Accused Molester Released — Again
After more than 2 years as a fugitive, Kennedy released on bail again shortly after his capture
By Jill Jones
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- Bobby Kennedy, 29, accused child molester, former youth pastor and teacher who was a fugitive from justice for more than two years after being released on bail in August 2005, has once again been released on bail.
   U. S. Marshalls captured Kennedy on March 18, 2008 at a residence in Lawton, Oklahoma where he was living with his wife and small child.
   Kennedy, who topped the AJPD’s most wanted list, had fled the Apache Junction area in August 2005 after being released on $150,000 bail, and eluded authorities for two-and-a-half years.
   Kennedy is free again on $150,000 bond, which was posted at 4:30 p.m. March 29 following a bail hearing in front of Superior Court Judge Pro Tem Bradley Soos.
   Kennedy is charged with 22 counts, including molestation, sexual abuse, aggravated assault and furnishing obscene materials to a minor involving at least three female students at Morningstar Academy Charter School where he was a youth minister and uncertified teacher. Kennedy’s mother, 54-year-old Carolyn Kennedy, remains the principal of the school despite a class six felony indictment for failing to report neglect of a minor in connection with her son’s alleged actions. She was given probation, community service and 90 days deferred jail time.

See A-1

Recall Petitions Filed On Severs
Controversial councilman may face recall election this fall
By Christina Fuoco-
Karasinski
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- An Apache Junction woman filed recall petitions last week at the City Clerk’s Office with 285 signatures in the hopes of ousting controversial City Councilman Joe Severs from his seat on the council.
   Sharon Diehl, an Apache Junction resident, needed 222 signatures from registered city voters by Tuesday, May 13, to force a recall election. The 285 signatures she filed are in the process of being verified by city and county officials, she said.
   “The main reason I want to recall Joe Severs is I thought he was causing a lot of turmoil within the city council. I told him that in 2006 and it just seemed to continue,” said Diehl, whose late husband George once ran for mayor. “He’s making a mockery of this whole system.”
  The controversy over Severs heated up earlier this year after it was learned he moved his wife and family to Gilbert. Severs told reporters the move was neccessary because of the “messed-up schools” in Apache Junction. Although his family resides in Gilbert, Severs steadfastly claims he still lives in their empty house on N. Starr Rd. in Apache Junction.

See A-1 and See Recall A-5

Deputy Rescues Accident Victim
Woman trapped in wrecked vehicle on rural road
FLORENCE- Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Campbell proved last week that peace officers can often be heroic while performing normal duties.
   On Sunday, May 4, Campbell was patrolling Old Webb Road, a lightly-traveled road between San Manuel and Oracle, when he spotted the top of an automobile tire off the roadway. Upon further investigation, Campbell discovered an overturned vehicle with a 70-year-old woman stuck inside.
   The woman, who had a large gash on her forehead, told Campbell she had been stuck in the car for about an hour and a half.
   Deputy Campbell called in the crash and initiated getting an ambulance en route.
   “Deputy Campbell’s observation skills may have ultimately saved this woman from a great deal of suffering and, as rarely as anyone uses that road, possibly days of being stuck in that car, exposed to wildlife and the elements,” said PCSO Lt. Tami Villar.

Officer Saves Life Of Baby Girl
Administered life-saving CPR, brings back pulse
By Jill Jones
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- An Apache Junction Police Department (AJPD) officer saved the life of a 22-month-old girl last week when she stopped breathing during a seizure.
   The AJPD received a call around 5:15 p.m. on Monday, May 12 informing them that a baby had stopped breathing. The little girl had been running a fever and her mother had placed her in the bathtub in an attempt to lower her temperature. According to Interim Police Chief Tom Kelly, the child had gone into a seizure and stopped breathing when the mother turned to drain the tub.
   The mother did not know how to perform CPR so she yelled for a neighbor to call 911 for assistance. Neighbors reportedly attempted to administer life-saving efforts, but the child was not responsive.
   When AJPD Officer Joe Lucero arrived on the scene and took over from the neighbor, the child reportedly did not have a pulse. Lucero quickly placed the child on a bench on the front patio and reportedly administered two puffs of air and child began to respond.

See A-1 and see Saves Child, A-3

AJHS Boys Crowned State Champs In Track & Field
Crespo wins individual title with record throw in discus; 4x100 relay also takes first with school record time
By Chuck Baker
The News
At the Desert Sky Region Track and Field Meet on May 2nd, the Apache Junction boys found themselves in a three-way battle for the team title along with Paradise Valley and Phoenix Shadow Mountain with only the 4x400 relay left to go. But after slipping to a fourth place finish in the final race, the Prospectors had to settle for second place with 125.50 team points behind the 129 scored by Paradise Valley after their relay squad took second. Shadow Mountain ran fifth in the final relay and came in third in the team competition with 124 points.
   So, how would the AJHS boys respond the following week at the 4A-I State Championships after their disappointing second place finish at the region meet?
   Led by senior Louie Crespo’s record-breaking throw in discus of 163-06 feet to claim an individual state title and led by the Prospector’s amazing 4x100 relay team of senior Josh Morgan and juniors Shane McCullen, Rusty Fernando and Bo Bankhead who ran to a first place finish with a school-record time of 42:79, the Apache Junction boys tallied 67 team points to win the 4A-I state team title on Saturday, May 10th at Mesa Community College.
   It was the school’s first team title at a State Track and Field Meet and it comes in the Prospectors very first season competing at the 4A-I level.

See C-1 and see Champs, C-6