Sweetheart Dance Cancelled

Due to circumstances beyond their control they have cancelled the Gila County Sheriff's Reserve Posse's Sweetheart Dance scheduled for February 10th. Anyone who purchased tickets can contact 928-812-0131 & leave a name & phone number & someone will arrange to get your full refund back to you.

Globe Centennial Treasure Hunt Clues

You can still get your entry blank at the Chamber of Commerce, the Gila Co. Historical Museum, the Center for the Arts, the Globe Main Street office in the old jail building, or at the Bullion Plaza Museum.

1. "Cold, sweet Christmas will see you where the longest-working barber shop used to be."
2. "He's blue & he's stubborn. Find him way down the street."
3. "City of Metal" or "Place of Metal" was its 1st name, but rocks & mud made up its walls.
4. "Jule built this warehouse in the early days. But if you don't know & get in a pickle, check the barrel."
5. "Veterans honored where roses bloom; decisions are made in the building behind."

Golf Tournament

2nd Annual
Higher Education
Fundraising Scholarship
Golf Tournament
Sat., March 17th, 2007
Shot Gun Starts 10 a.m.
Apache Stronghold Golf Course
Four(4) Person Scramble
$500 per team
(Includes Green Fees, Cart, Range Balls & Tee Gift)
Entries limited to the first 30 teams.

Tournament Deadline
March 2nd, 2007

For more information:

Jonathan Chee at (928) 475-2336 or email jonathanchee@scatcom.net
Robert Chapman at (928) 475-GOLF or email glfc@scgr.us

Mutt Show

Mutt Show at Burruss Park, located at 1750 N. Palm Parke Blvd. in Casa Grande on Feb. 3rd, from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Gila County Spelling Bee Friday

The Spelling Bee is located in the Miami High School Auditorium, at 4635 E. Ragus Road at 1 pm. Public, private, & charter schools & districts as well as home schooled students are invited to attend. For more info contact Julia Vasquez at 425-3231 ext. 8784.

“Kids Zone”

The “Kids Zone” exhibit is set to debut on Feb. 2nd, at the Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road. The “Kids Zone” exhibit, features posters created by children involved in Tempe's Kid Zone programs. The event is free.

Visit Red Rock State Park

Make plans for a day trip to Sedona & succumb to the natural beauty & cool winter weather.

The unique land-based ecosystem, closely associated with Oak Creek, provides the setting & opportunity for Red Rock State Park to offer a center for environmental education. With its diverse riparian habitat for plants & wildlife, Red Rock State Park offers special hikes & programs as a regular part of the park's environmental program.

Peter Booth, teacher & museum professional, will present "From the Trickster to the Braggart: Folktales of Arizona" on Feb. 4th, at 2 p.m. in the Red Rock State Park theatre. Hear about the misadventures of Coyote, the wit of Spanish riddles, the anguish of "La Llorana," the "remarkable" deeds of Captain John Hance, & more. Arizona is blessed with several strong folktale traditions. These tales provide an insightful & entertaining way to explore Arizona's heritage. Each culture that calls Arizona home brings its own unique style of stories, legends, riddles & poems. Whether they teach a lesson, preserve history, pass on traditions, warn boys & girls to be good, or explain why things are, these stories always entertain. Enjoy these stories as you are introduced to the people who told them. This program's sponsored by the Arizona Humanities Council & the Benefactors of Red Rock State Park. Advanced reservations are recommended, as seating is limited. Please call (928) 282-6907 for a reservation.

On Feb, 11th, at 2 p.m., volunteers will escort visitors on a guided geology hike through the park. Learn why the rocks are red, where they came from, where they are going & more. This hike includes the Eagle's Nest Trail for a great view of the park & the surrounding area. More than just a guided hike, this is an interpretive experience for the beginner as well as the advanced geologist. Bring the entire family & enjoy an afternoon with our knowledgeable volunteers as we explore the rock formations that create the scenic backdrop of Red Rock State Park. Visitors should bring their own water & wear suitable shoes or boots.

Wednesdays & Saturdays at 9 a.m. will find bird enthusiasts joining a naturalist for a "Guided Bird Walk." Beginners as well as advanced birders are welcome. Rangers recommend visitors bring their own binoculars. A limited number are available for loan from the park.

At 10 a.m. daily, visitors can join a naturalist on a guided nature walk that lasts 1½ - 2 hours & will introduce them to the riparian ecosystem of Oak Creek & other aspects of the park. Plants, wildlife, geology, history & archaeology are some of the subjects that may be discussed.

At 2 p.m. daily, the park hosts a ranger-or naturalist-led activity of approx. 1-hour. Programs may include a nature-hike, a special presentation or an educational/nature video. This program may be an indoor or outdoor activity.

Red Rock State Park’s located on the Lower Red Rock Loop Road off Hwy 89A, southwest of Sedona. Park hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Visitor Center hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Park Entrance Fee is $6 per vehicle for up to 4 adults, each additional adult is charged $2 each. (There’s no charge for children). A $2 per person entrance fee applies to pedestrians, equestrians & bicyclists.

Wrestlemania 23 Card & Plans So Far

Triple Threat WWE Championship Match: John Cena vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton

World Heavyweight Title Match: The Undertaker vs. Batista

Hulk Hogan vs. Shane McMahon (w/Khali)

Shawn Michaels (w/Donald Trump) vs. King Booker (w/Vince McMahon)

There's a chance for another "Money in the Bank" 6-man ladder match, with the winner getting a WWE title match contract.

Don't expect Big Show (health issues) to face Hulk Hogan. The WWE wants a "Hogan vs. a gaint" match in order to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of Hogan vs. Andre. There's a possibility he may face Shane McMahon instead. Nothing has been concrete at this point.

Free Rental Property Workshop

The City of Avondale will host a free workshop for people who own or live in rental property in the city from 9 a.m. - noon, Feb. 3th, in the Avondale City Council Chambers, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive. For info, call the Avondale Citizen Liaison Office at 623-333-1615.

Casting Call

The Az. Dept. of Commerce and City of Phoenix film offices are working with Universal Pictures on production for Kids in America. The movie's scheduled to be shot in Phoenix next month through April, creating jobs for local talent & crew.

The film stars Topher Grace (That '70s Show, Spiderman 3, Traffic), & follows a 1980s college graduate in pursuit of his dream girl at a wild Labor Day weekend party. Producers are seeking 400 - 500 extras who can look & act the part of a fresh out of college 20-something year old.

The Az. Dept. of Commerce Film Office markets the state as an ideal location for movies, television, video & photography, with a focus on improving the operating climate for Arizona's existing entertainment industry. Contact them at 602-771-1193.

Kartchner Caverns Events

Hike, explore the cave & attend special February programs featuring bats, snakes & cave eco-systems. Remember it's better to book Kartchner Caverns State Park cave tours online or by phone before leaving for the park as there are only 100 walk-up tickets per day.

On Feb. 10th, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., about "Worms: Not Just for Bait." Ranger John Hawkins explains that worms are your friends (we're talking composting Egyptian red worms), & at the end of the program you’ll be able to choose to participate in leaving the planet in as good or better condition than you found it.

On Feb. 13th, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., explorers can discover historic mining in nearby Coronado National Forest with Ranger Mike Woods. See a display of mining photos & artifacts as we talk about the 20th century mining of tungsten, quartz, fluorite & uranium.

On Feb. 17th, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Ranger Peggy Quiatt will present "Bats: Friend or No?" In Chinese lore bats are considered symbols of good luck & happiness. Join them to find out what bats are, how they live & reproduce, what is harmful to them, what benefit they are to humans, & why they have been revered in other parts of the world. (Open to visitors 4th grade & above.)

On Feb. 20th, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Ranger Ed Moskwa will show you how to make your own bat house. Have you ever been sitting in your yard & been bothered by mosquitoes, flies, or other flying insects? Have you planted a garden & had your plants destroyed by insects? They have the answer for you at "BATS (Bats Are Truly Sensational)."

On Feb. 21st, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., Ranger Rachel McKay will present "Javelina - Don't Call Me a Pig!" Where did the javelina come from? Why do they eat prickly pear cactus? Learn why they smell so bad. Whether you love them or think they are pests, come learn about the javelina & how they have adapted to life in the desert.

