Parker Live News from the Parker Strip since 2009.

September, 2019

• 15 September

  Viewfinder: Parker’s railroad bridge up in flames

  

  UPDATE: Added morning photos at bottom. The bridge is still burning, but fire fighting efforts appear to have stopped as the reachable sections have been put out. The bridge will be unusable until repaired. — ORIGINAL STORY: A fire broke out on substantial sections of the railroad bridge in Parker, AZ on Saturday night. Many agencies were still responding at …

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• 10 September

  Man accused of forklift assault goes to jury trial

  

  UPDATE: The trial reportedly ended with a hung jury Thursday, with the jurors unable to reach a unanimous verdict. A hearing on the case will be held in November to determine any further actions prosecutors wish to pursue or not. A jury trial began Tuesday for a man accused of purposefully steering a forklift into another man who was riding …

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• 2 September

  Power outages, damage from Labor Day weekend storm

  

  UPDATE: Ice is available at Parker High School and BlueWater Resort & Casino. Red Cross is assisting. UPDATE: Brook Water has issued its own advisory of service interruption. See it HERE. UPDATE: BIA estimates time for restoration of power late tonight. Multiple power poles are still down. CRIT has services available for residents. Info HERE. —- A storm that rolled …

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August, 2019

• 29 August

  Fire conditions lead to extended BLM fire restrictions

  

  Fire restrictions, implemented in June, will remain in effect due to extremely dry conditions on Bureau of Land Management lands within the Colorado River District (CRD). The district’s 5.4 million acres of public lands in western Arizona extend from southern Mohave County, along the Colorado River, through La Paz and Yuma Counties and include the management of a small strip …

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• 21 August

  Suspected violent domestic abuser arrested in Ehrenberg

  

  A man was arrested in Ehrenberg on suspicion of committing a litany of violent domestic abuse crimes. Jacob Orlando Jones, 31, was arrested for aggravated assault / choking, assault general x2, aggravated assault with a victim 15 years of age or younger, aggravated assault on a minor child, kidnapping (x2), attempted murder domestic violence, attempted second degree murder domestic violence, …

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• 20 August

  County officials to get raises, despite outcry

  

  UPDATE: At least one County employee has contacted Parker Live to say that the salary information in the circulated document mentioned in this article is incorrect. Animal Control department head Michael Ramos told us his salary was never the ‘Estimated FY2019’ number in that document, and his raise was 1 percent, not 22 percent as the document claims. As noted …

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• 19 August

  Jury pool is being “depleted”, says judge, halting grand juries

  

  The La Paz County jury pool is depleted after so many court trials that the Superior Court Judge, Jessica Quickle, is putting a stop to new grand juries with immediate effect. In an email to court personnel and county officials, Quickle announced her decision. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” she wrote, “This email is to inform you that La Paz County will …

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• 19 August

  On boat patrol with La Paz County Sheriff

  

  Parker Live spent 2 hours on boat patrol with the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department recently, to find out what they do, to see the most common river law violations and give the public an idea of what their typical processes are like. The Sheriff’s Department allowed us complete access, without any ‘no go’ areas or restrictions. The officers were …

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• 8 August

  Road preservation projects in the works

  

  The Arizona Department of Transportation has allocated $36 million for multiple pavement preservation projects on highways across the state during fiscal year 2020, which began July 1st, 2019 and ends on June 30th, 2020. ADOT says it evaluated existing pavement conditions to identify the locations in each of its seven districts that are currently in good condition. The goal is …

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• 7 August

  Parker man arrested in connection with child molestation

  

  A Parker man has been arrested in connection with the molestation of a child. Jose Mario Tavizon, 42, was interviewed by detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station on Monday as part of an investigation into child molestation that occurred in the community of Earp. Tavizon is known to the victim’s family, according to the Department. …

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• 2 August

  Central Arizona Project recognizes CRIT for fallow agreement

  

  The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) was recognized by the Central Arizona Project (CAP) for signing the System Conservation Agreement with the State of Arizona and the crucial role of the Tribes in drought relief. To help Arizona fulfill its Drought Contingency Plan obligations, CRIT has pledged to fallow farmland in order to contribute 150,000 acre-feet over three years to …

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• 2 August

  The La Paz County Public Defender has died

  

  Arthur Higgs III, the La Paz County Public Defender appointed to the position in January, has died at the age of 53. Higgs was first hired by the County as Deputy Public Defender in February 2016 before being promoted early this year. A statement by his colleagues at the Public Defender’s Office said he was a big part of the …

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• 2 August

  COLUMN: One small step

  

