Also from December 2
Obituaries
Photos
Photo galleries
Polls
Will the current weather forecast alter your Christmas shopping plans
| Response | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| No | 65% | |
| I’m not shopping this year | 26% | |
| Yes | 4% | |
| Undecided | 2% | |
| Total | 182 | |
Lead stories
2:33 p.m.
- Firefighters save pet from flames
- December 2, 2011
- Firefighters saved a home from burning down Thursday afternoon and rescued the home’s only occupant. Lloyd, the family’s guinea pig, was resting in his cage inside the home in the 7400 block of West Toya Vista when a fire started in a rear bedroom.
5:00 p.m.
Food drive collects 21,800 pounds in two weeks- December 2, 2011
- With only 27 measly turkeys in the freezer at St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank a week before Thanksgiving, it looked like needy families would have to go without a feast this year. But the Payson Area Food Drive (PAFD) got a huge boost in donations just in time for the big day with Turkey Tuesday bringing in 380 turkeys — all donated by the local community. Added with other food donations and the PAFD collected more than 21,800 pounds in just the last two weeks. At a PAFD meeting Thursday morning, organizers sat astounded by the volume of donations given in such a short time and credited the community’s ever-growing giving spirit.
All stories
- Campus land sale faces another delay
- December 2, 2011
- ASU’s hoped-for Payson campus just hit another jarring bump on its long, potholed road. The Gila County Board of Supervisors has removed the land sale from its Dec. 6 agenda. “I will remove this item from the Board of Supervisors Agenda of Dec. 6 and place it on the next available agenda after the County and SLE have completed our discussions,” wrote Don McDaniel, county manager for Gila County in an e-mail to Mayor Kenny Evans. The county and the Rim Country Educational Alliance SLE had hoped to wrap up negotiations on the land sale by mid-December. With this recent move, all that has changed. Complications center on the Gila Community College board’s questions regarding the sale of land the county has been holding in trust for GCC.
- Firefighters save pet from flames
- December 2, 2011
- Firefighters saved a home from burning down Thursday afternoon and rescued the home’s only occupant. Lloyd, the family’s guinea pig, was resting in his cage inside the home in the 7400 block of West Toya Vista when a fire started in a rear bedroom.
- Food drive collects 21,800 pounds in two weeks
- December 2, 2011
- With only 27 measly turkeys in the freezer at St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank a week before Thanksgiving, it looked like needy families would have to go without a feast this year. But the Payson Area Food Drive (PAFD) got a huge boost in donations just in time for the big day with Turkey Tuesday bringing in 380 turkeys — all donated by the local community. Added with other food donations and the PAFD collected more than 21,800 pounds in just the last two weeks. At a PAFD meeting Thursday morning, organizers sat astounded by the volume of donations given in such a short time and credited the community’s ever-growing giving spirit.
- Some Mesa del Caballo water complaints still outstanding
- December 2, 2011
- The Arizona Corporation Commission continues to investigate five complaints against Brooke Utilities filed by residents of Mesa del Caballo, commission spokeswoman Rebecca Wilder said this week. However, the commission has settled the bulk of complaints against the private water company, which focused on whether the company had properly assessed a water hauling charge this summer.
- Seven old bridges being replaced on Control Road
- December 2, 2011
- The Control Road, between Highway 87 and 260, will sport seven new bridges by the spring. “The new bridges will be wider and have a higher capacity,” said Joel Mona of the Federal Highway Administration, Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD). Construction started this past June and should end by March of 2012. Six of the seven bridges will be demolished and rebuilt. Only the Webber Creek Bridge will move to a new location upstream from the old bridge. Demolishing the bridges is more economical than retrofitting, said Mona.
- Assessor’s questions in dispute
- December 2, 2011
- Today I received a letter from the office of Dale Hom assessor for Gila County. I am sure everyone will get one. I received two copies as I own two houses in Payson; below is the first paragraph.
- Pine-Strawberry Thanksgiving dinner was big success
- December 2, 2011
- The second annual Pine-Strawberry Community Thanksgiving Dinner held on Thursday, Nov. 24 at the Pine-Strawberry Community dining room was an outstanding success.
- Keystone XL pipeline — our missed opportunity
- December 2, 2011
- Earlier this year, President Obama delivered a speech at Georgetown University where he bemoaned our continued reliance on oil imported from the Middle East and unsavory regimes. “Politicians of every stripe have promised energy independence, but that promise has so far gone unmet,” he said. “That has to change.”
