Construction planned for Hwy. 72 between Bouse and Parker

Road repairs on State Route 72 scheduled to begin this weekend Minor delays expected for motorists traveling between Bouse and Parker YUMA – The Arizona Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin a project to repair several sections of State Route 72 between Bouse and Parker. Work is scheduled to take place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily beginning Friday, August 10 through Thursday, August, 16. What to expect during work hours: Intermittent lane closures of approximately three mile segments during work hours. Traffic will need to come to a complete stop while workers direct traffic through the work zone. Delays of approximately 15 minutes may be experienced. Reduced speed limits through the work zone. Law enforcement will be on-site to control traffic and monitor speeds. ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1. For more information about this project, please visit www.azdot.gov/statewide  or contact Yuma District Senior Community Relations Officer Gabriella Kemp at 928.317.2165, gkemp@azdot.gov or ADOT Community Relations Officer, Paki Rico, at 520.388.4233, prico@azdot.gov.

EdOptions to open in Quartzsite next week

Quartzsite, Arizona- Wednesday, August 1, 2012, EdOptions Online High School held an Open House for students, parents and the community. An estimated 60 people attended the open house, much to the surprise of administrators. EdOptions recently acquired the former Scholars' Academy campus in Quartzsite. The official first day of school will be Wednesday, August 8th.

Mark Orgeron, Quartzsite's newest council member, is EdOptions High School Quartzsite Learning Center's new Administrator. Orgeron was Head Teacher at Quartzsite Elementary School for the past three years.

Photo above, Left to right (foreground) : Mark Orgeron, Administrator and Instructor, Talea Shadowind, Administrative Assistant, Karen Mefford, Instructor and Julie Anderson, Instructor

EdOptions Director Jeff Sawner (above) explained EdOptions Online High School is a free, independent public school that provides top education and a flexible schedule. Students have three ways to earn their high school degree: In a hybrid classroom setting on campus; Web-based learning with EdOptions High School Online or a blend of hybrid classroom and online learning featuring the best of both worlds.

EdOptions High School is dedicated to providing students with an award-winning curriculum that aligns to state standards, scheduling flexibility, and an environment that sets the stage for individual success. EdOptions High School merges technology and content delivery with certified teachers online and in the classroom. Their approach to education provides each student superior opportunities for academic success. 

John Owen, Director of EdOptions Tempe campus, also attended Wednesday's Open House. The administrative team will work together as the school readies to open next week. Ed Options High School Quartzsite Learning Center is located at 506 E. Coyote, Quartzsite.

For information contact http://www.eohighschool.com

If you'd like to see the video of the Open House, video will soon be online at http://www.QuartzsiteVideos.com 

BLM cautions drivers-watch for burros Hwy 95 south of Quartzsite

Use Caution When Traveling on Highway 95

Yuma, Ariz. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma Field Office continues to ask the public to use caution when traveling on Highway 95 between Yuma and Quartzsite, especially between Mile Posts 45 - 65.

“Recently, there have been several traffic accidents associated with wild burros along Highway 95 and five burros were killed in one accident this morning,” said BLM Yuma Field Manager John MacDonald.  “We are very concerned about the safety of the traveling public and also the burros that roam in the area.  Please be extra careful when you drive through that stretch of the road after dark.” 

“The wild burros normally live along the Colorado River during the summer months because of the water source; however, because of the recent rains, they are crossing Highway 95 to get to their food and water,” stated Wild Horse and Burro Specialist John Hall.  

The BLM Yuma Field Office completed a wild burro gather in June, gathering 350 wild burros from the Cibola-Trigo Herd Management Area (HMA) north of Yuma, Arizona.  “We estimate there are still approximately 350 burros left in the HMA,” said Hall.  “Our appropriate management level for wild burros in the HMA is 165.”

For more information, please call John Hall at 928-317-3202 or Lori Cook at 928-317-3243.

Quartzsite's Jennifer Jones speaks at Meet the Candidates Forum in Wenden, AZ

Wenden, Arizona- Thursday, July 26th, the McMullen Valley Chamber of Commerce held a Meet the Candidates Forum. The room was packed with La Paz County voters and candidates, along with Arizona state candidates, and U.S. candidates. 


The three hour event was well organized by the large group of volunteers. Attendees had the opportunity to visit with candidates beforehand, and to submit written questions for each of the 19 candidates. Each candidate was given five minutes to speak before questions were asked. Republican candidates dominated the evening with a sprinkle of independents and democrats.

The only Quartzsite candidate is Jennifer Jones, who is running La Paz County Supervisor District 3. District 3 now includes a portion of Quartzsite (south of I-10), La Paz Valley, Rainbow Acres, Cibola, Salome, Wenden, Vicksburg, and Alamo Lake areas.

Jones answered a question regarding the controversy around her residency, by stating she does live in La Posa North area of BLM's LTVA (Long Term Visitor Area), located just south of Quartzsite and I-10 (District 3). Jones shared how she loves the peace and quiet of the desert. She said people can buy a seasonal winter pass and also a summer pass, of which she has. 

