West Valley View - January 18, 2017 by Times Media Group

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS

Arts festival celebrates 25 years. See photos from Litchfield Park event on Page 9.

ON HER HIGH HORSE

Buckeye Days riding back into town for two weekends — Page 10.

Trooper shot near Tonopah

DPS officer volunteers at Tonopah Valley H.S.

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper who was shot Jan. 12 on Interstate 10 near Tonopah has a longstanding relationship with the far West Valley community, officials said.

Trooper Ed Andersson has volunteered as the varsity volleyball coach and with other athletic programs at Tonopah Valley High School for many years, said Paul Tighe, superintendent of the Saddle Mountain Unified District.

The high school is about 10 miles east of where Andersson was shot in the early morning while responding to a call for service on I-10.

At about 4:20 a.m., a driver called 911 to report his vehicle had been shot at by someone in the road at Milepost 89, DPS Col. Frank Milstead said.

“He heard a loud bang, but didn’t know if it had struck the vehicle,” he said. “Then somewhere down the road, his vehicle began to lose power and he realized the car had been shot.”

Other drivers also began to call in reports of a man standing in the road with a gun, a man dragging a woman’s body off the freeway and a rollover collision, Milstead said.

Andersson, a commercial vehicle inspector, was inspecting a truck nearby and left to respond to the calls, Milstead said.

After arriving at the crash, Andersson saw a man sitting on the ground with a woman in his arms on the north side of the freeway, he said.

He exited his vehicle and began to lay down flares when the man, identified as Leonard Penuelas-Escobar, 37, said something in Spanish, Milstead said.

Penuelas-Escobar pointed a 9 mm pistol at Andersson and shot him once in the right shoulder, then began attacking the trooper, he said.

At that point, another driver who was traveling westbound to California with his fiance saw a man straddling a trooper and stopped to help, Milstead said.

The driver grabbed a gun from his vehicle as his fiance called 911. He told Penuelas-Escobar to step away from Andersson, but he responded with profanity, Milstead said.

After firing twice at Penuelas-Escobar and disabling him, the driver began to administer first aid to Andersson, he said.

But Penuelas-Escobar got up and began attacking them again, at which point the driver shot and killed him, Milstead said.

“He knows that he did the right thing, and he’s trying to reconcile that in his mind,” Milstead said about the driver’s actions. “It’s difficult to take a life, even when you know it’s the right thing to do.”

Andersson had called for medical assistance

(See Trooper on Page 5)

Agua Fria District breaks ground on 5th high school

Campus will be 1st new public W.V. high school in a decade

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

Nestled on county land at the base of the White Tank Mountains is the site of the West Valley’s next high school, an innovative campus with an opening date of August 2018.

The Agua Fria Union High School District held a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 12 for its fifth campus, a 237,000-square-foot facility that will eventually house 1,600 students at Bethany Home and Perryville roads.

A name and mascot for the school are still being determined with input from the community, but the principal position has been posted and 26 people had applied as of last week, said Tom Huffman, the district’s executive director of operations and safety.

The job is expected to be filled by July 1, Huffman said.

“There’s a lot of academic programs and furniture and other things that need to be confirmed, and that principal is really the right person to be doing that job,” he said.

Officials expect the school to open with only a freshman class unless the district is overwhelmed with enrollment in the next year, Huffman said.

Rising enrollment has been a key factor in the district’s push for a fifth campus.

“Our schools are full,” Huffman said. “Agua Fria has been a district of choice for several years. We have about 8,000 students in our schools right now, and our capacity is about 500 less than that. So we really needed to address additional space within our schools.”

The campus will cost about $73 million total to build, which includes land, permits, furniture, equipment and fixtures, said Dennis Runyan, Agua Fria superintendent.

“The land purchase [at just more than $3.5

million] was about 50 percent of the cost of other properties we looked at in the region,” Runyan said.

To help fund the school, the district was awarded $33.4 million from the Arizona School Facilities Board last year. The rest will be paid out of a $70 million bond approved by voters in November 2015.

The district’s last school to open was Verrado High School in 2006. The new campus will be the first public high school built in the West Valley since Youngker High School in Buckeye opened in 2007.

“There have been very few comprehensive high schools that have opened in this state since 2008,” Huffman said. “The world has changed a lot, so we need to build a different kind of school to address those needs and prepare students for a different world that’s out there from when some of our other schools were built.”

The campus was designed by DLR Group and is organized around four learning suites, nicknamed “forts,” that will have moveable walls. Each suite will have two science labs and five open, flexible classrooms.

An Agora, named after the Greek word for marketplace, will provide informal outdoor learning areas and café spaces.

“Connectivity was a primary goal of the design. We incorporated sliding and folding walls to maximize the variety of spatial interrelationships within the learning suite,” said Pam Loeffelman, who leads DLR Group’s K-12 Southwest practice. “The flexible design and furniture allow teachers to adapt their space to their teaching style rather than their teaching style to the space.”

Another innovative feature of the high school is a first-of-its-kind teaching and learning “Accelerator,” which will house the auditorium. It’s designed as two spaces working in tandem.

(See School on Page 2)

Leonard PenuelasEscobar

View photo by Jordan Christopher

DENNIS RUNYAN, Agua Fria Union High School District superintendent, speaks Jan. 12 at the groundbreaking ceremony for the district’s fifth school, to be built on the northwest corner of Bethany Home and Perryville roads in the West Valley.

The primary space is a theater featuring traditional fixed seating in the lower bowl and a retractable seating system at the back. The secondary space, nicknamed the “white box,” will provide theatrical and professional collaboration spaces for up to 260 people.

Large overhead garage doors connect the two areas and can be opened to create a larger space for practitioners and students to use.

“We took a look at every activity for an entire school year for a school and a district office and tried to make sure that Accelerator would handle each and every one of those events,” Huffman said. “I think we’ve pulled that off, so that’s going to be a really neat place, not only for the school, but for the district, and we hope for the community as well.”

An outdoor amphitheater called the “Learning stair” provides additional opportunities for gathering and learning, and can extend the white box into an amphitheater by raising a 45-foot by 16-foot glazed hangar door.

“Learning shouldn’t take place in hiding back behind closed doors,” Huffman said. “That gets the learning right out there in the center of the campus.”

The district is waiting on permits from Maricopa County before it can start building, but the head of the construction team assured nearby residents that they’ll be good neighbors.

“On a typical day, there will be 250 to 300 crafts people on the site, and safety is going to be paramount,” said Barry Chasse, owner of Chasse Building Team. “We will absolutely take care of this site and deliver it with the highest quality we can possibly do.”

Plans also call for improvements to the two egress roads, Perryville and Bethany Home, and studies have been performed, Runyan said.

“I thought one of the coolest schools I’ve ever been a part of was Verrado High School, and that was 2006,” Chasse said. “This one’s going to give it a run for the money. They really have done an amazing amount of research and put so much energy and thought into challenging the existing school model and how to get that bar to raise.”

The district will hold multiple community meetings about the new school, including at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Verrado High School, 20050 W. Indian School Road, Buckeye, and at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the District Office, 1481 N. Eliseo Felix Jr. Way, Avondale.

Emily Toepfer can be reached at etoepfer@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @EmilyToepfer.

Outdoor Adventure Day

Litchfield Elementary School District #79

JOB FAIR

Teachers & Other Positions

Saturday, February 4 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Seeking qualified candidates for 2017-2018 in the following areas:

Elementary K-5 & Middle School 6-8 Special Education K-8 Speech & Language Pathologists Occupational Therapists Food Service, Transportation, Maintenance, Technology, Classroom Aides & Extended Day positions

• Meet with principals and learn more about our schools and professional development opportunities.

• Meet with directors and learn more about our departments.

• Employee benefit information will be provided.

JOIN OUR “A” RATED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Applicants interested in scheduling a prescreening interview should apply online at www.lesd.k12.az.us by February 1, 2017 then contact Human Resources at 623-535-6014 for an appointment.

JOB FAIR LOCATION: Barbara B. Robey Elementary School 5340 N. Wigwam Creek Blvd. Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

Questions: Contact Human Resources at 623‐535‐6014 or 623‐535‐6018

WILDLIFE WORLD Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park employee Josh Denton smiles as he holds Monty, a 3-year-old ball python, at the fourth annual Outdoor Adventure Family Day Jan. 14 at White Tank Mountain Regional Park in Waddell.

