Parker Live News from the Parker Strip since 2009.

September, 2017

• 15 September

  Viewfinder: U.S. Marine Exercise Deep Strike II

  

  Photos from the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System for both the 1st Marine Division and the 1st Marine Logistics Group. Thanks to 1st Lt. Paul Gainey. Marines conducted a large-scale exercise along the lower Colorado River south of Parker, AZ and Blythe, CA this week. More info HERE.

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• 14 September

  Marines Exercise Deep Strike II is happening this week in rural La Paz County

  

  UPDATE: Lots of photos HERE. — A little over an hour south of Parker, AZ, United States Marines from Camp Pendleton and Air Station Miramar are engaged in an exercise codenamed Deep Strike II this week. A bridge built by the Marines can be seen in the background The Marines of 1st Division, 1st Marine Logistic Group, based out of …

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• 14 September

  Trailer up in flames in Parker, agencies respond

  

  A trailer went up in flames after 9:30am in the town of Parker near Kofa and Arizona Avenues. Agencies responding. Photos via multiple contributors and Parker Live.

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• 7 September

  County Administrator wants more authority in hiring

  

  ‘Micromanagement’ came under the spotlight as La Paz County’s recently-appointed Administrator Ron Drake told the Board of Supervisors at Tuesday’s meeting that he would like more authority with regard to hiring, renewing contracts and employee travel. The proposal relates to the process of filling vacant County employee positions, where the Board of Supervisors must explicitly authorize departments to advertise for …

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• 7 September

  Parker man hospitalized after swimming pool accident

  

  Anthony Chavez, a local man who grew up in Parker and lives in Lake Havasu City, is in hospital after an accident at the swimming pool at the Nautical Inn. The accident happened on August 27th, and left Anthony with a broken C6 vertebrae and a neck held together with pins and screws. His mother Kathy told Parker Live about his …

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• 6 September

  15 Things Overheard in Parker

  

  Here are 15 things overheard in Parker, Arizona. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Have any of your own? JW

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• 5 September

  COLUMN: Change

  

  Everything is changing. Some people like it, some don’t. As you get older (which unfortunately I seem to be doing despite my best efforts to the contrary) change is something that often gets more difficult to accept. But never mind, because whether you approve of or accept change or not, it’s always happening and always will, long after you and …

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• 1 September

  The Axe is Back: Parker beats Wickenburg

  

  The Parker Broncs beat the Wickenburg Wranglers on Friday’s “Fireman’s Axe” game, marking a notable win for the Parker team as the two schools renewed an old rivalry. Many years the axe goes to Wickenburg, a bigger school by far with a much larger talent pool than Parker’s. But with tonight’s win, the axe returns to Parker High School for …

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August, 2017

• 30 August

  Sheriff Risen scores new patrol vehicles from his former agency

  

  The Monterey Park Police Department has sold 3 patrol cars to the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department for just $200 a piece. Risen worked for Monterey Park, just a few miles east of Los Angeles, for 30 years before retiring in the Parker area several years ago, and says the agency just happened to be rotating out their Crown Victoria …

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• 28 August

  Peugeot Dakar race vehicle spotted in Parker, Arizona

  

  Parker, AZ continues to be a hub for racing activity. A vehicle developed by French car manufacturer Peugeot has been spotted in the town as it undergoes extensive testing ahead of the 2018 Dakar Rally in January. Peugeot unveiled the 3008 DKR Maxi in July as the next generation of the vehicle that won the 2016 and 2016 Dakar races …

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• 28 August

  Homeland Security arrests suspected child molester in Ehrenberg

  

  An Ehrenberg man made his initial appearance in state court Friday after his arrest by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for allegedly sexually exploiting at least one 13 year-old girl. Alejandro Ledesma, 20, will remain in custody on 4 counts of sexually exploiting a minor. These criminal charges resulted from an investigation …

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• 25 August

  PAID: Parker’s Hampton Inn is now open!

  

  Famous for introducing a free continental breakfast and a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, the Hampton by Hilton brand is open for guests in Parker, AZ just minutes from the Colorado River. First proposed in 2014, the new hotel broke ground several months ago opposite the La Paz campus of Arizona Western College at the corner of Geronimo Avenue and 11th …

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• 24 August

  Viewfinder: Seaweed on the Lake

  

  Conditions have been perfect for this prospering mass to take over a large area near Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge just east of Parker Dam. And yes, seaweed is still called seaweed even when it’s a freshwater variety!

