West Valley View - March 2, 2016

westvalleyview.com — the newspaper of Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park & Tolleson, AZ 50¢ Wednesday, March 2, 2016 (623) 535-8439

Primary push comes to AZ

State Republicans, Dems make their choice in March Presidential Preference Election

by Glenn Gullickson staff writer

OWLS GROUNDED

Agua Fria loses to Shadow Mountain in Division II state championship game — Page A12.

GOOD GROUNDS

Goodyear school partners with McDonald’s in coffee grounds compost program — Page A11.

The presidential campaign comes to Arizona in March when voters get a chance to express their preference for candidates seeking the Republican and Democratic nominations.

Ballots have been mailed to voters who are

on the Permanent Early Voting List and polls will be open on March 22 for the Arizona Presidential Preference Election.

It’s the first step to select the state’s delegates for this summer’s national conventions, where the presidential candidates will be nominated.

To be eligible to cast the party-line ballot,

Buckeye paramedics making house calls

Pilot program to keep patients from returning to hospital

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

In August 2015, Buckeye resident Luinda White, 78, thought she had the flu, but ended up in the hospital with pneumonia.

Shortly after her release, she started having heart problems. Despite multiple tests, her cardiologist couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

Then White got involved in a pilot program launched by the Buckeye Fire Department, where paramedics stop by her house twice a week to take her vitals.

When she gave their heart monitor readouts to her cardiologist, he was able to diagnose her with atrial fibrillation and start the proper treatment.

White is among 133 patients between the ages of 18 and 92 who have been getting house calls from a handful of paramedics. The program is designed to help discharged patients stay on the road to good health and reduce hospital readmission rates.

“When you can depend on them coming on a certain day at a certain time, you look forward to that, because it helps you to feel better about your situation,” White said. “Nobody wants to be in the situation where you can’t help yourself.”

Since May 2015, the program has reduced

Buckeye patient readmission at Banner Estrella Medical Center, with only about 4 percent of the patients having to go back to the hospital, Buckeye Fire Chief Bob Costello said.

He helped develop the Community Paramedicine Program about two years ago with Dr. Todd Clever, the fire department’s medical director and a physician at Banner Estrella Medical Center.

The idea for it came about after the evolution of the Affordable Care Act and its tightening of hospitals’ readmission rates for some diseases, Costello said.

The program’s goals are to provide a successful home follow-up service to bridge the gap between hospital discharge and physician follow through; develop a trust in the community by having firefighters help citizens navigate the current healthcare system; reduce readmission rates for patients in the program; and expand revenue and growth opportunities within the city of Buckeye.

Buckeye patients who have suffered heart attacks,

heart failure, pneumonia, hip and knee replacements and other high-risk illnesses are offered a spot in the program upon

voters must have been registered as a member of the Republican, Democratic or Green parties by Feb. 22. Those registered as independents are not allowed to vote in this election.

By the time Arizona has its turn, about 30

Firefighters keep busy in new park

Crews respond to 7 rescue calls at Skyline Regional Park since January

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

It’s already been a busy year for rescues at Skyline Regional Park in Buckeye.

Since its Jan. 9 opening, firefighters have been called out to the park, 2600 N. Watson Road, seven times, said Capt. Tommy Taylor with the Buckeye Fire Department.

The most recent rescue was at about 11:50 a.m. Monday when an elderly woman got disoriented and fell about a mile up the Turnbuckle Trail, which is a three-mile loop, Taylor said.

Firefighters helped the woman get to one of two helicopter pads on the trail and she was flown off the mountain by the Phoenix Firebird Helicopter, he said.

She was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Taylor said.

Out of the seven rescues at the park this year, four patients had to be airlifted, he said.

“I think people think they’re easy trails, and unfortunately, they come unprepared,” he said. “They don’t hydrate early enough, they don’t bring enough water. The hike starts out pretty easy and next thing they know, it gets a little more difficult and they kind of push themselves.”

On Feb. 19, firefighters were called to the park for back-to-back rescues, Taylor said.

The first was for a mountain biker who got off the trail and crashed. A hiker called 911 and then ended up needing to be rescued

congestive

View photo by Jordan Christopher

BUCKEYE FIREFIGHTER JIM HELMS takes Luinda White’s blood pressure Dec. 17 in her Buckeye home, while Buckeye Fire Capt. Martin Meece asks evaluating questions as part of a new program to decrease hospital readmissions.

Submitted photo FIREFIGHTERS with the Bu ckeye Fire Department help a woman down a trail Feb. 19 at Skyline Regional Park in Buckeye after she broke her ankle.

View report

A man was found dead at the bottom of his backyard pool Sunday night near Dysart and Indian School roads in Litchfield Park, officials said.

The man’s roommate called police at about 9:30 p.m. after returning home and finding the man in the pool, said Deputy Joaquin Enriquez, a spokesman with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

The roommate reported he had been gone since about 2 p.m., Enriquez said. Fire officials pronounced the man dead at the scene, Enriquez said.

The investigation is ongoing and detectives are waiting for reports from the medical examiner’s office, he said.

by Emily Toepfer assistant editor

The Goodyear Police Department is recommending charges of assault and disorderly conduct against a Buckeye police officer and another man regarding a Nov. 28, 2015, incident in Buckeye, records state.

Lt. Jared Griffith and Buckeye resident Douglas Lovell allegedly had a physical altercation while attending a party in the Verrado community, records state.

The case was turned over to the Goodyear Police Department because of “the nature of the allegations and in the interest of transparency,” said Sgt. Jason Weeks, a spokesman for the Buckeye Police Department.

According to reports, the altercation started after Griffith found his wife talking to Lovell in a bathroom.

Police were not able to determine who

View report

A man and a teenager were shot Feb. 26 during a struggle in a vacant house near Buckeye and El Mirage roads in Avondale, police said.

At about noon, two construction workers entered the house to do some work for the landlord and found three teens inside, said Sgt. Brandon Busse, a spokesman with the Avondale Police Department.

The men tried to detain the teens until police arrived, but a struggle ensued and one of the youths pulled out a handgun,

started the fight, but both men received injuries, records state.

Lovell reported the incident to the Buckeye Police Department the following morning while he was being examined at a local hospital, records state.

He had swelling to the left side of his face and a concussion, records state.

Griffith, who also had swelling to his face and a minor laceration behind his ear, reported the incident to the Buckeye police chief on Nov. 29, records state.

He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, Weeks said.

The charges were submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.

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

View report

The fourth and final suspect in a Feb. 12 armed robbery of a home near Yuma Road and Cotton Lane in Goodyear has been taken into custody, officials said.

The 16-year-old Goodyear boy was taken into custody with the help of the U.S. Marshall’s Office Feb. 22, said Lisa Kutis, a spokeswoman for the Goodyear Police Department.

Two others were arrested the night of the robbery — Kevin Eugene Box, 18, of south Phoenix and a 16-year-old boy

Busse said.

As one of the construction workers tried to grab the gun, it went off and he was shot in the stomach. The teen was shot in the hand, Busse said.

Both were transported to local hospitals in stable condition, he said.

Police have not determined what the teens, two 15-year-old boys and a 14-yearold girl, were doing in the house, said Sgt. Mathew Hintz with the Avondale Police Department.

The case is under investigation and no charges have been determined, Busse said.

from Goodyear. A 17-year-old boy from Goodyear turned himself in to police Feb. 19, Kutis said.

Four adults were home during the robbery at about 5:20 p.m., and were held at gunpoint as the teens stole cash, a firearm, a vehicle and other personal items, she said.

One of the victims sustained minor injuries and was treated and released, Kutis said.

The stolen vehicle was later recovered at a nearby L.A. Fitness parking lot, she said.

Avondale man accused in Feb. 22

Buckeye burglary

View report

A 23-year-old Avondale man was arrested Feb. 22 in Buckeye on suspicion of burglary in the third degree, according to the Buckeye Police Department.

Kevin Kimes was booked into Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail in Phoenix and faces several felony charges, police said.

On the morning of the arrest, a Buckeye police officer was providing extra patrol to the Westpark neighborhood because there had been an increase in vehicle burglaries in the area, police said.

During patrol, the officer came in contact with Kimes in the 25500 block of West Dunlap Road, police said.

Kimes allowed officers to check his backpack, where they found paperwork belonging to someone at a nearby residence, police said.

At that time, a victim of a car burglary called 911 to report someone running away from her vehicle, said Officer Tamela Skaggs, a spokeswoman for the Buckeye Police Department.

The victim gave a description that matched Kimes, police said.

Police ask that anyone who lives in the area and believes he or she was a victim of a vehicle burglary on Feb. 22 to contact the Buckeye Police Department at 623349-6400.

Abandoned house burns in Tolleson

View report

An abandoned house at 9166 W. Washington St. in Tolleson collapsed after it caught fire Monday night, officials said.

No injuries were reported, Fire Chief George Good said.

The Adobe house, which is about a quarter mile away from the Tolleson Fire Station, has been structurally unsound and uninhabitable for many years, Good said.

When firefighters arrived just after 6 p.m., they found the house completely engulfed in flames, he said.

Witnesses reported seeing a person in the doorway of the house shortly before the fire started, so firefighters didn’t know initially if anyone was inside the house, Good said. However, the person was found in the neighborhood, he said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Good said.

Litchfield Park seeks board applicants

View report

Litchfield Park is seeking applicants for the Design Review Board/ Board of Adjustment, Industrial Development Authority Board, Planning and Zoning and Recreation and Public Grounds Commissions.

Applications can be picked up at Litchfield Park City Hall, 214 W. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. City Hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applications can also be found online at the city’s website, www.litchfield-park.org.

The submission deadline is March 7.

Painting the towns West Valley mural project will bring art to public spaces

by Glenn Gullickson staff writer

Professional artists and student apprentices will be painting the towns in the West Valley as a mural project creates art in public spaces.

Work has begun on the West Valley Arts Council’s Mural Project with a painting at the Litchfield Park Recreation Center. Murals are also being planned for Avondale and Goodyear.

The project pairs professional artists with a group of students to plan and execute a large-scale work of art, said Bernadette Mills, executive director of the West Valley Arts Council.

Mills said murals benefit a community.

“I think it shows community investment,” she said. “It helps beautify an area.”

Done successfully, a mural works with the surrounding landscape with a design that relates to the people who will be viewing the artwork, Mills said.

In Litchfield Park, artist Tal Dvir’s canvas is two large square planters containing palm trees on the pool deck of the city’s Recreation Center.

Dvir worked with several students Jan. 31 to paint his “under the sea” design, an ocean aquarium scene that includes fish and dolphins.

“It’s not big, but there are lots of details and color,” he said.

Sonny Culbreth, Litchfield Park’s assistant city manager, said Dvir’s work will “catch the imagination of children and their parents” as they arrive at the pool.

Dvir said the painting is inspired by a mural based on the animated movie Finding Nemo that he did 10 years ago in his native Israel.

“I’m always looking to share my art throughout the Valley,” said Dvir, who moved from Southern California to Chandler three years ago.

Dvir said he has experience working with young people as an art teacher.

“I’m thrilled to have them with me and helping me out,” he said.

The mural project is a variation on the Art Council’s Gallery 37 summer program for student artists, Mills said.

The idea resulted from a brainstorming session to come up with ideas for a community project. Research showed murals were popular, she said.

Plans to involve 13 West Valley cities were scaled back to five or six locales, with murals also planned at the Surprise Stadium, downtown Wickenburg and possibly El Mirage, Mills said.

Each city picked a location for a mural and selected an artist after reviewing portfolios submitted by 10 artists from around the Valley who applied to be part of the project, Mills said.

West Valley students between 14 and 18 years old were recruited for teams of up to 10 to work with the artists.

At Goodyear Community Park, the teen artists are working on the design for a mural at the skate park, a project led by artist Kim Sterling of Surprise.

“I want the kids to design it. It speaks to their culture,” Sterling said. “All I’m doing is directing the whole thing.” By having the teens take ownership of the project, it might be less likely that the mural will be a target for graffiti, he said.

Sterling, who has made a career of creating murals for corporate clients, said he’s encouraging the teens to see the whole skate park as a work of art by thinking of its ramps and curves as sculpture that can be part of the mural.

“I want to let it create itself. That’s the art part. It goes in its own direction,” he said.

Sterling said the project will be a success if the teen artists gain an understanding that art is a possibility as a career.

Kevin Kimes

View photo by Ray Thomas

ARTIST TAL DVIR coordinates and paints a fanciful mural Jan. 31 at the Litchfield Park Recreation Center swimming pool.

Survey rates Goodyear

by Kathleen Stinson staff writer

The results of Goodyear’s 2015 Citizen Survey are out and the ratings are largely similar to those in the 2014 survey.

“The NCS [National Citizen Survey] report is about the ‘livability’ of Goodyear,” as stated in a report on the survey. “The phrase ‘livable community’ is used here to evoke a place that is not simply habitable, but that is desirable. It is not only where people do live, but where they want to live.”

The research firm randomly selected 3,000 residents to survey in October and November of 2015 to “gauge residents’ satisfaction with city service,” as stated on the city website.

percent the year before.

The survey asked respondents to rate new development in Goodyear as excellent or good. Fifty-six percent rated new development positively, down slightly from 59 percent the previous year.

Sixty-five percent rated Goodyear’s recreational opportunities as excellent or good, the same as the previous year.

Sakal said the council looks at some of the lower ratings to make improvements.

“We’re working on” bringing in more entertainment, he said.

Painting is expected to be done in April, he said.

In Avondale, artist Bonnie Mostert-Lewis is planning a mural for Fire Station No. 172 at the northeast corner of McDowell Road and 107th Avenue.

She’s considering a wildlife mural for a couple of panels of a wall on the site that could incorporate images of animals native to the Tres Rios area where the Agua Fria, Gila and Salt rivers converge in Avondale.

Her teen team will be involved from composition to painting in a project she estimates will take 100 hours, with painting expected to start in late February, she said.

Mostert-Lewis, who operates Catitude Gallery and Studio in Avondale, has previously done murals for the Mining and Mineral Museum and the Pioneer Living History Museum, both in Phoenix, as well as projects for homeowners.

Murals can amuse, inform or provide a “wow factor,” she said.

“It’s a great venue for all kinds of statements,” she said. “It’s an enhancement to any public building to have something other than a blank wall.”

She said she was interested in the challenge of the West Valley Mural Project, which will include a judged competition of the works.

“I just really believe in the public art thing,” MostertLewis said.

Costs for each mural will be covered by $1,500 from the Arts Council, with a matching amount from each city, Mills said.

Litchfield Park is seeking a community organization to act as a sponsor to cover the city’s expenses on the project, Culbreth said.

Funds pay for stipends for the artists and students as well as supplies, Mills said. One of the biggest expenses is a UV coating that protects the paintings from the elements.

Depending on funding, the murals could become an annual project, Mills said.

A fundraising page has been established for the project at GoFundme.com/5mbj2n6c.

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

Michael Sakal, public information officer for Goodyear, said the city does a survey every few years as a way for the residents to tell officials what they think about the city.

“Also, City Council uses [the survey] as a guide, a tool in future decisions and considerations,” Sakal said.

The survey reports residents’ opinions on safety, mobility, natural environment, built environment, economy, recreation and wellness, education and enrichment and community engagement.

The survey information was compiled by the National Research Center Inc., a research and evaluation firm based in Boulder, Colo., that focuses on the information requirements of the public sector, as stated on its website.

Quality of life is one aspect of the community the survey examines.

Eighty-eight percent of the respondents rated the quality of life in Goodyear as excellent or good compared to 91 percent in last year’s survey.

Ninety-three percent rated Goodyear as an excellent or good place to live compared to 95 percent in the 2014 survey.

Eighty-five percent of the respondents rated Goodyear as an excellent or good place to raise children, down slightly from 87 percent last year.

Eighty-four percent rated Goodyear as an excellent or good place to retire — the same percentage as last year.

“Almost all residents rated their neighborhood as an excellent or good place to live,” the report states. “Most of these ratings were similar to the national benchmark; however, Goodyear as a place to retire received ratings higher than what was seen in comparison communities.”

Eighty-nine percent rated the overall feeling of safety in Goodyear as excellent or good, down slightly from 90 percent last year.

Goodyear received fewer positive responses to the question about employment opportunities in the city. Thirty-one percent of respondents rated employment opportunities as excellent or good, up slightly from 29 percent last year.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents rated Goodyear’s cost of living as excellent or good, compared to 61

For example, a16-screen megaplex Harkins Theatres is currently under construction near McDowell Road and Bullard Avenue, he said. It is scheduled to open in the spring.

New restaurants built since the last citizen satisfaction survey include Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, Native Grill & Wings, Texas Roadhouse and MOD Pizza, he said.

Respondents were asked to rate travel by bicycle, paths and walking trails and ease of walking.

Fifty-eight percent of the respondents rated travel by bicycle as good or excellent compared to 60 percent last year.

Sixty-three percent of respondents rated paths and walking trails as good or excellent, down from 68 percent last year.

Sixty-five percent of respondents rated ease of walking in Goodyear as excellent or good compared to 72 percent last year.

Social events and activities received one of the lowest ratings. Forty-nine percent of respondents rated social events and activities as excellent or good compared to 54 percent last year.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents rated Goodyear as an excellent or good place to work as they did last year.

The survey also asked respondents about their city government.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents rated the services provided by Goodyear as excellent or good compared to 81 percent in 2014.

Fifty-four percent of respondents rated the value of services for taxes paid as excellent or good compared to 61 percent last year.

Sixty percent of respondents rated welcoming citizen involvement as excellent or good down slightly from 63 percent the previous year.

Only 8 percent said they contacted an elected official once a month or more in the last 12 months, the same as the previous year.

Seventeen percent of respondents said they attended a local public meeting once or more in the last 12 months compared to 15 percent the previous year.

To view the survey, go online to www.goodyearaz.gov/ residents/citizen-survey.

Kathleen Stinson can be reached at kstinson@westvalleyview.com.

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Paramedics

(From Page A1)

their release from Banner Estrella.

If they accept, Buckeye firefighters contact the patient usually within 24 hours to schedule an initial home visit and other follow-up visits prescribed by hospital medical staff.

They start with a safety review of the patient’s home to make sure it’s safe, and then go over hospital discharge instructions and medications. They also take the patients’ vitals and help encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle, Costello said.

“These paramedics develop a bond with the patients, helping them not only to carefully explain their hospital discharge instructions and review prescriptions, but also helping them by removing obstacles like carpets or loose rugs that could prompt falls,” he said. “By being in the home and watching the patient on a regular basis, we make sure the patient has all the resources necessary to stay on the path toward good health.”

The program uses a limited amount of overtime costs to run, as paramedics who participate are often on “light duty” because of injury or illness and staffing it has had no impact on the department’s readiness, Costello said.

One of the many goals of the pilot program is to get a better idea of what the true costs of the program will be moving forward, he said.

“They have done a really good job of implementing this program, especially considering there was nothing like this before,” Clever said. “Not only does it help the patients concentrate on their personal healthcare decisions, it leads to better paramedics. They’re no longer just emergency transporters to the hospital; they see the big picture and the importance of quality healthcare to the individual patient.”

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

Rescue

(From Page A1)

herself two hours later when she broke her ankle, Taylor said.

“We expected, obviously, to run calls there once the park opened, but I think it’s just kind of overwhelming when you think we’re running a lot of calls and having to fly out a lot of people,” he said.

Eight to 12 firefighters typically respond to a mountain rescue call and have to carry rescue baskets, ropes and medical gear up the trails.

One thing that helps emergency crews at Skyline is trail markers that were placed every quarter mile to show hikers how far along they are. The markers have been synched up with the Phoenix Fire Department’s dispatch team, so GPS coordinates can be given to firefighters if needed, Taylor said.

“It makes it easier for us to access, because some of those trails are pretty difficult and the equipment we lug up there is heavy,” he said. “You don’t really know — the information we were given yesterday was pretty vague, so we’ve got to come prepared.”

Being prepared is also something Taylor strongly recommends for hikers, including having plenty of water, wearing sunscreen and a hat, hiking in pairs and letting someone know where you’ll be hiking and when you expect to return, he said.

Hikers also need to keep an out for wildlife, because the warmer weather attracts more than people to the trails, Taylor said.

“You never know what’s lurking up there,” he said. “Even in the Verrado area, we’ve seen coyotes and there have been some feral pigs.”

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

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states will have conducted primary elections or caucuses in the 2016 election process.

If the Republican race hasn’t been decided by the earlier contests, Arizona’s frequently overlooked election could get some attention from candidates who would covet 58 delegates at stake in that party’s winner-take-all contest.

“This election is going to be different. There’s a lot of intense competition,” said Tim Sifert, communications director for the state Republican Party. “It’s exciting to see. Anything can happen.”

Sifert said this year’s campaign is a contrast to 2008, when Sen. John McCain’s native son status meant other candidates avoided Arizona, and 2012, when there was little activity in the state before Mitt Romney captured the nomination.

This year, “there’s at least three candidates who want to be in first place,” Sifert said.

The top contenders — Donald Trump, Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Ted Cruz — were among candidates who visited the state earlier, Sifert said.

Sifert said he doesn’t know if candidates would campaign here again before the election, but noted that they may have time since neighboring Utah is the only other state with a primary on March 22.

Sifert said the process continues after the election as Republican legislative district committees take steps to identify the people who will serve as delegates before they are selected at the party’s state convention on April 30.

“There is going to be a lot of competition at that very, very local level,” he said.

The Republican National Convention will be July 18-21 in Cleveland, with 2,472 delegates in attendance. On the Democratic side, Barbara Lubin, political director for the state party, said she hasn’t heard if Hillary Clinton or Sen. Bernie Sanders will be in the state before the election.

Arizona Democrats will have 85 national convention delegates, with the first 50 of those apportioned to the candidates according to the results of the vote by congressional districts, Lubin said.

Lubin said Congressional Districts 3 and 7, which cover portions of the West Valley and are represented by Democrats Raul Grijalva and Ruben Gallego, each get five delegates.

Others are super delegates, including elected officials and party leaders.

Those filling the delegate slots will be named at the Democrats’ state convention on May 14, Lubin said.

Anyone registered as a Democrat can run to be a delegate to the national convention, which will be July 25-28 in Philadelphia with 4,763 delegates.

But Lubin said that the delegate selection process is complicated by a requirement to select delegates in line with affirmative action goals, with slots for women, youth, minorities, the disabled and the LGBT community.

“The delegation has to be as equally balanced as possible,” she said.

Lubin noted that since the ballot was prepared weeks ago, it includes Martin O’Malley, who has dropped out of the race, as well as several fringe candidates who are unlikely to achieve the 15 percent of the vote required to be represented by a delegate.

The Republican ballot includes names such as Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Rand Paul, Carly Fiorina and others from the formerly large field of candidates.

Members of the Green Party have the choice of two candidates.

State law mandates that delegates are bound to vote for candidates they’ve been elected to represent on the first ballot at the national conventions, said Matthew Roberts, director of communications for the Arizona Secretary of State, the office responsible for overseeing state elections.

Roberts noted that Arizona’s vote is identified as a Presidential Preference Election, not a primary, since voters are taking steps to select delegates rather than candidates.

Arizona voters return to the polls on Aug. 30 for the state primary to decide candidates for U.S. Senate and House and state and local races.

The general election is Nov. 8.

Roberts said the state has conducted the Presidential Preference Election since 1992, but if Secretary of State Michele Reagan has her way, it could be the last time the state is responsible for such an election.

The state Legislature is considering Reagan’s proposal to give the mechanism for selecting delegates back to the parties, which could finance future elections or go to a caucus system, similar to Iowa and Nevada, where voters attend meetings to indicate their support for candidates.

Roberts said the proposal could save the state $10 million.

Lubin said the state Democrats oppose the plan, which could reduce voter participation.

Sifert said Republicans haven’t taken a stand on the issue.

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

2 wrongs don’t make a Rubio

Poor Marco.

He almost made it through the primaries as the bigger man.

Now, just as it’s presumably wrapping up, he’s mud wrestling with the Donald.

Digging deep with cheap shots at Trump’s toupee, spray tan, small hands and bladder control issues.

We know, we know, Trump started it.

But when Trump knocks his competition’s appearance, he comes off as a jerk. When Rubio does it, he comes off as small and desperate. And incredibly foolish.

Because it’s not hurting Trump.

But it is turning off former Rubio supporters.

We don’t know why lobbing such infantile attacks works for Trump and not for Rubio (or anyone else for that matter) but them’s the breaks. Two wrongs don’t make a right. What’s good for the gander isn’t always good for the gander.

At the time of this writing, Super Tuesday was still 24 hours away, so while we could predict that Carson and Kasich would have dropped by the time you’re reading this, Rubio and Ted Cruz were still up in the air.

At the time of this writing, Cruz had 17 delegates and Rubio had 16, but considering Rubio hadn’t won a single primary, we were thinking he’d drop before Cruz.

And instead of being remembered as the candidate who spoke eloquently, displayed optimism and stuck to the issues, he would be remembered as Little Marco. Little Marco who had a meltdown near the end of the primaries. Little Marco who ran around the playground telling all the other kids that Donald pees his pants and is less than endowed. Little Marco who apparently wasn’t old enough to remember the Dean Scream that effectively snuffed out Howard Dean’s run for the Democratic nod 12 years ago.

But more than that, turned him into a caricature and overshadowed any of his accomplishments. Let’s face it, when we hear the name Howard Dean, our knee jerk reaction is to scream “Yeeeaaaah!”

We don’t think Rubio is going to win the Republican nod, but we respected him and thought he would make a good president before he fell from grace.

But much like Dean’s “I have a scream speech,” we think Rubio’s potty mouthed mud slinging will be his demise.

And instead of making another run in four, eight years (just like Dean didn’t), he will be kicking himself for losing it and throwing a temper tantrum at the end of the primaries.

Poor Marco.

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.

OUR READERS’ VIEWPOINTS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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 the letters not be edited.

Debate was embarrassing

Editor:

As Democrats, we couldn’t have been happier watching the Republican debate Saturday night. Embarrassed, too, to witness the bad behavior of the GOP candidates being broadcast all over the world.

These laughable contenders for Presidency were joyfully bent on destroying each other and the dignity of their party.

It really was akin to watching 8 year-olds arguing at recess in the schoolyard. “You’re a liar! “No, you’re a liar!” “Well, you’re a dooty-head!” “Am not!” “Are so!” ....

The only adult in the group with the possibility of running a winning Republican campaign is John Kasich. Therefore, we can only hope he doesn’t get the nomination.

Steve & Ellie Berliner Buckeye

Reasons for verbal attacks?

Editor: Over the years we have read one letter writer verbally attack another. This seems to be one of the main reasons some people even write their letters. Yes, I have been guilty as well. Do any of us have a valid reason? Here is what some will say, “He had his facts wrong!” or “Well, that is just his opinion!” and of course the well liked, “How could anyone believe that!?”

I’m sure we’ll have at least three people who will know where this quote comes from that I’m now going to put in … “The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any that act wisely, that seek after God. They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt; there is none that does good, no, not one.” … Since this puts us all in the same boat, I guess it is OK to still write letters to the Editor. Hopefully, my putting this in doesn’t offend the people at W.V.V.? By the way something has happened (shall I blame the Post Office) since the paper only is Wednesday now, I’m getting my paper sometimes on Friday and sometimes on Saturday? This does keep me days behind everyone else. Yesterday’s News is Old news!

