March 14, 2018 • Vol. 16, No. 16
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
www.thefoothillsfocus.com
ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Anthem | Black Canyon City | Carefree | Cave Creek | Desert Hills | New River| North Phoenix | Tramonto | Vistancia
41st annual Cave Creek Rodeo Days set to begin
Photo courtesy of Greg Westfall
Pictured: Cowboys show off their showmanship skills at the Cave Creek Rodeo Days.
Police respond to bizarre incident at CCUSD Office TARA ALATORRE STAFF
CAVE CREEK – The Scottsdale Police Department responded to a call of trespassing after three men allegedly barged into the Cave Creek Unified School District’s (CCUSD) Offices demanding to speak to the HR director about an employee’s Facebook post, while recording video on March 5. The men would not comply with sign-in procedures at the receptionist’s desk, which is policy, but demanded to video discussions about the district’s employee. That is when police were called, according to a letter sent out to parents from CCUSD.
CAVE CREEK – Mark your calendar for one of the Valley’s largest events, the 41st annual Cave Creek Rodeo Days, put on by an all-volunteer committee that is sponsored by Sanderson Ford on Bell Road. Cave Creek Rodeo Days is taking place on March 17 through March 25, at the Cave Creek Memorial Arena and other participating venues around town. World-renowned Cervi Championship Rodeo, will be supplying championship stock for the Cave Creek Rodeo this year. The Cervi family oversees and participates in every aspect of the rodeo production. “We cherish our Western lifestyle. Our entire community
is coming together for Cave Creek Rodeo Days. This event celebrates everything we love about our Town,” said Mayor Ernie Bunch. Cave Creek Rodeo was voted first place in the 2017 Justin Boot Best Footing Award in the Turquoise Circuit. This accolade ensures that the rodeo had the safest, most consistent ground conditions throughout the entire rodeo. It provides a safe and level playing field for the barrel racing contestants and their horses. The three performances of the Cave Creek Rodeo will
RODEO DAYS continued on page 7
MCSO arrests Cave Creek women for poisoning husband with anti-freeze CAVE CREEK – Homicide detectives with the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office arrested a Cave Creek woman at her residence on March 8, for the first-degree attempted murder of her husband, and is being held at the Fourth Avenue Jail on a $700,000 bond. On August 21, 2017, suspect Connie Eskelson claimed she found her husband unconscious at their home. He was transported to the hospital and tests revealed the victim had a potential lethal dose of Ethylene Glycol, which is an active ingredient in anti-freeze. The victim had no brain activity when he was first transported, but fortunately has made a full recovery,
according to MCSO MCSO says that detectives became involved because the victim’s family suspected foul play. “MCSO is committed to providing public safety at the highest level through exceptional police work,” said Sheriff Paul Penzone. “This is an example of effective collaboration resulting in the apprehension of a dangerous suspect.” Over several months detectives were able to track down several purchases made by suspect Eskelson for lab grade Ethylene Glycol. Detectives believe that the suspect tainted the drinks with the poisonous chemical that her husband consumed daily.
ELECTIONS D-8:
MARICOPA:
NEW RIVER:
Primary special election
County Parks
Suspicious item
• Bluhm Column
canvass released
increase fees slightly
shuts down I-17
• Service Directory
15
Page 3
Page 11
Page 14
• Classified Ads
18
“The man recording was upset at a post one of our employees put on Facebook about him,” said Debbi Burdick the CCUSD Superintendent in an email to The Foothills Focus. “My understanding is the man’s personal information was posted.” Once Scottsdale Police arrived the men left the district’s office after a short while but proceeded to walk on the public sidewalk past Cactus Shadows High School. Then one of the men put on a white mask and goggles “to apparently frighten people,” while walking past the high school, according to the letter
CCUSD INCIDENT continued on page 6
Photo courtesy of MCSO
Pictured: Cave Creek resident, Connie Eskelson, who is suspected of poisoning her husband with anti-freeze, and was arrested by MCSO on March 8.
OTHER :
6