Good kids honored: 5A • ‘Martian’ comes to RCMS: 8A
PAYSON ROUNDUP
ARIZONA NEWSPAPERS AND NATIONAL LOCAL MEDIA ASSOCIATIONS’ NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
payson.com
TUESDAY | JANUARY 19, 2016 | PAYSON, ARIZONA
75 CENTS
University site work continues by
Peter Aleshire
roundup editor
The push to build a university campus in Payson continues to advance, with architects and engineers working on plans for the infrastructure and conversations continuing with Arizona State University. Consultant Joe Tyndall reported the status of the preliminary planning studies last week to the Rim Country Educational Alliance board at its monthly meeting. Consultants have completed work on a geotechnical survey, necessary to place the buildings and “We had a meeting seek construction with the university and bids. The survey learned about the found, as expected, that bedrock lies additional requirements 4-10 feet below the for housing and surface over most parking, so we’re of the 253-acre site, a key statis- making those tic when it comes adjustments. But we just time to seek bids want to let you know from contractors for things like the we’re right on schedule.” core university Joe Tyndall buildings and dorConsultant mitories. The Rim Country Educational Foundation hired a project manager and an architect to draw up site plans, especially when it comes to infrastructure like roads, sewer, water and power. The cost of that contract is nearly $1 million, with most of the money coming from the MHA Foundation, from the $40 million it received as a result of a merger with Banner Health Systems, which now runs the Banner Payson Medical Center.
• See University site, page 2A
County tab: $2.3 million by
Teresa McQuerrey
roundup staff reporter
Earlier this month, the Gila County Board of Supervisors approved spending $2.3 million with a Mesa company to finish the renovations on a modular building on the Globe courthouse property. The modular has been designated the Copper Administration Building (CAB). This cost is in excess of the $1.95 million in financing the county secured in January 2015. The new deputy county manager, the finance director and new public works director reviewed the project in late summer and boosted the estimate. The county wants to move several departments out of rented space and into the new building. Currently the county is paying $160,730 to rent space for probation. The Mesa company, SD Crane Builders, Inc., will make extensive improvements to both the interior and exterior of the modular, which is a
Photo courtesy of the Pine/Strawberry Fire Department
A neighbor took this photo Saturday as Pine/Strawberry firefighters worked to contain a fire in a second-floor bedroom of a home on Buffalo Road.
Pine, Payson firefighters contain blaze by
Alexis Bechman
roundup staff reporter
One person was arrested Satur day on drug charges after a Strawberry house fire. Firefighters saved most of the home, in the 8500 block of Buffalo Road and contained the flames to a second-story room. The homeowner’s nephew arrived at the home late Friday night with his 3-year-old daughter and two adult friends. Around 12:40 p.m. Saturday, while outside playing in the snow, the group saw smoke coming from the home, said P-S Fire Chief Gary Morris.
Both Pine-Strawberry fire stations responded and Strawberry engine 421 was first on scene. Firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from a second-story window. Using a hose line, firefighters hit the flames from the ground. Pine engine 411 and water tender 411 arrived shortly after and went inside to attack the flames in a small second-story bedroom. Crews knocked the flames down, containing the damage to the bedroom and immediate area. Payson Fire sent an engine, a water tender and a battalion chief to help. Twelve firefighters were on scene to fight the fire. There were no injuries.
A special night for special people by
Michele Nelson
roundup staff reporter
“It was such a magical thing. Everybody who was there was touched to be there.”
They danced. They laughed. They had such a great time they can’t wait to do it again, said Teresa Chernov, the organizer of the first-ever ball for special people. Teresa Chernov Organizer “So many people on the way out were like, ‘Are we going to do this again?’” she said. Chernov was talking about the first ever Winter Wonderland Ball held at the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Saturday, Jan. 16. The 40 people, included the families of special people, came out to enjoy a lovely dinner, scrumptious dessert and drawings for prizes — but it was the dancing that brought out the smiles — and emotions.
• See A special night, page 10A
Photo courtesy of DJ Craig
The Winter Wonderland Ball at the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino provided a wonderful night for kids who never got to go to the prom.
Rescuers extract seriously injured driver by
Alexis Bechman
roundup staff reporter
Firefighters had to cut a man out of a vehicle Saturday after he went off the roadway south of Pine. The man’s vehicle went off State Route 87 around 5 p.m., flipping into a depression across the street from the Pine Trailhead turnoff, said Pine-Strawberry Fire Chief Gary Morris. The vehicle traveled approximately 30 yards off the road near milepost 267 and then down a 20-foot embankment, coming to rest upside down with heavy damage. Both P-S fire stations responded and found the driver hanging upside down, still in his seatbelt. Crews used extrication tools to remove him. The Arizona Department of Public Safety closed the highway so Native Air 7 could land and take the man to the Scottsdale Osborn Hospital trauma center. The man had a serious head injury. It is unknown what caused the vehicle to leave the road.
• See Cost of Gila County, page 2A THE WEATHER
Outlook: Sunny Wednesday and Thursday with highs in the mid 50s, lows near 30. Details, 9A
The Pine-Strawberry fire marshal and insurance company investigators are investigating and suspect electrical may be the cause. “This fire could have easily spread to the entire house had it not been for rapid reporting and a rapid-fire attack by firefighters,” Morris said. “Fire crews saved the home.” The Gila County Sheriff’s Office responded with four deputies and arrested one of the occupants on drug-related charges. Because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Monday, the GCSO did not have anyone available to answer questions about that arrest.
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