Lost Dutchman State Park To Stay Open For Another Year
Board makes it official at May 19 meeting
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The Arizona State Parks Board voted Wednesday, May 19, to keep five more State Parks open, including Lost Dutchman State Park, thanks to unique management and financial agreements with rural communities like Apache Junction.
   “The State Parks Board, a volunteer group of seven members, has voted in the last three months to negotiate with counties, cities and parks friends groups to fund a total of 23 State Parks to be open into the next fiscal year,” said Executive Director Renee Bahl.
   “The real key now is that we need every Arizonan to use their State Parks as often as possible. We want the public to know that the board and staff are focusing on keeping State Parks open because the fiscal impact and loss of jobs from closed parks would be devastating to these rural towns and we believe every Arizonan deserves a robust State Park system.”
   According to Parks Board Chairman Reese Woodling, the organization has been successful in finding solutions to keeping State Parks open. But these are only short-term measures.
   “It is a miracle that these communities have raised the funds to keep these parks open so far this year,” Woodling said. “Arizonans should be proud that so many concerned individuals have stepped forward to lead the communities to cobble together these monies.”

See A-1 and see State Park, A-3

Paws Donates To PCSO K-9
County purchases equipment with funds
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The Pinal County K-9 Unit celebrated at the Apache Greyhound Park on Wednesday, May 19, new equipment it received thanks to a monetary donation from Paws 4 Life, a nonprofit organization serving the community through pets, service dogs and volunteers working together to bring affordable training and unique services to the East Valley.
   The funds paid for training gear, including sleeves and narcotic lock boxes.
 “We’re trying to work with them also to allow them to use our agility training at the Greyhound Park for their dogs on days they’re off duty,” said Paws 4 Life’s Tuni House.
   Her organization trains at the Greyhound Park.
 On May 19, the K-9 unit too showed off some of its dogs’ moves in a demo for Paws 4 Life members and guests.
   “We have our service dogs and therapy dogs and pets and companions,” House said before the event. “They’re going to show another side of a working dog with the K-9 unit.”
   House and Sheriff Paul Babeu said equipment for the K-9 unit is not listed in the Pinal County Sheriff Office’s budget.
   “We heard they don’t have it written into their budget, so they have to purchase it themselves out of pocket,” House said.
   “Sheriff Babeu approached our organization four months ago. We thought this is a good thing to give back to the community and county in which we life. Paws tries to give back to the community and the county.”
   Babeu added, “With less tax revenue for county government and no budgeted funds for this equipment, we are very grateful for Paws 4 Life and their very generous support.”
   For more information about Paws 4 Life, visit its website at www.paws4life.net.

Parking For AJHS Graduation
State construction causes more than usual problems
The City of Apache Junction Public Works Department would like drivers to note some key points concerning graduation ceremonies at Apache Junction High School on Thursday, May 27, starting at 7 p.m.
  Parking areas available during Graduation Ceremony: a. Apache Junction High School north parking lot b. Public pool parking area c. Tennis courts parking area d. AJHS south parking lot e. Desert Shadows Middle School parking
   As a reminder, the vacant lot north of Southern Avenue is private property and parents are encouraged not to park in this area. Please use the designated parking areas as listed.
   The best travel route for graduation is west on Southern Avenue from the Idaho Road intersection.
 Police officers assisting with traffic control will be located at the Southern/Idaho intersection, at the school driveway entrances to the campus, and at the Southern/Ironwood intersection.
   All departing traffic from designated Parking Areas A, B, C and E will be directed to turn right on to Southern Avenue.
   For further information contact the Public Works Department at (480) 982-1055.

State Track Wrap-Up
By Chuck Baker
The News
The second and final day of the 4A-I State Track and Field Championships wasn’t a particularly good one for the Apache Junction athletes.
   After qualifying first overall on Friday, May 14 in the 400 meters with a time of 49:93, AJHS senior Zane Morgan finished fourth in the finals on Saturday, May 15 with a time of 50:52. Morgan, who also competed in the state finals of the 200 meters on Saturday, ended up eighth overall in that event after turning in a time of 22:97, well off of the 22:45 seed time he had posted coming into the championships.
   Morgan’s fourth place finish in the 400 meters was the best outing by an AJHS athlete.
Senior discus thrower Trevor Berner, who has thrown a season best 155-07, ended up placing fifth overall at the state championships with a throw of 143-03.
   Also placing fifth overall was Chance Van Soest in shot put. Chance had a qualifying throw of 46-11.75 coming into the state finals and threw a personal best 47-03.25 on May 15.
   Other results from Saturday’s second and final day of the state championships included Kyrel Parker running seventh in the 100 meter finals with a time of 11:57, the boys 4x100 meter relay team of Danny Fuller, David Fernando, Tanner Morgan and Parker running 10th overall with a combined time of 43:78, Tyler O’Reilly placing 13th overall in discus with a throw of 125-01, and Diana Woodruff running 14th overall in the 3200 meter finals with a time of 12:42.71.
   Final results are also available on the website www.aiaonline.org.