Leo Nachu, Jr., 31, of Whiteriver, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg to 5 years in prison for possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. This offense occurred on the Ft. Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 4th, 2010.

On Nov. 11th, 2008, Nachu, a known gang member in Whiteriver, was engaged in a foot pursuit with law enforcement. He was carrying a backpack as he ran from law enforcement. Nachu threw the backpack and continued to run. A later search of that backpack revealed numerous plastic bags with drugs individually packaged for sale, a firearm with additional rounds of ammunition and a large amount of cash. His fingerprints were later found on some of those bags of drugs as well as the firearm.

The primary investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistance was also provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Dimitra H. Sampson, U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

The City of Mesa announced that The Boeing Company has moved the production of its A160T Hummingbird unmanned rotorcraft to their Mesa operation at Falcon Field Airport.

"This is fantastic news for our community and the region." Mayor Scott Smith said. "Boeing is a key player in the thriving aerospace industry in the East Valley. The addition of the Hummingbird project is another indication of the strength of that industry."

Boeing began the development of the A160T Hummingbird more than five years ago and set an unofficial world endurance record for an unmanned aerial vehicle in 2008 flying for 18.7 hours. The aircraft also achieved another flight milestone that year by successfully completing hover-out-of-ground-effect demonstrations at altitudes of 15,000 and 20,000 feet.

"The A160T can deliver unmatched capabilities to the war fighter," Boeing Mesa Site Lead Tony Ham said. "And we’re proud that in Mesa, we’re applying our leadership in rotorcraft manufacturing to bringing this great aircraft into production."

The Hummingbird features a unique optimum-speed-rotor technology that significantly improves overall performance efficiency by adjusting the rotor’s speed at different altitudes, gross weights and cruise speeds. The autonomous unmanned aircraft, measuring 35 feet long with a 36-foot rotor diameter, eventually will fly more than 170 knots with a ceiling of 20,000 to 30,000 feet (high hover capability up to 15,000 feet) for more than 20 hours.

"I am excited to having Boeing expand their operations in the Falcon Field area." District 5 Councilmember Dina Higgins said. "Boeing is a great corporate citizen. I am proud to have them in my district and especially for the positive impact they have in our community."

The A160T is being built by Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division. Customers include the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate and U.S. Naval Air Systems Command.

"Research and development on remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) has been going on in Mesa for several years." Economic Development Director Bill Jabjiniak said. "This sector of the aerospace and defense industry is very viable and the production of the Hummingbird in Mesa sends a clear signal that we have the capacity for continued growth in this arena."

Boeing has indicated that there are approx. 30-40 employees working on the project in their Mesa facility.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX) announced the conversion rate for its 6¾% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock"), which automatically converts into shares of FCX’s common stock on May 1, 2010. Under the terms of the Preferred Stock, the conversion rate per $100 face amount of the Preferred Stock will be 1.3716. All of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock will automatically convert into common stock; therefore, no action by Preferred Stock holders is required.

FCX will issue approx. 38 million shares of common stock in connection with the mandatory conversion on May 1st, 2010. After giving effect to this transaction, FCX will have approx. 470 million shares of common stock outstanding.

Holders of Preferred Stock on the April 15th, 2010 record date will also receive the previously announced final quarterly cash dividend of $1.6875 per share, unless the shares of Preferred Stock were voluntarily converted into shares of FCX’s common stock prior to the May 1st, 2010 mandatory conversion date.

Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of owning and disposing of the Preferred Stock and the common stock, including the consequences under the laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction. Conversion of the Preferred Stock into common stock generally will not be a taxable event. A U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock received upon a conversion of the Preferred Stock will generally equal the tax basis of the Preferred Stock that was converted and the holding period for the common stock received will include such holder’s holding period for the Preferred Stock converted.

Working in partnership with the Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation, the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities will be hosting their third Community Day of Play on Saturday, May 8th. The event will take place at Countryside Park at 3130 E. Southern Ave. from noon to 4 pm.

"Our goal is not only to get families out to enjoy our parks," Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation President Russ Gillard said. "But it’s also to generate funding needed for scholarships to families who otherwise could not afford summer recreation programs. It’s not fair for children to suffer in an economy like this and we are more than happy to have this event to help out our community."

The Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation is a non-profit organization that consists of community leaders, business owners and Mesa residents who are passionate about parks and believe that parks and recreation are a vital importance to the community. Some of their past and current projects include:

Park of the Canals. Constructed a playground with KaBoom!
Making Waves. A program that provides scholarships for swim lessons
Save the Train. Preserves a historic landmark at Pioneer Park.
Tree Donation. A donation of $350 to the foundation will provide a tree planted at a Mesa Park.
Adaptive Recreation. For physically and mentally disabled youth and adults to experience sports and events.
Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities support. Through fundraising events and donations made to the Foundation multiple parks and recreation programs are funded.

"Without the Foundation’s help we wouldn’t be able to offer these summer recreation programs or scholarships to Mesa families this year," Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities Director Marc Heirshberg said. "It’s partnerships like these that allow us to provide the quality of life most Mesa residents have come to enjoy and expect. We hope to continue this partnership with the Foundation for many years to come."

For just $8 a bracelet, your child can have unlimited access to inflatable rides, bounce houses, obstacle courses, carnival games, and a petting zoo. All games are geared towards children from preschool to 8th grade.

The proceeds will go towards awarding scholarships to children who cannot afford summer recreation programs.

Senator Jon Kyl was selected by Time to be on their 2010 Top 100 Most Influential People list. To read the write-up in Time, CLICK HERE.

Tonto National Forest officials are seeking public comment on the Heber-Reno/Morgan Mountain Sheep Driveways draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the Mesa, Tonto Basin, and Pleasant Valley ranger districts of the Tonto National Forest and the Black Mesa, Lakeside, and Springerville ranger districts of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

Officials propose to authorize the historic use and management of the Heber-Reno and Morgan Mountain sheep driveways for trailing sheep between their winter pastures in Chandler and their summer pastures above the Mogollon Rim. The public comment period begins Friday, April 30th and ends 30 days later on Tuesday, June 1st.

Copies of the EA can be found on the Tonto National Forest website or copies (print or CD Rom) of the EA are available at the Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006.

Comments may be mailed or hand-delivered to:

Don Luhrsen
Pleasant Valley District Ranger
P. O. Box 450
Young, AZ 85554

Comments may be faxed: Attention Don Luhrsen at 928-462-4346.

Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to comments-southwestern-tonto@fs.fed.us (please reference Sheep Driveway in the subject line) or may be hand delivered weekdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Attention Don Luhrsen, at the Forest Supervisor’s Office, Tonto National Forest, 2324 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006. The deadline for comments is Tues., June 1st.

These comments will only be considered if you include your full name and a physical mailing address in your comments. Names and addresses of commentors will become part of the public record.

The Gila County Board of Supervisors have cancelled the special meeting that had been scheduled for 2:30 pm today in the Supervisors' Auditorium.

A fire at a mobile home in Oatman now has Mohave County Sheriff's detectives trying to identify a woman whose body was discovered after the fire was put out last night. The results of the autopsy results are still pending.

Dwight Wesley turned himself in to Phoenix Police last night alleging that he had killed his wife and that her body was still in the car. It's been reported that Wesley handed over the murder knife to officers at the station. Police officers took Wesley into custody and then went out to the car to discover the deceased body of Delores Glover. It's reported that Delores was driving Dwight to work when an argument ensued that lead to him taking out the knife and stabbing her to death.

Wesley was arrested and is being charged with murder.

They were in the process of getting a divorce.

The Apache Trail High School Student Council would like to invite the community to donate blood at their campus on Friday, May 14th. The United Blood Service Bloodmobile will be on campus between 10 am and 3 pm to accept donors. Appointments are preferred and should be made at, bloodhero.com using Sponsor Code: Wolf. If you have any questions please contact Giles Glithero (School Leader) at 480-288-0337 or visit their website for more information.

Spaces will fill up quickly as ATHS students and family member are already signing up. Find the Hero in You and Donate Soon!

All donors in May will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 62 pairs of round trip tickets aboard the Grand Canyon Railway. For more information about donating blood or other blood drives call 1-877-448-GIVE or visit, UnitedBloodServiceAZ.org.

The Globe-Miami Gun Club is sponsoring an ATA Registered Doubles Trap Shoot at their range at 2675 Bixby Road in Globe on Saturday, May 15th, starting at 10 am. The cost is $20 per one hundred targets.

Proceeds go to American Cancer Relay for Life 2010.

The shoot is open to anyone but, in order to shoot registered targets, you must join the ATA and ASTA, if you are not already a current member. Call Jim Grider 928-425-3021 for more information.

2008 Olympian archer, Brady Ellison, has donated an autographed, slightly used Matthews Drenalin Compound Bow as the Big Ticket Raffle Item for the event. The tickets for the bow are $10 each & can be purchased by calling 928-425-3372. The winner need not be present to win.

