Meth dealer convicted by La Paz jury
Oct 21st
On October 19, 2011, Jesus Ramiro Torres, 42, of Surprise, AZ, was convicted by a La Paz County jury of selling methamphetamine on two separate occasions. Sentencing is set for November 14, 2011, in front of Judge Michael Burke. Torres will receive a prison term of 5 to 30 years and is not eligible for probation or early release.
On September 19, 2008 and October 27, 2008, Torres sold a combined 5 ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover officer for $6,300. Both sales took place at truck stops located off of interstate 10, at exit 45, near Vickburg, AZ.
The case was investigated by La Paz County Narcotics Task Force Sgt. Steve Frakes and the case was prosecuted by Deputy County Attorney Stephen Lundell of the La Paz County Attorney’s Office.
Aaron & Sherrie Rubin to visit Parker
Oct 21st
I first heard the story of Aaron Rubin late one night last year while watching VH1′s Celebrity Rehab. Aaron had everything going for him, but was addicted to Oxycontin. In his early 20s he overdosed and was in a coma for 2 weeks. During that time his family planned his funeral, expecting the worst. After 2 weeks though, Aaron woke up. Aaron is now a quadriplegic, can’t speak and needs around the clock care BUT he is fully cognitive.
Aaron and Sherrie (his mom) travel around the Southwest speaking to schools and the community about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. It’s a moving story and has such a big impact on the areas they visit.
Aaron and Sherrie will be visiting La Paz County during Red Ribbon Week. They are visiting many of our schools with even more being bussed in from outlying areas to see the presentation.
Monday the 24th of Oct. at 6pm they will have a presentation at Wallace Dome for the entire community. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your children to this presentation as it will be slightly different from the one they hear in school.
Sheriff’s holiday raffles
Oct 21st
The Sheriff’s Department is raffling off a 1″-20″ boy’s bicycle and a 1″-20″ girl’s bicycle. Raffle tickets may be purchased at the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office for $1 or 6 for $5.
Also being raffled is a trip for 2 adults and 2 children on the Polar Express at Grand Canyon Railways, Williams, AZ on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 at 3:30pm. $1 each or 6 for $5.
Winners will be announced on KLPZ Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 at 9am.
All proceeds benefit the Kids Christmas Program/Committee, who will be holding a pancake breakfast on Saturday, November 19th, 2011 from 7-10am at La Paz County Park Pavilion. Proceeds will be used to purchase Christmas gifts for less fortunate families sponsored by the committee. $5 includes 2 pancakes, 2 bacon, scrambled eggs, beverage.
Red Ribbon Week Business Decorating Contest
Oct 19th
Show the young people in our area that you support their choice to be drug free and violence free! The contest will be judged on Thursday the 27th. The Chamber has prizes for the best decorated business/organization and a prize for the random drawing of all participants. Let us know if you are participating so we can make sure to stop by and have a look!! Rolls of red ribbon and pre-made bows are available at Players 9th Street Youth Center. Call Debbie at the Chamber 669-2174 or Zuky at Players 669-0175 for more info.
4th Annual Chili Cookoff This Saturday
Oct 17th
The Parker Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce their Fourth Annual Colorado River Chili Cookoff & Car Show, October 22, 2010 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. In addition to the Chili Cookoff, there will be a salsa contest, a classic car show, a beer chugging and belching contest and a horseshoe tournament. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places for the best chili dishes, best salsas, beer chuggin…g and belching and for the winners of the horseshoe tournament.
This cool event will take place at La Paz County Park, one of the most beautiful settings along the famous Parker Strip. On hand will be two great bands to take us through the day: Highway 95 from Parker, AZ and PUSH from Lake Havasu City, AZ. You may want to enjoy a cold beer or other libation at the “River Diva Bar”. And for the kiddies, there will be an entire section dedicated to them including a balloon bounce and go cart racing!
There will be loads of vendors with tasty food, cool things to buy and prizes and raffles throughout the day. If you want to sample the chili and salsa and be eligible to vote for the “People’s Choice” award, there will be a small fee for the chili bracelet.
Besides the prizes for the contests, this year’s raffle is a wheelbarrel full of swag from local merchants. The contents range from gift certificates to power tools to CASH! The tickets are $5 for one or 6 tickets for $20. The total value is $2500. That is so cool! (See picture below.)
For more information, including vendor applications, chili and salsa team registration and horseshoe tournament sign up, please contact the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce at 928 669-2174.
Thanks to all the sponsors making this event possible. Please note that there were two ways to sponsor this event. Cash sponsorship and donated merchandise and swag including the wheelbarrel.
Please visit: www.parkeraz.org to see the full list of the wonderful sponsors!
Red Ribbon Week Planning Meeting TOMORROW!
Oct 17th
The last Red Ribbon Week Planning Meeting will be held at Players 9th Street Youth Center tomorrow (Oct. 18) at noon. We’ve had such great support from the community so far! Amazing turnouts to the planning meetings as well as donating time, gifts and money to the event. We will be finalizing a lot of the details for Red Ribbon Week so if you’re interested in helping out, this is a must attend! Pizza and drinks will be available. Please RSVP to melissa.paace@gmail.com, call 669-0175 or check out our PAACE Facebook page for more details.