- GCC qualms force yet another delay
- December 2, 2011
- The Gila Community College board’s objection to the quick sale of land it doesn’t own for a next-door university appears likely to inflict another needless setback on the project on which so much of the Rim Country’s economic future relies.
- He who can turn to family in time of need is truly blessed
- December 2, 2011
- A few weeks back I mentioned that Mom and Mary Hein were best friends. Mary Hein lived just three houses up the street on Brook Street from us on Staten Island in New York City. And I swear that no two women on this planet have ever been closer than Mom and Mary Hein. They watched over each other and cared for each other like two loving sisters.
- Statewide Craigslist advertising sweep starts 87 investigations
- December 2, 2011
- The Registrar of Contractors initiated 87 investigations into unlicensed contractor advertising on Craigslist. Advertising to perform services that require a contractor’s license is a Class 1 misdemeanor, said the registrar office in a press release. The Registrar of Contractors routinely investigates unlicensed contracting by checking newspapers, magazines, websites, and tradeshows.
- Payson Amnesty group’s passion garners acclaim
- December 2, 2011
- The power of passion might explain why the very young Payson Amnesty International chapter is so highly regarded. Founded just 18 months ago and with only 12 active members on its rolls at present, the group has won regional and national honors. It was named the 2010 New Local Group of the Year in the Western Region; presented the 2011 Sister Laola Hirnaka Award in recognition of “inspiring commitment to the promotion of human rights in your community and the protection of individuals around the world.” The chapter’s organizer, Penny Navis-Schmidt, was just named Best Local Group Leader of 2011 in the Western Region.
- Japanese love Rim Country’s Junction 87
- December 2, 2011
- Junction 87 is one of the Rim Country’s most popular bands. But its local audiences are a drop in the bucket compared to the draw the trio has in Japan. The group recently returned from a performance at Country Gold, one of Japan’s biggest country and western concerts — something on the scale of Arizona’s Country Thunder — and one that has been presented for 23 years now.
- Don’t let low interest rates sink your retirement expectations
- December 2, 2011
- Over the past few years, if you’ve taken out a mortgage or another consumer loan, you’ve probably welcomed the low interest rates you may have received. But as an investor, if you’ve kept any retirement savings in fixed-rate investment vehicles, you may have seen low rates in a less favorable light. And that’s why it may be time for you to take a closer look at your financial strategy for working toward the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned. Of course, you can always hope that interest rates will rise, and perhaps they will. As you may know, the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates at record lows in recent years to stimulate lending and thereby boost the economy. But rates can’t get much lower, and if inflation were to heat up, the Fed could reverse course by starting to raise rates.
- Buck Rogers retiring from Chapman Auto
- GM hands over keys; looks forward to spending time with family
- December 2, 2011
- Like the 1970s TV character, Buck Rogers led others — maybe not through space exploration, but through the out of this world twists and turns of car salesmanship. Rogers, general manager and part owner of Payson’s Chapman Auto Center, is retiring at the end of this month, setting off to explore new areas of life away from the selling floor. “Buck has always been a steady leader, a reliable guide through the business’ good and bad times,” said Tom Whatley, Chapman’s sales manager.
- Wreck on Doll Baby road injures two teens, both airlifted to medical center
- December 2, 2011
- Two local teens were seriously injured last week when their vehicle flipped on Doll Baby Ranch Road, ejecting one, authorities said. Just before 5 a.m. Nov. 24, the teens’ passenger vehicle went off the roadway and into the brush 100 feet, flipping at least once, said Fire Chief Marty deMasi.
- Stomach flu spikes after Thanksgiving holiday
- December 2, 2011
- Stomach flu has hit Rim Country Middle School (RCMS) and Payson High School (PHS) hard since the Thanksgiving holiday. “We saw quite a few sick ones today,” said Yvette Harpe, vice principal at RCMS. RCMS school officials reported 33 students out because of the stomach flu. At the high school, 25 left for home on Thursday, versus 114 for the whole month of November. School policy dictates if a student has a fever of 100 degrees or is vomiting, someone from home must pick up the student for the day, said Dani Hatch, school nurse for PHS. “There have been more sick kids since the Thanksgiving holiday. Maybe they picked up something while on vacation,” said Hatch.
- News Briefs
- December 2, 2011
- Shoppers can get a break on gift wrapping and help homeless pooches at the same time at the Humane Society of Central Arizona’s gift wrapping fund-raiser on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 at the group’s thrift shop on Main Street. Humane Society volunteers will wrap packages for harried shoppers, in return for small donations. The offer applies to both gifts brought from home and things bought in the thrift store. The thrift shop offers a large selection of holiday décor and gently used merchandise and will also offer festive music plus cider and cookies.
