Cochise College hosts orientation for new students across district
Students planning to attend Cochise College in the fall will have a number of chances to get to know their way around during orientation events planned this summer.

Body of man found near Douglas
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office was called to retrieve a body northeast of Douglas Monday afternoon.

Beware of door-to-door magazine scam now occurring in Douglas
The Douglas Police Department would like to make the community aware of a scam going on in Douglas and other local communities.  Douglas Police were made aware of this scam by a resident who fell victim to the fraud.  The victim reported two young white males who were going door-to-door selling magazine subscriptions.  The two young males invite themselves into your home and are very pushy.  They claim that it is a school related fundraiser based on points and that they are competing with fellow classmates for points.  They plead for you to help them make more points until you get fed up with them and give in.  The company they claim to represent, FloRd Agency, has an address out of Del Ray Beach, Florida, but does not have a telephone number.  The company is fraudulent and has been given an “F” rating by the Better Business Bureau.  The City of Douglas has not issued any required licenses for the door-to-door sales, so they are also operating in violation of City Code.

Pettit seeks $600,000 in damages from DUSD
Even though Earl Petit has been Douglas Unified School District Superintendent for only about a year, his tenure has been rich with conflict.

6-Day race ends with new winner
The Fifth Annual 6-Day race ended Saturday with its third different winner in the last three years.

New texting law
PHOENIX -- Have a text message you've just GOT to get to a friend right now?

Law enforcement slams Ariz. concealed gun bill

Independence Day celebration kicks off on Friday
Douglas is celebrating the Fourth of July with a two-day event on July 3-4 at Veterans Memorial Park (8th Street Park) on Friday.

Buy a poppy to support Veterans
The American Legion Auxiliary will be distributing poppies during the Fourth of July activities to support our Veterans and Troops.

Budget stalls before deadline
PHOENIX — Efforts to enact a new state budget just a day before the deadline stalled Monday as some Republican lawmakers pushed to send Gov. Jan Brewer a spending plan she doesn’t like — and essentially dare her to veto it and shut down government.

Zamora wants to put ‘health’ and ‘care’ back into health care
Dr. Jay Zamora, a doctor in private practiced here in Douglas is part of a new movement of wellness professionals, committed to putting the “health” and the “care” back into our health care system. They are part of a growing number of doctors across America who are re-inventing themselves as wellness doctors focused on providing their communities inspiration and resources for people who “want” to take action.

NAMI provides help for those caring for a loved one with a mental impairment
For those of us who are caring for a loved one with mental illness, it can be difficult to find information and support from others who really understand what it is like.  

Rural art dream: Community art center mentors youths
ELFRIDA — Tucked away in a former family home lies a big dream that came true for artist Elizabeth Shuler-Pointer in the form of a community art center.

High arsenic levels found in two Douglas wells
During regular testing of Douglas drinking water, it was discovered that the arsenic level in two wells were beyond acceptable levels.

Police Report
June 9, 2009

This Week at the Douglas Farmers Market
Sundays, Castro 10th Street  Park, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Brewer vetoes pieces of state budget, calls it 'fatally flawed'
PHOENIX  Following through with her threat, Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed pieces of the state budget Wednesday  and then ordered state lawmakers to return to the Capitol next week to fix it.

Cochise College housing director found dead in campus apartment
The director of Housing and Student Life at Cochise College was found dead in his Douglas Campus apartment Tuesday morning.

DPS to have several DUI checkpoints
This year the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday. Many will be traveling to visit family in other areas of the state or other areas of the country.

5 drug smuggling attempts thwarted
BISBEE — Customs and Border Protection officers at the Douglas port of entry recently stopped five narcotics smuggling attempts totaling more than 625 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated street value of $1.5 million, according to a press release.

Federal judge acted improperly when order in lawmakers to provide more funding for English education
A federal judge overstepped his authority in ordering Arizona lawmakers to provide more funds to teach English to students statewide, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today.

