Payson Roundup

Also from January 27

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Polls

Are you in favor of the Forest Service shutting down the mobile home park at Roosevelt Lake?

Response	Percent
No		66%
Yes		17%
Forest Service should drop the matter		10%
Forest Service should give them an extention		2%
Undecided		1%
Total	734

All stories

Out of control vehicle rolls on Highway 87 near Walmart entrance

By Alexis Bechman

03:00 p.m., January 27, 2012 Updated 09:11 a.m.

A teen driving north into Payson on Highway 87 Friday reportedly lost control of her vehicle after the accelerator got stuck, sending her flying through afternoon traffic, according to police. The 17-year-old was unable to slow down or stop and police did what they could to clear a path for her as she struggled to regain control.

Eight-year-old becomes youngest trivia winner

D.J. Craig

January 27, 2012

As I was cruising through the Bonanza Square parking lot this past week, I happened to notice that the long-standing “Cookie Cutters” salon sign had been replaced by a different shingle that read “Toes in the Sand.” The first thing that came into my mind was: Hey, that ‘s the name of a recent country hit! Of course, I just had to stop in and find out what this new sign was all about. When I walked in the door, to my surprise, just as before, I found I was walking right into a beauty salon. I quickly learned that eight months ago, former owner, “Cookie,” sold the business to new owner Jamie Schulte. Wanting a name for her shop that would reflect her desire to present her business as “a little retreat that offers a relaxed atmosphere” (the feeling that she gets when she puts her toes in the sand on the beach in San Diego), Jamie settled on “Toes in the Sand.”

Man wanted in Chandler dies in crash on Hwy. 260

By Zane Watts

January 27, 2012

Fair to partly cloudy skies continue for the Heber Overgaard area with lows dipping into the lower 20s and daytime highs reaching into the lower to mid 50s. The continued outlook shows no precipitation during the next few days. On Saturday, Jan. 21 Heber-Overgaard Fire Department and Forest Lakes Fire Department responded to an accident on Highway 260 at milepost 295 involving a Cadillac driven by Greg Bilton who was wanted for questioning about the death of his mother, 80, of Chandler.

Time Out Thrift to have 50 percent off sale on First Friday, Feb. 3

January 27, 2012

Take “time out to shop” on First Friday, Feb. 3 at the Time Out Thrift Shop, where everything in the shop and on the sidewalk will be at least 50 percent off. While you’re shopping and saving, be sure to get your tickets for the Sweetheart Raffle for a $25 gift certificate from the Time Out Thrift Shop. Tickets are five for $1 or 25 cents each. The shop is located at 500 S. Beeline Highway, across the street from Wendy’s. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pine, Strawberry are the best kept secrets in Arizona

By Joy Hafford

January 27, 2012

When you tell people you live in Pine, they inevitably say, “Where? Pinetop?” You say, “No. P-I-N-E period. By Strawberry. Payson.” Pine and Strawberry are the best kept secrets in Arizona. A place where people greet you by your first name. People are genuinely friendly and support the local school team, the Buffalos, with pride. One of the best country bakeries anywhere, the Pine Village Bakery, inside the local market, has the most delicious cheese danishes, bear claws, apple turnovers, cookies, pies and breads. The restaurants and antique shops have a step-back-in-time-to-another-era feeling. We have a country rocking saloon — Sidewinders — with the best blues and barbecued ribs around, and the Sportsman’s Chalet with a feel of being in the Swiss Alps. There is also the historic Strawberry Lodge and the Herb Stop, Pottery Studio, and goat and llama farm. Small town festivals, children’s activities and family events. Fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, 4-wheeling. Mountains. Forests. Creeks. Waterfalls.

AT&T activates broadband site at Christopher Creek

By Jason Harris

January 27, 2012

Hello again, fellow Creekers. We have numerous visitors in Christopher Creek each year that come to enjoy the biggest stand of ponderosa pine trees in the world, the Mogollon Rim, or some that stop by just to take a picture with the Mogollon Monster at the Christopher Creek Lodge. This unique wood carving stands 10 feet high and is one of only three in the state. Christopher Creek is a beautiful place to visit for all seasons and we welcome the many visitors we get each year. AT&T contacted the Christopher Creek Lodge yesterday to say they have activated a new mobile broadband cell site in Christopher Creek that will enhance coverage.

