Parker Live News from the Parker Strip since 2009.

August, 2018

• 13 August

  Parker burro herd to be thinned by 100

  

  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is to conduct an emergency ‘gather’ of wild burros along the Parker Strip this week, thinning the herd by 100 animals. The gathers follow others last week in Bullhead City, for a total of 470 animals. BLM says the gathers are needed after “discussions and concerns brought forth by private landowners and community leaders …

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• 13 August

  River Cribs

  

  Have you ever wanted to see inside one of the riverfront homes on the Parker Strip? Us too! Watch here as Parker Live takes you in for a quick tour of this River Crib. River Cribs Leave a comment on Facebook HERE.

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• 10 August

  AMBER ALERT: 1 year old girl taken from Havasu

  

  UPDATE: The girl has apparently been found. — ORIGINAL STORY: An Amber Alert has been issued for a one-year-old Lake Havasu girl. Joanne McLaskey, 1, was taken from her home Friday by 55-year-old Patrick Colley in a stolen silver 2007 Hummer H3 with Arizona licence plate CDJ0796, according to authorities. The suspect was staying at the home before taking the …

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• 10 August

  Viewfinder: Aftermath of the Storm

  

  A storm last night whipped through Parker, AZ and left some damage in its wake, including the canopy at one of the playgrounds at Pop Harvey Park.

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• 9 August

  Over 1700 marijuana plants seized in Big River and Vidal

  

  The Marijuana Enforcement Team of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department seized 1,709 cannabis plants at two locations in Big River and the town of Vidal, CA and arrested a man. On Tuesday, investigators from the team served two search warrants at locations in the unincorporated communities. Both locations had outdoor marijuana cultivations on the property. In addition to the …

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• 7 August

  Parker biker couple killed in South Dakota accident

  

  A couple from Parker, AZ were riding their motorcycle in South Dakota when they collided with a semi truck and died. Photo: KOTA TV According to KOTA TV, James and Deanna Bradley, 54 and 45, were killed when their motorcycle slammed into the side of a semi on Highway 14-16 as they crossed the intersection with South Ellsworth Road. Another …

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• 6 August

  Free Arizona Employer Workshop

  This Arizona business education event is free. Just RSVP online, by phone 928 669-2174 or by email *protected email*  

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• 6 August

  Big River man accidentally shoots self, arrested for possession of the gun

  

  A Big River man accidentally shot himself with a .22 caliber rifle and was later arrested for possessing it, according to law enforcement. On July 15th at 4:52 p.m., deputies from the Colorado River Station/Parker Dam station of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to La Paz Regional Hospital for a shooting victim. During the investigation it was determined …

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• 1 August

  AWC to offer Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program

  

  The Arizona Western College Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program is returning to La Paz County in the spring of 2019. Students interested in a career in the nursing field can earn their certified or licensed nursing assistant certificate through the program. Nursing assistants work under the supervision of nurses to provide high quality care to patients in nursing homes, assisted …

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July, 2018

• 30 July

  Road closure and detour Tuesday and Wednesday

  

  Mohave Road is to be closed between 1st Avenue and Navajo Avenue on Tuesday and Wednesday for construction. The road will be closed to all vehicle traffic in both directions between 1st Avenue and South Navajo Avenue due to construction on the new CRIT Fire Station. “The construction company will be digging a trench across the road and the road …

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• 24 July

  U.S. House votes to transfer land to La Paz County

  

  C-SPAN: WATCH THE BILL ON THE HOUSE FLOOR HERE. A big bill for La Paz County passed the U.S. House of Representatives Monday, with the support of several members of Congress and the Colorado River Indian Tribes. The bill, known as H.R. 2630, the ‘La Paz County Land Conveyance Act’, would transfer 8,800 acres of federal land to the County …

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• 24 July

  Solar cars roll through Parker

  

  If you were on the roads to or from the Parker Strip over the weekend, you may have run across slow-moving traffic marked with signs designated “solar car”. Photos: Solar Car Challenge on Facebook The route for the 2018 Solar Car Challenge included AZ-72 and CA-62, which meant that the event came right through Parker, AZ. The Challenge is the …

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• 17 July

  Mosley now accused of sexism at the legislature

  

  A state representative who made international news last week after Parker Live first reported his fateful traffic stop in Parker, AZ is now under fire for allegedly sexist comments made at the legislature. Photo: VoteMosley.com According to The Arizona Republic, the freshman lawmaker “has asked whether people are married, why they don’t have children and why working mothers aren’t, instead, …

