June 1, 2016 • Vol. 14, No.29
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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To save a life: Daisy Mountain Fire stages drowning call simulation to emphasize the importance of water safety
ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
NORTH VALLEY – In the last six months, five children under 6 years old have died in drowning incidents, just in Arizona alone, according to Children’s Safety Zone. According to the CDC, every day, at least two children in the United States die due to drowning. One child lost to drowning is too many, and local first responders are doing their best to get the word out about how to prevent these tragedies. On May 24, the Daisy Mountain Fire Department staged a simulated drowning dispatch to drive home the importance of water safety and share information on how to prevent drownings. Firefighter/
Staff photos
Pictured left: As part of the simulated drowning dispatch, Daisy Mountain Fire Department firefighter/EMTs transported Cody Wood from a local home to the HonorHealth Sonoran Health and Emergency Center. Pictured right: Cody with his parents and the DMFD crew.
paramedics from DMFD Station #141 responded to a simulated drowning situation and went
through all the steps taken on a drowning call, from the reported scene to transporting
the patient to the HonorHealth Sonoran Health and Emergency Center. Foothills Focus staff was
DROWNING CALL continued on page 3
Groundbreaking held for Buffalo Chip Saloon ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
CAVE CREEK – A groundbreaking for the Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse was held on May 25. Construction on the new building is estimated to be completed in 4-6 months. The main Buffalo Chip building burned down in a fire on Thanksgiving Day in 2015; the fire is being investigated as arson. No arrests have been made yet in connection with the fire. After the fire, a fundraiser was held for the employees, and the community raised over $40,000 to assist the employees who were out of work due to the
fire. The Chip has now resumed business, holding regular bull riding events and serving barbecue from a temporary kitchen. Approximately 50 local residents, council members, and Chip regulars attended the informal groundbreaking on May 25. Larry Wendt, owner of the Buffalo Chip, spoke at the ceremony, thanking the community for their continued support. Calling the day of the fire a “tragic, tragic day,” Wendt said he considered retiring and walking away from the business, but the instant supportive
response from the community and beyond changed that. He expressed appreciation for the community support through the employee fundraiser, the permitting process, and the approvals from the Cave Creek Town Council. “I have more energy than ever to get this thing back and going!” Wendt said. Lumber for the Buffalo Chip construction is coming from the Mt. Shasta, Calif. sawmill. Wendt said that $250,000 worth of antique lumber has been
GROUNDBREAKING continued on page 9
FRAUD ALERT:
PROP 123:
AWARDS:
IRS warning taxpayers
Education officials calling
Local students receive
of new scam attempts
Prop 123 “first step” in funding
scholarships and awards
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OTHER : • Bluhm Column
7
• Service Directory
15
• Classified Ads
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