Community Almanac

January 27, 2012

Staff at the H-4 Ranch in Tonto Basin will teach participants how to hook up harnesses, fit collars, and use different hitches for draft horses for farming. The lesson takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 at the ranch, located off of Highway 188 at milepost 269. A barbecue lunch will be served for $8.

Tips and tricks for raising a smart investor

By Kevin Dick

January 27, 2012

The sooner the better: The saying applies to many facets of life, including educating children about money. By introducing sound financial habits early on, you’ll give your child a head start on becoming an informed investor. Here are some creative ideas, as well as book and Web site suggestions, for raising a financially savvy kid.

Investors can learn from Super Bowl teams

By Ross Hage

January 27, 2012

It’s Super Bowl time again, and whether you’re a sports fan or not, you can probably learn something from the Super Bowl teams that you can apply to other endeavors — such as investing. What might these lessons be? Take a look: Pick players carefully. Super Bowl teams don’t get there out of luck; they’ve made it in part because they have carefully chosen players. And to potentially achieve success as an investor, you, too, need carefully chosen “players” — investments that are chosen for your individual situation. Choose a diversified mix of players. Not only do Super Bowl teams have good players, but they have good ones at different positions — and these players tend to play well together. As an investor, you should own a variety of investments with different capabilities — such as stocks for growth and bonds for income — and your various investments should complement, rather than duplicate, one another. Strive to build a diversified portfolio containing investments appropriate for your situation, such as stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and other vehicles.

Business Briefs

January 27, 2012

Suddenlink announced Jan. 18 that it is upgrading technology in Payson, Pine and Strawberry as part of a program that calls for approximately $10 million in capital improvements in Arizona and California communities in 2011 and 2012. As a part of the program, Suddenlink has already increased Internet speeds in the Payson area. The next phase of work will include a new, all-digital TV lineup. Digital TV features better picture and sound quality. The transition to the new lineup will finish Feb. 14. On or near completion, Suddenlink’s Advanced Digital TV lineup in Payson will feature more than 75 high-definition (HD) TV channels, more than 45 digital channels and five new basic channels. In Pine and Strawberry, the new lineup will include more than 90 HD channels, more than 135 digital channels and more than 15 basic channels.

Tonto Basin 4-H Club represents Gila County well

January 27, 2012

Members of the Tonto Basin 4-H High Flyin’ Hooves 4-H Club attended the National Livestock 4-H/FFA Horse Show held Jan. 7 at West World in Scottsdale. They represented Gila County quite well. With 17 participants in the showing events, we are very proud of their accomplishments, said a club spokesperson. The kids practice many hours in the heat of the summer to the winter cold. The girls showing were Autumn Cline, Kenslie Rose, Racheal Simmons, Makiah Taylor and Katlyn Wiltbanks, all of Tonto Basin.

Clubs and Organizations

January 27, 2012

The Payson Flycasters will meet Saturday, Jan. 28 at Tiny’s Restaurant on East Highway 260. Breakfast is at 8 a.m. with the meeting starting at 9 a.m. The speaker will be Mike Lopez from the Forest Service, who will discuss the aftermath of the Wallow Fire and its impact on fishing and wildlife in the area. Also giving a short address will be Scott Rogers from Arizona Game and Fish. He will give an update on the conditions of fishing at Lee’s Ferry. All interested fishermen and women are encouraged to attend this very important and informative meeting.

Adopt or rescue your next pet, don’t buy or breed

Chandra Cushman

January 27, 2012

In last week’s article, I discussed the importance of spaying and neutering. We are all aware of the millions of animals euthanized each year due to pet overpopulation, and unfortunately there are not enough homes for the vast amount of animals in shelters across the country. So, I’ve found another way you can help reduce these euthanasia numbers…ADOPT OR RESCUE! Too many times I’ve heard people say they just want to breed their dog one time because “she’s just so cute,” or because “he’s the best dog I’ve ever had.” Though that may be the case, there are still millions of animals looking to find their forever home. You’d be surprised at the types of cats and dogs that make their way into shelters and rescues each year. So you want a purebred? Not a problem. There are purebreds that end up in shelters, including ours, as well as rescue groups who focus on primarily one breed.

