ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Artist Hank Keneally PAGE 10
Foothills Caring Corps Serving the communities of Anthem, Black Canyon City, Carefree, Cave Creek, Desert Hills, New River, North Phoenix, Tramonto and Peoria
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
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This Week
NEWS............................... 2 Desert Foothills Library appoints new executive director
NEWS................................... 4 Micah Bentley sees music as therapy
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF CAVE CREEK) | TheFoothillsFocus.com
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
APS works ‘aggressively’ to protect wildlife BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor
M
alu Buckmaster and her husband, Jeff Paris, were mortified when they saw dead Harris hawks beneath APS lines near their New River home. “It was just so sad,” Buckmaster said. “I hate to see birds, especially Harris hawks, electrocuted like this.” Buckmaster and Paris were relieved when the utility company immediately jumped on the case to ensure this doesn’t regularly happen. “It’s difficult to tell from their photos if the deaths are electrical related, but I treated it as an electrocution,” said Nicole Rodriguez, who oversees APS’ avian protection program. “We do that even if we don’t have enough evidence. It is an older pole, which is common throughout the United States. When we have an incident like this—whether it’s
Nicole Rodriguez, shown here with a golden eagle, is in charge of APS’ avian protection program. (Photo courtesy APS)
a raptor like an owl or hawk—if they have an electrical contact or collision with equipment, we will bird guard 11 consecutive poles, which can stretch for over a mile.” The APS crews quickly completed the job. Rodriguez said all utility companies have folks who will work to protect birds and wildlife, and hers is one of the more aggressive programs. “I am very proud of that,” she said. “We respond to incidents, but we mitigate before incidents occur. We predict where problems may arise. We proactively bird guard poles before an incident occurs.” Rodriguez frequently receives calls from the public saying Harris hawks are “hanging out on poles,” and she said those are valuable to APS. “Myself and the other folks on the team cannot see the entire territory,” she said. “It’s a partnership with our customers. It’s a
Ernie Bunch winning close mayoral race
SORRY! MY BAD!
OPINION........................ 5 More actions, not apologies needed in today’s world
OPINION...................................5 BUSINESS................................ 8 ARTS........................................ 10 FEATURES.............................12 DINING....................................13 CLASSIFIEDS....................... 14
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BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI and KATHERINE CAMBERG Foothills Focus Staff Writers
E
rnie Bunch is defeating Eileen Wright, by a close margin, in his fight to retain his role as Cave Creek mayor. As of August 9, Bunch was winning 1,103 to 1,068. “While the county has yet to release a final tally, I feel fairly confident that I will be serving two more years as your mayor,” Bunch said. “Thank you for the continued support as Cave Creek moves onward and upward.”
In a questionnaire before the election, Bunch said one of his three goals for the town is to improve communication between it and its residents. “We have made great strides in communication, but many have not availed themselves of the opportunity,” he wrote. “Typically, the most timely information comes from our website, but you must make the effort to check in occasionally.” He also would like to see residents help control fine fuels like stinknet and red brome. “The road crew did a pretty good job of clearing these from our rights of way, and
see BIRDS page 2
I am not currently aware of any fires that started there. Since January, there have been at least nine articles or notifications warning of the fire dangers, and one workshop in town hall. Still, some don’t begin clearing weeds until they see smoke on the horizon.” The final of his three goals is better speed enforcement on Cave Creek Road by Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies. The six Cave Creek Town Council members will be Bob Morris (1,377), Tom McGuire (1,289), David Smith (1,253), Kath-
see RACE page 3