Ribbon Cutting Held For Emission Facility
Apache Junction station set to open January 2
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
More than 40 dignitaries, including Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Director Steve Owens, were on hand Monday, December 22, to dedicate the Valley’s latest vehicle inspection station located at 565 E. 38th Ave. at Baseline Avenue in Apache Junction.
   At a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Owens said the station will officially open for business to motorists on January 2, 2009.
   “This is one of the fastest growing parts of the Valley and we are committed to giving the people of this area the service they need and deserve,” Owens said. “They will have shorter wait times as well as electronic signs with updated information on wait times to help them know the best time to come to the station.”
   Pinal County Supervisor-elect Bryan Martyn shared his enthusiasm for the station.
“I’m excited to see we now have the opportunity to serve both our citizens (Pinal County) and the citizens of the entire East Valley,” Martyn said.
   Pat Brenner, the City’s community relations manager, said Apache Junction Animal Control, which is located across the street, is excited about increased exposure.

See A-1 and See Emissions, A-5

Driver In Utah BusCrash From AJ
Crash took nine lives, injured 23

Council OKs Use Of Cargo Containers
Minimum lot size of 1.25 acre

Homeowners Have A Sinking Feeling
Sinkholes plague local community.

See A-1 and See Top Stories, A-2

Camera Crews Visit AJ
Ex-Diamondback & wife lauded for rescuing animals
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
Former Arizona Diamondback infielder Shea Hillenbrand is considered a hero in the eyes of Apache Junction Animal Control.
   He boards “a ton” of dogs each year at his facility, Marley Farms, 26601 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, saving the animals from euthanasia.
   “He’s awesome,” said Apache Junction Animal Control Officer Laura Voelk.
“He’s a total animal lover. They have a petting zoo. They board horses. They’re fantastic, very neat people with giant hearts. They have saved a ton of dogs’ lives to give them a second chance to walk out the door alive.”
   Camera crews filmed Hillenbrand, along with his wife Jessica, at Animal Control on Monday, December 22, 2008, as a pitch for an Animal Planet reality show about the couple, Shea Hillenbrand said during an interview with the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon News.
   Voelk said, “I explained to them how Marley Farms had opened their doors to us to use as a holding facility until the rescue groups can get the dogs into a foster home or boarding facility or go right from there to the adoption event.”

See A-1 and see Film Crew, A-5

Top Sports Story, 2008
By Chuck Baker
The News
AJHS Boys Track Wins State Title
   Led by a first place finish from the 4x100 relay team of Josh Morgan, Bo Bankhead, Rusty Fernando and Shane McCullen in a school record time of 42:79, and a first place toss in discus by senior Louie Crespo of 163-06, also a new school record, total of 843 runners, way more than the 755 runners from last year.
   Another key contributing factor to the record turn-out was that the National Black Marathoner’s Association chose the Lost Dutchman Marathon as their official race in 2008 and several association members were on hand to compete.
AJHS Girls Runner-Ups In Texas
   The Lady Prospector varsity softball team was cruising through the Fox Country Girls Fast Pitch Tournament in El Paso, Texas, played February 21-23, winning their first eight games and then locked in a pitcher’s dual against El Paso Chapin in the tourn a m e n t championship game. And then the wheels came off.
   Trailing just 1-0 and playing in the fifth inning, the AJHS girls made five errors on defense that led to seven runs for Chapin on their way to an 11-0 victory.
   Still, not a bad showing for the only team from Arizona playing in the tournament. Eight wins, seven of those against schools from Texas and one against a school from New Mexico, twice scoring 18 runs to win lopsided games, advancing to the championship game in the eighteen-team tournament, and senior pitcher Terra Ciesielski being named tournament MVP.

See B-1 and see Top, page B-3