Kiwanis Awards

January 27, 2012

Bobby Davis, governor of Kiwanis International Southwest District, recently presented awards and pins to several members of the Kiwanis of Zane Grey Country for longtime service.

First baby of 2012

January 27, 2012

Ben and Falicia D’Addabbo, of Payson, are the parents of Connor D’Addabbo, who was born at 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 2 at the Payson Regional Medical Center Family Birthing Center, making him the first baby born in Payson in 2012.

A Taste of Rim Country returns on March 3

By Teresa McQuerrey

January 27, 2012

The always popular Payson Public Library benefit, A Taste of Rim Country, is planned for 5 p.m., Saturday, March 3. Up to 12 stations arranged around the library in Rumsey Park will feature some of the area’s best chefs showing off great taste treats. Guests will also have an opportunity to enjoy wine or sparkling cider with the food samples.

Domestic violence shelter awarded grant to help minority victims

By Alexis Bechman

January 27, 2012

Last year, Payson’s Time Out, Inc. served 20 percent more women in its emergency shelter than in years past. With such a growing demand for services, the shelter has been in need of additional funding. Thankfully, the group has received two grants within recent months. In November, the shelter announced the Mary Kay Foundation had awarded it a $20,000 grant and this month, the Arizona Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families awarded Time Out, Inc. a federal Stop Violence Against Women grant. The local domestic violence shelter will use grant funds to expand victim services, focusing STOP grant funding on helping rural minority women including those with language barriers. “It is well known that victims in rural communities face unique challenges not often encountered in urban areas,” said Sue Yale, chair of Time Out, Inc. board. “The Governor’s STOP grant ensures that some of the most vulnerable victim populations in Gila County — minority women and those with language barriers — have access to timely, comprehensive support through Time Out programs.”

Payson’s Masonic Lodge gets first ‘home-grown’ master

By Teresa McQuerrey

January 27, 2012

The Payson Masonic Lodge opened in 1973. The Town of Payson was incorporated that December, with Ted Pettet named as mayor of the interim council. That same year — May 31, if memory serves — this reporter graduated with about 45 or so other somewhat awkward 17- and 18-year-olds. One of them was Lon Thomas. This month Thomas was installed as the Master of the Payson Masonic Lodge. Pettet sponsored him into the organization about five years ago, and is his habit, had to say a few words (or more) about Thomas that evening and he then contacted the Roundup and told this reporter what he thought would be an interesting story. Since Pettet almost always has interesting stories (he has since he was this reporter’s business teacher in the dark ages at PHS), we agreed. Thomas said

Longhorn teams earn needed wins over Mogollon Mustangs

By Max Foster

January 27, 2012

Both the Payson High School boys and girls basketball teams picked up much-needed power points with victories over the Mogollon Mustangs on Wednesday, Jan. 25 in Wilson Dome. The Lady Longhorns, who are trying to move up from 10th to at least eighth position in the standings in order to qualify for the Section III postseason tournament, corralled the Mustangs 49-20. The boys team, which will qualify for the sectional tournament barring a catastrophic late-season collapse, hog-tied the ’stangs 75-54 behind Cole Belcher’s game high 18 points. Senior point guard Guillermo Lopez contributed what might have been his best all-around floor game with 12 points that included 2-of-3 three-point shooting, four rebounds, two blocked shots, one assist and a steal. The outcome of the game was never in doubt as Payson jumped out to a 23-9 lead after the first eight minutes and expanded it to 41-16 at halftime. With the wins, the boys team improves to 14-8 and the girls are now 10-10. The girls return to the hardwood, today, Jan. 27, to host the Miami Vandals in Wilson Dome. The boys travel Jan. 31 to Fountain Hills. Both game times are 7 p.m.

