February 26, 2020 • Vol. 18, No. 12
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
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Volunteers help combat illegal dumping on state land BY TRACY DEMETROPOLIS
Sue Schaffer, facilitator of Footprints Matter to Us, takes a ride on Arizona state trust land. Footprints Matter to Us is a community involvement organization that partners with local groups to clean up trash that is illegally dumped on parts of Arizona’s 9.2 million acres of state trust land. Photo courtesy of Sue Schaffer
ARIZONA — Nothing spoils a day outside enjoying the Arizona state trust land like a pile of junk. Or two. Or three. Unfortunately, illegal dumping is something the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) must handle on a regular basis. Arizona has a staggering amount of state trust land – 9.2 million acres to be exact. Steve Rusiecki, the Interim Director of the Natural Resources Division of the ASLD, said the department does the best it can with the resources it has, but those resources are limited. “Illegal dumping and homeless camps are the two
major contributors of trash and debris on state land,” Rusiecki said. “If left unaddressed, problem areas tend to get worse because people think it is okay to keep dumping on Trust or public lands.” With limited resources at its disposal, the department reaches out to organizations that will volunteer their time to help clean up the state land. These organizations include non-profits, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, a local apparel company that supports nature and even individuals.
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AZ DPS receives $100K grant for DUI enforcement PHOENIX – Last month, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) was awarded a $100K grant by the DUI Abatement Council. This amount is $20,000 more than the previous year, according to a DPS press release. The DUI Abatement Council is administered by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The funding will be allocated by the Department’s Highway Patrol Division through December 31, 2020, for overtime staffing and employeerelated expenses during aggressive DUI enforcement throughout the state.
This funding provides AZDPS with the capability of deploying troopers into areas that statistically, experience higher alcohol-related injury and fatal crashes. Additional troopers in these areas will help to increase the chances of stopping impaired drivers before a serious or even deadly crash happens, the press release said. Collision investigations, disabled motorists, debris, criminal violations, court proceedings and other administrative assignments typically reduce the amount of proactive patrol time a regular duty trooper can conduct; this grant will increase the proactive patrol time for troopers
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which allows them to target impaired drivers specifically. “We would like to thank the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the DUI Abatement Council for all of their support. The money will be put to good use in our pursuit to stop impaired drivers statewide, adding to our overall effort to make Arizona roadways safer for everyone,” said Lt. Colonel Jenna Mitchell, Assistant Director, Highway Patrol Division. The AZDPS is a law enforcement agency whose mission is to protect human life and property by enforcing state laws, deterring criminal activity and providing vital
support to the State of Arizona and its citizens. In Arizona, if you are 21-years-old or older, you will receive a DUI if your Blood Alcohol Content is above .08% (commercial vehicle driver .04%, under 21 - 0.00%). Once you are pulled over and suspected
of driving under the influence, a field test will be administered. Refusal to take the test will result in an automatic one-year suspension of your license if it is your first offense. If it is your second or third offense, your license will be suspended Source: AZDPS for two years.
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Firefighters help keep community clean
Owners spending more on pet-care services
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AZDPS plans to direct the $100K grant toward aggressive DUI enforcement to help prevent car accidents like the one pictured above.
Photo courtesy of AZDPS
Motorcycle run benefits local veterans
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• Bluhm Column • Arts
• Movie Review
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