View photo by Jordan Christopher

SIENNA HILLS GRAND OPENING

JANUARY 21ST & 22ND, 2017

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• Single and two-story homes

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• Odyssey Prep Academy located within the community

Valley View, Avondale, Arizona, Wednesday, January 18, 2017

12-year-old boy dies in head-on crash in Goodyear

View report

A 12-year-old Litchfield Park boy died Jan. 13 after two vehicles crashed head-on near 147th Avenue and Camelback Road in Goodyear, officials said.

A Chevrolet Impala and a Jeep were involved in the collision at about 6 p.m., said Lisa Kutis, a spokeswoman with the Goodyear Police Department.

Gavin Garcia was a passenger in the Jeep, Kutis said.

Four other youths were involved in the crash, including two girls ages 9 and 17 and two boys ages 13 and 16, said Battalion Chief Russ Braden, a spokesman with the Goodyear Fire Department.

All five were transported to hospitals, where Gavin later died, Kutis said.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, but impairment does not appear to be a factor at this time, she said.

Former Goodyear police officer gets 3 years in voyeurism case

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

A former Goodyear police officer arrested in October 2014 after videotaping women in a tanning salon without their consent was sentenced Jan. 13 to three years in prison and lifetime probation with sex offender terms, according to Maricopa County Superior Court officials.

a phone on top of a dividing wall at a tanning salon near Dysart Road and Rancho Santa Fe Boulevard in Avondale, according to court records.

Jeffrey Streeter, 46, was arrested by Avondale police after a woman reported seeing

The woman told the tanning salon’s staff, who identified Streeter as a regular customer who was tanning in the next room, records state.

Avondale police served a search warrant on Streeter and found an additional 20 women who had been recorded on his personal phone, records state.

He had worked for the Goodyear Police Department for about eight years at the time of his arrest, and his last assignment was as a detective in the Investigations Division.

Emily Toepfer can be reached at etoepfer@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @EmilyToepfer.

Phoenix woman pleads guilty to 2012 murder of husband Victim was son of prominent W.V. businessman

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

A Phoenix woman pleaded guilty Jan. 11 to the 2012 murder of her husband, the son of a prominent West Valley businessman, officials said.

Rebekah Mellon, 36, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the shooting death of her husband, Donald Mellon Jr., 46, on July 31, 2012, at their home near Encanto Boulevard and Central Avenue in Phoenix, according to a press release by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Surveillance video from the home shows the shooting taking place and identifies Rebekah Mellon as the shooter, the release stated.

She will not be eligible for early release, and faces a sentence of 18 to 22 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, the release states.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 3, the release states.

“This defendant is being held fully accountable for her actions on that day

and the loss of life she caused,” Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said in the press release.

“It is important for the public to understand that this plea does not offer discounted consequences, but requires accountability without requiring a full presentation of evidence to a jury at trial.”

Donald Mellon Jr. was the son of Don Mellon Sr., who owns many McDonald’s restaurant franchises in the West Valley.

Emily Toepfer can be reached at etoepfer@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @EmilyToepfer.

Cave Creek man accused of sexual conduct with Avondale girl

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

A Cave Creek man is facing three counts of sexual conduct with a minor involving a 14-year-old Avondale girl, court records state.

Jeffory Helms, 45, was arrested Jan. 3 and accused of touching the teen on three separate occasions in October and November 2016, records state.

Avondale police were contacted Nov. 25 after the girl’s stepmother learned about the incidents, records state.

The girl reported Helms took her to Best Buy at 99th Avenue and McDowell Road on Nov. 21 and bought her a television and Mac Book, records state.

After the purchases, Helms allegedly drove the girl behind Harkins, where the sexual conduct occurred, records state.

Video surveillance allegedly shows Helms and the girl together in Best Buy and then a white van similar to one driven by Helms in a parking lot for

about 10 to 15 minutes before leaving, records state.

The girl also reported two other incidents that previously occurred at her house, records state.

Helms allegedly admitted to police that he touched the girl on three occasions, records state.

Police recommended he not be released on bond, because he has no family in the area and often travels for RC car racing, which gives him direct access to various juveniles, records state.

Emily Toepfer can be reached at etoepfer@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @EmilyToepfer.

Jeffrey Streeter

Rebekah Mellon

Jeffory Helms

Dozen animals removed from Glendale property

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

A Glendale woman faces charges of animal abuse and neglect after 13 animals, including a dead cat, were removed Jan. 10 from her mobile home near 127th and Glendale avenues in Glendale, officials said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Animal Crimes Unit served a search warrant at the property in the Hacienda Del Sol mobile home park, where they found 11 cats, one dog and a dead cat in a plastic bag, said Sgt. Calbert Gillett, a spokesman with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives responded to the home at about noon after receiving a complaint call, and found a “significant amount of cats outside and inside the residence,” Gillett said.

Joan Reynolds, 72, who lived at the home, told deputies she had stored a dead animal in a plastic bag outside the

house for several months, Gillett said.

The living animals were malnourished and in poor health, and are being assessed by a veterinarian, he said. Conditions inside the home presented a “sizable health hazard” to anyone inside, Gillett said.

The Animal Crimes Investigative Unit, supported by MCSO MASH personnel and staff from the Palm Glen Animal Hospital, wore protective clothing as they searched the home, he said.

MCSO is working with social services specialists to find a place for Reynolds to stay pending formal filing of charges. It does not appear that she has any criminal history, Gillett said.

Emily Toepfer can be reached at etoepfer@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @EmilyToepfer.

Plane overturns at Buckeye Airport

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

The pilot of a single-engine aircraft had non-lifethreatening injuries after the plane flipped over Jan. 14 at the Buckeye Municipal Airport, 3000 S. Palo Verde Road, Buckeye, officials said.

Police and fire officials responded at about 1:45 p.m. for the report of an aircraft that overturned on the runway, Buckeye police said.

The pilot, who was the only person on board, was treated at the scene and flown to a local hospital, said Capt. Tommy Taylor, a spokesman with the Buckeye Fire Department.

“It is unknown at this time if the pilot reported any mechanical issues with the aircraft,” Taylor said. “It does not appear that the pilot reported any type of medical issues while landing.”

Witnesses reported the aircraft landed, veered to the left, then flipped over and landed on top of the roof, he said. The cause of the accident is unknown. Federal authorities were notified and are continuing the investigation.

Suspect in stolen vehicle case hospitalized after crash in Litchfield

View report

A suspect was transported to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries after an allegedly stolen car was crashed in Litchfield Park early Monday morning.

According to the Goodyear Police Department, a man took a car that was running from the parking lot at the Walgreens at 3361 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear.

About three minutes later, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office reported that the vehicle had crashed at Old Litchfield Road and Wigwam Boulevard in Litchfield Park.

The Goodyear Fire Department responded to a call about a car crash with fire, but if there was a fire, it was out by the time firefighters arrived and the man was out of the car and on the ground.

(From Page 1)

and a helicopter when he first arrived on scene, and another person who stopped to help also used the radio to call for help, Milstead said.

Details still unclear

Investigators believe Penuelas-Escobar was driving at a high rate of speed when the rollover occurred, Milstead said.

The woman, identified as Vanessa Lopez-Ruiz, 23, was ejected from the vehicle and died from her injuries, he said.

“All the people that knew what happened are dead, except my trooper, who drove upon this scene,” Milstead said. “So we have a lot of investigation to do.”

Penuelas-Escobar and Lopez-Ruiz, who are believed to have been in a relationship, are known meth users, he said.

They had been living together in the Valley until recently when Penuelas-Escobar was evicted for using and selling drugs. They had been staying in Salome, which is where officials believe they were heading before the crash, Milstead said.

Penuelas-Escobar was in the country illegally, but has no known criminal history, Milstead said.

On one occasion, he attempted to cross the border from Mexico into the United States, but was turned back, he said.

Information also leads officials to believe he was a federal police officer for the Mexican Police in 2007, Milstead said.

Lopez-Ruiz, a Phoenix native, has a criminal history and had several warrants out for her arrest, ranging from shoplifting to possession of drugs, Milstead said.