Lady Horns looking for strong finish

By Max Foster

January 27, 2012

Lady Longhorn basketball players could be on the outside looking in when the Division III, Section III tournament kicks off Feb. 7 in Surprise. The plight exists because only the top eight teams in section power point rankings will be seeded into the tournament and Payson is currently sitting in 10th place. For the Lady Horns to earn a postseason berth, the team will need a boost in power points that could come with victories in the final four games of the regular season. Ninth-ranked Parker and eighth-rated Cortez are the two teams the Lady Horns must pass to advance to the postseason. Highballing past Parker is very attainable because only about a 1.4 difference in power points separates the two. But Cortez, a Glendale school, holds about a 3.1-point lead over the Lady Horns, which means catching the Colts will take a solid effort in which PHS wins out and Cortez struggles down the stretch. Rendering the Payson task of reaching the postseason doubly tough is the team is without the services of leading scorer Teanna Lopez who was injured two weeks ago and is not expected to return this season.

Payson bass team finishes second

By Max Foster

January 27, 2012

It took just one nice-sized bass to propel the Mesa team of Rich Kereny and Dean Kruezen to a first place finish at a Western Outdoor News (WON) Bass Arizona team tournament held Jan. 7 at Bartlett Lake. The largemouth tipped the scales at 2.53 pounds, which not only represented the heaviest catch of the tournament but was also the “Big Fish” winner. The Payson team of Keith Hunsinger and Bobby O’Donnell caught two fish, but they weighed in at just 1.59 pounds, which was good enough for second place. WON Arizona Teams Director Tracy Purtee said following the weigh-in that O’Donnell told him, “it was ugly out there,” to which Purtee responded, “I think a lot of the anglers would agree.” Ken Howden and Gary Understiller weighed in 1.45 pounds of fish to finish third.

Fumble was gut-wrenching, but get over it

By Max Foster

January 27, 2012

Arizona State University alumni, including myself, cherish the moments we cheer former Sun Devil sports stars as they go on to make a name for themselves in the professional ranks. Over the decades, ASU had produced some of sports finest including Danny White, Pat Tillman, Jumpin’ Joe Caldwell, Reggie Jackson, Curley Culp, Heather Farr, Phil Mickelson, Rick Monday and Sal Bando. But every once in a while, there is a hiccup among the former ASU players that makes us squirm in our recliners, throw up our hands and shout, “Oh No!” Such was the case in the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 overtime loss on Sunday to the Super Bowl-bound New York Giants. Kyle Williams, a second year pro out of ASU and a graduate of Scottsdale Chaparral High fumbled a punt in OT that set up Lawrence Tynes’ game-winning field goal. Watching Williams fumble was painful, distressing and gut-wrenching, especially for ASU faithful.

The only word for some people is ‘different,’ Part II

By Tom Garrett

January 27, 2012

Last week I mentioned how I was transferred to Sheppard AFB, Texas, as a drill instructor, where I met Chance Davis, a really great friend and one of the oddest ducks on the planet. To this day I cannot remember anything that Chance ever did that he did not do perfectly. He was the finest marksman I have ever known, had a command voice that sounded like the crack of a rifle, and never took on anything without doing it to perfection. I can even remember a time when he shook me up while I was I was drawing a plan for a new building in the squadron area. It wasn’t an official plan, just a rough plan showing what we wanted. I was erasing a stray pencil line and getting ready to turn it in when Chance’s favorite remark sounded over my shoulder. “Gar-r-r-r-ett!” He said that a lot, Johnny.

Forest Service goes all medieval on lease

January 27, 2012

So now the Forest Service is getting all biblical on the Lakeview Trailer Park, which has perched inconspicuously on a hill overlooking Roosevelt Lake for decades. Seems like the Tonto National Forest is intent on applying that verse from Matthew: “If thy hand offends thee, cut it off.” Now, one expects absolute devotion to commands carved into stone from preachers, but we’re not so sure it makes good public policy. Granted, the Forest Service has a point. No doubt, the folks leasing 21 acres of Forest Service land for a trailer park are turning a private profit from public land. No doubt, that violates the letter of the law as codified in the Tonto National Forest plan. But should the Forest Service hack off the hand that has offended it. What then, pray tell, will it do with the bloody stump? Those 21 acres of public land have for decades nurtured a small community occupied mostly by vacation homeowners. Currently, 167 people rent space in the park — including about 10 full-time residents who mostly work nearby.

