Local purified water delivery is again available in Douglas with the opening of Aqua Life in the old Cochise Refrigeration facility at 439 G Avenue.

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City finance wins back-to-back awards
The City of Douglas Finance Department recently received the Certificate in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

Two Agua Prieta men arrested for robbery, kidnapping
Two Agua Prieta men have been arrested for the robbery and kidnapping of a 71-year old Cochise man.

Douglas Police Reports
 January 22, 2010

City focuses on revenues, sales tax collection
If the City of Douglas wants to keep from laying off additional employees or have forced unpaid furloughs, it is going to have to focus on generating  revenue.

Voters to determine three seats on city council
Three Douglas City Council seats are up for election on Tuesday March  9.

City says yes -- after some discussion -- to DUSD park lease
What may have seemed a simple subject —extending the city’s lease of the football and baseball fields to the Douglas Unified School District — became somewhat contentious due to some concerns that the district had overstepped its bounds as a tenant.

Smuggling attempt all wet
Agents assigned to the Douglas Station’s Bike Patrol Unit seized a scuba tank and two bundles of marijuana early this morning after a smuggler attempted to sneak through a section of the city’s sewer system. The marijuana weighed 55 pounds and has an estimated value of $44,000.

Huber Middle School sees out the season
Martin Muecke congratulates Tony Rodriguez, Huber Middle School girls basketball coach on a successful season, while players display a signed ball and poster. Rodriguez, far right, agreed to let the girls shave his head if they won 10 games  and his closely cropped haircut is evidence that they reached that goal.

Candidate with Dougles ties seeks return to Legislature
Former Arizona State Legislator Ruben Ortega of Hereford, AZ announces that he will run for Arizona’s 25th Legislative District. He served from 1989-1996 then, retired to Sierra Vista to run the family business. The district encompasses Cochise, Pima, Maricopa and Santa Cruz counties.

Articles on barking dogs undergo revision
BISBEE — Though it looked like the ordinance would be tabled for more discussion at one point, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors approved revisions to the animal control ordinance after making a few changes of their own.

New truck inspection station to open west of Douglas
Been wondering what was being built in that big lot next to the Motor Vehicle Dept. west of Douglas at the Highway 80 and 191 intersections?

City, IDA keeps Economic Development office open
The Douglas Economic Development office has been saved from the ax, but may be serving the city’s residents in a different form.

Principals placed on leave after mishandling drugs discovery
Two Huber administrators were given one day of administrative leave without pay after failing to follow district policy in the handling of  a foreign substance, that later was discovered to be cocaine.

Borane MS nears 100th birthday
Ray Borane Middle School is nearing its 100th year of existence and the school is planning a celebration in May.

DUSD moves ahead with projects
The Douglas Unified School District Governing Board moved forward with projects approved as part of the November Bond Election during its March 2 meeting.

Rezoning request approved by Board for residential community
BISBEE — Habitat For Humanity of Sierra Vista received approval of a rezoning request to build a multi-family residential community at Schrader Road and Reese Boulevard.

Douglas Police Reports
February 18, 2010

Cochise County Marriage Licenses
Jan. 4

Cochise County Sheriff’s Department
February 27-28

Tearful goodbye for 2220th soldiers
Douglas Dispatch

New high school marquee dedicated
The black and gold marquee has been lighting up the entry to Douglas High School since December but the new sign will officially be dedicated at 1 p.m., Thursday, February 25.

Saturday hoops
Bruce Whetten
Douglas Dispatch

Phoenix man arrested for county murder
The body of a woman found along Highway 80 outside of St. David last week has led to the arrest of a Phoenix man who is being charged with first degree murder.

BP agents find missing girl
U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Naco station located an 11-year-old girl from Honduras Wednesday morning after she went missing in the mountains the previous evening. 

DPD hosts Driver Training Simulator March 15-21
Officials for the Douglas Police Dept. are happy to announce that they will be hosting the Driver Training Simulator March 15-21.

Police arrest male subject for transporting marijuana
A Mexican national is in custody after being arrested Feb. 10 for possession of marijuana.

Some residents will receive visit from Census
In just a few weeks. county residents will be receiving the 2010 Census forms in the mail at their residences.

Douglas Police Reports
January 15, 2010

U.S. Customs Report
CBP officers seize currency at Port

County’s health rankings fall right in the middle
Based on a recent health ranking, Cochise County falls in the middle of Arizona’s 15 counties.

Officials warn of virus
PHOENIX — While parents may be relieved swine flu is on the decline, health officials are warning that a virus putting young children at risk for pneumonia and lung infections is on the rise.

Douglas Police Reports
February 25, 2010

Immigrant’s death won’t bring charges for agent
The Cochise County Attorney’s Office does not plan to prosecute a U.S. Border Patrol agent who fatally shot an illegal immigrant near Douglas in early January.

Cochise County Sheriff’s Department
March 6-7

Shelton, Quinonez win
Who will be the City of Douglas councilman for Ward 2 may still be undecided as the city prepares to move ahead with a possible recount.

Tuition will rise slightly at Cochise College
The Cochise College Governing Board has voted to slightly increase tuition for in-state students beginning July 1.

University of Arizona South OK’d for large increase
SIERRA VISTA — University of Arizona South students will be among those seeing substantial tuition increases after the Arizona Board of Regents on Thursday approved hikes at state universities.

Horse racing returns on April 10-11
Horse racing is returning to the Cochise County Fairgrounds.

Douglas Police investigating marijuana seizure
Douglas Police are still investigating the seizure of more than 140 pounds of marijuana discovered more than a month ago.

Border Patrol Reports
March 10

Gas prices increase across the county
 According to the Cochise College Center for Economic Research’s latest biweekly survey of gas prices, conducted from March 8 through March 12, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Cochise County increased from $2.65 to $2.71 over the preceding two-week period. According to AAA Arizona, the statewide price increased from $2.65 to $2.74 per gallon. Nationally, according to the Energy Information Administration, gas prices rose from $2.66 to $2.75 during the two-week period.

Presses moved
Former Douglas Dispatch Head Pressman Bert Young looks on as the old presses at the Douglas Dispatch are removed in preparation for a trip to Louisiana to be used in another Wick Communication publication. The Douglas Dispatch is now being printed in Sierra Vista and the presses in Douglas had not printed the local newspaper in nearly a year. Young, who retired in 1994, worked for the Dispatch for 46 years. The presses that were just recently removed had been in Douglas for more than 35 years. “Like all newspapers, we have had to adapt, but this is not the end of the book, just a beginning of a new chapter,” said Editor and Publisher Larry Blaskey.

Divorces Granted
Jan. 4

Huber teacher quits due to student intimidation
In a special meeting on March 12,  the Douglas Unified School District Governing Board addressed only one issue, the resignation of Huber Middle School instructor Donna Howard.

All-American lesson
Bruce Whetten
Douglas Dispatch

Ward 2 results remain same after recount
It may have taken two weeks, but incumbent Mitch Lindemann was officially declared winner in the Douglas City Council Ward 2 race following a recount.

Free Dump Day this Saturday in Douglas
The Douglas Solid Waste Refuse Transfer Station will be hosting a Free Dump Day to allow residents the opportunity to clean up both their private and public areas. If you need to clean out your shed, backyard or even lend a hand to a neighbor in need, this is your opportunity to do so without paying fees to dispose of any material you may have.

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 3, at Copper King
The 12th annual Douglas Dispatch Easter Egg Hunt will kick off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, at Copper King Baseball Stadium in Douglas.

Officials tell how census helps bring Cochise County cents
 Getting an accurate count of all the people who call Cochise County home is imperative in order to get federal dollars, and the county Be Counted committee has fostered ideas that are beginning to show some success.

Border Patrol cameras capture parts of incident
 U.S. Border Patrol cameras captured video footage of some actions involving the fatal shooting of an illegal immigrant near Douglas in January, despite a previous claim to the contrary.

Striking Mexican miners block Federal highway
Hundreds of striking workers at the Cananea copper mine in Sonora, Mexico, blocked the federal highway between Cananea and Agua Prieta for two consecutive days this week to demand that the authorities resolve the 32-month-old mine strike.

Road Construction
The City of Douglas continues work on various projects.  This work is being completed by the Department of Public Works and is part of the Mayor and Council’s ongoing infrastructure improvement program.

Cochise County Sheriff’s Department
March 10

Beware of scams
Attorney General Terry Goddard advised seniors to be aware of lottery and sweepstake scams that are currently on the rise in Arizona.  Taking protective measures helps to assure seniors are not victims.

Duo prepares to open brewery in Bisbee
BISBEE — When Dale Fountaine and Victor Winquist decided to start their own brewery in the heart of Old Bisbee, they had a modest goal.

Many changes in the works as SEABHS tries to improve
Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS) continues to strive to get the mental health agency on track with an accepted correction plan acting CEO Jim Rubio said is being implemented.

Cochise County loses 200 jobs in January
According to figures released by the Arizona Department of Commerce, the number of jobs in Cochise County declined by 200 from December to January.  From January 2009 to January 2010, Cochise County lost 450 jobs for a 12-month job-growth rate of -1.2 percent.

