

Cost is a major factor, but so is specialized treatment. Some procedures can be done abroad but not in the US.

A survey released by the Commonwealth Fund shows that the percentage of Americans who are struggling to pay medical bills jumped from 34% in 2005 to 41% in 2007. The US Census Bureau estimates that more than 45 million Americans lack health care coverage.

Resources such as the Medical Tourism Association and MedtoGo.com help make medical tourism possible.

Bill Would Punish Lobbyists Who Lie

The Arizona Senate Government Committee has voted unanimously to impose stiff penalties on registered lobbyists who knowingly provide false information to lawmakers and other public officials. The East Valley Tribune reports that violaters could be prohibited from being a lobbyist for three years, with a fine equal to what they are paid by their client.

Similar bills haven’t made it very far during the past two years.

Gas Prices Still Rising

Gasoline prices have increased for the seventh straight week. AAA says Arizona motorists are paying an average of just over $2.55 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. That’s an increase of 12 and a half cents from last week.

The national average is $2.63, an increase of six cents.

Prices in Globe-Miami are around $2.47.

Police Log

Globe Police and EMS responded to an accident at noon yesterday at the railroad crossing near Vonnie’s Pizza. No further information is available.

An officer arrested two people yesterday in connection with a burglary report taken on Wednesday. 52 year old Tina Garcia and 56 year old Kathryn Brown were both charged with felony theft.

45 year old Thomas Givens was arrested last night for DUI and possession of marijuana.

An officer took a report of shoplifting at the Circle k on Hunter Drive. The suspect left the area on foot and then was picked up by a car that was parked behind the store. The case is under investigation.

Officers are investigating a theft from a vehicle at J&S Towing; criminal damage to a house on South Sutherland; criminal damage to the Arizona Republic building; and criminal damage to Yesterday’s Treasures.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary at a residence on Yuma Trail.

Obituaries

Sarah Nicole Russell of San Carlos passed away Tuesday at Phoenix Childrens Hospital. She was 14. She is survived by her parents Anthony and Anna Russell; her brothers Uriah, Isaiah and Elijah Russell; and her sister Andrea.
The wake for Sarah Russell is tomorrow (Saturday) at 4:pm at the Russell residence. The funeral is Sunday at 1:pm at San Carlos Intermediate School.

Former Globe resident Beverly Wager of Mesa pased away Wednesday.
Visitation for Beverly Wager is tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:am at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Rosary is at 9:30 and the funeral is at 10:00.

Saturday is 'National Get Outdoors Day'

Saturday (June 13) is National Get Outdoors Day. It is a new annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. Participating organizations—including the US Forest Service—are offering opportunities for families to experience traditional and non-traditional types of outdoor activities. The purpose of National Get Outdoors Day is to encourage visits to public lands and to reconnect youth to the great outdoors.

Food Bank Miami Branch Grand Opening

Gila Community Food Bank is celebrating the opening of their Miami branch Saturday from 10:am until noon. Everyone is invited enjoy light refreshments and see the facility on Adonis Street, just behind the Hi Tyme appliance store.

Flag Day Celebration

The Globe-Miami Flag Day celebration begins Sunday at 2:pm at the Globe Community Center. There will be a horseshoe tournament, sack races for the kids, his and her 3-legged races, a watermelon eating ontest and a water balloon toss. Barbeque food and homemade desserts will be on sale.

Arizona To Recieve Education Stabilization Funds

Governor Jan Brewer has announced that Arizona’s application for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund has been approved by the US Education Department. More than $680 million is now available for Arizona under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. An additional $335 million will be available this fall.

The money will be used to help keep teachers employed, in spite of deep budget cuts at the state level. The funds will also be used to improve teacher quality, upgrade assessment methods and turn around underperforming schools.

Police Log

Canyon Fire Department and Stateland Fire responded to a report of a brush fire with a structure fire on Whitehorse Lane in Dripping Springs. 36 year old Randy Gilliam was arrested for reckless burning and felony criminal damage.

An unoccupied motor home was engulfed in flames early this morning in the area of Devereaux and Sutherland. A report was taken for arson.

Globe Fire Department quickly put out a trash can fire in the area of Hill and Sutherland.

Globe Fire responded to a boat on fire yesterday at a residence on Hill Street. The extent of damage is unknown. There were no reported injuries.

Shortly after midnight, an employee at the Drift Inn called Globe PD to report a customer broke the door to their cooler and was causing a disturbance. 28 year old David Scott was contacted at Hackney and Broad Street. He was given medical treatment for his hand and arrested for criminal damage.

Officers were dispatched to an assault at Horizon Human Services. 27 year old Rachel Arney was arrested for an outstanding warrant. She was also charged with criminal damage for kicking out a patrol unit window.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28 year old Bryan Hernandez on warrants for failure to comply on charges of criminal damage/domestic violence, vulnerable adult abuse, aggravated assault, possession of marijuana and child support.

The Drug Task Force arrested 52 year old Patrick Beaton on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of arson. Beaton was also charged with possession of dangerous drugs.

Globe Police are investigating a theft report taken at a residence on 7th Street and criminal damage to a vehicle at a residence on Ruiz Canyon.

Obituaries

Baby Jayden Joel Hinton passed away Saturday at Banner Desert Medical Center. He was 22 weeks old. He is survived by his parents Shawn Hinton and Elena Pacheco; his grandparents Arnold and Elaine Pacheco, and Vonda Noline and Henry Hinton, Jr.
The wake for Jayden Hinton is tomorrrow (Friday) at 8:am at Arlene Wilson’s residence. The funeral is Friday at Noon.

Douglas Earl Leonard of Safford passed away Tuesday at Scottsdale Healthcare. He was 65. He is survived by his wife Lucilda; his daughters Debra Bull and Kathi Rose; his sons Michael and Jay Leonard; and 30 grandchildren.
Visitation for Douglas Leonard will be Saturday at 11:am at Lamont Mortuary. The funeral is Saturday at 1:pm.

Johnny Canizales of Miami passed away Tuesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. He was 58.
Visitation for Johnny Canizales will be Sunday from 6 to 7:pm at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. Rosary is at 7:pm. Funeral Mass will be Monday at 10:am

Kirkpatrick Introduces Bill to Help Fire Departments

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick has introduced a bill in Congress to help fire departments continue to hire new personnel. The bill waives the cost sharing requirements for a major grant program so that rural communities can afford to keep participating.

The SAFER program—Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response—helps fire departments hire more firefighters by assisting with their salaries for their first four years.Kirkpatrick says the program has been extremely successful, but its cost sharing requirements have become a burden during the recession.

The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Science and Technology. It is endorsed by the International Association of Firefighters and by local fire chiefs.

Chamber Mixer at Volvo Rents

The Globe-Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce monthly mixer is tomorrow night (Thursday) from 5 to 7:pm at Volvo Rents on the Globe-Miami Highway in lower Miami.

Dinner and Auction to Benefit GCC Students

The Pinal Mountain Foundation for Higher Education is holding its annual Dinner and Benefit Auction tomorrow (Thursday) night to raise scholarship funds for students attending Gila Community College.

Dinner is at 6:00 at the Dream Manor Inn. The auction begins at 6:45. The cost is $25.