Bernard Oviatt Sr. Salome

Mayor

should be full-time job

Editor: Often, people write editorials to vent frustration. This is not one of those letters. I moved to Buckeye in 2003. The city council was a mess. Petty infighting, lack of leadership, negative press and personal agendas were the way it was. Along came Jackie Meck. Born and raised in Buckeye, this guy had a true love for his (then) town. He saw the cross hairs of growth and tradition in conflict and squarely on his beloved town. He has managed to sway the “good ole boys” that growth is not the enemy and it is inevitable. He has convinced the new comers that they matter just as much as the good ole boys. Jackie has done it, full time, for much of his two terms in office and with little to no pay. Buckeye has a bright, explosive future forthcoming and much of it is due to Jackie. Buckeye needs the position of Mayor to be a full time job. We aren’t the sleepy little town of 5,000 residents in 2000. Buckeye is now a city over 60,000 people and could easily be 300,000 people in the next few decades. In closing, I want to say, thank you Verlyne (Jackie’s wife). We know it was all you.

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Letters

(From Page A6)

Uneducated = Republicans

Editor:

Doug Doucey: Governor

This Republican is a smart man. He knows that if he keeps monies from schools and colleges, that students will not get a good education, and no education they will be Republicans. But if he gives them money, they will get a good education, and they will become Democrates. I guess these Republicans figure you don’t have to study to be stupid.

Alfred C. Molina Tonopah

Shooting blanks II

Editor: Re: “Gun control.” WVV Feb. 17th.

How many ways can someone say “nonsense” without resorting to vulgar euphemisms that refer to bovine fecal matter?

The writer demands that law abiding gun owners be required to jump through yet more hoops in order to exercise a constitutionally protected civil right.

Compare the contents of “gun control,” with his avid support of Obamas nuclear deal with Iran.

His opinion is precisely the kind of impairment that the Founders feared when they specified in the Second Amendment that the right to keep and bear arms “shall not be infringed.”

Criminals, by their very nature DO NOT OBEY LAWS, so they are certainly not going to obey several more laws that make it more difficult for the honest

that a very tiny minority of criminals, 1.7 percent, obtained their firearms from gun shows. An assault on gun rights is an assault on all civil rights, a proposition which may be difficult for the writer of “gun control” to grasp. I do think that all guns should be secured in a gun safe when the house is unoccupied but that should be the decision of the individual, not “big brother.”

I suspect the writer of “gun control” suffers from “hoplophobia” an affliction characterized by an irrational aversion to weapons.

He shares this malady with other contributors to “letters.”

For liberty and freedom.

Respectfully of course.

DJ Hammond Buckeye

Restore higher education

Editor:

No state has had more funding cut from their universities than Arizona in the past year. We cut $99 million last year. One might thing that we were facing a budget crisis and it was absolutely necessary; however, when the final numbers were in the state had a surplus of more than $1 billion.

The universities (3) have asked that $24 million be restored, yet none of the vocal elected proponents of higher education have come forward to propose that this be done. What happened to the part of the Arizona constitution that calls for “as nearly free as possible” state university education?

John Munoz Avondale

Doubting Thomases

Dear Mr. Thomas Moores &

Please do not exaggerate what I said in my letter January 20th. I merely stated the verified fact that so far Iran has complied with the agreement, and for the first

time in a decade they no longer have the uranium needed to build a nuclear weapon. Your doubts this agreement will be a success, based on the past, is a valid point. However, this agreement has something the past agreements did not; An incentive to comply. The Iran agreement has a snap-back provision that we can utilize if Iran violates it. That means, all the lifted sanctions can be reinstated instantly, all the assets refrozen, and then, Iran will loose out on all the new business they are getting now with countries who previously were not allowed to trade them. Also, Iran has agreed to be subject to the most intrusive set of inspections and verification processes of any country ever. They cannot simply “hide” enriched uranium because the radiation produced leaves behind a signature for hundreds of years that can be detected even if they paint or concrete over it. The IAEA (the nuclear watchdogs who do the inspections) know what the current radiation levels are, and will know if they increase (indicating a violation of the agreement).

Will some of the $150K be used to sponsor terrorism? Possibly, but we have separate sanctions against Iran for that type of activity. If you are truly concerned about Iran’s sponsoring activities, then you should be calling for an increase of those sanctions. Seriously gentlemen, the brokers of this agreement are some of the brightest there are available. I have only maintained that this agreement is our best chance diplomatically at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

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Valley View, Avondale,

Business Briefcase

by Shane McOwen staff writer

Hello again, readers. Welcome to the Business Briefcase!

I admit, I’m not much of a movie buff, and I’m certainly not an award-show expert, but the news of Leonardo DiCaprio’s winning an Academy Award for best actor found its way across my desk.

Congratulations to him, it’s been a long time coming. I know that, because unlike film accolades, I am well-versed in Internet memes.

Those are the silly photos with a funny caption printed over them, in case you don’t know. Usually a funny caption, anyway.

Basically, 25 percent (rough math) of the memes out there are about DiCaprio’s not winning an Oscar. I’m curious as to what will happen going forward now. Will there be a running joke to take its place? Will the Internet just shut down?

I’m sure some clever folks are filling the void as we speak, coming up with the next great meme that everyone will be tired of within a year.

Let’s get down to business, shall we?

Thompson’s Flower Shop has moved to a new location in Goodyear, 406 N. Litchfield Road, Suite 212.

The flower shop is hosting a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the move at 6 p.m. March 10.

Thompson’s Flower Shop offers a variety of flower and vase options and has a next-day delivery option.

Thompson’s sent the West Valley View office a nice card and flowers to fill us in on the news. The card made it to my desk, but the flowers somehow ended up with a coworker. I guess she didn’t think I was very trustworthy with living things.

In other news, it’s not exactly the best time to own stock in furniture companies, at least the local ones.

Oasis Bedrooms, 1465 N. Dysart Road in Avondale, closed its doors for good Monday.

Oasis Bedrooms served the Valley for 46 years, but announced the closing of all four stores in 2015. The Avondale location was the first to shut off its lights, and stores in Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa will soon follow suit.

RoomStore filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December and is promoting its going-out-of-business sale online.

Details aren’t yet clear on what will happen to the Goodyear location at 555 N. Litchfield Road. The company has announced it’s closing the Mesa location.

The Goodyear store will be open at least through June, an inquiry to the company revealed.

Check back with the Briefcase for more information as it comes about.

Carter’s is coming to Goodyear in the Palm Valley Pavilions West shopping center, 1400 N. Litchfield Road.

The children’s clothing retailer has a presence all over the country (and Canada!). Wyoming doesn’t have a store, so can’t quite say the company is in all 50 states, but it’s close.

That’s all for this week, everyone.

Send tips, questions and comments to smcowen@westvalleyview.com.

Residents oppose new road

Church cites need for additional exit to keep up with growth

by Kathleen Stinson staff writer

What happens when a quiet neighborhood street is asked to give way to nearby commercial development?

Although not an uncommon occurrence, several residents of Wade Acres, an urban agricultural zoned neighborhood near Van Buren Street and 161st Avenue in Goodyear, are passionately in opposition.

Wade Acres is a small community consisting of a few streets and homes on large lots. Several properties have horses that can be seen from the street as they leisurely mill around their corrals.

A number of the residents have called the subdivision home for decades.

The issue is 161st Avenue is the one street in and out of the neighborhood and Compass Church at 16060 W. Van Buren St. is asking the city’s permission to open its emergency driveway onto 161st Avenue to all vehicles during Sunday services and events.

The residents object to the increase in traffic for a variety reasons, and their opposition dates back to 2003.

In 1999, the city approved a use permit to allow Compass Church to be constructed.

In 2003, the city approved another use permit to allow the church to add a childcare facility, according to a city staff report.

At the time the city approved the childcare use permit, the church constructed a driveway to provide only emergency fire access to 161st Avenue, according to the report. The restriction was because of residents’ concerns about the increase in traffic.

Since that time, the church has grown and is in the process of constructing a 5,000-square-foot expansion, said Tim Jacobs, lead pastor of Compass Church.

In 2015, the church applied for an amendment to its use permit asking the city to remove the stipulation prohibiting vehicular access except for emergency vehicles. It wants the driveway open during its three Sunday services, its service on Saturday, special events and programs. The daycare center is no longer using the property.

David Hurtado, executive pastor of Compass Church, said cars exiting the church after service back up waiting to get onto the street and the church needs a second exit out of its property.

At a December public hearing before the Planning & Zoning Commission, Wade Acres resident Kitty Robinson said she has lived in the neighborhood 31 years.

Robinson said the church made an agreement with the neighborhood in 1999 that the northwest driveway would be used for emergency vehicles only.

“Promises made should be promises kept,” she said.

Joan Usher, another resident of the neighborhood, said she moved to the area because it was agricultural.

“I felt secure we wouldn’t be dealing with these types of issues,” such as loud activities and traffic, Usher said.

She said she drives a large horse trailer and the additional traffic from the church could make it “virtually impossible” to access her property.

Another neighbor, Kelly Cesare, spoke at the public hearing before the council in January and said 161st Avenue is not “set up to handle” the increase in traffic.

sits between the Compass Church

lot and 161st Avenue in Goodyear. The church is asking the city to connect the two to ease traffic during Sunday services and other events, but residents of Wade Acres oppose the plan as 161st Avenue is the only road into their neighborhood.

Rogers, another resident of

children walk along the street to school every day and additional traffic could present a safety issue.

The city Planning & Zoning Commission held another public hearing on the issue in November, at which a number of residents voiced their opinions. The hearing was tabled to Dec. 16.

At the December hearing, a motion to approve the amendment failed by a vote of 2-3.

The case was brought before the council again on Jan. 25, and many residents repeated their concerns.

After more than two hours, the council voted unanimously to continue the matter to give city staff, the applicant and the neighborhood another opportunity to find a solution agreeable to all parties.

The motion did not specify a time frame.

Several Wade Acres residents have said they want the church to construct a driveway to connect with an Arizona Public Service Co. substation access road instead of opening the driveway to 161st Avenue. The substation road is located directly east of the church and traffic after the services would exit onto the road and out on Van Buren Street.

The church’s representative Mark Phillips of CCBG Architects, a Phoenix-based firm, spoke for the church at the December meeting.

He said the cost of building the driveway to the APS road would be between $50,000 and $70,000 — about twice the cost of opening the emergency driveway onto 161st Avenue in the Wade Acres development.

City planning department staff met Dec. 8 with some of the residents, who said Van Buren Street should be completed so it has two travel lanes in each direction, the city’s report states.

The current opening on 161st Avenue as it meets Van Buren is narrow.

On the northwest corner of Van Buren Street and 161st Avenue is a vacant property zoned commercial office (See Road on Page A9)

Shane McOwen

Vernon

Wade Acres, said

View photo by Jordan Christopher

GRAVEL

parking

that if developed would likely also want access to 161st Avenue, so the neighborhood could face additional traffic besides the church if the land is developed.

Rebecca Zook, director of engineering for Goodyear, said the city does not have immediate plans to make improvements to Van Buren Street in that area.

“In the city’s current Capital Improvement Program, we have budgeted for the design of Van Buren [Street] between Sarival Road and Estrella Parkway,” Zook stated. “In fiscal year 2018 (which runs from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018), the city has identified the construction of this same section of Van Buren Street.

“If the commercial office development on the northwest corner of 161st Avenue and Van Buren comes in before the capital project, they will either build their improvements or provide the city with funding for their proportionate share of the improvements and dedicate the rights of way to the city, Zook said.

“If the roadway project is completed prior to the commercial office being developed, they would pay their share if the city executes a cost recovery resolution for the specific project,” she stated.

At the Dec. 8 meeting, residents also said there is “insufficient space in the turn lane on Van Buren Street onto 161st Avenue,” as stated in the staff report.

City staff recommended the city stripe a center lane at the intersection on Van Buren that currently has a left turn into 161st Avenue and a left turn into Wildflower Ranch, a subdivision to the south of Wade Acres.

The stripe would instead create a turn island so vehicles could make those turns but have room for cars to stack up without backing up traffic.

Wade Acres resident Robert Robinson said at the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting that re-striping Van Buren would create more of an issue than it would solve because of competition for the lane from oncoming traffic.

Several residents also said church members have been parking on both sides of 161st Avenue during services, which causes a safety concern.

In response to the issue, the city recently decided to post “no parking” signs on one side of the road the entire length so fire trucks and other emergency vehicles could access the neighborhood.

Jacobs said at the council meeting the driveway to the APS substation would have to be torn up when the church expands in the future, according to its master plan.

Councilman Bill Stipp said the city owes the residents a solution.

Kathleen Stinson can be reached at kstinson@westvalleyview.com.

Buckeye offers drop-off box to dispose of prescriptions

by Kathleen Stinson staff writer

The Buckeye Police Department has created a prescription drop-off box for the safe disposal of unwanted medications and to keep them out of the hands of illegal users.

The box is at the Sundance Crossings Police Department at 21699 W. Yuma Road, Suite 104, in Buckeye.

The public can drop off unwanted medication from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Buckeye Assistant Police Chief Bob Sanders said the box is a way to prevent teens from getting the medicine and using it as drugs.

Some youths sell the pills as narcotics, Sanders said. Others experiment with prescription drugs to see the side effects.

“We needed an outlet for the destruction of drugs other than a toilet or landfill,” he said.

The pills can affect the water supply if not properly disposed of, and Sanders said he spoke with some people in Phoenix who found traces of prescription drugs while treating water.

The drop-off box has been available since late December.

“It really is important to educate the community about how to properly dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medicine so they don’t get in the wrong hands and are misused,” said Thalia Williams, program coordinator of DrugFreeAZkids, a prevention program of Southwest Behavioral & Health Services in Arizona.

“The drop box program has been successful in other cities across the state and we would like to replicate that success in Buckeye,” Williams said.

She said a survey done in 2014 showed that 20 percent of 10th- and 12th-grade high school students in Buckeye have used prescription pills to “get high.”

“It definitely is a serious problem,” she said.

DrugFreeAZkids.org is a program that educates parents on how to talk to their children about substance abuse, she said.

The idea to start a drop-off box in Buckeye came out of discussions with the Way Out West Coalition, Sanders said.

The Buckeye coalition focuses on reducing substance abuse and underage drinking in eighth- to 12th-graders by working with parents, according to its website.

Kathleen Stinson can be reached at kstinson@westvalleyview.com.

You do the healing. We’ll do the rest.

Ask us about our cancer Nurse

Navigators.

They’ll guide you through every step of treatment, from paperwork to scheduling to the emotions that come with a diagnosis. So you can focus on healing and continuing to live life to the fullest. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/UACC

View photo by Jordan Christopher

A DROP-OFF BOX for unwanted prescription medicine can be found at the Sundance Crossings Police Department in Buckeye.

Taking aim

West Valley youths set sights on archery competitions

by Glenn Gullickson staff writer

Archery is right on target for a trio of West Valley friends who are aiming for the bull’s-eye with their bow and arrow skills.

Blake Ashby, Hayden Longbons and Charlize Zimbleman, all freshmen at Verrado High School in Buckeye, recently competed in World Archery Festival’s Vegas Shoot, which claims to be the world’s largest indoor archery tournament.

“You have to be at least semi-good to get in,” Blake said of the event in Las Vegas that attracted 3,000 archers.

Blake, 14, the son of Ken and Rebecca Ashby of Litchfield Park, participated in an adult competition for the first time, finishing 50th in the championship barebow division.

Using an Olympic-style recurve bow, Blake’s competition involved shooting 30 arrows 20 feet from the target in three rounds over three days of the event, he said. Hayden competed in a youth division for ages 10 to 14 and Charlize in a young adult division for ages 15 to 17 in freestyle competitions using a compound bow with sights and stabilizers to shoot two rounds over two days.

Competing in Vegas for the third year, Hayden finished 34th in his division.

The youths, who said they were friends before they each coincidentally became interested in archery, also competed in February’s Arizona Junior Olympic Archery Development Championships.

The sport has made a resurgence recently that can be attributed to pop culture, with archery featured in video games and movies such as The Hunger Games, according to Brad Kathrins, who is Charlize’s instructor at Corner Archery in Glendale.

Charlize, 15, the daughter of Allen and Chandra Zimbleman of Buckeye, said she didn’t care much for archery when she first tried it while attending camp, but then became fascinated with it about three years ago.

She recently achieved the top rank elite status in the Junior Olympic Archery Development program.

“She’s one of those students who’s kind of a natural,” Kathrins said.

Charlize practices three or four days a week and attends classes every Saturday, where socialization is one of the draws.

“I like the people at my club, they’re really fun,” Charlize said.

Charlize said she’d like to continue to compete in archery as a college student and perhaps become a coach.

Blake and Hayden said they’ve got big archery ambitions, with hopes of making the Olympic team someday. They recently competed in a tournament in Chula Vista, Calif., the site of the Olympic Training Center.

Blake, who also trains at Corner Archery, started archery with a hand-medown bow about two years ago when he got classes as a birthday gift.

Since then, Blake said he’s participated in about 20 local and regional

competitions.

“It’s a really fun sport and you don’t have to be super athletic to do it,” said Blake, who plays football, but has given up baseball and swimming teams to concentrate on archery.

Blake said he practices for 30 minutes to an hour almost every day.

“You have to put in the time if you want to get good,” he said.

Hayden, 14, the son of Brian and Dee Longbons of Waddell, said he shoots almost every day, an effort that’s paid off by winning the 2016 Arizona Indoor Cadet title.

He started competing shortly after taking up archery about four years ago when an older brother got him interested in the sport.

Hayden shoots with a club at Pineapple Archery in Glendale and has private lessons with Mel Nichols, who is a U.S. Olympic coach.

“It has taught me a lot about discipline and dedication,” said Hayden, who plans to compete in more tournaments this year around the country.

Amy Ziegler, a coach at Corner Archery, said youths gain focus and concentration as they practice archery.

“Once these kids are up on the line, it’s all about them and their shot,” she said. “It kind of leaks into the rest of their lives. All of a sudden, their school work reflects better.”

Corner Archery has up to 120 students attending five levels of classes for youths from 6 to 20 years old, Ziegler said. Classes for adults are also offered.

School 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 623-535-8439.

AESD registering for kindergarten

Avondale Elementary School

District’s kindergarten registration will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the District Office, 295 W. Western Ave., Avondale.

In addition, parents and their children can take part in Kinder Camp, which will feature a variety of activities to help with the transition to kindergarten. The event will be from 8 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday at the District Office.

AAA seeks 2016 Crossing Guards of the Year

AAA Arizona is seeking nominations for its ninth annual Crossing Guard of the Year contest. Each winning school and guard will receive $500.

AAA is encouraging pupils, parents, school staff, faculty, administrators and community members to nominate candidates who they believe deserve the designation. Self nominations will also be accepted.

The deadline to submit nominations is March 11. Winners will be recognized on Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on April 29.

Nomination forms can be downloaded at the AAA website and mailed to AAA Arizona, Attn: AAA Serves, 2375 E. Camelback Road, Suite 500, Phoenix, AZ, 85016. Forms can also be faxed to 602766-0466 or emailed to AAAServes@arizona.aaa.com.

Kaitlin Reeves named to Iowa State dean’s list

Kaitlin Reeves of Buckeye has been named to the 2015 fall dean’s list at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. To be placed on the dean’s list, a student must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 with at least 12 credit hours.

Shenequa Rivera named to university dean’s list

Shenequa Rivera of Avondale has been named to Trine University’s fall 2015 dean’s list. To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have a GPA between 3.5 and 3.749 with at least 12 credit hours.

Littleton superintendent honored with award

Roger Freeman, superintendent of the Littleton Elementary School District, has been awarded with the Arizona State University Educational Excellence Impact Award for the 2014-15 academic year. It is the final year of the Arizona

(See School Notes on Page A11)

View photo by Ray Thomas

HAYDEN LONGBONS, 14, of Waddell, Charlize Zimbleman, 15, of Buckeye, and Blake Ashby, 14, of Litchfield Park, practice Feb. 12 for the upcoming World Archery Festival’s Vegas Shoot.

Ready-For-Rigor Project. Freeman was honored as a Partner of Distinction in the project, which involved 11 school districts partnering with ASU. It aimed to improve pupil achievement b y increasing teacher and principal effectiveness while creating sustainable compensation systems. Schools worked to develop teacher skills through activities and courses.

Trine students named to president’s list

Timothy Bland of Goodyear, Jessica Burnett of Buckeye and Nicole Walton of Avondale have been named to Trine University’s fall 2015 president’s list. To be placed on the list, a student must have at least a 3.75 GPA and have a minimum of 12 credit hours.

David Wright named to university dean’s list

David Wright of Buckeye has been named to the University of Minnesota Crookston’s fall 2015 dean’s list.

To be placed on the dean’s list, a student must have a 3.66 GPA with 12 or more credit hours.

Debra Iglesias receives doctorate in nursing

Debra Iglesias of Litchfield Park has received a doctorate in nursing p ractice from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania.

Jenna Snider named to dean’s list

Jenna Snider of Goodyear has been named to the 2015 dean’s list at University of Mount Union in Ohio.

To be placed on the dean’s list, a student must have at least 12 credit hours with a GPA of 3.55 or better with no grade below a B.

Katie Janssen named to college dean’s list

Katie Janssen of Avondale has been named to Kirkwood Community College’s fall 2015 dean’s list.

To be placed on the dean’s list, a student must have a GPA of 3.3 or greater with at least 12 credit hours.

Michael Zhang named to college dean’s list

Michael Zhang of Avondale has been named to the Wartburg College 2015 fall dean’s list.

To be placed on the dean’s list, a student must have at least a 3.5 GPA in at least five course credits during two terms.

Coffee grounds to go

Local McDonald’s brews recycling project with school

by Glenn Gullickson staff writer

Members of an environmental club at a school in Goodyear are learning that coffee grounds have uses beyond brewing a hot cup of joe.

The club at Desert Star School has partnered with a local McDonald’s to recycle coffee grounds in campus gardens.

It’s part of an effort by McDonald’s called “Good Neighbors Good Grounds” that has enlisted scores of schools in Arizona to recycle thousands of pounds of coffee grounds.

Annie Shanahan, a Desert Star social studies teacher who is the adviser of the environmental club, said the project is part of the group’s campus recycling effort.

Shanahan started making weekly trips to the McDonald’s at 623 N. Estrella Parkway in January to pick up buckets of the coffee grounds.

The 25 seventh- and eighth-grade pupils

in the club sprinkle grounds on top of mulch in the seven vegetable garden beds and around three fruit trees they tend at the campus, she said.

“It’s kind of hands-on learning,” Shanahan said. “It’s fun for the kids, and I get to learn, too.”

Coffee grounds are high in one of the three main nutrients plants need to grow and give the vegetation a green color, Shanahan said.

But she noted there can be too much of a good thing in using the coffee grounds, which act as slow-release plant food, so the excess grounds go to a composting project the club recently started.

According to a study by Waste Management, each McDonald’s restaurant averages 29.5 pounds of coffee grounds a day or 11,000 pounds a year.

That was material that previously went into the trash at the Goodyear restaurant, according to Melanie Ramirez, operations director of Mellon and Sons, which

operates 17 McDonald’s restaurants.

“We jumped right on board with the program,” Ramirez said. “It’s a great opportunity to focus on recycling. It’s a great way for McDonald’s to give back and help the community.”

Statewide, about 120 schools with the Arizona Department of Education School Garden Program are participating in the recycling project, according to Rhonda Grundeman, a publicist for McDonald’s who pairs the restaurants with schools.

Mellon and Sons also recycles coffee grounds from a restaurant in Surprise and was scheduled to start the project earlier this month at another store in Goodyear partnering with Palm Valley Elementary, Ramirez said.

For information about the program, contact Grundeman at 602-739-8810.

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

View photo by Jordan Christopher

SEVENTH-GRADER DEJA BEJAR, 13, waters carrots and cilantro Feb. 16 in the raised garden beds at Desert Star School in Goodyear.

Owls’ wings clipped by Matadors in finals

Agua Fria struggles against suffocating Shadow Mountain defense

by Casey Pritchard sports editor

Agua Fria was up against a juggernaut in the Division II state championship game. Shadow Mountain proved to be way too much for the Owls.

Top-seeded Shadow Mountain took an early lead and kept building, going on to an 86-55 victory over No. 2 Agua Fria Monday at Gila River Arena in Glendale.

“I’m proud of my team,” Agua Fria coach Randy Lavender said. “They did a lot. To go all the way to the state finals, it’s pretty tough [to lose], but I’m proud of them.”

Agua Fria looked overmatched from the start, unable to penetrate through the Matadors’ aggressive defense. Shadow Mountain (27-5), which didn’t lose to an Arizona school all season, scored the first seven points and never trailed.

“It’s hard to simulate what they do, and we don’t have any practice time,” Lavender said. “To win Saturday, be off Sunday, then play Monday, it did affect them. I wish we had more practice time, but [Shadow Mountain is] a great team.”

Agua Fria responded with a 7-2 run, which ended on a Bryce Fowler 3-pointer with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter, but it never got closer than two points the rest of the way.

The Owls made some inroads in the second quarter, but it was never enough to gain the lead. Isaiah Johns scored six straight points, hitting a triple and then converting a three-point play after he was fouled on a put back, but Shadow Mountain scored the next four to push the lead to nine, 31-22. Justice Cook then scored four points in a row for Agua Fria, making a sweet move on a driving layup and then hitting a pair of free throws, which made it 31-26. However, the Matadors ended the first half on a 10-3 run, taking a 41-29 advantage.

From there, the lead continued to grow, reaching 20 points at the end of the third quarter. With three minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Shadow Mountain’s Jalen House hit a 3-pointer, putting the Matadors up 80-49 and eliciting the running-clock mercy rule.

Shadow Mountain was led by Michael Bibby, who had 22 points. J.J. Rhymes added 18.

Agua Fria’s top three scorers struggled mightily in the championship. Jordan McCants and Darnell Cowart each went 0 for 9 from the field, while Fowler made just 1 of 5 shots. McCants and Cowart had been huge in the semifinals.

“I think with them having an off game, and [Shadow Mountain] focusing on those two guys, it really hurt them,” Lavender said. “It was a bad time to have off days.”

Johns scored 14 points to pace the Owls, while Isaiah Olvera added 13 and Cook had 10. McCants, Cowart and Fowler had just three points apiece.

Agua Fria struggled to take care of the ball, turning it over 18 times, which led to 25 points for Shadow Mountain. The Matadors also had 16 fast-break points

to the Owls’ none. Scoring in transition is something Lavender called his team’s “bread and butter” during the semifinals.

“We couldn’t really put it on them because they’re used to the pressure, and my guys are starting to wear out,”

Lavender said. “So, if I would have kept pressuring them, then it would have been more up and down, and I think they would have had too much energy.”

Second-chance points were also detrimental to the Owls. Shadow Mountain had 25 second-chance points to Agua Fria’s five.

“It hurt because Bryce got into foul trouble, so I had to pull him out,” Lavender said. “Bryce, he averages, the last 10-12 games, like 12 rebounds, and we had to pull him out, so we got smaller.”

Despite the loss, Agua Fria had a tremendous season. The Owls went 28-3 and had won 23 consecutive games until the state championship.

“That’s something I don’t see happening again, it’s great,” Lavender said. “You can’t follow that up. It’s a great season.”

Semifinals

Agua Fria advanced to the championship with a 71-68 victory over No. 19 Peoria Sunrise Mountain Feb. 27.

The Owls won a seesaw battle against the Mustangs with strong defense and good free-throw shooting down the stretch. McCants went 6 of 6 from the charity stripe while Agua Fria was in the bonus, and on the Owls’ lone miss from the line, by Olvera, McCants stole the ball away from Sunrise Mountain after it had secured the rebound.

“I just had to come up with a big play for my team,” McCants said. “I was hitting free throws down the stretch and made a big play.”

