Chandler Woman Rescued
Superstition Rescue saves climber with shattered knee
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
Superstition Search and Rescue aided the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Superior Fire Department and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office with a rescue Sunday, November 22, of a 34-yearold Chandler woman who shattered her knee, according to SSAR Commander Robert Cooper.
   “Lisa Alexander and some friends were rock climbing and rappelling off of a popular location named ‘the ponds,’ which is located just through the tunnel north of Superior,” Cooper said.
   “Many of you are familiar with this location due to the heavy waterfalls that appear after a good rain.”
 Alexander fell on her knee on a sharp rock. Afterward, the Superior Fire Department moved her to a safe location on the cliffs to treat her injuries.
   “We chose not to bring her down with a technical rope system because of the falling rock hazard to the cars below and having to shut down U.S. Highway 60 for two hours,” Cooper said.
   “This left us with requesting assistance from DPS rangers for a helicopter rescue called a short haul. This is where a patient is loaded into a nylon bag with a rescuer attached to a rope 100 to 200 feet below the helicopter.”
   Alexander was flown to safety to the Oak Flats campground, where an ambulance awaited her.
  “SSAR trains regularly in this highly critical skill,” Cooper said. “DPS maintains currency with 40 rescuers throughout the state for quick response and SSAR has the honor to hold eight of these positions.”

Shepherd Retiring From AJ School District

Council To Host Public Hearings
Governing body to meet in regular session Tuesday, Dec. 1
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The Apache Junction City Council, led by Mayor John Insalaco, will host five public hearings during the Tuesday, December 1, meeting in chambers, 300 E. Superstition Blvd.
   The first public hearing is an application for a special event liquor license by Superstition Mountain Rotary Club No. 1246 for Lost Dutchman Days. The organization is requesting a liquor license for the event, which will be held February 26 through February 28. State law requires a public hearing in front of the City Council with its recommendation for approval or denial being forwarded to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
   A second liquor license request is scheduled as well for the Dog Run Saloon. The owners of Dog Run Saloon have repossessed the building and are reopening the business. The next step in the application process is a public hearing before the City Council where it makes a recommendation of approval or denial to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
   During the third public hearing, citizens can voice their thoughts about the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lost Dutchman Aerie’s application for a bingo license. State law requires a public hearing in front of the City Council with its recommendation for approval or denial forwarded to the Arizona Department of Revenue, Bingo Section.

See A-1 and see Council, A-3

AzCAA State Champs
Apache Trail 28, Heritage 26; November 21, 2009
By Chuck Baker
The News
In just their second season of eight-man tackle football, the Apache Trail Wolfpack captured an Arizona Charter Athletic Association “Class B” State Championship title, rallying for a 28-26 victory over the Mesa Heritage Heroes on Saturday, November 21 at Phoenix Christian High School, avenging their only loss of the 2009 season, and finishing with a 11-1 overall record.
   Trailing 26-20 with two minutes to play in the fourth quarter in the state championship game and facing a fourth-and-goal at the Heritage eight-yard line, Wolfpack quarterback Brian Mayfield dropped back to pass, was flushed out of the pocket and took off running for the right corner of the end zone. Mayfield was met at the two-yard line by a Heritage defender but it would have taken the entire Heroes defense to have a chance at making a stop. Mayfield lowed through the defender and into the end zone to the tie game, 26-26.
   Mayfield then took the snap on the ensuing two-point conversion and followed the left side of his offensive line across the goal line to put Apache Trail in front 28-26 with 1:44 left to go.
   Heritage ran a reverse and returned the kickoff to their own 47-yard line and drove all the way to the Wolfpack’s nine-yard line with six seconds remaining and time for one more play. The Heritage quarterback scrambled to his left but was met by Wolfpack defenders Jim Croteau and Jordan Viramontes, who combined to make the stop at the eight-yard line, giving Apache Trail the title, 28-26.

See B-1 and see Champs, B-3