However, according to BLM's website, La Posa LTVA summer fees are:

"From April 16th through September 14th, the fee is $10 per vehicle for day-use, $15 per vehicle for overnight use, or $75 annually per vehicle, for up to 5 people per vehicle. There will be a $1 per person fee charged over the 5 person limit. The maximum stay is 14 days in a 28-day period."Between April 16 and September 14, you may stay in an LTVA only 14 days in any 28-day period." Rule 34 states "After your 14th day of occupation at an LTVA, you must move outside of a 25-mile radius of that LTVA."

 http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping/LTVA/laposa.html

Jones said she can prove that she lives in District 3 because "another news publication" (I'm assuming that would be me, the publisher of Desert Messenger) knows where she lives and "came all the way out to my campsite and took pictures...". Jones may be referring to when I took photographs of her camp on federal lands flying an upside down American flag (as a candidate for Quartzsite Town Council). That photo was taken in December, 2011 (over 7 months ago) and the article was published in Desert Messenger's January 4th issue. See article on Page 7 at  http://www.epageflip.net/i/51737

It is well known by locals that Jones is currently living and working on the North side of I-10 (District 2) on Richard Oldham's property near the old airstrip. Many dog owners have taken their pets there to be groomed. In an effort to clarify this issue, I drove out Saturday afternoon, July 28th, to La Posa North (District 3), near the same location photos were taken back in December. No camp was seen anywhere in La Posa North. Not a trailer, nor motor home, nor even a tent; just a few quail roaming the desert. 

Jones' final comment Thursday evening was, 

"being educated makes you more of a better decision maker."

 

Huge turnout for today's Quartzsite Community Center Groundbreaking Ceremony

Quartzsite, Arizona- There was a great turnout 

from community for the 

Quartzsite Community Center Groundbreaking 

this morning at Town Park.

Participating in the traditional ground breaking were (Left to Right) 

Council Member Patricia Anderson, Parks Board Member Shirley Phillips, 

Town Manager Alex Taft,  Pastor Mike Hobby of Isaiah 58 Project, 

Angie Howell in honor of her father Gary Howell, 

and Recreation Director Tracey Hess.

Speakers included,  Alex Taft, Patricia Anderson, La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin 

and Parks Board Member Kevin Cushman.

Pastor Mike Hobby was the Master of Ceremonies and led with a heartwarming prayer.

All the speakers focused on the positive addition the Community Center brings to the community. Groundbreaking ceremonies are an expression of optimism, hope for the future, and celebration. They are an opportunity to bring people together in celebration of a new beginning;  a historic time in the life of a community.

A surprising discovery was made recently during the process of clearing the building site. 

According to Town Manager, Alex Taft, this Ironwood tree is over 1200 years old. 

The tree is located just east of the building site for the Community Center. Ironwoods are a protected species, so the town has taken measures to protect it by cordoning it off. Taft told Desert Messenger that she is planning on having a special plaque made to honor this old tree.

This tree is two hundred years older than the Arizona Witness Tree located behind the County Court. Taft said, "We are so excited to make this discovery!" 

Many La Paz County candidates were in attendance at today's ceremony. All three La Paz County Supervisors were in attendance. All Quartzsite Town Council Members were present except Carol Kelley, who was at work as Director of Food Bank (open only on Tues. and Thurs.) and newly elected Pat Workman. Conspicuously missing were Ed Foster and local government reform political activists, which created a lot of discussion among attendees. The event was co-sponsored by the Quartzsite Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (QSAPC) who felt this is the perfect time for the community to come together and work towards a positive future for Quartzsite.

Desert Messenger Clarification regarding "River of Tears" post

CLARIFICATION:

In light of recent events and correspondence from Mr. Doug Gilford, Desert Messenger felt it important to make this clarification regarding the “River of Tears” blog post on July 20, 2012 on http://www.desertmessenger.blogspot.com/2012/07/quartzsite-womans-emotional-expression.html.

The emotionally charged post was written last weekend by Hygeia Halfmoon shortly after hearing of the Aurora, Colorado theater shootings.

Halfmoon's post began, “Just weeks ago former and recalled mayor Ed Foster had the audacity to tell a reporter for all the world to see and hear him say that if our town government doesn’t seat him, then someone is gonna come into Town Hall with a gun and start shooting.”

Mr. Gilford's email to Desert Messenger focused on a paragraph naming certain individuals in the following question: "How dare you......exploit the media and claim your constitutional rights to harass our community…how DARE you make light of the serious nature of a killing spree!!!” 
Desert Messenger did not imply nor intend to imply that the named individuals made light of the Aurora shootings or any killing spree.

Desert Messenger reached out to Ms. Halfmoon for clarification. She said she did not write "the” killing spree and was not referring to the recent Aurora shootings. She was referring to Ed Foster’s statements in the first paragraph of the article.

In an email Ms. Halfmoon stated, “I wrote ‘a killing spree’ which would obviously be the natural byproduct of what Ed Foster has been telling reporters...that someone is gonna come into Town Hall with guns and start shooting.” 

Ms. Halfmoon told Desert Messenger that she felt it was obvious those named in the post are active outspoken supporters of Foster, referring to them as "the negative faction". 

In her opinion, “These regular and consistent comments on the part of Ed Foster do in fact ‘make light of the serious nature of a killing spree’”. She said she felt “anyone who supports Foster’s statements and does not take a stand against that type of behavior or violence is in sense harassing our community. I am one of their primary targets for the simple fact that I am a free-lance writer with a community website.”

According to Ms. Halfmoon, Mr. Gilford has not contacted her demanding a retraction of any of her statements.


This Clarification shall be posted in such ways only as the original posting was.

Meet the Candidates Night planned for Thurs. July 26 in Salome

The McMullen Valley Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Meet the Candidates in Salome, Arizona. Candidates for La Paz County will have the opportunity to answer voters' questions in a moderated event.

Join fellow citizens Thursday evening, July 26th at 7pm

at the Centennial Community Center in Salome.

Meet.Candidates.Salome