McCants is a 75 percent free-throw shooter this season. He finished the game with 25 points, while adding seven steals.

“Jordan McCants has been doing that all season long, hitting free throws, coming through, holding the team together,”

Lavender said. “I probably rely on him too much because I can’t take him out.”

Agua Fria fell behind early, but came back to tie the score at 19-19 at the end of the first quarter. In the second stanza, the Owls’ defense blitzed Sunrise, creating turnover after turnover. It helped the Owls start that period on a 12-0 run.

“That’s one of our bread and butters,” Lavender said. “For a second, we’re down two, then all of a sudden steal, then another one, then another one. That’s what we rely on.”

However, Agua Fria’s 31-19 lead evaporated quickly. Sunrise responded with the next 11 points, and took a 35-33 lead on Elijah Thomas’ driving layup with five seconds remaining in the half.

McCants would have the last say, though, banking one in from just in front of half court at the buzzer. That gave the Owls a 36-35 lead at intermission.

The second half went back and forth, with neither team leading by more than five.

Cowart scored 10 of his 14 points in the

second half. He finished with a doubledouble, grabbing 10 rebounds. Cook had 12 points for Agua Fria.

Sunrise was led by Thomas, who matched McCants’ 25 points.

“Elijah, all we could really do was make him work hard,” Lavender said. “He’s a big guy; we had to make him work the full 32 minutes.”

Quarterfinals

In the Feb. 25 quarterfinals, Agua Fria advanced on a buzzer beater. Cowart’s step-back jumper bounced off the back iron and seemed to balance there as time stood still. The ball rolled the Owls’ way, moving forward and down through the net as the buzzer sounded, lifting Agua Fria over No. 10 Tucson Catalina Foothills 61-59 in overtime.

“[Catalina Foothills] is a good team,”

Lavender said. “They play hard. Anybody could have won tonight. Darnell’s shot, going up and bouncing off and falling in … Of course I’m excited we won, but I do feel for those guys. They played hard, they played well.”

The game-winning play wasn’t initially designed for Cowart, Lavender said.

“I would love to say they executed perfectly, that it was a great play,” Lavender said.

The play was set up for McCants, who had the hot hand for much of the game. McCants was supposed to get the ball coming down the sideline, using his speed and quickness to spring an opening toward the rim. Catalina Foothills defended the initial look well, loading the inbound-side of the court, taking away McCants’ clear

(See Clipped on Page A14)

View photo by Ray Thomas

AGUA FRIA’S DARNELL COWART, No. 42, shoots against Shadow Mountain during the boys basketball state championship Monday night at Gila River Arena in Glendale. Shadow Mountain beat Agua Fria 86-55. Turn to Page B1 for more local sports coverage.

Hanna’s Original Italian Ice opened on December 14, 2014 but the recipe they use is almost 30 years old! They are a second generation Italian Ice shop that also serves Frozen Custard and Gelati’s (Italian Ice/ Custard mixture).

Originally from the Midwest (Rockford, IL., just outside of Chicago), owners Stephanie and Jeff Lawson along with their daughter Hanna moved to Arizona in 2011 and noticed the lack of quality Italian Ice so Jeff quit his job as a union electrician and Stephanie got her parents’ ice recipe and the rest is delicious history.

Hanna’s is unique in that it is authentic Italian Ice and their custard is rich and creamy which makes their Gelati’s undeniably cool and refreshing. They offer 16 Italian Ice flavors; 10 “regulars” (banana, black raspberry, blue raspberry, cotton candy, lemon, peach, pina colada, pomegranate, sour apple, and strawberry), and 6 that “rotate” weekly. They also sell Flavorburst which is a syrup flavoring available on the Vanilla Custard. Quarts and half gallons are available for take home enjoyment.

Hanna’s supports local school night fundraisers which can be easily booked by calling or emailing.

Jeff, Stephanie, and Hanna would like to thank all of our customers who continue to support us and we welcome those of you who haven’t tried us yet to stop in for a sample. We are a locally owned, small dessert shop with an interesting backstory. We have something for everyone!

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path to the hoop. McCants pulled back and delivered a pass to Cowart at the left elbow.

“It was a quick out of bounds [play] to Jordan, he was supposed to inbound it and go, but he watched,” Lavender said. “He got it into Darnell, and didn’t force it. Darnell turned himself and threw up the hook, and I [said], ‘Please, please.’”

Cowart’s shot was a little long, but went through the net, answering the Owls’ prayers.

Cowart’s shot capped a strong effort from Agua Fria, but things didn’t start out so rosy for Agua Fria. The team shot poorly in the first half, going 9 of 23 from the field, and 0 for 5 from beyond the arc. Agua Fria had eight turnovers in the first half and didn’t play the Owls’ brand of basketball, Lavender said.

“We had a lot of turnovers, a lot of jitters,” Lavender said. “We played at their pace. Our pace is quicker, theirs is not ours.”

The Owls wasted no time changing the nature of the game in the third quarter. Agua Fria went from being down by three at the start of the half to up by nine by the three-minute mark of the third. Agua Fria lit up the scoreboard, hanging 26 on Catalina Foothills in the frame, eight points more than the Owls had in the entire first half.

“In the third quarter, the guys came out and fought more, and they put it on them,” Lavender said. “They got a feel for the guys in the second half, but they can’t wait for that.”

The Owls’ 44-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter could have been even larger if not for Catalina Foothills’ Jared Irwin. Irwin hit three triples in the third quarter to keep the game close.

Agua Fria’s offense sputtered in the fourth quarter. The Owls managed only seven points, and blew an eight-point lead.

Agua Fria still had a chance to end it in regulation. McCants drove into the lane, taking contact from two different Foothills defenders without a foul call, and missed the potential game-winning layup.

Fortunately for the Owls, everything clicked in overtime.

Agua Fria scored 10 points in the four-minute period, and was perfect on both three pointers and free throws.

Olvera hit a big three early in the extra quarter, and McCants added five points, going 3 of 3 from the charity stripe to give Agua Fria a 59-56 lead with less than one minute remaining.

Catalina Foothills was determined to make the finish interesting, and sophomore Sam Beskind delivered. Beskind was hacked during his shot in the paint. The ball bounced in, and he calmly hit the tying free throw with 31 seconds left.

The Owls had the last word; however, with Cowart hitting the biggest shot of the night, hitting the turn-around jumper over Foothills’ center Liam Giffin as time expired.

McCants led the way on the Owls’ scoring front with 22 points on 8 of 17 shooting.

Cowart’s presence down low was felt all night. The 6-foot-6 center scored 15 points, pulled down 16 boards and had six blocks.

Olvera and Fowler each scored 11 for the Owls.

Beskind had 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead Catalina Foothills in each category.

Shane McOwen contributed to this story.

Tres Rios Festival returning

by Glenn Gullickson staff writer

An annual festival that offers the opportunity to get back to nature has the added benefit of teaching those attending something about the environment.

The Tres Rios Nature Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Base and Meridian Wildlife Recreation Area, 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale. Admission is free.

Among the things those attending might learn is that there is water at the confluence of the rivers the festival is named for — the Gila, Salt and Agua Fria rivers.

“It’s a mirage in the desert,” said Christina Underhill, who is coordinating the event as part of her job as assistant director of Avondale’s parks, recreation and libraries.

The water will be the focus of some of the festival’s most popular activities, including fishing and boating, Underhill said.

“It’s a chance for people to come out and get out on the river,” she said.

To stage the event, Underhill said the city partners with Arizona Game & Fish, which will provide rods, reels and bait for catch-and-release fishing that won’t require a license.

Anglers may also provide their own equipment.

For those who want to get out on the water, Game & Fish will provide canoes, kayaks and life vests, Underhill said.

Back on land, bird watching tours guided by the Sonoran Audubon Society attract another kind of bird who are on a mission, she said.

“We have people who come to the festival who are snowbirds,” Underhill said. “They are birdwatchers with a list and a lot of birds will get checked off during the festival.”

Among birds that can be seen in the nature area are osprey, bald eagles and even pelicans, she said.

Those seeking a less structured experience can hit hiking paths that break off of the festival area or climb Monument Hill, Underhill said.

An archery range for beginning archers will feature instruction by Game & Fish.

More learning opportunities will be available with exhibits, including a display of venomous rattlesnakes, Underhill said.

Opportunities to learn about science, technology, engineering, arts and math education (STEAM) make the Tres Rios Festival a signature event of the Arizona SciTech Festival, Underhill said.

Continuous entertainment will be provided on stage by Arizona music and dance groups, including Back Porch Bandits, the Hard Road Ramblers, Cisco & the Racecars, Human Jones Review and Danzarte Danza Folklorica.

There will be demonstrations by bird dogs on Saturday and search and rescue dogs on Sunday presented by the Copper State Hunting and Retriever Club.

Also on Saturday, children will be challenged to create outfits from recycled material for a fashion show.

To be on the runway at noon, children from kindergarten to sixth grade should sign up by 11 a.m.

Several vendors will provide food — the only thing visitors will have to pay for, Underhill said.

Among the choices will be hamburgers, barbecue and fry bread.

The festival has been conducted annually since 2004 and attracts 5,000 to 8,000 people, Underhill said.

For more information, visit www.tresriosnaturefestival.com or call 623-333-2400.

and Wine Festival set for Saturday in Litchfield Park

by Glenn Gullickson staff writer

An event that combines art and wine-tasting will have a garden party atmosphere when the Litchfield Park Art and Wine Festival sets up in downtown Litchfield Park.

The 18th annual festival will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Old Litchfield Road and Wigwam Boulevard in Litchfield Park. Admission and parking are free.

“We close the streets of downtown Litchfield Park to make room for a little more than 200 booths,” said Candy Vermillion, who organizes the event.

Artists will show and sell acrylic paintings, watercolors, jewelry, hand-blown glass, furniture, ceramics and works in bronze and clay.

“We have an eclectic mix,” Vermillion said. “From high-end paintings and sculpture down to the relatively inexpensive, there is something to appeal to everyone.”

Featured artists are mixed media painter Meg Ryan and glass artists Dan and Joi LaChaussee.

The event will spill from the street into Memorial Park where there will be a wine garden featuring tastings of products from 10 Arizona wineries and local breweries.

Desert Diamond Distillery from Kingman will provide

rum tastings, Vermillion said.

There will also be demonstrations by artists, ice sculpting, a farmers market and food court.

It all creates a unique atmosphere at the peak of the snowbird season, she said.

“Our festival is more like a big garden party,” Vermillion said. “Litchfield Park has that resort ambiance.”

The weather also appeals to the artists who are selected for the juried show based on quality, originality and creativity, Vermillion said.

“They come from all over,” she said. “When the weather is perfect, they come to Arizona.”

Entertainment will include Bluesman Mike and the Blues Review Band, the Sahnas Brothers and Inca Gold, a group from Ecuador.

Food vendors will serve up wood fired pizza, Italian sausage, tamales, lobster dishes, Asian dishes, barbecue and homemade ice cream, Vermillion said.

For more information, visit www.vermillionporomotions.com.

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

Buckeye going to the dogs

Annual event set for Saturday at Sundance Park

by Kathleen Stinson staff writer

Dogs and dog lovers will descend on Sundance Park in Buckeye March 5 for the annual Dog Days of Buckeye.

The city of Buckeye first held the event three years ago to showcase its new dog park — Sundance Park, said Philip Yabes, Buckeye Community Center manager. The city holds the event to educate people about their dogs.

The event is popular and attracts between 1,200 to 1,500 people, Yabes said.

Dog Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road. Admission is free.

Dogs are welcome to go and enjoy the many activities designed just for them, such as dog photos, dog tricks and the Chihuahua races, according to the city flier.

“It’s very well attended because people get to see a variety of dogs and learn how to take care of their animals — their best friend,” Yabes said.

Activities include demonstrations by the Phoenix Disc Dogs and the Buckeye K-9 Unit, along with pet health, nutrition and education information, according to the flier.

People can also get information about “doggie resorts” and dog sitting, the flier states.

Buckeye Animal Rescue and Kennel (B.A.R.K.) and other animal rescue organizations will be on hand to answer questions about their facilities.

Lilia Mutka is the founder of B.A.R.K., an animal rescue funded by private donations located in Buckeye.

Mutka said she thinks it helps the public to know they have the option of adopting a pet rather than buying one at the mall or from a breeder.

She said B.A.R.K. takes in all animals “from chickens to horses. We have acreage — horses, a giant tortoise. It’s like a little farm.”

View photo by Ray Thomas

SURFER, an Australian cattle dog and kelpie mix, stretches out to catch a disc during a demonstration by the Phoenix Area Disc Dogs at last year’s Dog Days of Buckeye. The Disc Dogs will return to the annual event Saturday at Sundance Park in Buckeye.

The rescue currently has room to take in cats, she added.

She said Dog Days gives dogs an opportunity to meet other dogs.

“Dogs like to be around other dogs,” she said.

Dog Days provides free giveaways such as tennis balls and Frisbees for dogs to chase, she said.

“Dogs can sit together, have fun and just be dogs,” she said.

Tolleson jazzing things

View report

Tolleson is jazzing up the weekend with a new festival featuring Latin jazz and mariachi music.

The event will be from 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday in Tolleson’s Paseo de Luces downtown area along Van Buren Street from 91st to 94th avenues.

“When we were planning on doing events on Paseo de Luces with our beautiful street, we decided to bring in a new event to highlight that,” said Ruth Espinoza, recreation programmer of special events for the city. “Latin jazz is just different, and something we’ve never done in our city before.”

Entertainment will include Joey Navarro, Pete Escobedo, the Jaleo Band and multiple mariachi bands.

Pet of the Week

You wanted pets, we give you pets. With this weekly feature, readers can view profiles of adoptable cats and dogs of various shapes and sizes from Glendale’s Sun Valley Animal Shelter.

Most of the animals that will have their mugs shown in this space will be canines and felines that are a little harder to place because of size, age or a special need, but are wonderful pets nonetheless. Each animal has its own character, so if you’re smitten by an animal in this column, head down to the shelter and see for yourself.

There’s no guarantee it will still be there, but if it’s not, maybe the shelter has another animal that fits your needs and personality. Here’s this week’s Pet of the Week:

NAME: Yukon

SEX: Male

AGE: 6 years old

BREED: Yorkshire terrier mix

OTHER: The shelter was closed this last Sunday, so we at the View have had to grab a dog off of the shelter’s website. If you are thinking of going to the shelter, you might want to call ahead to make sure it’s open.

Yukon is a friendly little lap dog, according to his biography. Despite his size, he is a fully grown adult, and is very happy and sociable.

Yukon was found wandering the wilderness, and was taken to the shelter. Since then, he has shown a generous amount of kindness and compassion.

In addition to the music, the street will be filled with vendors selling crafts and food.

Van Buren will be closed from 91st to 94th avenues starting at 4 a.m. Saturday until at least midnight on Sunday.

The following is a schedule of events:

Saturday

• 1 p.m. — Opening

• 1:30 p.m. — Tolleson Elementary School District Jazz Band

• 3 p.m. — Tolleson Union High School Jazz Band

• 4:30 p.m. — Navarro Band

• 6:30 p.m. — Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Band

• 8:30 p.m. — Jaleo Band

Yukon needs a bit of a training and housetraining refresher, and he will need someone with some patience. However, if you are ready for this funloving guy, then stop by the shelter, they’ll be happy to help you out.

To adopt Yukon or other pets from Glendale’s Sun Valley Animal Shelter, the West Valley’s largest no-kill animal shelter, call 623-872-7941 or visit the website www. sunvalleypets.org. The shelter is at 7150 N. 110th Ave., Glendale, one mile west of Loop 101, northwest of the intersection of Glendale Avenue and Glen Harbor Boulevard. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. The shelter is closed Mondays.

• 10:30 p.m. — G & R Entertainment

• 11:30 p.m. — Closing Sunday

• 1 p.m. — Opening

• 1:15 p.m. — Mariachi Bellas Musical

• 2:30 p.m. — Tolleson Ballet Folklorico

• 3:30 p.m. — Mariachi Juvenil de Mi Tierra

• 4:30 p.m. — Ballet Folklorico de Santa Maria

• 5:30 p.m. — Mariachi Corazon de Mi Tierra

• 6:30 p.m. — Danza Arte’ Ballet Folklorico

• 7:30 p.m. — Mariachi Azteca de Oro

• 8:30 p.m. — G & R Entertainment

• 9 p.m. — Closing

Yukon

crats meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Maryvale Community Center Arts and Crafts Room, 4420 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix.

Converse and immerse

Join in an afternoon of conversation in different languages at 4 p.m. every Wednesday at the Goodyear Branch Library, 14455 W. Van Buren St., Suite C-101, Goodyear.

Fitness in the Park

Buckeye will host Fitness in the Park from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road, Buckeye.

STEAM spot

Youths 7 to 18 years old will be able to explore the ideas behind STEAM: science, technology, engineering, art and math starting at 2 p.m. Wednesdays at the Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library, 495 E. Western Ave., Avondale. For information, visit avondale.org.

More to Explore

join a weekly open-play group to grow their social skills by playing and exploring together from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at the Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library, 495 E. Western Ave., Avondale. For information, call 623-333-2601.

Needle and thread group

Adults are invited to a needleworking/knitting/crochet group to work on projects, chat and share tips with fellow crafters from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Wednesday at the Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Take your own materials and coffee mug. Instruction books will be available. For information, call 623-333-2602.

Thursday

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information, call 805-714-3742.

Baby time

Take your babies to an interactive program that introduces board books, music and art to babies and toddlers. There will be educational toys, socialization and self-expression in a comfortable environment. Baby time is designed for children from birth to 2 years old. Baby time runs from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Thursdays at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell.

Sunset stories

School, 3400 N. Dysart Road, Avondale. To make an appointment, call 1-877-UBS-HERO (1-877-827-4376) or visit www. bloodhero.com.

Spring carnival

Frazier Entertainment will host the second day of a four-day carnival to benefit the Homeless Youth Connection from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear. The wristband price is $20.

Genealogy assistance

The West Valley View publishes on Wednesday.

The 9 Days a Week calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofit groups — runs every issue. Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the View’s coverage area, which is south of Northern Avenue, west of Loop 101, plus all of Tolleson, extends to Estrella on the south and Tonopah on the west. Events such as concerts and theatrical performances that fall outside of the View’s circulation area will be considered as there are no concert halls or theater venues within our boundaries.

Fundraisers that are held at restaurants where only a portion of the proceeds benefits the charity or nonprofit will not be considered.

9 Days a Week calendar items print on a spaceavailable basis; the only way to guarantee that an item will print is to purchase an advertisement.

Paid Listings for 9 Days

The 9 Days a Week calendar now may contain paid listings which are clearly marked by “Advertisement” across the top and bottom of paid listings and appear in a screened box. Submissions for paid items may be made by calling the classified advertising dept. of the West Valley View at 623-535-8439. Available sizes and prices: 2 inch ad = $80.00, 3 inch ad = $120.00.

Submissions must reach our office by 4 p.m. Friday to be considered for the Wednesday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to news1@westvalleyview.com; faxed to 623-935-2103; or dropped off at the West Valley View, 1050 E. Riley Drive, Avondale AZ 85323.

Wednesday MARCH

staff and student representatives about their goals.

Children 6 to 12 years old who are curious about how things work can join an interactive program where they’ll build structures, perform experiments, play games, make crafts and learn starting at 3 p.m. Wednesdays at the Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. For information, visit avondale.org.

Domestic violence support groups

New Life Center offers free confidential support groups for those who have experienced domestic violence. The meetings are held Monday evenings, Tuesday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and Friday afternoons, with varying times and confidential locations. For information, call 623-932-4404, Ext. 123.

Story time

Toddlers ages 2 to 4 accompanied by an adult can enjoy interactive stories, songs and games that encourage emerging language skills at 11:15 a.m. every Wednesday at the Buckeye Library Downtown Branch, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye. For information, call 623-349-6300.

Baby time

Take your babies from birth to 23 months to enjoy songs, activities, rhymes, books and playtime starting at 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays at the Buckeye Library Downtown Branch, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye. For information, call 623-349-6300.

Computer classes

Learn the basics of operating a computer from 6 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday at the Buckeye Library Coyote Branch’s alternate location at 21765 W. Yuma Road, Suite 105, Buckeye. Registration is required. For information, call 623-349-6300.

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Visit the Buckeye Valley Museum at 116 E. Hwy 85 in Buckeye to get assistance with your family tree search from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the first and third Friday of the month. Registration is required; call 623-349-6300.

Business class

The Maricopa County Small Business Center Network will provide a class on building one’s small business from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Estrella Mountain Community College, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale.

Kindergarten registration

The Avondale Elementary School District will hold kindergarten registration from 1 to 8 p.m. at 295 W. Western Ave., Avondale.

Benevilla information session

People can learn about free services offered to help them remain independent in their homes from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Benevilla Southwest Valley Office, 12917 W. Las Cruces Drive, Litchfield Park.

Spring carnival

Frazier Entertainment will host the first day of a four-day carnival to benefit the Homeless Youth Connection from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear. The wristband price is $20.

Buckeye community forum

Buckeye will host a community forum on the dangers of drugs in the community from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Buckeye Public Library Coyote Branch, 21699 W. Yuma Road, Suite 116, Buckeye.

50 years of fashion

Join in a fun family hour for a free story time program from 5 to 6 p.m. every Thursday at the Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. For information, visit avondale.org.

Walking and running group

Join city staff in a bi-weekly running and walking group from 7 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road, Buckeye. For information, contact Corey Parr at 623-349-6330 or cparr@ buckeyeaz.gov.

Alcoholics

Anonymous meets

The Garden Lakes group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. every Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Garden Lakes, 2517 N. 107th Ave., Avondale.

Taking Turns Toybrary

The Care1st Avondale Resource Center opens the doors to its Taking Turns Toybrary from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays at 328 W. Western Ave., Avondale. Families can check out fun, educational toys for up to two weeks with a photo ID. For information, call 623-333-2703.

In Stitches in Goodyear meets

In Stitches in Goodyear meets at 1:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Goodyear Library, 14455 W. Van Buren St., Goodyear. Share ideas, tips and patterns with other crochet, knitting and sewing enthusiasts. Novice to advance needle crafters are welcome. Some basic instruction in needle crafts will be available. For information, call 602-652-3000.

Drug and Alcohol Program

The Drug and Alcohol Program (DAP) meets at 7 p.m.Thursdays at Mount Pleasant Church, 501 E. Mahoney, Buckeye. For information, call Courtney at 623-386-6365.

Boy Scout meeting

Texas Hold’em tournaments

The American Legion Post 53 hosts Texas Hold’em tournaments at 7 p.m. the first and third Friday of the month in Hazelton Hall at 402 E. Narramore Ave. in Buckeye. For information, call 623-327-0227 or email legionpost53@gmail.com.

Reformers Unanimous

The addiction recovery program “Reformers Unanimous” meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays at Desert Springs Community Church, 14440 W. Indian School Road, Goodyear. The Christ-centered group is free and open to all adults who struggle with addiction or a “stubborn habit” and their family members. Each class has a nursery and youth programs for family members, as well as free, local transportation. For information, contact Director Mike Hammonds at 602-694-5618 or visit www.gotaddictions.com.

Movie Fridays

Enjoy a free movie from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale.

Saturday

Tonopah Desert Drive

The second annual Tonopah Desert Ride or Drive will be held at 9 a.m. at 6530 N. 419th Ave. The activity fee costs $10 for adults; $5 for children younger than 12. Pulled pork lunch will be provided as well as raffles, drawings and other activities.

Plant, grow, eat Lowes will host a session on creating and maintaining a garden from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Buckeye Public Library Downtown Branch, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye.

Free spay/neuter services

The Arizona Humane Society’s Healthy Tails Mobile Veterinary Clinic is offering free spay and neuter services at 6:30 a.m. today and Thursday at the Randall McDaniel Sports Complex parking lot, 775 N. 114th Ave., Avondale. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers. Pets must have had no food for 12 hours before surgery, be between 3 months and 5 years old and weigh at least 3 pounds. The clinic will operate on up to two pets per household. Pets will go home the same day.

Baseball charity game

The Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds will be facing off in a charity event that will benefit the Homeless Youth Connection at 1:05 p.m. at the Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear.

Student Success Fair

Estrella Mountain Community College will host the Student Success Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale. The fair will provide opportunities for future and current students to talk with faculty,

Civil Dialogue

Civil Dialogue is a structured format for debate and communication in a calm environment. The session will focus on reaction to statements by presidential contenders from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Goodyear Branch Library, 14455 W. Van Buren St., Suite C-101, Goodyear.

District 19 Democrats meet

The Legislative District 19 Democrats of Maricopa County meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at Tolleson City Library, 9555 W. Van Buren St. Tolleson. The district includes most of Avondale, all of Tolleson and a portion of southwest Phoenix from Interstate 10 up to 35th Avenue. Its purpose is to support the state’s Democratic representatives, senators and all other elected Democrats on city councils and school boards. For information, call Chair Juli Myers at 570-837-9668 or email ld19dems@gmail.com.

Tolleson Elementary School Board meets The Tolleson Elementary School District Governing Board meets at 6 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at the district office, 9261 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson. For information, visit www.tollesonschools.com.

District 29 Democrats meet

The Legislative District 29 Demo-

Job readiness support in Avondale

Avondale, in partnership with Maricopa Workforce Connections, is offering job readiness assistance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesdays at the Care1st Avondale Resource Center, 328 W. Western Ave., Avondale. A career guidance specialist will help job seekers gain confidence in their search for employment. Assistance includes resume development, career counseling and job readiness workshops. Anyone interested in the service is asked to reserve time with the career guidance specialist by calling 623-333-2703. The service is available in English and Spanish.

Children’s Community Christian Choirs

Chimin’ In Hand Bell — 4:30 to 5 p.m. Fourth- to eighth-graders are invited to participate in a hand chime choir.

Voices in Praise — 5 to 6 p.m. VIP is for third- to fifth-graders. Joyful Noise — 5:30 to 6 p.m. This group is for children in kindergarten to second grade with an emphasis on musical exploration. Choirs meet at the Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park. For information, call 623-935-3411 or email info@ churchatlitchfieldpark.org.There is no fee for participation.

Play time

Children up to 5 years old can

The Phoenix Art Museum will host an illustrated talk on defining moments in the history of fashion, featuring world class designers and insights into historical works from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Litchfield Park Branch Library, 101 W. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. Registration is required, visit www.mcldaz.org.

Meet with Rep. Ruben Gallego

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-District 7, has a representative from his office available from 9 to 11 a.m. the first Thursday of each month at Tolleson City Hall, 9555 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson. For information, call 602-256-0551.

Quilters Anonymous meets

Quilters Anonymous, a chapter of the Arizona Quilters Guild, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Christ Presbyterian Church, 925 N Sarival Ave., Goodyear. For information, call Janet at 623-478-8052.

Teen Konnect

Avondale teens can earn volunteer hours for school by helping to plan and be part of different programs and special events for the library. Meetings are held from 4 to 5 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. For information, visit avondale.org.

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous, a 12-step program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, meets at 6 p.m. every Thursday at the Buckeye Fire Station, 2582 N. Verrado Way in Buckeye. The goal of the group is to address and work toward recovery. For

Boy Scout Troop No. 263 meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at First Southern Baptist Church, 405 Third St., Buckeye. The troop is looking for boys between the ages of 11 and 18 who are interested in outdoor activities, learning new skills and becoming leaders. For information, call Trina Stark at 623-693-8624.

Family story time

Children 2 to 5 years old can join in an interactive story time filled with songs, rhymes, flannel stories and finger plays to support and develop literacy starting at 11:15 a.m. Thursdays at the Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library, 495 E. Western Ave., Avondale. For information, visit avondale.org.