On Feb. 24th, from 10 - 11 a.m., Ranger Emily Bennett will give you an up-close & personal look at a live, common desert snake as you learn more about its fascinating behavior & physiology. Whether you love them or loathe them, join them for insights into the integral role snakes play in our desert ecosystem.

Make advance reservations for guided tours inside the cave & experience the wonder of cave discovery. Rotunda Tours are available for $18.95 for ages 14 & up & $9.95 for those aged 7 - 13 (children 6 & younger are free). Big Room Tours are available for $22.95 for ages 14 & up and $12.95 for those aged 7 - 13 (children 6 & younger are not allowed on the Big Room Tour). The Park Entrance fee's waived with a tour reservation made in advance. Reservations can be made by calling (520) 586-CAVE (2283) or at azstateparks.com.

Park Entrance Fee is $5 per vehicle for up to 2 adults. There's a charge of $2 per adult for each additional adult passenger. (The Park Entrance fee is waived with a tour reservation).

Kartchner Caverns State Park is located on Highway 90, nine miles South of I-10 near Benson. Park is open daily. Park hours are 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Discovery Center hours are 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

"First Shots" Classes

The Az. Game & Fish Dept. is partnering with the National Shooting Sports Foundation to offer a welcoming introduction to the safe, recreational use of handguns. First-timers, novices or experienced shooters wanting a refresher are welcome to attend 1 of several free "First Shots" classes offered Feb. 9th-11th, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix.

The class covers the rules & regulations of handgun ownership, instruction in firearm safety, & information on shooting sports opportunities. Participants will have the opportunity to try target shooting in a safe environment on the Ben Avery range, supervised by qualified instructors.

Classes are offered on the following dates:

Friday, Feb. 9th – 5 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 10th – 8 a.m. to noon
Saturday, Feb. 10th – 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 11th – 8 a.m. to noon
Sunday, Feb. 11th – 1 to 5 p.m.

The class is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, e-mail tbickford@azgfd.gov or call (602) 789-3241. Please provide your name & contact info, & indicate the class date & time for which you would like to register.

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility's located at 4044 W. Black Canyon Blvd. in Phoenix. To get there, take I-17 to the Carefree Highway exit. The shooting facility entrance is off Carefree Highway, about ¼ mile west of the exit.

For more information about the First Shots program, visit firstshots.org.

Kyl Cosponsores Bill To Create 11 New Judgeships

In a continuing effort to ease the backlog of cases in federal courts, U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) cosponsored a bill that creates 11 new judgeships for U.S. District Courts where at least 50% of the criminal cases are immigration related. Arizona would get 5 of the new judgeships.

“Federal courts along the southwest border, especially in Arizona, are overwhelmed & experiencing a tremendous backlog of immigration-related cases,” Kyl said. “There just aren’t enough judges to handle all the cases in a timely manner. Adding these new judgeships is overdue & will go a long way to ease the backlog.”

Under the bill introduced Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), 11 new permanent & temporary judgeships would be created for districts in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, & California - all in districts that are experiencing immigration caseloads that total at least 50% of their total criminal filings.

The District of Arizona would get the largest allotment of judges, with 4 permanent positions & 1 temporary. The Western District of Texas would gain 3 permanent judgeships & New Mexico would gain 1 permanent & 1 temporary position. The Southern District of California would get 1 permanent judgeship.

In fiscal year 2006 (Oct. 1st, 2005 - Sept. 30th, 2006), the District of Arizona had 3,265 criminal felony filings, of which 59% (1,924 cases) were immigration related. The Western District of Texas had 4,687 criminal felony filings, & 50% were immigration related. The Southern District of California had 2,706 criminal felony filings, & 54% were immigration related. The District of New Mexico had 2,750 criminal felony filings, & 71% were immigration related cases.

The bill's also cosponsored by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) & John Cornyn (R-Texas).

CTOC Meeting

The Citizen’s Transportation Oversight Committee will hold its 1st meeting of the year on Jan. 30th, at 4 p.m. The meeting will be at the ADOT Administration Building (Rm. 145-147), 206 South 17th Avenue, in Phoenix.

Established in 1994, the Citizen's Transportation Oversight Committee (CTOC), facilitates citizen involvement in the decision making process of freeway planning & construction. Members are appointed for a period of 3 years by each of the governing bodies of cities, towns & tribal councils in Maricopa County. For more info, visit azdot.gov/CTOC/.

Cave Creek Special Town Council Meeting

The meeting is at 7 p.m. tonight in the Council Chambers at 37622 N. Cave Creek Rd.

Arizona State Income Tax Filing Break

Gov. Janet Napolitano has announced she'll seek emergency legislation to change the date Arizonans file state income tax returns this year. Upon passage of the legislation, the new filing date will be Tues., April 17th, 2007. The move allows Arizona to conform to a this-year-only change in federal tax rules.

Background:

Here’s the reason the change is necessary: Under a recent law, the District of Columbia
(Washington, D.C.) will observe April 16th, as Emancipation Day & as a legal holiday.

Under another already-existing federal law, any legal holiday in the District of Columbia is treated as a holiday for federal tax filing purposes. So, for this year, the IRS has already announced that the deadline for filing federal taxes is April 17th, 2007.

Although it sounds complicated, it isn’t. The Arizona change simply means that Arizona
taxpayers get the same extension. Arizona taxes will need to be filed by April 17th – the same day federal taxes are due.

“People have enough to worry about, without having to figure out separate tax deadlines,” said Gov. Napolitano. “This way, there’s only 1 deadline Arizonans will need to remember, & that’s midnight on Tues., April 17th.” For more info about the office of the Governor, visit: azgovernor.gov.

Some DVDs Out This Week

Look for S&T next to the titles that are my recommended picks.

Lucky Louie - Complete 1st Season - S&T
Flyboys
Farce of the Penguins - S&T
The Marine
Law & Order Special Victims Unit - The 3rd Year
The Fabulous Baker Boys
UFC 7 Classics - S&T
Dallas - Complete 6th Season
Open Season
UFC 8 Classics - S&T
Facing the Giants
Murder, She Wrote - Complete 5th Season
Big Valley: Season 2, Vol. 1
The Hannibal Lecter Collection - S&T
The Silence of the Lambs (Collector's Ed.) - S&T
I Dream of Jeannie - Complete 3rd Season
Comedians of Comedy - S&T
Return of Spinal Tap - S&T
Celtic Woman - A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, Ireland
ECW Extreme Rules
Tim Conway: Timeless Comedy - S&T
TNA Wrestling: Bound for Glory 2006 - S&T
Lo Mejor del Chavo del 8: Travesuras en La Vecindad
Lo Mejor del Chavo del 8: El Examen
Guns N Roses: DVD Collector's Box - S&T
The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency - Season 1
Lisa Lampanelli - Dirty Girl: No Protection - S&T
Laffapalooza, Vol. 5-8 - S&T

Country CDs Out This Week

Clint Black - Love Songs
This Is Truckers Jukebox Anthems - This Is Truckers Jukebox Anthems
Oak Ridge Boys - Gold
Tracy Lawrence - For the Love

Kyl's Border Fencing Statement:

U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) has issued the following statement regarding the announcement by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security that construction of fencing, which was authorized & initially funded in the 109th Congress, has begun in southern Arizona:

“Last year there was the question about whether the legislation passed by Congress that authorized construction of fencing would actually be built, & I think this should answer that question. I am encouraged that DHS has begun the initial phases of fencing & barrier construction along the southern border of Arizona. These barriers are a key component to achieving a secure border, & a secure border is required for any comprehensive immigration reform to succeed. Last year, I worked with my Senate colleagues to pass legislation that authorized & started the initial funding to have this fencing & vehicle barriers built. It is incumbent upon Congress to continue providing this crucial funding every year & build on the momentum we have gained toward controlling our borders. The best hope for immigration reform to occur is in the next 12 months, & I am hopeful that Congress will be able to take the steps required toward comprehensive reform.”