- Community Almanac
- December 2, 2011
- The 12th Annual Community Holiday Bazaar in Young will be held December 2, 3 and 4. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday. It takes place at the newly expanded Braswell’s Chuckwagon. The PTA discount card will not be accepted at the Holiday Bazaar. Proceeds go to the individuals making the craft or food items.
- Many pets and people are united by fate
- December 2, 2011
- We at Humane Society of Central Arizona want to start our weekly article with a quote that we hear quite frequently. The fact that adopters know that an animal was brought into their lives for a reason is amazing. Animals bring unique experiences into our lives and they never cease to amaze us with their goofy antics and carefree attitudes. The mere fact that petting an animal can calm a human’s nerves is a phenomenal act. The simple fact is that animals improve life overall. I know that my dogs have changed my life in all the best ways and have brought me through turbulent times.
- Fishing report
- December 2, 2011
- Rainbow trout stockings have started and will continue all winter at two-week intervals. Trout range in size from 11-12 inches in length. Fishing is good to excellent for anglers using scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or cheese. Small spinners such as Roostertails and Panther Martins, or spoons such as Kastmasters and Super Dupers work well for trout. In addition to a good morning bite, some anglers have reported excellent fishing midday and late afternoon. Patience is the key, as the trout bite sporadically throughout the day. When the bite is on, anglers are catching limits in an hour. Action for catfish, bass and bluegill has slowed due to colder water.
- Spring hunt results available
- December 2, 2011
- Get ready to put some spring into your step — the 2012 spring draw for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear has been completed and results are now available by clicking on the link at www.azgfd .gov/draw. Draw results are also available by telephone by calling the main Game and Fish Department telephone number at (602) 942-3000 and selecting “option two.” There were more than 31,900 applicants for this year’s spring draw.
- Conversation can reveal character better than Web essay
- December 2, 2011
- A spat involving how athletes should be chosen for postseason honors has pitted some members of the Arizona Football Coaches Association against the Arizona Interscholastic Association. The AIA apparently wants coaches to select all-division and all-section honorees in a new, online voting process, while some coaches around the state want to continue selecting players in informal meetings as they have done for decades.
- Weekend hike is still a go for PATS fans
- December 2, 2011
- The threat of winter weather is no obstacle to the intrepid souls who trek around the Payson Area Trails System, so the planned hike of the Cypress and Boulder Loop Trail is still a go for Saturday, Dec. 3. Participants will meet at the Cypress Trail Access at the end of East Phoenix Street, Payson at 9 a.m. The hike is 2.2 miles and considered easy.
- Special Olympics bound for Payson High School
- December 2, 2011
- Payson High Special Olympic students might soon have the opportunity to compete on the high school level in such sports as basketball, track and field, golf, cheerleading and flag football. The Unified Sports Program, which is the first such partnership in the country, has its roots in Valley area schools, but plans are in the works to expand it to Payson and around small-town Arizona. “I am traveling next week to visit (rural) schools and explain the program,” said Special Olympics Arizona representative Scott Brown.
- Lady Horns stampede 48-14 over Mustangs
- December 2, 2011
- The Longhorn girls varsity basketball team (2-0) soundly beat the Mogollon-Heber team 48-14 on Tuesday night. “They’re playing really strong as a team,” said head coach Jen White. White praised senior Katelyn Curtis for getting her teammates to play together and work as a team. The team is still improving its read and react offensive strategy, but its defense was strong.
- Horns get second big win
- December 2, 2011
- The Longhorns had another strong basketball game Tuesday night, beating out Mogollon by 20 points. The final score was 83-63. The win is the second for the Longhorns this season, with Payson beating Globe two weeks ago, 68-41. On Tuesday, Payson led all four quarters against the Mustangs with several players scoring in the double digits. The first quarter ended with a tight 15-14 score; the second quarter Payson put a little more distance on the board with 23-17; in the third, the Horns scored another 23 points to Mogollon’s 15; and in the fourth quarter, Payson outscored Mogollon 22-17.
- Winding road brings minister to Mount Cross
- Glenn, Joyce Zimbelman join Lutheran Church in the Rim Country
- December 2, 2011
- Payson has only two roads into town, but the routes its residents have taken to get here are as varied as each individual — regardless of how long the Rim Country has been their home. The path that brought the Rev. Glenn Zimbelman and his wife, Janice, to Mount Cross Lutheran Church started in the Milwaukee area 27 years ago and most recently passed through Ohio, west of Cleveland. The Zimbelmans were called to Ohio to “plant a church” — start a church from scratch. The services were held in a warehouse, informal and media driven.