Andersson, a 27-year law enforcement officer with DPS, underwent several surgeries at Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear and was released from the hospital, Milstead said.

“Unbelievably, his first words to me were, ‘Sir, you don’t need to be here. You don’t need to make such a fuss of this,’” he said. “He’s just a tough guy.”

Milstead said he spoke with the driver who came to Andersson’s aid, and doesn’t know if he would be alive today without him.

“If he didn’t save Trooper Andersson’s life, he definitely kept him from having much more severe neurological injuries from this beating that he was taking helplessly at the time,” he said.

The man has yet to come forward, but Milstead described him as a humble, spiritual man who said he believes God put him there that morning so he could save Andersson’s life.

He told investigators he routinely trains with law enforcement personnel and military people he knows, Milstead said.

“If you are going to attempt to help a police officer in any situation, communicate with them and let them know what you’re attempting to do and who you are as you attempt to do it, and ask them if they need help,” Milstead said.

A fundraiser was started by the Arizona State Troopers Association to support Andersson and his family. To donate, go to aztroopers.org/support-trooper-andersson. All donations will go directly to the family.

Emily Toepfer can be reached at etoepfer@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @EmilyToepfer.

West Valley View, Avondale, Arizona, Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Submitted photo

A PLANE SITS UPSIDE DOWN Jan. 14 at the Buckeye Municipal Airport after flipping over during its landing.

Goodyear deserves more choices for mayoral position

We’re pleased to see some competition this time around for Goodyear’s mayoral seat. We just wish there were more of it.

And there should be. Goodyear’s got plenty of residents who are qualiﬁed for the position.

But as it stands, Goodyear voters have two choices for mayor in the upcoming March 14 election: current Mayor Georgia Lord, who was appointed to the position in late 2010 after then Mayor Jim Cavanaugh stepped down, basically citing irreconcilable differences between himself and the council, and Cavanaugh.

Neither candidate is violating any of the city’s rules by running. Neither has served a total of two four-year terms, which the position is limited to. But they’ve both come very close.

Cavanaugh was ﬁrst elected mayor in 2003 when the position was a two-year term. The city’s charter changed after that and he became the ﬁrst mayor to serve a four-year term. He was re-elected to a second four-term when he resigned about halfway through.

Lord was appointed to the position in late 2010 when Cavanaugh quit, and the city held a special election for the remaining two years in March 2011, which she won. She was then elected to a four-year term in 2013 when she ran unopposed.

Cavanaugh’s already served about eight years and Lord has already served six but neither has served two four-year terms, so Goodyear’s next mayor will serve over eight years.

It’s all on the up and up, but we’re not crazy about it. Granted if Lord wins, she will only be serving two extra years, but if Cavanaugh wins, it will be like a third fouryear term.

One thing is for sure, Goodyear residents won’t be seeing anything new out of the winner because both candidates are incumbents.

Either way, whoever wins will be termed out in 2021, assuming whoever wins doesn’t resign partway through the term.

Four years from now seems like a long time, but it will be here before we know it, and for all we know, this election’s loser just might wind up back on the ballot.

Goodyear deserves a bigger selection of mayoral candidates.

We hope to see some new faces in 2021.

Our Viewpoint editorials represent the opinions of the West Valley View editorial board, which is composed of Publisher Elliott Freireich and Managing Editor Cary Hines.

doubt they will. As a caveat , has anyone noticed that it is the progressive states, who are the big spenders going bankrupt?

Go get ’em!

Editor:

The battle is just beginning. There are many issues which Trump will face in the coming years. The progressives will not go down easily. The one issue which I feel the most passion about are sanctuary cities, which are found from sea to shinning sea. Most however are in California.

Trump must ﬁght these sanctuary cities the same way Obama fought for his progressive vision. My advice to Trump and the Republicans is to take no prisoners . Obama, Pelosi and Reid did not seek Republican help, nor did they care what America thought of their agenda when they controlled everything in 2008. This time it is the good guys turn to ram it down the progressives combined throats.

Trump needs to withhold federal funds from any sanctuary city which refuses to comply with Federal immigration law . They must be made to understand that they cannot act as subversives and get away with it. If the situation calls for it, the Justice department should dispatch Federal immigration ofﬁcers to round up illegals who are deemed dangerous . Hopefully most sanctuary cities will comply with Federal law. However, I

Illinois, New York and California to name a few. It is in these same states that crime is going through the roof . Has anyone noticed that it is the red states who have good ﬁscal management and more jobs per capita?

Elections have consequences. The American people have spoken. Obama’s policies have been repudiated. Go get em ! Let us make America great again for Americans

Roy Azzarello Goodyear

Give Trump a chance

Editor:

The most recent issue of the WWV had so many negative ( I could say nasty) letters about Trump, that ‘I set myself down to write a letter’ too. I don’t consider myself to be a musician, since the only wedding I ever soloed my violin for, ended in divorce Not a very successful performance!

Unlike one of the writers, I am not a musician, nor a lifelong Democrat, however like him, did not vote for Trump. I certainly could not vote for Hillary, although I have voted for many Democrats for President. I have usually voted for the winner, although not in this case. Now I wish I had, since I, and nearly everyone I know, likes what he is proposing.

Enjoy life! It’s the only one

you’ll ever have. Ultra-liberals should, and could too, if they were’t so blinded by bias Lifelong Republican (You can call me a RINO if you want.)

Carl Deierling Goodyear

West Valley deserves casino

Editor:

I have been reading and listening to all the news regarding the Westside Casino and the opposition to it from our government leaders, many of whom I have supported in the past. I have been in business and a resident of the west valley since the early forties and I do not understand why we do not deserve a full-fledged casino. Although I have never frequented casinos, I think it is a shame that even after the courts’ many confirmations of the casinos legal right to operate here, plus the many positive benefits such a facility would bring to the west valley, our officials continue to contest its right to operate here.

Bill Hickman Sr. Avondale

Guess you weren’t asked

Editor:

For Mr. Steve Berliner (View, Jan. 4, 2017): I guess we can

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Do you think the passage of Proposition 206 will help or hurt employees? • Help • Hurt

How do you feel about the U.S. abstaining from the United Nations’ vote on a resolution to condemn Israeli settlements? 43 total Votes • Favor — 33% • Oppose— 67%

Take the View’s online poll at the home page of our

L etters to the editor are published without any editing. Any errors in spelling, punctuation or grammar are those of the author. Two online reader polls have indicated that a majority of View readers prefer that

Letters

(From Page 6)

deduce you weren’t asked — even though your name was out there.

Judy Weaver Avondale

Staff comes before pupils

Editor: Monday January 2nd was celebrated as a national holiday by most. It seems that the Litchﬁeld Elementary School District was unable to ﬁnd enough days in the year to celebrate this national holiday with the rest of the nation. Despite the fact that many parents had the day off work along with federal, state and many other major corporate entities, LESD could not seem to calculate a schedule that would accommodate children to be at home with their families on the holiday.

I know that children must attend a set number of days in the year. I also know that perhaps a day could have been obtained by shortening the week long fall break, or the Thanksgiving break that began on a Wednesday. There was also the option of starting the Winter aka “Christmas” break a day or two later than December 19th. The last time I checked there was not a national holiday on December 19th or 20th, but by taking those days off, it allowed the teachers and staff to have 16 consecutive days off. In other words who cares about the parents or relatives that are off for the national holiday and would enjoy spending time with the children. Lest we forget, there could also be a day shaved off from the week long spring break but of course that would not allow the school staff to have 9 consecutive days off.

Perhaps next year the district calendar can focus on children and families rather than staff.

Ron Carrington Litchﬁeld Park

Administration faces problems

Editor:

There are two (among many)

major problems the incoming Administration will have to face: #1 The very real issue of a financial catastrophe ranging everywhere from deflation or inflation to confiscation of savings or penalties imposed on bank deposits. The national debt is so large that something must be done and, in reality, something will happen but whatever that is, it cannot be avoided. The consequences could be disastrous and confront the incoming Administration with difficult choices, although what happens will be the result of previous decisions: #2-The second highly important issue is that of the enemy “Trojan horse” now in their training camps inside this country and along our southern border ready to strike when they choose. One would have thought that for the last eight years (Yes, they have been there that long) the protections of the lives of Americans would come before the “rights” of a Jihadist enemy sworn to kill “infidels” (nonbelievers.) Instead we have had rationalizations such as – they are on private property and not violating the law. The FBI did not act because the sitting Administration did not label them as a “terrorist” organization.