City of Mesa Section 8 Housing Deadline

The deadline to get on the waiting list for Section 8 housing in the City of Mesa is Tues. Jan. 30th, at 11 a.m. This will be the final opportunity to apply for at least 2 years.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, funded by the U.S. Dept. of Housing, provides rental assistance to low income families by contracting with private owners & subsidizing a portion of the family’s monthly rent. The family’s portion of the rent is based on their income. It generally amounts to 30% of their adjusted monthly income on rent, depending on the cost of the unit they select. A family can remain on the Housing Assistance Program as long as they continue to be eligible & fulfill their obligations under the federal regulations of the program.

This is the first time the applications have been made available on-line. Application forms can be downloaded at cityofmesa.org/housing. Application requests will also be accepted by phone Tues. Jan. 30th, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 480-644-5800. For more info, contact Mesa Senior Housing Specialist Beth Rice at 480-644-3538.

Warning to Residents of Yavapai Estates

Residents of Yavapai Estates who are also customers of the Wilhoit Water Company are being urged to use bottled water for drinking & cooking, due to an ongoing situation with the water company. Town officials said a temporary solution is in the works.

On Dec. 15th, 2006, the Town of Chino Valley was notified by the ADEQ that serious levels of arsenic exceeding safe drinking water standards were found in the drinking water of the private Wilhoit Water Company, serving customers between 3 South & 5 South on the east side of Highway 89 in Chino Valley.

Today officials with Chino Valley's Water Services Department said that the City of Prescott Water Dept. will temporarily provide potable water to Wilhoit Water Company's customers through a temporary water line. That water line is being set up between the Prescott Water Department & the Wilhoit Water Company.

Chino Valley officials said that once the Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality approves the connection, the water will start to flow to Wilhoit customers. In the meantime, residents still need to use alternative potable water services until the water connection is finalized in the next week or two.

The Wilhoit Water Company can be reached by phone at (928) 634-3760 or (928) 639-1308, or at P.O. Box 870, 901 1st St., in Clarkdale.

If you need to register a complaint regarding the Wilhoit Water Company, please 1st contact the Az. Corporation Commission at 1-800-222-7000, & if after normal business hours please record a message. Also contact the ADEQ hotline to file a complaint at 1-800-234-5677.

Additional Information Issued by the Az. Dept. of Environmental Quality:

The ADEQ has issued a public notice to customers of the Wilhoit Water Company-Yavapai Estates in Chino Valley, Yavapai Co. that levels of arsenic in the drinking water are 30 times higher than the federal standard.

ADEQ is advising customers to avoid drinking or cooking with water from the Wilhoit system in Chino Valley, & to find an alternative source, such as bottled water. The Wilhoit Water Company is privately owned.

Drinking water samples taken from the system exceed federal arsenic levels. The most recent analytical result for a sample collected was 316 parts per billion (ppb). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) arsenic standard for drinking water is 10 ppb.

The EPA has determined that long term exposure to arsenic may lead to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidneys, nasal passages, liver & prostate. Other effects may include thickening & discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness in hands & feet, partial paralysis & blindness.

ADEQ will continue to keep customers updated until the water system meets arsenic compliance standards. To date, the water system has failed to conduct increased compliance monitoring for arsenic & to provide customers with proper public notification & an alternative source of drinking water, as required by law. ADEQ will continue to work with the water system to ensure they meet legal requirements to continue notifying the customers, perform verification sampling & serve water that meets all safe drinking water act standards.

Customers with questions about the notice can contact the water system at (928) 639-1308 or the ADEQ at (602) 771-4644.

Free Recycling Throughout 2007 In Pinal County

The Pinal Co. Board of Supervisors would like to encourage residents to take advantage of free recycling throughout 2007. Pinal Co. has 30 bins stationed across the area to collect everything from plastic bottles to newspapers. Throughout the U.S., recycling has grown tremendously since 1990 with 50% of all paper, 34% of all plastic soft drink bottles, 45% of all aluminum beer & soft drink cans, 63% of all steel packaging, & 67% of all major appliances are now recycled.

Recycling in Pinal County is easy, effective & convenient for all.

Recyclables Accepted:
* Plastic bottles - #1 & #2 plastic bottles & jugs rinsed out, no caps please.
* Newspaper & Magazines - Newspapers & all inserts, Magazines, Catalogs, Phone Books.
* Cardboard & Paperboard - Corrugated cardboard (3 ply) broken down & flattened, paperboard/chipboard (soda & beer cartons) flattened & brown paper bags.
* Aluminum & Tin Cans - Aluminum or tin cans washed & rinsed out, no lids please.

In an effort to keep our recycling bins clean & odor free - Please rinse all milk jugs, aluminum & tin cans if possible.

Public Recycling Bins Across Pinal County:

Apache Junction:
CAC-Mountainview; 273 Old West Highway
City of Apache Junction; 1001 N. Idaho Road
Pinal County Complex; 575 N. Idaho Road
Fire Station #263; S. Idaho Road
Fire Station #262; 3955 E. Superstition Blvd.
Apache Junction Food Bank; 575 N. Idaho Road

Arizona City:
Sheriff’s Substation; 13970 S. Sunland Gin Road

Casa Grande:
Fire Station; Signal Peak Road

Coolidge:
Coolidge High School Library; 800 W. Northern Avenue
Coolidge Parks and Rec; 670 W. Pima Avenue
Coolidge Public Works; 411 S. 1st. Street
Canton Dragon; 209 S. Arizona Blvd.

Dudleyville:
Dudleyville; Old Dudleyville Road near Lionel D. Ruiz Park

Florence:
Fire Station; 425 E. Ruggles St.
Florence Police Department; 425 N. Pinal St.
Old Courthouse; 135 N. Pinal St.
Pinal County Complex; 31 N. Pinal St. (Bldgs. A, D & F)
L&B Inn; 695 S. Main St.

Gold Canyon:
Sheriff’s Substation; 5750 S. Kings Ranch Road

Kearny:
Pinal County Justice Court; 355 Alden Road

Mammoth:
Pinal County Complex; 118 S. Catalina

Oracle:
Pinal County Complex; 1470 N. Justice Drive

Queen Valley:
Queen Valley; Across from Golf Clubhouse

San Manuel:
Sheriff’s Substation; 190 Reddington Road

Saddlebrooke:
40004 S Ridgeview Blvd

Superior:
CAAG Building; 271 Main St.
Triple X; 630 Main St.

McFarland State Historic Park Now Open 7 Days A Week

McFarland State Historic Park is now open 7 days a week, 2 new rangers have been added to the staff & the park's future focus will be Law & Order in Territorial Arizona.

Don't miss your chance to meet the new rangers & check out McFarland State Historic Park on Feb. 10th. In conjunction with the town's Annual Florence Historic Home Tour, the park will have civilian & military re-enactments from 9 a.m - 4 p.m. Territorial Brass Band will also perform.

Future exhibits will interpret how the various efforts by peace officers, the military, civilians, & the Indian Police made statehood possible in 1912. There are also plans to reconstruct the 1882 jail where 2 men were lynched.

McFarland State Historic Park's located in Florence, halfway between Phoenix & Tucson on State Highway 79. For more info about McFarland State Historic Park call (520) 868-5216.

Offer Made For Asarco's Assets

Swiss industrial giant Glencore AG & Washington Corp., a Montana conglomerate, formed a joint venture to make an offer for substantially all of Asarco's assets. Last year, Glencore won Asarco's Tennessee Mines zinc division, with a $65 million bid at a Bankruptcy Court auction.

Other companies, such as Rio Tinto PLC, BHP Billiton Ltd., Xstrata PLC and Phelps Dodge Corp., have been mentioned as possible buyers of Asarco. Phelps Dodge itself has agreed to be bought for $25.9 billion by New Orleans-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. in a deal that still needs shareholder approval.

Asarco's debtors committee has the exclusive rights until April 6 to develop a reorganization plan for the company. The deadline has already been extended 5 times, though, & could very well be again.

Sycamore Transit Center Groundbreaking Today

The transit center is located on the northwest corner of Main & Sycamore, just east of Dobson Road. This facility will serve as Mesa’s transit portal to the high capacity, METRO light rail system. It'll provide bus interface connections for several current & future routes including Mesa’s future Bus Rapid Transit Service. The facility offers an automobile drop-off area, futuristic architecture & design complementing the end-of-the-line station, 7 bus bays with shaded pedestrian seating, a double-unit water fountain, information kiosk, bicycle racks & lockers, METRO ticket vending machines, trees, landscaping, & 3 north/south pedestrian connections to the adjacent 812 space park-&-ride facility scheduled for construction in 2008.