Second county resident contracts Swine Flu
The Cochise County Health Department is announcing the second confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus ("swine flu") in Cochise County and has begun the customary disease investigation procedures.  The case is from the Sierra Vista area and involves an adult female.  The patient has recovered from the illness.

County gas prices continue to rise
According to the Cochise College Center for Economic Research’s latest biweekly survey of gas prices, conducted during the week of June 15, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Cochise County increased from $2.37 to $2.54 over the preceding two-week period. According to AAA Arizona, the statewide price went up from $2.41 to $2.66 per gallon. Nationally, according to the Energy Information Administration, gas prices increased from $2.52 to $2.67 during the two-week period.

Local economy expected to start rebounding this year
More than 80 business and community leaders attended the annual Douglas Economic Luncheon Thursday,  June. 4, at Cochise College.

$430,000 in drugs hidden in seat of pickup
 U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers stopped a drug-smuggling attempt when they seized more than 170 pounds of marijuana.  

Dever promotes four
Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever announced the promotion of four employees in his department on Thursday.

Lawmakers give final OK on balanced budget
PHOENIX-State lawmakers gave final approval Thursday night to their plan to balance the budget. But they won’t be sending it to Gov. Jan Brewer  at least not yet.

DUSD OKs hires for coming year
Even though school has just ended, the Douglas Unified School District Governing Board spent most of its June meeting preparing for the coming year.

Cochise County Superior Court Sentencings
The following are sentencings in Cochise County Superior Court, as provided by the court system. The listings include disposition date, charge and sentence. “Monetary” can be a fine or restitution, or both.

Farmers Market features special events Sunday
Flag Day Ceremony by Douglas Elks & Cub Scouts, 10 to 11 a.m. (Including parading of the flag and a flag folding demonstration. The public is invited to bring service worn flags to be ceremonially retired. Contact Buddy William at 227.4150 for more information.)

Flag Day
Representatives of area Law Enforcement participated in annual Flag Day ceremonies on Sunday, June 14, at Castro Park. The ceremony was part of activities held during the weekly Douglas Farmer’s Market at the park.

City OK’s $34.3 million budget
During its June 10 meeting, the Douglas City Council tentatively approved a $34.3 million budget which is a small increase over its expenditures this budget year.

Douglas Police Report
June 2, 2009

Arizona Legislative Briefs
Immigration enforcement

Stimulus for home energy improvements available
 Home owners with limited incomes may be able to lower their energy bills with help provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

This Week at the Douglas Farmers Market
Special Event:  Find out how to start collecting rain water off the roof or encouraging it to slow down and soak in to benefit the plants in your yard at the Rain Water Harvesting Day with Cooperative Extension’s

Farmer’s Market
For a Sunday outing, or before or after church, stop by the Douglas Farmers Market, open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Castro 10th  Street Park, for homemade pastries with a cup of freshly brewed hot coffee that can be enjoyed with friends and family while listening to live music by talented local groups.  Chat with local farmers, ranchers and beekeepers while shopping for locally raised produce and meats. This week the market will feature a solar cooking demonstration and the Simmons Family Band.  A new baker for the market, Maruza Buchanan, originally from Brazil, is shown here (in the middle assisted by her daughter to the left), helping Farmers Market Co-ordinator, Kathleen Gomez, right, to some lemon bars that she made in addition to a tempting array including biscotti, scones, sweet breads, cookies and brownies. For more information, see Page 3.

Pettit seeks $600,000 in damages from DUSD
Douglas Unified Schoolo District Board members met for more than an hour in executive session with their attorney cojncernign a $600,000 claim filed again st the district by current Superintendent Earl Pettit.

Authority works to improve port, increase traffic
The Douglas Port Authority is moving ahead with its goal of helping to create a new commercial port of entry in Douglas.

Lawmakers want Brewer’s lawsuit thrown out
PHOENIX — State lawmakers want the Arizona Supreme Court to throw out a lawsuit by Gov. Jan Brewer seeking to force them to send her the budget they have approved.