Which is the more important issue relating to public safety – technicalities or a dangerous reality? The whole situation is absurd. As national policy it looks like voluntary suicide. But, from a revolutionary tactical viewpoint it is very good strategy which depends upon cooperation from the host country. How will the incoming Administration deal with #1? Will they address #2?

Karl Nelson Goodyear

W.V. spreads Christmas cheer

Editor:

I am writing to thank and celebrate both Goodyear and Avondale residents for spreading joy to children around the world this Christmas season. The generosity of volunteers, families and groups from both cities and throughout the West Valley paved the way for us to exceed our goal! The West Valley collected a total of 15,095 shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child — the world’s largest Christmas

project of its kind.

The gift-ﬁlled shoeboxes are tangible expressions of God’s love for children around the world suffering from poverty, natural disaster, war, disease and famine. These children, many of whom have never received a gift before, learn they are loved and not forgotten. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-ﬁlled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories.

It’s not too late for people to make a difference. Though all drop-off locations are closed until November 2017, ﬁlled shoeboxes are collected yearround at the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, North Carolina. Additionally, anyone can conveniently pack a personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift at samaritanspurse. org/occ. Information about yearround volunteer opportunities can also be found on the website or by calling 813-787-8604.

Thank you again to everyone who participated in this project and for those who do so year after year. These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message of hope and continue to transform the lives of children worldwide.

Raeleen Higgins Operation Christmas Child West Valley area coordinator

Repeal, replace with what?

Editor:

The Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) became law almost seven years ago in March, 2010. The battles for and against the law have continued since Day #1. There have been many ups and downs. Trips to the Supreme Court, the initial failure of Healthcare.gov and the rancorous rhetoric in the 2016 Presidential campaign have poisoned the debate. The positives are impressive. We now have the lowest number of people without health insurance in the history of this country. Close to 200,000 Arizonans have coverage under the Exchange and over 700,000 have received coverage under our Medicaid program better known as AHCCCS.

In Washington the debate is raging about “Repeal and Replace” with no obvious resolution to the issue. A total repeal

would be damaging to Arizona and a huge hit to the state budget. Hundreds of thousands of people would lose coverage and the entire population would be impacted. Much of the debate centers on the Exchange but Medicare would also be impacted. Closing the prescription drug “doughnut hole” would be canceled and the million Arizonans on Medicare would see costs increase. Hospitals would see a rise in uncompensated care and emergency department use would increase.

The House of Representatives has voted 60 times to repeal Obamacare. It was symbolic since the bill was going nowhere. Now they have the political strength to act and truly repeal Obamacare. They look like the dog who kept chasing the car and ﬁnally caught it. What do they do now?

Change is coming and the new system will be called Trumpcare. Let the arguments begin.

Leonard Kirschner Litchﬁeld Park

Held hostage by water co.

Editor:

OMG... We are being held hostage by Buckeye Water Co. $70 charge even before you turn on the poor tasting water! And... because of the holidays (their words not mine) didn’t post last months payments until Jan 5, 2017, not only making most of us paying way late instead of on time, but threw in a late fee to boot. We can’t really go to another water company, now can we? Any comments on a remedy here?...

Pat Kirby Buckeye

Goodyear bond re ﬁ hoopla

Editor:

Recently the Goodyear Finance Director wrote an article for the View lauding the City’s “proactive measures” to take advantage of lower bond rates. Did it take much smarts to do this? Homeowners do it all the time. It’s ﬁnance 1.0. Another spokesperson tells us they are “always looking for ways to best position the City ﬁnancially”.

The problem with that statement is they have no speciﬁc goals /plans to reduce the cost of government. In their budget Goals you’ll see no speciﬁc ,measurable commitment to do so. Mayor Lord has no interest in such actions or else this would not be the case.

What the City does have is “programs”! Here are a few statements from the City Managers 2016-17 achievements:

“Created comprehensive performance management strategy to drive performance enhancement and value definition focused on the customer”. Say what? Note the absence of any dollar value/cost reduction associated with this governmentese.

“Development of value streams for focused Lean tool application” ( Apparently Lean is compatible with 17 new positions!!).

It’s time for new leadership. This coming election we will have mayoral and council choices. It’s time for a change. Let’s take advantage of it.

Richard Hinkel Goodyear

Business Briefcase

by Shane McOwen staff writer

Welcome to the Business Briefcase, everyone!

I hope everyone has enjoyed their week thus far, and is ready to digest some business news.

If not, this is the print edition. Set it down and come back later.

The information won’t change, I promise.

And fulfilling another promise, I chased away all the bad spirits poisoning the Briefcase with only closing items. This week’s edition has no closings, actually.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

I’d recommend waiting a bit after eating before trying out this first place.

Elevate Trampoline Park is set to open in February at 701 N. 137th Ave. in Goodyear.

Elevate has 23,000 square feet of activity space, featuring trampolines (obviously), dodgeball, foam pits, a rock wall and various other fun-sounding options.

There hasn’t been a hard opening date set, but presale tickets are available for purchase. Waivers are also

Community Notes are published as space permits. The View runs these items free of charge as a service to the community and puts as many into each newspaper as possible. If you have a notice that must run by a certain date, please contact our advertising department at 623535-8439.

Avondale accepts leadership program applications

Registration is open for the 2017 Avondale Citizen Leadership Academy, which begins in March 2017. The course is 10 weeks and provides citizens with a behindthe-scenes perspective of Avondale city government. Classes will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and will include three field trips. Those who complete the course will be recognized at a special graduation ceremony in May.

available to fill out online or download and take in once opened.

The photos of the place look pretty impressive, like a cross between Tron and American Gladiators. You might not get hit with a rocket-fired tennis ball, but it looks like you’ll work up a sweat.

For information, visit elevatetrampolinepark.com or call 602-795-0755.

The Iliad Academy Preschool has announced plans to open a new location, Iliad at Desert Hills, in Buckeye at 20909 W. Yuma Road, at the Yuma Road and Verrado Way intersection.

The preschool is “dedicated to offering a safe, educational environment that promotes creativity, self-worth and intellectual development, providing an expansive, educational foundation that helps children transition into the kindergarten classroom and, eventually, the world,” as said in a press release.

The Iliad Academy’s other location in the West Valley is 19408 W. Catalina Drive, along Jackrabbit Trail north of Thomas Road. The Iliad at The Lighthouse has been offering classes for youngsters for eight years at that location.

For information or to enroll, call 623-474-6328 or email Eve Cunningham at ecunningham@ theiliadacademy.com.

Last week, we mentioned Sunrise Donuts along

Enrollment is free and is open to Avondale residents over the age of 18. Space is limited to 20 participants.

To register, call 623-333-1613 or visit avondale.org/ citizenacademy.

Catitude

Gallery welcomes guest artists

The Catitude Gallery and Studio has launched a new guest artist program. Each month, a non-gallery artist’s work will be on exhibit.

January’s guest is Grace Haynes of Gilbert, whose art depicts her travels into Third World countries and highlights the cultures of those countries. Her work will be displayed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through Jan. 28 at 404 E. Western Ave., Avondale. For information, call 623-3883840.

Rancho Santa Fe Boulevard in Avondale packing up and moving north to El Mirage. Here are two related tidbits of information.

Fans of Sunrise Donuts in the West Valley won’t have to wait long to get their fix. A new location is going in at the northwest corner of Estrella Parkway and Goodyear Boulevard in Goodyear.

There’s a big sign that says “coming soon” above the location.

Check back for more details on an opening date in a future edition of the Briefcase.

The AZ Fry Guy took over the location of the old Sunrise Donuts at 13048 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd., in Avondale.

The restaurant serves fried renditions of chicken and fish dishes with various sides.

For information, stop by the restaurant or give it a call at 480-269-2873.

That’s all for this week, folks. Thanks for tuning in.

As always, send questions, tips or comments to smcowen@westvalleyview.com or to @ShaneMcOwen on Twitter.

Take care, and have a great rest of the week!

Shane McOwen can be reached at smcowen@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @ShaneMcOwen.