Youth activities

Youths 12 to 18 years old can participate in different activities starting at 3 p.m. Thursdays at the Avondale Civic Center Library, 11350 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. For information, visit avondale.org.

Friday

4

American Legion yard sale

American Legion Post 61 will host a yard sale from 7 a.m. to noon at 35 N. Dysart Road, Avondale. Tables are $5 each or two for $7. For information, call 619-729-6463.

Blood drive

United Blood Services is hosting a blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon at Sun City Festival, 26501 W. Desert Vista Blvd., Buckeye. To make an appointment, call 1-877-UBS-HERO (1-877-827-4376) or visit www. bloodhero.com.

Book sale

Chair yoga for adults

Adults are invited to learn about and practice chair yoga at 11 a.m. at the Litchfield Park Branch Library, 101 W. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park.

Blood drive

United Blood Services is hosting a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at AAEC Estrella Mountain High

The Friends of the Litchfield Park Library will hold a two-day book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 101 W.Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. Latin Jazz and Mariachi Festival

Tolleson will

and

raised benefit local charities. For information, call 623-512-8878.

Library Lawn on the corner of Old Litchfield Road and Wigwam Boulevard in Litchfield Park. Admission is free.

Dog Days of Buckeye

Dog Days of Buckeye will feature performances by the Phoenix Disc Dogs and Buckeye K-9 units; pet health and nutrition education; Chihuahua races; and plenty of food and beverages.

Dog Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road, Buckeye.

Tres Rios Festival

The first day of the annual Tres Rios Festival will feature wildlife and habitat information as well as information on the history and culture of the area. Activities such as canoeing, fishing, archery and bird tours will be available.The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Base and Meridian Wildlife Area, 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale. Admission and activities are free.

Art display

Artists in Residence artists Michele Schuck and Dottie Mitchel will display their artwork from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Wigwam, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park.

Youth gaming day

Youths 10 to 18 can join in a video game and board game day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first Saturday of the month at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell.

Buckeye DAR chapter meets

Daughters of the American Revolution, Buckeye Chapter, meets the first Saturday of the month at the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, 508 E. Monroe Ave., Buckeye. Contact Linda Davis at GDavis1003@aol.com if you are interested in attending, becoming a member or learning more about the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Button Hooks

Button Club

The Button Hooks Button Club is hosting its monthly meeting starting at 10 a.m. the first Saturday of the month at the Clubhouse Meeting Room at Good Samaritan Care Center, 10323 W. Olive Ave., Peoria. The meeting is for those interested in collecting and/or learning about buttons. For information, call Mary at 623-972-9028.

Goodyear Community Farmers Market

The Goodyear Community

Farmers Market is from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at Goodyear Community Park, 3151 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. The market offers locally grown foods, hand-crafted goods and potted plants for sale. Admission and parking are free. For information, visit www.azcommunitymarkets.com.

Community Bingo

The Rotary Club of Buckeye sponsors Community Bingo at 5 p.m. every Saturday at 3690 S. Estrella Parkway, Suite 108, Goodyear. Doors open at 5 p.m.; cost is $21 per person for all 18 games (paper). Daubers and Power Bingo King electronics are available. Proceeds raised benefit local charities. For information, call 623-512-8878.

Bingo

The Knights of Columbus 4737 of American Legion Post 61 at 35 N. Dysart Road in Avondale hosts bingo games at 6:45 p.m. every Sunday. There are 16 games at a cost of $16, which include Quickies, Early Bird games and a $1,000 progressive game. Proceeds are donated to charity. For information, call 623-877-9732 or 602-316-2886.

Adrenaline Youth Choir

The Church at Litchfield Park invites children in sixth through 12th grades to participate in the Adrenaline Youth Choir from 4 to 5 p.m. every Sunday in the church’s Choir Room at 300 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park. For information, call 623-935-3411 or email info@ churchatlitchfieldpark.org.There is no fee to participate.

Monday

mornings, Wednesday afternoons and Friday afternoons, with varying times and confidential locations. For information, call 623-932-4404, Ext. 123.

Mental Illness peer support group meets

The mental illness support group “Hope” meets from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday at Christ Evangelical Church, 918 S. Litchfield Road, Classroom C, in Goodyear. The group is free to attend, is for adults 18 and older and is open to the public. For information, call Andy Arnowitz at 480-994-4407.

Craft it up

Work on your needlework, knitting or crochet project and chat and share tips with fellow crafters. Take your own materials and a coffee mug at 11 a.m. every Monday at the Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library, 495 E. Western Ave., Avondale. For information, visit avondale.org.

7

Tolleson Union High School board meets

The Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the district office, 9801 W.Van Buren St., Tolleson. For information, visit www.tuhsd.org.

Litchfield Elementary School Board meets

The Litchfield Elementary School District Governing Board meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Litchfield Elementary School, 255 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. For information, visit www.lesd. k12.az.us.

WV LD 4 Democratic Club meets

Toastmasters meeting

Estrella Toastmasters meets at 6:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, 289 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. Toastmasters helps people become more effective speakers and confident leaders. The meetings are open to the public and free to attend.

Blood drive

Tuesday

8

The West Valley Democratic Club of Legislative District No. 4 meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Total Wine, 1416 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. For information, call Cathy Hozian at 623-696-5962 or email chozian@cox.net.

Teen support group

Help foster and adopted youths

Teens 12 to 19 years old who are affected by a loved one’s drinking or drug use can find a welcoming environment. One adult is present at all meetings to ensure a safe environment. Meetings are held from 7 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 400 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park.

ESL Cafe

Sunday Book sale

The Friends of the Litchfield Park Library will hold a two-day book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 101 W.Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park.

Tres Rios Festival

The second day of the annual Tres Rios Festival will feature wildlife and habitat information as well as information on the history and culture of the area. Activities such as canoeing, fishing, archery and bird tours will be available. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Base and Meridian Wildlife Area, 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale. Admission and activities are free.

Group meditation class

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 400 S. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, hosts a group meditation class from 5 to 6 p.m. Sundays. The class is designed for those desiring to learn meditation or deepen their practice. All faiths are welcome. For information, call the Rev. Gae Chalker at 623-935-3279 or visit stpetersaz.com.

Community Bingo

The Goodyear White Tanks Rotary Club sponsors Community Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Sundays at 3690 S. Estrella Parkway, Suite 108, Goodyear. Doors open at 5 p.m.; cost is $21 per person for all 18 games (paper). Daubers and Power Bingo King electronics are available. Proceeds

United Blood Services is hosting a blood drive from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Leaf Verde RV Resort, 1500 S. Apache Road. To make an appointment, call 1-877-UBSHERO (1-877-827-4376) or visit www.bloodhero.com.

Blood drive

United Blood Services is hosting a blood drive from 7:45 to 11:45 a.m. and from 1:15 to 5:15 p.m. at Universal Technical Institute, 10695 W. Pierce St. To make an appointment, call 1-877-UBSHERO (1-877-827-4376) or visit www.bloodhero.com.

Minecraft meet up

Youths 10 to 18 years old are invited to join the Teen Leadership Club in a fun Minecraft event with tech information, cosplay, debates, activities and more from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Branch Library, 14455 W. Van Buren St., Suite C-101, Goodyear.

Avondale City Council meets

The Avondale City Council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month at 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale.

Alzheimer’s support group

An Alzheimer’s support group meets from 3 to 4:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of every month at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 918 S. Litchfield Road, Building A, Goodyear. Support groups provide a forum to share feelings, concerns, information and as a way of supporting and encouraging each other. For information, call 602-528-0545 or visit www. alz.org/dsw.

Domestic violence support groups

New Life Center offers free confidential support groups for those who have experienced domestic violence. The meetings are held Monday evenings, Tuesday

Learn how to help foster and adopted children at 6:30 p.m. at Palm Valley Church, 13765 W. Auto Drive, Suite 117, Goodyear. For information, call 602-4184375 or email fosteradoption@ palmvalley.org.

Blood drive

United Blood Services is hosting a blood drive from 7:45 to 11:45 a.m. and from 1:15 to 5:15 p.m. at Universal Technical Institute, 10695 W. Pierce St. To make an appointment, call 1-877-UBSHERO (1-877-827-4376) or visit www.bloodhero.com.

Teen chess club

Youths 10 to 17 years old are invited to play and learn about chess from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Litchfield Park Branch Library, 101 W. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park.

Sewing for Babies meets in Peoria

The Tolleson community sewing group Sewing for Babies meets from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the JoAnn Etc. store, 8915 W. Bell Road in Peoria.The group makes preemie hospital clothing, quilts for isolettes in hospitals and burial layettes. For information, call 623-936-3412.

Way Out West

The Way Out West Coalition meets from noon to 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, 508 E. Monroe Ave., Buckeye. Way Out West is dedicated to creating a safe, unified, drug-free community.

Tolleson City Council meets

The Tolleson City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in the Park and Recreation Center, 9555 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson.

Participants can practice their English or Spanish skills from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Buckeye Public Library, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye. Spanish will be spoken for the first half and English for the second.

Story time

Toddlers ages 2 to 4 accompanied by an adult can enjoy interactive stories, songs and games that encourage emerging language skills at 11:15 a.m. every Tuesday at the Buckeye Library Coyote Branch’s alternate location at 21765 W. Yuma Road, Suite 105, Buckeye. For information, call 6230349-6300.

Domestic violence support group

Eve’s Place, a domestic violence education and support group, meets from 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday in Building B, Classroom C, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 918 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. For information, call 623-932-2394.

Baby time

Take your babies from birth to 23 months to enjoy songs, activities, rhymes, books and playtime starting at 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays at the Buckeye Library Coyote Branch’s alternate location at 21765 W.Yuma Road, Suite105, Buckeye. For information, call 623-349-6300.

Bingo

The American Legion Post No. 61 at 35 N. Dysart Road in Avondale hosts bingo games at 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays. The schedule of 17 games includes Quickies, Early Bird games and a $1,000 progressive game at a cost of $17. Proceeds are donated back to area youths and veterans. Call 623-932-4960 for information.

If you don’t receive a copy of the West Valley View every Wednesday by 9 a.m., please contact our circulation department. If you tell us by 12 noon, we will bring you a paper the same day. Call us at 623-535-8439. Leave a message if it’s after hours. Or you can e-mail us at missyou@westvalleyview.com.

Include your name, address, city, phone number and major cross streets. You may also pick up a free copy at our office

please call for subscription prices.

Wednesday WVW SWV Chapter breakfast

The West Valley Women South West Valley Chapter will hold a breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at 14200 W. Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear.

Agua Fria Union High School Board meets

The Agua Fria Union High School District Governing Board meets at 5 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at the district office, 1481 N. Eliseo Felix Jr.Way, Suite 110, Avondale. For information, visit www.aguafria.org.

Valley View, Avondale, Arizona, Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Thursday Meet, Greet and Eat

Learn how to optimize your computer’s settings to increase your online privacy and become familiar with new sophisticated phone scams that try to steal your money and your identity. AnnLouise Truschel will talk about keeping your private information private. Take your computers for hands-on experiences. The program runs from noon to 1 p.m. following a free potluck lunch at 11:30 a.m. Meet, Greet, and Eat meets the second Thursday of every month at Christ Community United Methodist Church, 104 W. Western Ave., Avondale. Call 623-932-3480 or visit www. myccumc.com for information.

Union Elementary School Board meets

The Union Elementary School District Governing Board meets at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the district office, 3834 S. 91st Ave., Tolleson. For information, visit www.unionesd.org.

Support group for caregivers

Duet is hosting a monthly support group from 10 to 11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month at Skyway Church of the West Valley, 14900 W. Van Buren St., Goodyear. The support group is for individuals who are caring for an aging parent, friend, partner or relative. There is no cost to attend. For information, call 602-274-5022.

Life+

Teens can get ready for life by learning new skills and hacks for life from 4:30 to 5:30 the second Thursday of the month at the Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library, 495 E. Western Ave., Avondale.

(From Page A16)

LITCHFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Who: EVERYBODY !

• Internationa Food erna onal oo

• Food Samples & Taste Testing

• Fun Activities • Games & Prizes un ct ities

• Giveaways • School Performances • • & MUCH MUCH MORE!

What: Fun & Learning about NUTRITION & WELLNESS about

Edward C. Brandt

Edward C. Brandt, 78, of Goodyear died Feb. 23, 2016, in Goodyear.

Mr. Brandt was born Dec. 12, 1937, in Akron, Ohio, to Edward and Margaret Brandt.

He had a career with the United States Air Force, where he achieved the rank of staff tech sergeant.

He also worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 24 years.

He is survived by his wife, Chris; five daughters, Carey Smith, Cathy Chasey, Gina Sterrett, Angie Klein and Terri Marino; three sons, Kevin Brandt, Aaron Brandt and Nick Marino; one sister, Joan Bedall; 18 grandchildren; and 17 greatgrandchildren.

Terry Dale Shelton

Terry Dale Shelton, 58, of Goodyear died Feb. 23, 2016, in Goodyear.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Monday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Avondale, with interment at National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix.

Memorials may be made to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Condolences for the family can be left at ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.

John Michael Vaught

John Michael Vaught, 55, of Phoenix and formerly of Avondale died Feb. 16, 2016, in Phoenix.

Mr. Vaught was born Sept. 16, 1960, in Phoenix and grew up in Avondale.

He is survived by one sister, Sharon Van Gorder of Buckeye.

If you have ANY of these symptoms, YOU NEED TO ATTEND THIS

Mr. Shelton was born July 7, 1957, in Pueblo, Colo.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Goodyear; and one daughter, Ashley of Goodyear.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Palo Verde Baptist Church, 29600 W. Old Highway 80, Palo Verde.

The Rev. Don Moenich will officiate.

Leonard John Brown

Leonard John Brown, 77, of Buckeye died Feb. 12, 2016.

Mr. Brown married Patrica Ann Brown on Oct. 3, 1958, in Phoenix.

The couple operated Leonard’s Sew & Vac and Leonard’s Furniture & Carpet.

He is survived by one daughter, Helen; two sons, Bill and Leonard II; six grandchildren; and nine greatgrandchildren. Services were Feb. 15 at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear. Condolences for the family may be left at ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.

(See Obituaries on Page A19)

Edward Brandt

Leonard Brown

Terry Shelton

(From Page A18)

Jerry Michael ’Mickey’ Francis

Jerry Michael “Mickey” Francis, 61, of Buckeye died Feb. 22, 2016, from cancer.

Mr. Francis was born Oct. 20, 1954, in Buckeye.

He is survived by his mother, Doris Francis; two sisters, Sheila Nichols and Mary Shirley; and two brothers, Ted Francis and Art Francis.

Funeral services were Feb. 26 at St. Henry Catholic Church in Buckeye.

The Rev. William Kosko officiated.

Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Buckeye Public Library, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye, AZ 85326.

Krystal Lea Kochendorfer

Krystal Lea Kochendorfer, 41, of Goodyear died Feb. 1, 2016, in Portland, Ore.

Ms. Kochendorfer was born May 18, 1974, in Chisago Lakes, Minn.

Jerry Francis Krystal Kochendorfer

Jose Guadalupe Nieves Esparza

Jose Guadalupe Nieves Esparza, 41, of Avondale died Feb. 18, 2016, in Phoenix. Funeral services have been conducted.

In 1979, the family moved to Alaska and she was raised in Chugiak. She graduated from high school in 1992.

She moved to Seattle, where she graduated from the Seattle Art Institute with a degree in fashion design.

She worked for Columbia Sportswear in Beaverton, Ore.

She released a collection of poetry and random thoughts titled Pushing Boundaries in 2008 and wrote a memoir, Hope for Change, which is to be released posthumously.

She moved to California and then to Goodyear in 2015.

She is survived by one daughter, Josie Kochendorfer of Forest Grove, Ore.; her mother, Diane Kennedy of Goodyear; her father, Michael Kochendorfer of Chugiak, Alaska; one sister, Kay Waddell of Goodyear; and one grandmother, Dorothy DeFlorin of Eagle River, Alaska.

Private services will be held, with interment at Angeles Memorial Park Columbarium in Anchorage.

Scott Thomas Clarke

March 3, 1982 – June 3, 2011

“Always Loved and Never Forgotten”

No farewell words were spoken, No time to say good-bye

You were gone before we knew it, And only God knows why.

Our hearts still ache in sadness

And secret tears still flow.

What it meant to lose you, No one will ever know…

Love, Mom

Marilyn Lawson Smith

Marilyn Lawson Smith died after complications from emergency surgery four weeks prior in the wonderful care of Hospice of the Valley on February 25th. She was born to Jean Gamble Lawson and Dynes Lawson in Glendale, CA on December 20, 1934. As the daughter of a WWII Army officer, the family moved frequently during her childhood, but summers on Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho at her grandparents’ house were a joyous constant. She became an accomplished water skier over the years, even appearing on the cover of a magazine holding the tow rope behind her knee. After his Army career, the family settled in Eagle Rock, CA where Marilyn attended and graduated from Eagle Rock High.

Valley View, Avondale, Arizona, Wednesday, March 2, 2016

(See Obituaries on Page A20)

Genevieve “Jenny” Marie Delierre Brooks

Genevieve “Jenny”

Marie Delierre Brooks of Avondale, Arizona, passed away, surrounded by family, on Thursday, February 25, 2016. Born December 21, 1935, in Lille, France. She was a loving mother who dedicated her life to her eleven children while keeping many of her French traditions. She was a first-rate seamstress, enjoyed knitting, reading and spending time at the beach. Much of her time was spent doting on her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Genevieve is preceded in death by her husband Paul. Survivors include three sisters, Terry, Ann Marie, and Michelle, and brother Xavier; her children, Linda (Bob), Patricia (Mike), Paul David (Kim), Sandra, Jim (Doreen), Cynthia (Scott), Gary (Sandy), Sylvia (Dave), Theresa (Joe), Angela (David) and Martha, along with 14 grandchildren and 8 great children.

The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for their care and support.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 5, 2016, 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Chapel, 9925 W. Thomas Road, Avondale, Arizona.

Marilyn chose to attend the University of Arizona and travelled to Tucson aboard the train with only her trunk and her excitement for beginning her new adventure. She joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and embraced her new life away from home, thoroughly enjoying all the new friends she made. Midway through her sophomore year she met an Arizona student named Stan Smith, who initially seemed reserved, but quickly swept her off her feet. They married that August before Stan’s Air Force commitment commenced, cementing a love affair that lasted until the day she died.

They settled in the Valley and after Stan served his two years in the Air Force, he joined his father Leo in farming on the West side and Marilyn settled into the role of a happy homemaker. Their family quickly formed with the birth of son, Tim and daughter, Leslie, and their future looked bright. Unfortunately, her struggle with illness began. After a few set backs she mastered her condition and flourished despite her disease for 45 years. Stan’s diligent care and loving patience greatly helped make this possible.

Marilyn was a naturally social person and made many friends when she and Stan first started their family in Phoenix and then throughout the next 43 years in Litchfield Park. She always enjoyed playing bridge and became an enthusiastic and accomplished participant in several bridge groups. She had a regular exercise group and also was involved with Garden Club, Assistance League, Phoenix Cotton Wives, and volunteering with the Beatitudes. Marilyn developed a wide circle of friends throughout her life which greatly enriched her life as well as the lives of her friends. Much to Stan’s chagrin Marilyn loved to shop for herself and her grandkids. She was famous for always being impeccably dressed and perfectly put together. Marilyn was never seen without her outfit coordinating tastefully from head to toe.

Marilyn and Stan had admired a cabin with a meadow on Tonto Creek while visiting their friends the Royden’s and were able to acquire this dream vacation cabin in Bear Flat in 1976. They spent every summer there, enjoying the cool air and the view together. Visits from their children and grandchildren were always looked forward to and they all have great Bear Flat stories.

Marilyn and Stan loved to travel and over the years they literally traveled the world together. Many of the adventures were enjoyed with Mary Ann and Frank Hunt, Stan’s sister and brother-in-law as well as their close friends Bob and Margaret Schulke.

Marilyn was always devastated by the untimely death of her only sibling, Clement, in a tragic auto accident when he was only in his early 20s. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Stan Smith and her beloved dog Cesar as well her children Tim (Terry) Smith and Leslie (Will) Rousseau, grandchildren Stafford (Kari) Smith, Kristin (Aaron) Latham, Bryan Smith, Lindsey (Brett) Rousseau-Hunt, Chad Smith, Jenna Rousseau, Dustin Smith, Brooke Smith, and eight great-grandchildren that she adored.

A memorial service will be held on March 5th at 2pm at the Church at Litchfield Park, 300 Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Church of Litchfield Park and Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Jose Esparza

Raymond L. Richardson

Raymond L. Richardson, 85, passed away February 19, 2016 surrounded by loving family.

Raymond was born in Avondale, Arizona July 5, 1930 into humble beginnings to parents Patrick and Cora May Richardson and never forgot where he came from. He grew up on the family farm in Liberty, Arizona. After losing his father at a young age he stepped in to manage the farm. He enlisted in the US Army in 1954 and after training in an anti-aircraft unit was sent to Germany. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Raymond married Dolores Cremer March 17, 1956 in Phoenix. Raymond and Dolores worked many years together raising a family of three boys and building a successful custom harvesting business in the Buckeye Valley.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Dolores, sons Tom (Tink) Richardson of Buckeye, Kent (Elaine) Richardson of Glendale, and Mike Richardson of Buckeye, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren with one on the way. Surviving siblings include Pearlee, Alford, Lewis, Pat, and Shirley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.

Visitation was Wednesday, February 24, from 5-7 p.m. at Ganley’s Funeral Home in Buckeye. Graveside services were Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Louis B. Hazelton Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army or to the Buckeye Valley Historical Society.

(From Page A19)

Nancy Woods

Nancy (nee Farris) Woods, 76, of Tolleson died Feb. 5, 2016, at her home from Alzheimer’s disease.

Mrs. Woods was born Dec. 8, 1939, in Kansas City, Mo. She moved to Arizona in 1970 and worked for 18 years as a school nurse at Scott L. Libby Elementary School in Buckeye, retiring in 1996.

She is survived by her husband, Severeno; one son, Jeff Farris; two stepdaughters, Lindsey Anderson and Caroline Carter; three stepsons, Severeno Jr., Jeremiah and Caleb; two grandchildren; and 15 stepgrandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 10142 W. Encanto Blvd., Avondale. Dave Schroeder will officiate.

Nathan “Bud” Schneider passed away on Friday, February 26, 2016 at the age of 86. Bud was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Nathan Schneider and Ruth Munter Schneider, and the sister of Stella Logan.

Bud was preceded in death by the “most beautiful girl in the world,” his wife, Sally Schroeder Schneider.

He attended Lowell High School in San Francisco, College of Marin, and the University of California at Davis. After college, it was the Korean War and the Army followed by forty years in corporate life as a Vice President of Van Waters & Rogers, Toshiba International and Quantel. In retirement in Arizona, Bud served with distinction on three non-profit Boards of Directors including eleven years with Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona, five years on different boards of the City of Litchfield Park, the Maricopa County Housing Authority Board, as well as four years as an elected City Council Member. After Sally’s passing, Bud moved to be close to his son, Brad, and his family in the beautiful hill country of Boerne, Texas. In that area, he and his two Bernese Mountain dogs visited schools, hospitals, and other functions requiring the abilities of certified therapy dogs.

He is survived by his children Brad, Leslie, and Lisa, and his grandchildren Bo, Avery, Kendall, and Michaela, as well as sister Stella Logan.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona.

A memorial service will be held at the Church at Litchfield Park at a later date, details forthcoming.

Janet Ondyak

Janet Ondyak, 65, of Goodyear died Feb. 25, 2016.

Mrs. Ondyak was born Aug. 14, 1950, in Hoboken, N.J., to Helen and Joe Mallen.

She graduated from North Bergen High School.

She had a career in transportation with Yellow Freight, moving to Golden, Colo., and then to the Seattle area.

She moved to Arizona in 1988.

She married Joe Ondyak in 1995 in San Diego.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Ondyak; two brothers, Jim Mallen and Joe Mallen; one stepson, Joe Ondyak; and two grandchildren.

Services were Tuesday at Thompson Funeral Home in Goodyear.

Memorials may be made to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259. Condolences for the family may be left at ThompsonFuneralChapel.com.

A word about obituaries

The West Valley View publishes free obituaries for people who were residents or former residents of the West Valley.

We also encourage the use of photos with obituaries. Photos will be cropped to a head shot, so they must be of fairly high resolution (at least 200 dpi) if submitted electronically.

Free obituaries are edited to conform to newspaper style. People who wish to have obituaries published verbatim, without any editing, may purchase a paid obituary; call 623-535-8439.

Funeral homes may submit obituaries using our online form at westvalleyview.com; click on Submit an Obituary. They may also email, fax or mail us obituaries. Our email is news1@westvalleyview.com. Our fax number is 623-935-2103. Our mailing address is West Valley View, Inc., 1050 E. Riley Dr., Avondale, AZ 85323.

Nancy Woods

Janet Ondyak

Maria R. DiLeo, M.D.

Kim Roberts, W.H.N.P.

Cari L. Cowling, M.D.

James M. Johnson, M.D.

Briggs J. Geier, D.O.

Raymond D. Suarez, M.D.

Erica McLaughlin, M.D.

Nathan Schneider

Inside Sports: Millennium girls, Buckeye boys basketball lose in state quarterfinals; Tolleson baseball starts season 2-3

Wolves fall short of 4th state championship

Estrella Foothills struggles to score in 40-35 loss

by Casey Pritchard sports editor

A state championship wasn’t meant to be for the Wolves.

The top-seeded Estrella Foothills struggled to score in the Division III state title game Feb. 27 at Gila River Arena in Glendale, losing to No. 3 Scottsdale Christian 40-35.

“I don’t think it was a situation of being rattled or anything like that, I just think we got beat tonight,”

Estrella coach Rich Gutwein said. “We didn’t play well enough to win, and that’s the bottom line.”

Estrella scored a season low 35 points, 15 under its previous low mark of 50 against Chandler Hamilton. The Wolves shot just 25.5 percent from the field, going 13 of 51.

“I thought we got some good shots — I don’t know how many buckets around the baskets we missed, but it was a lot,” Gutwein said. “They’re bigger, they’re 6-5 across the board. They were doing a good job of contesting shots and it made it hard on us. Give their defense credit, and we didn’t function well, but I thought we got some good shots.”

Estrella’s big three scorers, Rex Greabell, Antaveus Brown and Grant Greabell, who average a combined 46 points per game, were held to just 27 combined in the loss.

“We sort of knew most of their sets, and we had 10 different plays that they run that we walked through in our gym before coming over,” Scottsdale Christian coach Bob Fredericks said.

Estrella also struggled from 3-point range, where it was just 5 of 19, and made only 4 of 8 from the free-throw line. Three of those misses came in the fourth quarter when the Wolves were trying to mount a comeback.

“I think shot-chart wise, it was pretty balanced,” Gutwein said. “In the third and fourth quarters, we had shots in the paint and we just couldn’t convert — and we missed free throws. You kind of look at a few of those things being different and it’s a different game.”

Estrella never led, falling behind 5-0 early and playing catchup the rest of the way. Scottsdale Christian’s Reed Myers hit a 3-pointer with five seconds left in the first quarter to make it 15-10, and it was more than a onepossession game all the way until the final 12 seconds.

Estrella trailed 22-16 at the half and 31-24 after three quarters. Gutwein said he was upbeat at halftime, thinking his team would go on one of its patented offensive runs at some point.