Horizon Human Services is holding a Domestic Violence Yard Sale on April 29th and April 30th, from 9 am to 3 pm at the Divine Grace Presbyterian Church.

All proceeds will benefit victims of domestic violence in the community through the Gila County Safe Home.

The Divine Grace Presbyterian Church is located at 305 Live Oak in Miami.

A Candlelight Remembrance is being held to honor the memories of Kathy A. Sanks, Robert D. Targosz, & Eric L. Shuhandler. The Candlelight Remembrance will be in the Gilbert Public Safety Complex on April 30th, at 7 pm.

The Gilbert Public Safety Complex is located at 75 E. Civic Center Drive in Gilbert.

The Gila Bend Unified School District library has been selected as one of the 4,000 libraries across the country by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA) to receive free hardcover editions of 17 classic books as part of the We the People Bookshelf grant program. The theme of this year’s Bookshelf is "A More Perfect Union."

The We the People Bookshelf on "A More Perfect Union" contains the following books:

Kindergarten to Grade 3: "Tico and the Golden Wings" by Leo Lionni; "Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson" by Pam Muñoz Ryan; "More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution" by Betsy and Giulio Maestro

Grades 4 to 6: "César: ¡ í, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can!" by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand; "" by Jonathon Scott Fuqua; "Song" by Joseph Bruchac; "Great Little Madison" by Jean Fritz

Grades 7 to 8: "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson; "" by Jeanette Ingold; "Shot: A President’s Life Remembered" by Barry Denenberg; "Don’t Cry" by Melba Beals

Grades 9 to 12: "American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic" by Joseph Ellis; ": A Life in Poems" by Marilyn Nelson; "Angels" by Michael Shaara; "in His Own Words" by Milton Melzer; "Angry Men" by Reginald Rose; "Souls of Black Folk" by W. E. B. DuBois

Bonus: "The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns"; "The Civil War: An Illustrated History" by Geoffrey Ward, Ric Burns, Ken Burns; "Independence: The Origin and Influence of America’s Founding Document" edited by Christian Y. Dupont

The award is part of the NEH’s We the People initiative, which supports projects that strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history, culture, and literacy. public and school libraries in all 50 states each will receive a set of the 17 books , bonus materials including a DVD edition of "Civil War," award-winning documentary by Ken Burns, posters, bookmarks, bookplates from the NEH and the ALA, and access to online planning and promotional materials.

Participating libraries will present programs on the theme of "A More Perfect Union" for their students. The Gila Bend Unified School District will present K-12 grade-level literacy building presentations during the 2010 – 2011 school year. Puppet shows, book discussions, a community service project, and d a play will be planned as part of the district’s events to celebrate the program and build literacy levels amongst district students.

Gilbert invites you and your family to watch "Horton Hears a Who" at a free family event on April 30th, at the Gilbert Community Center. Don't forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair so you, your family, and friends will have a comfortable seat. The movie will begin at 6:45 pm.

The Gilbert Community Center is located at 130 N. Oak St., near Gilbert and Elliot roads.

The Gila County Board of Supervisors will hold an open meeting at 2:30 pm in the Supervisors' Auditorium at 1400 E. Ash. St. in Globe on April 29th. One or more of the board members may participate in the meeting by telephone conference call or by Interactive Television Video (ITV). Any member of the public is welcome to attend the meeting. In Payson, you may participate via ITV in the Board of Supervisors' Conference Room at 610 E. Highway 260.

This to review proposed Eastern Arizona Counties Resource Advisory Committee - RAC grant project proposals within Gila County and identity the Board of Supervisors' priorities with regard to the proposals.

Quadra Mining Ltd. has released their 2010 first quarter production results from its three wholly owned mines, the Robinson Mine located in Ely, Nevada, the Carlota Mine located in Globe-Miami, Arizona and the Franke Mine located in Region II Chile. Combined production was 49.1 million pounds of copper and 26,846 ounces of gold produced for the three months ended March 31st, 2010.

In the first quarter of 2010, Robinson produced 32.0 million pounds of copper and 26,846 ounces of gold. Mining continued in both the Veteran Pit and Ruth Pit areas and due to the complex nature of the Robinson ore body, metal production varies from quarter to quarter. Additional flotation capacity, which was installed in the fourth quarter of 2009, has mitigated some of the metallurgical challenges associated with the deposit, as have contracts that were negotiated with concentrate customers to give Robinson more flexibility with respect to concentrate grade.

Carlota produced 8.2 million pounds of copper during the first quarter. Rainfall events in January upset the solution chemistry of the heap leach, and impacted the mine plan, particularly with respect to access to ore. As a result, first quarter copper production was lower than forecast. Ore deliveries resumed from the pit to the leach pad late in March upon completion of a secondary access into a new area of the ore body. Process operations continue with efforts to rebuild solution strength and deal with the high water levels within the leach pad. Assuming precipitation returns to normal levels, it is expected that copper production will slowly return to planned levels during Q2.

Franke produced a total of 8.9 million pounds of copper cathode in the quarter. As with all heap leach operations, it will take time to obtain sufficient information to fully evaluate resource and reserve performance and leach pad performance in terms of recovery and acid consumption. Analysis of cells already leached shows decreasing recovery with depth resulting in overall recovery being less than expected. Recoveries at the top of the leached cells are consistent with expectations. Changes are being made to the leach pad height, solutions flows, acid addition procedures and the leach pad area in order to improve overall recovery. In addition, leach pad recovery from some of the early leached cells indicates that processing of stockpiled material from historical mining operations may have negatively impacted copper recovery; this material is not expected to be a significant issue going forward.

Earthquakes in Chile during the quarter did not damage any facilities at Franke but the power outages interrupted production and damaged some onsite electrical equipment. These interruptions and damage have hampered the ramping up process. Repairs to the electrical system are expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2010. The reliability of pad loading systems, development of additional pad space and additional dust control in the crushing plant, are being proactively addressed to improve future performance.

Paul Blythe, President & CEO comments; "Robinson performed as planned during the first quarter as we continued to transition from Veteran to the Ruth Pit. Weather events at Carlota combined with start-up related equipment and leach recovery issues at Franke, challenged site personnel during the first quarter. We have made significant progress in dealing with the water situation at Carlota, following the one in 300 year storm event in January, as well as in planning to prepare ourselves better for similar events in the future. The start-up at Franke is still a work in progress, with the focus on adjusting leach conditions to bring recovery results in line with previous and current column testwork, and on improving stacking equipment performance. We are revising the mine plans at both Carlota and Franke with a view to addressing these issues as fast as possible."

"During the first quarter, we entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with State Grid International Development Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Grid Corporation of China, the largest Chinese utility company and a major end user of copper, for the formation of a strategic joint venture. Quadra will contribute the Sierra Gorda project and the Franke Mine, representing $900 million in assets, and State Grid will contribute capital to each gain a 50% equity interest. We continue to work on the definitive agreement and expect this to be finalized late in the second quarter of 2010. The shareholder vote for the proposed merger of equals with FNX Mining, announced on March 23rd, 2010 is expected to be held on May 19th, 2010. This transformative transaction will result in the establishment of a new, mid-cap mining company with five existing mining operations in low political risk jurisdictions and a company that has the full spectrum of skill sets required to provide further growth, both organically within the Sudbury basin and at Sierra Gorda, and through further consolidation."

When "facts" are pulled out of thin air and sources of reference used that are non-existent or how the numbers for a poll were derived, don't cry foul when they are pointed out. Take the source of these articles that have been linked for what you will, but at the very least skim through them for the numbers and read around those.

A man pulled over his truck this morning on westbound U.S. 60 near Alma School Road in Mesa to change a tire. What ensued next, was 31-year-old, Kevin Maples of Chandler being struck and killed in what shortly became a multi-car accident. Three lanes of traffic were shut down until the scene was cleared at approx. 10 am.

Arizona's Centennial celebration will be held on Feb. 14th, 2012 and to take part in the statewide celebration, the City of Globe's Arizona Centennial committee will begin making plans at their meeitng scheduled for 7 pm on May 3rd, in the meeting room at the Gila County Historical Museum.

If you have any ideas that you would like to share and to help share in the discussion as to how Globe can celebrate this historic occasion, you are welcome to attend.

The Pinal Mountain Little League is holding registrations for Junior League Boys (ages 13 to 15) and Senior League Girls (ages 13 to 15) at the Little League Complex Ramada in Claypool on April 28th, from 5 pm to 7 pm & on May 1st, from 10 am to 12 pm.

Two San Carlos Unified bus drivers escaped serious injury after their buses were shot at in the Airport 79 neighborhood during morning bus runs. During the first incident on Monday, April 12th, a female bus driver said she felt objects twice hit her arm after stopping to pick up students. She thought someone was throwing something at her so she closed the door and that’s when two BBs struck the door. The door windows have been damaged. The following day, April 13th, a male bus driver said his bus was also attacked. He was not struck but the bus was struck twice.

Those in charge of the school buses are concerned. “It’s a serious issue. This needs to be addressed. We will prosecute (if shooters are identified). It could have been fatal. I would like the community to be on the look out. We’re trying to make it as safe as possible for our children,” said Darrol Chapman, SCUSD Transportation Director.