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• 23 August

  To The Editor: Is Rose Acre Farms being taxed at the correct rate?

  

  From a reader: “I’ve heard that Rose Acre Farms is being taxed at the agricultural tax rate when it should be at the commercial level which is a higher rate. Can you look into this? That’s a big operation to have the wrong tax rate.” – Educator Gently Gesturing Thanks for the question, EGG. It’s true that the Rose Acre …

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• 21 August

  The eclipse from Parker, AZ

  

  UPDATE: This is as good as Parker Live could do today, without any real planning. Any other photos? Get in touch and let us see them! — Cloud obscures most of the sky this morning in Parker, AZ during the partial solar eclipse here. The peak of today’s partial eclipse is at 10:28 am, with the sun slowly emerging again …

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• 15 August

  County supports removal of power lines from Parker Strip

  

  La Paz County has sent a letter to the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) in support of a proposal re-routing 60 year-old power transmission lines that would finally take them away from the Parker Strip. The current power lines were constructed in the 1950s to bring 161 kilovolts of power from the hydroelectric plant at Parker Dam to a substation …

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• 11 August

  Viewfinder: Monsoon Sunset

  

  Parker area residents and visitors have been treated to some beautiful colors lately.

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• 7 August

  Boat sinks, one fatality near Big River

  

  UPDATE: Some further tragic details were revealed by NBC Los Angeles HERE. They include: Tasha was in the Parker area for her 30th birthday celebration Her boyfriend had an engagement ring in his pocket and was planning to propose while out on the river She handed her 8 year-old daughter to a man on a wave runner before being pulled …

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July, 2017

• 26 July

  Viewfinder: Oversized loads arrive in Parker

  

  UPDATE 2: More definitive information from the Orange County Register about the final destination of the dome, a Chevron gasoline refinery on the coast, can be found HERE. UPDATE: According to CRIT council member Johnny Hill Jr., the round device is a cap for an electrical plant in California, being shipped through Parker and transferring to another trailer to comply …

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• 26 July

  Board of Supervisors propose property tax increase

  

  UPDATE 4:54pm: According to the County, a mistake was made in the notice put out about how the proposed tax would affect taxpayers. Rather than a $100,000 home costing an extra $132 per year, it would cost an extra $13.20. Article below changed to reflect this. — The Board of Supervisors are moving ahead with a proposal to increase property …

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• 21 July

  Viewfinder: Another Perfect Sunset

  

  Photo via Isaac Sac Taylor.

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• 20 July

  An apparent murder-suicide is being investigated north of Parker

  

  Sheriff’s detectives have been investigating a triple shooting after an apparent murder-suicide was discovered north of Parker late on Wednesday night. A woman was transported to hospital and two men were found deceased at the scene, which is located not far from Emerald Canyon Golf Course on the Parker Strip, according to La Paz County Sheriff’s Department. It is believed …

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• 20 July

  Man barricades in Bouse after alleged attempted sexual assault

  

  A man allegedly committed attempted sexual assault before barricading himself in a house in Bouse, AZ Wednesday night in a stand-off with deputies. La Paz County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at the residence of Oscar Martinez-Salgado for suspected aggravated assault and attempted sexual assault. While attempting to make contact with Martinez-Salgado, the suspect allegedly avoided contact by running into the residence …

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• 20 July

  Vehicle plows into building at car wash, owner deceased

  

  UPDATE 10:30am: Jose Lopez, known as ‘Chuy’, died this morning at his car wash in Parker, AZ when a vehicle driven by his wife Maria accelerated for unknown reasons into a shed where he was at the time, according to Parker Police Department. Police Sergeant Michael Bailey told Parker Live that the investigation is ongoing at this time. An 11 …

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• 13 July

  COLUMN: Somewhere Between Up and Down

  

  One of life’s great joys are those moments when something unexpected and wonderful happens to us. These high points usually carry with them great excitement and leave in their wake hopeful expectation that it’ll keep happening to us. Of course, they usually don’t. At least not for a long while, at any rate. Notice that I said usually. Sometimes one …

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• 10 July

  PAID: Sam Vederman opens new law office

  

