Archive for January, 2011
Free movie this Saturday at 10am
Jan 31st
Join Christ’s Church on the River and BlueWater Cinemas this Saturday at 10am for ‘To Save A Life’ (trailer below). Take a break from the races and come watch a great movie for free.
New fees for Parker 425 this year
Jan 31st
The Colorado River Indian Tribes has implemented some new fees for fans at the legendary BlueWater Resort & Casino Parker 425 off-road races this year. The fees are payable to CRIT Fish & Game at 2100 Mutahar, Parker, AZ, (928) 669-9285.
CC #2
Jan 26th
Parker 250 – Up Close and a Little Personal!
I heard screaming racecars when I was outside hanging laundry. Race day! I had forgotten the Parker 250 was today.
The Bouse bend on the desert racecourse is only a few miles from my house so I jumped in my Jeep to go have a look. A lone racecar bumped and bucked along the desert track next to Swansea Road as I drove toward the Bouse spectator area – which was empty save for one truck teeming with tires.
Dang, I missed the race. Whatever. It was a nice day for a little desert drive so I continued down the rutted dirt road.
Soon I felt my jaw jarring from the ruts and looked for a place wide enough to turn around. Then I saw the racecars – coming up behind me and fast! I pulled to the side as far as possible and closed my window.
Voom! Voom! Voom! Racecars roared past, pebbles peppered the Jeep.
Close one! I took a deep breath. Well, yay, I got to see some of the race. A little more closely than I would have liked, but still, yay. I wondered why the racers were on the road instead of the track.
I found a wide spot, turned around and headed home. Suddenly more racecars came screaming around a bend and sped right toward me.
Yikes! Am I on the course? And, worse, going the wrong way? I pointed the Jeep out into the desert and hoped I wouldn’t high-center and get stuck with my ass right in their way.
Voom! Voom! Voom! At least the drivers waved. I think.
Whew! Back onto the road and out of there in a hurry. As I neared the spectator area I saw what I had thought was a drainage spur. Turns out the racecourse joins the road just past the Bouse spectator area. Who knew?
Lesson learned: Read the signs! With the Parker 425 (www.bitd.com) coming February 4 – 6, race fans, do not boldly go where no woman should dare to go! Do not pass GO…park in the spectator area and stay there!
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Cate Mueller is a web designer, editor, reporter and photographer in Bouse, Arizona. To visit her website, click here.
New bridge to begin construction end Feb
Jan 25th
CalTrans will be beginning construction on a new bridge across the Colorado River on Highway 62 between Parker, AZ and Earp, CA by the end of February. The existing bridge has scour deficiencies and will be demolished in the construction process. The cost of the project is estimated at around $29.6 million, and is fully funded by the 2009 State Highway Operation and Protection Program. Parker Live has been told that the construction crew has already worked in the Parker area, on the road system as part of the Walmart construction.
Local businesses may anticipate some benefit as over 200 workers may be based in the area over the anticipated 2.5 year construction period.
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UPDATE: Ray C forwards a copy of the bid showing a $39.3 million amount, rather than the original estimate of $29.6m.
Former County Attorney in botched prosecution
Jan 22nd
A judge has dismissed the case against a man who admitted to murder in Apache County after the court found the Apache County Attorney’s office infringed the man’s constitutional rights by talking with him without his attorney present. Former La Paz County Attorney Martin Brannan was the lead prosecutor in the case and is now being subjected to a Bar probe.
“The Court is appalled by the outrageous and unethical behavior of the Apache County Attorney’s office,” wrote Superior Court Judge Donna Grimsley in a January 18th ruling. The ruling dismissed all charges against 23-year-old Joseph Douglas Roberts.
Roberts walked free on Wednesday night, after confessing to participating in the murder of one 72-year-old man and helping to burn the body of another murder victim. He was charged with first degree murder, conspiracy, auto theft, mutilating a human body, concealment of a dead body, tampering with evidence and five counts of hindering prosecution.
County Attorney’s office investigator Brian Hounshell visited Roberts in jail and made references to accepting an offer of 25 years, avoiding possible life in prison or the death penalty. The judge said the meeting was approved by Apache County Attorney Micheal Whiting and the prosecutor in the case, former La Paz County Attorney Martin Brannan. They did not notify Roberts’ lawyer of the meeting.
In her ruling, Judge Grimsley said, “Mr. Hounshell knew that the Defendant had an appointed lawyer and the prosecutors who authorized the visit knew that the defendant had a lawyer. None of the three made any attempt to contact the Defendant’s lawyer.”
Bar complaints were filed against Whiting and Brannan. Arizona Bar Association spokesman Rick DeBruhl is quoted as saying that the complaints were deemed to be supported by sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation, which is ongoing.
The charges against Roberts cannot be re-filed.
Desert Dash February 19th
Jan 21st
Parker Rotary Club is sponsoring the 20th Annual Buckskin Mountain Desert Dash Saturday, February 19th at 10am. There will be 3 ways to participate: a 5 mile mountain bike ride, a 5K run, or a 5K fitness walk (3.1 miles). All three events use the same course and end at the famous Desert Bar, the Nellie E. Saloon.
Events are open to all ages and the entry fee is just $20 per participant ($25 after Feb 1st). Children and under are just $15. A commemorative T-shirt is included and participants are eligible for prize drawings at the finish line (must be present to win) including a 32″ LCD TV as a grand prize.
The Desert Dash began in 1992. That year, there were 129 participants and the event raised $1500. 20 years later, this fun event now attracts more than 500 participants each year. The event has raised tens of thousands of dollars after expenses to benefit Players 9th Street Youth Center and other Parker Area youth activities.
Entry forms are available at the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce.
Wallace Elementary Tuesday night program
Jan 21st
Wallace Elementary School is looking for help developing a homework/tutoring program that will provide students and family members an evening time on Tuesdays at the school. The program would help students and family members complete homework assignments and work on basic skills. It is a voluntary program that hopes to recruit family and community members. A potluck style of food and treats will be offered.
The program is slated to begin on Tuesdays from 5pm – 6pm at Wallace Elementary School Library. Call 669-2141 ext. 1310 for more information, or email spetoskey@parkerusd.org.