According to the Centers for Disease Control 30,000 people are treated every year in emergency rooms due to BB or pellet gun injuries and according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission at least four children die every year from a BB gun wound.

Chapman says to his knowledge these BB gun incidents are the first such incidents in the school district’s history. A few years ago there were incidents involving rock throwing, which is why there are now designated drop off locations. Due to bullying incidents two school buses will be equipped with operable cameras.

If anyone has information about the BB gun incidents, please contact the San Carlos Police Department.

The 2010 Chamber Golf Tournament is coming up on May 8th, and time is running out to save money on registering your team. If you register your team by May 1st, it's only $350. After that, the team rate is $380. The cost per person is $95.

The registration time on May 8th, will start at 6:30 am. Tee time will begin at 7:30 am.

The 2010 Chamber Golf Tournament is being held at the Mountain Brook Golf Course at 5783 S. Mountain Brook Drive in Gold Canyon.

A portion of the proceeds will go to The Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park.

For more details, please visit apachejunctioncoc.com or call (480) 982-3141.

There's going to be a change in the leadership of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors starting on May 1st.

District 1 Supervisor Pete Rios was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Board until August 31st, 2011. District 2 Supervisor Bryan Martyn was unanimously chosen as the Vice-Chairman. During a four-year term, the chairmanship role is put up for a vote three times. District 3 Supervisor David Snider served as chairman since August 2007.

"I am honored to be selected as the chairman," said Supervisor Rios. "I have served as chairman of several committees during my time in the state legislature, but this position for the Board of Supervisors carries more duties and responsibilities. I look forward to the challenges that await me and my fellow board members."

Supervisor Martyn said he will treat the position with the dignity it deserves.

"I have served in several positions of leadership in the military," the new Vice-Chairman said. "But this position will be something new for me. While I will play a key role filling in for the Chairman when he isn’t available, I will always be focused on my duties as a Supervisor for District 2."

Both Supervisors Rios and Martyn publicly praised the leadership of Chairman Snider during their first year in office.

"I respect his dedication to public service for the people in District 3," Rios said. "His understanding of the issues that currently confront us, such as water and sustainability have been invaluable for us during our work with the Comprehensive Plan."

"As someone new to nuances of the Board of Supervisors," Martyn said, "Chairman Snider’s guidance has been extremely helpful. His leadership helped Supervisor Rios and me hit the ground running in our first year."

Don't miss Mary Hoffman (Country/Folk Rock/Pop) as she performs on May 21st, from 6 pm to 8 pm during Casa Grande's Party in the Park Concert series. The concert is presented by the City of Casa Grande Community Services Department and will be at Peart Park located at 350 E. 6th St. The concert is free of charge. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and start your weekend off right with an evening in the park.

The following release came from the F.B.I. on April 23rd;

U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke joined tribal, federal and local law enforcement officials here today to announce the arrest on federal charges of 16 people accused of dealing meth on the Navajo Nation, the outcome of a long-term investigation into what officials described as the largest meth distribution network operating on the Nation.

"We have absolute zero-tolerance for meth sales on Tribal Nations, where this drug has done so much damage and is a known driver of violent crime," said U.S. Attorney Burke. "This joint investigation by the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Flagstaff Police Department, targeted what we believe to be the largest meth distribution cell in the Navajo Nation, with a supply-line stretching all the way from Tuba City to the Phoenix metropolitan area. It’s an amazing piece of dedicated police work across multiple jurisdictions and it will have an impact."

"I want to thank U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke and each of the law enforcement agencies for a job well done," said Hope MacDonald Lone Tree, Councilwoman of the Navajo Nation. "I am especially proud of the professional and outstanding work of our Navajo officers and investigators who are our local heroes. With all the challenges they have on the job, they continue to be Navajo’s first line of defense against criminal activity. We feel secure knowing that they are relentless in capturing individuals who wreck havoc in our communities and cause irreparable harm and injury to our children and families. The assistance and support of the Flagstaff Police Department and our Federal partners has been invaluable. Drug abuse has a deadly effect across our Navajo Nation."

Following a year-long intensive undercover operation led by the Navajo Nation Drug and Gang Unit with federal and local agency support, police arrested 16 people on federal charges. Fourteen were taken into custody on Tuesday and Wednesday, and two were arrested last week. Taken together, the charging documents detail 47 separate charges including conspiracy, aid and abet, and possession with the intent to distribute various quantities of methamphetamine on the Navajo Nation.

"Today’s indictments and arrests illustrate the commitment by the FBI and our law enforcement partners to address meth trafficking on the Navajo Nation," said Nathan Gray, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI Phoenix Division. "Meth is a devastating drug that directly affects our youth and the communities in which they reside. The FBI will continue to work with our tribal, federal, and local partners to target drug traffickers who prey on American Indian communities.

"This joint task force between the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI, Flagstaff Police Department, and the Navajo Nation, shows the success that can be achieved when resources and people are pooled together," said Selanhongva McDonald, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. "In this undercover operation, we had one goal, to get the drug dealers out of the communities they were selling in. BIA is proud to have taken part in this investigation."

In determining an actual sentence, the judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety Drug & Gang Unit, the FBI, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Flagstaff Police Department, with assistance from the Phoenix Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Joe Lodge, Assistant U.S. Attorney in Flagstaff, and Christina Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney in Phoenix.

A staff member of Representative Ann Kirkpatrick's office will be at the Gila County Complex in Globe on April 28th, to hear from District 1 constituents between 10 am and 4 pm.

We normally don't post our own personal commentary here at krde.com, but there was something the other day that it's too difficult not to share.

I was told that by posting what an elected official of any office is up to, that I am being seen as being bias. Quite frankly, I was stunned, because it wasn't said in a tongue-in-cheek sort of fashion, but as a 'straight-up' fact.

This person even had the gall to flat-out demand that I stop informing you what an official is doing while in the job they were voted into. In said demand, certain words were used that have only served to move forward in posting this message. A simple explanation that, when more information is out there about one official than another it's going to look more one-sided. Well, that turned out to be pointless as, "NO!, NO!, NO!, its bias and you can't do that" was the retort. All that was missing at that moment was Oprah and her couch.

Of course, the person that said it didn't see the irony of their statement as this came from someone that has their political blinds closed so tight that they won't let a Ray of common sense break through. Meanwhile, that very person actually puts forth unchecked and very partisan material on a nearly daily basis.

So my advice to this person is to think first, speak second. Otherwise, you'll only continue to make a further fool of yourself than you already have.

When I receive information from any elected official, you'll see it here. And, whomever happens to send the most, that's just the way it's going to be. Plus, to avoid any further false accusations of being seen as 'bias', the releases will be posted word-for-word.

I won't be intimidated by anyone trying to throw their weight around that doe's their own 'bias boogie' in shooting off their mouth & making an earnest attempt to stop me from doing my job in keeping you informed.

The Gila County Recorder's Office will be conducting early voting for the upcoming Special Election on May 18th, at the following locations and times in the month of April:

April 26th

Roosevelt Baptist Church
8 am to 11 am

Tonto Basin Chamber of Commerce
1 pm to 4 pm

April 28th

San Carlos Library
10 am to 3 pm

Canyon Day Jr. High School Library
10 am to 3 pm

The Special Election on May 18th, addresses Prop 100: The Temporary Transaction Privilege and Use Taxes. Early voting began on April 22nd. Absentee ballots were also mailed out on April 22nd. The last day to request a ballot by mail is May 7th. If you are a homebound voter that requires assistance, please contact the Gila County Recorder's Office at (928) 402-8734 or (928) 402-8731.

The vehicle pulled over was a Missouri plated rental vehicle and during the traffic stop there were indicators of criminal activity observed so the Gila County Sheriff's Narcotics K-9 Boris was deployed. Boris indicated that there was something in the vehicle. Inside the vehicle was 5 gallons of PCP with an approx. street value of $160,000.

The suspect's are Darin Nolan Smith of Lavergne, Tennessee and Darell Scorpio Smith of Kansas City, Kansas. They were arrested for Possession of Dangerous Drug, Possession of a Dangerous Drug for Sale and Transportation of a Dangerous Drug for Sale. Both suspects were processed into the Gila County Jail and are being held on a $75,000 bond.

Gila County Sheriff's Office Task Force personnel contacted the Arizona Dept. of Public Safety for assistance in dealing with this hazardous situation. The Arizona Dept. of Public Safety immediately responded with personnel from their Crime Lab Unit, Explosives Disposal Unit, and Haz-Mat Unit to the scene. Due to their quick response and assistance, evidence was preserved and the situation was made safe.

On April 27th, the Arizona Department of Transportation is scheduled to start a repaving project on Main Street in Superior from US 60 to High School Avenue. A layer of pavement will be removed from the roadway surface and replaced with a new layer of pavement. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of May.