  Sam Vederman, who recently retired as presiding Judge of the Superior Court in La Paz County, has started his own law practice as a private attorney and is now open for new clients. Sam moved to Arizona in 1999 after graduating from the Michigan State University College of Law and is intimately familiar with all aspects of the legal system …

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• 7 July

  27 year old man drowns over 4th weekend

  

  A 27 year-old man drowned at the beginning of the 4th of July weekend on the Parker Strip. The victim was named as Matthew Bashaw, 27 of Phelan, California, a small unincorporated community not far from Victorville in the high desert of San Bernardino County. Matthew was with friends and family at Echo Lodge on the Parker Strip. On Friday …

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• 5 July

  COLUMN: The ingredients of a national news blip

  

  It’s not the most interesting or compelling story of the year from Parker, AZ, but you can never tell what the news outlets are going to find newsworthy. A fireworks show ending in a (not particularly large) brush fire here on Monday night caught the attention of the national press, who reported it with the following headlines after Parker Live …

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• 5 July

  Judge Matthew Newman takes over at Superior Court

  

  Matthew Newman put on his robe as the 4th presiding judge at the La Paz County Superior Court in an investiture ceremony held Monday in Parker. Judge Matthew Newman takes the oath of office, read by District 2 Supervisor Duce Minor. Photos by Melissa Wright Photography. Newman has lived and worked in the Parker area for 26 years. His wife …

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• 4 July

  Viewfinder: A Parker 4th

  

  A private helicopter takes a pleasure run along the Colorado River, joining the thousands who flocked to the Parker Strip on 4th of July weekend, with the water temperature rising just in time for this classic summer weekend.

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• 3 July

  Viewfinder: Fireworks spark brush fire

  

  Fireworks at BlueWater Resort & Casino spark a brush fire Monday night. Photos via Eric T., Melissa W., Joy C., David L., Linsey M.

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June, 2017

• 30 June

  Follow these tips for the best 4th of July in Parker

  

  Wondering how to make the most of a trip to the Parker Strip for the longer-than-usual 4th of July weekend? Check out Parker Live’s top tips below, including where and when to see fireworks, which routes to take, where to hang out and how to stay safe. — 1. Take Mohave Road or AZ-95 instead of CA-62 After recent deadly …

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• 22 June

  Code Red: Bob “Weatherman” Steinberger passes away

  

    Parker’s own Bob “Weatherman” Steinberger has passed away at the age of 80, according to his wife Sharlene and multiple reports. Steinberger was an icon in the off-road racing community, where he made a name for himself by providing radio communications systems to big races like the Baja 1000. He was a staple at events operated by racing associations …

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• 21 June

  LISTEN: Sheriff finds elderly in need of “immediate aid”

  

  Sheriff Bill Risen stopped by KLPZ’s studio Wednesday morning to talk about his department’s findings after checking in on vulnerable elderly people during the current extreme heat wave (listen above, 15 mins). Risen said the deputies coordinated with Parker Police Department, Quartzsite Police Department and others Tuesday to try to reach some of the county’s most isolated population to ensure …

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• 21 June

  Eggstreme Heat: 120-Degree Egg Challenge winner!

  

  At KLPZ 1380am and Parker Live, we challenged you to cook an egg outdoors in the 120-degree temperatures and send us the results in pictures. And you delivered! Here are some of the most interesting results, captured on a day when Parker’s official high temp was 123 degrees. Winner announced at the bottom! —– Cesar D.L.C. – 2 hr Chuck …

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• 20 June

  Brooke Water outage for Parker Dam area Tuesday

  

  UPDATE 6/21: This outage has been postponed until tonight, Wednesday at 9pm through Thursday at 6am. Original story below. — Brooke Water is to have a planned outage Tuesday, June 20th from 9pm until 6am on Wednesday, June 21st affecting the Parker Dam area. The utility will be replacing its hydropneumatic pressure tank at the Parker Dam site, which is …

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• 20 June

  County’s ‘volunteer prosecutor’ case under scrutiny

  

  The La Paz County Attorney’s decision to use the services of a volunteer prosecutor came under more scrutiny this month after the Arizona Court of Appeals sent the case back to the Superior Court for more consideration. County Attorney Tony Rogers had appointed James Schilder as a Special Deputy County Attorney without pay, as a volunteer who wanted to help …

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• 19 June

  Scorching heatwave hits the Parker area Monday

  

  The National Weather Service has issued a series of warnings and watch alerts in advance of a significant heatwave which began Monday and is set to last throughout the week. This extreme weather event is expected to challenge some records. The peak will be Monday through Thursday, when the Parker area is forecast to reach high temps of between 118 …

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• 11 June

  Viewfinder: Tube Float 2017 Photos

  

  With a new route and new finish area, the Parker Tube Float was all fresh for 2017. Parker Live was there, cameras in hand! (This page may take a little time to fully load.)