“We shot 20-some percent in the first half and I just told the guys, we’re down six and we did not score the ball well,” Gutwein said. “I thought the shots would start falling, and they never did.

“I think that, combined with the fact that we didn’t help ourselves out by free throws and shots in the paint — we just missed entirely too many of those opportunities.”

Estrella’s biggest deficit was 10 points, 37-27, with 2:02 remaining in the fourth quarter. Rex Greabell answered with a 3-pointer with 1:51 to play, and Estrella tried to go for a steal on the next Scottsdale Christian possession. However, the Wolves were unsuccessful and 37 seconds came off the clock before Estrella eventually had to foul.

Westview baseball intent on changing culture

Knights surpass win total from last season in opening week

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Westview’s baseball program has taken its lumps over the years, and last year was no exception.

The Knights went 2-24 under firstyear coach John Irish, but after a p roductive offseason the Knights are r eady to charge through a culture change head on.

So far in the early going, the dividends are paying off.

The Knights opened their season with three consecutive wins, surpassing last year’s total before the calendar hit March this season. Westview beat Laveen Betty H. Fairfax 13-5, Phoenix Camelback 13-3 and Phoenix Barry Goldwater 8-2 in pool play in the Laveen Baseball Classic at Betty H. Fairfax High School Feb. 24-26.

The Knights lost to Phoenix North 5-3 in the championship round Feb. 27. Westview had a 3-2 lead after four innings, but couldn’t hang on.

“A lot of them played last year for us, getting a taste for varsity,” Irish said. “We worked really hard in the summer and they started buying into the way that we play and the way we attack things. It just started clicking and rolling from there. In the summer, we started picking up wins and all

of a sudden [they realized] it could work.”

Irish said confidence was high coming into the season, and has grown after winning three games.

“Now, the confidence is through the roof,” Irish said. “We just have to keep it rolling.”

Senior Gabe Joya said the team has a different mindset this season.

“We put in the work all summer and it’s showing out here,” Joya said. “It’s just a whole different vibe now. This is my third year. Last year, you could see it changing, and now there’s a big difference. Everyone is believing in what we’re doing.”

The Knights have shrugged off early jitters in games, Joya said.

View photo by Ray Thomas

RICKY ROBINSON, right, of Estrella Foothills has the ball knocked away by Scottsdale Christian’s Reed Myers during the Division III state championship game Feb. 27 at Gila River Arena in Glendale. The Wolves trailed the entire game, losing 40-35.

BOYS BASKETBALL

It was 38-30 when Brown scored inside to cut the deficit to six points, but again Estrella tried to steal rather than foul immediately. This time, 15 seconds ran off the clock before the foul.

“I don’t think I would have done it differently,” Gutwein said. “I thought we put ourselves in position to potentially squeak something out, when we really didn’t play well enough to get there.”

Scottsdale Christian’s Ethan Espry missed the front end of the one-and-one, and the Wolves came down and got a 3-pointer from Brown to make it 38-35 with 12 seconds remaining. The inbounds pass came in to Myers, and this time he was fouled immediately. Gutwein was actually looking for his team to go for a steal again, rather than put the Eagles on the free-throw line.

“We didn’t have a timeout there, it’s not really the kid’s fault there, it’s instinct, that’s what we were kind of preaching to them in that situation,” Gutwein said. “We didn’t have a timeout to go over what we wanted to do, but typically we would want to guard for a little bit and see if we can turn them over, then foul.”

Myers made both free throws, making it a two-possession game with 10 seconds left. Estrella then missed a 3-pointer and time ran out.

“The effort was outstanding,” Gutwein said. “We were just off offensively and we started pressing and double teaming, and they did a good job of handling it. It was just kind of a frustrating night overall.”

The Wolves went 27-4 and got to the state championship game for the fourth time in school history. The last time was 2010, when Estrella capped a run of three state titles in a row by beating Eager Round Valley.

“Great season, and it was just a privilege to coach these guys,” Gutwein said. “This was a senior group I’ve had for four years and they’ve invested so much in the program, they deserved a year like this. They got to the position where they had a chance to win a state title, so I was proud of their effort. They’re hurting right now.”

Semifinals

Estrella was tested early against No. 4 Winslow in the semifinals Feb. 26, but grabbed the lead in the second quarter and never relinquished it in a 57-42 victory.

The Wolves scored just eight points in the opening eight minutes, but went on a 7-0 run to start the second quarter, building a 24-16 halftime advantage.

“We weathered the storm,” Gutwein said. “We knew the crowd was going to be heavy in their favor. It was kind of the first half we expected, to have maybe a little bit of a grind in the first quarter, and then we got more into a rhythm. I was proud of the kids. Their battle through adversity, throughout the game, was outstanding.”

Estrella pushed its lead to 15 points in the first three minutes of the second half, as Grant Greabell got hot from beyond the arc. Greabell hit 3-pointers on three consecutive trips down the court, making it 33-18.

“I don’t know if that was something we wanted to do explicitly out of halftime,” Gutwein said. “We thought we had opportunities inside and out, but Grant has that capability, he has that in him and I thought it was great. It was quite a performance at an important time.”

Grant Greabell finished with a teamleading 19 points and was 4 of 6 from downtown. Brown added 16 points and Rex Greabell had 12.

The Wolves also played solid defense, holding Winslow to just 22.1 percent shooting (15 of 68).

“We have to guard, especially when you’re in that type of environment, you have to rely on your defense, and I thought we really guarded well,” Gutwein said.

Quarterfinals

Estrella looked impressive in beating No. 9 Yuma Cibola 69-55 during the quarterfinals Feb. 25

“We’ve been winning ballgames, but not necessarily performing the way we want to,” Gutwein said. “Tonight, I think we kind of saw a complete effort. We really guarded well, shot it well, made big plays. I thought it was a nice, complete effort.”

Rex Greabell scored 28 points on 12 of 22 shooting, while Grant Greabell had 17 points and Brown added 16.

Where the Wolves really battered Cibola was on the boards. Estrella outrebounded the Raiders 43-26, including a 17-9 advantage on the offensive glass. Sammy Harris led the team with 10 rebounds, including four offensive ones.

“Awesome,” Gutwein said of Harris. “We really needed some second-chance opportunities, and he really provided a spark. He’s been doing a great job all year with that.”

Harris said the team came out with a lot of emotion and intensity.

“It fired me up and I came out and did my thing,” Harris said. “You just got to squeeze on in there, stick your butt on the guy and box him out.”

The Wolves never trailed, and led by as many as 23 early in the fourth quarter. The killer run came in the third quarter, when Estrella scored the first 11 points of the second half. It turned a nine-point lead into a 20-point advantage.

“We always talk about the first four minutes of the third quarter being critical, and we put together some nice offensive sequences, and we guarded there, too,” Gutwein said.

Estrella had to deal with heavy ball pressure from Cibola in the first quarter, but the Wolves were able to maneuver through it rather easily.

“They were pressuring us out there, and Ricky did a great job of breaking the press, getting us into stuff, and we got a lot of points in transition,” Rex Greabell said.

Robinson had nine assists.

View photo by Ray Thomas

SAMMY HARRIS, right, of Estrella Foothills drives to the hoop against Scottsdale Christian in the Division III state championship Feb. 27 at Gila River Arena in Glendale. The Wolves struggled offensively in a 40-35 loss.

Tolleson aims for postseason return

by Shane McOwen sports writer

View photo by Ray Thomas

LENNY WALKER of Tolleson slides to make

season. Walker struck out in the bottom of the seventh against Apache Junction Feb. 26, but the ball was dropped by the catcher, whose throw to first went into right field and allowed the Wolverines to plate two runs and win the game. Tolleson went 2-2 in its season-opening Wayne DesCombes Preseason Tournament.

Lady Tigers ousted in quarterfinals

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Millennium girls basketball’s quest to redeem the 2015 state championship game loss ended Tuesday, as the Lady Tigers fell to Phoenix Desert Vista in the Division I quarterfinals 42-35 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe.

The Lady Tigers built a nine-point lead midway through the second quarter, but ran out of gas in the second half.

“We didn’t play well enough,” Millennium coach Cory Rojeck said. “It comes down to we weren’t good enough today. No individual bears that loss. As a team, we weren’t good enough.”

The Lady Tigers had a tough time on the offensive side of the court, averaging 33.5 points in two playoff games.

Desert Vista went 5 of 6 from the freethrow line down the stretch to ice the game.

Freshman Dominique Phillips led the Lady Tigers with 10 points. Senior Raina Perez scored nine and senior Adriana Zelaya had six.

Successful run

Rojeck said he would have liked to send off his seniors on a better note, but was proud of the girls’ four-year run that included a state-title appearance last season.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

“We got a lot of good looks. I think those are looks that we made all year,” Rojeck said. “In the playoffs, we didn’t.”

In the third quarter, Millennium had multiple possessions in a row that resulted in either a post shot or layup, but each rimmed out.

“We missed about six point-blank layups,” Rojeck said. “Today’s looks were good, it was everything we expected. We wanted to get the ball down low, we thought the blocks would be open. We had a good, concerted effort getting it there, we just didn’t finish.”

Desert Vista grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter and spread the floor, trying to take up as much time as possible. That action put a lot of pressure on Millennium’s bigs. The Lady Thunder lineup of five guards proved to be too quick.

“Once they took the lead with a couple minutes left, it forced us out of our game plan,” Rojeck said. “They’re all guards, and we wanted to play big. We knew they were going to spread and stall. We didn’t want to guard them all over the floor, but it forced our hand and we had to come out. It was 37-33 when we had to start fouling.”

“I really enjoyed coaching [the seniors] the last four years,” Rojeck said. “We had a lot of great moments together and a few tough losses. I was hoping for a better result today, but we didn’t get it. At the end of the day, it doesn’t change the way I feel about any of these girls.”

The Lady Tigers will graduate eight seniors. The class leaves with four 20-win seasons in four years.

“I love them to death as students and players,” Rojeck said.

Seniors Perez and Zelaya will continue their careers at the next level for Northern Arizona University and Monmouth University, respectively.

Millennium will return five varsity players next season, including Phillips, the team’s second leading scorer.

“We have a good group coming back,” Rojeck said. “We’re saying goodbye to a very good group of seniors, but the girls coming up, our JV team went 18-0, freshman team went 14-4, and we had three freshmen on this year’s varsity. I expect them to play a very big role for us next year.”

Rojeck said this year’s freshman class reminded him of the exiting senior class.

“I expect a lot more good moments,” Rojeck said. “Today wasn’t a great one. Hopefully, for the younger girls, it fuels their fire a little bit experiencing a tough playoff loss.”

View photo by Jordan Christopher

ADRIANA ZELAYA, 1, of Millennium goes up for a shot against Desert Vista’s Toni Davis. The Lady Tigers had a 15-7 first-quarter lead against Desert Vista Feb. 23, but lost the second-round Division I state playoff game at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe 42-35.

Lady Tigers ousted in quarterfinals

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Millennium girls basketball’s quest to redeem the 2015 state championship game loss ended Tuesday, as the Lady Tigers fell to Phoenix Desert Vista in the Division I quarterfinals 42-35 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe.

The Lady Tigers built a nine-point lead midway through the second quarter, but ran out of gas in the second half.

“We didn’t play well enough,” Millennium coach Cory Rojeck said. “It comes down to we weren’t good enough today. No individual bears that loss. As a team, we weren’t good enough.”

The Lady Tigers had a tough time on the offensive side of the court, averaging 33.5 points in two playoff games.

Desert Vista went 5 of 6 from the freethrow line down the stretch to ice the game.

Freshman Dominique Phillips led the Lady Tigers with 10 points. Senior Raina Perez scored nine and senior Adriana Zelaya had six.

Successful run

Rojeck said he would have liked to send off his seniors on a better note, but was proud of the girls’ four-year run that included a state-title appearance last season.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

“We got a lot of good looks. I think those are looks that we made all year,” Rojeck said. “In the playoffs, we didn’t.”

In the third quarter, Millennium had multiple possessions in a row that resulted in either a post shot or layup, but each rimmed out.

“We missed about six point-blank layups,” Rojeck said. “Today’s looks were good, it was everything we expected. We wanted to get the ball down low, we thought the blocks would be open. We had a good, concerted effort getting it there, we just didn’t finish.”

Desert Vista grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter and spread the floor, trying to take up as much time as possible. That action put a lot of pressure on Millennium’s bigs. The Lady Thunder lineup of five guards proved to be too quick.

“Once they took the lead with a couple minutes left, it forced us out of our game plan,” Rojeck said. “They’re all guards, and we wanted to play big. We knew they were going to spread and stall. We didn’t want to guard them all over the floor, but it forced our hand and we had to come out. It was 37-33 when we had to start fouling.”

“I really enjoyed coaching [the seniors] the last four years,” Rojeck said. “We had a lot of great moments together and a few tough losses. I was hoping for a better result today, but we didn’t get it. At the end of the day, it doesn’t change the way I feel about any of these girls.”

The Lady Tigers will graduate eight seniors. The class leaves with four 20-win seasons in four years.

“I love them to death as students and players,” Rojeck said.

Seniors Perez and Zelaya will continue their careers at the next level for Northern Arizona University and Monmouth University, respectively.

Millennium will return five varsity players next season, including Phillips, the team’s second leading scorer.

“We have a good group coming back,” Rojeck said. “We’re saying goodbye to a very good group of seniors, but the girls coming up, our JV team went 18-0, freshman team went 14-4, and we had three freshmen on this year’s varsity. I expect them to play a very big role for us next year.”

Rojeck said this year’s freshman class reminded him of the exiting senior class.

“I expect a lot more good moments,” Rojeck said. “Today wasn’t a great one. Hopefully, for the younger girls, it fuels their fire a little bit experiencing a tough playoff loss.”

View photo by Jordan Christopher

ADRIANA ZELAYA, 1, of Millennium goes up for a shot against Desert Vista’s Toni Davis. The Lady Tigers had a 15-7 first-quarter lead against Desert Vista Feb. 23, but lost the second-round Division I state playoff game at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe 42-35.

Lady Tigers ousted in quarterfinals

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Millennium girls basketball’s quest to redeem the 2015 state championship game loss ended Tuesday, as the Lady Tigers fell to Phoenix Desert Vista in the Division I quarterfinals 42-35 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe.

The Lady Tigers built a nine-point lead midway through the second quarter, but ran out of gas in the second half.

“We didn’t play well enough,” Millennium coach Cory Rojeck said. “It comes down to we weren’t good enough today. No individual bears that loss. As a team, we weren’t good enough.”

The Lady Tigers had a tough time on the offensive side of the court, averaging 33.5 points in two playoff games.

Desert Vista went 5 of 6 from the freethrow line down the stretch to ice the game.

Freshman Dominique Phillips led the Lady Tigers with 10 points. Senior Raina Perez scored nine and senior Adriana Zelaya had six.

Successful run

Rojeck said he would have liked to send off his seniors on a better note, but was proud of the girls’ four-year run that included a state-title appearance last season.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

“We got a lot of good looks. I think those are looks that we made all year,” Rojeck said. “In the playoffs, we didn’t.”

In the third quarter, Millennium had multiple possessions in a row that resulted in either a post shot or layup, but each rimmed out.

“We missed about six point-blank layups,” Rojeck said. “Today’s looks were good, it was everything we expected. We wanted to get the ball down low, we thought the blocks would be open. We had a good, concerted effort getting it there, we just didn’t finish.”

Desert Vista grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter and spread the floor, trying to take up as much time as possible. That action put a lot of pressure on Millennium’s bigs. The Lady Thunder lineup of five guards proved to be too quick.

“Once they took the lead with a couple minutes left, it forced us out of our game plan,” Rojeck said. “They’re all guards, and we wanted to play big. We knew they were going to spread and stall. We didn’t want to guard them all over the floor, but it forced our hand and we had to come out. It was 37-33 when we had to start fouling.”

“I really enjoyed coaching [the seniors] the last four years,” Rojeck said. “We had a lot of great moments together and a few tough losses. I was hoping for a better result today, but we didn’t get it. At the end of the day, it doesn’t change the way I feel about any of these girls.”

The Lady Tigers will graduate eight seniors. The class leaves with four 20-win seasons in four years.

“I love them to death as students and players,” Rojeck said.

Seniors Perez and Zelaya will continue their careers at the next level for Northern Arizona University and Monmouth University, respectively.

Millennium will return five varsity players next season, including Phillips, the team’s second leading scorer.

“We have a good group coming back,” Rojeck said. “We’re saying goodbye to a very good group of seniors, but the girls coming up, our JV team went 18-0, freshman team went 14-4, and we had three freshmen on this year’s varsity. I expect them to play a very big role for us next year.”

Rojeck said this year’s freshman class reminded him of the exiting senior class.

“I expect a lot more good moments,” Rojeck said. “Today wasn’t a great one. Hopefully, for the younger girls, it fuels their fire a little bit experiencing a tough playoff loss.”

View photo by Jordan Christopher

ADRIANA ZELAYA, 1, of Millennium goes up for a shot against Desert Vista’s Toni Davis. The Lady Tigers had a 15-7 first-quarter lead against Desert Vista Feb. 23, but lost the second-round Division I state playoff game at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe 42-35.

Lady Tigers ousted in quarterfinals

by Shane McOwen sports writer

Millennium girls basketball’s quest to redeem the 2015 state championship game loss ended Tuesday, as the Lady Tigers fell to Phoenix Desert Vista in the Division I quarterfinals 42-35 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe.

The Lady Tigers built a nine-point lead midway through the second quarter, but ran out of gas in the second half.

“We didn’t play well enough,” Millennium coach Cory Rojeck said. “It comes down to we weren’t good enough today. No individual bears that loss. As a team, we weren’t good enough.”

The Lady Tigers had a tough time on the offensive side of the court, averaging 33.5 points in two playoff games.

Desert Vista went 5 of 6 from the freethrow line down the stretch to ice the game.

Freshman Dominique Phillips led the Lady Tigers with 10 points. Senior Raina Perez scored nine and senior Adriana Zelaya had six.

Successful run

Rojeck said he would have liked to send off his seniors on a better note, but was proud of the girls’ four-year run that included a state-title appearance last season.

GIRLS

BASKETBALL

“We got a lot of good looks. I think those are looks that we made all year,” Rojeck said. “In the playoffs, we didn’t.”

In the third quarter, Millennium had multiple possessions in a row that resulted in either a post shot or layup, but each rimmed out.

“We missed about six point-blank layups,” Rojeck said. “Today’s looks were good, it was everything we expected. We wanted to get the ball down low, we thought the blocks would be open. We had a good, concerted effort getting it there, we just didn’t finish.”

Desert Vista grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter and spread the floor, trying to take up as much time as possible. That action put a lot of pressure on Millennium’s bigs. The Lady Thunder lineup of five guards proved to be too quick.

“Once they took the lead with a couple minutes left, it forced us out of our game plan,” Rojeck said. “They’re all guards, and we wanted to play big. We knew they were going to spread and stall. We didn’t want to guard them all over the floor, but it forced our hand and we had to come out. It was 37-33 when we had to start fouling.”

“I really enjoyed coaching [the seniors] the last four years,” Rojeck said. “We had a lot of great moments together and a few tough losses. I was hoping for a better result today, but we didn’t get it. At the end of the day, it doesn’t change the way I feel about any of these girls.”

The Lady Tigers will graduate eight seniors. The class leaves with four 20-win seasons in four years.

“I love them to death as students and players,” Rojeck said.

Seniors Perez and Zelaya will continue their careers at the next level for Northern Arizona University and Monmouth University, respectively.

Millennium will return five varsity players next season, including Phillips, the team’s second leading scorer.

“We have a good group coming back,” Rojeck said. “We’re saying goodbye to a very good group of seniors, but the girls coming up, our JV team went 18-0, freshman team went 14-4, and we had three freshmen on this year’s varsity. I expect them to play a very big role for us next year.”

Rojeck said this year’s freshman class reminded him of the exiting senior class.

“I expect a lot more good moments,” Rojeck said. “Today wasn’t a great one. Hopefully, for the younger girls, it fuels their fire a little bit experiencing a tough playoff loss.”

View photo by Jordan Christopher

ADRIANA ZELAYA, 1, of Millennium goes up for a shot against Desert Vista’s Toni Davis. The Lady Tigers had a 15-7 first-quarter lead against Desert Vista Feb. 23, but lost the second-round Division I state playoff game at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe 42-35.

Chance at state semifinals eludes Hawks

Last-second misses foil Buckeye

by Casey Pritchard sports editor

Buckeye narrowly missed a Division IV state semifinal appearance. The thirdseeded Hawks lost to No. 6 Queen Creek American Leadership 56-55 Feb. 25 at Prescott Valley Event Center in Prescott Valley.

Buckeye (26-5) had a chance to win in the final seconds, but Devante Brown couldn’t convert inside as he was fouled. Brown then missed both free throws, ending the game and Buckeye’s season.

“We had our opportunities to win; that’s all you can ask for when it comes down to something like that,” Buckeye coach Randy Bland said.

Buckeye had a 10-point lead early against American Leadership, but struggled after the Patriots started applying full-court pressure.

“They went into this press and we went into turnover mode,” Bland said. “For some reason this year, we just can’t handle the press.”

Buckeye fell behind by 10 points with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter before mounting a comeback. The Hawks took a one-point lead with 25 seconds remaining, but couldn’t hang on.

“We played hard, competed, their intensity level was just a little bit higher,” Bland said.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Brown’s attempt at the game-winning shot came from an out of bounds play on the baseline.

“He got open, cut to the basket and got fouled by [Donovan Hanna],” Bland said. Despite missing both free throws, Bland said Brown wanted the ball in his hands at the end.

“He wanted the last shot; I know he was very adamant about taking the last shot at the end of the game,” Bland said. “He got open and had an opportunity to seize the moment. He’s a senior, he’s been here for four years, he was a four-year starter, so we gave it to him and said, why not, put it on his shoulders.”

Brown was the team’s “glue guy” all year, Bland said.

“He made sure everything worked, he was our finisher,” Bland said. “When we needed something, he took care of it. This time he didn’t come through, but it’s a learning lesson for when he moves to the next level. That will be his motivation in the summer to get better. That’s how I look at it.”

The game’s tip-off was at 9 a.m., meaning Buckeye had to leave school at 5:15 a.m. Classes don’t start at Buckeye until 8:30 a.m.

“There’s still no excuse because [American Leadership] had to do the same thing; they were coming from Phoenix [area], too,” Bland said. “It came down to the last shot. If we make it, we’re in the final four, but it’s been a learning experience for Buckeye to know how we have to compete every day and every second. We can’t be inconsistent with our intensity and effort.”

Making the state quarterfinals is a far cry from where the Hawks were three seasons ago. In 2013, Buckeye won just four games. The year after, it went 0-22. In Bland’s two seasons at the helm, Buckeye is 37-18.

“It’s just a building block,” Bland said of the season. “We’re building the foundation and changing the culture here. The culture was a little bit different before I got here two years ago. We’re turning it around and I’m excited for the freshmen and sophomores I have coming in; they’re extremely talented. We’ll be competitive.”

Casey Pritchard can be reached at caseypritchard@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @CaseyonSports.

View photo by Ray Thomas

DEVANTE BROWN, 23, of Buckeye goes up for a shot against Yuma Catholic earlier this year. Brown had an opportunity to help the Hawks beat American Leadership at the end of the game in the Division IV state quarterfinals.

Chance at state semifinals eludes Hawks

Last-second misses foil Buckeye

by Casey Pritchard sports editor

Buckeye narrowly missed a Division IV state semifinal appearance. The thirdseeded Hawks lost to No. 6 Queen Creek American Leadership 56-55 Feb. 25 at Prescott Valley Event Center in Prescott Valley.

Buckeye (26-5) had a chance to win in the final seconds, but Devante Brown couldn’t convert inside as he was fouled. Brown then missed both free throws, ending the game and Buckeye’s season.

“We had our opportunities to win; that’s all you can ask for when it comes down to something like that,” Buckeye coach Randy Bland said.

Buckeye had a 10-point lead early against American Leadership, but struggled after the Patriots started applying full-court pressure.

“They went into this press and we went into turnover mode,” Bland said. “For some reason this year, we just can’t handle the press.”

Buckeye fell behind by 10 points with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter before mounting a comeback. The Hawks took a one-point lead with 25 seconds remaining, but couldn’t hang on.

“We played hard, competed, their intensity level was just a little bit higher,” Bland said.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Brown’s attempt at the game-winning shot came from an out of bounds play on the baseline.

“He got open, cut to the basket and got fouled by [Donovan Hanna],” Bland said. Despite missing both free throws, Bland said Brown wanted the ball in his hands at the end.

“He wanted the last shot; I know he was very adamant about taking the last shot at the end of the game,” Bland said. “He got open and had an opportunity to seize the moment. He’s a senior, he’s been here for four years, he was a four-year starter, so we gave it to him and said, why not, put it on his shoulders.”

Brown was the team’s “glue guy” all year, Bland said.

“He made sure everything worked, he was our finisher,” Bland said. “When we needed something, he took care of it. This time he didn’t come through, but it’s a learning lesson for when he moves to the next level. That will be his motivation in the summer to get better. That’s how I look at it.”

The game’s tip-off was at 9 a.m., meaning Buckeye had to leave school at 5:15 a.m. Classes don’t start at Buckeye until 8:30 a.m.

“There’s still no excuse because [American Leadership] had to do the same thing; they were coming from Phoenix [area], too,” Bland said. “It came down to the last shot. If we make it, we’re in the final four, but it’s been a learning experience for Buckeye to know how we have to compete every day and every second. We can’t be inconsistent with our intensity and effort.”

Making the state quarterfinals is a far cry from where the Hawks were three seasons ago. In 2013, Buckeye won just four games. The year after, it went 0-22. In Bland’s two seasons at the helm, Buckeye is 37-18.

“It’s just a building block,” Bland said of the season. “We’re building the foundation and changing the culture here. The culture was a little bit different before I got here two years ago. We’re turning it around and I’m excited for the freshmen and sophomores I have coming in; they’re extremely talented. We’ll be competitive.”

Casey Pritchard can be reached at caseypritchard@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @CaseyonSports.

View photo by Ray Thomas

DEVANTE BROWN, 23, of Buckeye goes up for a shot against Yuma Catholic earlier this year. Brown had an opportunity to help the Hawks beat American Leadership at the end of the game in the Division IV state quarterfinals.

Chance at state semifinals eludes Hawks

Last-second misses foil Buckeye

by Casey Pritchard sports editor

Buckeye narrowly missed a Division IV state semifinal appearance. The thirdseeded Hawks lost to No. 6 Queen Creek American Leadership 56-55 Feb. 25 at Prescott Valley Event Center in Prescott Valley.

Buckeye (26-5) had a chance to win in the final seconds, but Devante Brown couldn’t convert inside as he was fouled. Brown then missed both free throws, ending the game and Buckeye’s season.

“We had our opportunities to win; that’s all you can ask for when it comes down to something like that,” Buckeye coach Randy Bland said.

Buckeye had a 10-point lead early against American Leadership, but struggled after the Patriots started applying full-court pressure.

“They went into this press and we went into turnover mode,” Bland said. “For some reason this year, we just can’t handle the press.”

Buckeye fell behind by 10 points with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter before mounting a comeback. The Hawks took a one-point lead with 25 seconds remaining, but couldn’t hang on.

“We played hard, competed, their intensity level was just a little bit higher,” Bland said.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Brown’s attempt at the game-winning shot came from an out of bounds play on the baseline.

“He got open, cut to the basket and got fouled by [Donovan Hanna],” Bland said. Despite missing both free throws, Bland said Brown wanted the ball in his hands at the end.