Work hours will be 6 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. There will be lane closures but access will be maintained to adjacent properties. Drivers should anticipate brief delays.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed with caution, obey all posted speed limit signs and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

This $335,000 project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The act is funding projects statewide that will develop efficient transportation systems essential to supporting Arizona’s economy.

A bobcat found near the rock house tested positive for rabies on April 22nd. If you were in the area and might have come in contact with bobcat please call the Gila County Rabies control at (928) 402-8873 or (928) 425-5882.

Please take the following precautions:

(1) Keep pets on a leash at all times! Pets should be up-to-date on rabies vaccinations & wearing current license tags on their collar.

(2) Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals! Enjoy observing wildlife from a distance. Don't attempt to feed, approach, or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important message to your children, & keep a close eye on your kids at all times. If you see a sick or dead animal, or an animal acting abnormally* in this area, report it to Gila Co. Rabies Control at (908) 402-8873

(3) If you or a loved-one are bitten by an animal, or come into contact with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap & water. Be sure to report the bite to local animal control or health officials as soon as possible.

*Note: Rabid animals may show no fear of people & may even seem friendly or become aggressive. For more info about rabies, call (928) 402-8873.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office Highway Interdiction Unit made a huge discovery during a traffic stop yesterday afternoon. While conducting a traffic stop on Highway 60 at milepost 255, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Highway Interdiction Unit arrested 2 subjects after finding 5 gallons of PCP in their vehicle. The amount of PCP seized has an estimated street value of $1 million dollars. The 2 subjects were transported to the Gila County Jail and the PCP was disposed of by a DPS Hazmat team.

Globe High School is holding pre-registration for the 10-11 school year on the following dates;

Incoming Freshmen
Wednesday, April 28th
6 pm to 7 pm

Sophomores
Wednesday, April 28th
7 pm to 8 pm

Juniors
Thursday, April 29th
6 pm to 7 pm

Seniors
Thursday, April 29th
7 pm to 8 pm

Pre-registration is for students currently enrolled in the Globe Unified School system and those students who live within the district boundaries.

Because of budgetary cuts and personnel reductions, out of district students who are not currently enrolled are welcomed to come to pre-register to fill out an enrollment packet and will be placed on a waiting list as appropriate. Once the Superintendent has established maximum capacity, enrollment will be opened.

A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a four-count indictment against Dwayne Warren Bogan, a.k.a. "King Flavor," 47, of Las Vegas, Nevada, for violations of sex trafficking of a minor; sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion; transporting a minor across state lines for purposes of prostitution; and transporting a person across state lines for purposes of prostitution.

"This indictment alleges one of the worst kinds of human trafficking, the sexual exploitation of young girls for profit," said Dennis K. Burke, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. "We will not tolerate those who profit from the misery of young girls. We will pursue them and fully prosecute them."

The indictment alleges that between the dates of Feb. 3rd and Feb. 7th, 2010, Dwayne Warren Bogan recruited and harbored a girl he knew to be under 18 to engage in sex acts as a prostitute. The indictment further alleges that Bogan through force, fraud, and coercion compelled that same young girl to engage in sex acts. Finally, the indictment alleges that the defendant transported the young girl across state lines to engage in sex acts as a prostitute. Bogan is currently in custody, and awaiting his initial appearance.

A conviction for sex trafficking of a minor; sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion; and transportation of a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sexual acts carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for transportation for prostitution carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. In determining an actual sentence, the judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI (Phoenix and Las Vegas division offices), the Phoenix Police Department, and the Las Vegas Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Josh Patrick Parecki and Krissa Lanham, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick will host three more "Ask Ann" tele-town halls over the next three weeks, continuing her efforts to give Greater Arizonans more opportunities to make their voices heard.

Rep. Kirkpatrick will hold a discussion on her fight to restore fiscal discipline in Washington on Thursday, April 29th, starting at 5 pm. She has earned grassroots support from across the district and across the country for her push to cut congressional pay for the first time in 77 years, and she has been a champion for fiscal responsibility in her first term.

The Congresswoman will then talk about her efforts to push Washington to better protect Arizona seniors on Tuesday, May 4th, starting at 2:10 pm, and will update the district on the push to stop the White House and Congressional leadership from infringing on the rights of gun owners on Tuesday, May 11th, starting at 5:20 pm.

Anyone interested in participating can dial in toll free to 877-269-7289, and should press 15024 when prompted. They can then ask the Congresswoman a question by pressing *3.

The Congresswoman has held four previous events in the "Ask Ann" tele-town hall series, and more than 16,000 Arizonans from all eight counties in District One have joined in the conversations.

The Globe City Council will hold a meeting on April 26th, in the City Council Chambers at 150 N. Pine St. in Globe. The meeting will start at 6 pm. The budget for the museum, library, and senior center is one of the meetings agenda items.

Drivers in the Hidden Valley area should be aware that chip sealing on two local roads will take place Monday, April 26th through Friday, April 30th.

Recent changes in the weather make this the ideal time of year to apply chip sealing to preserve roads. It must be applied during certain weather conditions, typically a fairly narrow window of time in spring and fall.

“We appreciate the opportunity to time our projects with the optimal weather to give drivers a smoother ride and extend the life of local roads,” said Greg Stanley, Pinal County’s Public Works Director.

The roads that will be chip sealed are:

White and Parker Road from Gila Bend Highway (State Route 84) to Peters and Nall Road.
Louis Johnson Drive from John Wayne Parkway (State Route 347) to White and Parker Road.

There will be a pilot vehicle to lead cars through the road improvement areas. Drivers should anticipate delays during the construction. Since this is a chip seal project to improve the roads, drivers should not follow vehicles too closely to protect their windshields from loose stones.

Yesterday, Representative Ann Kirkpatrick took a major step forward in the effort to expand the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, a unique historical site and one of the top tourist draws in Pinal County. She introduced the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Boundary Modification Act of 2010, a bill to add key lands around the existing boundaries to the monument immediately and start a study of additional acreage for possible future expansion.

The legislation will ensure that historically, culturally and archeologically sensitive areas are fully safeguarded, preserving structures unlike any other in North America for future generations. It will also provide new and increased opportunities to bring visitors to Coolidge and Florence, strengthening the tourism industry and local businesses and spurring the economy throughout the county.

"The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and its surrounding areas are a truly irreplaceable piece of Greater Arizona’s heritage, and they can serve as a growth engine for Pinal County. This bill protects our connections to our past and encourages the development this region needs for its future," said Rep. Kirkpatrick. "This project will benefit District One for years to come."

Rep. Kirkpatrick has been working closely with Pinal County, the local communities, advocates for expansion and the National Park Service to put together a bill that works for all stakeholders. The plan was open for public comment, and her office has discussed it extensively with interested individuals and organizations.

"It was important to me for this bill to reflect the thoughts and ideas of the folks on the ground. This process has helped make sure their comments and suggestions were taken into account," said Rep. Kirkpatrick. "I appreciate the contributions of all those who have offered their thoughts on this bill, and I look forward to working with them as the legislative process moves forward."

A reward is being offered for the return of a 2-year-old spayed black and white pit bull named Alice. Alice went missing on April 18th, in the area of Russell Rd. and Lancaster in Globe. She was wearing a lime green collar with a current rabies tag city license, name tag, and a medium brass bell without its ringer. If you found Alice, please call 928-200-1454 or 928-200-9838.

At approx 3:26 pm yesterday, Globe PD Officers responded to a report of a two vehicle accident with possible injuries on Highway 70 near Pinal Lumber. When the Officers arrived on scene, they observed that the two vehicles involved had severe damage.

The preliminary indicators based on physical evidence and witness accounts have the gray 2001 Hyundai passenger car being driven by Donovan Antonio of Peridot as traveling west at a high rate of speed in the east bound lanes. The passenger car then collided head-on with a white, full size Chevy van that was traveling east on Highway 70 being driven by Brandon Powell.

Powell received minor injuries and was taken to CVRMC for medical treatment.

Donovan was transported to CVRMC with life-threatening injuries, to which he did not survive.

Due to the evidence observed at the scene, it appears that Donovan may have been drinking, but further testing will be completed to determine if such impairment was indeed a factor in this accident.

The investigation is ongoing.

The public is getting opportunities at two upcoming meetings to learn about and provide input on the proposed light rail extension as well as a new plan for the Central Main Street area of Mesa.

A joint open house for the Metro Central Mesa Light Rail Extension and City of Mesa Central Main Plan is being held on Saturday, April 24th, from 9 am to noon at 18 W. Main St. (between de la Cruz Bistro and Milano’s). It is the first opportunity for the public to see how the light rail system will look in downtown Mesa when the planned three-mile extension is scheduled for completion in 2016. The presentation will unveil the latest plans for where stations will be positioned, how they will be designed and traffic configurations that will eventually be presented to City Council for approval.

In addition, the public will be asked for input on identifying community character and assets, issues and opportunities for the Central Main Plan study area. A printed three-dimensional model of the existing downtown, along with the proposed light rail stations, will be available for viewing. Attendees will be asked to complete a brief survey. Staff members from City of Mesa Planning Division, City of Mesa Transportation Department and Metro will be available to answer questions.

