Built in the 1900’s, Castro Park is the oldest park in Douglas. As a result, the park has been used by many generations of Douglas residents. Over the years people have held a variety of events at Castro Park, ranging from Halloween parties to political events.

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Romney wins convincing Michigan victory
DETROIT (AP) — Mitt Romney scored his first major primary victory Tuesday, a desperately needed win in his native Michigan that gave his weakened presidential candidacy new life. It set the stage for a wide-open Republican showdown in South Carolina in just four days.

Man gets prison for assault on Hereford woman
BISBEE — A man was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison during a hearing in Cochise County Superior Court on Tuesday for committing felony assault against a woman on June in Hereford.

Seniors may get a free ride-literally
PHOENIX — Some Arizona seniors could be getting a free ride — literally.

Goddard warns of Medicare scam
Attorney General Terry Goddard today warned consumers of a phone solicitation scam targeting Arizona’s seniors.

BLM recruits for seasonal fire jobs
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Gila District is currently recruiting applicants for seasonal employment during the 2008 fire season. To serve on a fire crew, persons must be at least 18 years of age and have a strong work ethic, ability to maintain good physical fitness, and willingness to contribute in a team-structured environment.

No leak
The Douglas Fire Department blocked traffic for about a half hour yesterday afternoon while a suspected gas leak was inspected at the 1300 block of 10th Street. No gas leak was found and traffic was restored at about 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Legislators have grim assessment of state economy
PHOENIX (AP) -Arizona legislators are hearing grim assessments of the economy and its impact on state budgeting.

Watkins’ resignation may be accepted this afternoon
George Watkins’ possible resignation from the Douglas Unified School District is the subject of the never ending meeting that began Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and is scheduled to resume today, Thursday, at 4:30 p.m. at the board room in the Central Administration offices on 12th Street.

Public meeting scheduled for planned community south of Border Patrol station
A public meeting is scheduled to gather community input on a proposed housing development south of the Border Patrol station.

Hoyack elected president during four-hour meet
The Douglas Unified School District Governing Board met on Wednesday, and four hours and six executive sessions later it still isn’t over.

Sanctions law: Judge indicates he might allow some prosecutions
PHOENIX — A federal judge hinted Wednesday he may give the go-ahead for prosecutors to begin charging companies with violating Arizona’s new employer sanctions law — but only in cases where workers were hired this year.

Lawmakers want public access to files from killed, injured children
PHOENIX -- State lawmakers took the first steps Tuesday to virtually guarantee public access to files when children are killed or very seriously injured.

Program to prosecute illegal immigrants set to expand in Southern Arizona
TUCSON — A program aimed at deterring illegal border crossings by prosecuting a select number of apprehended migrants will be expanded Monday to cover the busiest illicit entry corridor on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Supervisors approve chiller, animal crematorium
BISBEE — Residents in and above the Cochise County Courthouse on Quality Hill will be glad to hear the county plans to install a new chiller that is quieter and more efficient.

Tim Bee plans ‘important announcement’ Saturday
TUCSON — For several months, state Senate President Tim Bee has been seen as the likely Republican challenger against Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords for the 8th Congressional District seat.

Faras Honor RollFaras Honor Roll
Third Grade

Board accepts Watkins resignation
Ending a three-month long process, the Douglas Unified School Board officially accepted the settlement and resignation of former Huber Middle School principal George Watkins Thursday afternoon.

Copper Sky Development presented its 1,000 home plan to community
A planned community developer has proposed to build more than 1,000 homes and town houses south of the Border Patrol station.

Chertoff’s comment that opponents of law should ‘grow up’ draws criticism
WASHINGTON — New border-crossing rules that take effect in two weeks will mean longer lines and stiffer demands for ID, including for returning Americans, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday.

BLM recruits for seasonal fire jobs
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Gila District is currently recruiting applicants for seasonal employment during the 2008 fire season. To serve on a fire crew, persons must be at least 18 years of age and have a strong work ethic, ability to maintain good physical fitness, and willingness to contribute in a team-structured environment.

