August 19, 2015 • Vol. 13, No.33
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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Anthem | Black Canyon City | Carefree | Cave Creek | Desert Hills | New River| North Phoenix | Tramonto
Haggen in Anthem to close its doors in next 60 days ANTHEM – After being open just three months, Haggen in Anthem has been placed on a list of Haggen stores to be closed. The closedown will take place in the next 60 days. Haggen sent out a release on Aug. 14, stating that multiple stores across the West will soon be closed or sold. The release notes that Haggen has not yet determined how many jobs will be affected as a result of the closures. Haggen in Anthem was included in a list of stores being closed, along with four other Arizona stores: two in Tucson, one in Flagstaff, and one in Prescott Valley. Sixteen California stores, five Oregon stores, and one Washington store are also scheduled to close.
The stores will continue to operate until the closing process is complete. The Haggen company has faced multiple problems since their expansion from 18 stores to 164 stores last year when Haggen bought 146 stores after the Albertsons/Safeway merger. Last July, Albertsons announced a lawsuit against Haggen over contract negotiations. Haggen has also faced opposition from employee representatives after
cutting positions and work hours for employees in the past few months. In the Aug. 14 release announcing store closings, Haggen CEO Pacific Southwest Bill Shaner called closing and selling stores a “tough choice,” adding that they would be aiming to invest “in stores that have the potential to thrive under the Haggen banner.” “Haggen’s goal going forward is to ensure a stable, healthy company that will benefit our customers, associates, vendors, creditors, stakeholders as well as the communities we serve,” said Shaner in the release. Haggen has not yet announced if they have potential buyers for the stores that are closing.
Vietnam vet’s ‘wish fulfilled’ with Veterans Memorial paver
ANTHEM – Every Anthem Veterans Memorial paver has deep meaning. Sr. Master Sergeant Monn’s paver (pictured above) is the newest addition to the Memorial and is the fulfillment of a last wish.
Last week, Veterans Memorial Support Team volunteer Liz Turner received a call from Rick Monn. Sadly, Rick’s father, a Vietnam War (Tet Offensive)
MEMORIAL
continued on page 5
One year later New River 2014 flood highlights importance of preparedness ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
NEW RIVER – Aug. 19, 2014 started like a typical rainy day during the monsoon season. In just a few hours, however, it was evident that this was no ordinary storm. Record rainfall caused damage all over the Valley, and New River especially was hit hard. About five inches of rain fell that day, much of it in just five hours. Over the course of Aug. 19, 2014, Daisy Mountain Fire Department and other Valley fire Then and now: Pictured left is the New River Wash, alongside the Frontage Road, during the Aug. 19, 2014 flood. Pictured right is the New River Wash in the same area, photographed Aug. 13, 2015.
WILDFIRE:
ON THE ROAD:
IN MUSIC:
Rattlesnake Fire burning
ADOT testing new wrong-way
Cody Canada and The
near Bumble Bee
driving detectors
Departed coming to New River
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FLOOD
continued on page 9
OTHER : • Bluhm Column
6
• Service Directory
15
• Classified Ads
18