  I want to take a moment and talk about something that occurred to me during the recent 50th anniversary of the first moon walk. I was 16 years old when Armstrong first stepped on the moon. I was a huge space program fan, as almost everyone I knew was. I had followed the space program in school as it developed. …

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July, 2019

• 23 July

  Services will be held Saturday for teen girls who died in canal

  

  Memorial services will be held on Saturday for two teenage girls who tragically drowned in a canal near the BlueWater Lagoon subdivision in Parker, AZ on July 14th. Claudia Ann Snyder, 17, and Anna Marie Snyder, 15, were reportedly walking from BlueWater Lagoon back to a relative’s house in the town of Parker. They entered the canal at around 8:30 …

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• 17 July

  Man unresponsive in vehicle, armed, arrested in Big River

  

  A man who was found unresponsive in a vehicle armed with a firearm was arrested Tuesday in Big River. At around 2:50 a.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Colorado River Station responded to the intersection of Rio Mesa Drive and Rio Vista Drive in Big River for a report of an unresponsive male in a vehicle armed …

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• 15 July

  Solar project near Salome gets a green light

  

  A utility-scale solar project two miles west of Salome, AZ has been cleared through the latest stage of development. The Department of Energy’s Western Area Power Administration has completed an environmental impact assessment and concluded that there is ‘no significant impact’ for the project’s interconnection to the power grid. The interconnection involves new power poles up to 100 feet tall, …

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• 4 July

  Earthquake felt in Parker Thursday morning AND Friday evening

  

  UPDATE Fri PM: Another earthquake, this one much larger, hit on Friday evening. It was also felt in the Parker area. Info HERE. — ORIGINAL STORY THURSDAY: A 6.4 magnitude earthquake which struck near Ridgecrest, CA on Thursday morning was felt over 270 miles away in Parker, AZ. Some Parker area residents along the Colorado River reported feeling the rumble …

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• 3 July

  Laws to be enforced by multiple agencies over 4th weekend

  

  Multiple agencies will be out on the Colorado River and surrounding roads over the holiday weekend, with special enforcement patrols aiming to keep the river safe, according to both Arizona and California law. Officers from the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department and other agencies will be present on the water as thousands of people enjoy …

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• 3 July

  Where and when to see fireworks in Parker this holiday weekend

  

  There’ll be lots of fireworks to be seen in the Parker area this 4th of July weekend. On Thursday, July 4th at dusk, the Colorado River Indian Tribes will have its annual fireworks at Manataba Park, in the valley just southwest of the town of Parker. The annual BBQ starts at 4 pm under the tin shed. Also on Thursday, July …

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June, 2019

• 27 June

  Murder-suicide in Ehrenberg

  

  A man allegedly shot his wife and then himself in Ehrenberg Wednesday night, according to law enforcement. Santos left, Mejia right “Upon arrival, we learned that Francisco Rodriguez Santos had allegedly shot his wife and then committed suicide by way of a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” said La Paz County Sheriff’s Captain Curt Bagby. “The victim was immediately transported to a …

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• 26 June

  Deputy attacked on I-10

  

  A deputy was attacked by a man walking along Interstate 10 over the weekend, according to the La paz County Sheriff’s Department. “One of our Deputies was attempting to check the welfare of an individual who was walking along Interstate 10,” said Captain Curt Bagby in a press release. “Upon contact, the subject allegedly attacked the Deputy and attempted to …

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• 26 June

  WATCH: The story behind the ‘alligator’ that made waves in Parker last weekend

  

  It’s no crock: Alligator sightings on the Colorado River in Parker, AZ prompted calls to the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department from fearful boaters last weekend. But a snappy response by the department on Tuesday made it clear that the gator was a toy. Parker Live met with the owner of the faux reptile north of Parker late on Tuesday. …

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• 23 June

  Man dies after being hit by boat prop

  

  A man was killed after his boat propeller hit him on Lake Havasu Sunday. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Colorado River Marine Enforcement Unit responded to the fatal boating accident in California Bay on the lake at approximately 12:49 pm. The operator and 4 passengers left the Bridgewater Channel and headed south on Lake Havasu when the operator, Ismael …

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• 5 June

  Biggest day on the river coming Saturday

  

  The biggest day on the Parker Strip calendar is coming this weekend. The 42nd Annual Parker Tube Float will attract thousands of floaters who will run from Buckskin Mountain State Park to La Paz County Park on the Colorado River. The 2019 theme is Float Town, USA. Changes in recent years have established a new float, and this year’s event …

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• 1 June

  Man’s body recovered from Headgate Dam

  

