Payson Roundup 052716

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What a rodeo

Graduation

Feel the spin of the Gary Hardt Memorial Spring Rodeo: 3B

See our special graduation publication inside this issue.

Tigers on the Rim Honoring 2016 Grads

Congratulations on this milestone achievemen We salute your hard work and ded t, graduates. ication!

PHS Valedictorian

Anna Schouten

PHS Valedictorian

Kara Van Zile

PHS Salutatorian

Fishing thrill comes to Rim Country: 7A

Brian Gastineau

A PUBLICA TION OF THE PAYSON ROUNDU P

PAYSON ROUNDUP

ARIZONA NEWSPAPERS AND NATIONAL LOCAL MEDIA ASSOCIATIONS’ NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

payson.com

FRIDAY | MAY 27, 2016 | PAYSON, ARIZONA

Fire flares for Memorial Day

75 CENTS

Political shuffle Evans runs for supervisor; Hughes, Swartwood face off by

Alexis Bechman

roundup staff reporter

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service

Wildfire a benefit, not a bane in cool weather

by

Peter Aleshire

roundup editor

Firefighters continued to monitor and direct a 2,500-acre fire burning near Young that has put out so much smoke the Forest Service has closed a large area of the forest and set up guide cars to move people safely along smoky roads. The Juniper Fire has been burning for eight days, but moist fuels and low temperatures have allowed firefighters to use the fire to thin brush and over-

grown thickets. Crews have mapped out an area totaling some 80,000 acres in which the fire could in theory move, depending on weather conditions. On Thursday, the Forest Service had 267 firefighters on the line, with six Hotshot crews, 13 engines, three bulldozers and a helicopter. “By allowing a lightning fire to burn under these conditions — cooler, with higher moistures — we can

• See Firefighters manage, page 10A

Gunman shoots at cars, cops on Beeline by

Alexis Bechman

roundup staff reporter

A San Tan Valley man is in custody after police say he went on a shooting spree Tuesday night, striking six vehicles, including a police cruiser on the Beeline Highway near Fountain Hills. It appears James David Walker, 34, randomly started shooting at vehicles around 8:30 p.m. just south of the Shea Boulevard intersection on SR 87. Callers reported to dispatch they were

being shot at by a man with a rifle or machine gun, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. A bullet grazed the head of one man. His vehicle caught fire from the gunfire. The man later sought medical attention. Another man was struck in the leg as he drove. He went to the Ft. McDowell Casino for help. He was later taken to the hospital. Neither man had life-threatening injuries. After shooting wildly, Walker drove to a nearby gas station and carjacked a victim’s vehicle at gunpoint. He fled northbound on 87,

shooting at one trooper in his patrol vehicle, hitting the vehicle at least twice. The officer was not injured. Officers lost sight of Walker for about three hours. A Mesa Police Department helicopter spotted the stolen vehicle in a ditch off 87 near milepost 201. About a quarter- to a half-mile south of the car, officers found Walker lying on the ground in the fetal position. A DPS SWAT team approached the sus-

• See Police arrest, page 2A

After four terms, Kenny Evans has said he will not run for Payson mayor again. But don’t think Evans is bowing out of politics just yet. Look for his name on the ballot under Gila County Board of Supervisors. Evans, a Republican, is running for the District 3 seat on the county board, currently held by Democrat John Marcanti. Republican Woody Cline of Young is also running for the District 3 seat, which represents the south and east sections of Payson, Star Valley and communities to the east and south of Globe. Current Payson Vice Mayor Michael Hughes announced he will run for mayor and take over where Evans left off. Also running for mayor is Realtor Craig Swartwood, who served one term as Payson mayor in the early 1990s. Confusingly, Evans also took out the paperwork to run for mayor again. Evans said he was still weighing his options when he took out the paperwork, but has since decided to run for county supervisor. Hughes said he started thinking about running for mayor at the start of the year, but out of respect for Evans instead had decided to simply run for another council term. When Evans set his See Two Realtors, page 2A

Payson Vice Mayor Michael Hughes (top) will contend with former Payson Mayor Craig Swartwood in the upcoming election, now that incumbent Mayor Kenny Evans has decided to run for Gila County supervisor. Other candidates will have to turn in petitions before next Wednesday.

Don’t trash the forest! by

Michele Nelson

roundup staff reporter

Seems one of the greatest byproducts of the Memorial Day holiday is trash. The Payson Ranger District and its Forest Service volunteers plan to come to the rescue with their Pack It Out trash program refined and improved from last year. The rangers and volunteers have two dump sites available for the happy hoards of visitors to leave their trash before they drive down the hill. On Monday, May 30, large dumpsters, donated by Gila County will sit at two places: The Home Depot, at the north end of Payson in its parking lot off of Highway 87 and at the corner of Tyler Parkway and Highway 260 from the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Not only did the Forest Service partner with Gila County and Home Depot, but Carl’s Jr.,

• See Trash collection, page 2A HOLIDAY DEADLINES

The Roundup will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. The following deadlines are in effect: For the Tuesday, May 31 issue, classified word ads and obituaries are due by noon Friday, May 27.

volume 26, no. 45

Alexis Bechman/Roundup

Rim Country Middle School parents and graduating eighth-graders jammed into the high school auditorium to celebrate on Thursday.

Middle school students celebrate graduation by

Alexis Bechman

roundup staff reporter

See our ad and upcoming events on page 10B

The class of 2020 received a spirited send off as they graduated from Rim Country Middle School Thursday afternoon. There was standing room only in the Payson High School auditorium as friends and family of the 181 graduates crammed in to cheer the students on as they transition to the next phase of their education. This was Jennifer White’s first graduation speech as the school’s principal. She said people often grimace when she tells them she works with

middle school students. This class, with their kindness, honesty, inquisitiveness and patience, has taught her that middle school is not just to be endured and survived, but a place where students discover who they are meant to be. “We believe in you,” she said, adding she can’t wait to attend their college graduations. Student council president Ellie Hubbard said she was most proud of the class’ unity. She encouraged the class to stick together as they go into high school and to empower and help each other in the years to come. “Let’s go in with confidence,” she said.

One student walking out of the ceremony with a big boost in his confidence was Aaron Alderman who the Kiwanis Club of Payson recognized as the most improved student. Teachers selected Alderman for the award. He received a plaque and $100 check. Seven students were recognized for holding straight As throughout middle school. They include John Becker, Teryn Fabian, Hailey Hall, Ellison Hubbard, Kaitlyn Pasamonte, B.J. Paulson and Anastasiya Peters. Another 23 students were recognized for making it on the National Junior Honor Society.

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