Goodyear councilwoman named to League of Cities

Wally Campbell

Goodyear City

Councilwoman Wally Campbell was appointed to the National League of Cities Board of Directors during the annual City Summit Nov. 16-19 in Pittsburg. It marks the second time Campbell is representing Goodyear on the national stage. Campbell will participate in leading the NLC in fiduciary oversight, strategic thinking and planning and implementation of policies and activities to support a better city.

West Valley Women’s C Care are

Shane McOwen

Maria R. DiLeo, M.D.

Kim Roberts, W.H.N.P. Cari L. Cowling, M.D.

James M. Johnson, M.D.

THE GATHERING

Art show to feature work by Buckeye teens

by Glenn Gullickson staff writer

Work created by emerging artists attending school in Buckeye will be on display during the first Buckeye Youth Council Art Gala Teen Art Show.

The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the lobby of Buckeye City Hall, 530 E. Monroe Ave., Buckeye.

All types of art to be exhibited has been done by Buckeye youths ages 13 to 19, according to Elijah Rusk of the Buckeye Youth Council.

“We want to show the diversity within Buckeye,” said Elijah, a freshman at Skyview High School, who is responsible for marketing the event and submitted some of his own work for the show.

Art on display will include drawings, paintings and photographs, some created as part of school assignments, others done independently, Elijah said.

“These artists are fantastic,” he said. “I look at their paintings and drawings,

School Notes are published as space p ermits. The View runs these items free of charge as a service to the community and puts as many into each newspaper as possible. If you have a notice that must run by a certain date, please contact our advertising department at 623-535-8439.

Brenda Vasquez graduates from Upper Iowa Univ.

Brenda Vasquez of Avondale graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in nursing in October from Upper Iowa University.

Cum laude is awarded to those with a 3.5-3.7 GPA.

and it’s a portal into the creative minds of teenagers.”

Members of the Youth Council started work on the project in August 2016 and selected the works to be on display for an event that will also include refreshments and music by a local teen pianist.

“We’re trying to make this pretty classy,” Elijah said.

The artists will have the opportunity to sell their work during the show.

The council hopes to make the art show an annual event, Elijah said.

About 10 youths serve on the city-funded Buckeye Youth Council, which Elijah said works to improve the city through community service and other projects.

“It’s sort of like a mini city council,” he said. “We’re trying to improve the lives of our Buckeye citizens.”

Admission to the show is free.

Glenn Gullickson can be reached at ggullickson@westvalleyview.com.

Caroline Niceschwander makes dean’s list

Caroline Niceschwander of Goodyear has been named to Eastern New Mexico University’s dean’s list for the fall 2016 semester.

To be eligible for the dean’s list, a student must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours with a GPA between 3.25 and 4.0.

Jordan Arbo

Valley View, Avondale, Arizona, Wednesday, January 18, 2017

(ABOVE) VIOLET

Duncan of Mesa teaches children the basics of hoop dancing Jan. 14 at the 25th annual Litchfield Park Gathering: Native American Fine Arts Festival. (Left) Sharon Haeussler, left, and Charlene DeStephanis of Surprise listen to artist Buddy Tubinaghtewa of Phoenix discuss his etched crystal bowl. The festival featured artwork from more than 100 Native American artists and live performances.

VIEW PHOTOS BY RAY THOMAS

SAMPSON SIX KILLER SINQUAH dances during the festival.

Buckeye Days celebrates western heritage

Cattle drive, rodeo, festival among events over 2 weekends

by Glenn Gullickson staff writer

A cattle drive, rodeo and western show will be highlights when Buckeye celebrates its western heritage during two weekends of events.

The sixth annual Buckeye Days starts Saturday and continues Jan. 27-29 at various locations in Buckeye.

“This is something that’s great for the whole family,” said Tammy Noble of the Buckeye Main Street Coalition, which organizes the event with the support of the city of Buckeye.

Last year’s Buckeye Days attracted up to 9,000 people, making it one of the biggest events in the city and a good economic driver for the downtown area, Noble said.

The Main Street Coalition, a volunteer organization dedicated to revitalizing downtown Buckeye, started Buckeye Days after the Chamber of Commerce ended its sponsorship of the rodeo. Other features were added over the years, Noble said.

The rodeo, sanctioned by the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association, includes divisions for men and women, with events such as bull riding, calf roping, ribbon roping and bronc riding.

“There’s everything you would find at a regular rodeo,” Noble said.

Last year, about 300 people competed in the rodeo, with participants ranging in age from 40 to 78, Nobel said.

“They put on a really good show,” she said. “You wouldn’t know the difference between them and the pros.”

The following are event highlights:

• Bulls and Sheep at 2 p.m. Saturday will feature a bull-riding performance at Helzapoppin’ Rodeo Arena, 601 N. Fourth St., Buckeye. There will be “muttin’ bustin’” with sheep for the first 20 riders ages 5 to 7. Tickets are $10 for general admission, free to children 12 and younger.

• Contestants who applied for events that were filled for the rodeo will participate in slack runs starting at 10 a.m. Jan. 27 at Helzapoppin’ Rodeo Arena.

• The Friends of the Library will host a barbecue dinner at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Buckeye Elementary School, 211 S. Seventh St., Buckeye.

• About 50 head of cattle followed by super-sized trucks will be driven down Monroe Avenue from Ninth Street to Second Street in Historic Downtown

Buckeye as part of the Cattle Drive and Parade at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 28. The grand marshal is actor Don Collier, who has appeared in more than 70 films and TV shows, including Outlaws and The High Chaparral.

• After the parade, the Buckeye Valley Historical Society will host a barbecue chuck wagon lunch of hamburgers, chips and a drink from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 28 in Town Park behind the Buckeye Valley Museum, 116 E. MC85. There will be museum tours, family photos and music. The cost is $5, with proceeds benefiting the Buckeye Valley Museum facade project.

• Gates will open at noon Jan. 28 and 29 for the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association’s rodeo at Helzapoppin’ Rodeo Arena, with rodeo performances

at 3 p.m. each day. There will be “muttin’ bustin’” at 2 p.m. each day. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $8 for children ages 13-17 and free to children 12 and younger.

• After the rodeo, a steak cookout and live auction will begin at 5 p.m. Jan. 28 at the arena. The cost is $12. Auction items will include Suns and Diamondbacks tickets, golf packages, jewelry, crafts and gift baskets, with proceeds benefiting a scholarship fund.

• Dr. Buck’s Wild West Show will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 28 and 29 at Sixth Street Plaza, at the intersection of Sixth Street and Monroe Avenue. The live show features trick ropers, gun fights, pie eating contests and activities for children. There will also be gold panning, Native American dancers, a western vendors

marketplace, festival food and a beer garden.

• A carnival will open Jan. 26 and run through Jan. 29 at Bayless Park, 300 E. Highway 85, Buckeye.

• Paintings that western artist Harold Lyons donated to the Main Street Coalition will be on display at Buckeye City Hall, 530 E. Monroe Ave., and the Buckeye Public Library Coyote Branch, 21699 W. Yuma Road.

Noble said 30 to 40 people work to organize Buckeye Days, with others helping with tasks during the events, including members of the Elks, Lions and Rotary service clubs who earn money for scholarship funds.

Glenn Gullickson can be reached at ggullickson@westvalleyview.com.

View photo by Jordan Christopher

STEERS ARE DRIVEN DOWN MAINSTREET by Honeycutt Rodeo cowboys during last year’s Buckeye Days celebration.

Desert Edge hires football coach; Estrella girls soccer suffers first loss; Tolleson boys soccer continues to roll

Knights top Lobos in top of region clash

Westview’s Williams scores 38, helps win streak reach 15

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Westview boys basketball kept its perfect power-points record in tact Jan. 10 with an 82-75 home win over region rival La Joya.

The Knights broke a 35-35 deadlock at halftime, fueled by a monster game from D’maurian Williams to pull away for their 14th consecutive victory to move to 16-1 on the season. Westview won again Jan. 13 against Surprise Valley Vista to move to 17-1.

Williams led the Knights over La Joya with 38 points, scoring from all over the court to take over the game.

“What you saw is what you’re going to see,” Westview coach Brendan McEvoy said. “He can break a whole team down.”