Several speakers on hand included: Vice Mayor Walters, Mike Ladino, General Counsel for METRO, Les Presmyk, Board Co-Chair for Valley Metro & Dave Richins, representing the Mesa Grande neighborhood all made comments.

MSHA Training Grants Available

The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) announced the availability of more than $7.9 million in health & safety training grants being issued by MSHA in fiscal year 2007. The Navajo Nation is receiving a training grant of $25,534.

“These grants are part of MSHA’s ongoing commitment to advance miner safety & health through funding training programs,” said Richard E. Stickler, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety & health.

Grantees will use the funds to provide federally mandated training to miners. The grants cover training & retraining of miners working at surface & underground coal & metal & nonmetal mines, including miners engaged in shell dredging or employed at surface stone & sand & gravel mining operations.

The monetary amount of the grants MSHA is awarding in fiscal year 2007 is the same level as the previous fiscal year, because the federal government currently is operating under a continuing budget resolution from Congress.

Training grant funds will be awarded to every state, except Hawaii, & to the Navajo Nation & Puerto Rico. States apply for the grants, which are administered by state mine inspectors’ offices, state departments of labor or state-supported colleges & universities. Each recipient tailors the program to its state miners’ individual needs & provides technical assistance. The grants will be given to the states upon receipt & approval of their applications.

The state grant program was authorized by the Coal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1969. States 1st received funding in 1971 to provide health & safety training to miners.

MSHA’s primary mission as a federal agency is to help ensure worker safety & health in the nation’s mines.

Desert Plants Guided Walk Tomorrow

The Desert Edible/Medicinal Desert Plants Guided Walk is tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Call 520-689-2811 for price & location.

No Dumpster Diving Soon For Scottsdale

On Tuesday the Scottsdale City Council will vote on a new ordinance that outlaws 'Dumpster Diving.' Violations would be handled by civil citations, with fines up to $250.

Arizona Vehicle Recyclers Program

ADEQ Director Steve Owens launched a state effort aimed at persuading more than 200 Arizona vehicle recyclers to participate in a free, voluntary program to reclaim the toxic metal mercury from Vehicles that are scrapped from vehicle recyclers.

ADEQ is asking vehicle recyclers in Arizona to join the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program (NVMSRP), formed last year by representatives of dismantlers, automotive steel & scrap industries, environmental groups, a national association of state government environmental agency officials & the U.S. EPA. Arizona is one of the first states to join the program.

When vehicles are crushed & shredded for recycling, the mercury in vehicles' lighting switches & antilock braking systems (ABS) may be released into the environment.

Mercury is a liquid metal that accumulates in fatty tissue & muscle & has been linked to a variety of health effects, including toxicity to the brain & nervous system. Exposure to mercury at elevated concentrations can cause learning disabilities & impair motor function in children.

Each year 14 million tons of steel are recycled, the equivalent of 13.5 million new vehicles. Mercury switches in cars account for as much as 11 tons of mercury pollution each year. The program seeks to cut 75 million tons of mercury emissions over the next 15 years.

The national program established a $4 million fund to pay recyclers for their efforts on a 1st-come, 1st-served basis. Recyclers will receive $1 per mercury light switch or assembly received, and $3 per ABS module received. Recyclers do not need to remove the switches from the assemblies.

NVMSRP estimates that 67 million switches are available for recovery nationwide. As many as 3.6 million cars in Arizona may be eligible for the program.

Owens said that reducing release of toxic mercury has been a priority for ADEQ. In Nov. ADEQ adopted rules to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants in Arizona by 90% over the next 7 years. Over the past several years ADEQ also has issued fish consumption advisories for 12 lakes throughout the state, because of high levels of mercury found in certain fish in those lakes.

Captured!!!

Suspected sex offender, George Richard Horner III, 26, is accused of the abduction of a 6-year-old girl in Maricopa was captured at 10:30 this morning near Coolidge. Horner is a registered sex offender out of Louisiana. The girl was found safe yesterday, but there was evidence that she had been sexually molested.

Yuma Crossing State Historic Park Festivities

Yuma Crossing State Historic Park & Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park 50th Anniversary festivities will begin early on Feb. 17th, & coincide with the town's Yuma Crossing Day activities in the old town area.

Yuma Crossing Day highlights the historical era of Yuma's past from the arrival of the first Spaniards in the 1500s to the mid-1900s through living history re-enactments. Attractions include historic re-enactments, tours of the Yuma Quartermaster Depot, Cocopah exhibits, a fry bread sale, an arts & crafts sale, & the showing of historic movies in Yuma Territorial Prison's audiovisual Room.

The State Parks 50th Anniversary commemoration will be at 11 a.m. at Yuma Crossing. This will be a celebration with local dignitaries and a cake cutting under the big tent on the lawn. The 50th Anniversary displays will be featured & there will be many activities for children.

The excitement continues all day over at Yuma Territorial Prison where visitors can revel in the antics of the "Pistols & Petticoats," the meanest, orneriest old west gunfighters; & a historic presentation with Buffalo Soldier, C.R. Troy Walker, 9th Calvary Sgt, & more.

Park rangers & volunteers will provide guided tours & video showings at Yuma Crossing & Yuma Territorial Prison. Yuma Crossing rangers will provide guided tours at 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. Entrance fee for Yuma Crossing & Yuma Territorial Prison will be waived for this event. For more info about Yuma Crossing Day call Yuma Crossing at 928-329-0471 or Yuma Territorial Prison at 928-783-4771.

50th Anniversary at Yuma Crossing and Yuma Territorial Prison Schedule:

9 am to 5 pm - Self guided tours at Yuma Crossing
9 am - Legends of the West at Yuma Territorial Prison
9:30 am - Degüello Gunslingers at Yuma Territorial Prison
10 am - Troy Walker Buffalo Soldier at Yuma Territorial Prison
10 am - Ranger-guided tour at Yuma Crossing
11 am - VIP 50th Ceremonies at Yuma Crossing
11 am - Video showing of "Old Plank Road" at Yuma Territorial Prison
12 pm - Pistols & Petticoats at Yuma Territorial Prison
1 pm - Troy Walker Buffalo Soldier at Yuma Territorial Prison
2 pm - Ranger-guided tour at Yuma Crossing
2 pm - Pistols & Petticoats at Yuma Territorial Prison
3 pm - Video showing of "Old Plank Road" at Yuma Territorial Prison
4 pm - Legends of the West at Yuma Territorial Prison

Brad Paisley's 2007 Tour

Brad Paisley's 2007 Hershey’s Presents Bonfires & Amplifiers Tour will start April 26th, in Chattanooga, Tenn. with special guests Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler & Taylor Swift. There's been no word yet if this tour will land him in Phoenix, as tour dates are still being announced.

Deception In Gila County

The Gila County Sheriff's Office has been investigating the possibility that 29 year old convicted sex offender Neil Havens Redreick II, from Oklahoma, was posing as a 12 year old to enroll in a charter school in Gila County. Detectives & administrators of the Shelby Charter School in Payson found that Rodreick had in fact registered under the name of Casy Havens Rodreick. The adult guardian on the regisstration shows Robert Snow, a registered sex offender, as Rodreick's uncle. Rodreicks attended the school for only 9 days. Snow told the school he had been home schooled in Oklahoma from the 1st - 6th grade so there were no other school records. The School employees have cooperated with the Gila County Sheriff's Office in the investigation. The Gila County Sheriff's Office will be holding meetings with the Gila Co. Attorney to determine what charges will be filed against these suspects.

Recycling Scholarship Program Deadline Extended

ADEQ has extended the deadline to Fri., Feb. 9th, for Arizona high school seniors to apply for ADEQ's Arizona Recycling Scholarship Program, which provides scholarship funds for seniors interested in environmental issues.

"We are extending the deadline to give students a few more weeks to apply & to accommodate the schedule challenges that many seniors have faced with the holidays & exams," Owens said. "There is a lot of interest in this program, and we want to make it possible for interested students to apply."

