Activities for all ages — all day, Saturday, July 4th

See A-1

Former Coach Gets 20 Years Probation
Jewell had inappropriate contact with female student
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
A former Apache Junction High School girls basketball coach pled guilty June 23 to sexual conduct with a minor and furnishing harmful materials to a minor, resulting in a sentence of 20 years probation.
   Raenna Jewell, a 25-year-old Gilbert resident, also cannot work at any school or partake in any activities with children younger than age 14. Jewell will be required to register as a sexual offender.
   On March 26, 2009 the Apache Junction Police Department responded to Apache Junction High School when the school administration called to report the alleged misconduct of Jewell. “When the responding officer was briefed, it was alleged that a previously employed sports coach had had inappropriate sexual contact(s) with a student,” said Police Chief Jerald Monahan.
   The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) was given the preliminary report and began the investigation. Jewell was charged with two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.
   Pinal Deputy County Attorney Jason Holmberg worked extensively with the Apache Junction Police Department CID and is credited for the successful culmination, Monahan said.
   Jewell replaced coach Jason Beck, who was arrested February 3 on charges of sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl. Eight days later, a Pinal County grand jury indicted
   Beck on the same charges as Jewell—sexual conduct with a minor and luring a minor for sexual exploitation. Beck posted $25,000 bond and has since been released while awaiting court proceedings.
  Jewell and Beck were parttime paid coaches and neither was a certified teacher.

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AJ Man Drowns While Tubing On The Salt River
28 year-old tried to swim against the current
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The body of an Apache Junction man was pulled from the Salt River at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 25, by a dive team from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
   Robert Frances, 28, disappeared around 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, during a tubing trip with three friends.
   The trouble started when one of the friends swam away from the tubes and began to sink under water. Three of his companions came to his rescue and all four swam back to the shoreline, deputies reported.
   Frances tried to swim out into the river, against the current, when he was pulled underneath the water and did not resurface.

Donations Sought For Future Fireworks
Annual display costs $14,000
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
Due to budget cuts, future July 4 fireworks displays are in jeopardy so the City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department is seeking donations to offset the costs of the shows.
   “We are all concerned about the economy and the impact the downturn as had on our ability to fund community events like July 4th,” said Jeff Bell, Parks and Recreation Department director.
   “Our efforts will include placement of ‘donation containers’ at the entry gates during this year’s event. Community volunteers will provide oversight to the containers and help in addressing questions from the public. Over the next fiscal year, we will solicit support from civic clubs, veterans organization and the private sector to assist in reducing the cost of the display (currently $14,000).”
   This year’s event will be held from 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at the Apache Junction High School Football Stadium on Southern Avenue, just east of Ironwood Drive. Live entertainment presented by Jann and the Moondogs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
   During recent budget discussions, Mayor John Insalaco and councilmembers asked staff to consider fundraising ideas to help offset the cost of future firework displays.

See A-1 and see Donations, A-6

Prospectors End Summer Hoops League With ‘Superhuman’ Effort
By Chuck Baker
The News
Playing with what head coach Dale Richardson described as a “superhuman effort,” the Prospector basketball team pulled off the shocker of the Mesa Skyline Summer League on its final night, upsetting the host school 63-54 this past Wednesday to earn their first victory.
   Apache Junction, 0-7 in the Summer League heading into last Wednesday’s final two games, came out on fire against Skyline behind the inspired play of Ravi Patel and put up 27 points in the game’s first ten minutes jumping out the early 27-20 lead.
   Patel scored 11 points in that opening span, including knocking down a trio of three-point shots, finished the first half with 14 points and ended the game with a career high 21 points.
   Patel added a fourth threepointer in the first half and made his fifth of the night in the second half as the Prospectors shot 9-for-16 as a team from behind the arc in pulling off the upset.
   All-Region guard Colt Grandstaff also tossed in 21 points and added eight rebounds, three assists and three steals while Patel also chipped in with eight rebounds of his own and came up with a pair of steals.
   Earlier this Summer, the Prospectors dropped a 62-41 decision to Skyline but on this night, they looked as good as any team competing in the Summer League.
   “They really gave a superhuman effort tonight,” an elated Coach Richardson said after the game. “I’m so happy right now, I don’t even care what happens in our next game.”
   As it turned out, the Prospectors earned their second win of the Summer League in the nightcap with a 65-46 win over Florence as Grandstaff and Stephen Copeland each posted “double-doubles,” combining for 36 points, 22 rebounds.

See B-1 and see Super, B-2

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