- Clubs and Organizations
- December 2, 2011
- Another fabulous “Breakfast for a Buck” will be served at Ponderosa Bible Church, 1800 N. Beeline Highway, at 8 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. Kevin Ritter and his team will prepare breakfast, while the featured speaker will be Ed Warwick. He will share amazing and humorous stories about sharing Jesus with others.
- Friday show reveals treasure trove of Rim Country artists
- December 2, 2011
- Turns out, Rim Country could declare itself an artist colony. The proof will go on display for a fleeting two hours this evening at Gila Community College, with a show featuring hundreds of pieces in every conceivable medium produced by student artists and some of their teachers. “I keep wondering, where did these people come from?” said pottery teacher David Sanchez about the 30 students from his classes that will display pieces in GCC’s fourth annual student/faculty art show. “It’s shocking the talent that’s here.” Each of the teachers with students entering work in the show made similar comments about the blossoming of talent — sometimes from people who have never created art, sometimes from people creating in isolation for years.
- Clearing roads of snow is an expensive operation for ADOT
- December 2, 2011
- The fair days and cold nights are predicted to change to snow on Friday and Saturday this week for Heber Overgaard. The temperatures will reflect the storm with a dip into the lower teens at night and mid 30s during the day. Even colder temperatures will encompass our area as the storm has passed.
- Holiday spirit plentiful in Pine and Strawberry
- December 2, 2011
- Last Friday was what the retail market calls Black Friday. Christmas shopping that day has never appealed to me, as Black Friday conjures up something dark that doesn’t fit with the spirit of Christmas, which is bright, sparkling and joyful. This year, however, I ventured out to the Pine Mall (the Community Center Thrift Store) as my out-of-town guests wisely wanted to peruse local shops. Small-town businesses may have trouble competing on the busiest shopping day of the year, but the Pine thrift shop, known for great merchandise and bargains, saw a steady flow of customers throughout the day, including many locals who know the best bargains are right here.
- Tonto National Monument Cliff Dwelling offers photo tours
- December 2, 2011
- An opportunity for photographers visiting Tonto National Monument is being provided by retired professional photographers Peg Lavoie, photographic craftsman, and Rex Lavoie, master of photography, master of electronic imaging, photographic craftsman. In cooperation with the interpretive staff of Tonto National Monument, volunteers Rex and Peg launched a visitor photo walk program at the park.
- Early morning is a great time of day
- December 2, 2011
- For some folks, the best time of the day is early in the morning, when both the mind and body are fresh and the excitement of a new day lies ahead. For others, the majesty of a paint-splashed sunset, followed by the peace that nightfall brings is what brings them their most happiness. For me, very early morning is the time of day I love the most. After finishing one of my early morning jogs this week and on my cool-down walk home along the western edge of Green Valley Lake, I felt a real appreciation just to be alive. Dawn was just beginning to break in the eastern sky, as moonglow guided me to along toward my “stretching” bench, the plastic-coated metal settee that has been my after-workout buddy for the better part of the last decade.
- Self-taught artist following her dream to paint
- December 2, 2011
- This is the story of an artist with a longtime dream come true. Terry Glad Flores has lived in Payson since 1992 and has a passion and amazing talent of painting. She is a self-taught artist that after many years of self-teaching was introduced to the world renowned artist, Robert Freeman. Terry attended a workshop at Robert Freeman’s studio and that is when her passion for painting grew even more. Terry has won awards along the way including Judge’s Choice and Best of Show honors in the Gila County Fair in 2000.
- Bad use of quads dangerous for kids
- December 2, 2011
- This past Sunday afternoon, there were many kids driving up and down the “island” on a quad, raising a lot of noise and dust. But that was not the worst part of it. At one point, one of the neighbors saw six kids on one quad and another one hanging on the back riding a skateboard. This is so dangerous besides causing discomfort for the neighbors with the noise and the dust. These same kids were spotted on the water bladder that is situated in the island for emergencies. There are metal hoses attached to the bladder and a kid could really get hurt if they fell on those hoses. The bladder is not a play toy and should not be considered as one. Parents, please inform your children of the dangers of playing on the water bladder and of course, they need to be monitored when driving or riding on those quads. The Village does not need any unfortunate accidents that could have been avoided.
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Question of the week
Do you think new Principal Anna Van Zile has a valid idea in eliminating the Asst. Principal and replacing it with an Athletic Director position that would share her duties as Principal?
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