What’s really holding our kids back

U.S. Senator Jon Kyl.

January 27, 2012

About a year ago, a well-respected international organization released its comprehensive assessment of student achievement across 34 different countries. As you may remember, the results for the United States were abysmal, with, for instance, our students ranking only 25th in math. At the same time, students in China — likely the top competitors for the next generation of Americans in various fields — aced every single academic category. Education Secretary Arne Duncan called it “a massive wake-up call to the entire country.” The challenge we face — the “brutal fact” — as he put it, is that many countries “are far ahead of us and improving more rapidly than we are.” Well said. Indeed, the need for a collective mind shift on education has never been clearer — and it is something we owe to our children if they are to have a hope of competing in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. Encouragingly, there are anecdotal signs that the seeds of that shift are starting to take root; I recently read The Washington Post and was surprised to see this headline on the cover: “Telling kids they’re great isn’t so good, schools find.”

Thanks to all who helped Payson Elementary School students

January 27, 2012

Thank you to all those local organizations, agencies and individuals who adopted Payson Elementary School students this holiday season in order to provide them with gifts, food and holiday joy!

Payson pays $137 per stray in animal shelter

Report sheds light on contract between town and Humane Society

By Pete Aleshire

January 27, 2012

Payson paid $137 for each dog and cat impounded by the Central Arizona Humane Society last year, Payson Police Chief Don Engler reported to the town council last week. The council approved Engler’s report without comment, although the town’s $7,400 monthly contract with the Humane Society has sometimes spurred controversy. Engler said that the Humane Society impounded in the town limits 170 dogs and 100 cats between July 1, 2011 and November 30, 2011. Out of those 270 animals, the town’s animal control officer accounted for 102 of the animals turned over to the animal shelter on Main Street. “Therefore,” concluded Engler’s memo, “one could surmise that out of the 270 total impoundments, 168 of those were provided by citizens of the community.” The $88,000 annual contract with the Humane Society has repeatedly spurred debate in the several years since Engler proposed slashing it by about two-thirds, on the grounds that the town should only be responsible for animals its own animal control officer captures and turns over to the shelter.

Payson financial systems show ‘vast improvement’

By Pete Aleshire

January 27, 2012

Payson this year cleared its state-mandated annual audit with flying colors. “We didn’t find any significant issues at all this year,” said Dennis Osuch, with Larson Allen CPAs, Consultants and Advisors. The town’s financial accounting system has corrected the problems revealed two years ago when Town Manager Debra Galbraith discovered nearly $1 million stashed away in “restricted” accounts that weren’t really restricted. Moreover, the town staff has instituted monthly and quarterly reports to the town council that have eliminated the lack of oversight that four years ago prompted the councilors to approve budget changes that consumed the reserve fund before they even knew they’d done it.

Thieves targeting second homes

String of burglaries in west Payson neighborhood

By Alexis Bechman

January 27, 2012

In the past week, officers have discovered at least seven homes in a quiet west Payson neighborhood burglarized, all while no one was at home. The thieves are getting in through unlocked windows and doors, making detection difficult for police and worried neighbors. The majority of homes are either for sale or second homes — all without regular occupancy, said Payson Police Chief Don Engler. Thieves broke into two homes on Landmark Trail and attempted a break-in at a third home. That attempted break-in was discovered Sunday morning. Engler said after the initial reports, officers started looking around the neighborhood to see if other homes had been burglarized. Officers focused on the homes that were for sale or looked unlived in. They found another four homes burglarized.

Off-road plan irks county

By Michele Nelson

January 27, 2012

Galled by the a Forest Service plan to control cross-country travel, the Gila County supervisors want more time and input. In a letter to Tonto National Forest Supervisor Gene Blankenbaker, Supervisor Tommie Martin said the county needs more than 30 days to analyze thousands of pages of information released recently as part of the forest’s travel management plan. The plan would ban cross-country travel, but leave open 5,300 miles of existing dirt roads and trails. The plan would close some existing roads, but open other currently closed roads and trails — resulting in a net increase of perhaps 1,200 miles of approved roads. “Since the Tonto Forest has been working on this travel management plan since 2007, we believe that a 30-day response period is inadequate for this critical piece of this process,” wrote Martin.