Under the program, ADEQ will award 10 scholarships of $1,000 each to high school seniors to be used for expenses at a college or university in Arizona.

Scholarship winners will be announced during February. The winning projects will be implemented during the spring 2007. ADEQ will provide scholarship funds to the students after receiving proof of enrollment at a community college or university within the state of Arizona.

To apply, students must submit proposals outlining waste reduction or recycling projects in their school or community. ADEQ must receive the proposal by 5 p.m. on Feb. 9th. All Arizona high school students in their senior year are eligible to apply for the scholarship. The 10 scholarship recipients will be selected by ADEQ based on the proposals submitted.

The scholarship package and informational materials were sent to every high school in Arizona. The materials are also available on ADEQ's Website at azdeq.gov/program.

Geo-Cache Bash

On Sat., Feb. 24th, Cattail Cove State Park will host a geo-caching treasure hunt to celebrate the State Parks 50th Anniversary.

The "Geo-cache Bash" starts at 10 a.m. with Dee Pfleger, Arizona Game & Fish Officer. Pfleger will explain how we receive the satellite signals that make Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers work. She'll also share the etiquette that goes along with the sport. To participate, attendees should bring their GPS unit with them & have a basic understanding of how their GPS unit works.

Afterward, attendees can choose from more than 15 geo-cache sites. There will be hidden caches on various trails for hikers & several sites along the shoreline; some sites will be accessible by boat. Attendees will receive a raffle ticket. Winners will be drawn at random for prizes.

There will be a drawing for prizes including 4 grand prizes: 3-nights camping at Cattail Cove State Park; 2-nights in a cabin or yurt at Lyman Lake State Park; 2-nights in a cabin at Roper Lake State Park, or a State Parks' annual standard pass.

The State Parks 50th Anniversary commemoration events will be held at 12:30 p.m. This will be a celebration with dignitaries & a cake cutting under the big tent on the beach. 50th Anniversary displays will also be featured including activities for children.

Geo-caching began in 2000 after the Defense Department stopped scrambling the signals beamed to GPS receivers from military satellites, making it easier for recreational users to find specific locations. It has since rapidly grown in popularity for both families & corporate groups. According to the geocaching.com website, there are currently 348,666 active caches nationwide. "Geo" for geography & "cache" for hidden stash provides a fun opportunity to enjoy & explore the outdoors using a (GPS) receiver.

Cattail Cove State Park is located on State Route 95, 15 miles south of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The beach, boat ramp and campsites offer a broad spectrum of activities for all to enjoy including swimming, fishing, or just lounging around & relaxing.

Regular day use park fees will be waived for this event.

Regular day use park fees are $9 per vehicle for 1 to 4 adults & $2 per person fee for individuals & bicyclists. Camping sites are $21 for electric sites. Arizona State Park Annual Pass is available for $45 (some restrictions apply) & Premium Annual Pass is sold for $100. For more information call Cattail Cove State Park at (928) 855-1223.

Art Show

Cedar Ridge Development will sponsor an art show tomorrow, from 6 - 8 p.m. The art show will be held at the Pines Clubhouse located at 2700 S. White Mountain Rd. Refreshments will be available. One of the artists is local artist, David Bingel, who lives in Lakeside, specializes in Beadworking & has a Master's Degree in Museum Studies. For more info call (928) 537-1374.

DNC Does Denver

The Democratic National Committee announced that Denver, Colorado will host the 2008 Democratic National Convention on Mon., Aug. 25th, to Thurs., Aug. 28th. The decision to move the convention to a western state comes as rising population & Democratic success have made the western states more important on the national political stage.

A convention in the western states has long been supported by Gov. Janet Napolitano, who also currently serves as the Chair of the National Governor’s Association.

In a statement made earlier, Democratic Party Chairman David Waid said, “This choice by the Democratic National Committee is an indication of the larger trend of the Party moving west. The political victories in this region have been a reflection of the voters’ disenchantment with Republican partisan ideology & support for the mainstream American values of the Democratic Party. As the western states continue to develop stronger Democratic leaders & voters, we will undoubtedly see more national events such as the Democratic Convention moved west. Like the western pioneers of previous centuries, Democrats can see the future of their party in the promise of the western states.”

At The Arboretum

Homeschooling families are invited to experience the Arboretum education programs that are available to public school classes. Tours on Jan. 26th, are the "Tree Tour" at 10 a.m. & "Arizona 101" at 1 p.m. Participants may attend both tours on any of these days for the regular daily admission price of $7.50 for adults or $3 for ages 5-12. Spaces are limited; call 520-689-2723.

7th Annual Pecan, Wine & Antique Festival

The Town of Camp Verde Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce the 7th Annual Pecan, Wine & Antique Festival in downtown Camp Verde, Feb. 10th-11th, 2007.

The Pecan, Wine & Antique Festival provides festival goers with a unique opportunity to purchase & taste wines from a variety of Arizona’s most premier wineries, Alcantara Vineyard & Winery, Coronado Vineyards, Fort Bowie Vineyard & Kokopelli Winery. This year’s featured winery will be the Verde Valley’s own Alcantara Vineyard & Winery.

In addition to the wineries, the Pecan, Wine & Antique Festival will feature locally grown pecans for sampling & purchasing, free hayrides and tours of Summer Place Pecan Farm, demonstrations provided by the Yavapai County Master Gardeners, more than 30 quality antique vendors to browse & of course indulging in homemade pecan pie, as well as entertainment throughout the entire weekend.

The festival will open Sat., Feb. 10th from 9am-5pm & Sun., Feb. 11th, from 10am-4pm. Admission is $5 Antiques ONLY & $10 Antiques & Wine Tasting including a commemorative wine glass.

For additional info, contact the Camp Verde Parks & Recreation at (928) 567-0535 ext. 136 or visit cvaz.org.

Neighborhood Assistance Program

The City of Apache Junction's pleased to announce a partnership with East Valley Senior Services to help City homeowners maintain safe homes & comply with property maintenance codes.

Known as the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), the primary purpose of the program is to help senior citizens & disabled residents (meeting economic guidelines) do such things as yard cleanup & minor home repairs.

The eligibility guidelines include:

* Residency within the city limits of Apache Junction;
* Ownership of both the home and the property where the home is located;
* 60 years & older or 18-59 & having a disability.
* Gross Income of $ 1,197/per month for an individual.
* Extenuating circumstances (e.g. medical expenses) may be reviewed when determining eligibility.

Ms. Elaine Rudolph, Outreach Specialist at the Apache Junction Senior Center, is the Program Coordinator for the Neighborhood Assistance Program. NAP is administered through the Triad Program at the Center; Triad's a combined social service & public safety program in the community that provides products & information to assist in the safety & well-being of local senior citizens.

NAP was established on July 1st, 2006, when it came to the attention of Council members that there were many elderly & disabled homeowners in the City that were unable to do such things as perform minor yard maintenance tasks (e.g. weeding) or make minor home repairs (e.g. replace a broken railing). Rather than ignore the needs of these citizens, the City Council decided to address this community need by forming the partnership with East Valley Senior Services. The City of Apache Junction funds the program & East Valley Senior Services administers it through the Triad Program housed in the Senior Center.

Ms. Rudolph's actively recruiting volunteers within the community to assist in these projects.

For further information on volunteering or to apply for assistance, please contact:

* Elaine Rudolph, East Valley Senior Services at 480-474-5260.
* Melinda Larson, City of Apache Junction, 480-474-2635.

Help Your Under-14 All Star Soccer Team

Globe, Miami, San Carlos, help out your AYSO Region #543 Under-14 All Star Soccer Team. These kids from Globe, Miami, & San Carlos work hard practicing 3 times a week & will be at tournaments that last all weekend & get expensive. The first was the Fort Lowell Shootout in Tucson last weekend. This one was the opener for all of the All Star seasons & includes the Soccer Olympics.

The team's asking for any contribution that you can make. As you know it gets expensive for hotels, gas, & meals. Anything you could donate will be greatly appreciated! It's also a tax deduction. Please help support your Under-14 All Stars.

Please make checks out to:

AYSO Region #543
C/O Tory Satter
1210 Crestwood Drive
Globe, Az 85501

McFarland State Historic Park Now Open 7 Days A Week

McFarland State Historic Park is now open 7 days a week, 2 new rangers have been added to the staff & the park's future focus will be Law & Order in Territorial Arizona.