A community meeting to discuss the Central Main Plan and light rail extension will be held Tuesday, May 4th, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at POOL (former Mervyn’s) at 1240 E. Main St. This meeting will focus more on identifying issues addressed in the Central Main Plan and establishing priorities. The program will begin with a community open house at 6:30 pm followed by presentations, discussion and work activities beginning at 7 pm.

Freeport-McMoranCopper & Gold Inc. has released their results for 1st Quarter 2010.

The net income attributable to common stock for first-quarter 2010 was $897 million, $2 per share, compared with net income of $43 million, $0.11 per share, for first-quarter 2009.

Their consolidated sales from mines for first-quarter 2010 totaled 960 million pounds of copper, 478 thousand ounces of gold and 17 million pounds of molybdenum, compared with 1.0 billion pounds of copper, 545 thousand ounces of gold and 10 million pounds of molybdenum for first-quarter 2009.

Consolidated sales from mines for the year 2010 are expected to approximate 3.8 billion pounds of copper, 1.8 million ounces of gold and 62 million pounds of molybdenum, including 830 million pounds of copper, 270 thousand ounces of gold and 15 million pounds of molybdenum for second quarter 2010. Consolidated sales in the second half of 2010 are expected to be higher than the first half because of mine sequencing at the Grasberg mine.

The consolidated unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits and excluding Tenke Fungurume) averaged $0.81 per pound for first-quarter 2010, compared with $0.66 per pound for first-quarter 2009. Assuming average prices of $1,100 per ounce for gold and $15 per pound for molybdenum for the remainder of 2010, consolidated unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits and excluding Tenke Fungurume) are estimated to average approx. $0.88 per pound for the year 2010. Quarterly unit net cash costs will vary with fluctuations in sales volumes.

Operating cash flows totaled $1.8 billion for first-quarter 2010. Using estimated sales volumes and assuming average prices of $3.50 per pound for copper, $1,100 per ounce for gold and $15 per pound for molybdenum for the remainder of 2010, operating cash flows for the year 2010 are estimated to exceed $6 billion, net of $0.3 billion in working capital requirements.

Capital expenditures totaled $231 million for first-quarter 2010. FCX currently expects capital expenditures to approximate $1.7 billion for the year 2010, including $0.9 billion for sustaining capital and $0.8 billion for major projects. A number of studies are ongoing, which may result in increased capital spending programs.

As of March 31st, 2010, total debt approximated $6.1 billion and consolidated cash approximated $3.8 billion. After taking into account the April 1st redemption of $1.0 billion in Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2015, total debt approximated $5.1 billion and consolidated cash approximated $2.7 billion. From January 1st through April 20th, 2010, FCX repaid $1.3 billion in debt.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that $400,000 in brownfields grants have been awarded to Pima County, and the City of Tucson, which are receiving funding through the Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants program.

Across the nation, nearly $80 million in brownfields grants will be used for the assessment, cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields properties, including abandoned gas stations, old textile mills, closed smelters, and other abandoned industrial and commercial properties.

"Cleaning up and reusing distressed properties brings new jobs and stronger communities," said Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator for EPA in the Pacific Southwest. "In addition to creating green jobs, local efforts to revitalize brownfield sites reduce threats to public health while attracting positive investments in our neighborhoods."

Pima County was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. The county is focusing its assessment efforts on the communities of Ajo, Why, and Lukeville (combined population 4,000). Located in the Sonoran Desert environment of southwest Arizona, they are the most remote communities in the county. Copper mining and tourism were once the economic engines for the area, but these industries have been greatly diminished.

The closing of a large copper mine in the mid-1980s has devastated the once vibrant businesses along the Arizona Route 85 corridor extending through the three towns. Many buildings along the corridor are now vacant, and about 90 potential brownfield sites have been identified. Assessment of brownfields is expected to facilitate retail and commercial redevelopment opportunities by identifying contamination and bridging the gap in pre-development costs.

In addition, the City of Tucson was also selected for two brownfield assessment grants. A large portion of the downtown area of Tucson (population 525,529) has been designated a federal Empowerment Zone, which includes the target area of more than 20 square miles. More than 30% of residents in this area live below the poverty level, and more than 71% of residents are minorities. A disproportionate number of the estimated 5,200 brownfields in Tucson lie in the project area.

Tucson is one of the largest cities in the country that obtains its drinking water from groundwater supplies. The existence of many brownfields threatens residential drinking water quality. The city has developed plans for corridors throughout the project area where redevelopment can be the most beneficial to residents.

The brownfields program encourages redevelopment of America’s estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. As of March 2010, EPA’s brownfields assistance has leveraged more than $14 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding, and 61,277 jobs in cleanup, construction, and redevelopment.

These investments and jobs target local, under-served and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods – places where environmental cleanups and new jobs are most needed. Cleaning up our communities is one of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priorities, which leads not only to health and environmental benefits but also economic development and prosperity.

In total, EPA is selecting 304 grants through the Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants programs:

188 assessment grants, totaling $42.56 million, will conduct site assessment and planning for cleanup at one or more brownfields sites as part of a community-wide effort.
17 revolving loan fund grants, totaling $17 million, will provide loans and subgrants for communities to begin cleanup activities at brownfields sites. Revolving loan funds are generally used to provide low interest loans for brownfields cleanups.
99 cleanup grants, totaling $19.36 million, will provide funding for grant recipients to carryout cleanup activities at brownfield sites they own.

Since the beginning of the brownfields program in 1995, EPA has awarded 1,702 assessment grants totaling $401 million, 262 revolving loan fund grants totaling more than $256.7 million, and 655 cleanup grants totaling $129.4 million. As part of Administrator Jackson’s commitment to this program, the 2011 proposed budget includes an increase of $215 million for brownfields with a focus on planning, cleanup, job training and redevelopment.

In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed. The brownfields law expanded the definition of what is considered a brownfield, so communities may now focus on mine-scarred lands, sites contaminated by petroleum, or sites contaminated as a result of manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs (e.g. meth labs).

The games for Minors and Majors Boys and Girls will begin on April 26th.

On April 23rd, it's Little League Appreciation Day during the Globe Varsity game starting at 3:15 pm. Little Leaguers that are planning on attending should wear your uniform to represent your team during the National Anthem. All ages are welcome.

A Player's Clinic will take place at the Globe Varsity Field on April 24th, from 10 am to 2 pm for Majors and Minors (ages 7 to 12). The cost is $20 per child.

A Grand Opening of the newly renovated baseball field has been tentatively set for May 10th, at 5:30 pm.

Yesteday, Vice President Biden kicked off five days of Administration events around the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with the announcement that Phoenix, Arizona is one of 25 communities that has been selected to receive up to $452 million in Recovery Act funding to "ramp-up" energy efficiency building retrofits. Phoenix has been selected to receive $25 million under the Department of Energy’s Retrofit Ramp-Up initiative. These projects will bring together communities, governments, private sector companies and non-profit organizations to implement pioneering and innovative programs for concentrated and broad-based retrofits of neighborhoods and towns – and eventually entire states. These partnerships will support large-scale retrofits and make energy efficiency accessible to hundreds of thousands of homeowners and businesses. The models created through this program are expected to save households and businesses about a $100 million annually in utility bills, while leveraging private sector resources to create what funding recipients estimate at about 30,000 jobs across the country during the next three years.

"For forty years, Earth Day has focused on transforming the way we use energy and reducing our dependence on fossil fuel – but this year, because of the historic clean energy investments in the Recovery Act, we’re poised to make greater strides than ever in building a nationwide clean energy economy," said Vice President Biden. "This investment in some of the most innovative energy-efficiency projects across the country will not only help homeowners and businesses make cost-cutting retrofit improvements, but also create jobs right here in America."

"This initiative will help overcome the barriers to making energy efficiency easy and accessible to all – inconvenience, lack of information, and lack of financing," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "Block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, we will make our communities more energy efficient and help families save money. At the same time, we’ll create thousands of jobs and strengthen our economy."

The Energize Phoenix: Transformation through Behavior and Retrofits along the Green Rail Corridor project will focus on building retrofits along a 10-mile stretch adjacent to the new Phoenix light-rail line that includes a number of diverse residential and commercial areas. The project seeks to retrofit 50% of all commercial and residential space in the Green Rail Corridor over 3 years. The project will advertise opportunities for energy savings and retrofits on the train itself and will use a revolving loan program to continue energy retrofits in the years ahead. The city of Phoenix is partnering with the Arizona State University, Arizona Public Service, five banks, local businesses and a community college in the area.

In addition to the $452 million Recovery Act investment, the 25 projects announced yesterday will leverage an estimated $2.8 billion from other sources over the next three years to retrofit hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the country. Overall, the program funding was eight times oversubscribed, with more than $3.5 billion in applications received for the just over $450 million in Recovery Act funds available, indicating significant demand for investment in energy-saving and job-creating projects like these nationwide.

