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July 16, 2014 • Vol. 12, No.35
Postal Patron Cave Creek
ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
r pe pa ! s y ew nt y N ou kl a C e p e W co st ari e M g ar th e L or Th in N
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• Anthem
Buffaloes’ deaths spark inquiry
• Black Canyon City
CAVE CREEK – Cave Creek restaurant Hogs ‘N Horses is known for its signature buffaloes that live at the restaurant and climb up on a trailer to eat and drink. Now two buffaloes have died less than a week apart, leaving questions about the animals’ deaths. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is looking into the deaths of the buffalos. At this time, the cause of death is unclear for both animals. “We are investigating the deaths of these buffaloes,” reported Officer Christopher Hegstrom of MCSO. “As to the cause of death, we are investigating the cause.” Community speculations include that one or both of the animals was poisoned or that they fell from the trailer they frequently climbed on. As of this time, the ongoing investigation has not confirmed or ruled out either claim. The deaths have drawn widespread attention; media outlets across the country have noted the story. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has also issued a statement, calling for the practice of the buffaloes climbing to the top of the trailer to be stopped. The buffaloes were fixtures of Cave Creek, appearing in parades with Hogs ‘N Horses owner T.C. Thorstenson. These well-known creatures will be missed by the community.
Inside: Backpacks...............6 Bluhm........................7 Movie Review........9 Editorial.............. 14 Services................. 15 Crossword......... 18 Classifieds.......... 19
• Carefree
• Cave Creek
• Desert Hills
• New River
• North Phoenix
• Tramonto
Local athlete attending National Team Development Games
Local football player Lawson Busch will be attending the USA Football’s National Team Development Games.
ANTHEM – Anthem Preparatory Academy student Lawson Busch has been selected to attend USA Football’s National Team Development Games, presented by Shock Doctor in College Station, Texas. The event runs July 14-19 at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. Busch will be one of more than 180 high school athletes participating in this event, joining an elite group of football players from across the United States. A Tight End from Anthem Prep, Busch will have the opportunity to earn a roster spot on the U.S. National Team that will compete against Canada in the International Bowl. The U.S. National Development Games are not considered an all-star event by the NCAA or NFHS as they serve as the key evaluation event for the national team selection. The program was built to allow the best athletes across the county to compete on the field in order to gain exposure, develop their skills and fundamentals, and compete for a spot on the U.S. National Team.
U.S. National Team participants are chosen based on talent and character. Players will compete in a 7-on-7 tournament, jamboree, and f ull length games. Players will learn USA Football’s Heads Up Football player health and safety curriculum featuring proper equipment fitting, concussion education, heat preparedness and hydration education, and proper tackling techniques. USA Football scouts will evaluate the talent and ultimately build the U.S. National Team rosters. Scouts will also compile a list of top prospects from each event that will be distributed to every college football program in the country. Because this is a national team event, current NCAA coaches are granted permission from the NCAA to serve as instructors at the National Development Games. This provides an excellent opportunity for the athletes in attendance to work first hand with college coaches as well as former NFL players and top area high school coaches.
DVUSD adopts 2014-15 Newborn kittens rescued from barbecue pit school year budget ELIZABETH MEDORA
PHOENIX – The Deer Valley Unified School District has approved a budget for the upcoming school year. The budget accounts for a decrease in enrollment, staffing increases for full-day kindergarten, and other changes from the 2013-14 school year. Positively affecting the budget is Maricopa County’s housing valuation increase. Maricopa County homes have seen an upswing in value. According to the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office, the tax year 2015 full cash value for the median single family home in the county is now $160,000. This has risen from $128,000 for year 2014. Homeowners will be seeing a small increase, in most cases about $20, on tax bills. This extra money will be benefiting entities
that receive tax funds, including the DVUSD. To see more on valuation reports, visit www. mcassessor.maricopa.gov. The DVUSD approved their 2014-15 budget at a July 8 special budget meeting. Other issues discussed at this meeting included adjacent ways funds that will be used to prepare roadways that border new school grounds in the Sonoran Foothills area. These funds will be used to create access points for the DVUSD parcel of land where the new school will be built. The July governing board meeting followed the budget meeting. The meeting opened with reports from the governing board members. Governing board vice president Kelly Gorman noted
DVUSD budget
continued on page 2
ANTHEM – Anthem Pets volunteers saved five lucky newborn kittens from a barbecue pit last week. See full story and more photos on page 2. Thank you to Anthem Pets and everyone who helped rescue these babies!