July 5, 2017 • Vol. 15, 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
Anthem | Black Canyon City | Carefree | Cave Creek | Desert Hills | New River| North Phoenix | Tramonto | Vistancia
Game and Fish offers tips on being a good neighbor to desert wildlife TARA ALATORRE STAFF
NORTH VALLEY – It is that humbling time of year again when the heat scorches all things living, and desert residents take queue seeking reprieve from the sun in any way possible. However, it is not just human residents seeking to escape the inferno; animals are also seeking shade, water and food, and as the extreme weather settles in, wildlife sightings can increase for rural residents. Living with the unique desert species found in the Valley can be a rare, coveted experience, and it is why many choose to live outside of the city. However,
ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
Photo courtesy of Arizona Game and Fish Department
Pictured are urban javelinas in a Valley yard.
these wild animals can also become a nuisance, causing property damage, harming
Protect yourself from the heat this summer KATE ARTMANN STAFF
NORTH VALLEY – Since almost 2,000 people are admitted into Arizona emergency rooms every year due to heat-related injuries, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services, it is important to take the necessary precautions in order to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Paul Schickel, Community Services Program Coordinator of the Daisy Mountain Fire Department, believes that minimizing the amount of time you spend in the heat is the best
Chiefs of Daisy Mountain, Sun City fire departments to speak at July 14 meeting
way to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses. “Be especially careful to limit your time in the late afternoon during the heat of the day,” said Schickel. “Try to arrange your schedule so your outside activities take place in the morning or late evening. Stay indoors in a cool air-conditioned environment as much as possible.” Since the high temperatures can cause you to lose a significant amount of water
SUMMER HEAT continued on page 11
LIBRARY:
WILDLIFE
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MEETING
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New River Elementary gears up for new STEM focus in upcoming school year ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
NEW RIVER – Classroom learning is all about getting students engaged in the education process, and New River Elementary is offering a new focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, a.k.a., STEM, for the coming school year. STEM activities will now be regularly featured in every classroom. STEM fields offer a huge range of potential for students, and New River teachers are aiming to encourage students to develop their interests in these
ON THE ROAD:
Library supports food banks New dust detector to help warn with ‘Food for Fines’
NORTH VALLEY – Daisy Mountain Fire Department Chief Mark Nichols and Sun City Fire and Medical Department Chief Mike Thompson will be the featured speakers at the July 14 New River/Desert Hills Community Association Town Hall meeting. The meeting, which is open to the public, will begin at 9 a.m. at the Anthem Civic Building. The Fire Chiefs will share information on the current agreements between the departments and discuss the basics of fire district funding and
budgeting. Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. The Daisy Mountain and Sun City departments already have intergovernmental agreements in place for shared services, including for mechanical services and overtime staffing. The possibility of a merger of some kind between the departments has been floated, and a Sun City accountant is conducting an actuarial to determine the financial benefits
areas, taking STEM activities beyond a textbook or classroom and into application in daily life. New River teacher Paula Ward noted that two years ago, she attended a STEM training, where she learned just how strongly STEM programs can improve students’ skills in critical thinking, problem solving, cooperation, and beyond. “The number of STEM related jobs in the work force is steadily increasing, while the number Pictured: New River 3rd grader Ryan building the tallest tower to hold a pumpkin.
FRAUD ALERT: IRS warns taxpayers to be
drivers of hazardous conditions aware of ongoing tax scams
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STEM
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OTHER : • Bluhm Column
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• Service Directory
15
• Classified Ads
18