Grantees will employ innovative financing models to make these savings accessible, for example by offering low and no-interest loans that are repaid through property tax and utility bills. In implementing these projects, grantees will deliver verified energy savings and incorporate sustainable business models, to ensure that buildings will continue to be retrofitted after Recovery Act funds are spent. The Department will use the lessons learned from these pilot programs to develop best-practice guides to comprehensive retrofit programs that can be adopted and implemented by communities across the country.

The Retrofit Ramp-Up projects, which are part of the overall $80 billion Recovery Act investment in clean energy and energy efficiency, complement the Obama Administration’s ‘Recovery through Retrofit’ initiative, which lays the groundwork for a self-sustaining and robust home energy efficiency industry. The awards are the competitive portion of DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, which was funded for the first time under the Recovery Act to help state, local, and tribal communities make strategic investments in improving energy efficiency, reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions.

Secretary Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Carol Browner, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, joined Vice President Biden yesterday for the announcement, which was the first of more than two dozen events and activities Administration officials will participate in around Earth Day. In addition to yesterday's event, the President will host an Earth Day reception with environmental leaders today, a video message from the President will air as part of events on the National Mall on Sunday, April 25th, and Administration officials will participate in educational programs with school children, visit wetland and coastal restoration projects and participate in community service projects as part of the President’s Earth Day call to action. The events will highlight some of the ways the Administration is working to improve the environment, transform American infrastructure for greater energy-efficiency and build a clean energy economy that supports the jobs of the future.

As part of the events, Administration officials will also continue the push for Congress to act on HOMESTAR legislation and comprehensive energy and climate change legislation.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) announced that its Board of Directors has authorized an increase in its annual common stock dividend from $0.60 per share to $1.20 per share. The Board would declare a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, with the initial increased dividend expected to be paid in August 2010.

James R. Moffett, Chairman of the Board of FCX, and Richard C. Adkerson, FCX’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The Board’s action to increase the quarterly cash dividend to be paid to holders of our common stock reflects our financial strength and the positive operating performance and outlook for our business and markets. Our financial policy is reviewed on a continual basis by our Board of Directors. This policy is designed to maintain a strong balance sheet to provide financial flexibility for our future investments to generate growth of our assets and to provide attractive returns to shareholders."

The declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Board and will depend on the company's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

FCX has approx. 431 million shares of common stock outstanding. FCX’s 6¾% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock automatically converts on May 1st, and assuming the minimum conversion rate of 1.3716 shares of FCX common stock for each share of the preferred stock, FCX would have approx. 470 million common shares outstanding after conversion.

The Pinal County Public Health Services District is issuing a rabies advisory and urging Pinal County residents to have their animals vaccinated against the fatal disease. On April 20th, a resident of Mammoth was attacked by a bobcat while outside his home in his yard. The bobcat lunged from under a parked vehicle and caused numerous bite and scratch injuries to the victim before friends assisted, beating it with sticks and a gardening hoe until it ran off. The man received medical attention for his wounds.

The bobcat then got into a fight with a family dog a few blocks away before being shot by a local resident.

After submitting the dead bobcat for testing, the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory notified Pinal County on April 21st, that the bobcat was positive for rabies. The victim is continuing to receive prophylactic therapy to prevent the rabies infection. Unfortunately, the dog that was attacked was unvaccinated. Since the dog could develop rabies infection it will now need to be euthanized to protect the family and the public.

This is the sixth rabid animal identified in Pinal County so far in 2010. Five of the six rabid animals in the county have been found in the southern and eastern parts of the county. Three skunks, one bat, and a coatimundi have tested positive in addition to the bobcat. While this is the first human bitten by a rabid animal this year, eight domestic animals have been exposed to rabid animals. Four had to be euthanized.

"Owners of dogs and cats need to keep in mind the importance of rabies shots for their pets. We never want to take a family pet away from the home, but are left with no choice if there is a chance it could develop rabies and spread it to other animals or even people. Rabies is basically 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear and that is a risk we cannot afford to take with people’s lives. A simple shot would both prevent rabies in your pet and keep us from having to euthanize animals that are exposed," said Tom Schryer, Director of Pinal County Public Health.

The identification of rabid animals statewide serves as a reminder of the potential for rabies in wild animals in Arizona. Rabies is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord of animals and humans. It is caused by a virus present in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to humans through contact with the live virus. Rabies is fatal to humans once symptoms appear. There has not been a documented case of human rabies in Pinal County for decades, however every year in Pinal County there are several humans exposed to rabid animals.

"Aggressive behavior or bites associated with wild animals should always be reported to state or county officials," Schryer said. "Providing rabies shots to humans immediately after exposure to a rabid animal saves lives. Wild animals generally tend to be shy around humans and avoid contact. Any time a wild animal displays overtly aggressive behavior it causes concern for rabies. The best thing to do if you see a wild animal acting strangely is to keep as much distance as possible and report it to your local animal control department."

While human exposures to rabid animals are rare, family pets are more often exposed to wild animals, including wild animals that are rabid. Pets should be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccine is available at veterinary offices or through county animal care and control.

Contact Pinal County Animal Care and Control for more information concerning rabies vaccination for pets and vaccination clinic times and locations at (520) 509-3555 or toll free at (888) 431-1311.

Rabies can occur in animals anywhere in the county. In the last few years, the southern and eastern portions of Pinal County have had the most activity. Rabies is found mainly in wild animals such as bats, skunks, foxes, raccoons, bobcats and coyotes. Cats, dogs, and livestock can also become infected with rabies if they are bitten by rabid wild animals and they have not been vaccinated. Rodents such as rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and squirrels are not likely to be infected with rabies. Wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior should be reported to local animal control officials.

The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal’s behavior. Animals may act more aggressive or more tame than usual. Animals usually active at night such as skunks, foxes and bats may be out during the day. Rabid animals may appear agitated and excited or paralyzed and frightened. Sometimes, rabid animals do not show any signs of illness before death from rabies. That is why contact with wild animals should always be avoided.

The Pinal County Public Health Services District recommends the following precautions:

Keep people and pets away from wild animals. Do not pick up, touch or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, especially sick or wounded ones. If someone has been bitten or scratched, or has had contact with the animal, report it immediately to animal control or health officials.
Do not "rescue" seemingly abandoned young wild animals. Usually, the mother will return. If the mother is dead or has not returned in many hours, call the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. Pets should be kept in a fenced yard.
Take precautions when camping, hunting or fishing. Avoid sleeping on the open ground without the protection of a closed tent or camper. Keep pets on a leash and do not allow them to wander.
Do not disturb roosting bats. If you find a bat on the ground, don’t touch it. Report the bat and its location to your local animal control officer or health department. Place a box over the bat to contain it. Be careful not to damage the bat in any way since it must be intact for rabies testing.

For more information about rabies, call the Pinal County Public Health Services District at (520) 866-7138 or the Arizona Department of Health Services at (602) 364-4562.

A puppy was found this morning running down Russell Rd. & Roberts in Globe. The female puppy looks to be about 10 to 12 weeks old and appears to be a Golden Retriever. She has on a pink harness with hearts on it. Call 406-788-7070 if you lost your dog.

During the months of March and early April members of the Pinal County Narcotics Task Force conducted an investigation reference the transporting, manufacturing and trafficking of methamphetamine from various locations in and around the Casa Granda area.

Information gathered ultimately resulted in the arrest of Raymond Ochoa and Sonja Archuleta, both of Casa Grande. Intelligence gathered during the investigation also led investigators to the identification of a key suspect involved in human smuggling. The arrests resulted in the seizure of a ½ pound of methamphetamine, a handgun that Ochoa was illegally in possession of, several items of drug paraphernalia, a vehicle and the recovery of two illegal immigrants who allege they were being held for ransom.

Ochoa also faces charges resulting from negligence associated with having his 7-year-old child in a vehicle with him when he fled from officers attempting to avoid arrest.

Ochoa and Archuleta were arrested and booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Facility in Florence. Ochoa was release on $50,000 bond and Archuleta was release on her own recognizance.

"I am committed to ensuring those who live in Pinal County can do so safely," said Sheriff Paul Babeu. "I and proud of our multi-agency task force and they work they have done. We are committed to stand unified against those who choose to poison our communities through the distribution and manufacture of illicit drugs."

The Genesis Group, Miami's Economic Development Board, along with the Industrial Development Authority of Gila County and Arizona Eastern Railway will be arriving on a special train ride in support of the restoration of passenger rail service to Miami. The public is invited to come and greet them as they arrive at the Miami Depot at approx. 9:45 am on April 28th.

The Miami Depot is located south of 60 on Adonis.

The Gila County Historical Museum is putting on a hamburger fry on April 30th, at 5:30 pm. The cost for this all-you-can-eat burger fry is only $5 per person. The burger fry is held at the Gila County Historical Museum at 1330 N. Broad Street, next to the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce in Globe.