Don't miss your chance to meet the new rangers & check out McFarland State Historic Park on Sat., Feb. 10th. In conjunction with the town's Annual Florence Historic Home Tour, the park will have civilian & military re-enactments from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Territorial Brass Band will also perform.

Terri Leverton has joined the staff as the new assistant manager. She has worked for State Parks for more than 16 years &, in the past, has worked at Fort Verde State Historic Park & Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, among others.

David Ravert has joined the staff as a seasonal park ranger. He is the son of Jerry Ravert, manager of Oracle State Park, & has been on board since mid-November.

Future exhibits will interpret how the various efforts by peace officers, the military, civilians, & the Indian Police made statehood possible in 1912. There are also plans to reconstruct the 1882 jail where 2 men were lynched.

McFarland State Historic Park is located in Florence, halfway between Phoenix & Tucson on State Highway 79. For more info about McFarland State Historic Park call (520) 868-5216.

For info about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at azstateparks.com.

Renzi Now Co-Chairman Of Native American Caucus

U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi (AZ-01) has been elected co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Native American Caucus, his office announced today. U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee (MI-5) will serve as the Democratic co-chairman of the group.

"I am humbled to be elected co-chairman of the Congressional Native American Caucus," said Congressman Renzi. "During the last 4 years, I've been honored to represent thousands of Native Americans in the House of Representatives, & now I'm pleased to play an even greater role in improving the quality of life for many more First Americans throughout the country."

Since its establishment in 1997, the Congressional Native American Caucus has led the fight to protect tribal sovereignty & defeat every anti-tribal sovereignty proposal. The Caucus also supports proactive measures designed to improve Indian health care systems, develop better housing in Indian communities, & spur economic development in Indian country. In addition, the Caucus fights for funding increases that help tribal governments serve their citizens.

The Executive Committee for the Congressional Native American Caucus consists of 2 co-chairs & 8 vice-chairs & reflects the bi-partisan nature of the Caucus. Each Member of the executive committee can serve 2-year terms as often as desired, & serves at the will of the Caucus.

Renzi served as a vice-chair of the Caucus during the 108th & 109th Congress.

Congressional Native American Caucus Executive Committee for 110th Congress:

Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), Co-chair Rick Renzi (R-AZ), Co-chair
Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Vice-chair Tom Cole (R-OK), Vice-chair
Ron Kind (D-WI), Vice-chair John Sullivan (R-OK), Vice-chair
Tom Udall (D-NM), Vice-chair Steve Pearce (R-NM), Vice-chair
Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Vice-chair Mary Bono (R-CA), Vice-chair

The Caucus currently boasts of 103 members.

Ice Cream Social & Craft Show

The Ice Cream Social & Craft Show is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sat. Jan. 27th, at Peart Park - 350 E. 6th Street in Casa Grande. The Ice Cream Social & Craft Show will be hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department. Desert Country Musicians will provide entertainment.

Globe-Miami Mixer

The Globe-Miami Regional Chamber's monthly mixer is today, Jan. 24th, at the Globe Gym, at the corner of Cedar & Willow in Globe. It will run from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Dept. Of Health Offers Info On New Smoke-Free Az. Act

The Az. Dept. of Health Services has a toll-free phone number for those with questions about the new Smoke-free Arizona Act taking effect on May 1st. They also have a website to answer any questions as well. The number for the information line is 1-877-AZSTOPS (1-877-297-8677). The web site is smokefreearizona.org.

Appointment Made To State Transportation Board

Gov. Napolitano has made public the appointment of Barbara Lundstrom to the State Transportation Board. Lundstrom will represent the 3rd district, which covers Santa Cruz, Cochise, & Greenlee Counties. According to Arizona statute, each member of the board represents 1 of 6 districts. Lundstrom has been appointed for a 6-year term. Her appointment is subject to senate confirmation.

She replaces James W. Martin whose term expired in January of 2007.

2nd Annual Madden Football Challenge

The Town of Florence Parks & Recreation is hosting its 2nd Annual Madden Football Challenge. This is a chance to come out & show off your Madden skills on the Playstation 2 game system. This is a 1 day, double elimination tournament, scheduled for Sat., Feb. 4th, at the Florence Fitness Center, located at 133 N Main Street.

There's a fee of $5 per participant, which must be paid no later than Fri., Jan. 26th, at 5 p.m. Registrations are accepted at the Fitness Center at 133 N. Main Street. This challenge will have 2 different divisions: ages 8 through 14, & 15 & older. The tournament will be played on the Playstation 2 video game system.

For more information contact Erasmo at 868-4835.

Martin Truex Jr. - Pissing The Night Away

An officer saw 2-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. urinating on a car & charged him with disorderly intoxication.

The best line in the article was this exchange:

Cpt. Rich Gardner approached Truex & said, "I hope that's worth 100 bucks," according to the report. Truex responded by saying, "It is worth 100 bucks," & he held out a $100 bill, Gardner said.

MSHA Issues Mine Rescue & Safety Training Grants

The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) announced the availability of more than $7.9 million in health & safety training grants being issued by MSHA in fiscal year 2007. The Navajo Nation is receiving a training grant of $25,534.

“These grants are part of MSHA’s ongoing commitment to advance miner safety & health through funding training programs,” said Richard E. Stickler, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety & health.

Grantees will use the funds to provide federally mandated training to miners. The grants cover training & retraining of miners working at surface & underground coal & metal & nonmetal mines, including miners engaged in shell dredging or employed at surface stone & sand & gravel mining operations.

The monetary amount of the grants MSHA is awarding in fiscal year 2007 is the same level as the previous fiscal year, because the federal government currently is operating under a continuing budget resolution from Congress.

Training grant funds will be awarded to every state, except Hawaii, & to the Navajo Nation & Puerto Rico. States apply for the grants, which are administered by state mine inspectors’ offices, state departments of labor or state-supported colleges & universities. Each recipient tailors the program to its state miners’ individual needs & provides technical assistance. The grants will be given to the states upon receipt & approval of their applications.

The state grant program was authorized by the Coal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1969. States 1st received funding in 1971 to provide health & safety training to miners.

MSHA’s primary mission as a federal agency is to help ensure worker safety & health in the nation’s mines.

NAU Gets Fire Study Grant

Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ-1) announced that N.A.U. will be receiving $703,000 in federal funds over the next 4 years from the National Science Foundation. The funds will be used to support undergraduate & graduate students working on a project entitled "Interaction of Fire, Climate, & Forest Structure in Northern Mexico ".

"I am delighted that NAU will be receiving these critical funds to study forest fires in the Southwest," said Congressman Rick Renzi. "Any research that can help foster a better understanding of fire patterns will help save lives & property, especially in such fire prone areas as Northern Arizona ."

Under the new program, researchers from both the U.S. & Mexico will work jointly to create a network of long-term fire & climate chronologies in an effort to help better understand fuel dynamics in northern Mexico. This will not only increase the current understanding of how fuel & climate effects fire regimes presently in northern Mexico & the southwestern U.S., but will help increase understanding of how they might change in the future.

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that was created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science. During the 109th Congress, funding for the National Science Foundation was approved by Congress through the Science, State, Justice, Commerce & Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006 (H.R. 2862) with the support of Congressman Renzi.

30 WWE Royal Rumble 30 Man Lineup

Raw:
Viscera
Shelton Benjamin
Johnny Nitro
Jeff Hardy
Chris Masters
Kenny Dykstra
Ric FlairCarlito
Shawn Michaels
Edge
Randy Orton
Super Crazy
The Great Khali

Smackdown:
Chris Benoit
MVP
Matt Hardy
Mike the Miz
Chavo Guerrero
Finlay
The Undertaker
Kane
King Booker
Gregory Helms

ECW:
CM Punk
Sabu
Sandman
Rob Van Dam
Bob Holly
Tommy Dreamer
Kevin Thorn

Gila Co. B.O.S. Meeting

The Gila County Board of Supervisors will be meeting this morning at 10 a.m. in the Supervisors Auditorium at 1400 E. Ash St. in Globe.