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• 16 July

  Rock House to be closed for maintenance

  

  The Rock House Recreation Area, visitor center and boat launch, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will not be available for public use from July 23rd to August 1st, 2018, in order to ensure safety during maintenance and repaving. The parking lot repair will enhance the recreational experiences at the site and improve facilities. During the construction, parking, …

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• 16 July

  Parker schools to have free lunch for all students

  

  All students at Parker schools will get free breakfast and lunch, starting on the first day of school this year, thanks to a new federal program. The program is the National School Lunch Program’s Community Eligibility Provision, which is in turn part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. It was made available to all states in 2014-2015. For …

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• 16 July

  BLM lifts fire restrictions

  

  The federal Bureau of Land Management has lifted all fire restrictions for the public lands it administers in the Parker area. Due to widespread precipitation across the area, additional rain in the weather forecast, and a rise in fuel moistures, BLM has determined that the likelihood of wildfire has lessened to the degree that the restrictions can be rescinded. The …

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• 12 July

  Mystery solved: Floating hazards were swim area markers

  

  The mystery of how a collection of miscellaneous chains and padlocks came to be floating just under the surface of the Colorado River may have been solved. Deputies from San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were made aware of the floating hazards on Monday. At least two foam noodle tubes were found floating just below the water’s surface on the Parker …

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• 12 July

  Sheriff says deputy acted according to state law

  

  The Sheriff’s Deputy who pulled over Arizona State Representative Paul Mosley for speeding acting properly in letting him go on his way, according to a statement by the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department. Paul Mosley cited his legislative immunity under the following section of the law: “Members of the legislature shall be privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, …

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• 11 July

  WATCH: Arizona lawmaker brags to cop about speeding

  

  UPDATE: Mosley apologized on his Facebook page to his constituents, saying: ”I would like to apologize to my colleagues and constituents, as well as law enforcement, for my conduct on March 27th, 2018, which is shown in the recently-released video. My desire to get home to see my family does not justify how fast I was speeding nor my reference …

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• 9 July

  Patch re-gains seat as CRIT Chairman

  

  Dennis Patch is back in office as Chairman of the Executive Council of the Colorado River Indian Tribes after he ran for the seat he held before a recall earlier this year. Patch was one of only two out of nine council members recalled in the special election at the end of April. He was challenged in Saturday’s election by …

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• 9 July

  Is someone purposely trying to harm boaters?

  

  A river-goer in Parker, AZ made an alarming discovery last weekend: several of these floating boobytraps not far from Parker Dam. “I was on a jetski today and I saw four of these floating in the water up river about a half mile down from Parker Dam,” a Facebook user called Maria posted to a Parker-area page. “I could only …

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• 5 July

  San Bernardino Sheriff conducts Operation Dry Water

  

  The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Colorado River Station Marine Enforcement Unit conducted it’s 2018 Fourth of July Weekend Operation in conjunction with Operation Dry Water, from June 29th through July 1st. Operation Dry Water is a national year-round campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence. The operation was conducted along the Colorado River from …

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• 5 July

  CRIT at the table as Arizona talks drought contingencies

  

  The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) was one of many Arizona entities and stakeholders who met to discuss contingency plans to deal with the worsening drought conditions in the southwestern United States. The water officials committed last Thursday to reach a multi-state plan by the end of the year to stave off potential shortages. The move comes after the U.S. …

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• 5 July

  Big River woman arrested for drugs, stolen vehicle

  

  A Big River woman has been arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale and possession of a stolen vehicle. On Tuesday, July 3rd at about 9 a.m., the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department’s Parker Dam Resident Deputy along with two Detectives from the Colorado River Sheriff’s station served a search warrant at a business in the 7100 block of …

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• 5 July

  Cops: Which state’s laws are enforced on the Parker Strip?