  UPDATE: The body of a man who drowned in the Colorado River in Parker last weekend has been recovered from Headgate Dam. The man’s body was found at the dam at around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday after a weekend of recovery attempts by divers. – ORIGINAL STORY: A man who disappeared into the river and did not resurface was being searched …

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May, 2019

• 28 May

  12 year old suffers “major injuries” from boat prop in tubing accident

  

  Bottom story updated to clarify witness statements. — A 12 year-old boy suffered “major injuries” from a boat propeller on the Parker Strip Saturday and was flown to Phoenix. Reportedly the child was with his family near Emerald Cove Resort tubing late Saturday and was in the water when the boat, driven by his father, moved toward him and the …

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• 26 May

  VFW burns: “We’re going to have to rebuild from the ground up”

  

  The VFW building in Parker, AZ will be a total loss after a fire that started early this morning. The fire reportedly began in the kitchen area of the building. It is not known at this time what caused it. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7061 has been at the location on the corner of 6th Street and Hopi Avenue …

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• 24 May

  Flat-Earther arrested for vandalism

  

  A Parker man has been arrested for more than 30 acts of vandalism, spray paint taggings on federal land near Parker Dam which appear to show support for the flat earth movement. View this post on Instagram #graffiti #flatearth #letterscience #bombingscience A post shared by skyler butts (@skyrydeinc) on Feb 1, 2019 at 8:43am PST Skyler Butts was arrested Thursday …

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• 23 May

  Did this woman con this man out of money for his missing dog?

  

  A man camping in the desert was the victim of an alleged con by a Blythe woman who he says lured him to Parker and took the money for his missing dog. Christopher (left) with Tamara (right) in Parker Christopher Cross, a Palm Springs-based entrepreneur, told Parker Live that his 2 year-old French bulldog Poco went missing on May 10th …

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• 22 May

  COLUMN: A Fallen Friend and Hero

  

  Human beings are amazing creatures when you stop to think about it. Our behavior is often amusing, sometimes amazing and always has a consistent quality of inconsistency about it. We don’t like pain yet often seek out activities that we know will cause pain and discomfort. We all want to be happy yet regularly act in ways that all but …

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• 21 May

  CRIT signs short-term Colorado River drought plan at Hoover Dam

  

  A delegation from the Colorado River Indian Tribes in Parker went to Hoover Dam Monday to sign a short-term drought plan that will better manage the available water in the southwestern United States. The landmark deal will likely prevent the Colorado River reservoirs from being depleted for the next few years, and involved seven western states and the federal government. …

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• 20 May

  Viewfinder: Big Bend Resort new store, eatery now open

  

  A new eatery, market, swimwear boutique, gas station and arcade has opened at Big Bend Resort on the Parker Strip. The California-side store will be a brand new place for boaters to stop on the Colorado River while visiting Parker this summer. It was built after the operator was asked to demolish the concession it operated for decades at Buckskin …

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• 20 May

  Hospital thrift store to close

  

  A thrift store that has been a Parker fixture for 37 years is to close on May 31st. The La Paz Regional Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop on Kofa Avenue will close after a sale to clear its inventory. “The volunteers of La Paz Regional Hospital Auxiliary have devoted countless hours of service to providing this community service,” the hospital stated …

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• 16 May

  County Attorney has a new Chief Deputy

  

  La Paz County Attorney Tony Rogers has a new Chief Deputy. Ryan Dooley was appointed to the position recently after being hired back in September. Dooley will take over the role from Karen Hobbs, who has worked with Rogers at the County Attorney’s Office for several years. He was originally hired to work as a Civil Deputy to work with …

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• 13 May

  Marina Village to be without water as power goes out

  

  The Marina Village Annex will be without water Monday night as APS conducts a scheduled power outage at the same time, according to Brooke Water. “Operations reports that a water service interruption is necessary for [Marina Village Annex] in order for Arizona Public Service (APS) to make necessary system maintenance,” Brooke Water stated in a notice. “Ops has been advised …

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• 13 May

  Former deputy who groped a coworker takes a plea agreement

  

  A former La Paz County Sheriff’s Deputy has admitted to attempted sexual abuse at a party last summer. John Gomez was with a female deputy in the kitchen area of a residence on Reata Avenue in Parker on August 19th, 2018 when he allegedly made advances on her and inappropriately touched her. The victim told investigators with the Yuma County …

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• 10 May

  12-hour upriver power outage coming Monday

  

  UPDATE: Brooke Water customers in Marina Village Annex will also experience an outage simultaneously with the larger APS outage. For more info go HERE. — APS has scheduled an estimated 12-hour service interruption for customers in the Parker Upriver area for necessary system maintenance. In order to safely repair a damaged power pole and electric equipment, APS will be taking …

