Fire Hits Renaissance Fest’s Last Day
Only blaze in 22-year history of event

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
  A Sunday, March 28, kitchen fire at the Renaissance Festival postponed the opening of the fair by a half hour on the day it was slated to close for the season, officials said.
  “We responded at about 7:15 a.m. Sunday morning to a report of a structure on fire at the Renaissance  Festival on East U.S. Highway 60, east of Gold Canyon,” said Apache Junction Fire District Fire Marshal Dave Montgomery, also the district’s public information officer.
  “We arrived to find an active fire in one of their large kitchen facilities located along the interior courtyard. Access was difficult at best, but we were able to get units where they needed to be to extinguish the fire.”
  The first was upgraded to a first-alarm fire after an initial assessment of the conditions and the potential for spread, he said.
  “That brought several additional pieces of apparatus and command officers from Mesa fire, Gilbert fire, Queen Creek fire, and we also had help from Queen Valley fire,” Montgomery said.
  Ultimately, the firefighters were able to fight the fire very aggressively, limiting the damage to the kitchen area and two adjoining private business spaces.

See A-1 and see Fire, A-8

Activities Set To Help Save State Park
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
  The Apache Junction community is rallying behind Lost Dutchman State Park in the hopes of keeping it open past the scheduled June 3 closing date.
  The Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce is hosting a raffle to help save Lost Dutchman State Park. But more than that, game players can win an actual gold nugget from Promack Treasure Hunters.
  Residents can purchase tickets for $1 each or six for $5 at the Chamber, 567 W. Apache Trail, Apache Junction.
  “I met with Dan and Cindy Ware of Promack Treasure Hunting on Apache Trail and informed them of our efforts to save the Lost Dutchman State Park through a friends group,” said chamber CEO Larry Johnson about the Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park organization.
  “They expressed concern and wanted to help, but rather than donate a few hundred dollars they suggested a raffle for a genuine gold nugget discovered on one of their claims. This kind act is yet another example of our business community and residents stepping up in a time of need.”
  Johnson said the park lures approximately 100,000 visitors annually with an estimated economic impact of more than $4 million to the local economy.

See A-1 and see State Park, A-9

It’s important to be counted, forms & census help available at library
  The City of Apache Junction strongly encourages all residents to fill out their census questionnaire. 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.
   If you did not receive a census form or misplaced the one mailed to you, assistance is available at the City Library, 1177 N. Idaho Road. Census forms in multiple languages are placed in a major display in the center lobby by checkout.
  A census representative will be available at the Library to answer your specific questions during the following days and times:

• Monday: 9:30 am – 12:30
  pm

• Tuesday: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  Wednesday: 1:00 pm – 4:00
  pm

• Thursday: 9:30 am – 12:30
  pm

• Friday: Census worker not
  available

• Saturday: 1:00 pm – 4 pm

  Remember this ten question form is easy to fill out and is confidential. 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.

See A-1

Prospectors Edge Youngker 8-7 For 5th Win
By Chuck Baker
The News
Nick Saathoff pitched four innings of relief and allowed just one run and then drove in the game-winning run with a single in the bottom of the sixth as the Prospector baseball team picked up their fifth win of the season last Tuesday with an 8-7 victory over (Buckeye) Youngker.
   It wasn’t easy for Saathoff on the mound. He had to work out of a jam in every inning, three times he struck out a Youngker batter for the third out, and Saathoff stranded nine baserunners in his four innings, including with bases loaded in the sixth when he struck out the final two hitters to get out of the inning with only one run scored.
   For the record, Saathoff allowed six hits and one run in four innings, walked one and struck out four to pick up his second win of the season against two losses. He relieved for John LaChapelle, who worked the first three innings, allowing six runs on seven hits while also striking out four. LaChapelle didn’t get a lot of help from his defense, particularly on two doubles that were slightly misplayed by his outfielders.

See B-1 and see AJHS, B-2