The Payson Roundup / The Rim Country's news and information source

Enlarge photo Photo Courtesy Dr. Julie Lodge

May 18, 2012

PHOENIX – Smoke from the Gladiator Fire near Crown King has reduced visibility on State Route 69 west of Cordes Junction (mileposts 265-275), according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. At this time, the highway is not closed, however ADOT advises drivers to slow down, remain alert and use caution in this area. Drivers may also consider delaying their travel, if possible. ADOT is also temporarily reducing the speed limit on State Route 87 (Duthie-Martin Highway) from 65 mph to 45 mph in both directions between mileposts 191 and 193, to help fire crews and supply vehicles merging with other traffic as they enter and exit the Sunflower Fire base camp north of Fountain Hills.

Video

May 18, 2012

Thursday evening at the Rodeo with several activities starting with Breakaway Roping, Team Roping and Barrel Racing.

Local news

May 18, 2012

As wildland firefighters worked to set fire lines on the Sunflower Fire Thursday, strong winds and low humidity today and into this weekend are threatening to push the fire farther up Mount Peeley. Still, officials say Payson is not at risk and the Gila County Sheriff’s Office has no plans to order an evacuation. Smoke from the fire is expected to linger through town for some time, however, raising concerns for residents with health issues. “The reality is this fire is going to be here burning for several weeks in some level or another and smoke is going to continue to be an issue,” said Curtis Heaton, incident commander in training.

News from our neighbors

May 18, 2012

The spring blossoms peaking in Pine and Strawberry, spectacular scenery, perfect weather and oldies music in the air (courtesy of Payson’s own DJ Craig) made last weekend’s May Day Festival a joyful experience. Parked cars lined the highway through Pine most of the day on Saturday and Sunday as locals and visitors – some just passing through – stopped to partake in the festival spirit and join in the merriment. In Pine, the restaurants and cafes like the Randall House, the new Pine Creek Smokehouse, HB’s, as well as Sidewinders, the Pine Deli and the Early Bird were buzzing with activity. Even the Rimside Grill was open for business even though it is under remodeling construction for transformation into THAT Brewery & Pub. Owner, Tamara, along with husband, Steve, are using local contractor Blue Moon Construction and other area contractors and merchants for all of the work and materials.

Schools

May 18, 2012

The fallout from school budget cuts continues. Payson school administrators continue to shuffle the deck to save money by eliminating and restructuring positions causing staff resignations and loss of student services. “Our personnel actions are about trying to preserve as many programs as possible and protect class sizes for our elementary schools,” said Superintendent Casey O’Brien. At Payson High School (PHS), incoming principal Anna Van Zile has suggested restructuring the position of the vice principal position she has held for the last two years to possibly save money. “Anna Van Zile has been researching cost-cutting measures,” said O’Brien, “but this will be tough to do for more than a year.”

Sports

May 18, 2012

Byron Quinlan is stepping down as the PHS head football coach after two years at the helm of the gridiron program and several other seasons as an assistant. The PUSD school board accepted his resignation from both coaching duties and his counseling position at Rim Country Middle School at its May 14 meeting. His counseling job was actually eliminated earlier this spring in a budget-cutting move and next year Quinlan would have been at the high school as a special education teacher. Quinlan admits the elimination of his counseling job influenced his decision to step away — “After my position was cut, I felt it necessary to look elsewhere.