Trailer park residents face Forest Service closure

Some 167 second-home residents face loss of homes and predict big impact on Roosevelt Lake community

By Pete Aleshire

January 27, 2012

After a decade of threats, the Tonto National Forest is moving to shut down a 167-resident mobile home park overlooking Roosevelt Lake. The Forest Service has decided that the decades-long lease of the land for the park filled mostly with trailers owned by vacation homeowners violates its policy barring exclusive private use of public lands. However, the operators of the trailer park say the action will shut down the only sewage treatment operation in the area and could dry up business at the marina that represents one of the few economic enclaves on the southern shore of the lake. The people with mobile homes in the park have until January 2013 to move them, but many of the homes are so old they don’t meet modern standards necessary to relocate to another park, said David Buckmaster, the leaseholder. “It doesn’t surprise anybody. We started having people sign disclosure forms in 2000, but it’s going to have a huge economic impact on local businesses. They’re all scared to death.”

Star Valley to keep business license fee

By Alexis Bechman

January 27, 2012

Star Valley decided to keep a $50 business license fee and also devise an economic development plan to kick-start local businesses at a meeting last week. Council members worried that eliminating the existing fee would make it easy for someone to set up shop, sell whatever they wanted and perhaps undercut established businesses. “I think what we are doing is opening the town up to become the largest park-and-swap in northern Arizona and I don’t want to be a part of that,” said Mayor Bill Rappaport. Councilor George Binney last month suggested the town do away with the fee. Conceding the fee is minimal, Binney, a small-business owner, said he was outraged by the idea of imposing that fee on the very businesses whose sales taxes support the town.

Big town event with small town flair

By Michele Nelson

January 27, 2012

The Mogollon Health Alliance’s (MHA) Black and White Ball has enough class to hold its own in any city, but the small-town touches made it truly Payson. This year the event netted $45,000 to benefit the numerous charitable works the MHA does to promote rural health care. On Saturday, more than 100 people gathered in a transformed bingo room of the Mazatzal Casino. Decorations transported guests to the bygone elegant and romantic era of early century San Francisco. Stars interspersed with tiny lights hung from the ceiling to create a night sky. On the tables, larger than life martini glasses dripped dripped with pearls and long, white gloves. Pictures of 1906 San Francisco, flappers and Gibson girls hung on the walls. On the stage, the 20-piece Sonoran Swing big band played lively dance music.

So far it has been a dry winter in the Village

By Janet Snyder

January 27, 2012

The month of January is just about gone. The prominent item on most people’s minds is getting ready to do taxes for April 15, or is it April 16 this year? There are about two-and-a-half months left to get all your paperwork in order. That seems like a long time, but how many of us procrastinate until the last possible day? I sure wish the system was an easy process to handle, the government has made the process so cumbersome that most people dread this time of year. My sympathies are with all of us as the time approaches to file our returns. Dry winter? The Village is quiet this time of year, most of the summer residents won’t show up until April or May. There are a number of part-timers who come to the Village to check on their places and stay to play in the snow. But this year, hardly any snow except the storm this past December that dumped at least a foot of the white stuff. Believe it or not, there is still some of it around, in the northern portions of the ground. The weather service has warned us that this could be a dry and cold winter. I hope that they are wrong.

Surviving your worst nightmare

150-foot fall into canyon leads to months of surgeries, therapy

By Alexis Bechman

January 27, 2012

With his pelvis shattered, his body paralyzed, his pain nearly unbearable, Mike McEntire watched the helicopter make one final pass before flying off, leaving him alone in impending darkness. He knew somehow he must survive the night. But in his darkest hours, his fate rested on his will to live and the skill of rescuers, risking everything to reach him — for as he lay at the bottom of the canyon, he was not alone. Rescuers and friends would put their lives at risk, climbing down waterfalls, rappelling over shear cliffs and hiking through pitch darkness to reach him and offer some comfort until morning came. In the 18 hours McEntire waited for help, the comfort that someone was coming helped him hold on. While McEntire, a retired Payson dentist, never wanted to come so close to death for a little adventure, he still believes that a life lived to the fullest means risk, whatever the consequence.