Event To Update Residents On LD Park
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at Superstition Harley-Davidson Bldg.
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
With the ongoing high level of community interest in the status of Lost Dutchman State Park (LDSP), the City of Apache Junction, in cooperation with Superstition Harley-Davidson and the Arizona State Park’s Foundation, are hosting a community update from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at the store’s community room, 2910 W. Apache Trail, Apache Junction.
   Residents can come hear the latest developments, and what they can do to become more actively engaged in support of Lost Dutchman State Park, whether it is as a “Friend of LDSP,” volunteer, donor business or simply a concerned citizen/park user.
   The update is free and open to the public, thanks to Beverly and Mark LeResche, owners of Superstition Harley- Davidson. The meeting room is handicap accessible.
   For more information on all Arizona State Parks or how to volunteer please visit: www. azstateparks.com.
   For more information, call Steve Filipowicz, City of Apache Junction Economic Development director, at (480) 474-5064.
   The update comes on the heels of the Arizona State Parks Board’s meeting in Apache Junction’s City Council Chambers at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 17.
   This is its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The agenda was not available as of press time, but Filipowicz said he believes it’s a positive move that the board accepted the City’s invitation to meet there.

See A-1

Census 2010 Coming To Apache Junction
Make sure everyone is counted, easy to fill out and send back
   The City of Apache Junction is strongly encouraging all residents to promptly fill out their Census questionnaire when it is received in March.
   “Apache Junction needs the participation of all its residents in order to get an accurate count of how many people live in the city during the 2010 U.S. Census,” said Pat Brenner, the City’s public information officer.
   In March, residents will receive Census questionnaires at their homes. This 10-question form is easy to fill out and is confidential, he said. Each household is asked to respond with how many people are living in the residence at that time. Citizenship is not a consideration. By law the Census must remain confidential.
   Of special importance to winter visitors in Apache Junction, you are encouraged to fill out your census form in Apache Junction as each person counted will add $1,500 per person per year for 10 years into the community. That’s money to fund police officers, roads, libraries and parks.
   The federal government uses this population count to help fund all of the above through shared revenue. Our community benefits when everyone is counted, Brenner said. If the form is not sent back to the Census, employees known as Enumerators will visit each residence that failed to return the information and attempt to get the information in person. This could happen several times. The easiest thing to do is fill out the mailed form and send it back.
   No one coming to your door will ask for bank account, Social Security or any other type of personal financial information that would allow them to access your accounts. If they do request information like this call the police immediately at (480) 982-8260. All legitimate Census workers will have a federal ID clearly showing their identity.
   For further information contact the Public Information Office at (480) 474-5080.

Suspected Gunman Nabbed In Mesa
Elson allegedly shot AJ woman through front door
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
A 22-year-old man was arrested March 10 without incident in Mesa in connection with the February 8 shooting of a 19-year-old woman in Apache Junction.
   Brock E. Elson has been identified as the primary shooter in the investigation, according to Capt. Tom Kelly of the Apache Junction Police Department.
   On February 8, the woman, who was at a residence in 1300 Block of South Royal Palm, was the victim of a single gunshot wound.
   According to the victim, one of the two white men came up to her front door requesting to see her home as the house had a “For Sale” sign in the front yard.
   When she refused entry, the man pulled a handgun and shot her in the upper body. Upon arrival, police and fire personnel rendered emergency aid whereby she was then airlifted to a local hospital for additional emergency treatment.
   Elson was transported to the Pinal County Detention Center to await his initial appearance on attempted murder charges, Kelly said. Another person involved in the initial shooting has also been identified and is awaiting charges by the Pinal County Attorney.
   “The Mesa Police Department Street Crime Apprehension Team assisted in this apprehension and is commended for their continued outstanding cooperation in joint operations,” Kelly said. Anyone that has any additional information about this ongoing investigation is requested to contact the Apache Junction Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (480) 982-8260 or AJPD Silent Witness at (480) 474-8585.

Softball Team Hitters Nationally Ranked
By J.J. Digos and Chuck Baker
The News
Heading into last week’s softball games, the Lady Prospectors found out they have a nationally ranked offense through the first two weeks of the season according to www.maxpreps.com. Then, in their only game played, on Tuesday at Higley, Apache Junction came out flat, losing 11-1 in a game shortened to five innings because of the ten-run rule.
   The Lady Prospectors, now 7-8 on the season counting two tournaments, came into the week with the 31st ranked offense nationally in terms of batting average, .373, and the 41st ranked offense in terms of slugging percentage, .481.
  Those impressive numbers didn’t help them against Higley. Although catcher Lindsey Skinner, hitting from the lead-off position for the first time this season, went 2-for-3 with a double and scored the team’s only run. Chelsey Streibich was also 2-for-3 in the loss, both singles, Autumn Rhodes was 1-for-2 and knocked in Skinner, Jade Yost added a double and Shelby Olson added a single.
   Olson also was on the mound for AJHS and struggled to find the plate, allowing seven walks against three strikeouts. But with the way the offense fizzled at the plate, it didn’t matter.
   Apache Junction was also scheduled to play on Tuesday of last week against Glendale Independence but that game was postponed due to inclement weather and will be re-scheduled for Saturday, April 24th at 10:00 a.m.
   Updating the team’s performance in the Safford Invitational played March 5 and 6, Apache Junction finished third overall going 4-2 with wins over Pima, Thatcher, Holbrook and Globe and losses to Douglas and Safford.

See B-1 and see Girls, B-6