Business celebrates 51 years: 6A • County plunks down $200,000: 7A • Track stars head to state: 3B ARIZONA NEWSPAPERS AND NATIONAL LOCAL MEDIA ASSOCIATIONS’ NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
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FRIDAY | MAY 6, 2016 | PAYSON, ARIZONA
Full story of death in police chase revealed
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On the night of Sept. 5, 2015, two Payson men made a series of poor decisions that cost one young man his life and a police officer his job. The 1.4-mile chase through the darkness ended Officer Tyler Forsberg’s law enforcement career in Payson and left Edward Chase Breyette’s family shattered. It also triggered a bungled firing and months of speculation about the tragic incident. The Roundup obtained a copy of the Payson Police Department’s internal investigation of the incident recently and learned contrary to Forsberg’s initial statements, his speeds hit 89 mph on McLane Road as he pursued 20-year-old Chase. Friends said Chase had previously told them no cop would catch him. The department issued a statement based on Forsberg’s information shortly after the wreck, saying Forsberg had slowed down when Chase took off at an “excessive speed.” In fact, a monitoring device in Forsberg’s car showed he quickly reached speeds of nearly 90 mph between Rumsey Park and Airport Road. The investigation of the incident led to
Payson Police photo
This photo shows Edward Chase Breyette’s wrecked motorcycle the night he died fleeing from Payson Police Officer Tyler Forsberg.
Star Valley OKs budget
$9 million plan shrugs off radar loss by
Teresa McQuerrey
roundup staff reporter
Shrugging off the loss of photo radar enforcement funds and hearing of plans to pursue $300,000 in new grant money, the Star Valley Town Council approved a tentative $9.1 million budget this week. The contractor for the town’s photo enforcement program, Redflex, has secured private investigator licenses for its staff, complying with an order from the Arizona Attorney General. But the cameras are still turned off on East Highway 260 — they were shut down in mid-March. Town Manager Tim Grier said he’s waiting to see what Phoenix does before taking any action to resume the program until the legislation making it illegal goes into effect. Star Valley’s 2015-16 budget showed an estimated $889,000 in revenue from the photo enforcement program. The 2016-17 budget sets the actual FY 15-16 revenues, which have yet to be realized, at $768,865. Projected FY 16-17 revenues from the program, as it winds down are $96,000. The loss is offset by a number of things. “We have lost revenue, but we have also gained revenue,” Grier told the council prior to its action on the tentative budget. “We’re sitting on an ample fund balance ... We have braced for the day
when we might lose photo enforcement revenue and have prepared for it and can continue to provide many services for the residents,” he said. The budget documents show increases in city sales tax; state income tax sharing; and auto lieu tax. Additionally, the town expects an increase in its Highway User Revenue Fund receipts from stateshared taxes. The new grant money plans were not detailed, however, in another item of business, the town contracted with the Central Arizona Association of Governments for work on a Community Block Development Grant to purchase a well on the old Circle K property and connect it to the town’s water system. CDBG revenue of $289,709 is budgeted for the upcoming fiscal year. The Star Valley Town Council can continue to refine its budget for several more weeks until a final budget must be adopted. Other business The council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Town of Payson and the Rim Country Educational Alliance for legal services. As needed, Star Valley can use the legal services of Payson’s attorney and Payson can use Star Valley’s attorney, as can the RCEA. This provides legal advice when there is a conflict of interest or absence by an attorney. The IGA says the cost will be only $65 an hour.
THE WEATHER Saturday: Mostly sunny with a 30% chance for rain; high 61, low 39. Details, 9A
volume 26, no. 39
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a police department blunder, according to the report obtained by the Roundup as a result of repeated Freedom of Information requests over the last six months. The department initially fired Forsberg for lying about his speed. However, the department revoked the firing after Forsberg’s attorney pointed out errors in how the town handled the dismissal. Due to a “technicality,” Payson then allowed Forsberg to resign. Today, Chase’s father, Edward Breyette, is angry. He’s angry that his son tried to foolishly outrun a cop. He’s also furious that Forsberg’s actions contributed to his son’s death. Now, Edward is grappling with the sorrow and guilt and agonizing questions about what might have been — as well as contemplating additional legal action. Payson Police Chief Don Engler had said he could not release the report until the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office determined whether to charge Forsberg for his actions. On March 9, the MCAO finished their review and decided not to charge Forsberg or Ryan Jacob Brown, a friend of Chase, who reportedly supplied him with alcohol that night.
