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Thursday through Sunday— 44th Annual Lost Dutchman Days rodeo, carnival, parade & shows
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Elderly Hiker Rescued
74-year-old woman walks a half-mile with fractured pelvis
By Jill Jones
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- The volunteer heroes of Superstition Search and Rescue (SSAR) swung into action last week to rescue an injured hiker who had fallen during her trek on Peralta Canyon Trail.
   Wanda Livingston, 74, of Mesa was hiking with a group of friends on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, when she lost her footing on the way down from Fremont Saddle around 11:30 a.m. Livingston fell and it was later learned she had cracked her pelvis. That didn’t stop Livingston from getting back on her feet, with the help of her friends, and walking another half-mile before she felt she could go no farther.
   A couple from the hiking group headed out and contacted SSAR for assistance.
 Livingston was located about two miles in from the Peralta Trailhead by SSAR first responders John Swain and Shelly Shaw. After providing fundamental treatment Swain and Shaw determined they needed more troops and additional equipment to carry Livingston out.
   According to SSAR Commander 10 SSAR members nearly three hours to carry Livingston out of the area due to the ruggedness of the terrain, the approaching darkness and having to cross the full-flowing Peralta Creek several times.

See A-1 and see Rescue, A-3

Youth Of The Year
Apache Junction Boys & Girls Club awards Kody Roberts
By Meghan McCoy
The News
The Apache Junction Boys & Girls Club honored one of its members as Youth of the Year on Wednesday, February 13.
   Kody Roberts, son of L.E. Roberts, was among one of hundreds named as a Youth of the Year across the country. At age 18, Roberts was selected as the Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, Apache Junction Branch. Roberts attends Queen Creek High School and has been a four year member of the club.
   This award is recognized by the Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) for sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. This program was founded more than 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.
   “Kody shows compassion to others who have tough situations at home or disabilities to deal with by being positive,” Apache Junction Branch Executive Judy Borey said. “His happy- go-lucky and can-do attitude makes him a favorite with the club kids, club staff and a pleasure to know.”
   The Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive, due to the recognition of outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
   This spring, Roberts will compete against other Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley members for the East Valley Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 Joe Henderson Memorial Award scholarship. If Roberts wins at the state level, then he could potentially advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2008 to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year.
   The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the president in an Oval Office ceremony.

Itty Bitty Olympians Shine For A Day
The City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department hosted the 2008 Itty Bitty Olympics on Saturday, February 9, at the Apache Junction High School Track.
   The Itty Bitty Olympics were created for children 6 years of age and younger to compete in itty-bitty versions of Olympic events. More than 70 children participated and were awarded prizes. Thank you to the Apache Junction High School Booster Club for providing food and beverage for the event. Apache Junction Parks and Recreation would also like to thank all families for participating in the 2008 Itty Bitty Olympics and for your help in making this event successful. The overall winners in each age group are as follows:

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