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• 8 June

  Viewfinder: Where boats go to die?

  

  Desert near Parker.

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• 8 June

  Three structures lost in Lakeside fire

  

  Three structures are a “total loss” after Wednesday’s fire in Lakeside 2, according to Buckskin Fire Chief Chris Chambers. Photo by Araceli L. “It started in a garage,” Chambers told Parker Live, “and then quickly spread to each trailer on both sides.” The fire was driven by wind gusts on the hilly area, and worsened by the close proximity of …

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• 7 June

  Houses on fire north of Parker

  

  UPDATE 6/8: Three structures are a “total loss” after Wednesday’s fire in Lakeside 2, according to Buckskin Fire Chief Chris Chambers. Full update HERE. — ORIGINAL STORY: Two, possibly three, houses are on fire north of Parker in the area known locally as ‘Bean Pot Hill’. The houses, clustered between Captain Lane and Horizon Blvd, ignited sometime after 5 o’clock …

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• 5 June

  The Tube Float is back this Saturday!

  

  The Parker Tube Float is back for 2017 with a whole new route! Starting at Buckskin Mountain State Park and floating along the Colorado River for 3 miles to the south end of La Paz County Park north of Parker, Arizona, floaters are in for a treat on Saturday, June 10th, 2017. The new route makes for a shorter float, …

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• 2 June

  Column: What a Mess!

  

  It’s a phrase I keep hearing over and over again lately. It’s being said about national, international and local events. It’s being said by men, women and yes, even some kids I know. It’s usually said with a large side order of anger or disgust but at times it also comes with sheer resignation. “What a mess!” It seems that …

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May, 2017

• 30 May

  Crash kills 4 people in homebound weekend traffic

  

  UPDATE 12:33pm: Added identities of two of those who died. — Four people died on the road between Parker and Desert Center on Monday, according to news reports. Photo courtesy Brian Mumey and the Los Angeles Times Two soccer coaches from a Chino Hills high school were among those killed. Matt Hodges, 30, was the head coach of the varsity …

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• 26 May

  Where is Sandy Giles?

  

  UPDATE: It’s been over 2 months since Sandy went missing. There’s still no better information on what may have happened to her. UPDATE: Any new updates can be found at the Help Find Sandy Giles Facebook page, which is being run by Cal Advocates for the Missing, a nonprofit organization working with private investigators on Sandy’s case. Visit the page …

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• 16 May

  LISTEN: Sheriff Risen, Captain Bagby on reduced funding

  

  Sheriff Bill Risen and Captain Curt Bagby stopped by the studio of KLPZ 1380am Monday to talk about the challenges of operating the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department on reduced funding. Risen, elected in November, told Parker Live‘s John Wright that he has been asked to cut $30,000 per month from the department’s budget, and has not resolved how to …

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• 15 May

  Department running on “bare minimum”, Sheriff says

  

  Sheriff Bill Risen is running on the bare minimum in funding, he says, and is worried that it may not be enough. Speaking to the Board of Supervisors on Monday morning, Risen said that his department has handled 1,295 calls in the last 30 days with minimal staff, including: vehicle collision investigations medical calls disturbance calls assistance calls assaults thefts …

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• 15 May

  Schools locked down as suspect apprehended

  

  Some Parker schools were locked down while law enforcement arrested a suspect armed with a knife Monday morning. Parker High School, Wallace Junior High School and Wallace Elementary School were placed into lockdown as a precautionary measure, according to Parker Police Department. “Law enforcement received information there was an adult male, possibly armed with a knife, running toward Parker High …

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• 12 May

  Supervisors not laughing at Goatman intervention

  

  “You can’t make this stuff up.” So said District 2 Supervisor Duce Minor in a special meeting of the La Paz County Board of Supervisors this past week, addressing an agenda item which came after an online posting by someone purporting to be the legendary ‘Goatman’. Item 2 on Wednesday’s agenda asked the Board to vote to send a ‘cease …

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