Welcome to Avenue Hotel
Tours of the historic Avenue Hotel on 1415 G Avenue, in front of the Dairy Queen, will be given on Saturday, 19, 2008.The tours will be given by Robin Brekhus, who is asking for $5 or more per person. The tour is a fundraiser for the 2008 Border to Border Airshow scheduled for March. The tours will begin at noon, 12:30 p.m. 1p.m. and 1:30p.m.  Photograph above: McKayla and Robin Brekhus posed behind the turn-of- the- century saloon at the Avenue Hotel.

Police Reports
January 8, 2008

Enjoy the taste of Farmers Market
Valerie’s Corner

Mission accomplished
Stevenson school celebrated the 100th day of school with great success. The students competed by collecting food cans for the Douglas Food Bank. Although this is an event they do every year, this year the event had a tremendous response. Kinder collected in Ms. Castillo’s room 62 cans, Mrs. Rose 163 cans. First grade collected in Mr. Long’s class 79, Mrs. Aguirre 106, Mrs. Melgoza 238. Second grade collected in Mrs. Colson 86,   Mrs. Long 104, Mrs. Keat 255. Third grade collects in Mr. Mendez’s class 20, Ms. Rosenburg 218, Fourth grade donated in Mrs. Canez’s class 92, Mrs. Arvizu 306. Fifth grade donated in Mrs, Chavez 131, Mrs. DelRincon 130, Mariscal 212. The top donors were Mrs. Ruiz 335 cans, Mrs. Rojas 395 cans, and Miss Elias class collected a grand total of 523 cans. The grand total of food items collected this year was 3,445 items. Mr. Daniel Martinez, President of the Douglas Food Bank and Mrs. Loya were at the school assembly to share the great success of this event. Stevenson staff wish to thank all the parents who donated food items with such a generous heart.

Giffords says next week’s override vote is ‘absolutely critical for Arizona’s children’
TUCSON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today criticized President Bush for failing to recognize that health insurance for children is an essential part of any economic stimulus package.

Giffords sees first year as search for solutions
SIERRA VISTA — U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords recently rated herself in an annual performance review.

Attorneys for agent charged with murder seek dismissal of case
BISBEE — Attorneys representing a U.S. Border Patrol agent charged with murdering an illegal immigrant near Naco filed a motion Friday in U.S. District Court in Tucson requesting the judge dismiss the case.

Gas prices vary across the county
According to the Cochise College Center for Economic Research’s latest biweekly survey of gas prices, conducted during the week of January 14, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Cochise County decreased slightly to $2.97 from $2.98 over the past month. According to AAA Arizona, the statewide price remained the same at $2.97 per gallon. Nationally, according to the Energy Information Administration, gas prices rose from $3.00 to $3.07 during the month period.

Process over with Watkins signing
Larry Blaskey
The Daily Dispatch

Yuma Border Patrol Agent killed
A Border Patrol agent assigned to the Yuma, Ariz. Border Patrol Station was killed in the line of duty Saturday.

Two Douglas men arrested with marijuana load
Two Douglas men were arrested Saturday in connection with more than 200 pounds of marijuana.

Cochise County Sheriff’s Office
The following are arrests made by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Cochise County Jail.

ON THE HOUSE: Is your home making you sick?
There’s plenty of concern - with good reason - about air pollution. But many people are unaware that indoor pollution can be just as bad as, or even worse than, the outdoor kind.

Napolitano budget includes borrowing to pay university’s new buildings plan
PHOENIX (AP)- Gov. Janet Napolitano proposed new borrowing to pay for big building plans for state universities Friday in a proposed budget that uses a variety of fixes to fill a huge budget shortfall without raising taxes or dramatically cutting spending.

Friday last day to ask for mail-in ballot
BISBEE — The Arizona Presidential Preference Election is less than a month away, and the period to request an early ballot is shrinking.

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
The Administration of Douglas Unified School District No. 27 (the “School District”) and George Watkins, an administrator employed by the School District for the 2007-2008 school year, represent, covenant and agree that there is a material dispute between the parties as to what occurred during the 2006 to 2008 school years. In order to resolve this dispute in the most practical manner possible, the parties agree as follows: