A new Douglas Unified School District Governing Board president will be selected during an abbreviated meeting on Tuesday, January 4, at 5:30 p.m. at the district’s Board Room on 12th Street.

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Cochise County Sheriff's Office
December 22-26

Workers will be able to reduce state withholding
If you think the state has been taking too much out of your paycheck you may be right.

County delays hazard abatement changes
In order to work in some final changes to the planning and zoning department’s latest version of the Hazard Abatement Ordinance, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted to table approval of it until a work session can be held next year.

KofC hosts New Year's Eve dance
The Knights of Columbus will be holding a New Year’s Dance as a scholarship fundraiser on Friday, December 31, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Finding Hampton
What started like a fun family activity 30 years ago now has grown to become an annual community activity: the decorated window with Christmas figures made by the Gomez Family.

Douglas Police Reports
November 29

State to get one new Congressional seat
PHOENIX ‑‑ Arizona will pick up only one additional congressional seat as the growth spurt of the early part of the decade sputtered at the end.

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.

Elks working hard
The Elks Lodge BPOE 955 located at 650 E. 10th St. held a food basket assembly to help people in need to contribute to the holiday celebration on the night of December 23. More than 50 baskets were prepared by the members of the Lodge having the Cubs Scouts from Douglas to help with the task. Food was donated by the Elks and all the baskets were donated on December 24. People interested in being a member of the Elks Lodge and helping with all the activities can call (520) 364-5132.

Santa and Mrs. Claus celebrate 50th
Raymundo and Alicia Larez of Douglas will celebrate 50 years together with family and friends. They were married December 31`, 1950 in Douglas. The Larez have four children : Raymond, Jr., Veronica, Danny, and Michael; 10 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. For more than 25 years, they have portrayed Santa and Mrs. Claus belonging joy to the children of Douglas and Agua Prieta, Sonora, orphanage.

Mayor questions accusations
The recall election of Douglas Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez continued to move forward with the submission of a statement defending his actions, as required by state statute.

City closed on Friday for holiday
All City of Douglas offices will be closed on Friday, December 31, in observance of New Year’s Eve.

Telling the story of 2010 through headlines
January

Recall may be called off due to invalid petitions
The scheduled May 17 recall of Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez could be just another day in the calendar after the filing of a complaint questioning the validity of the signatures by the mayor.

Volunteers needed for Income Tax Assistance
Catholic Community Services is looking for volunteers to help stimulate our local economy.

Tis the Season
Brightly lit homes dot Douglas and surrounding communities as part of the areas holiday traditions. Many people will drive around the city to see the many different dec orations. To see more homes, see page B6 in this weeks issue of the Douglas Dispatch.

Cochise County Sheriff's Office
December 11-12

$480,000 seized at border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped an illegal exportation of currency when CBP officers searched a pickup truck and found that $480,000 of undeclared currency was being concealed in the sidewalls of the pickup bed.

Interdiction team captures immigrants
Cochise County sheriff’s deputies specifically organized to deal with border-related crime apprehended nearly a dozen illegal immigrants and seized more than 100 pounds of marijuana during two recent operations.

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.

Recall election on May 17
The recall election of Douglas Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez became official last week when the mayor was formally notified by City Clerk Brenda Aguilar.

Santa's Visit
Debany Galaz gives Santa a big hug during his visit at the Douglas Elks Lodge for their annual holiday party last Friday. It was one of only many stops made by Santa during the weekend. For more photos and stories, see Special Christmas section

City hours for holiday
All City of Douglas offices will be closed on Friday, December 24, in observance of Christmas.

$1.4 million in crystal meth found at Port
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped a drug smuggling attempt when they seized more than 30 pounds of crystal meth concealed inside a non factory compartment built into the fire wall of a vehicle.

Marriage Licences
October 2010

Military News
Air Force Airman Carlos E. Guido graduated from basic military

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 Office
December 29 �“ January 2

Public invited to memorial service for slain Border Patrol agent
A public memorial service will be held in Tucson for a U.S. Border Patrol agent killed earlier this month in a shoot-out with apparent border bandits.

New telephone scam hits Cochise County
Between the dates of November 15, 2010 and December 30, 2010 the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office has been notified of three separate incidents of a telephone scam targeting the elderly, specifically in the Saint David/Tombstone areas. The potential victims advised that a male subject with some type of accent calls and claims to be a UPS driver who wants to deliver money won in a sweepstakes but he first needs to get a delivery fee. The male caller then becomes agitated and rude when asked more questions or if the caller disconnects the call. In one case the potential victim disconnected the call several times with the male subject ultimately threatening him if he disconnected again.

Resolving to do better in 2011
As we all know, at the moment we start a new year we begin to prepare in our minds new projects, new desires, new resolutions. The most important thing to remember is that every resolution we make for this year it has to be something that prepares ourselves to do bigger things by accomplishing one at a time.

Parents welcome ‘new year’s’ baby
It was 56 hours and 50 minutes after 2011 began that the first baby of the new year was born at the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center.

BBB warns of 'free heater' advertising
Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is alerting consumers to Heat Surge LLC, an Ohio-based business that has been peppering the country with misleading advertisements claiming consumers can receive a free heater.

Separated during illegal-entry effort, mother and baby son are reunited
Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents working with several U.S. and international law enforcement partners reunited a mother with her infant son who was in the hands of smugglers.

Changes, controversy mark 2010
There was a myriad of changes, challenges and controversies in 2010, and some of those will not be resolved until the new year.

Confirmed flu cases far lower than last year
Arizona had another rise in the number of lab-confirmed influenza cases in late December.

Hiker rescued near Douglas
Douglas, county and state first responders worked together to locate and transport an injured hiker from an area north of Douglas.

Aquatic Center to reopen on January 31
In order to keep the Aquatic Center functioning, the City of Douglas started a remodeling process on Nov. 6 2010 on the building and it will completed at the end of this month.

Obama encourages Tucson, nation in UA speech
President Obama arrived in a city that was hurting Wednesday night and delivered a message of encouragement and new direction following Saturday's shooting in Tucson that left six people dead and 13 others injured, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Public gets first look at downtown plan
A downtown strategic plan in the works for months was the subject of a short presentation prior to the official beginning for the January 12 Douglas City Council meeting.

Consulate accepts debit, credit cards
The Consulate of Mexico in Douglas recently announced that its office has an electronic terminal to receive payments with credit and debit cards, issued by banks in the United States and Mexico.

USDA Commodities
U.S.D.A. Commodities will be distributed on Friday January 21, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Douglas Food Bank. Registration for commodities can also be done at this date and time. For registration you will need the following:

Health survey conducted this spring
The University of Arizona College of Public Health is conducting a research study in the communities of Douglas and Pirtleville.

Puppy dies after no response from shelter
The loss of a pet can be devastating.

Despite shooting, Brewer sees no reason to limit ammunition sales
PHOENIX ‑‑ Jared Loughner is accused of emptying 31 rounds from his Glock 9 in front of the Safeway in Tucson, enabling him to hit 19 people before he had to reload.

Progressive Dinner on January 28
The Douglas Ministerial Association will be presenting the fourteenth annual progressive dinner. on Friday, January 28.

Brewer wants to cut community college funding by half
PHOENIX ‑‑ Gov. Jan Brewer wants to cut state funding for universities by 20 percent and aid to community colleges by about half to deal with a $1.1 billion deficit this coming fiscal year.

Two Cochise clinics offer mammograms
Hectic everyday schedules can often distract patients from getting critical preventive health screenings. Copper Queen Community Hospital hopes to alleviate the stress of scheduling a mammogram by offering mobile digital mammography at its Rural Health Clinics in Douglas and Palominas.

Giffords no longer critical
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords continues to make tremendous progress after being shot in the head on January 8.

Council calls for Gomez' resignation
For the second time over the last few months, the conduct of Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez was the subject of a Douglas City Council agenda item.

Slain Naco-based Border Patrol agent ‘loved what he did’
Faced with a “stark reminder” of the dangers they face, Border Patrol agents have draped their badges with black bands to mourn slain Naco-based comrade Brian A. Terry.

Supervisors launch program to list agendas online
The county has launched a new online program for the meetings of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors. The long-awaited program makes it easier for all county departments to post agenda items and gives total access to all information regarding agenda items for the pubic, said Katie Howard, clerk of the board. Supervisors will get a rundown on how the system is working and the reactions of staff in a work session at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Local vigil remembers Giffords, others
On the evening of Wednesday, January 12, the Douglas/Pirtleville Catholic Community Youth Group and the Douglas Area Democrats held a community candlelight vigil healing, remembrance and pray for all the victims of the tragic shooting on Saturday January 8 in Tucson. The vigil was held at Castro Park from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and over 200 people with a white candle lighted had the opportunity to gather and join in prayer and sing for peace and end to violence.

Naco drug tunnel suspect extradited to U.S.
A suspect has been extradited from Mexico to face prosecution in connection with a Naco drug tunnel.

ICE arrests 2 indicted in ultralight smuggling plot
Two U.S. citizens are in federal custody after they were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their alleged involvement in a marijuana smuggling operation that used ultralight aircraft to move the illicit substance across the border.

County Democrats elect officers
Cochise County Democrats have elected officers for 2011-2012. Bob Bland of Bisbee was re-elected as chairman, with Rich Brownell of Sierra Vista as vice chairman for events and Ken Davis of Benson as treasurer.

True meaning of Christmas brought to Douglas, Agua Prieta
Christmas is a perfect time to seek to make a difference in other people’s lives by helping them in whatever they need. By doing this, we also see that by meeting others needs we receive more than we give; we receive joy in a kid’s smile; in a mother’s thank you hug or in an old man’s tears of happiness. That’s where we can see our own happiness reflected in their lives.

County wages grow despite recession
According to data recently released by the Arizona Department of Commerce, the average hourly wage in Cochise County in 2009 was $18.81 or $39,134 annually. This was the fourth highest of Arizona’s 15 counties, behind Greenlee, Maricopa, and Pima counties. The statewide average wage last year was $19.67 per hour, or $40,907 per year.

Jobless rate drops
PHOENIX ‑‑ Led by strong retail hiring, the state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped a tenth of a point last month, to 9.4 percent.

Golf Course restaurant reopens
The Douglas Golf Course Lounge and Restaurant officially reopened last Friday during an open house to introduce new personnel and the changes in the building.

State suing Bank of America
PHOENIX ‑‑ The state Attorney General's sued Bank of America on Friday, accusing it of defrauding its mortgage customers.

El Texano offers experience, quality
In the mood for seafood?

In economics, politics matter
With 2011 upon us, the big economic question is whether this year will be the Great Recovery, or a continued crawl along the bottom. While much uncertainty remains, signs late last year and into the opening weeks of 2011 suggest it will be a much better economic year, particularly in the area of job creation, which has remained the most stubborn piece of the recovery as is typical when moving out of a recession.

Krystal Clear makes a move
Every change is for good and to prove this Krystal Clear announces it move to 250 W. 11th St. and announced the new services they offer.

Higher unemployment insurance coming
PHOENIX ‑‑ State lawmakers are poised to force all Arizona employers to pay more in unemployment insurance, at least temporarily.

Quilters make appointed rounds despite recent fire
Even a fire that turned their hobbies to ashes did not stop the Double Adobe Quilters from completing their annual project to provide quilts for the short-term care of elderly patients at the Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee.

First Friday for the Fourth time
For the first time in 2011, the Mexican consulate and Caffenio, in coordination with Bohemios Clan will be presenting the “First Friday” activity this Friday, January 8, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Consul, Chiricahua join to provide diabetes info
What is diabetes? How many types of diabetes exist? Which are the symptoms? Who is likely to get it? And, how can we prevent it?

Families helping other true meaning of holiday
Five years ago, Jon Larson, from Utah made a choice that would change his life in a positive way.

Douglas churches celebrate the posada
To commemorate Christmas, St. Stephens Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church joined together with more than 60 people from community in the traditional Posada, which is a Mexican tradition to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

GED, language classes begin in January
Cochise College Adult Education will offer free GED preparation and English Language Acquisition courses across the county beginning in January.

College literary group announces spring semester book discussions
The Cochise College Literary Guild, a club for readers and lovers of books, will hold discussions on five books this semester, with each meeting facilitated by a different club member. Book discussions take place from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. one Tuesday per month in the Sierra Vista Campus Library, Horace Steele Conference Room. The dates and books to be reviewed are:

Huber Bee Winners
Huber Middle School recently held their schoolwide Spelling Bee. The 6th, 7th and 8th grade students participating in the school spelling bee were winners of their individual classroom bees, and then were finalists in each grade level spelling bee. Pictured with the Spelling Bee pronouncer, Mrs. Jana Selchow, is champion Apolonia Bustamante, 8th grade (right), and runner-up Alina Forrest, 6th grade (left). Miss Bustamante will represent Huber Middle School in the county spelling bee, and Miss Forrest is the alternate.

College staff member named to national board
Dr. Macaela Cashman, director of professional development and learning innovations at Cochise College, has joined the board of directors of the North American Council on Staff, Program and Organizational Development (NCSPOD).

Former DHS student excels at ASU
For some students, higher education opens doors that they didn’t even know were there. This is a fact that Victor Robles, a first-generation college student, knows firsthand.

Double Adobe pupils build sweet memories
Every year at Christmas, Double Adobe School invites the parents and families to come join the students as they make gingerbread houses together.

Bookmobile Schedule
How much do I love a good book? Let me count the ways! All the things you love whether it's cooking, laughing, being kept in suspense, or learning something new can be found in a book. Stop in for a visit at the bookmobile, bring along a friend or two and feed your love! For a map and schedule of bookmobile stops, visit www.cochise.lib.az.us or for more information call the Cochise County Library District, at 800-231-1574 or 520-432-8930.

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