Spring trout fishing
It is mid May and the Rim lakes have been producing limits of rainbow trout to the anglers who have already made the short trip. Water temperatures have gradually increased after the long winter and that has made the holdover trout more active and willing to bite.
Crews snuff out church brush fire
A quick moving brush fire ate through 1.5 acres of a church’s side yard Thursday afternoon, surprising church officials and neighbors who watched as the low lying flames rushed through the dry brush as blustery winds pushed the smoke all over.
Fire chief takes early retirement
A looming budget crisis has cost Payson its top firefighter and possibly its fire marshal.
Bulls and bling highlight spring rodeo
Payson will celebrate it’s western heritage — not to mention its perfect spring weather — this weekend with the annual Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo Friday and Saturday at the Payson Event Center.
Budget features big boost for police, fire
Payson’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year reflects a struggle to address long-postponed needs and big increases in public safety spending — despite the town’s still-sickly economic recovery.
All-day kindergarten touted as key to boosting scores
During her initial visit to the Payson Elementary School (PES) in January, what Brenda Case saw in the kindergarten classes drives her to tears today.
‘Mr. Congeniality’ of Payson parks his last bus
Recently, bus driver Fred Eckle agreed to drive Payson Mayor Kenny Evans in a town parade. Big break for Evans, riding with a celebrity.
‘Starving education to death’
Retiring Payson Unified School District Director of Special Services Barbara Fitzgerald took her leave after seven years in Payson on Monday with a heartfelt address to the school board that drew a prolonged standing ovation from the audience.
Local group inspires homeschooling
“Right now there are about fifty families in the Rim Country that are homeschooling,” said Homeschool Support Group Lead Coordinator Kim Ballam, a position she shares with with Meg Smith. Ballam and several other homeschooling moms meet every other Friday during the school months at Mountain Bible Church to discuss mentoring those interested in homeschooling and providing quality playtime.
MURDER SELF-DEFENSE?
I set out to get a quick shot of Rim Country Middle School Resource Officer Michael Hansen impressing students with his bullet-proof vest and air of authority — but these days you never know what you’ll find when you actually get inside a classroom.
Posse rounding up weapons
Knives, chains, box cutters, oh my. Gila County Posse volunteers have stopped dozens of these items from entering the Payson courtroom since they took up post outside the doors in February.
Brush fire near church
A quick moving brush fire ate through 1.5 acres of a church’s side yard Thursday afternoon, surprising church officials and neighbors who watched as the low lying flames easily burned through the dry brush as blustery winds pushed the smoke all over.
‘We'll never know what happened’
Motorcycle crash claims owner of Jakes Corner Bar
The owner of Jakes Corner Bar died this weekend in a motorcycle accident just a few miles south of town. Rickie “Rick” Heppler, 63, was heading south on Highway 87 into Rye Saturday afternoon when he lost control of his Harley and crashed near milepost 244.
Teens vent on police, curfew
If the Payson Police Department were required to take a class in teenage public relations, it would pass, but just barely. A town survey reveals most Payson teens have just a so-so view of the local police. Police Chief Don Engler says that’s not good enough.
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