“He wanted the last shot; I know he was very adamant about taking the last shot at the end of the game,” Bland said. “He got open and had an opportunity to seize the moment. He’s a senior, he’s been here for four years, he was a four-year starter, so we gave it to him and said, why not, put it on his shoulders.”

Brown was the team’s “glue guy” all year, Bland said.

“He made sure everything worked, he was our finisher,” Bland said. “When we needed something, he took care of it. This time he didn’t come through, but it’s a learning lesson for when he moves to the next level. That will be his motivation in the summer to get better. That’s how I look at it.”

The game’s tip-off was at 9 a.m., meaning Buckeye had to leave school at 5:15 a.m. Classes don’t start at Buckeye until 8:30 a.m.

“There’s still no excuse because [American Leadership] had to do the same thing; they were coming from Phoenix [area], too,” Bland said. “It came down to the last shot. If we make it, we’re in the final four, but it’s been a learning experience for Buckeye to know how we have to compete every day and every second. We can’t be inconsistent with our intensity and effort.”

Making the state quarterfinals is a far cry from where the Hawks were three seasons ago. In 2013, Buckeye won just four games. The year after, it went 0-22. In Bland’s two seasons at the helm, Buckeye is 37-18.

“It’s just a building block,” Bland said of the season. “We’re building the foundation and changing the culture here. The culture was a little bit different before I got here two years ago. We’re turning it around and I’m excited for the freshmen and sophomores I have coming in; they’re extremely talented. We’ll be competitive.”

Casey Pritchard can be reached at caseypritchard@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @CaseyonSports.

View photo by Ray Thomas

DEVANTE BROWN, 23, of Buckeye goes up for a shot against Yuma Catholic earlier this year. Brown had an opportunity to help the Hawks beat American Leadership at the end of the game in the Division IV state quarterfinals.

Chance at state semifinals eludes Hawks

Last-second misses foil Buckeye

by Casey Pritchard sports editor

Buckeye narrowly missed a Division IV state semifinal appearance. The thirdseeded Hawks lost to No. 6 Queen Creek American Leadership 56-55 Feb. 25 at Prescott Valley Event Center in Prescott Valley.

Buckeye (26-5) had a chance to win in the final seconds, but Devante Brown couldn’t convert inside as he was fouled. Brown then missed both free throws, ending the game and Buckeye’s season.

“We had our opportunities to win; that’s all you can ask for when it comes down to something like that,” Buckeye coach Randy Bland said.

Buckeye had a 10-point lead early against American Leadership, but struggled after the Patriots started applying full-court pressure.

“They went into this press and we went into turnover mode,” Bland said. “For some reason this year, we just can’t handle the press.”

Buckeye fell behind by 10 points with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter before mounting a comeback. The Hawks took a one-point lead with 25 seconds remaining, but couldn’t hang on.

“We played hard, competed, their intensity level was just a little bit higher,” Bland said.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Brown’s attempt at the game-winning shot came from an out of bounds play on the baseline.

“He got open, cut to the basket and got fouled by [Donovan Hanna],” Bland said. Despite missing both free throws, Bland said Brown wanted the ball in his hands at the end.

“He wanted the last shot; I know he was very adamant about taking the last shot at the end of the game,” Bland said. “He got open and had an opportunity to seize the moment. He’s a senior, he’s been here for four years, he was a four-year starter, so we gave it to him and said, why not, put it on his shoulders.”

Brown was the team’s “glue guy” all year, Bland said.

“He made sure everything worked, he was our finisher,” Bland said. “When we needed something, he took care of it. This time he didn’t come through, but it’s a learning lesson for when he moves to the next level. That will be his motivation in the summer to get better. That’s how I look at it.”

The game’s tip-off was at 9 a.m., meaning Buckeye had to leave school at 5:15 a.m. Classes don’t start at Buckeye until 8:30 a.m.

“There’s still no excuse because [American Leadership] had to do the same thing; they were coming from Phoenix [area], too,” Bland said. “It came down to the last shot. If we make it, we’re in the final four, but it’s been a learning experience for Buckeye to know how we have to compete every day and every second. We can’t be inconsistent with our intensity and effort.”

Making the state quarterfinals is a far cry from where the Hawks were three seasons ago. In 2013, Buckeye won just four games. The year after, it went 0-22. In Bland’s two seasons at the helm, Buckeye is 37-18.

“It’s just a building block,” Bland said of the season. “We’re building the foundation and changing the culture here. The culture was a little bit different before I got here two years ago. We’re turning it around and I’m excited for the freshmen and sophomores I have coming in; they’re extremely talented. We’ll be competitive.”

Casey Pritchard can be reached at caseypritchard@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @CaseyonSports.

View photo by Ray Thomas

DEVANTE BROWN, 23, of Buckeye goes up for a shot against Yuma Catholic earlier this year. Brown had an opportunity to help the Hawks beat American Leadership at the end of the game in the Division IV state quarterfinals.

Aims

(From Page B3)

to get back to the tournament, Tolleson coach Scott Richardson said.

“I was disappointed,” Richardson said. “These guys have been talking about it since the day they turned in the gear last year. [Making the playoffs] is our expectation every year. The bar had been set pretty high by some of the kids we’ve had in our program in the past.”

The Wolverines opened the 2016 season in the Wayne DesCombes Preseason Tournament Feb. 24-26, winning their pool and going 2-2. Tolleson beat Phoenix Paradise Valley 5-1 in the opener and Apache Junction 9-8 on a wild finish.

In the bottom of the seventh, Lenny Walker was called out on strikes, but the umpire ruled Apache Junction catcher Prescott Horn didn’t secure the ball long enough before dropping it to the ground. Horn fired to first to try to throw Walker out, but the ball ended up going past the first baseman and into right field. Both runners aboard scored to give Tolleson the win.

“I’m glad for our guys, but I feel bad for their kids,” Richardson said. “I hate for it to end that way. You start thinking back to how many games you lost in your life that you felt you really deserved to win. You just hate to do it that way. The kid made a good pitch. The catcher, in the umpire’s vision, in his excitement, didn’t secure the ball. He still had a chance to pick it up and throw him out and the game’s over.”

Tolleson lost the tournament semifinal to Verrado, 12-8. The Wolverines scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a big deficit.

“We’ve had a couple hiccups this weekend, but that’s what it’s about, that’s why you have a preseason tournament,” Richardson said. “We’ll get back to work next week and try to make some corrections and keep getting better. Our goal is to make sure we’re ready to go by April, not by March. We’ll evaluate and go from there.”

Richardson thinks the team is in a good position in the early going, he said.

“Overall, we’re happy to be where we’re at now,” Richardson said.

D. J. Wyman threw a complete game to earn Tolleson’s first win, striking out nine Trojans. The offense also came through, piecing together runs off Paradise Valley’s ace, who’s committed to Wake Forest University.

“We faced a really, really good arm,” Richardson said. “It was a good test for us and our guys battled.”

The Wolverines got some good news for the future in the Feb. 26 game against Apache Junction as well. Senior Diego Padilla got the start and threw five innings. Padilla missed the entirety of last season because of open-heart surgery.

“I felt great,” Padilla said. “It had been a while since I’d been back on the mound.”

Padilla was effective and left the game with the lead. He battled through a tough third inning, where he gave up backto-back doubles, but managed to keep Apache Junction from blowing the inning open.

“Diego had a couple of hiccups here and there, but overall, we’re real happy,” Richardson said. “I didn’t know if he was going to make it through the third, but allin-all, it worked out. He had great support from his teammates.”

Richardson said the team’s makeup should breed success this season.

“We have some young kids and they play hard, do the right thing on and off the field,” Richardson said. “That’s what our goal is right now. We’re trying to make a push toward high character kids, and we like our guys right now for sure.”

Padilla thinks the team will earn a spot in the playoffs, he said.

“I feel like we’re a strong team and we’ll get far this year,” Padilla said. “We’re a good team, and we’re like family.”

Tolleson has nine days off before its next game, when it will host Phoenix Greenway at 6 p.m. March. 8.

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

(From Page B1)

“We’ve come [from] being shaky and nervous to believing we’re one of the best teams out here,” Joya said.

The Knights are making sure the talk of improvement isn’t just lip service. Irish holds the team to a higher standard than it has had in the past, from the freshman level through varsity, he said.

“One thing we do at every practice is have all levels do their individual drills together,” Irish said. “The upperclassmen teaching the [under] classmen.”

Irish said it’s instilled a level of accountability across the entire program.

“A lot of guys on the varsity level are taking pride in teaching the other kids,” Irish said. “If they’re catching the ball over the wrong shoulders, or feeding it the wrong way, [they let them know] and they buy into it.”

“We don’t strike out like we did last year,” Irish said. “That’s made everything work a lot easier. We’re putting the ball in play.

“We have decent speed, so we put the ball in play and force them to play defense; it makes it tough on them. The pitcher gets tight and they leave one fat, and we hit it hard.”

The Knights will continue to be aggressive on the base paths all season.

“We put pressure on the defense to make the right throw,” Irish said. “If you don’t make that throw, we’re going to advance on you.”

Irish said the team’s goal before the season was simple: win.

“When these guys came in, we sat down to our team meeting and voted for our captains. Their big goal was we’re going to win. That was the big thing we put on the board, having everyone buy into that.”

One of the biggest weaknesses Westview had a season ago was fielding. The team has worked to clean that up, and the rewards have carried over to other aspects of the game.

“That was kind of our test [Friday],” Irish said. “We did make an error, but we didn’t let it balloon into a big inning. We gave them one and got out of it. Last year, it was a situation where there would be an error and then we’d make two or three more and give up a big inning out if it.”

Westview has also jumped off to a good start at the plate. The Knights scored 34 runs in the first three games. Westview scored two runs in its first three games last season.

“When these guys came in, we sat down to our team meeting and voted for our captains,” Irish said. “Their big goal was we’re going to win. That was the big thing we put on the board, having everyone buy into that.”

The opening day win over Fairfax was the team’s first since 2010.

“That’s the culture we’re trying to overcome,” Irish said. “When the top level works well, then it energizes the lower level. Now, there’s an expectation that when you get to the top, you’re supposed to win.

Westview played Phoenix Paradise Valley in its home opener Tuesday. The result was not available at press time. The Knights resume action against Glendale Raymond S. Kellis at 3:45 p.m. today at home, and away against Surprise Valley Vista at 3:45 Friday. Shane McOwen can be reached at smcowen@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @ShaneMcOwen.

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT EMPLOYEE

— John Irish Westview baseball coach

Aims

(From Page B3)

to get back to the tournament, Tolleson coach Scott Richardson said.

“I was disappointed,” Richardson said. “These guys have been talking about it since the day they turned in the gear last year. [Making the playoffs] is our expectation every year. The bar had been set pretty high by some of the kids we’ve had in our program in the past.”

The Wolverines opened the 2016 season in the Wayne DesCombes Preseason Tournament Feb. 24-26, winning their pool and going 2-2. Tolleson beat Phoenix Paradise Valley 5-1 in the opener and Apache Junction 9-8 on a wild finish.

In the bottom of the seventh, Lenny Walker was called out on strikes, but the umpire ruled Apache Junction catcher Prescott Horn didn’t secure the ball long enough before dropping it to the ground. Horn fired to first to try to throw Walker out, but the ball ended up going past the first baseman and into right field. Both runners aboard scored to give Tolleson the win.

“I’m glad for our guys, but I feel bad for their kids,” Richardson said. “I hate for it to end that way. You start thinking back to how many games you lost in your life that you felt you really deserved to win. You just hate to do it that way. The kid made a good pitch. The catcher, in the umpire’s vision, in his excitement, didn’t secure the ball. He still had a chance to pick it up and throw him out and the game’s over.”

Tolleson lost the tournament semifinal to Verrado, 12-8. The Wolverines scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a big deficit.

“We’ve had a couple hiccups this weekend, but that’s what it’s about, that’s why you have a preseason tournament,” Richardson said. “We’ll get back to work next week and try to make some corrections and keep getting better. Our goal is to make sure we’re ready to go by April, not by March. We’ll evaluate and go from there.”

Richardson thinks the team is in a good position in the early going, he said.

“Overall, we’re happy to be where we’re at now,” Richardson said.

D. J. Wyman threw a complete game to earn Tolleson’s first win, striking out nine Trojans. The offense also came through, piecing together runs off Paradise Valley’s ace, who’s committed to Wake Forest University.

“We faced a really, really good arm,” Richardson said. “It was a good test for us and our guys battled.”

The Wolverines got some good news for the future in the Feb. 26 game against Apache Junction as well. Senior Diego Padilla got the start and threw five innings. Padilla missed the entirety of last season because of open-heart surgery.

“I felt great,” Padilla said. “It had been a while since I’d been back on the mound.”

Padilla was effective and left the game with the lead. He battled through a tough third inning, where he gave up backto-back doubles, but managed to keep Apache Junction from blowing the inning open.

“Diego had a couple of hiccups here and there, but overall, we’re real happy,” Richardson said. “I didn’t know if he was going to make it through the third, but allin-all, it worked out. He had great support from his teammates.”

Richardson said the team’s makeup should breed success this season.

“We have some young kids and they play hard, do the right thing on and off the field,” Richardson said. “That’s what our goal is right now. We’re trying to make a push toward high character kids, and we like our guys right now for sure.”

Padilla thinks the team will earn a spot in the playoffs, he said.

“I feel like we’re a strong team and we’ll get far this year,” Padilla said. “We’re a good team, and we’re like family.”

Tolleson has nine days off before its next game, when it will host Phoenix Greenway at 6 p.m. March. 8.

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

(From Page B1)

“We’ve come [from] being shaky and nervous to believing we’re one of the best teams out here,” Joya said.

The Knights are making sure the talk of improvement isn’t just lip service. Irish holds the team to a higher standard than it has had in the past, from the freshman level through varsity, he said.

“One thing we do at every practice is have all levels do their individual drills together,” Irish said. “The upperclassmen teaching the [under] classmen.”

Irish said it’s instilled a level of accountability across the entire program.

“A lot of guys on the varsity level are taking pride in teaching the other kids,” Irish said. “If they’re catching the ball over the wrong shoulders, or feeding it the wrong way, [they let them know] and they buy into it.”

“We don’t strike out like we did last year,” Irish said. “That’s made everything work a lot easier. We’re putting the ball in play.

“We have decent speed, so we put the ball in play and force them to play defense; it makes it tough on them. The pitcher gets tight and they leave one fat, and we hit it hard.”

The Knights will continue to be aggressive on the base paths all season.

“We put pressure on the defense to make the right throw,” Irish said. “If you don’t make that throw, we’re going to advance on you.”

Irish said the team’s goal before the season was simple: win.

“When these guys came in, we sat down to our team meeting and voted for our captains. Their big goal was we’re going to win. That was the big thing we put on the board, having everyone buy into that.”

One of the biggest weaknesses Westview had a season ago was fielding. The team has worked to clean that up, and the rewards have carried over to other aspects of the game.

“That was kind of our test [Friday],” Irish said. “We did make an error, but we didn’t let it balloon into a big inning. We gave them one and got out of it. Last year, it was a situation where there would be an error and then we’d make two or three more and give up a big inning out if it.”

Westview has also jumped off to a good start at the plate. The Knights scored 34 runs in the first three games. Westview scored two runs in its first three games last season.

— John Irish Westview baseball coach

“When these guys came in, we sat down to our team meeting and voted for our captains,” Irish said. “Their big goal was we’re going to win. That was the big thing we put on the board, having everyone buy into that.”

The opening day win over Fairfax was the team’s first since 2010.

“That’s the culture we’re trying to overcome,” Irish said. “When the top level works well, then it energizes the lower level. Now, there’s an expectation that when you get to the top, you’re supposed to win.

Westview played Phoenix Paradise Valley in its home opener Tuesday. The result was not available at press time.

The Knights resume action against Glendale Raymond S. Kellis at 3:45 p.m. today at home, and away against Surprise Valley Vista at 3:45 Friday.

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

Aims

(From Page B3)

to get back to the tournament, Tolleson coach Scott Richardson said.

“I was disappointed,” Richardson said. “These guys have been talking about it since the day they turned in the gear last year. [Making the playoffs] is our expectation every year. The bar had been set pretty high by some of the kids we’ve had in our program in the past.”

The Wolverines opened the 2016 season in the Wayne DesCombes Preseason Tournament Feb. 24-26, winning their pool and going 2-2. Tolleson beat Phoenix Paradise Valley 5-1 in the opener and Apache Junction 9-8 on a wild finish.

In the bottom of the seventh, Lenny Walker was called out on strikes, but the umpire ruled Apache Junction catcher Prescott Horn didn’t secure the ball long enough before dropping it to the ground. Horn fired to first to try to throw Walker out, but the ball ended up going past the first baseman and into right field. Both runners aboard scored to give Tolleson the win.

“I’m glad for our guys, but I feel bad for their kids,” Richardson said. “I hate for it to end that way. You start thinking back to how many games you lost in your life that you felt you really deserved to win. You just hate to do it that way. The kid made a good pitch. The catcher, in the umpire’s vision, in his excitement, didn’t secure the ball. He still had a chance to pick it up and throw him out and the game’s over.”

Tolleson lost the tournament semifinal to Verrado, 12-8. The Wolverines scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a big deficit.

“We’ve had a couple hiccups this weekend, but that’s what it’s about, that’s why you have a preseason tournament,” Richardson said. “We’ll get back to work next week and try to make some corrections and keep getting better. Our goal is to make sure we’re ready to go by April, not by March. We’ll evaluate and go from there.”

Richardson thinks the team is in a good position in the early going, he said.

“Overall, we’re happy to be where we’re at now,” Richardson said.

D. J. Wyman threw a complete game to earn Tolleson’s first win, striking out nine Trojans. The offense also came through, piecing together runs off Paradise Valley’s ace, who’s committed to Wake Forest University.

“We faced a really, really good arm,” Richardson said. “It was a good test for us and our guys battled.”

The Wolverines got some good news for the future in the Feb. 26 game against Apache Junction as well. Senior Diego Padilla got the start and threw five innings. Padilla missed the entirety of last season because of open-heart surgery.

“I felt great,” Padilla said. “It had been a while since I’d been back on the mound.”

Padilla was effective and left the game with the lead. He battled through a tough third inning, where he gave up backto-back doubles, but managed to keep Apache Junction from blowing the inning open.

“Diego had a couple of hiccups here and there, but overall, we’re real happy,” Richardson said. “I didn’t know if he was going to make it through the third, but allin-all, it worked out. He had great support from his teammates.”

Richardson said the team’s makeup should breed success this season.

“We have some young kids and they play hard, do the right thing on and off the field,” Richardson said. “That’s what our goal is right now. We’re trying to make a push toward high character kids, and we like our guys right now for sure.”

Padilla thinks the team will earn a spot in the playoffs, he said.

“I feel like we’re a strong team and we’ll get far this year,” Padilla said. “We’re a good team, and we’re like family.”

Tolleson has nine days off before its next game, when it will host Phoenix Greenway at 6 p.m. March. 8.

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

Intent

(From Page B1)

“We’ve come [from] being shaky and nervous to believing we’re one of the best teams out here,” Joya said.

The Knights are making sure the talk of improvement isn’t just lip service. Irish holds the team to a higher standard than it has had in the past, from the freshman level through varsity, he said.

“One thing we do at every practice is have all levels do their individual drills together,” Irish said. “The upperclassmen teaching the [under] classmen.”

Irish said it’s instilled a level of accountability across the entire program.

“A lot of guys on the varsity level are taking pride in teaching the other kids,” Irish said. “If they’re catching the ball over the wrong shoulders, or feeding it the wrong way, [they let them know] and they buy into it.”

“We don’t strike out like we did last year,” Irish said. “That’s made everything work a lot easier. We’re putting the ball in play.

“We have decent speed, so we put the ball in play and force them to play defense; it makes it tough on them. The pitcher gets tight and they leave one fat, and we hit it hard.”

The Knights will continue to be aggressive on the base paths all season.

“We put pressure on the defense to make the right throw,” Irish said. “If you don’t make that throw, we’re going to advance on you.”

Irish said the team’s goal before the season was simple: win.

“When these guys came in, we sat down to our team meeting and voted for our captains. Their big goal was we’re going to win. That was the big thing we put on the board, having everyone buy into that.”

One of the biggest weaknesses Westview had a season ago was fielding. The team has worked to clean that up, and the rewards have carried over to other aspects of the game.

“That was kind of our test [Friday],” Irish said. “We did make an error, but we didn’t let it balloon into a big inning. We gave them one and got out of it. Last year, it was a situation where there would be an error and then we’d make two or three more and give up a big inning out if it.”

Westview has also jumped off to a good start at the plate. The Knights scored 34 runs in the first three games. Westview scored two runs in its first three games last season.

— John Irish

“When these guys came in, we sat down to our team meeting and voted for our captains,” Irish said. “Their big goal was we’re going to win. That was the big thing we put on the board, having everyone buy into that.”

The opening day win over Fairfax was the team’s first since 2010.

“That’s the culture we’re trying to overcome,” Irish said. “When the top level works well, then it energizes the lower level. Now, there’s an expectation that when you get to the top, you’re supposed to win.

Westview played Phoenix Paradise Valley in its home opener Tuesday. The result was not available at press time.

The Knights resume action against Glendale Raymond S. Kellis at 3:45 p.m. today at home, and away against Surprise Valley Vista at 3:45 Friday. Shane McOwen can be reached at smcowen@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @ShaneMcOwen.

Westview baseball coach

Aims

(From Page B3)

to get back to the tournament, Tolleson coach Scott Richardson said.

“I was disappointed,” Richardson said. “These guys have been talking about it since the day they turned in the gear last year. [Making the playoffs] is our expectation every year. The bar had been set pretty high by some of the kids we’ve had in our program in the past.”

The Wolverines opened the 2016 season in the Wayne DesCombes Preseason Tournament Feb. 24-26, winning their pool and going 2-2. Tolleson beat Phoenix Paradise Valley 5-1 in the opener and Apache Junction 9-8 on a wild finish.

In the bottom of the seventh, Lenny Walker was called out on strikes, but the umpire ruled Apache Junction catcher Prescott Horn didn’t secure the ball long enough before dropping it to the ground. Horn fired to first to try to throw Walker out, but the ball ended up going past the first baseman and into right field. Both runners aboard scored to give Tolleson the win.

“I’m glad for our guys, but I feel bad for their kids,” Richardson said. “I hate for it to end that way. You start thinking back to how many games you lost in your life that you felt you really deserved to win. You just hate to do it that way. The kid made a good pitch. The catcher, in the umpire’s vision, in his excitement, didn’t secure the ball. He still had a chance to pick it up and throw him out and the game’s over.”

Tolleson lost the tournament semifinal to Verrado, 12-8. The Wolverines scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a big deficit.

“We’ve had a couple hiccups this weekend, but that’s what it’s about, that’s why you have a preseason tournament,” Richardson said. “We’ll get back to work next week and try to make some corrections and keep getting better. Our goal is to make sure we’re ready to go by April, not by March. We’ll evaluate and go from there.”

Richardson thinks the team is in a good position in the early going, he said.

“Overall, we’re happy to be where we’re at now,” Richardson said.

D. J. Wyman threw a complete game to earn Tolleson’s first win, striking out nine Trojans. The offense also came through, piecing together runs off Paradise Valley’s ace, who’s committed to Wake Forest University.

“We faced a really, really good arm,” Richardson said. “It was a good test for us and our guys battled.”

The Wolverines got some good news for the future in the Feb. 26 game against Apache Junction as well. Senior Diego Padilla got the start and threw five innings. Padilla missed the entirety of last season because of open-heart surgery.

“I felt great,” Padilla said. “It had been a while since I’d been back on the mound.”

Padilla was effective and left the game with the lead. He battled through a tough third inning, where he gave up backto-back doubles, but managed to keep Apache Junction from blowing the inning open.

“Diego had a couple of hiccups here and there, but overall, we’re real happy,” Richardson said. “I didn’t know if he was going to make it through the third, but allin-all, it worked out. He had great support from his teammates.”

Richardson said the team’s makeup should breed success this season.

“We have some young kids and they play hard, do the right thing on and off the field,” Richardson said. “That’s what our goal is right now. We’re trying to make a push toward high character kids, and we like our guys right now for sure.”

Padilla thinks the team will earn a spot in the playoffs, he said.

“I feel like we’re a strong team and we’ll get far this year,” Padilla said. “We’re a good team, and we’re like family.”

Tolleson has nine days off before its next game, when it will host Phoenix Greenway at 6 p.m. March. 8.

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

Intent

(From Page B1)

“We’ve come [from] being shaky and nervous to believing we’re one of the best teams out here,” Joya said.

The Knights are making sure the talk of improvement isn’t just lip service. Irish holds the team to a higher standard than it has had in the past, from the freshman level through varsity, he said.

“One thing we do at every practice is have all levels do their individual drills together,” Irish said. “The upperclassmen teaching the [under] classmen.”

Irish said it’s instilled a level of accountability across the entire program.

“A lot of guys on the varsity level are taking pride in teaching the other kids,” Irish said. “If they’re catching the ball over the wrong shoulders, or feeding it the wrong way, [they let them know] and they buy into it.”

“We don’t strike out like we did last year,” Irish said. “That’s made everything work a lot easier. We’re putting the ball in play.

“We have decent speed, so we put the ball in play and force them to play defense; it makes it tough on them. The pitcher gets tight and they leave one fat, and we hit it hard.”

The Knights will continue to be aggressive on the base paths all season.

“We put pressure on the defense to make the right throw,” Irish said. “If you don’t make that throw, we’re going to advance on you.”

Irish said the team’s goal before the season was simple: win.

“When these guys came in, we sat down to our team meeting and voted for our captains. Their big goal was we’re going to win. That was the big thing we put on the board, having everyone buy into that.”

One of the biggest weaknesses Westview had a season ago was fielding. The team has worked to clean that up, and the rewards have carried over to other aspects of the game.

“That was kind of our test [Friday],” Irish said. “We did make an error, but we didn’t let it balloon into a big inning. We gave them one and got out of it. Last year, it was a situation where there would be an error and then we’d make two or three more and give up a big inning out if it.”

Westview has also jumped off to a good start at the plate. The Knights scored 34 runs in the first three games. Westview scored two runs in its first three games last season.

“When these guys came in, we sat down to our team meeting and voted for our captains,” Irish said. “Their big goal was we’re going to win. That was the big thing we put on the board, having everyone buy into that.”

The opening day win over Fairfax was the team’s first since 2010.

“That’s the culture we’re trying to overcome,” Irish said. “When the top level works well, then it energizes the lower level. Now, there’s an expectation that when you get to the top, you’re supposed to win.

Westview played Phoenix Paradise Valley in its home opener Tuesday. The result was not available at press time. The Knights resume action against Glendale Raymond S. Kellis at 3:45 p.m. today at home, and away against Surprise Valley Vista at 3:45 Friday. Shane McOwen can be reached at smcowen@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @ShaneMcOwen.

— John Irish Westview baseball coach

VIAGRA!! 52 Pills for Only $99.00. Your #1 trusted provider for 10 years. Insured and Guaranteed Delivery. Call today 1-888-403-8610. (AzCAN) Announcements 10

A Place For Mom. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is free /no obligation. Call 1-800-715-1607.

XARELTO users, have you had complications due to internal bleeding (after January 2012)? If so, you may be due financial compensation. If you don’t have an attorney, call Injuryfone today! 1-800-598-6711

Help Wanted 20

ADVERTISE YOUR JOB Opening in 77 AZ newspapers. Reach more than 2 million readers for ONLY $330! Call the West Valley View at 623-535-8439 or visit: www.classifiedarizona.com. (AzCAN)

BUSSER -Great de estudiante de secundaria. La Loma Mexican Grill, Litchfield /Camelback, detras de CVS.

