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ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
‘Monsoon Fantasy’ PAGE
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This Week
Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition
BUSINESS ......... 14
FEATURES ........ 15 Local Jonny’s reopens after week long renovations
YOUTH ............. 17 Valley graduates can win a free flight with Avelo
OPINION ......................8 BUSINESS ................. 12 FEATURES ................ 15 YOUTH ...................... 17 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 18 2
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Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Fire�ighters respond to 5 lightning-caused �ires BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor
Sonoran Desert Pet Resort offers a getaway
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Serving the communities of Cave Creek and Carefree
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passing thunderstorm ignited five fires last week in the northern portion of the Cave Creek Ranger District. Firefighters are assessing values at risk in the area such as ranches and powerline infrastructure. Access to this part of the forest is extremely difficult and crews are working to identify areas where they can be successful in suppressing these fires. Middle Fire: 28 miles northeast of Cave Creek; 300 acres
Located just outside the Mazatzal Wilderness Boundary, west of the Verde River and east of Forest Road 16. The fire was active, burning in steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain. Resources have responded to this fire and are scouting potential containment lines and assessing point protection needs around the ranches and associated infrastructure in the area. Ridgetop Fire: 30 miles northeast of Cave Creek; 50 acres Located in the Mazatzal Wilderness west of the Verde River, approximately 2 miles east of the Middle Fire. The fire was active
burning in grass and brush in steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain. Resources have responded to this fire and are scouting potential containment lines and assessing point protection needs. According to the National Weather Service, the Middle and Ridgetop fires received as much as 1 inch of rain. Cougar Fire: 17 miles northeast of Cave Creek; 10 acres Two engines were able to access this fire near the 51 Ranch and contain it. Firefighters
“The number of pigs that are purchased as pets and then discarded is outstanding,” Betterman said. “It’s an issue that a lot of people don’t know about. It’s a very unique issue, but it has gotten out of control.” Located at 36246 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, the nonprofit takes in around 25 surrendered pigs every two weeks. Last year alone the nonprofit rescued 200 pigs. “We have 110 pigs on the property right now — all rescues,” Betterman said. “We also have three cows that are rescues as well.” To help care for the 110 pigs, Better Piggies Rescue is restarting its volunteer program that was stopped in lieu of COVID-19.
“Before COVID we were doing Piggy Yoga and Get Fit with the Pigs and we would have these large crowds on our tours and our (volunteer) orientations and then COVID hit and it was just, we had to stop,” Betterman explained. “Just for the safety of myself and our rescue manager and also for the volunteers that would come on a daily basis and then the pigs, too.” Unaware at the time if pigs could contract and spread COVID-19, the rescue named safety a No. 1 priority. “Now that people are getting vaccinated and things are opening up and people that are not
see FIRES page 4
Nonpro�it seeks volunteers to help pigs, piglets
BY ANNIKA TOMLIN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
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anielle Betterman was gifted her first pig, Beezers, 12 years ago. She researched the ins and outs of raising a pig in the Valley. Wanting to impart her knowledge and her love of pigs, she opened Better Piggies Rescue in 2017. “I started doing research and quickly started volunteering with other organizations around the Valley like Ironwood Pig Sanctuary and Circle L Ranch (Animal Rescue and Sanctuary) out in Prescott and then just saw the need for rescues and adoptions,” Betterman said.
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see VOLUNTEERS page 4