Quadra Mining Ltd. (QUA:TSX) is pleased to announce the 2010 first quarter production results from its three wholly owned mines, the Robinson Mine ("Robinson") located in Ely, Nevada, the Carlota Mine ("Carlota") located in Globe-Miami, Arizona and the Franke Mine ("Franke") located in Region II Chile. Combined production was 49.1 million pounds of copper and 26,846 ounces of gold produced for the three months ended March 31st.

In the first quarter of 2010, Robinson produced 32.0 million pounds of copper and 26,846 ounces of gold. Mining continued in both the Veteran Pit and Ruth Pit areas and due to the complex nature of the Robinson ore body, metal production varies from quarter to quarter. Additional flotation capacity, which was installed in the fourth quarter of 2009, has mitigated some of the metallurgical challenges associated with the deposit, as have contracts that were negotiated with concentrate customers to give Robinson more flexibility with respect to concentrate grade.

Carlota produced 8.2 million pounds of copper during the first quarter. Rainfall events in January upset the solution chemistry of the heap leach, and impacted the mine plan, particularly with respect to access to ore. As a result, first quarter copper production was lower than forecast. Ore deliveries resumed from the pit to the leach pad late in March upon completion of a secondary access into a new area of the ore body. Process operations continue with efforts to rebuild solution strength and deal with the high water levels within the leach pad. Assuming precipitation returns to normal levels, it is expected that copper production will slowly return to planned levels during Q2.

Franke produced a total of 8.9 million pounds of copper cathode in the quarter. As with all heap leach operations, it will take time to obtain sufficient information to fully evaluate resource and reserve performance and leach pad performance in terms of recovery and acid consumption. Analysis of cells already leached shows decreasing recovery with depth resulting in overall recovery being less than expected. Recoveries at the top of the leached cells are consistent with expectations. Changes are being made to the leach pad height, solutions flows, acid addition procedures and the leach pad area in order to improve overall recovery. In addition, leach pad recovery from some of the early leached cells indicates that processing of stockpiled material from historical mining operations may have negatively impacted copper recovery; this material is not expected to be a significant issue going forward.

Earthquakes in Chile during the quarter did not damage any facilities at Franke but the power outages interrupted production and damaged some onsite electrical equipment. These interruptions and damage have hampered the ramping up process. Repairs to the electrical system are expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2010. The reliability of pad loading systems, development of additional pad space and additional dust control in the crushing plant, are being proactively addressed to improve future performance.

Paul Blythe, President & CEO comments; "Robinson performed as planned during the first quarter as we continued to transition from Veteran to the Ruth Pit. Weather events at Carlota combined with start-up related equipment and leach recovery issues at Franke, challenged site personnel during the first quarter. We have made significant progress in dealing with the water situation at Carlota, following the one in 300 year storm event in January, as well as in planning to prepare ourselves better for similar events in the future. The start-up at Franke is still a work in progress, with the focus on adjusting leach conditions to bring recovery results in line with previous and current column testwork, and on improving stacking equipment performance. We are revising the mine plans at both Carlota and Franke with a view to addressing these issues as fast as possible."

"During the first quarter, we entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with State Grid International Development Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Grid Corporation of China, the largest Chinese utility company and a major end user of copper, for the formation of a strategic joint venture. Quadra will contribute the Sierra Gorda project and the Franke Mine, representing $900 million in assets, and State Grid will contribute capital to each gain a 50% equity interest. We continue to work on the definitive agreement and expect this to be finalized late in the second quarter of 2010. The shareholder vote for the proposed merger of equals with FNX Mining, announced on March 23rd, is expected to be held on May 19th. This transformative transaction will result in the establishment of a new, mid-cap mining company with five existing mining operations in low political risk jurisdictions and a company that has the full spectrum of skill sets required to provide further growth, both organically within the Sudbury basin and at Sierra Gorda, and through further consolidation."

The 2010 first quarter financial results will be announced prior to market open on Thursday, May 13th.

An investigation by the multi-agency Pinal County Narcotics Task Force culminated on Friday April 16th, with the arrest of Eloy resident, Gloria Acosta Flores. Investigators allege Flores is involved in the distribution of Marijuana, Cocaine, and Ecstasy in and around Eloy.

Over the past several weeks, investigators have focused their efforts in the City of Eloy in an attempt to impact the movement and distribution of drugs in the area.

Flores was arrested on charges relating to possession and booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center. She has since been released on her own recognizance and has been ordered to appear in the Eloy Justice Court at a later date.

Also arrested was a 17 year old male for possession of marijuana as well as 6 other individuals on unrelated warrant charges.

The Pinal County Narcotics Task Force is comprised of law enforcement officers from various county and municipal agencies with Pinal County. The Eloy Police Department is a long time participating member in the Pinal County Task Force. The Pinal County Narcotics Task Force has seen much success working with the partner agencies. Participating agencies benefit through shared resources, expert training and seized asset sharing.

Sheriff Paul Babeu commented, "I thank all our law enforcement partners, especially the Eloy Police Department in this investigation, for their amazing support and ask them to continue to commit to fighting back against those who break our laws and corrupt our society with drugs.”

The Chautauqua will put on a presentaion about 'Aldo Leopold' during the First Friday program taking place on May 7th, at 6 pm. Because of construction at, The program will be held at the Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum.

The First Friday program is offered to the public at no cost. Light refreshments will be available after the program.

The First Friday program is sponsored by the Bullion Plaza Cultural Center and Museum & the Gila County Historical Museum.

Peridot resident Roger 'Chuck' Preston loved the sport of rodeo - even qualifiying one year for the USTRC Championship and traveling to Oklahoma to compete. Family members have arranged a roping event in his memory on May 1st, at the Bob Key Memorial Arena off highway 70 in Peridot, approx. accross from the San Carlos Apache Cultural Center.

Donations of tack and prize sponsorship would be greatly appreciated; donors may call the Preston family at 928-475-3898.

Rules for the roping are: enter at 8 am, Rope at 9 am; categories include open draw $2-draw; also #10, #11 and #13 pick 1 draw 4 for $100.

Ropes awarded to all average winners, buckles to average winners of #10 and a trophy saddle to the high-point header and heeler of the day. Dinner to be served.

The City of Mesa recognized its volunteers at its April 19th, City Council meeting as part of National Volunteer Week.

"We are grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who give of their time and energy to the City. They provide an invaluable service to Mesa," City Manager Chris Brady said. In 2009, volunteers donated 222,484 hours of service to the City providing a total dollar value of $4,505,296. A symbolic "check" showing the amount of money volunteers saved the City was presented to the City Manager and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith during the council meeting.

Numerous City departments are enhanced by the services of volunteers, including Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities; Library: Police Department; Fire Department; Arts and Cultural Department and Neighborhood Services. Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities had the most volunteer hours in 2009 with 42,339 hours of service.

While Mesa has a variety of talented hard-working volunteers, there is always a need for more. "Volunteering is a chance to give back to the community. It explores your strengths and lets you use your skills and experience to help others," Mayor Scott Smith said. "Volunteering is a key way to help us ‘Build a Better Mesa." Opportunities to volunteer in the City are listed on their volunteer site.

The theme for National Volunteer Week, celebrated April 18th-24th, is "Celebrating People in Action." The theme captures the meaning of this significant week honoring the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities.

The Arizona Corporation Commission will be at the Gila County Courthouse in Globe on Friday April 30th, at 6 pm to hold a public comment meeting on the Commission’s policy of who is responsible for financing the extension of electrical lines to homes and businesses.

In 2007, the Arizona Corporation Commission ordered APS to change its line extension policy by removing a thousand free footage allowance that had been in place in previous years. This move was intended to keep rates down for existing customers, to require growth to pay for itself, and to ameliorate the need for APS to file frequent rate increase requests.

Since the 2007 decision, however, some have expressed concern that the change in policy has had a negative impact on the ability of property owners to build a home on their land and that the effects of the change are more directly felt in rural Arizona than in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

The Commission will hold workshops in Phoenix beginning May 11th, to discuss line extension policy and any implications it may have on customers and property owners throughout the state. The Commissioners are holding this public comment meeting in an attempt to hear directly from customers and property owners in Gila County who have been impacted by the change in policy and wish to share their experience or concerns with the Commission.

Members of the public are invited to attend. More information on the issue can be found by searching the Commission’s eDocket website for Docket #E-00000J-10-0044.

The American Red Cross will hold a community blood drive hosted by Senior Consultants on Friday, May 14th, from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm in Suite 103 at 2345 S. Alma School Road in Mesa.

All presenting donors will receive light refreshments courtesy of Senior Consultants.

Donors can schedule an appointment for their donation by logging on to redcrossblood.org, sponsor code: SCMESA, or by contacting Jennifer at 480-726-7391 or jen@seniorconsultants.com.

Generally, blood donors must be in good health, at least 16 years old (16- and 17-year olds need signed Red Cross parental consent form) and weigh at least 110 pounds. The Red Cross recommends that donors eat a small low-fat meal or snack and drink extra non-caffeinated fluids two to four hours before donating.

The entire donation process takes about an hour, and includes donor screening, a mini-physical exam, about 10 minutes for drawing a pint of blood, and post-donation refreshments.