This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community. Thank you again SO much!
This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme for La Paz County
Sheriff’s Explorers go to work in Salome
Oct 17th
On October 16th, 2011, the La Paz County Sheriff’s Explorer Post #516 participated in its first “Taking Back Our Community” Event. With the help of Sheriff’s Deputies, the Explorers worked to clean up and paint over gang graffiti which has recently surfaced in Salome. The Explorers sent a clear message that the community belongs to its residents, not the gangs which are surfacing in the Salome/Wenden Area.
Law Enforcement Exploring is a career-oriented program that gives high school students the opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement by working with local law enforcement agencies. The La Paz County Explorer Post #516 was founded in July of 2011 and is available to students of Salome High School. The program focuses on community service, integrity, and professionalism. It was founded to provide educational and career opportunities which would be otherwise unavailable to the youth in the rural areas of La Paz County.
The La Paz County Sheriff’s Explorers are funded 100% by community donations, and the Deputies and Community Members who work with the program volunteer their time. If you have any questions or wish to make a donation, inquire at the Sheriff’s Office Administration at 1109 Arizona Ave in Parker, or contact Deputy Robert Brady at rbrady@lapazsheriff.org or Deputy Anthony Nelson at awnelson@lapazsheriff.org.
BlueWater Desert Challenge: $2,000 in “Team Ford” Pole Awards
Oct 14th
September,
2011 – Las Vegas, NV
The BlueWater Desert Challenge in Parker, AZ, October 13-16, hosted by the Blue Water Resort & Casino, is the fourth event in the five-race 2011 Best In The Desert “American Off-Road Racing Series”. Unlike all of the other Best In The Desert long distance races, that are either a long loop race, or a point to point course, as is the Parker “425” or the recent TSCO Vegas to Reno” courses, the Blue Water Desert Challenge is a 2-day multi-race format that features Best In The Desert’s Car, Truck and UTV classes running both days for combined results to determine the winners.
This is the second year running of the Blue Water Desert Challenge. Last year saw more than 180 cars, trucks and UTVs for the inaugural event and has already become an exceptionally popular event with both racers and fans. As soon as the dust settled at the Vegas to Reno race, racers started telling each other, “I’ll see you October in Parker.” The unique format still allows competitors to log in more that 150 miles of challenging desert racing over the course of two days. It also offers the racers to make adjustments and fine tune their vehicles for the second day of shoot-out style competition.
Two full days of non-stop racing on an exciting 26 mile long course that treats the racers to the likes of John Wayne’s Gorge, Marilyn’s Romp, The Matterhorn, The Sand Pile, Parker River Run, The New Thunder Alley and The Snake Pit. Casey Folks, director of Best in the Desert, said, “This course is a racer’s dream come true…an off-road racer’s Disneyland. It not only
features the famous “Parker Python”, but also a wide selection of tough terrain that’s sure to please and challenge every team – every racer.”
Unlike other Best InThe Desert races where the Trick Trucks and Class 1500 cars compete head-to-head for the coveted first starting position and $1000 “Team Ford” Pole award, they will have separate “time trials” for the two classes as they race in different heats. So for this race only, the sponsor of the Pole Award -Team Ford-Lincoln owner Steve Olliges stepped up to the plate and said, “Since the Trick Trucks and Unlimited 1500 vehicles have their own individual class time trials and their own races, I am pleased to pay out our $1,000 Pole Award to the TWO fastest classes – each class will have their own Pole Awards. Both winners of the time trials in their respective classes, which run on the Thursday before the race, will take home $1,000 each in cash, plus the beautiful “Team Ford” engraved Pole Award trophy to boast over with their friends and fellow competitors!” Each Pole Award winner will also receive a custom limited edition Jason Beam hat. Jason is the top designer in NASCAR helmets. He does all the top drivers, including current Sprint Car Cup champion and former off-road racing star Jimmie Johnson.
The Blue Water Desert Challenge is held in the Town of Parker, AZ with the start/finish line just one mile from the Host Hotel, the beautiful Blue Water Resort & Casino, right along the beautiful Colorado River. It’s a great time to come to Parker; off-road race by day and play at the beautiful Blue Water Resort & Casino by night!
Best In The Desert official sponsors: Ford Motor Company – official truck, General Tire – official tire, Lucas Oil – official oil, VP Racing Fuels – official fuel, KC HiLiTES – official light, John Deere – official UTV, Husqvarna – official motorcycle, Fabtech – Official Suspension, Fall Advertising, Prerunner Maniac, McKenzies, PCI Race Radios, Azunia Tequila, and Sportsman Cycle Sales.
The American Off-Road Racing Series…Best In The Desert!
Further information available from: www.bitd.com
email: bitd@bitd.com, phone: (702) 457-5775
MEDIA CONTACT: www.fallads.com/bitd, email: mediabitd@fallads.com