  

    Which state’s laws are enforced on the Parker Strip? California’s or Arizona’s? Does it depend on what side of the river you’re on? Or what state you’re a resident of? Or what state your boat is registered in? Or what agency pulls you over? How do boating cops do their job, and what should people expect when they encounter …

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• 5 July

  New traffic signals to bring Parker area total to just 6

  

  The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is adding new traffic signals, widening lanes and making pavement improvements at the intersection of State Route 95 and Mohave Road on the south-east end of town. The $800,000 project will aim to improve traffic flow and safety at the intersection, which handles a high volume of traffic, according to a news release from …

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June, 2018

• 25 June

  COLUMN: A theory about kids and energy

  

  Last week I experienced (endured, underwent?) an annual tradition at Christ’s Church on the River, and many other churches, called VBS. For those of you who don’t know VBS stands for Vacation Bible School. And it’s something else! Vacation Bible School began in Hopedale, Illinois way back in 1894. Sunday school teacher D. T. Miles, who also was a public …

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• 12 June

  WATCH: Parker Tube Float 2018

  

    Parker Live was at the Tube Float 2018 on Saturday morning, the river teeming with people enjoying this year’s event. Our video only told part of the story, however, with much less fun happening out on the road. People waited hours for shuttles to the start line, with many saying they gave up and went home instead. We’ll be …

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• 7 June

  LISTEN: The Tube Float is back!

  

  This Saturday, June 9th, the Parker Tube Float returns with improvements and a streamlined entry process. Mary Hamilton stopped by our studio from the Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce and Tourism to talk about the float, what to expect, and more. Listen on your way to Parker right here. All official details and event info can be found at ParkerFun.com.

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• 5 June

  Elks grant provides defibrillator, tourniquets

  

  A grant from the Elks has allowed a defibrillator and 10 tourniquets to be provided to the Parker Police Department. The Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant was awarded after the local chapter in Parker applied for it. The defibrillator will be kept at Parker Police Department and used by officers as needed, according to Sergeant Michael Bailey. Tourniquets will be …

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May, 2018

• 22 May

  What is a California Boater Card and do you need one?

  

  A law being rolled out over the next few years requires California residents to have a boater card, starting now for younger boaters, and increasing in age until 2025 when everybody will need one. The card The law went into effect on January 1st, 2018, requiring boaters under the age of 20 to pass an approved boating safety examination, get …

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• 22 May

  A real courtroom, a real judge, a mock trial for students

  

  The civil war trial of a Confederate soldier was re-enacted in a Parker courtroom last week, with Superior Court Judge Matthew Newman presiding, and a Parker High School tribunal acting as jury. “You are a member of the military tribunal that has been assigned to hear the case of Henry Wirz,” reads the brief given to students. “Your job is …

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• 17 May

  Some Parker streets to be closed Monday and Tuesday

  

  On Monday and Tuesday, some streets in the town of Parker will be partially closed for maintenance. The streets will be treated by scrub sealing for preservation, which involves applying hot asphalt emulsion and crushed rock aggregate to the roadway, helping to fill cracks and other pavement distresses. This is done by sweeping the street to remove dirt and debris, …

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• 15 May

  COLUMN: May I suggest we have too many holidays?

  

  I think it’s interesting to stop every once in a while and pay attention to things that usually just slip right by me. One such topic is the number of holidays that occur during any given month. Here’s all the major holidays that I could find that happen in the month of May: May Day, Cinco de Mayo, National Teacher …

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• 15 May

  Saturday’s fatal accident leaves injuries, man apologizes for brother

  

  A man is seriously injured and undergoing multiple surgeries in a Phoenix hospital after an accident on Highway 95 north of Parker that also killed another driver and seriously injured a passenger. Rocky and Maria Rhodes, a retired couple who have lived in Lake Havasu City for well over a decade, were involved in the head-on collision, according to their …

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• 14 May

  Prop 401: What you need to know

  

  UPDATE: Initial election results indicate that the measure will pass. — ORIGINAL STORY: Proposition 401 will be put to the voters in a small, special election in La Paz County on Tuesday. It’s purpose is to raise the County’s ‘expenditure limitation’ for the next fiscal year, with a second special election needed in November to make the change permanent. Below, …

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• 3 May

  Young people step into Supervisors’ seats

  

  ‘Youth Day’ was Thursday in Parker, AZ, with young people touring local governments, businesses, nonprofits and organizations and taking part in their operations for the morning. From left to right: Natalie Nelson (District 2), Salma Gonzales (District 1), Cameron Hansen (County Attorney, behind), Evangelina Penaloza (District 3), Angelina Flores (County Administrator) at the Board of Supervisors boardroom From left to …

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• 2 May

  Just two out of nine CRIT council members recalled

  