Lil’ Tykes Kickball League

The Town of Florence Parks & Recreation Dept. is currently accepting registrations for the Lil’ Tykes Kickball League.

The cost of registration is $20. Each participant will receive a t-shirt. Registration fees are accepted anytime between Mondays & Fridays from 8 am - 5 pm at the Parks & Recreation Office & Fitness Center, located at 133 N. Main Street. The deadline to register is Fri., Jan. 26th.

League play begin's Feb. 3rd, & end on March 10th. All practices & games are held on Sat. mornings at 10:30 am. Games will follow at 11 am. The league's focused on sportsmanship, teamwork, & fun!

Volunteer coaches are needed for the successful operation of this program. If you are interested in volunteering your time as a coach for the league, contact the Parks & Recreation Office at 868-4835.

New Dispatch Center For Faster Wildfire Attacks

A new interagency dispatch center located at Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa will provide Central Arizona with initial attack dispatching & logistical support for emergency management. Phoenix Interagency Dispatch will consolidate 3 separate dispatch centers now providing support for the Tonto National Forest & 2 Bureau of Indian Affairs centers serving the Pima & San Carlos communities.

“By combining our resources, we will be better able to provide faster, more efficient response in the event of a wildfire,” said San Carlos Superintendent Janice Staudte. “We are working together to improve the safety & efficiency of our operations.”

The center will track & process orders for the aircraft, equipment, crews & supplies needed to respond to wildland incidents on the agencies’ lands.

“There are a lot of moving pieces in play during a busy fire season,” said Tonto National Forest Fire Management Officer Jeff Borucki. “It just makes sense for us to get together & direct these resources from one location.”

Locating the new center at Williams Gateway will bring additional benefits, according to Borucki.

“Williams Gateway already serves as a hub for incident operations. Last year we moved more than 2,800 firefighters either on their way to support incidents somewhere else or coming here to help fight Arizona’s wildfires,” he said. “By locating at the airport, we will have the space we need to consolidate these 3 operations.”

To report wildland fires or other serious incidents on these federal lands, call 1-866-746-6516. This emergency number is staffed 24 hours a day by dispatch center operators.

Solar Roadmap Study

The Az. Dept. of Commerce has released the state's recently completed Solar Roadmap Study which projects up to 1,000 megawatts of solar electricity could be implemented in Arizona by 2020 creating more than 3,000 new jobs in the process & reducing emissions by 400,000 tons per year.

The roadmap calls upon the public & private sector to launch several new program initiatives that will accelerate the adoption of solar energy technologies & develop a robust solar electric industry within Arizona. Currently over $6 billion out of the more than $10 billion that Arizonans spend on energy annually goes out of state.

Public sector Roadmap initiatives call for the Energy Office to establish the Az. Sustainability Partners program & a marketing & outreach program to attract solar manufacturing companies to Arizona. Access the complete Solar Roadmap study at azcommerce.com & click on "Energy Programs."

GenoSensor Reaches Business Agreement

Scottsdale-based GenoSensor has recently announced a business agreement with Daiichi Pure Chemical to distribute GenoSensor's GenoExplorer(tm) microRNA products in Japan. The link between GenoSensor & DPC occurred during BioJapan 2005 in Yokohama, Japan. The Az. Dept. of Commerce International Trade & Investment Division organized Az. companies to attend the event.

GenoSensor notes with the help of Commerce, "GenoSensor successfully identified several candidates & finally signed the business deal with DPC." GenoSensor anticipates a sales increase & greater potential of penetrating the Japanese genomic research market with its new Japanese partner.

Globe Council Members Accused Of Violating Open Meeting Law

Article submitted by:
James P. Haley II
Councilman District 1

On January 18, 2007, City Manager Manoj Vyas advised through a memorandum distributed to the Mayor & Council Members that Councilman James Healy (Haley), Councilman Fernando Shipley, Councilwoman Carmen Casillas, & another Councilman (later identified as Councilman Ross Bittner) had allegedly participated in a meeting that was held on Tues., Jan. 9th, 2007 at an undisclosed time in the afternoon at the Globe Senior Center in possible violation of Arizona’s Open Meeting Laws.

Councilman Haley met Fri., Jan. 19th, 2007 with City Manager Vyas at Vyas’ office at City Hall & sternly advised Mr. Vyas of his erroneous assumption concerning Councilman Haley’s alleged involvement in the meeting; as Councilman Haley could not have been one of the council members involved in the meeting in question due to the fact that Councilman Haley was teaching class at Holy Angels School (where Haley is employed) throughout morning & afternoon of Jan. 9th, 2007. Councilman Haley has clearly stated that he has no direct knowledge whatsoever concerning the nature of the alleged meeting at the Globe Senior Center or the number of council members if any that were present as he clearly was not a party to the meeting.

During the Friday meeting with the City Manager, Councilman Haley further requested that Mr. Vyas check the accuracy of the information provided to him before he drafts & distributes future memoranda implying that council members have been involved in possible criminal activity.

Councilman Haley stated that he most certainly respects Mr. Vyas’ concerns regarding possible Open Meeting Law violations. Haley stated, “I think that the matter of investigating any alleged violation of the Open Meeting Laws would best be handled by Mr. William L. Tifft as the City Attorney; therefore, I requested that the City Manager schedule an Executive Session addressing the allegations of possible violation(s) of the Open Meeting Laws as soon as is feasible.”

WWE Releases Wrestlers

It's that time of the year when the WWE slim's their roster.

Mike Shane
Todd Shane
Gangrel (David Heath)
Danny Basham
Doug Basham
Tony Mamaluke
Jazz
Rodney Mack
Sylvester Terkay
C.W. Anderson
Tatanka
Greg Groothius (Jack Bull)
Steven Adkins (Seth Skyfire)
Ryan Reeves
Bill DeMott
Mike Taylor
Tracy Taylor
Tony Salantri
Thomas Farra

Wolfe Appointed

The Az. Dept. of Transportation has announced Timothy M. Wolfe's appointment as Phoenix Maintenance District Engineer. Wolfe has served ADOT since 1984, most recently as Assistant State Engineer responsible for all Intelligent Transportation Systems & the Statewide Traffic Operations Center. He's also held a number of other highly responsible positions with ADOT including management of the reconstruction of the I-10 Maricopa Freeway.

The Phoenix Maintenance District covers 3,750 square miles between Buckeye on the west, Florence Junction on the east, New River on the north & the Gila River Indian Community on the south. Wolfe will be responsible for maintaining 3,267 lane miles of roadway, 4,879 acres of landscaping, 138 miles of drainage channels & more than 80 miles of sound walls.

Wolfe’s appointment is effective Feb. 3rd. John Hauskins is the current District Engineer & has been with ADOT for 30 years. Hauskins has accepted a position with the Maricopa Co. Dept. of Transportation.

Economic Strength Projects

The Az. Departments of Commerce & Transportation have approved 2 new Economic Strength Projects (ESP) in Kingman & Graham Co. This joint program provides grants for road projects that assist economic development & meet 3 primary goals: create & retain a significant number of jobs in Arizona; lead to significant capital investment in Arizona; & make a significant contribution to the economy of Arizona.

The awards are:

A $462,000 grant to assist Graham Co. with paving of 1.75 miles of Fort Grant Road. A compacted sub base will be constructed & a double chip seal will then be applied. The paving of this currently unpaved road will increase safety for Eurofresh employees & support the 53 acre expansion of Eurofresh. Upon completion of this project, Eurofresh will create 207 new jobs for Graham Co. Total capital investment for this project is estimated to be over $25 million.

A $397,800 grant to assist the City of Kingman with the construction of approx. 2,000 linear feet of Bonanza Drive between Shipping Lane & Railroad Drive to industrial & Mohave Association of Governments' standards. The road will be 24 feet wide to accommodate 2 lanes of traffic. The road will assist traffic for a 312,000 sq. ft. Cantex facility under construction on 30 acres of land at the Kingman Airport & Industrial Park. Upon completion of this project, Cantex will create 85 new jobs for Mohave County. Total capital investment for this project is estimated at over $35 million.

ESP grant rounds are done twice each year in January & July, with applicants competing for $500,000 in each round. Eligible applicants are towns, cities, counties, tribes & economic development organizations that are co-sponsored by the local jurisdiction. Requests for proposals will be distributed the end of January for the next funding round.