La Joya’s Tre Mitchell scored 30 to lead the Lobos. Quincy Smith added 24, with 18 coming in the first half. The Lobos weren’t able to match Westview’s efficiency from the field, however, shooting 38 percent to the Knights’ 55 percent.

La Joya coach Roger Lefebvre said he was disappointed with his team’s defensive efficiency.

“We just didn’t guard anyone,” Lefebvre said. “Bottom line, we didn’t guard. We hold teams to 62 points a game, and they’re scoring what they did. They’re scoring 64 points a game, and they’re scoring what they did.”

La Joya fell to 10-4 on the season, with all four losses by single digits. Lefebvre said his team wasted opportunities against Westview.

“We didn’t capitalize on foul trouble,” Lefebvre said. “We’re not making free throws, not hitting layups in the first half. Free throws and lay ups. It’s all the stuff I talk about all the time: Free throws, lay ups and rebounding. Bottom line is they beat us, period.”

McEvoy said his team handled the slow start well, and found its way in the second half.

“La Joya worries me, they can play,” McEvoy said. “I’ve said it all week, they’re a bad matchup for us because they do a lot of things well. They’re very athletic, gritty, tough, scrappy, [and] they’re a little quicker than we are. I was proud of our guys in the second half. They did a really good job.”

Entering the big region tilt, both teams may have tried to do too much early. Neither side shot the ball particularly well in the first quarter, and both were turning the ball over

Clash on Page 12)

by Casey Pritchard sports editor

Desert Edge’s girls basketball team was hot from the start of its 5A Desert West Region clash Jan. 13 against district sister school Agua Fria. The Lady Scorpions used a 23-point first quarter to propel them to a 57-31 victory.

“It was good for us because that’s something we’ve really been harping on, is to come out with a good start,” Desert Edge coach Heidi Behnke said. “Obviously, it helps when you hit your shots, and I think we were 4 of 5 on our first five shots, so that helped get some momentum early.”

Both teams were playing the second game of a back-to-back, and third game in four nights. Agua Fria coach Sam Polvino said the slow start definitely hurt.

“Our last three or four games were slow

starts, but we came back, and we kind of inched our way back [tonight],” he said. “Then, I think the tiredness from last night, and our inexperience of playing back-to-back tough ones like this. I think our mental status wasn’t all there tonight, and it shows. We’re young. We’re real young.”

Agua Fria (14-6) won each of its first three region games, averaging 33.3 points per game in those contests. Desert Edge (13-7) scores at a higher level, averaging 50.6 points through its first three region games. However, Behnke said she didn’t know exactly what to expect from the Lady Scorpions’ first matchup against Agua Fria. Each region team plays every opponent twice.

“We haven’t played them or seen a lot of the teams in the region. It’s kind of feel it out the first go around,” Behnke said. “Especially with the district games, like Agua Fria and Verrado, it’s making sure we’re focused and concentrating on what we do, saying it’s just another game, don’t get wrapped up in

View photo by Ray Thomas

D’MAURIAN WILLIAMS of Westview goes up for a first-quarter slam dunk Jan. 10 in a game against La Joya. Williams scored 38 points to pace the Knights to an 82-75 victory over the Lobos.

View photo by Ray Thomas

MACKENZIE KINSEL, left, of Desert Edge battles for the ball Jan. 13 with Agua Fria’s Brooke Rodgers. Kinsel scored 20 points for the Lady Scorpions as they beat the Lady Owls 57-31.

(From Page 11)

at a high rate. La Joya held a 12-10 advantage after the first quarter thanks to tough, under control defense, and not giving the Knights many good looks.

Both the Knights and Lobos unlocked the offensive door in the second, combining for 48 points.

Westview’s offense struggled in the first and early in the second, but got a boost from bench big man Ezra Phillips. Phillips scored nine in the second quarter by taking control of the paint, and imposing his will scoring and rebounding.

“He can do that for us,” McEvoy said. “They were hurting us on the boards, and that’s one thing Ezra will do, he’ll board. He’ll make his layups and his free throws. There are definitely situations where he’ll be successful for us. He had a big impact on tonight’s game.”

Williams also made his mark in the quarter, scoring seven of his 10 points in the last 64 seconds of the half, helping erase a four-point deficit to tie the game at 35-35.

Williams’ hand got even hotter in the third quarter, scoring 12 points to pace the Knights. His Euro-step layup with 31 seconds to go in the third gave the Knights the lead for good.

Westview’s lead ballooned to 12 in the fourth quarter, before La Joya cut into it, but it wasn’t enough for the Lobos in the end.

“I think our guys handled adversity really well,” McEvoy said. “You saw us claw back in and tie it at half. You saw us build a small lead, hang on to it, and never really let it get within five near the end. That’s a credit to their toughness and focus.”

Josh Tafoya and Phillips each added 11 points for Westview.

The Knights have been on fire all season. Westview finished runners-up in the Welcome to the Jungle Tournament in Gilbert over Thanksgiving, won the Scorpion Challenge during the winter break and have not lost a power-points game this season.

While Williams had a dominating performance against La Joya, the Knights are far from a one-man show. Williams’ 38 points eclipsed the previous team high for a game, when Brenden Van Dyke scored 37 against Estrella Foothills in the Scorpion Challenge championship. Multiple elite scoring threats and a team full of players who are excelling in their roles has made Westview a tough out for anyone so far this season, McEvoy said.

Westview continued its winning ways on the road against Valley Vista Jan. 13. The Knights beat the Monsoon 71-59. Van Dyke led the scoring with 27 points. Williams had 21 and Josh Tafoya had 18 on 62 percent shooting.

The Knights moved up to No. 4 in the 6A state rankings, behind only Tempe Corona del Sol, Chandler Basha and Phoenix Desert Vista.

The Lobos have had trouble out of the gate following the winter break under Lefebvre, but won their first game in January before falling to Westview.

“Normally, every year we lose the first game out of break, but we played Tucson last week [and won],” Lefebvre said. “I put that in there specifically, and we won that one. Is it when we come back to school, I don’t know. There is no excuse, we weren’t ready to play.”

La Joya got back to its winning ways with a big win over Glendale Copper Canyon, 84-64, Jan. 13.

The Lobos currently sit at No. 18 in the 6A rankings.

La Joya and Westview each played Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time. The Lobos host Tolleson at 7 p.m. Friday, while the Knights will play at 7 p.m. at Copper Canyon Friday.

Desert Edge football hires

Jose Lucero as new coach

Scorpions’ 6-year offensive coordinator returns

by Casey Pritchard sports editor

Desert Edge didn’t look far to find a replacement for its vacant head football coaching position.

Jose Lucero, who was the Scorpions’ offensive coordinator for six years under Rich Wellbrock, is returning as the head coach after spending one year at the helm of Phoenix North Canyon. The position became official after approval at the Agua Fria Union High School District’s Jan. 11 board meeting.

“It means a lot,” Lucero said of being named the new Scorpions coach. “Desert Edge is a special place for me. I was there for six years and learned a lot, kind of cut my teeth. Having an opportunity to go back is pretty cool. I’m excited about it.”

Desert Edge held a meet and greet Tuesday night in the school’s auditorium, giving people a chance to talk with Lucero. Athletic Director Talmadge Tanks was there, as well.

he had out there, Desert Edge called me and we spoke, and it was something I couldn’t pass up,” Lucero said. “I didn’t see it coming, but I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Having familiarity with Desert Edge played a big role in Lucero’s return, he said, and should help keep the program in a stable position. The Scorpions have been an elite team for more than half a decade, winning a state championship in 2015 and going to the title game in 2012. Lucero was part of both teams.

“I think [familiarity] is going to help a lot,” he said. “I think it’s going to help with the transition. Desert Edge is obviously a pretty good football program, they’ve had a lot of good things happen there in the last six years. I think me coming in, knowing the administration, knowing the community, I think it’s going to help a lot.”

Tanks reiterated those sentiments.

“We don’t have that new coach coming in,” he said. “He’s coming in to put his stamp on it, but he’s been a part of the program, so he understands the community, the kids, the school. I don’t think we’ll miss a beat with him. He’ll come back in and I think we’ll continue the success we’ve had, with him at the helm.”

“Desert Edge is a special place for me. I was there for six years and learned a lot, kind of cut my teeth. Having an opportunity to go back is pretty cool. I’m excited about it.”

