Alexis Bechman Staff Writer
Alexis attended the University of Arizona where she graduated in 2008 with journalism and retailing degrees. She joined the Roundup staff a month after graduation. At the Roundup, Alexis covers the Star Valley Town Council, law enforcement, courts and business beats.
Recent stories
- Thai Café celebrates first year
- February 3, 2012
- To celebrate a successful first year of business, owners of Payson’s only Thai restaurant laid out a feast Tuesday for community members who helped make the family’s dream a reality. Mam and Mac Katepratoom had imagined opening their own restaurant for years, but never dreamed Ayothaya Thai Café, 404 E. Highway 260, would be such a success when they opened last year. That success is due both to the quality of and authenticity of dishes, diners said Tuesday. Gary Richardson, district sales manager with Sysco, said he has visited many restaurants in his career, and Mam and Mac are some of the easiest customers to work with and put out a great product.
- Marooned Pine hiker rescued from cliff Sunday
- February 3, 2012
- Volunteer searchers rescued a 68-year-old hiker from Pine Sunday after he found himself marooned on a cliff, unable to climb up or down. Ground searchers and a helicopter crew worked together to locate the man and get him safely back to his vehicle. The man had set out at Geronimo Trail to do a loop hike that went up on the Mogollon Rim and back to the trailhead, said Bill Pitterle, commander with Tonto Rim Search and Rescue. Somehow, however, the man got disoriented on the return trail and was soon lost. The man continued hiking down until he came to a 25-foot cliff that he could not descend. He found he could not go back the way he had come and was “ledged out,” Pitterle said.
- 90-year sentence in child porn case may be reduced
- February 3, 2012
- A 74-year-old man who received a 90-year sentence for possessing child pornography may be out in as little as five years if the governor approves a sentence reduction. A jury in August convicted Robert Thomas Flibotte on 10 counts of dangerous acts against children after prosecutors presented dozens of pornographic images and videos of underage children engaged in sexual acts, some as young as 3. The images were found on both Flibotte’s home and work computers and several other media devices. Superior Court Judge Peter Cahill sentenced Flibotte to nine, 10-year sentences served consecutively, the minimum under state law. While Cahill said that Flibotte’s consecutive sentences totaling 90 years was “clearly excessive” Cahill found that Flibotte’s 10-year sentence on each count was not.
- Gila County sheriff planning to retire
- February 3, 2012
- Just as election campaigns are kicking off, Gila County’s three-term sheriff has announced he will not run again for office.
- Still time to fill the food bank boxes
- January 31, 2012
- As the food drive ends Super Bowl Sunday, organizers are pushing for one last round of donations, hoping to wrap up the drive with enough food to carry local food banks through at least part of the year. So far, donations have been steady since the drive kicked off Thanksgiving weekend. A $30,000 goal was met several weeks ago after a $3,400 donation from a pilots’ group rounded out the total to $31,798. Food contributions have also been strong with donations nearly meeting the 55,000-pound goal last month. Organizers decided things were going so well they bumped the food goal up 10,000 pounds. On Monday, the Payson Area Food Drive was 4,830 pounds short of hitting that goal. Residents have until Feb. 4 to donate. Drop food contributions off at any PAFD marked box located at businesses and government agencies around town. Checks can be sent to PAFD, P.O. Box 703, Payson, AZ 85547.
- Man burglarized, then assaulted by man who stops to help
- January 31, 2012
- It was a bad day for one camper near Tonto Basin Jan. 20. First, the man’s campsite was burglarized and then he got in a fight with one motorist who stopped to help, according to authorities. Shane Wagstaff was camping in the Tonto Basin area and had gone for a hike. When he returned, he found his cell phone and other items were missing from camp, said Lt. Tim Scott with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.
- Turkey Trot participants walked 1,101 miles in first-ever event
- January 31, 2012
- The results are in and the verdict is clear — we have some mighty fit “turkeys” in this town. Julia Randall Elementary School (JRE) students that participated in the inaugural Turkey Trot Nov. 23 walked on average two miles each and 1,101 miles total, according to students at Payson Center for Success (PCS). At Monday’s school board meeting, nine PCS students delivered results from the event. High school students tracked third- through fifth-graders’ laps during the daylong trot, where students ran in 45-minute time blocks. More than 500 elementary students participated, running or walking around Green Valley Park’s upper loop in feathered paper caps. Fifth-graders covered the most miles for the day, making up 35 percent of all miles walked.
- Teen dies after gas pedal sticks
- January 31, 2012
- A teen that friends say always had a smile on her face was honored Monday night for her life and her final actions that likely saved others. Besides avoiding traffic as her vehicle careened out of control when her accelerator stuck Friday, several of the teen’s organs were donated after her death Saturday afternoon. Saige Bloom had just purchased a used white Ford Escape in the Valley and was driving home to Payson when the SUV’s accelerator reportedly stuck, according to authorities. Police say Bloom’s driving saved the lives of others on the Beeline Highway Friday. At the Walmart intersection, Bloom swerved to miss a vehicle holding a large family. Her SUV clipped the family’s vehicle, flipping her vehicle several times, but leaving the family uninjured. On Monday night, hundreds of people gathered at the hillside near the intersection where the wreck occurred, paying homage to a teen most said was an amazing friend.
- Work of new artists up at gift shop
- January 31, 2012
- After being open less than three months, the artisan shop Crafters Cubbies has added the work of four more local artists. The shop, at 626 N. Beeline Highway, now has the work of 32 Rim Country artists and crafters for sale. Each artist’s work covers a different area, from knitters, jewelers, scrapbookers to now a scrimshaw, pencil artist and photographer. Owner Rebecca Acord said her goal for the shop is to offer a place for local artists to sell their wares and give residents a place to pick up a one-of-a-kind gift or collectible. The shop will soon be expanding, adding more room for new mediums. The response from residents has been great, she said. “People are excited to see something fresh and this is a way to support local talent.” The shop’s new artists include pencil drawer Laura Gabaldon, photographer and embroiderer Alice Wrobley, scrimshaw artist Homer Neuen and custom pet magnet creator Shari Cody.
- Hundreds gather to honor PHS student
- January 31, 2012
- A teen that friends say always had a smile on her face was honored Monday night for her life and her final actions that likely saved many.
Recent photos
Ayothaya Thai Café marked its one-year anniversary with a special buffet Tuesday.
Payson Mayor Kenny Evans (above left) kicked off the party with a cutting of the ribbon.
Laura Gabaldon can sketch any photograph, creating custom gift pieces. Her work is available at Crafters Cubbies.
Alice Wrobley recently started selling her photographs and custom embroidered dishclothes at Crafters Cubbies in the Swiss Village Shops.
Homer Neuen
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