John Wright

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times / April 11, 2012)

Is there an ancient Indian burial ground near the proposed Genesis solar project site? The Colorado River Indian Tribes is saying there is, and asking the federal government to stop development of some planned solar sites.

The Los Angeles Times reports thus:

The Feb. 27 letter from the chairman of the Colorado River Indian Tribes was pleading and tough. It asked President Obama to slow the federal government’s “frantic pursuit” of massive solar energy projects in the Mojave Desert because of possible damage to Native American cultural resources.

The Obama administration didn’t respond. But four days after Chairman Eldred Enas sent the letter, the Indians say they found an answer, delivered by spirits of the desert.

Howling winds uncovered a human tooth and a handful of burned bone fragments the size of quarters on a sand dune in the shadow of new solar power transmission towers. Indians say the discovery is evidence of a Native American cremation site not detected in Southern California Edison’s archaeological survey before the towers were built.

Solar projects of this sort are increasingly being relied upon to provide for the future of our energy needs, prompting one executive involved in the project to ask if the desert should remain unused for these purposes because of ”a diffuse scatter of artifacts?”

The question then remains as to how we use America’s public lands, and to what claim Native Americans have on them. If tribes declared the whole desert to be sacred and untouchable, would all development and other uses of the land need to be scuttled? And what should be done with high value ancient tribal artifacts?

See the rest of the article HERE.

On March 16, 2012, Arizona Governor Janet Brewer appointed La Paz County Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Nelson to the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.

The Board was created to address the need for minimum peace officer and correction officer selection, recruitment, retention and training standards, and to provide curriculum and standards for all certified law enforcement training facilities.

The Board is also vested with the responsibility of administering the Peace Officer Training Fund and provides services to approximately 170 law enforcement agencies encompassing over 15,000 sworn peace officers, 9,000 correctional service officers, and 16 academies.

The mission of the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board is to foster public trust and confidence by establishing and maintaining standards of integrity, competence, and professionalism for Arizona peace officers and correctional officers.

The Board is comprised of 13 members, appointed by the Governor. The Board includes one sheriff from a county with a population exceeding 200,000 and one sheriff from a county with a population less than 200,000, one police chief from a city with a population exceeding 60,000 and one from a city with a population less than 60,000, a college faculty member in public administration or a related field, the state attorney general, the director of the Department of Public Safety, and two public members.

Also serving is the director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, an administrator of a county or municipal correctional facility, a city police officer and a deputy sheriff, each holding the rank of patrolman or sergeant.

Deputy Nelson is a 1999 graduate of Parker High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Arizona. He began his career with La Paz County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 and worked for the Marana Police Department from 2006 to 2009 before returning to La Paz County and his present position as Patrol Deputy for the District 3 area of the County and advisor for the Sheriff’s youth Explorer Post. He will serve a minimum of a 3 year term on the Board, along with a distinguished group of law enforcement professionals and citizens from around the state.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will continue working on a pavement repair project along State Route 95 north of Parker beginning Wednesday (April 25).

The project consists of repairing cracks in the pavement between mileposts 152-161 and mileposts 142-148. The project is scheduled to be completed by May 2012.

What to expect during construction:

• Daily intermittent lane closures are scheduled between 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Workers will temporarily stop traffic and escort them through the work zone.
• Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
• Message boards will advise drivers of lane restrictions.
• Speed limit will be reduced to 45 miles per hour in 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.

Former Parker vice mayor Frank Hernandez was arraigned yesterday at around 1:30 p.m. for seven (7) counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor and three (3) counts of Molestation of a Child.

Hernandez was arrested last week and has been in custody at the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Facility since.

All of the alleged criminal conduct took place “on or about or between March 1, 2011 and April 10, 2012 in Parker, AZ”, according to La Paz County Attorney Sam Vederman, whose office is handling the case.

Vederman also confirmed that the allegations involve a single victim of 12 years of age or younger. This classifies his case as a Dangerous Crime Against Children.

‘Sexual Conduct with a Minor’ is one of the most severe charges that can be leveled against someone in the state of Arizona besides First Degree Murder. It carries with it a presumptive sentence of 20 years per count (minimum 13 years per count) without the possibility of early release, and the sentences must be served consecutively (one after another). Hernandez is facing 7 counts.

Mr. Vederman declined to speculate on a sentence, saying: “There are many variables to sentencing and I am not going to comment or speculate on what the potential sentence may, or may not be, because Mr. Hendandez has not been convicted of any crimes related to this case.”

He also reiterated, “The State has the burden of proof and the defendant / suspect is not required to present any evidence on his own behalf or prove his innocence. In addition, all defendant’s / suspects are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial.”

Hernandez formerly held a seat on the Parker town council, and recently announced his intention to run for office as La Paz County Supervisor District 1.