June 12, 2019 • Vol. 17, No. 30
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
www.thefoothillsfocus.com
ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Anthem | Black Canyon City | Carefree | Cave Creek | Desert Hills | New River| North Phoenix | Tramonto | Peoria
Mountain Fire near Cave Creek burns more than 7,000 acres BY TARA ALATORRE
TONTO NATIONAL FOREST – A wildfire that sparked on June 7, approximately eight miles east of the Tonto National Forest Cave Creek Ranger Station, continues to burn. The Mountain Fire has scorched almost 7,500 acres with firefighters able to contain 53 percent of the blaze’s perimeter at the time this was written. Officials announced that the Mountain Fire was human caused and still under investigation. Firefighters say the wildfire grew quickly due to gusty winds and plentiful fuel from dry desert grass and brush, but
minimal growth has occurred since June 9. “The Mountain Fire was in lower elevation Sonoran Desert and the fire was carried by a carpet of dried grass, driven by winds. Once the winds died down, firefighters in the air and on the ground were able to make good progress,” U.S. Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Carrie Templin stated in an email to The Foothills Focus. With U.S. Forest Service (USFS) crews making good progress, many firefighters are being moved to other fires
MOUNTAIN FIRE continued on page 8
An aerial view of the Mountain Fire that is burning northeast of the towns Carefree and Cave Creek.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service
Drink local craft beer and help Maricopa County approves tentative 2020 budget, conserve Arizona wildlife public comment period open BY TARA ALATORRE
Conserve and Protect is available statewide from now until approximately fall. The public is encouraged to share their love of Arizona wildlife by posting to social media using #cheerstoAZwildlife.
Image courtesy of Mother Road Brewing/AZGFD
FLAGSTAFF – A new collaboration between the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and Mother Road Brewing Company will have craft beer lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists all sipping for a cause with the recent release of Conserve and Protect Kölsch. The light, approachable, German-style beer will be available statewide now through the fall, and for every limitededition can sold proceeds will be donated to AZGFD. The funds raised from the Conserve
AZGFD BEER continued on page 10
BY TARA ALATORRE
PHOENIX – The Maricopa County Supervisors unanimously approved a tentative budget for the fiscal year 2020 on May 31, with a $2.57 billion budget that keeps the tax rate remaining flat. The budget includes funding for updated technology and equipment for elections, capital improvements, which include projects for parks an East Valley animal shelter and a new sheriff substation in Avondale, according to a press release from Maricopa County. “Modern, reliable equipment is essential for a county of our size so we can efficiently
PHOENIX:
ANTHEM:
YCSO
Rescued hiker gets wild ride in
Riverview development
Yavapai County Sheriff's
helicopter last week
seeking final approval now
Office seeks fugitive
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handle the potential record number of voters participating in our democracy in the 2020 elections and beyond,” said Vice Chairman Clint Hickman, District 4. Also included in the tentative budget is continued funding for the Southeast Regional Justice Center, Central Court building, a new jail intake facility and a renovation project of the old Madison jail in downtown Phoenix. “This fiscally responsible and sustainable budget keeps the tax rate steady for our
COUNTY BUDGET continued on page 9
OTHER : • Bluhm Column
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• Service Directory
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• Classified Ads
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