West Valley View: South December 13, 2017

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THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON

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westvalleyview.com

INSIDE

This Week

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The Voice of the West Valley for 32 years

Stardust Ranch ready for next alien adventure By Jimmy Magahern

NEWS .............. 3 Trent Franks resigns in light of accusations

SPORTS ........ 13 Nassir Sims making his mark on and off the field

9 DAYS ......... 16 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar

LETTERS ........................10 BUSINESS..................... 12 SPORTS ..........................13 FEATURES .....................19 NEIGHBORHOOD......22 SCHOOLS .....................23 OBITUARIES .................26 CLASSIFIEDS................28 SOUTH

At times, John and Joyce Edmonds’ life sounds like the plot of a sci-fi horror movie. Or maybe a sitcom. Certainly, a graphic novel. At the moment, the owners of Rainbow Valley’s Stardust Ranch – also known among followers of the paranormal as “Alien Ranch” – are weighing their options. “I’ve been getting between 100 and 200 calls and texts a day about the ranch,” said John Edmonds, a 60-something Chicago transplant who, with his receding, perpetually unkempt hair and David Crosby mustache, looks the part of the good-natured backcountry boomer. “I’ve been getting offers for movies, books – I mean, this is insane!” The tidal wave of interest stems from a small local news item about the Edmonds’ John Edmonds said aliens frequently visit his Rainbow Valley decision to sell the 9.67-acre ranch. (Photo courtesy the Travel Channel) property they’ve lived on for his fireplace. He said he’s killed 18 of them the past 21 years – for a headline-grabbing so far (Edmonds calls the extraterrestrial $5 million. From the looks of the 40-year- beings “grays,” as in little gray men), and old, five-bedroom ranch home, sitting said that, frankly, he’s had enough of the on acres of untended desert, there seems pests. little to justify the exorbitant asking price “We never signed up for this,” he (the Maricopa County Assessor places the complained, sounding for a moment like a current cash value of the house at $356,100, beleaguered Larry David. and the website Zillow estimates the value “If we’d known about the aliens, we never of the entire ranch at about $873,000). would have bought the ranch. This just kind What’s worth millions, perhaps, is the story of fell in our laps. You know, it’s like a big pile attached to the place: Edmonds insists the of dog poop I stepped in, and now I just want reason the couple wants to move is because to clean my shoes off and keep walking!” extraterrestrials have been trying to abduct Edmunds’ regular-Joe personality and his wife – and he’s tired of having to slay them with the samurai sword he keeps above Stardust...continued on page 2

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December 13, 2017

Liberty Elementary Superintendent Dr. Rogers resigns By Connor Dziawura Liberty Elementary School District is approaching the end of an era, with a new one to be set in motion in the New Year. Superintendent Dr. Andy Rogers, who has served the district for over a decade, recently reached a Dr. Andy Rogers (Photo settlement concerning courtesy Liberty Elementary his resignation with School District) the district’s governing board. The voluntary resignation is effective January 2. Due to a confidentiality clause within the agreement, Rogers declined to comment on the details surrounding his resignation; however, he has said he will be taking a leave for most of the time leading up to January 2, sporadically working as needed over the coming weeks. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my 10.5 years as superintendent in Liberty and will leave with many great memories,” Rogers wrote in an email to staff. “I am leaving at a time of tremendous success for the district.” Noting the passage of last year’s override with 58.5 percent in favor, all-time high teacher retention, a stable budget, growing enrollment, and success with literacy adoption and 1:1 tech initiative, Rogers detailed those successes to district staff. Also mentioned was the district’s recent school addition, Las Brisas Academy, which opened August 2015. Looking to provide an innovative visual and performing arts experience for K-8 students, Las Brisas provides dual language immersion. Rogers described the school as a “smash success.” Despite these successes, however, Rogers’ tenure has not been without controversy. In recent years, complaints

Rogers...continued on page 4


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West Valley View: South December 13, 2017 by Times Media Group - Issuu