School District To Buy 916 Computers
Church to lease part of Gold Canyon Elementary School
By Betty Swanson
The News
An expenditure of $376,480 for 916 new Hewlett-Packard laptop computers to be ordered immediately was among the items approved by the Apache Junction Unified School District Governing Board when it met in regular session the morning of June 8.
   Technology Director Jon Castellano told the governing board members that 416 of the laptops will be purchased with federal Title I money and these laptops will be distributed according to a government- prescribed formula among the district’s four Title I elementary schools for use by students in that program.
   The other laptops/netbooks, as needed up to 500 units, will be purchased for the new “One-to-One Program” at Cactus Canyon Junior High School that will match each incoming seventh-grade student with a personal computer to use next school
   Financial business occupied the majority of the rest of the agenda, as well.
 A three-year lease (with potential renewal option) of approximately one-third of the 55,000 square footage of Gold Canyon Elementary School facility, located at the corner of Kings Ranch Road and Alameda Street, to the Gold Canyon Community Church was approved. Associate Superintendent Dr. Jim Lockwood explained that this lease arrangement would both “generate some funds and protect (the district’s) resources through the church’s maintenance and presence.”

See A-1 and see AJUSD, A-9

Baby Found Wandering
Toddler left aunt’s house in middle of the night
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
A toddler was released to his mother late last week after he was found sitting on the porch of a home at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, in the Lost Dutchman Boulevard/ North Cedar Drive area, police said.
   Jordan apparently wandered from his aunt and uncle’s home.
 “Somewhere around 3, 3:30 in the morning, one of our residents wakes up, goes out front and sees this baby on a porch or a curb in front of their house,” said Capt. Tom Kelly of the Apache Junction Police Department.
   “They have no idea who the child was. They called the police. We went out there and picked up the child. The child was very well nourished, taken care of, clean and wearing a diaper.”
   For hours, the police department knocked on doors in the area trying to find the parents of Jordan. The AJPD did a reverse 9-1-1, calling homes about an emergency.
   “By this time, we have pictures,” Kelly said. “The media has gone out. When officers knocked on the door again, the uncle said, ‘That’s my sister’s baby.’ They realize the child’s actually missing.”

See A-1 and see Baby, A-3

Bailiff Sentenced To Prison
Williams receives 6.5 years
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
FLORENCE—A Casa
Grande man was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison Friday, June 11, for improper influence on a public officer, a class 4 felony.
   Royzell Devere Williams pled guilty to the crime in May.
Williams, 47, was arrested on July 14, 2009, following a monthlong investigation by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. He was indicted on charges of bribery and offering to exert improper influence on a public officer.
   Williams was employed as a bailiff at the Pinal County Superior Court in Florence. Pinal County Superior Court Presiding Judge Carter Olson immediately terminated Williams’ employment upon being informed by Sheriff Paul Babeu of his arrest.
   The investigation involved an undercover operation.
Williams accepted $3,500 from a victim in exchange for his promise to influence a Superior Court Judge in a domestic relations case.
   “Crimes like the ones committed by Williams can shake the public’s trust in the justice system,” said James P. Walsh, Pinal County attorney. “I will work very hard to preserve and enhance that sense of trust.”
   Prichard Platt, chief criminal deputy Pinal County attorney prosecuted the case.
Williams has prior felony convictions.

Summer Softball Sizzles
By Chuck Baker
The News
About the only thing hotter than the temperature last Monday was the Lady Prospector offense as they reeled off 11-3 and 14-1 victories over Mesa Mountain View in Summer League softball action.
   Using a combination of varsity players mixed in with up-and-comers, Apache Junction trailed Mountain View 3-1 after three-and-a-half innings in the first game but then scored ten runs over their final three-at-bats for the win.
   Christine Emmons, who pitched the first four innings and allowed just one earned run, smacked a tworun double in the fifth inning, Jennifer Gallina added a single and also drove in a pair of runs, Heather Hadden and Melissa Ochoa both added run-scoring singles, Ashley Gonzales and Lindsey Skinner each hit a triple and scored, Jade Yost singled, walked and scored twice, and Taylor Tinkham, Sierra Aulik, Sara Cooper and Maggie Hamlin all had one hit for the AJHS girls.
   Incoming freshman Christina Duarte tossed two scoreless innings and struck out four Mountain View hitters in her Summer debut.

See B-1