Busy day at state capitol leads to action on several bills
The Senate agreed Monday to expand existing domestic violence laws to protect people who have only been dating.

State voters to decide fate of Affirmative Action
PHOENIX  Arizonans will decide next year if they want to outlaw affirmative action programs and any special programs or preferences for women and minorities.

Grant helps county deal with meth-addicted inmates
BISBEE — The county adult probation department has been awarded a $138,000 grant from the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families to expand and enhance treatment for methamphetamine abuse.

Douglas man caught with 39 lbs of meth
A Douglas man was caught with methamphetamine and cocaine during a stop by the Department of Public Safety

Man’s body found near Douglas
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office was called to retrieve a body northeast of Douglas Monday afternoon.

ICE arrests Tucson man on sex tourism charges
TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a Tucson man Friday on federal charges related to the sexual exploitation of children.

Immigration enforcement in Arizona could toughen
PHOENIX (AP) — As America’s busiest immigrant smuggling hub, Arizona has earned the distinction as a place that’s tough on people who sneak across the border.

This Week at the Douglas Farmers Market
Special Event:  Find out how to cook with the sun’s energy. High temperature solar ovens reach temperatures over 350 degree F.  Solar cooking demonstration will highlight how easy it is to turn fresh seasonal produce such

Supervisors accept vehicle bid from Phoenix dealer
BISBEE — The county Board of Supervisors do their best to buy local, but for vehicles none of the local dealers can match the price of larger Arizona cities.

Police Report
June 9, 2009

Arizona Legislative Briefs
Driving while texting

Flag Day program set for Sunday at Legion
The American Legion of Douglas is extending an invitation to the public to honor the American flag on June 14.

County supervisors send supportive letter to Gov. Brewer
BISBEE — The county Board of Supervisors is sending a letter in support of Gov. Jan Brewer’s “comprehensive, long-term outline” to tackle the state’s funding problems.

Douglas Police Report
May 23, 2009

Supervisors look for savings in county budget
Monday, the Cochise county Board of Supervisors met with staff for a final discussion of the county’s general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2009-10.

Border residents, DHS officials hold dialogue
TUCSON — Alan Bersin, the Obama administration’s border czar, said Thursday the key to achieving comprehensive immigration reform rests with a secure border.

Mexican artist’s paintings are exhibited in Douglas
Artwork by Armando Ahuatzi, a famous Mexican painter, is being exhibited at the Visitor Center in Douglas for one month.

High winds knock out power
High winds knocked down a wire that caused an electric outage affecting more than 2,000 Douglas customers.

Douglas resident fined $5,000
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers arrested a man after he had run from CBP Officers in order to avoid inspection.   

USDA Food Bank
USDA commodities will be distributed on Monday, June 15, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Credit cards can be hacked
(AP) - Every time you swipe your credit card and wait for the transaction to be approved, sensitive data including your name and account number are ferried from store to bank through computer networks, each step a potential opening for hackers.

Board fails to pass bond election
The Douglas Unified School District Governing Board failed to call for a bond issue election due to a lack of a second during a special meeting last week.

Text of Superintendent Earl Pettit’s claim
Following is the complete text of the claim letter sent to the Douglas Unified School District Governing Board from Superintendent Earl Pettit.

Brewer wants election for tax hike
PHOENIX — Gov. Jan Brewer said Friday she wants a special election for her proposed tax hike held this fall, not a year from now.

Factory 2-U closing, Carl’s Jr. opens to huge success
While a “Store Closing” sign hangs from longtime downtown Douglas merchant Factory 2-U,  news is better a little closer to the border as the Best Western Hotel continues construction and is expected to be completed near the end of the summer, and Carl’s Jr. opened early last week.

Club Hypnotik provides a variety of music and entertainment
Club Hypnotik, located at 323 G Avenue, provides its customers with live music, DJ music, and dancing and entertainment.