Applicant communities must provide matching funds of at least 10% of the project total. For more info or to add your name to the mailing list for the next round, visit azcommerce.com.

Snow Day For Local Schools & Daycare Centers!!!

The kids from Globe, Miami, & San Carlos all have no school due to the snow that has fallen & the iced road conditions mark for unsafe travel. The Globe Education Center has also been cancelled.

City Of Globe Council Meeting

The Globe City Council meeting is tonight at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 150 N. Pine St. in Globe.

Coolidge City Council Meeting

Coolidge City Council Meeting, tonight, at 911 S. Arizona Blvd. in Coolidge at 7 p.m.

Cave Creek Regular Town Council Meeting

Cave Creek Regular Town Council Meeting, 7 p.m., tonight, in the Council Chambers at 37622 N. Cave Creek Rd.

Smoke Stacks Snuffed Out

The more than 500-foot tall, twin smelter stacks, weighing 10,000 tons, at the former Magma Copper complex in San Manuel were brought down last Wednesday. San Manuel has been in the process of transforming itself into a bedroom community, after the mining industry there went to the wayside in 1999 after BHP Billiton shut them down after purchasing Magma in 1996 for $2.4 billion. The reason for the shutdown was that Copper was selling for only 66 cents a pound in 1999, although there is still close to 2 billion pounds of Copper in the San Manuel & Kalamazoo ore bodies. The mine’s closure eliminated 2,000 jobs.

To re-open, it would be a costly process of obtaining permits to operate, as it would be considered as “new” mine.

BHP has been working on the land to prepare it & 9,000 of the approximately owned 20,000 acres for other purposes, stating that future residential, commercial & light-industrial development could be suited for the area.

Country CDs Out This Week

Charlie Daniels - Ultimate Collection
Ty England - Alive & Well
Beverley Mitchell - Beverley Mitchell
Various Artists - 2007 Grammy Nominees
Fox & the Hound 2 - Soundtrack

Some DVDs Out This Week

Look for S&T next to the titles that are my recommended picks.

The Guardian
The Good Guys and the Bad Guys - S&T
Employee Of The Month
Fiddler on the Roof (2-Disc Collector's Ed.)
The Yakuza - S&T
Pure 80's Dvd: Headbangers Rule - S&T
SherryBaby
The Waltons: Complete 4th Season
Jacknife
Walker, Texas Ranger: Complete 2nd Season

Scott Bam Bam Bigelow Passes

As reported yesterday morning on "Shop And Talk," from 7 - 9 a.m., it's a sad day for professional wrestling fans Bam Bam Bigelow was found dead in his home friday morning by his girlfriend around 10 a.m. after she woke up. At this time the cause of death is unknown. An autopsy will be performed on Bigelow's body; the body is in the custody of the Pasco County medical examiner. Bigelow worked for WWE, WCW & ECW during his professional wrestling tenure. As more information comes to light, stay tuned to this site & on Saturday morning on "Shop And Talk."

Pinal Co. Widow Widowers & Disabled Persons Tax Exemption

Pinal County Widows & Widowers or Disabled Person Tax Exemption will give those who qualify some relief from property taxes.

To qualify for a widows and widowers tax exemption:

* Must be a permanent resident of Arizona.
* Must have resided with their spouse in Arizona at the time of the spouse’s death: or if their spouse died while a resident of another state, then the surviving spouse.
* Must present death certificate of the deceased spouse to the Assessor.
* Must not have property value (within the State of Arizona) that exceeds a net ASSESSED value of $21,628. Your net assessed value can be found on your tax notice or Notice of Valuation card.
* Must file an application EACH YEAR between 1st Monday in January & through the last day of February.
* Must be able to state that either item A or B is true:
A: None of my children under 18 years of age resided with me during the previous calendar year. The total income from all sources including myself, my spouse & any children aged 18 or more who resided with me, did not exceed $26,523 during the previous calendar year.
B: At least 1 of my children who was under 18 years of age OR who was totally & permanently disabled, resided with me during the previous calendar year. The total income from all sources including myself, my spouse, & any other of my children, resided with me, did not exceed $31,827 during the previous calendar year.

Requirements for disabled persons exemption:

* Must be a permanent resident of Arizona.
* Must be over the age of 17.
* Must be medically certified as 100% totally & permanently disabled by your doctor (The Assessors Office will supply the necessary medical forms).
* Must not have property value (within the State of Arizona) that exceeds a net ASSESSED value of $21,628. Your net assessed value can be found on your tax notice or Notice of Valuation card.
* Must file an application EACH YEAR between 1st Monday in January and through the last day of February.
* Must be able to state that either item A or B is true:
A: None of my children under 18 years of age resided with me during the previous calendar year. The total income from all sources including myself, my spouse and any children aged 18 or more who resided with me, did not exceed $26,523 during the previous calendar year.
B: At least 1 of my children who was under 18 years of age OR who was totally & permanently disabled, resided with me during the previous calendar year. The total income from all sources including myself, my spouse, & any other of my children, resided with me, did not exceed $31,827 during the previous calendar year.

Documents Required with Applications:

* Copy of Death Certificate (Certified or Original)
* 2006 Arizona State Income Tax Return
* Copy of the prior years tax bill or valuation card of all properties in Arizona.
* License plate numbers for all motor vehicles.
* Title/Tax Bill

The Assessors Office will have a representative at the following Supervisor Districts:
* Jan. 24th; 10 am to 1:30 pm at the District 1 office in Mammoth-118 S.Catalina
* Jan. 30th; 8 am - 11 am/1 pm - 5 pm at the Recorder/Treasurers Office in Apache Junction-575 N. Idaho Road
* Jan. 31st; 10 am - 1 pm at the District 3 office in Casa Grande-820 E. Cottonwood Lane

State Chamber Of Commerce V.P. Steps Down

After serving 10 years as Vice President for the Arizona State Chamber of Commerce Farrell Quinlan has stepped down. He did not however disclose his next job. His last official day was Jan. 15th.

Neighborhood Day At The Legislature

Town of Queen Creek residents interested in becoming neighborhood leaders are invited to meet their state legislators for Neighborhood Day at the Legislature from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Wed., Jan. 24th, at the State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington St., Capitol Mall.

Neighborhood Day at the Legislature provides an opportunity for residents to meet & talk with legislators representing Queen Creek. The event includes a neighborhood legislative program, a free lunch & tours of the Az. House of Representatives & State Senate. Participants will share stories of their neighborhoods, learn about the 2007 neighborhood legislative agenda & find out how legislative decisions could affect the future of their neighborhoods.

Lunch is provided, so seating's limited to the 1st 30 Queen Creek residents to register. If interested in attending Neighborhood Day at the Legislature, RSVP by 5 p.m. Mon., Jan. 22nd, to Marsha Hunt at 480-358-3006 or marsha.hunt@queencreek.org.

Horses Shot, Info Sought

The Tucson-based Animal Defense Council (ADC) announced a reward of $11,000 dollars for information leading to the arrest & conviction of any person(s) responsible for the recent shooting deaths of at least 7 wild horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, near Pinedale, Arizona. A representative of these groups has contacted the Az. Dept. of Agriculture & is working cooperatively with that agency to solve this horrible crime.

The dead unbranded and free-roaming horses may be protected under the Wild Free-Roaming Horse & Burro Act (WFHBA).

Bodies of 6 of the horses were discovered last week; all had been shot. A 7th horse was observed limping with a wound in his side & may have also been a victim of the same shootings. In Aug., a young wild chestnut stallion also was found dead in the Pinedale area, having been shot in the head. In total, in the past 5 months, at least 7 horses have been found dead in the area. All evidence indicates that they were killed deliberately.

Killing these horses may be a violation of the WFHBA, in which case each violation is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 & one year in prison. Shooting a horse & causing that horse to suffer also is a criminal act under the Arizona Cruelty to Animals law. Persons convicted of animal cruelty can be sentenced to jail time.

To qualify for the reward, anyone with information about the person(s) responsible for this crime should call attorney Anthony Merrill 1-602-364-7174 or can submit information via e-mail at reportabuse@awionline.org.