“We’re ecstatic to get him back,” Tanks said. “He’s an outstanding football coach, a community man, he’s been there and knows the kids, the community and school. On top of that, he’s a really good football coach, as evident in the success he had at Desert Edge, and it followed him to North Canyon. We’re happy to have him back coaching on the sideline for us.”

Lucero helped North Canyon to a vast improvement in his one year at the helm. The Rattlers finished 6-4 under Lucero, but had been 5-35 in the previous four years before he arrived.

“Obviously, gaining that experience [was important], dealing with situations and basically having to be a decision maker, whereas before I kind of would defer things up to the head coach,” Lucero said. “Now, you’re the guy to call the shots.”

Looking back at his first year, Lucero said he made some good decisions, but also a few he wished he could take back.

“That’s the big thing, gaining that experience, learning how to handle situations as they come up, because you never know what you’re going to get during the season,” he said. “So, it’s nice to know, having been through it once, to have that experience.”

Lucero said he planned to stay at North Canyon for a while when he got there, but going back to Desert Edge was too good of an opportunity.

“[North Canyon has] been great to me since Day 1, but when the situation came up and coach [Rich] Wellbrock left for [Chandler] Basha because of the great opportunity

— Jose Lucero Desert Edge football coach

Lucero doesn’t plan on making many big changes to the coaching staff, and said a lot of what he’ll do will be similar to what the Scorpions have done in the past.

“I’ve been with coach Wellbrock 13 years now; I’m kind of cut from a similar mold as him, we’ve been doing this together for a while,” he said. “It’s not going to be a huge overhaul. Obviously, I am who I am and I handle situations differently, probably, than coach Wellbrock would. In order to keep the success the same, staff is going to be coming back. I’m returning my offensive coordinator, Ian Gardner, and defensive coordinator, Travis Guiney; they’re both coming back. A lot of the position coaches are going to remain in tact as well.”

Lucero has been known to be a big X’s and O’s guy. It’s something he enjoys and is good at, he said.

“At the end of the day, I think motivating kids and getting them to play X’s and O’s plays a role in being successful, but trying to get the kids to buy into whatever it is you’re trying to do is the big thing,” Lucero said. “I’ll have my twists on things we do offensively and defensively, but hopefully I can do a good job of the other part of being a head coach in motivating these kids.” Lucero will continue to teach at North Canyon for the rest of this school year, but be back at Desert Edge in the fall. In the meantime, he’ll commute to Desert Edge after school for spring ball and weight training activities. Football season starts in August.

“It was a tough decision, but at the end of the day, we felt like he’s the best guy to carry on what we’ve built at Desert Edge,” Tanks said.

The following three pages of West Valley View are zoned for the 01/18/17 edition.

Each zone pages 13, 14 & 15

(13N=North, 13E=East, 13S=South, 13W=West) appears in its designated geographical zone within the West Valley View circulation boundaries. For the purpose of the online edition, all zone pages appear.

Undefeated Tolleson soccer continues rolling

games

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Feb. 6, 2016.

That’s the last time Tolleson’s boys soccer team lost a match — in the quarterfinal round of last season’s state tournament.

The Wolverines have passed every test they’ve faced so far this season, to the tune of a 12-0 record.

BOYS SOCCER

Even an extended layoff — 23 days between games — couldn’t derail Tolleson’s superb form.

The Wolverines suited up against Surprise Valley Vista Jan. 12 for the first time since Dec. 20, because of the winter break and a cancelation of a game when the field flooded. It took a while, but the Wolverines dusted off the cobwebs and put on a goal-scoring clinic to win 9-0.

Tolleson scored at the 15-minute mark thanks to a Miguel Vasquez goal. Luis Uribe and Alexander Cuellar each added goals of their own in the half’s final seven minutes to give Tolleson a 3-0 halftime advantage.

“We were getting frustrated,” Tolleson coach Ben Andronic said. “They came out with a game plan to pressure us and put us off ease, and it worked.”

Tolleson produced numerous chances at the attacking end, but the ball didn’t find the back of the net with regularity until late in the half.

“Not to use it as an excuse, but we were rusty,” Andronic said. “We knew it in practice, and going into this game, it was one of our game plans, to shake off the rust and play our game.

“Their pressure did not make that work. Their game plan worked. We just had to

nine

persevere. We had to cool down and keep our heads composed.”

Tolleson’s perseverance paid off in full, as the Wolverines put on a scoring clinic in the final 40 minutes. The Wolverines scored six goals: two from Cesar Martinez and one each from Angel De Los Rios, Emmanuel Rayas, Moises Palacios and Armando Valdez.

The Wolverines kept the second-half hot streak going two days later against Mesa Westwood, steamrolling the Warriors 8-1.

“We know what we can do at our best,” Andronic said. “We’re not there yet. We were getting there toward the end of the calendar year.”

Tolleson is currently the No. 4 seed in the 6A power-points rankings.

Unfortunately for the Wolverines, they’re the lowest-rated undefeated side, behind Phoenix Brophy Prep and Tempe Corona del Sol. Gilbert, with one loss and one draw to its name, is one spot above Tolleson in the rankings. Tolleson is the only team in the top 16 with a negative average opponent rating.

“The kids know what can happen,” Andronic said. “As a team, as coaches, as players, we’re aware we don’t have the greatest strength of schedule. If you look at the power points, we’re the lowest undefeated team in the rankings. We know

if we lose one, it could drop us down pretty bad, just because of our schedule and the way it was made this year.”

Andronic said the team has developed a chip on its shoulder from the strength of scheduling, and wants to prove it belongs with the teams at the top of the rankings.

“We know what we have to do,” he said. “We’ve still got to win them all. We still have to go out there and play. We’ve had some good, tough battles against teams in the first half, and in the second, we’ve got to close it out against teams in our region.

“We’re looking forward to continuing our region play, and hopefully, we come out on top.”

View photo by Ray Thomas

MOISES PALACIOS, middle, of Tolleson streaks in on goal Jan. 12 against Valley Vista. Palacios had one of the Wolverines’

goals in a 9-0 blanking of the Monsoon.

Undefeated Tolleson soccer continues rolling

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Feb. 6, 2016.

That’s the last time Tolleson’s boys soccer team lost a match — in the quarterfinal round of last season’s state tournament.

The Wolverines have passed every test they’ve faced so far this season, to the tune of a 12-0 record. Even an extended layoff — 23 days between games — couldn’t derail Tolleson’s superb form.

“We were getting frustrated,” Tolleson coach Ben Andronic said. “They came out with a game plan to pressure us and put us off ease, and it worked.”

Tolleson produced numerous chances at the attacking end, but the ball didn’t find the back of the net with regularity until late in the half.

“Not to use it as an excuse, but we were rusty,” Andronic said. “We knew it in practice, and going into this game, it was one of our game plans, to shake off the rust and play our game.

“Their pressure did not make that work. Their game plan worked. We just had to

persevere. We had to cool down and keep our heads composed.”

The Wolverines kept the second-half hot streak going two days later against Mesa Westwood, steamrolling the Warriors 8-1.

“We know what we can do at our best,” Andronic said. “We’re not there yet. We were getting there toward the end of the calendar year.”

Tolleson is currently the No. 4 seed in the 6A power-points rankings.

• Change the bureaucracy-ﬁrst imprint in Goodyear to “Government by and for the People”

• Cut our Valley-leading taxes starting with real property taxes

• Attract high pay, top of the line companies by eliminating costly unnecessary barriers

• Restart the All-America City initiative and make higher education a reality in Goodyear

• Dump the propaganda and speak nothing but the unfettered truth to our citizens

if we lose one, it could drop us down pretty bad, just because of our schedule and the way it was made this year.”

Andronic said the team has developed a chip on its shoulder from the strength of scheduling, and wants to prove it belongs with the teams at the top of the rankings.

View photo by Ray Thomas

MOISES PALACIOS, middle, of Tolleson streaks in on goal Jan. 12 against Valley Vista. Palacios had one of the Wolverines’ nine goals in a 9-0 blanking of the Monsoon.

Undefeated Tolleson soccer continues rolling

games

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Feb. 6, 2016.

That’s the last time Tolleson’s boys soccer team lost a match — in the quarterfinal round of last season’s state tournament.