Patrick Hinton, 54, of Bylas, pleaded guilty on April 15th, in federal court to second degree murder. On April 11th, 2009, Hinton, a San Carlos Apache Tribal member, was with the female victim in the San Carlos Community. After a brief argument, Hinton recklessly pointed a .22 rifle at the victim, intending to scare her. The rifle discharged, the bullet striking the victim in the head, causing her death.

A conviction for murder in the second degree carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Sentencing is set before The Honorable James A. Teilborg on July 6, 2010.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the San Carlos Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Thomas C. Simon, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

The winners of the 2010 Boomtown Spree Bed Race are;

First Place
Viva la Vandals
Miami Rec Dept.

Second Place
Troop 101 and Eddy the Yetti
Boy Scouts of America

Third Place
Miami Fire Dept.
Volunteers and family

Fourth Place
Bunney Zombies

People's Choice
Miami Art Works

People's Choice Award
Robot Invaders
Miami Art Works

The Boomtown Spree committee would like to thank the Miami Copper Cities Rotary for providing the insurance so this enjoyable event is able to continue.

The Boomtown Spree committee wishes to thank everyone who participated and who came out to enjoy one of the best bed racing days they've had in a long time.

The Governing Board of the Globe Unified School District will hold a regular meeting at 6 pm on April 21st, in the Mofford Activity Center in Globe.

The meeting is open to the public.

The City of Mesa will designate Friday, April 30th, as Arbor Day to celebrate the City’s commitment to tree care and planting programs.

Mayor Scott Smith will read and sign an Arbor Day Proclamation on Monday, April 19th, at the City Council meeting held at 5:45 pm at 57 E. First St. Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, it is celebrated on the last Friday in April.

"Arbor Day promotes how trees in Mesa help clean the air, conserve soil and water, and reduce heating and cooling costs by moderating temperatures," Environmental and Sustainability Deputy Director Scott Bouchie said. "Celebrating Arbor Day shows our community values trees not only for their beauty but for their numerous health and environmental benefits as well."

Mesa has partnered with Mesa Grande Community Alliance, the West Mesa Community Development Corporation and the University of Arizona Master Gardener Program to help conduct Arbor Day activities including community tree plantings at four locations in the City on Friday, April 30th, at 10 am. A tree expert will be on site to talk about proper tree planting techniques and about the importance of Arbor Day. The public is invited to participate at one of the following locations:

Beverly Park, 115 N. Beverly.
Mesa Arts Center, 32 S. Center St.
Red Mountain Multi-Generational Center, 7550 E. Adobe Rd.
Monterey Park/Superstition Springs Elementary, 7045 E. Monterey Ave.

Other activities will include a Tree Planting and Tree Care Clinic on Saturday, April 24th, at 10 am at participating Mesa nurseries and a reading of "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss at Mesa Public School at 10 am on April 30th. Volunteers at 20 schools will read to third grade classes, and then distribute palo verde tree seeds. Empire Southwest is the principle sponsor for the events along with support from Kohl’s Department Stores.

You can win a gold nugget and make a difference towards saving the Lost Dutchman State Park. For a chance to win, you can get tickets for a dollar each or six for $5. The nugget can be viewed at the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce.

The deadline to purchase tickets is by 5 pm on April 29th.

The gold nugget has been provided by Promack Treasure Hunting.

On Wednesday, April 14th, a Pinal County jury found Jamin Joel Martinez guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping, burglary in the first degree, trafficking in stolen property and theft for a home invasion that took place on Jan. 21st, 2008 in Gold Canyon.

Martinez, 29, entered a home in Gold Canyon wearing a mask with a screen and a black outfit, pointed his gun at the couple that resided in it and told them to remain in one place. He would then disappear to different parts of the house looking for valuables and reappear to make sure they were complying with his orders. He used a foreign accent and he changed from polite to rude and threatening.

"Home invasion is one of the worst forms of violence. It will not be tolerated in Pinal County," said James P. Walsh, Pinal County Attorney. "My office and I will do our outmost to uphold the constitutionally protected sanctity of Pinal County residents’ homes."

In addition to the armed robbery and kidnapping convictions, Martinez was also convicted of trafficking stolen property, since he pawned jewelry he took during the January 2008 robbery. A serial number on a Rolex found in a pawn shop gave him away.

Kathryn Pierce of the Pinal County Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

A Sentencing will be scheduled later this month at the Superior Court in Florence Arizona.

In order to help keep the progression of the Greenfield Road Improvement project going as well as it has been, the intersection of Greenfield Road and Southern Avenue will be closed to all through traffic beginning on Friday, April 23rd, at 8 pm until Monday, April 26th, at 5 am. All business access and driveways will remain open and accessible, only the intersection will be closed to through traffic.

Electronic message boards will be posted approx. one week before the closure to inform commuters and residents that the intersection will be closed, but local business access will be open.

Andreas H. Haglund was arrested by ASU police early Saturday morning after allegedly breaking a bus stop window, smashed a car's windshield in the dorm's parking lot, and then defecating on the hallway floor of the dorm.

He's been booked on criminal damage, minor alcohol consumption, & public nuisance charges.

ADOT Director John Halikowski was recently named Chairman of the Standing Committee on Research by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. This is a two-year appointment. Only transportation department directors are eligible to lead this committee.

AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing highway and transportation departments in the United States. Its primary goal is to foster the development, operation and maintenance of an integrated national transportation system.

"I am honored to lead this committee, which is the driving force behind multimodal transportation research and innovation - two key components to delivering strategic, high-quality products that will ultimately benefit the driving public," said Halikowski. “My appointment also ensures that Arizona will have a strong voice in helping to direct and steer research in transportation, to support both local and national interests.”

The Standing Committee on Research is charged with staying on top of all transportation research programs in the U.S. and evaluating them based on known research needs. It solicits research proposals from AASHTO member departments and from the Federal Highway Administration. It also screens proposals, arranges research based on priorities and needs, and recommends annual research programs to be conducted through the Transportation Research Board. The committee then monitors these programs and makes appropriate recommendations, which it reports to AASHTO.

As Arizona grows as a state, transportation funding and infrastructure challenges are ever-present. Arizona’s leadership at the Standing Committee on Research and our interaction with leading research teams and experts can help provide more answers on funding critical safety improvements, expanding the use of environmentally friendly materials, and speeding up the project delivery process—all important elements to a more robust transportation system in Arizona.

"The future of transportation depends on creative thinking and planning, and it begins with a vision," said Halikowski. "The daily research opportunities provided through this committee will ultimately support the backbone of our nation's growing transportation system and provide us with a clear direction for the future. We still have challenges ahead of us, but it’s critical to plan and research now to meet our objectives.”

Queen Creek residents will have a chance to learn more about the Sossaman Road Drainage Improvement Project during an Open House scheduled for April 27th. The project is still under design, but you'll be able to view the most recent plans and ask the consultants that'll be on hand to answer questions. The Maricopa County Flood Control District has been working closely with the consultants in the design phase of the project.

The system itself consists of a retention basin that will be located at the southeast corner of Sossaman and Cloud roads and two underground pipes to convey storm water to the Sonoqui Wash.

The Open House will be in the Founders Room at the Queen Creek Town Hall at 22350 S. Ellsworth Rd. between 5 pm and 7 pm.

Mesa Libraries are hosting a job workshop for teens ages 13 to 18. Presented by Mesa Public School’s Career Services Department, teens will learn all the necessary tools needed to get a job. From filling out an application to resume writing, interviewing tips and communication skills, your teen will be well prepared for the workforce. No registration is required, but space is limited to 40 teens.

The workshop will be at the following library:

April 28th
4 pm to 6 pm
Dobson Ranch Library, 2425 N. Dobson Road
Call (480) 644-3444

May 12th
4 pm to 6 pm
Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road
Call (480) 644-3183

May 13th
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Main Library, 64 E. First Street
Call (480) 644-3100

The City of Casa Grande Street Division will be conducting repairs in the Villago Subdivision starting on April 26th, 2010 and ending on May 4th, 2010. The repairs will take place on N. Ocean Breeze Way between N. Lakeside Pkwy and E. Caribbean Drive. N. Ocean Breeze Way will be closed at this location for the duration of this project. They are asking residents to use E. Montego Dr. to access their homes.

The Gila County Sheriff's Office would like to shine a light on a few telephone scams that have been occurring in the area. The scams are:

Scam #1: The subjects call and state that they are from a Quick Loan Store and that you owe them money. They go on to say they want you to pay it immediately with a credit or debit card over the phone or they threaten to take you to court.

Scam #2: A subject calling from Canada states that a family member has been arrested and they will stay in jail in the foreign country unless you pay the amount stated immediately over the phone.

Scam #3: A subject claiming to be from a Trust Company tells you that you are eligible to receive an inheritance and they need your checking or savings account information in order to deposit the money into your account.

The Gila County Sheriff's Office is warning residents that these are SCAMS and not to give any personal information to these individuals. Do NOT give your debit or credit information over the phone to anyone you do not know.