Make your house a home with the help of Susan Kramer, Interiors by Decorating Den
Full service in-home interior decorating is in Cochise County. Susan Kramer and Interiors by Decorating Den has been serving Douglas and Cochise County since 2006.

Make your house a home with the help of Susan Kramer, Interiors by Decorating Den
Full service in-home interior decorating is in Cochise County. Susan Kramer and Interiors by Decorating Den has been serving Douglas and Cochise County since 2006.

Joe Delgado brings his years of experience on insurance and finance with State Farm Insurance
Joe Delgado brings his years of experience on insurance and finance to his work at State Farm Insurance, located at 805 Cochise Avenue.

Club Hypnotik provides a variety of music and entertainment
Club Hypnotik, located at 323 G Avenue, provides its customers with live music, DJ music, and dancing and entertainment.

Even in down economy, education still pays
By now, most of us know the economy isn’t doing well. We’ve been in a recession since December 2007, which means production has been down and, as a result, many people have lost their jobs.

Make your house a home with the help of Susan Kramer, Interiors by Decorating Den
Full service in-home interior decorating is in Cochise County. Susan Kramer and Interiors by Decorating Den has been serving Douglas and Cochise County since 2006.

4th of July Star-spangled dessert
You’ve got to love the Fourth of July. There are, of course, all those historical and patriotic reasons, but there’s also the fact that it’s our most down-home holiday, the only one for which shorts and a T-shirt constitute appropriate attire. Few people think of going out to a fancy restaurant for July 4. It’s not really a night for the opera, a cocktail party, ballroom dancing or the theater. What’s way more likely to be on the calendar is a picnic at the lake, a concert in the park, municipal fireworks, backyard sparklers and a neighborhood game of volleyball or Frisbee.

Frugal Living: Save money on meat
Meat and poultry can be a large part of your grocery bill, but there are ways to keep the cost down. Going vegan might not be something you’re interested in pursuing, but you can incorporate meatless dishes once a week or more frequently if you desire. How do you save on the cost of meat?

How to buy cheap produce
Produce can be expensive. Fortunately, there are frugal ways to keep it low-cost. First, find out what is grown locally at your state department of agriculture Web site. Or visit www.localharvest.org/csa to find community-supported agriculture in your area. CSAs allow you to buy produce directly from a local farmer. You pay to be a subscriber or shareholder and receive produce throughout the season.

Health Helplines
AIDS

Hospitals donate a total of $50,000 to nursing program
SIERRA VISTA — A generous donation made by two local hospitals will allow Cochise College to purchase a piece of technology that will allow the college to increase the number of students admitted into its nursing program.

Save summer on your shelf
If the current crop of cookbooks is any indication, food preservation is making a comeback. The spring harvest yielded a number of books on making pickles, jams, jellies and preserves, and preparing dried, smoked, salted and frozen foods.

Company’s coming: Buy cheap meat
If you are lucky enough to have your grandmother’s recipe box, chances are you’ll find lots of stews and braises, and very few recipes for, say, Chateaubriand. That’s because your grandmother knew a simple truth: Tough cuts of meat, cooked slow, will serve a lot of people very well for very little money.

Slow cooking adds to the smokey flavor
Barbeque lovers are embracing a savory twist on grilling this spring and summer – smoking. Smoking refers to grilling food at a low temperature for an extended period of time, which adds flavor and tenderizes even the toughest cuts of meat. The unique blends of natural wood options used in the smoking process can intensify the taste and add extra flavor to everything from fruit, nuts and cheese to meat and fish.

Frugal Living: Swap until you drop
Swap parties have regained popularity because of the economy. Many people don’t have a lot of money to throw parties, and if they do, maybe their friends don’t. It works well whether you’re going through a tough time or not, and no one has to know if you are. It’s a great way to get together for a home party without having to sell or buy anything. It saves money and is eco-friendly, too. People are putting a modern twist on it. Here’s how.