Dr. Peggy Avina joins Copper Queen Medical Associates
Jim Dickson, Copper Queen’s Community Hospital’s President & CEO recently announced the addition of  Peggy Avina, MD, a well-known family physician in the community, to the medical teams at the Copper Queen Medical Associates Clinics in Bisbee and Douglas.

SEAGO assists seniors to apply for Food Stamps
The SEAGO Area Agency on Aging is working in partnership with the United Way of Southern Arizona to assist individuals aged 60 or older to apply for food stamps.  Call for an appointment, and a staff member can schedule a trip to a senior center or a library in your home community.  Documents you may need when applying include a photo ID, birth certificate, income statements, childcare expense, utility expenses (for most recent month), bank account statements, rent/mortgage for most recent month, terminated income if applicable, unemployment statements, and social security cards.

Road Construction
The City of Douglas continues work on various projects.  This work is being completed by the Department of Public Works and is part of the Mayor and Council’s ongoing infrastructure improvement program.

Dinosaur’s story appeals to kids of all ages
“Scottosaurus, the Little Dinosaur,” is a children’s book by former Douglas High School English teacher Lucinda Sage-Midgorden, and llustrated by her husband, Barry Midgorden.

Douglas Bookmobile Schedule
The season is changing and the outdoors is welcoming.  It’s time to enjoy it!  Visit the bookmobile and check out books on gardening, landscaping, and other outdoor activities for anyone at any age.  Looking for something specific?  Just ask.  For a map and schedule of bookmobile stops, visit \http://cochise.lib.az.us.  For more information call the Cochise County Library District, at 800-231-1574 or 520-432-8930.

How would you like that cooked?
Bruce Whetten
Douglas Dispatch

Southeast AZ chamber alliance formed to meet rural needs
Eight local chambers of commerce met in Bisbee Feb. 2 to discuss the specific needs of their member businesses. The outcome of this meeting was the development of the Southeastern AZ Rural Chambers Alliance.

Retail sales up in January across the county
Retail sales, Cochise County’s largest category of taxable sales, were up 3 percent in January after adjusting for inflation. The increase followed a 5.7 percent decline in December. Cochise County’s retail sales have been up in 3 of the past 4 months after declining for 21 of 23 months.

Double Adobe Show March 5
Double Adobe Quilter Peggy Kennedy Atkinson has been a quilter for 66 years.  Her grandmother, an early homesteader in the Sulphur springs Valley, and her mother and aunts all made quilts.  Peggy said," The quilts were practical quilts.  They were tied instead of hand quilted.  They were filled with old wool blankets or worn out bedding off all kinds.  The tops were made from material that was handy such as cotton, wool, old denim jeans, or corduroy."  Peggy has made quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dining For Change benefits cancer charities on March 8 at 6 p.m.
Tesoro Beauty Boutique, which has salons in Douglas and Bisbee, will host a “Dining For Change” event to improve the quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer, domestic abuse and natural disasters.

Double Adobe Quilt Show
Sharon Smith, above,  of Rodeo, New Mexico, won “Most Popular” quilt at the Double Adobe Quilt Show on Saturday. She received a gift certificate donated by the” Roka” in Bisbee. The lucky winner of The Butterfly Quilt went to Maggie Thal of Silver City, New Mexico. Special thanks to the Double Adobe School, Peggy Sanders & Fred McDonald.  Thank you to all who volunteered to make our show a success.

Around Douglas
Double Adobe Quilt Show on March 6

Cochise College presents medieval music concert by LIBER
A cappella vocal quartet LIBER will perform “Crowned with Laurels,” a free concert of French and Italian medieval music, in a debut performance in Bisbee March 24, just prior to a tour of San Francisco, Chicago and Europe.

U.S. Air Force Band to perform in Bisbee
 Southwest Winds, from The United States Air Force Band of the West, will be presenting a concert at the Central School Project on Saturday, March 27.  at 7:30 p.m.

Respiratory illnesses increase among babies
Two Douglas pediatricians are seeing a higher-than-usual number of babies and toddlers suffering from upper respiratory viruses.

Health Helplines
Alzheimer’s disease

Agreement connects Cochise College nurses with Grand Canyon University program
Cochise College has signed a transfer agreement with Grand Canyon University (GCU) that will provide nursing graduates with improved access to a bachelor’s degree.

Douglas Restaurant Inspectiions
American Legion Post #11, 1325 G Ave.., 10/07/08, Excellent

Health department scales back shot clinics
The Cochise County Health Department is announcing changes to its regularly scheduled H1N1 vaccination clinics. 

Freeport-McMoRan’s $100,000 gift nurtures women’s wellness services at CQMA
The Copper Queen Community Hospital will honor the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation at 10 a.m., Friday, March 19, for one of the facility’s largest private donations ever received. The $100,000 grant will be used to develop Women’s Wellness Services, announced Jim Dickson, Hospital CEO.