BUSSER -Great for high school student. La Loma Mexican Grille, Litchfield/ Camelback, behind CVS.

CAREGIVERS & DRIVERS needed immediately. We train for certification to care for special needs. Trainees start $9.00/ hour. Higher pay for experience. 14423 McDowell Road Ste G104, Goodyear. 623-547-4839

CDL DRIVERS EXPERIENCED

$$$$ vs hometime? Why?

Earn up to 50K your first year (2 yrs prior exp) AND be home every other night with a 34-hour restart each weekend!

We are not offering an easy job. Our drivers pull ocean containers on OUR brand new chassis from the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles back to the Phoenix area. If you get stressed easily and do not like to learn new things...not for you. But if you have an easy going attitude, like to know where you are going to be on any given day so you can plan your life and like to be around familiar friendly faces all the time...give me a call! Gabe 623-386-4511 X2775 www.phoenixtruckingjobs.com

Se Habla Espanol

CDL DRIVERS wanted. Bakken Oil field, ND. 40 hours / week. Starting $19.80 /hour. Merit based wage increases after 90 days $22 /hour, after 180 days $24.20 /hour. 701421-8271. www.rezcollc.com (AzCAN)

CDL Drivers. Class A or B. Must have dump truck experience. Call 623-848-6660, email valeria@grimes-trucking.com or fax resume 623-846-3312.

CITY OF LITCHFIELD PARK

Seasonal Employment

Cashiers, Lifeguards, Camp Staff The City of Litchfield Park is accepting applications for seasonal positions. Cashiers: season runs from 4/30/16 to 8/12/16, 12 to 30 hours /week, $9.30 /hour.

Recreation Aides, Recreation Leaders and Senior Recreation Leaders: season runs from 5/31/16 to 7/27/16, up to 30 hours /week, $9.05 to $10.95 /hour dependent upon position. Deadlines for applications vary. See the City’s website, www.litchfield-park.org for details or pick up an application packet at City Hall, 214 W. Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park, AZ Equal Opportunity Employer Male /Female Drug -free environment

Class A OTR drivers wanted. $0.43 per mile. Hazmat or ability to get hazmat required. We offer new equipment, medical insurance, paid vacation /holidays and 401K. Englund Equipment has been locally owned and operated since 1957. Please call 602-616-4713.

EARN $500 A -DAY: Insurance Agents needed: Leads, No Cold Calls -Commissions Paid Daily -Lifetime Renewals -Complete Training -Health & Dental Insurance -Life License Required. Call 1-888-713-6020. (AzCAN)

Experienced Housekeeper Large home in Buckeye. Must be able to read, write and communicate in English. Love animals. Valid AZ driver’s license. Provide references. Pass drug screen and background check. Authorized to work in the United States. 40 hours /week, $600 /week Call Erika 602-532-3743

FARM help -vegetables. Must have AZ drivers license. Tobacco /drug screened. Able to lift 75 pounds. Tonopah. 623-386-3033.

HAMPTON Inn -Goodyear, now accepting applications for experienced part -time Room/ Laundry Attendants. Apply in person, 2000 N. Litchfield Road.

Hickman se ha asociado con los sistemas de mano de obra a contratar 20 Producción / trabajadores Embalaje para dos plantas de producción en Buckeye / Tonopah. Tipo de empleo: -tiempo completo

$ 9.50 días, $ 10,00 turno de noche. Las posiciones son -hire temp. Una vez contratados en usted será elegible para recibir grandes beneficios de la empresa.

12 a 14 horas / día, mientras que temporal. 40 horas a la semana, cuando -tiempo completo con Hickman.

No aplicar a Hickmans. Se le enviará a nosotros! Llevamos a cabo verificaciones de antecedentes y pruebas de drogas. transporte confiable imprescindible.

Llevar a un amigo.

Trabajar juntos !!!

Aplicar Martes a viernes

7 a.m. -12 mediodía

7707 S. Highway 85 Buckeye, AZ Igualdad en el Empleo

Hickmans is partnering with Labor Systems to hire 20 Production /Packing workers for two production plants in Buckeye /Tonopah.

Employment type: Full -time

$9.50 days, $10.00 night shift. Positions are temp -hire. Once hired on you will be eligible for great company benefits.

12 to 14 hours /day while temporary. 40 hours a week when full -time with Hickman. Do not apply at Hickmans. They will send you to us! We conduct background checks and drug screens . Reliable transportation a must. Bring a friend. Work together!!!

Apply Tuesday -Friday 7 a.m. -12 noon 7707 S. Highway 85 Buckeye, AZ Equal Employment Opportunity

Labor Systems ahora contratar!

Aperturas inmediatas! Oportunidad de empleo en turno de dia!

Requisitos:Trabajar de forma rapida y seguir instrucciones. Turnos de 10 horas.

-Capacidad para levantar, empujar y tirar hasta 25 libras.

-Favor de aplicar en persona 9950 W. Van Buren, Ste. 20 Tolleson, AZ 85392 o 6601 W. Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85035 o 7707 S. Highway 85 Buckeye, AZ 85326 Somos un empleador de igualdad de oportunidades.

Labor Systems now hiring! Immediate openings!

Job opportunity on day shift! Requirements:

-Work quickly and follow instructions -10 hour shifts

-Ability to lift, push and pull up to 25 pounds.

Please apply in person at 9550 W. Van Buren, Ste. 20, Tolleson, AZ 85392 or 6601 W. Indian School Road, Ste. 36, Phoenix, AZ 85035 or 7707 S. Highway 85 Buckeye, AZ 85326

We are an equal opportunity employer.

Labor Systems is now hiring for a long term temporary Van Driver to deliver employees to and from work. Monday -Friday, split shifts, occasional weekends. Possibly some evenings. Must be flexible. Shifts start as early as 4:30a.m. and end as late as 9:00p.m. Must have clean motor vehicle record. We conduct background check and drug screening. Apply 7707 SW MC85 Buckeye -ASAP We are an equal opportunity employer.

LOOKING for experienced compassionate CNA’s, Certified Caregivers. Part time/ full time. 623-547-7521.

Marathon Equipment in Phoenix, AZ has excellent employment opportunities for:

*Welders -at least six months experience.

*Finalers -experience with wiring or hydraulic plumbing and schematic interpretation, along with the ability to read production drawings and general computer skills.

*Fabricators /Machine Operators -general mechanical skills related to electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems assembly and the ability to read production drawings.

*Receiving Coordinator previous experience in shipping and receiving

*Maintenance Technician -prior maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment.

All positions require a high school diploma or GED, criminal background check, and hair follicle drug testing.

To become part of an exciting company, please apply online today at doveresg.com/careers

Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) and its related companies provide Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. ESG is a drug -free and tobacco -free workplace.

Needed: Caregivers for our group homes and a Supervisor for our 94th Avenue /Deer Valley location. Paid training and certification is available. Must pass a background check and have an Arizona driver’s license. Please apply at www.valleylifeaz.org

Tolleson Warehouse Needs Stand-Up Reach Drivers with EPJ & Sit Down Forklift Experience.

Transportation Clerk, Order Pullers, PM Supervisor. Please Call 602-606-7939, 602-296-8055 or 323-516-3732

TownePlace Suites by Marriott is now accepting applications for Guest Service Representative and Night Audit. Please apply in person at 13971 Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear. West Valley View has openings in the Warehouse for manual inserters and stackers. Inserters assemble sections and advertising supplements into completed newspapers. Piece work pay averages $10.00/ hour with the potential to make $18.00/ per hour. Stackers supply and stack finished bundles on pallets for distribution. Must be able to lift heavy bundles. $8.05/ hourly. Hours vary from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. every Tuesday night. Apply in person at 1050 E. Riley Dr., Avondale, 85323. No phone calls please.

Home Sales 50

ADVERTISE YOUR HOME, property or business for sale in 77 AZ newspapers. Reach more than 2 million readers for ONLY $330! Call the West Valley View 623-535-8439 or visit: www.classifiedarizona.com. (AZCAN)

CUSTOM home. 10 acres, off grid, passive solar, 1,875 square feet. 3 bedroom 2 bath. 557th Avenue, Tonopah, AZ. $139,000. 602-618-1159 OPEN HOUSE -Tartesso Sunday, March 6th 11a.m. -3p.m. 29727 W. Indianola Avenue Buckeye Cindy Jarnagin Skeens & Jarnagin 602-931-0306

SPACIOUS 2 bedroom 2 bath condo. Fireplace, 3 patios, covered parking. Community pool. $64,900. Galloway & Associates 602-312-8080.

Land 51

•

•

environment while meeting deadlines.

• Be able to work both independently and with a team.

• Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.

• Have strong attention to detail.

• Comprehend verbal and written instructions.

• Be able to work mandatory overtime as required which may include weekends.

1 to 5 acres, starting $7,000, various locations, payments, owner/ agent, 602-510-8900. 5 ACRES -Tonopah, $30,000. Call Phil, Realty One Group 602-376-4980 or 623-544-8812. INDUSTRIAL lots for sale. 3.3 acres on Eliseo Felix Way, north of West Valley View building and 2.68 acres

CHURCH/ Meeting/ Office/ Barber/ Retail, suites available, 722’ -2000’. Dysart/ Van Buren. 602-694-3158.

LOOKING FOR AN AFFORDABLE 62+ senior apartment?

Superior Arboretum Apartments, immediate occupancy, one bedroom & studios, on-site laundry & utility allowance. Rent based on Income Guidelines. 199 W. Gray Dr., Superior, AZ. Call 1-866-962-4804. www.ncr.org/superiorarboretum.

SOCIAL SECURITY Disability Benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We can help! WIN or Pay nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1-800-960-3595 to start your application today! (AzCAN)

Merchandise 90

ACORN Stairlifts. The affordable solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 off your Stairlift purchase!** Buy direct and save. Please call 1-800-268-9843 for free DVD and brochure.

CPAP /Bipap supplies at little or no cost from Allied Medical Supply Network! Fresh supplies delivered right to your door. Insurance may cover all costs. 800-941-9039

DISH TV 190 channels plus Highspeed Internet Only $49.95 /mo! Ask about a 3 year price guaranteee & get Netflix included for 1 year! Call Today 1-800-318-1693. (AzCAN)

DISH NETWORK: Get MORE for LESS! Starting $19.99/ month (for 12 months.) PLUS Bundle & SAVE (Fast Internet for $15 more/month.) CALL Now 1-800-318-1693. (AzCAN)

Life Alert. 24 /7. One press of a button sends help fast! Medical, fire, burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! Free brochure. Call 800-997-3004.

NEWSPAPER end rolls for sale, $1.50 and up. One-Half inch of paper or more. West Valley View, 1050 E. Riley Dr., Avondale. Great for children’s fingerpainting and drawing. Or use it for packing dishes, etc. for that big move.

NORDIC 4 man hot tub, like new, $1600 or best offer. 403-634-1372

SAFE Step walk -in tub alert for Seniors. Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic jets. Less than 4 inch step -in. Wide door. Anti -slip floors. American made. Installation included. Call 800-538-3092 for $750 off.

Switch to DIRECTV and get a $100 Gift Card. FREE Whole -Home Genie HD /DVR upgrade. Starting at $19.99 / mo. New Customers Only. Don’t settle for cable. Call Now 1-800-404-9329. (AzCAN)

Switch to DIRECTV and get a FREE Whole-Home Genie HD/ DVR upgrade. Starting at $19.99 /mo. FREE 3 months of HBO, SHOWTIME & STARZ. New Customers Only. Don’t settle for cable. Call Now 1-800-404-9329. (AzCAN)

Garage Sales 91

Online Filing Also Available mitchellstaxservices.com

HANDYMAN -37 years experience. Drywall, framing, plumbing, painting, electrical, roofing. Stan, 602-434-6057. HAVE your coins and jewelry evaluated and cataloged for estate planning purposes, etc. Call Alex at Numistalgia for info: 623-800-3997

HUGE yard sale March 3rd, 4th and 5th. 8 a.m. -2p.m. 8901 Kay Lane. Tolleson Farms, Tolleson.

KIDS all grown! Mostly toys and then some. Saturday, March 5th, 8a.m. -1p.m. 14628 W. Hillside Street, Goodyear, AZ 85395

MULTI family sale: 8a.m. -2p.m., March 4th and 5th. Computer stuff, car stereos, tools, movies, miscellaneous electronics, furniture, decor, etc. 5450 S. 236th Avenue, Buckeye.

Sundance Adult Village Community Wide Garage Sale! Saturday March 12

8 a.m.-Noon. Located 1/2 mile east of the intersection of Watson & Yuma, (north of Yuma Road) in Buckeye

Animals And Farm Equipment 120

FREE cute cuddly fuzzy kittens, to good homes. 623-932-0651

Sharon’s Petsitting & Australian Shepards LLC. Licensed and Bonded. 623-386-0281 / 623-810-0136.

SHEPHERD /Doberman mix puppies. Surprise, AZ. Call Phil 602-376-4980 or 623-544-8812.

Automotive 500

$ $100-$500+ ABANDONED all autos! Any condition. Good condition more $$$$! Call 602-561-6291.

DONATE your car, truck or boat to Heritage For The Blind. Free 3 day vacation, tax deductible, free towing, all paperwork taken care of. Call 1-800-930-1046.

WANTED: Old Porsche’s 911. Corvettes, Mercedes 190SL, 280SL. Jaguar, Ferrari or ANY pre-1972 Sportscar /Convertible! ANY condition! TOP $$ PAID! Call /Text: Mike 520-9771110. I bring trailer & funds. (AzCAN)

Public Notice

Avondale

City of Avondale Public Notice

ORDINANCE 1598-216

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVONDALE, ARIZONA, MODIFYING THE PLANNED AREA DEVELOPMENT ZONING FOR REAL PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 107TH AVENUE AND BUCKEYE ROAD, AS SHOWN IN APPLICATION PL-150264, BY AMENDING THE STIPULATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.

WHEREAS, on December 15, 2003, the Council of the City of Avondale (the “City Council”) amended the City of Avondale Zoning Atlas (the “Zoning Atlas”) by rezoning approximately 140.33 acres of land located at the northwest corner of 107th Avenue and Buckeye Road as more particularly described and depicted on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference (the “Property”) to a Planned Area Development known as Roy’s Place (presently known as the “Vista Del Verde PAD”) subject to stipulations (the “2003 Stipulations”); and WHEREAS on May 16, 2005, the City Council amended the Zoning Atlas by rezoning approximately 1.81 acres of land and expanded the Property subject to stipulations (the “2005 Stipulations”); and WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to modify the stipulations relating to the Property within the Vista Del Verde PAD by adopting the amendment as shown in Application PL-15-0264 (the “2016 Stipulation Amendment”); and WHEREAS, all due and proper notice of the public hearing on the 2016 Stipulation Amendment held before the City of Avondale Planning Commission (the “Commission”) was given in the time, form and substance provided by Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 9-462.04; and WHEREAS, on Thursday, January 21, 2016, the Commission held a public hearing on the 2016 Stipulation Amendment, after which the Commission recommended approval.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVONDALE as follows:

SECTION 1. The recitals above are hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein.

SECTION 2. The 2016 Stipulation Amendment for the Vista Del Verde PAD is hereby approved as follows:

1. Stipulation 19 of the 2003 Stipulations is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

19. The perimeter walls and landscaping adjacent to 107th Avenue shall be completed during the first phase of development. The perimeter walls and landscaping within ‘Tract H’, along the southern boundary of the development, shall be completed with the third phase.

2. A new stipulation 20 is added to read as follows:

20. All required improvements to Maricopa Street shall be completed as follows:

a. Full street improvements to the north side of Maricopa Street, including landscaped median, sidewalk, curb, gutter, and streetlights from 107th Avenue to 110th Avenue shall be completed with the first phase of development.

City Manager, the City Clerk and the City Attorney are hereby authorized and directed to execute all documents and take all steps necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Ordinance. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Council of the City of Avondale, February 16, 2016. Signed copies of the Ordinance and (exhibits) are available at Avondale City Hall, 11465 W. Civic Center Dr., Avondale, AZ 85323. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, 2016.

City of Avondale

Public Notice

Invitation for Bids (IFB) PR 16-024 Friendship Park Improvements Project Notice is hereby given that the City of Avondale is accepting sealed bids to secure a qualified Arizona General Engineering Class A Licensed Contractor to perform improvements to Friendship Park, located at 12325 West McDowell Road, Avondale, Arizona. The Park currently contains parking areas, lighted athletic fields, playgrounds, an irrigation pond and several support buildings. This project includes the expansion of existing parking, lighting and drainage, construction and renovation of park support buildings, a splash pad, picnic area, fencing of soccer fields, site amenities, landscaping, irrigation and utilities.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on March 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. (local Phoenix, AZ time) at the City of Avondale, 11465 W. Civic Center Dr., Avondale AZ 85323. All bids should be directed to: City Clerk, 11465 W. Civic Center Dr., Suite 200, Avondale, AZ 85323-6806 or hand delivered to the City Clerk’s office. All sealed bids must be received by 3:00 p.m. (local Phoenix, AZ time) on March 23, 2016 and shall be clearly marked “PR16-024 Friendship Park Improvements Project” on the lower left hand corner of the mailing envelope. The City is not responsible for the pre-opening of, post opening of, or the failure to open, a bid proposal not properly addressed or identified. IFB packets/plans are available for download at www. avondale.org/engineering. Information regarding this project may be obtained by contacting Paul Lopez at (623) 333-4219. The City of Avondale will endeavor to ensure in every way possible that disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) shall have every opportunity to participate in providing materials/services without being discriminated against on grounds of race, religion, sex, age, or natural origin. DBE businesses are encouraged to submit on this solicitation. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, and 9, 2016.

City of Avondale Public Notice

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PIPELINES. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVONDALE as follows:

SECTION 1. An easement is hereby granted to the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation for construction, reconstruction, operation and maintenance of water distribution system pipelines, as part of the Salt River Project water distribution system, for the 107th Avenue and Van Buren Improvement Project in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and incorporated herein by reference, through, over, under and across certain real property, generally located along 107th Avenue, north of Van Buren Street, described in Exhibit A to the easement form attached hereto as Exhibit 1. SECTION 2. The Mayor, the City Manager, the City Clerk and the City Attorney are hereby authorized and directed to execute all documents and take all steps necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Ordinance. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Council of the City of Avondale, February 16, 2016. Signed copies of the Ordinance and (exhibits) are available at Avondale City Hall, 11465 W. Civic Center Dr., Avondale, AZ 85323. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, 2016.

City of Avondale Public Notice

ORDINANCE NO. 1602-216 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVONDALE, ARIZONA, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THAT CERTAIN DOCUMENT KNOWN AS THE “CITY OF AVONDALE ZONING ORDINANCE, AMENDED AND RESTATED FEBRUARY 16, 2016.”

WHEREAS, all due and proper notices of public hearings on this Ordinance held before the City of Avondale Planning and Zoning Commission (the “Commission”) and the Council of the City of Avondale (the “City Council”) were given in the time, form, substance and manner provided by Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 9-462.04; and WHEREAS, the Commission held a public hearing regarding the subject matter of this Ordinance on January 21, 2016, after which the Commission recommended to the City Council that the amendments to the City of Avondale Zoning Ordinance (the “Zoning Ordinance”) contemplated by this Ordinance be approved; and WHEREAS, the City Council held an additional public hearing on this Ordinance on February 16, 2016. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVONDALE as follows:

SECTION 1. The recitals above are hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein.

A/C Unit, tools, hardware, power washers, work lights, fans, new water softener, furniture, electronics, dorm refrigerator, home decor, kitchen, household, seasonal, books, garden. 15349 West Sells Drive, Goodyear, March 4th /5th, 7a.m. -2p.m.

BEAUTIFUL upright computer desk, like new accent chair, coffee table, area rugs. Many miscellaneous items. Friday, March 4th, 7:15a.m. -2:00p.m. 13613 W. Pinchot Avenue (137th Avenue /Thomas Road) Fulton Estates.

b. Landscaped median, curb, gutter and sidewalk shall be completed on the north side of Maricopa Street along Tract CC between the western boundary of the subdivision and 110th Avenue with the first phase of development.

c. Right-of-way landscaping and sidewalk within Tract P between 107th Avenue and 108th Avenue on the south side of Maricopa Street shall be completed with the first phase of development.

d. The sidewalk and right-ofway landscaping on the south side of Maricopa Street, with the exception of Tract P, shall be completed with phases three and four of development.

3. The 2003 Stipulations and the 2005 Stipulations shall remain in full force and effect unless expressly modified by the 2016 Stipulation Amendment.

SECTION 3. If any provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, such provision or portion hereof shall be deemed separate, distinct and independent of all other provisions and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.

SECTION 4. The Mayor, the

ORDINANCE NO. 1599-216 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVONDALE, ARIZONA, APPROVING THE AGRICULTURAL LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AVONDALE AND KEN SHEELY RANCHES PARTNERS. BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Avondale as follows: SECTION 1. The Agricultural Lease Agreement between the City of Avondale and Ken Sheely Ranches Partners is hereby approved in substantially the form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The Mayor, the City Manager, the City Clerk and the City Attorney are hereby authorized and directed to take all steps and to execute all documents necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Ordinance. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Council of the City of Avondale, February 16, 2016. Signed copies of the Ordinance are available at Avondale City Hall, 11465 W. Civic Center Dr., Avondale, AZ 85323. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, 2016.

City of Avondale

Public Notice

ORDINANCE NO. 1601-216 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVONDALE, ARIZONA, GRANTING AN EASEMENT TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF RECLAMATION FOR CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF WATER

SECTION 2. The document known as the City of Avondale Zoning Ordinance, Amended and Restated February 16, 2016 (the “Amended Zoning Ordinance”), three copies of which are on file in the office of the City Clerk, which document was made a public record by Resolution No. 3299-216 of the City of Avondale, Arizona, is hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof as if fully set out in this Ordinance.

SECTION 3. The City of Avondale Zoning Ordinance is hereby replaced by the Amended Zoning Ordinance.

SECTION 4. Any person who fails to comply with any provision of the Amended Zoning Ordinance shall be subject to civil and criminal penalties as set forth in Section 102 of the Amended Zoning Ordinance. Civil penalties shall not exceed $1,000.00. Criminal penalties shall constitute a class one misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,500.00 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues shall be a separate offense.

SECTION 5. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance or any part of the Amended Zoning Ordinance adopted herein by reference is for any reason to be held invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof.

SECTION 6. The Mayor, the City Manager, the City Clerk and the City Attorney are hereby authorized and directed to execute all documents and take all steps necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this Ordinance. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Council of the City of Avondale, February 16, 2016. Signed copies of the Ordinance are available at Avondale City Hall, 11465 W.

Civic Center Dr., Avondale, AZ 85323. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, 2016.

City of Avondale Public Notice

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AVONDALE CITY COUNCIL SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY MARCH 7, 2016 HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO MONDAY MARCH 14, 2016 DUE TO AN EXPECTED LACK OF QUORUM DUE TO THE NLC CONFERENCE.

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, 2016.

Tolleson

City of Tolleson Public Notice

CALL OF ELECTION

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE CITY OF TOLLESON, ARIZONA

Notice is hereby given that the City of Tolleson will hold elections as follows:

*Primary Election: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 General Election: Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Offices to be filled: Four-year terms to expire 2020: Mayor AtLarge and 3 Council Member Seats.

Candidate Packet

Distribution: Information and candidate packets will be available at the Office of the City Clerk, 9555 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, Arizona beginning Tuesday, March 1, 2016.

Candidate Packet Filing Deadline: Candidate packets are to be filed no earlier than Monday, May 2, 2016 and no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.

Local Alternative Expenditure Limitation: In addition to elections for MayorAt-Large and 3 Council Member Seats, a proposal to adopt a local alternative expenditure limitation - home rule option will be considered at the City Primary Election on Tuesday, August 30, 2016.

Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, August 1, 2016 (Primary Election) Monday, October 10, 2016 (General Election)

*Any candidate receiving a majority of all votes cast at the Primary Election will be declared elected without running at the General Election.

Notice Given by Crystal Zamora Tolleson City Clerk (623) 474-4997

Monday, February 22, 2016 Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 24, and March 2, 2016.

City of Tolleson Public Notice

LLAMADA DE ELECCIÓN AVISO PÚBLICO DE LA CIUDAD DE TOLLESON, ARIZONA Se hace saber que la Ciudad de Tolleson llevará a cabo elecciones de la siguiente manera: * Elección Primaria: martes

30ª de agosto del 2016 Elección General: martes 8º de noviembre del 2016

Oficinas para ser llenadas: períodos de cuatro años que expiran 2020: Alcalde en General y 3 Asientos de los Miembros del Consejo. Distribución de paquetes para candidatos: Los paquetes para candidatos estarán disponibles en la Oficina de la Secretaria de la Ciudad, 9555 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, Arizona, a partir del martes 1º de marzo del 2016.

Fecha límite de presentación de paquetes de los candidatos: Los paquetes de los candidatos deben ser entregados no antes del lunes 2º de mayo del 2016, y no más tarde de las 5:00 p.m. el miércoles 1º de junio del 2016. Alternativa Limitación de Gastos Locales: Además de las elecciones para Alcalde en General y 3 Asientos de los Miembros del Consejo, habrá una propuesta para adoptar una alternativa limitación de gastos locales – esta opción será considerada en la Elección Primaria de la ciudad el martes 30ª de agosto del 2016.

Fecha límite de registro de votantes: lunes 1º de agosto del 2016 (Elección Primaria) lunes 10 de octubre del 2016 (Elección General)

* Cualquier candidato que reciba una mayoría de todos los votos en la Elección Primaria será declarado electo, sin tener que participar en la elección general.

Aviso dado por Crystal Zamora Secretaria de la Ciudad de Tolleson (623) 474-4997

lunes 22 de febrero 2016

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 24, and March 2, 2016.

City of Tolleson

Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE OF HEARINGS Pursuant to Arizona State Law, A.R.S. § 41-563.01, Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Tolleson, Arizona will hold two public hearings at the dates and times set forth below to consider approval of Resolution No. 2287 proposing an alternative expenditure limitation (home rule) and submitting the issue to the qualified voters of the City of Tolleson: THE TOLLESON CITY

COUNCIL WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AT ITS REGULAR MEETING ON MARCH 22, 2016 AT 7:00 P.M. THE TOLLESON CITY

COUNCIL WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AT ITS REGULAR MEETING ON APRIL 12, 2016 AT 7:00 P.M. BOTH HEARINGS WILL BE HELD AT Tolleson City Hall, Parks and Recreation Department, 9555 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, Arizona 85353

After the second public hearing, the City Council may convene a special meeting and vote to approve the Resolution on the proposed alternative expenditure limitation (home rule) and submit the issue to the qualified voters of the City for their approval at the August 30, 2016 primary election. Written comments may be sent to City of Tolleson, City Clerk’s Office, 9555 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, Arizona 85353. Written comments may also be submitted at the public hearing. Any interested person may appear and be heard at the public hearings.

Notice Given by Crystal Zamora, Tolleson City Clerk, Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, and 9, 2016.

