Community Welcomes Christmas
Snowball fights, Santa and the annual Light Parade usher in the season

On Friday night, December 4, the City Parks and Recreation Department teamed up with the Main Street Program to kick off the holiday season in Apache Junction. The Gazebo on North Idaho Road featured mounds of snow for playtime fun, a concert in the park and an opportunity to visit with Santa. Later, at 7 p.m., the Apache Trail filled with floats as the annual Parade of Lights pleased children of all ages.

See more photos on Page A-10

SSAR Rescues Peoria Couple
Woman hiker had broken ankle
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
In the waning days of its partnership with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Superstition Search and Rescue assisted wtih the rescue of a 53-year-old Peoria woman and her husband who were hiking in the Superstition Mountains on Saturday, November 28.
   Bob and Linda McLaughlin set out at 11 a.m. for a day hike in the Superstition Mountains.
“They were approximately 4.5 miles in and working their way down the north side of Minors Summit when she slipped and fell and broke her ankle,” said Commander Robert Cooper.
   “Her husband gave her a shoulder and hobbled her back to the summit where they were able to get a cell phone signal and call for help. Our team located and treated her injuries and radioed for a ground team to come package and transport.”
   The team traveled four miles each way through rocky terrain, narrow paths with trail edge drop offs in the cold and rain. She was returned to safety in a stokes basket, sentially a stretcher with sides.
   “To carry a stokes requires a team of six to walk forward, sideway, backward while bushwhacking and my favorite—cacti kicking,” Cooper said. “This is what we train for and this is what we do best, assisting those in need so they can return home to their families.”
   SSAR stopped working with Pinal County on December 1 after 30 years of service. SSAR will still be active in the area and can be called directly for assistance at (480) 620-0299.

See A-1 and see Rescue, A-3

Sheriff Seeks Bank Robber
Man robs Chase Bank in Gold Canyon
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect accused of robbing the JP Morgan Chase Bank at 5305 S. Superstition Mountain Drive in Gold Canyon at 3:50 p.m. Thursday, December 3.
   According to PCSO Spokeswoman Tami Villar, an unknown male entered the bank and held a bank teller at gun point demanding money.
   “The subject was described by witnesses as a Caucasian male wearing a blue denim shirt, faded black denim jeans, a baseball cap, ski mask and gloves,” Villar said.
   “After demanding money from the teller, the gunman fled from the scene in an easterly direction, on what witnesses describe as a black older model Polaris Sportsman 700 ATV driven by an accomplice.”
   Anyone with information regarding this armed robbery or anyone who may know the identity of the suspects is urged to contact the PCSO Detective Buddy Johnson at 1-800-420- 8689 or silent witness.

AJHS Wrestlers Edge Higley, 39-30
By Chuck Baker
The News
The first varsity wrestling match of the 2009 season and the first under new head coach Don Mabry and it came down to the last weight class. With Apache Junction holding a slim 33-30 lead over the Higley Knights through the 215-pound weight class at last Thursday’s season opener for both teams, it was up to AJHS senior heavyweight Dylan Munyon to hold onto the Prospector lead for the win. A pin victory by Higley or one by majority decision would have given Higley the win. But Munyon left little to chance, coming up with his victory via the pin in the first period, lifting Apache Junction to a 39-30 win. A pretty good start to his senior wrestling season for Munyon.
   The match with Higley was close throughout with several lead changes. After freshman Brandon Edwards lost by a pin in the 103-pound class to get things started, and after both schools forfeited the 112-pound weight class, Prospector senior Dallon Bush needed just eighteen seconds in his 119-pound match to tie it up with a pin.
   Senior Chase Converse then gave Apache Junction a 12-6 lead with a pin victory at 125 pounds and sophomore Trent McMinn made it 18-6 in favor of the Prospectors when he pinned his 130-pound Higley opponent in just sixteen seconds.
   Senior Thomas Eckhardt then came up with an 8-2 decision win at 135 pounds to make the score 21-6 but Higley fought back. The Knights won via forfeit at 145 pounds and Prospector 152-pounder Chris Novak lost with a pin to make the score 21-18.

See B-1 and see AJHS, B-6