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• 9 May

  Federal inmate dies in custody in Parker

  

  An Indian national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the La Paz County Jail (LPCJ) passed away Friday morning after efforts by medical staff to revive him were unsuccessful, according to a statement by ICE. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death. After posting bond on charges of assault and sexual …

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• 8 May

  Paul Winer, Quartzsite’s ‘naked bookseller’, dies

  

  One of the town of Quartzsite’s most noted residents, Paul Winer, has died in his sleep after a lengthy illness at the age of 75. Winer was well known as the much-loved owner of the Reader’s Oasis bookstore, who would usually be seen in the nude with just a little ‘pouch’ for modesty. As ‘Sweet Pie’, he was also a …

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April, 2019

• 30 April

  Crossroads recreational area improvements completed by BLM

  

  The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Lake Havasu Field Office has completed the infrastructure improvement project to enhance recreational use at Crossroads Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area on the California side of the Parker Strip. The work included repairing, sealing and striping the parking lot and reconstructing an access road. “We are happy this improvement project is complete and that we …

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• 22 April

  COLUMN: Arizona just banned cellphones while driving. Here’s why I’ve changed my mind on it

  

  Things I’ve seen people do while driving: Manage kids in the back seat Eat burritos, burgers, sandwiches Put on makeup Put on clothes Hunt for things in the car Hold animated conversations Brush teeth Have arguments Search through radio stations ‘Dance’ to music Read newspapers …and of course, use handheld cellphones. Out of all these things, only one of them …

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• 17 April

  COLUMN: Reflections on Notre Dame

  

  I’m writing this on the day after the fire that burned down most of Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s been in the news, of course, and even managed to push some of the usual political dreck out of the news for a little while, which is quite an accomplishment. Of course there’s been a lot of talk about what happened and …

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• 17 April

  Update on Harold Smith

  

  A Parker man who stands accused of molesting his grandchild has been offered a plea agreement by the state prosecutor. Harold Smith, 69, attended court last week with his attorney, who asked for a continuance so that he and his client could review the plea offer, which “contemplates significant prison [time].” The court agreed to give Smith time with his …

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• 4 April

  WATER OUTAGE: Area emergency procedures tested

  

  UPDATE FRI, 5pm: “Here is an update on the water main break. If there are any new updates I will make sure to send them to you. The repairs have been made and water is flowing through the system but in abundance of caution tests must be conducted to ensure the water is safe for drinking and food preparation. The …

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• 4 April

  Wrong-way driver’s odd behavior revealed in 911 calls

  

  Turning his lights off and on, stopping in the middle of the highway and then starting again in the wrong direction… the odd behavior of a driver who caused a fiery fatal crash on I-10 last week is revealed in 911 calls from the night of the crash.   Francisco Edward Rebollar, 63, of Murrieta, California, was driving his Nissan …

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March, 2019

• 27 March

  Paul Mosley’s lawyer resigns from legislature after ethics complaints

  

  UPDATE: Stringer was accused in the 1980s of paying two children under 15 years old to have sex with him, according to information released by the House Ethics Committee. Details here. — ORIGINAL STORY: Arizona Representative David Stringer, best-known to the Parker area as former fellow legislator Paul Mosley’s attorney in his excessive speeding case, has resigned following ethics complaints. …

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• 27 March

  Fiery crash kills 4 on I-10

  

  UPDATE: The 3 occupants of the van in this story have been identified as both members of the Liverpool, England-based band Her’s and their tour manager. The band had just finished their show at the Rebel Lounge in Phoenix and we’re headed to a show in Santa Ana. More here. ORIGINAL STORY: Four people died early Wednesday morning after a …

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• 26 March

  Viewfinder: Parker at Dusk

  

  Parker at dusk.

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• 15 March

  Mosley’s traffic ticket to become precedent-setting

  

  Mosley’s case is unique in Arizona history He alleges via his two attorneys “selective prosecution” Blames “media storm” created after Parker Live broke story County Attorney quotes Thomas Jefferson and says Mosley must be held accountable Former state representative Paul Mosley appeared in court Friday with two attorneys arguing that legislative immunity prevents him from being prosecuted for his March …

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• 15 March

  Trump signs La Paz County Land Conveyance Act

  

  President Donald Trump has signed a piece of legislation that will allow the sale of 6,000 acres of federal land to La Paz County, Arizona for solar energy development purposes. The legislation was part of a larger legislative package that had been championed by members of Congress from Arizona, and is intended to pave the way for a solar energy …

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