The Wolverines have passed every test they’ve faced so far this season, to the tune of a 12-0 record.

BOYS SOCCER

Even an extended layoff — 23 days between games — couldn’t derail Tolleson’s superb form.

“We were getting frustrated,” Tolleson coach Ben Andronic said. “They came out with a game plan to pressure us and put us off ease, and it worked.”

Tolleson produced numerous chances at the attacking end, but the ball didn’t find the back of the net with regularity until late in the half.

“Not to use it as an excuse, but we were rusty,” Andronic said. “We knew it in practice, and going into this game, it was one of our game plans, to shake off the rust and play our game.

“Their pressure did not make that work. Their game plan worked. We just had to

nine

persevere. We had to cool down and keep our heads composed.”

The Wolverines kept the second-half hot streak going two days later against Mesa Westwood, steamrolling the Warriors 8-1.

“We know what we can do at our best,” Andronic said. “We’re not there yet. We were getting there toward the end of the calendar year.”

Tolleson is currently the No. 4 seed in the 6A power-points rankings.

if we lose one, it could drop us down pretty bad, just because of our schedule and the way it was made this year.”

Andronic said the team has developed a chip on its shoulder from the strength of scheduling, and wants to prove it belongs with the teams at the top of the rankings.

“We’re looking forward to continuing our region play, and hopefully, we come out on top.”

View photo by Ray Thomas

MOISES PALACIOS, middle, of Tolleson streaks in on goal Jan. 12 against Valley Vista. Palacios had one of the Wolverines’

goals in a 9-0 blanking of the Monsoon.

Undefeated Tolleson soccer continues rolling

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Feb. 6, 2016.

That’s the last time Tolleson’s boys soccer team lost a match — in the quarterfinal round of last season’s state tournament.

“We were getting frustrated,” Tolleson coach Ben Andronic said. “They came out with a game plan to pressure us and put us off ease, and it worked.”

Tolleson produced numerous chances at the attacking end, but the ball didn’t find the back of the net with regularity until late in the half.

“Not to use it as an excuse, but we were rusty,” Andronic said. “We knew it in practice, and going into this game, it was one of our game plans, to shake off the rust and play our game.

“Their pressure did not make that work. Their game plan worked. We just had to

in a 9-0

persevere. We had to cool down and keep our heads composed.”

The Wolverines kept the second-half hot streak going two days later against Mesa Westwood, steamrolling the Warriors 8-1.

“We know what we can do at our best,” Andronic said. “We’re not there yet. We were getting there toward the end of the calendar year.”

Tolleson is currently the No. 4 seed in the 6A power-points rankings.

if we lose one, it could drop us down pretty bad, just because of our schedule and the way it was made this year.”

Andronic said the team has developed a chip on its shoulder from the strength of scheduling, and wants to prove it belongs with the teams at the top of the rankings.

“We’re looking forward to continuing our region play, and hopefully, we come out on top.”

View photo by Ray Thomas

MOISES PALACIOS, middle, of Tolleson streaks in on goal Jan. 12 against Valley Vista. Palacios had one of the Wolverines’ nine goals

blanking of the Monsoon.

Tigers smash Wolverines

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Millennium’s full-court press proved too much for Tolleson to handle in the teams’ boys basketball region matchup Jan. 13, as the Tigers blew past the Wolverines 69-49.

The Tigers’ aggressive defense was the catalyst in stretching the team’s lead from four points early in the second quarter to 18 by halftime.

“We went from zone to man [defense] and switched it up a couple times,”

Millennium coach Brian Fisk said. “I think that bothered them. We were both short handed tonight, but I think we’re a little bit deeper, so that worked in our favor.”

For Tolleson, everything went wrong at the same time, coach Jeffery Wilbur said.

“Not handling their press hurt us a lot in the second quarter,” Wilbur said. “We had a few lapses defensively that happened about the same exact time as that. Those two in combination put us too far down.”

The Wolverines were able to cut the lead to 15 in the fourth quarter, but didn’t have enough firepower to get it any closer the rest of the way.

“Second half, we fought back and played hard, I thought, but we just dug too big of a hole,” Wilbur said.

Tolleson has been plagued with early deficits all season, Wilbur said.

“That’s been an issue we’ve had in several games this year,” he said. “We’ve dug a big hole in the second quarter, first quarter, and [in the second half], we come out guns blazing, but it’s not enough.” Up and down

The Tigers have been trending upward since a rough start to the season. In the team’s first nine games, Millennium went 2-7. The win over Tolleson put the Tigers above .500 for the nine games since, at 5-4.

“It’s been up and down all season,” Fisk said. “We’ve had a lot of guys go down with injuries. A couple of our guards have been in and out, playing hurt. It seems like we’re [alternating] wins and losses. We have to start putting some wins together.”

Fisk said the Tigers’ best chance at making some noise in region play is everyone getting healthy. Millennium expects to get Morningstar Takapu back in the lineup

for the stretch run of games, which will help solidify the post, Fisk said. Takapu has missed the entire season with a Jones fracture in his foot.

“We might have him for the last five games of the season,” Fisk said.

Fisk said the team’s goal for the rest of the season is to steal a game from Westview and La Joya, the top two in the 6A Southwest Region standings, and run the table against the rest of the region.

Tolleson’s rough start has turned into a rough season, with the Wolverines at 5-14 and winless on the road.

“[It’s] been extremely disappointing, there’s no other way to say it,” Wilbur said.

Tolleson’s had a couple of close calls: A one-point loss to Yuma Catholic and an overtime loss to Agua Fria in December.

Tolleson faced district foe Glendale Copper Canyon Tuesday. The result was unavailable at press time. The Wolverines play at La Joya at 7 p.m. Friday.

Millennium took on Westview Tuesday, result unavailable at press time. The Tigers host Surprise Valley Vista at 7 p.m. Friday.

View photo by Mike Rincon

KAREEM SHARP, left, of Tolleson and Millennium’s Eric Fahy watch the ball carom

Tigers smash Wolverines

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Millennium’s full-court press proved too much for Tolleson to handle in the teams’ boys basketball region matchup Jan. 13, as the Tigers blew past the Wolverines 69-49.

The Tigers’ aggressive defense was the catalyst in stretching the team’s lead from four points early in the second quarter to 18 by halftime.

BOYS

BASKETBALL

“We went from zone to man [defense] and switched it up a couple times,”

Millennium coach Brian Fisk said. “I think that bothered them. We were both short handed tonight, but I think we’re a little bit deeper, so that worked in our favor.”

For Tolleson, everything went wrong at the same time, coach Jeffery Wilbur said.

The Wolverines were able to cut the lead to 15 in the fourth quarter, but didn’t have enough firepower to get it any closer the rest of the way.

“Second half, we fought back and played hard, I thought, but we just dug too big of a hole,” Wilbur said.

Tolleson has been plagued with early deficits all season, Wilbur said.

Fisk said the Tigers’ best chance at making some noise in region play is everyone getting healthy. Millennium expects to get Morningstar Takapu back in the lineup

for the stretch run of games, which will help solidify the post, Fisk said. Takapu has missed the entire season with a Jones fracture in his foot.

“We might have him for the last five games of the season,” Fisk said.

Tolleson’s rough start has turned into a rough season, with the Wolverines at 5-14 and winless on the road.

“[It’s] been extremely disappointing, there’s no other way to say it,” Wilbur said.

Tolleson’s had a couple of close calls: A one-point loss to Yuma Catholic and an overtime loss to Agua Fria in December.

Tolleson faced district foe Glendale Copper Canyon Tuesday. The result was unavailable at press time. The Wolverines play at La Joya at 7 p.m. Friday.

Millennium took on Westview Tuesday, result unavailable at press time. The Tigers host Surprise Valley Vista at 7 p.m. Friday.

View photo by Mike Rincon

KAREEM SHARP, left, of Tolleson and Millennium’s Eric Fahy watch the ball carom away Jan. 13 after battling for a rebound.

Tigers smash Wolverines

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Millennium’s full-court press proved too much for Tolleson to handle in the teams’ boys basketball region matchup Jan. 13, as the Tigers blew past the Wolverines 69-49.

The Tigers’ aggressive defense was the catalyst in stretching the team’s lead from four points early in the second quarter to 18 by halftime.

BOYS BASKETBALL