  A recall effort filed against all 9 members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes Council was largely unsuccessful in a recall election Saturday, with the Council Chairman and one other the only members that were recalled. Chairman Dennis Patch was unseated by only 2 votes in the special election. After canvassing the vote on Sunday and Monday, the results of …

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• 2 May

  UPDATE: Officer injured by arson suspect, suspect now dead

  

  The officer-involved shooting that Parker Live broke Wednesday morning involved a man who was suspected of setting fire to two Quartzsite houses, according to the Department of Public Safety. At 10:41 p.m. Tuesday night, Quartzsite Police Department began to receive calls of houses on fire in the area of 110 N Washington Street. Upon arrival to the scene, QPD officers …

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• 2 May

  Officer shot in Quartzsite, assailant dead

  

  An officer was reportedly shot in Quartzsite, AZ overnight, and is expected to live. The assailant is reported to be dead. Although Quartzsite Police, the Department of Public Safety, the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department, Parker Police Department, Colorado River Indian Tribes Police and other agencies were involved, no information has been issued from any agency, and more details should …

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• 1 May

  Yoga and Pilates at Sundance Saloon Thursdays

  

  Yoga and Pilates classes aim to strengthen and lengthen the body, and address and improve overall health, according to Crystal, a Parker area instructor who is offering classes on the river. “My background is in rehabilitation,” Crystal said. “My certifications include a 5-year yoga certification, 2-year Pilates certification, 3-year fascial certification, body reading certification, so I am able to figure …

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April, 2018

• 30 April

  Viewfinder: The opposite of ‘shotgun’

  

  Things seen in Parker, AZ.

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• 27 April

  LISTEN: This man has been bicycling for the last 6 years

  

  We often have people coming through Parker, AZ on their travels across America, and often for a cause. In this case, Stephen Swift, an Oregon man, is on the last leg of a 6-year journey across the country. Stephen began his journey in 2012 after losing his wife in a car crash, having his daughter in a coma for 3 …

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• 27 April

  Youth football in Parker may end, needs volunteers

  

  Football for young people in Parker may end unless some volunteers come forward, according to one of the league’s organizers. According to Meghan Romanek, there are currently 3 board members but they need 8 board members and coaching staff. The league is formerly Pop Warner but now American Youth Football, which has more than 500,000 participants internationally. “We need people …

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• 24 April

  Senior Arizona judges visit Parker for appellate update

  

  Three senior judges from the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court were in Parker for an ‘appellate update’ Friday. Justice Andrew W. Gould of the Arizona Supreme Court was joined by Judges James P. Beene and Kent E. Cattani of the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One. The justices spoke to a courtroom of lawyers and other …

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• 24 April

  Parker schools will be open Thursday

  

  Parker Unified School District says its schools will be open Thursday, even while a planned teacher walkout is expected to go ahead. There will be an early release. “After careful consideration of the impact teacher walk-outs would have on our students and schools, Parker Unified School District has made the decision to remain open on Thursday, April 26,” reads a memo …

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• 18 April

  Ground broken on new industrial facility

  

  A new business is opening in Parker South, also known as Parker Annex. The Town of Parker and the La Paz Economic Development Corporation broke ground Friday on a new facility for a company called Environmental Waste Solutions. Environmental Waste Solutions services California, Nevada and Arizona, and revolves around recycling of industrial liquids, industrial solids, and California regulated waste. The …

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• 17 April

  Man arrested near school after standoff with cops

  

  A man has been arrested in the town of Parker after a standoff with law enforcement officers from various area agencies. The man, who was reportedly wanted for homicide, was barricaded inside an apartment near the intersection of 9th Street and Mohave Avenue in Parker on Monday afternoon. Agencies including La Paz County Sheriff’s Department, Parker Police Department, Colorado River …

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• 13 April

  Parker kid on TV, cops crash his birthday

  

  Cristian Alvarado wants to be a cop. His 6th birthday party was ‘crashed’ by members from several local law enforcement agencies, giving him what he told his mom was the best birthday ever. The police gave him his birthday present – a new puppy called Sergeant – and he ended up being featured on multiple state TV news outlets. Cristian’s …

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• 12 April

  To The Editor: What’s with this road to nowhere?

  

  This letter comes from a person wondering why the County is working on a dead-end road: With all the recent publicity surrounding La Paz County finances, employee furloughs, layoffs, lack of funds, why is La Paz County busy building a Road To Nowhere? For the past week or so La Paz County workers and construction vehicles have been busy upriver …

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