Budget cuts 310,000 enrolled in AHCCCS
PHOENIX  Gov. Jan Brewer penned her approval Thursday to a package of bills designed to balance the budget for the balance of this year and next — in large part by cutting health care for the poor.

Young Catholics often disagree with Pope
In one of the defining works of his historic papacy, Pope John Paul II argued that if people — believers and nonbelievers alike — want true freedom and peace, they must accept the reality of “universal and unchanging moral norms.”

College participates in penny drive to honor holocaust children
More than 1.5 million children lost their lives in the Holocaust.

A spiritual year at the multiplex
In one of Hinduism’s most sacred poems, the lord and sustainer of the universe chooses to be incarnated in human form — the ancient term is “avatar” — to help the Pandava people fight evil invaders and defend what is right.

Fasting, for evangelicals?
Elmer Towns had a big problem three decades ago after he moved to Lynchburg, Va., to help a Baptist preacher named Jerry Falwell start the school that grew into Liberty University.

Church seeks artwork for cause
BISBEE — In an effort to support organizations that work to promote border justice, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Old Bisbee is asking artists to donate artwork in what could become an annual event.

Now THAT’S a tough Lent
It was a decade ago during Lent that author Lauren Winner was visited by an angel, unawares.

The archbishop vs. the ghost of JFK
In the beginning, there was candidate John F. Kennedy, who told an assembly of Protestant ministers not to worry about his Catholicism because, “I believe in a president whose religious views are his own private affair.”

College students come face to face with politics
Cochise College students who recently traveled to the Arizona State Capitol to meet state representatives, Secretary of State Ken Bennett and Governor Jan Brewer got an eye-opening look at politics beyond the classroom.

Jacque Solis to attend March Americanism Youth Conference
Douglas High School Junior Jacqueline Solis has been selected to attend the “Americanism Youth Conference” to be held March 2010.

Huber Students of the Month
Huber Middle School February Students of the Month celebrated recently with a luncheon.  Attending were front row left to right:  Arantxa Felix, Gavino Meza, Rodrigo Cornidez, Ivanna Guerro, Mayela Galaz, and Pricilla German.  Back row: Luis Valdez, Assistant Principal Mr. Cliff Dunlap, Jesus Santos, Daniel Noriega, Rosamaria Valencia, Ilse Guerrero, Student Advisor Mrs. Carol Messersmith, and Natalee Zavala.

Give your take on future of law
BISBEE — Students in Cochise County are invited to submit essays, art and YouTube entries into the annual Law Day contest.

Writing conference features compelling characters
The author of a 2008 L.A. Times “best book of the year” will be the keynote presenter at the 12th annual Cochise Community Creative Writing Celebration March 26-27 in Sierra Vista.

Douglas Library plans activities the week of Spring Break
It’s Spring Break time (March 15 to 19) at the Douglas Library.

Cochise to partner with Embry-Riddle to provide greater access to degrees
 An agreement to be signed Thursday, March 11 paves the way for Cochise College students enrolled in certain academic programs to transfer into bachelor’s degree programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Strong athletics program emphasizes academics
I’m writing this column in advance of Cochise College’s spring rodeo and the regional final for men’s basketball, both of which took place over the weekend. Neither the timing nor the outcome of those events changes the fact that the community of coaches and student athletes at Cochise College brings a lot to the Douglas Campus.

Farm Bureau offering scholarships for those interested in agriculture
Cochise County Farm Bureau is pleased to offer two $500 scholarships for students majoring in agriculture.  Any high school senior or currently enrolled college undergraduate majoring in agriculture or a directly related field whose permanent residence lies in Cochise County may apply.  Previous recipients may also apply.   A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required.  High school students must clearly demonstrate future career plan/path in agricultural studies and have proof of enrollment in a college of agriculture or a declared major at a community college with clear agricultural courses. 

Students rally opposing GED cut
Addressing the Governor’s proposed elimination of GED and Adult Education in Arizona, over 200 adult education students from around the state will gather to inform our elected officials about the incredible need and economic value of Adult Basic Education and GED services in Arizona.  All community supporters are welcome.

What does ‘C’ochise mean to you?
Earlier this semester, I was pleased to address students, faculty, and community members gathered to celebrate substantial completion of construction and renovation projects at our Douglas and Sierra Vista campuses. I asked our guests to notice the letter “C” located on signage across campus and talked about all of the things that letter can mean.

Cochise College projects earn national honor
For the second consecutive year, Cochise College has earned a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can get for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

Qualifications set for next superintendent by board
During its March 2 meeting, the Douglas Unified School District Governing Board approved qualifications and abilities it is looking for in its next superintendent.

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