Frugal Living:
Tips for stretching meat
DEAR SARA: How do you stretch steaks? We bought half a cow. It’s a ton of meat, but I am hoping that I can make it. I know how to make ground beef go further, but am at a loss on what to do with the steaks to make them last for more than one or two meals. — Rachael, Texas

Health Department
Cochise County Health Department , 515 7th Street, Douglas, AZ. 85607; telephone: 805-5600. Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except holidays).

Eat seasonally, eat well
If you want to make a citrus tart in, say, August, chances are the oranges are going to cost you a bit more (and be less flavorful and juicy) than when they were in season, back in January. Likewise, while fresh raspberries sold at the market in winter can require a home-equity loan, they are free in summer if you find a patch and pick them yourself, or at least affordable if you find a U-pick farm. The same is true of strawberries, blueberries and so on. Eating seasonally is a good way to watch your budget, and an excellent way to up the flavor ante at your table. And if you come into a bonanza of fresh, seasonal summer berries, remember that most freeze beautifully: Simply arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze, then transfer to an airtight container and keep for several months.

That’s ‘theotainment’
In the beginning, revival preachers used their dynamic voices and dramatic sermons — framed with entertaining gospel music — to attract large crowds and to pull sinners into the Kingdom of God.

Many condemn killer of abortion doc
After days of angry headlines about the murder of an abortionist, one of America’s most articulate defenders of life knew it was time for candor.

Poland honors John Paul II with monument in Warsaw
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland on Saturday marked the 30th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s first pilgrimage to his homeland, unveiling a giant cross monument in central Warsaw in honor of the late Polish-born pontiff.

Matters of faith and religion
Near the end of Dan Brown’s “Angels & Demons,” the beautiful scientist Vittoria Vetra clashes with a Vatican official who insists that the day researchers prove how God acted in creation is “the day people stop needing faith.”

Bookmobile Schedule
Join us in promoting the love and importance of reading by being a part of our Summer Reading Program, “Get Creative at Your Library”.  Children and adults of all ages are welcome to stop in at one of our 43 bookmobile stops throughout the county.   If you can’t find what you are looking for on the bookmobile let us know and we’ll get it.  While you’re there you can go online and search our catalog or check your email.  For more information call the Cochise County Library District, at 800-231-1574 or 520-432-8930.

Douglas School News
Applications for free and reduce meal will be available at The Nutrition Office (DHS Cafeteria) after the 10th of July.

Cochise College Events
Monday, July 13-16

Douglas Community Area Fund awards three non-profits
The Douglas Area Community Fund recently awarded grants to three area nonprofit organizations: the Douglas Unified School District, Frontera de Cristo and La Sociedad Mutualista de Obreros Mexicanos. This is the first set of grants ever awarded by DACF, a fund established to improve quality of life in the Douglas community.

Bookmobile Schedule
Join us in promoting the love and importance of reading by being a part of our Summer Reading Program, “Get Creative at Your Library”.  Children and adults of all ages are welcome to stop in at one of our 43 bookmobile stops throughout the county.   If you can’t find what you are looking for on the bookmobile let us know and we’ll get it.  While you’re there you can go online and search our catalog or check your email.  For more information call the Cochise County Library District, at 800-231-1574 or 520-432-8930.

Cochise College Events
Monday, June 15-18

A new chapter
SIERRA VISTA — In her 23 years at Cochise College, Karen Nicodemus has seen her office scenery change a number of times.

Cochise College Events
Saturday, June 13

Honor roll
4th Grading Period

Cochise College Events
Monday, June 22-25

Douglas School News
Applications for free and reduce meal will be available at The Nutrition Office (DHS Cafeteria) after the 10th of July.

Bookmobile Schedule
Join us in promoting the love and importance of reading by being a part of our Summer Reading Program, “Get Creative at Your Library”.  Children and adults of all ages are welcome to stop in at one of our 43 bookmobile stops throughout the county.   If you can’t find what you are looking for on the bookmobile let us know and we’ll get it.  While you’re there you can go online and search our catalog or check your email.  For more information call the Cochise County Library District, at 800-231-1574 or 520-432-8930.