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PAYSON ROUNDUP
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This illustration, based on a map taken from the police investigation, shows Officer Tyler Forsberg’s speed between Rumsey Park and Saddle Lane as he pursued Edward Chase Breyette on Sept. 5, 2015.
FDA orders huge frozen food recall by
Michele Nelson
roundup staff reporter
The Food and Drug Administration has sent out a recall on frozen produce packed by CRF Frozen Foods due to the Listeria monocytogenes organism. In a press release, the FDA said if infected, patients show the following symptoms:
“High fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infections may cause miscarriages and stillborns among pregnant women,” said the FDA. The FDA also said, that Listeria monocytogenes is most dangerous to the ill, infirm, elderly or young children. Various outlets from Safeway, to Walmart, CostCo and Trader Joe’s sold
the frozen produce under a long list of brand names. Infected batches may be identified by brand name, produce type, then both their UPC code and “best buy or sell by dates” said the FDA. The best by/sell by dates range between April 26, 2016 through April 26, 2018. These vegetables were distributed in
• See Frozen vegetable, page 5A
Police catch alleged heroin dealer Suspect eludes officers, but not drug dogs by
Alexis Bechman
roundup staff reporter
After six months of work, investigators say they have arrested a heroin dealer. Gabriel Martinez, 20, of the Valley, was arrested around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday for various drug charges. Officers found 3.5 grams of heroin and a gram of meth on Martinez along with drug paraphernalia, including a scale, said Det. Sgt. Erik Axlund with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Gila/Navajo County Narcotics.
Axlund said investigators had been trying to get Martinez for six months as he was known to sell drugs in the community. On Wednesday, officers spotted Martinez at a local motel with his ex-girlfriend. They reportedly witnessed vehicles coming and going to the room. However, when officers tried to follow Martinez, they lost him. Axlund said it was clear Martinez was trying to evade arrest. Officers later stopped him near the casino and a K9
alerted to drugs in the vehicle. The Gila County Drug, Gang and Violent Crimes Task Force arrested Martinez on charges of possessing dangerous drugs and narcotic drugs, possessing those drugs for sale, transporting drugs for sale and drug paraphernalia. Officers later went back to the hotel room with a search warrant and arrested Summer Kelley, 21, of Payson, on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and narcotic drugs. Axlund called the bust a great success.
Gabriel Martinez He thanked the Payson Police Department, Task Force and DPS for their assistance.
Winners! by
Keith Morris
roundup sports editor
PHOENIX — A Payson High softball team that started the season just hoping to make the playoffs now wants to win it all. The lineup featuring six sophomores and just three returning starters beat Bullhead City Mohave 3-1 in the second round of the Division 3 state tournament at Rose Mofford Softball Complex on Thursday afternoon to advance to the quarterfinals. The Longhorns will meet section rival Snowflake at 7 o’clock tonight at Rose Mofford. The winner moves on to the semifinals at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Payson stands among the final eight teams for the fifth consecutive year. Not bad for a team that wasn’t sure of its potential after learning that injuries would sideline senior stars Arissa Paulson and Anilese Hayes for the entire season. But sophomore Aubrielle Paulson has taken to her role as
• See Longhorns, page 5A
Keith Morris/Roundup
Aubrielle Paulson pitched one of her best games of the year according to the coach to advance the Longhorn softball team past the second round of the state playoffs on Thursday. Payson faces Snowflake tonight at 7. If the Horns win that game, they’ll advance to the semifinals on Saturday. If they win that game, they’ll play for the state championship on Tuesday. Follow their progress at payson.com.
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