City of Tolleson Public Notice

AVISO DE AUDIENCIAS PÚBLICAS

De conformidad con la Ley del Estado de Arizona, A.R.S. § 41 a 563,01, se hace saber que el Ayuntamiento de la Ciudad de Tolleson, Arizona llevará a cabo dos audiencias públicas en las fechas y horarios establecidos a continuación a considerar la aprobación de la Resolución Nº 2287 de proponer una alternativa de limitación de gastos locales y someter la cuestión a los votantes calificados de la Ciudad de Tolleson:

EL AYUNTAMIENTO de TOLLESON llevará a cabo una audiencia pública en su sesión ordinaria el 22 de marzo del 2016 a las 7:00 p.m. EL AYUNTAMIENTO de TOLLESON llevará a cabo una audiencia pública en su sesión ordinaria el 12 de abril del 2016 a las 7:00 p.m. Ambas audiencias SE REALIZARÁN EN El Ayuntamiento de Tolleson, En el Centro de Parques y Recreación, 9555 West Street Van Buren, Tolleson, Arizona 85353 Después de la segunda audiencia pública, el Ayuntamiento podrá convocar una reunión especial y votar para aprobar la Resolución sobre la propuesta de la alternativa de limitación de gastos locales y someter la cuestión a los electores calificados de la Ciudad para su aprobación en la elección primaria cual se llevara acabo el 30 de agosto del 2016. Los comentarios escritos pueden enviarse a la Ciudad de Tolleson, a la Oficina de la Secretaria de la Ciudad, 9555 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, Arizona 85353. Los comentarios por escrito también podrán ser presentados en la audiencia pública. Cualquier persona interesada puede presentarse y ser escuchado durante las audiencia públicas. Aviso dado por Crystal Zamora, Secretaria de la Ciudad de Tolleson, miércoles 2 de marzo del 2016 Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, and 9, 2016.

Public Notice

INVITATION TO BID

Bids: Thursday, March 31, 2016 1:00 pm

Engineering license, to submit sealed bids for the Verrado Sunrise Lane 1BN Crossing Street Light Installation which consists of, but is not limited to trenching, conduit, wire, street lights installation in accordance with the plans and specifications (the “Work”). The Successful Contractor shall be responsible for all coordination associated with the Work. Copies of the plans, specifications, bid documents and detailed information for this project will be available on Friday, March 4, 2016. Contact Terri Kading (480) 367.7309 or tkading@dmbinc.com to make arrangements to receive the bid documents. A MANDATORY prebid meeting will be held in the DMB White Tank Development Office located at 4236 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ 85395 – date to be determined and published in the bid documents. All interested parties are invited to attend. It is recommended that interested parties RSVP prior to the meeting. Sealed bids will be received at the City of Buckeye, City Clerk’s Office, located at 530 E Monroe, Buckeye, AZ 85326. Bids are due 1:00 pm. Bids submitted after specified closing time will not be accepted. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud immediately after the specified closing time. Unless all bids are rejected, the Contract will be awarded within twenty one (21) days. The Contract will be awarded to the lowest qualified bidder that submits a complete and accurate bid. A complete and accurate bid will include all information requested in the bid documents. Every bid made by a Contractor pursuant to this Notice shall be accompanied by a surety bond for ten percent (10%) of the bid amount, listing DMB White Tank, LLC as the Obligee, as a guarantee that the Contractor will enter into a contract to perform the Work, or as liquidated damages in the event the Contractor refuses or fails to enter into the Contract with DMB White Tank, LLC upon award. Cashiers checks will not be accepted. The bonds will be returned to all Contractors whose bids are not awarded the Contract, and to the successful Contractor, upon execution of the Contract, and receipt of Payment and Performance bonds for the Work. The cost for providing Payment and Performance bonds shall be included in the bid submittal. A Payment and Performance bond will be required in the amount of 100% of the original Contract value for the duration of the Contract. All bidders shall be required to submit, with their bid proposal, a completed Certificate of Insurance evidencing their ability to meet the insurance requirements for this project. The Contractor shall carry property damage and public liability insurance and shall hold and save harmless DMB White Tank, LLC, the City of Buckeye and the Verrado District 1 Community Facilities District from any employer’s liability and from any and all liens for materials or labor in connection with this Work as specified in the bid documents. Any bids submitted without the bid bond, certificate of insurance and any other items as required in the bid documents will be deemed incomplete, and will be rejected. DMB White Tank, LLC reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to withhold the award for any reason DMB White Tank, LLC determines necessary and appropriate. Award of the successful bid shall be subject to approval by DMB White Tank, LLC or its representatives. Interested parties shall refer to the bid package and addendums for further information, or contact Terri Kading at (480) 3677309 or tkading@dmbinc.com – reference Verrado Sunrise Lane 1BN Crossing – Street Light Installation. No engineer’s estimate will be distributed. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, and 9, 2016.

Public Notice

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF MARICOPA

In the Matter of: Francisco Ortiz (03/28/1998) Priscila Ortiz, (12/14/2010) Children under 18 years of age. Case No.: JS-18020 NOTICE OF HEARING (Before: The Hon. Daniel Martin)

TO: JAVIER ORTIZ MORENO, Father, and JOHN DOE:

1. DINORA LIMON, Petitioner/ Mother, c/o SOBAMPO LAW FIRM, PLLC, has filed with this Court a Petition for Termination of Parent-child pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 8-533 as amended.

2. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Court has set an Initial Hearing and a Severance Publication Hearing on March 11, 2016 at 8:45 AM before the Honorable Daniel G. Martin, at the Maricopa County Superior Court, Old Courthouse, Courtroom 303, 125 Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85003, Telephone (602) 506-3204, for allegations

in the Petition for Severance of Parent-Child Relationship.

3. You have the right to appear as a party in this proceeding. If you appear at the initial hearing and contest the allegations, the court will schedule a pretrial conference or status conference and a private severance adjudication hearing.

4. You are advised that your failure to appear in court at the publication hearing or severance hearing without good cause shown, may result in a finding that you have waived your legal rights and have admitted the allegations in the Petition. In addition, if you fail to appear, without good cause, the hearing may go forward in your absence and may result in a termination of your Parent-Child Relationship based upon the record and the evidence presented in court. A failure to appear without good cause shown may result in a finding that you have waived your right to a trial.

5. If you are receiving this Notice by publication, you may obtain a copy of the Notice of Initial Hearing and Petition for Termination of Parent-Child Relationship by submitting a written request to: Maricopa County Superior Court, Old Courthouse, Courtroom 303, 125 Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85003, Telephone (602) 506-3204.

6. Requests for reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities must be made to the court by the parties at least three (3) working days in advance of a scheduled court proceeding by calling (602) 372-3579.

RESPECTFULLY

SUBMITTED this 15th day of January, 2016. F. JAVIER SOBAMPO, ESQ., Attorney for Petitioner/Mother, Dinora Limon

ORIGINAL of the foregoing delivered/mailed this 15th day of January, 2016, to: Clerk of the Court, Maricopa County Superior Court, 1810 S. Lewis, Mesa, AZ 85210

A COPY of the foregoing delivered/mailed: Honorable Karen O’Connor - Juvenile Division, Court, Old CourthouseCourtroom 303, 125 Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85003, Judge Steven Dorr Eckhardt, RIDEOUT LAW, PLLC., 20 E. Thomas Road Suite 2200, Phoenix, AZ 85012, Attorney for Father Charlene Ross, Esq., Law Office of Charlene R. Ross, PLLC, 10810 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste #102-311, Phoenix, AZ 85028, Guardian ad litem Juvenile Court Administration, 125 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85003

By FJS

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 17, and 24, and March 2, and 9, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR

I. NAME: THE ORGANIC JUICE CLUB, LLC L-2048291-3

II. The address of the known place of business is: 3810 N. 188th Ave., Litchfield Pk., AZ 85340

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Dr. Kurt A. Richardson, 3810 N. 188th Ave., Litchfield Pk., AZ 85340

A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager AND each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are:

Dr. Kurt A. Richardson, Manager, 3810 N. 188th Ave., Litchfield Pk., AZ 85340

Mrs. Caroline J. Richardson, Manager, 3810 N. 188th Ave., Litchfield Pk., AZ 85340

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 17, 24, and March 2, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: THE COLLEGE PLANNING PEOPLE LLC

L-2063440-0

II. The address of the known place of business is: 3160 West Taro Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85027

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Stephen Gill, 3160 West Taro Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85027

A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager AND each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are: Stephen Gill, Manager, 3160 West Taro Lane, Phoenix, AZ

85027 Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 17, 24, and March 2, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: MADTECHNICIAN LLC.

L-2058813-1

II. The address of the known place of business is: 12158 W. Belmont Dr., Avondale, AZ 85323

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Paul Perez, 12158 W. Belmont Dr., Avondale, AZ 85323

A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager AND each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are: Paul Perez, Manager, 6231 W. McDowell Rd., Unit #2019, Phoenix, AZ 85035

Kimberly James, Member, 6231 W. McDowell Rd., Unit #2019, Phoenix, AZ 85035

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 17, 24, and March 2, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: ANDRUS EQUIPMENT, LLC

L-2060967-2

II. The address of the known place of business is: 6524 N. 175th Ave., Waddell, AZ 85355

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Karen Ballew, 4205 W. Wahalla Lane, Glendale, AZ 85308

A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager AND each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are:

Shane Andrus, Manager, 6524 N. 175th Ave., Waddell, AZ 85355

Mary Andrus, Member, 6524 N. 175th Ave., Waddell, AZ 85355

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 17, 24, and March 2, 2016

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: JWILL PAINT CO LLC

L-2065373-2

II. The address of the known place of business is: 7108 S. 73rd Dr., Laveen, AZ 85339

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Jason Williams, 7108 S. 73rd Dr., Laveen, AZ 85339

B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members. The names and addresses of each person who is a member are:

Jason Williams, Member, 7108 S. 73rd Dr., Laveen, AZ 85339

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 17, 24, and March 2, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: MW AUTO DIESEL EQUIPMENT REPAIR LLC

L-2051995-5

II. The address of the known place of business is: 34009 W. Bowker St., Tonopah, AZ 85354

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Mary Webber, 34009 W. Bowker St., Tonopah, AZ 85354

B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members. The names and addresses of each person who is a member are:

Michael Webber, Member, 34009 W. Bowker St., Tonopah, AZ 85354

Mary Webber, Member, 34009 W. Bowker St., Tonopah, AZ 85354

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 17, 24, and March 2, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION

COMMISSION FOR

I. NAME: CLEAR PASSAGE GIRLS UNITED LLC

L-2065837-2

II. The address of the known place of business is: 10427 W. Southgate Ave., Tolleson, AZ 85353

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Eva Bolden, 10427 W. Southgate Ave., Tolleson, AZ 85353

A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager AND each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are:

Eva Shamae Bolden, Member, Manager, 10427 W. Southgate Ave., Tolleson, AZ 85353 Paula Dorine Villela, Manager, 2005 N. 128th Dr., Avondale, AZ 85392

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 24, March 2, and 9, 2016.

Public Notice

INVITATION TO BID

Bids: Thursday, March 31, 2016 1:30 pm

Project: Victory – Tiger Mountain Drive, Victory Blvd Box Culvert and Paving Verrado ARC LLC seeks qualified General Contractors, with a minimum A- General Engineering license, to submit sealed bids for the Victory District - Tiger Mountain Drive and Victory Boulevard Box Culvert and Paving which consists of, but is not limited to box culvert construction, concrete and paving in accordance with the plans and specifications (the “Work”). The Successful Contractor shall be responsible for all coordination associated with the Work. Copies of the plans, specifications, bid documents and detailed information for this project will be available on Friday, March 4, 2016. Contact Terri Kading (480) 367.7309 or tkading@dmbinc.com to make arrangements to receive the bid documents. A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting will be held in the Victory Development Office located at 4236 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ 85395 – date to be determined and published in the bid documents. All interested parties are invited to attend. It is recommended that interested parties RSVP prior to the meeting. Sealed bids will be received at the City of Buckeye, City Clerk’s Office, located at 530 E Monroe, Buckeye, AZ 85326. Bids are due 1:30 pm. Bids submitted after specified closing time will not be accepted. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud immediately after the specified closing time. Unless all bids are rejected, the Contract will be awarded within twenty one (21) days. The Contract will be awarded to the lowest qualified bidder that submits a complete and accurate bid. A complete and accurate bid will include all information requested in the bid documents. Every bid made by a Contractor pursuant to this Notice shall be accompanied by a surety bond for ten percent (10%) of the bid amount, listing Verrado ARC LLC as the Obligee, as a guarantee that the Contractor will enter into a contract to perform the Work, or as liquidated damages in the event the Contractor refuses or fails to enter into the Contract with Verrado ARC LLC upon award. Cashiers checks will not be accepted. The bonds will be returned to all Contractors whose bids are not awarded the Contract, and to the successful Contractor, upon execution of the Contract, and receipt of Payment and Performance bonds for the Work. The cost for providing Payment and Performance bonds shall be included in the bid submittal. A Payment and Performance bond will be required in the amount of 100% of the original Contract value for the duration of the Contract. All bidders shall be required to submit, with their bid proposal, a completed Certificate of Insurance evidencing their ability to meet the insurance requirements for this project. The Contractor shall carry property damage and public liability insurance and shall hold and save harmless Verrado ARC LLC, DMB White Tank, LLC, the City of Buckeye and the Verrado District 1 Community Facilities District from any employer’s liability and from any and all liens for materials or labor in connection with this Work as specified in the bid documents. Any bids submitted without the bid bond, certificate of insurance and any other items as required in the bid documents will be deemed incomplete, and will be rejected. Verrado ARC LLC reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to withhold the award for any reason Verrado ARC LLC determines necessary and appropriate. Award of the successful bid shall be subject to approval by Verrado ARC LLC or its representatives. Interested parties shall refer to the bid package and addendums for further information, or contact Terri Kading at (480) 367-7309 or tkading@dmbinc.com – reference Victory – Tiger Mountain Drive,

West Valley View, Avondale, Arizona, Wednesday, March 2, 2016

2,

Victory Blvd Box Culvert and Paving. No engineer’s estimate will be distributed. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, and 9, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: BREADNBUTTERS, LLC

L-2066530-1

West Valley View, Avondale, Arizona,

II. The address of the known place of business is: 18143 W. Estes Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Roland T. Mills, 18143 W. Estes Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338

B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members. The names and addresses of each person who is a member are:

Roland T. Mills, Member, 18143 W. Estes Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338

Danny J. Hoffman, Member, 18143 W. Estes Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 24, March 2, and 9, 2016.

Public Notice

Maricopa County Justice Courts, Arizona CASE NUMBER: CC2015207729SC

Patrick M Gillihan, P.O. Box 3191, Carefree, AZ 85377, 602717-2104

Rudy A Marquez, work address: 4242 N. Gulf Dr., Buckeye, AZ 85396, 623-8668241

SMALL CLAIMS COMPLAINT WARNING: THERE ARE NO APPEALS IN SMALL CLAIMS CASES. You do not have the right to appeal the decision of the Hearing Officer of the Justice of the Peace in Small claims (Division) Court. If you wish to preserve your right to appeal, you may have your case transferred to the Civil Division of the Justice Court pursuant to ARS 22-504, if you request such a transfer at least ten (10) judicial days prior to the day of the scheduled hearing.

NOTICE AND SUMMONS TO THE ABOVE-NAMED

DEFENDANT(S): You are directed to answer this complaint within TWENTY (20) DAYS by filing a written ANSWER in the court named above. If you do not answer or defend, you run the risk of having a judgement entered against you for the amount of plaintiffs claim, plus court costs. A filing fee must be paid at the time your answer is filed.

Date: November 5, 2015, Clerk: OC

Requests for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities must be made to the court at least 3 judicial days in advance of any scheduled hearing.

PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM

This Justice court has venue because The Defendant resides in this precinct. The debt, or cause of action, or incident that resulted in this claim, occurred in this precinct at the following location: 3949 N. Park St., Buckeye, AZ 85396, $3500.00 is the total amount owed me by defendant because:

Tenant/Defendant broke lease contract 1 month into 12 month lease with 11 payment still due at $1,453.00, totalling $15,983.00. in addition the property was left in a condition that is unacceptable and filthy requiring many thousands of dollars in repairs in order for it to be in a re leasable condition. A complete list including itemized costs of damages and repairs with invoices and receipts will be provided by plaintiff in court in addition to photographic evidence to substantiate. Some examples include: Trash and belongings left abandoned curbside, damage to landscape by dog, kitchen cabinetry, appliances damaged, several wooden blinds destroyed, patio damaged by dog, exterior window trim damaged by dog, carpet destroyed by dog urine.

Dated: October 15, 2015 Plantiff: Patrick M Gillihan Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: A&C ENTERPRISES LLC

L-2049028-5

II. The address of the known place of business is: 6900 E. Indian School Rd. Suite 102, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Alana Millstein, 11095 E. Verbena Ln., Scottsdale, AZ 85255

A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in

a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager AND each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are:

Alana Millstein, Member/ Manager, 11095 E. Verbena Ln., Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, 9, and 16, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: SOLIS UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION LLC

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II. The address of the known place of business is: 10537 W. La Reata Ave., Avondale, AZ 85392

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Maribel Solis, 10537 W. La Reata Ave., Avondale, AZ 85392

A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager AND each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are:

Leobardo Solis, Manager, 10537 W. La Reata Ave., Avondale, AZ 85392

Maribel Solis, Member, 10537 W. La Reata Ave., Avondale, AZ 85392

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, 9, and 16, 2016.

Public Notice

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: DYNAMIC PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, P.L.L.C.

L-2066743-1

II. The address of the known place of business is: 501 E. Plaza Circle, Suite B, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Vickie Spitzer, 501 E. Plaza Circle, Suite B, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members. The names and addresses of each person who is a member are:

Vickie Spitzer, Member/ Manager, 501 E. Plaza Circle, Suite B, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on March 2, 9, and 16, 2016.

Public Notice

RESOLUTION NO. 15-397

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LITCHFIELD PARK, ARIZONA, DECLARING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DEEMS THE GRANTING OF A CERTAIN FRANCHISE BENEFICIAL FOR THE CITY OF LITCHFIELD PARK; ORDERING AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MARCH 8, 2016 FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITCHFIELD PARK THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A FRANCHISE SHALL BE GRANTED TO SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION

WHEREAS, Southwest Gas Corporation is desirous of obtaining a franchise with the City of Litchfield Park in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A; and, WHEREAS, the City of Litchfield Park has determined that the granting of the proposed franchise for Southwest Gas Corporation is beneficial to the City; and, WHEREAS, the City of Litchfield Park, at the request of Southwest Gas Corporation, desires to conduct an election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the City of Litchfield Park the question of whether the proposed franchise shall be granted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Litchfield Park, Arizona, as follows:

SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of Litchfield Park determines that the granting of the franchise proposed by Southwest Gas Corporation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A is beneficial to the City of Litchfield Park and the City residents.

SECTION 2. That an election is hereby called and ordered to be held in the City of Litchfield Park on March 8, 2016 for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the City of Litchfield Park the question as to whether the franchise under the terms and conditions of the above referenced agreement shall be granted to Southwest Gas Corporation.

SECTION 3. That this franchise election be held pursuant to the provisions of the Arizona Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona and City Code of the City of Litchfield Park.

SECTION 4. That the ballots used at said election shall be substantially in the following form: SHALL THE PROPOSED FRANCHISE FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS BE GRANTED TO SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION FOR THE USE OF CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY FOR GAS UTILITY PURPOSES?

SECTION 5. That the City Clerk and City Manager are hereby authorized and directed to publish the proposed franchise and take such other actions required by law to conduct the election.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Litchfield Park, Arizona this 4th day of November, 2015.

Thomas L. Schoaf, Mayor ATTEST: Carla Reece, MMC, City Clerk

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

By Susan D. Goodwin, Curtis, Goodwin, Sullivan, Udall & Schwab, PLC City Attorney FRANCHISE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND THE CITY OF LITCHFIELD PARK, ARIZONA

Section 1 – Grant of Franchise

There is hereby granted to Southwest Gas Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of California (herein called “Grantee”), its successors and assigns, the right and privilege to construct, maintain and operate its gas system, as defined herein, upon, over, along, across and under the present and future public rights-of-way (herein called the “Franchise”). These public rights-of-way include, but are not limited to, streets, alleys, ways, bridges, highways, and public utility easements within the City of Litchfield Park, Arizona (herein called “City”).

Grantee’s gas system is for the purpose of supplying natural gas and/or artificial gas, including gas manufactured by any method whatsoever, and/or gas containing a mixture of natural gas and such artificial gas (herein all types of gas will be collectively referred to as “gas”) to City, its successors, the inhabitants thereof, and all individuals and entities, either within or beyond the limits thereof, for all purposes. Grantee’s gas system includes a transmission and distribution system of gas mains, pipelines and conduits, together with all necessary or desirable appurtenances including, but not limited to pipes, laterals, service lines, pumps, manholes, meters, gauges, valves, traps, fences, vaults, regulators, regulator stations, appliances, attachments and related equipment, facilities and appurtenances for the purpose of supplying gas. In consideration for the grant of this Franchise, the City and Grantee agree as follows:

Section 2 – Term

2.1 The Effective Date of this Franchise shall be April 1, 2016. This Franchise shall continue and exist for a period of twentyfive (25) years from the Effective Date. Unless terminated earlier by written agreement of the parties, or termination for breach of the franchise, this Franchise will expire on April 1, 2041.

2.2 The right, privilege and franchise hereby granted shall continue and exist for a period of twenty-five (25) years; provided, however, that either party may reopen any or all sections for further review and possible amendment of this Franchise, on its fifth (5th) or twelfth (12th) anniversary, by giving written notice of its intention to do so not less than one (1) year before the fifth (5th) or twelfth (12th) anniversary.

Section 3 – Construction

3.1 Grantee shall perform all construction under this Franchise in accordance with established industry standards, permit requirements, and ordinances of the City provided the requirements and ordinances of the City do not contradict the terms of this Franchise. Before Grantee makes any installations in the public rights-of-way, Grantee shall apply for and obtain from City such permit or permits as are required by City to be issued for work in the public rights-of-way and submit a proposed installation drawing to the City Engineer, or if no City Engineer exists, the City Manager. Unless necessitated by emergency or exigent circumstances, should Grantee commence work hereunder without obtaining applicable permits, then Grantee shall pay to City a stipulated penalty of equal to one-hundred fifty percent (150%) of the applicable permit fees. Upon request, Grantee shall also provide the City with, on an annual basis, its known proposed

capital plan and reasonably foreseeable future corridor plans for all improvements in the City’s planning area.

3.2 If City undertakes, either directly or through a contractor, any construction project adjacent to Grantee’s facilities operated pursuant to this Franchise, City shall notify Grantee of such construction project. Grantee will take steps as are reasonably necessary to maintain safe conditions throughout the construction project, including but not limited to the temporary removal or barricading of Grantee’s pipelines or equipment, the location of which may create an unsafe condition in view of the equipment to be utilized or the methods of construction to be followed by the Contractor, at City’s cost.

3.3 Grantee shall coordinate with City the installation, construction, use, operation and relocation of its facilities within City. Grantee shall provide City with proposed installation drawings to facilitate such coordination and shall plan, respond, facilitate and design its facilities in coordination with City input, as City may provide. Annually City and Grantee shall provide one another with a general schedule of its known construction projects for the year in order that construction projects may be coordinated to the extent practicable. Neither party shall finalize the design of any facility without providing the other party a reasonable opportunity to comment. If either party identifies a potential conflict between their existing facilities and the other party’s proposed facilities, said party shall immediately notify the other party of such conflict and the parties shall use their best efforts to resolve such conflict.

3.4 Grantee shall not install, construct, maintain or use its facilities in a manner that damages or interferes with any existing facilities of another utility located in the public right-of-way.

3.5 Construction of Grantee’s facilities relating to traffic control, backfilling, compaction and paving, as well as the location or relocation of pipelines and related facilities provided for in this Franchise Agreement is subject to the applicable provisions of the Litchfield Park City Code in place at the time of installation. If a provision of the Litchfield Park City Code is inconsistent with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations or any other applicable federal or Arizona state law, rule, order and regulation, then the Grantee and City agree that Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations or the other applicable federal or Arizona state law, rule, order and regulation shall govern. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 40-360.30 and any other applicable law, Grantee shall keep installation records of the location of all facilities in the public rights-of-way and furnish them to the City upon request. Grantee represents that it is defined as critical infrastructure by the Federal Government and as such records of the location or design of natural gas facilities are proprietary to Grantee. If the City believes it must release any such records in the course of enforcing this Franchise or in accordance with the Arizona public records laws, or for any other reason, it shall advise Grantee in advance so that Grantee may take appropriate steps to protect its interests. If the City receives a demand from any person for disclosure of any records described herein, the City shall advise Grantee and provide Grantee with a copy of any written request by the party demanding access to such record within a reasonable period of time. Grantee may file such action as it deems necessary or appropriate to protect the confidentiality of such record. If an action is filed against the City demanding release of a record described herein, Grantee shall either defend or pay upon demand all attorneys fees, costs and other expenses incurred by City as a result of a request by Grantee that the record not be disclosed. In the event of litigation, until otherwise ordered by a court or agency of competent jurisdiction, the City agrees that, to the extent permitted by federal and State law, it shall deny access to any of the records described herein to any person. Reasonable use of Grantee’s records internally by City for permitting and design of City owned facilities are permissible.

A. If City requires Grantee to relocate Grantee’s facilities which are located in private easements then the costs and expenditures associated with purchasing a new private easement and relocating Grantee’s facilities shall be borne by City.

B. Except as provided in Paragraph A above, Grantee shall bear the entire cost without reimbursement of relocating its facilities located on or under public rights-of-way, the relocation of which is necessary for City’s or a contractor of City carrying out of City’s governmental functions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee is requested to perform

work of a temporary nature on a governmental project to relieve construction problems which could be relieved by other means, the cost of said temporary work will be borne by City or City’s contractor working on the governmental project. Governmental functions are those duties imposed on City, where the duties involve a general public benefit, not in the nature of a corporate or business undertaking for the corporate benefit and interest of City. Governmental functions include, but are not limited to, the following: Governmental functions is defined as the following when performed by or on behalf of City:

1. Any and all improvements to City’s public rights-of-way;

2. Establishing and maintaining domestic water systems, sanitary sewers, storm drains, and related facilities;

3. Establishing and maintaining municipal parks, parking spaces, parkways, pedestrian malls, or grass, shrubs, trees and other vegetation for the purpose of landscaping any street or public property;

4. Providing fire protection and other public safety functions; and

5. Collection and disposal of garbage and recyclables.

6. The relocation of Grantee’s facilities necessary to carry out the exercise of the City’s police power for urban renewal.

C. City will bear the entire cost of relocating any of Grantee’s facilities, the relocation of which is necessitated by the construction of improvements by or on behalf of City in furtherance of a proprietary function. All functions of City which are not governmental are proprietary.

D. City will not exercise its right to require Grantee’s facilities to be relocated in an unreasonable or arbitrary manner, or to avoid its obligation under the Franchise. City agrees to notify Grantee during the planning and design of City’s projects in rights-ofway that may require relocation of Grantee’s facilities and to coordinate its construction plans and schedules with Grantee to determine the most cost-effective design to mitigate Grantee’s cost to relocate its facilities.

E. City agrees it will not require Grantee to relocate its facilities located within the public rights-of-way without providing Grantee adequate space within the rights-of-way to relocate the facilities that must be moved.

F. If City pays all or part of the cost of relocating Grantee’s facilities pursuant to this Franchise, the cost to the City shall be limited to those costs and expenditures reasonably incurred for relocating such facilities in accordance with City ordinances and, where not in conflict therewith, applicable industry standards. Costs to the City for relocation of Grantee’s facilities shall not include any upgrade or improvement of Grantee’s facilities as they existed prior to relocation. Prior to payment by City, Grantee shall provide an itemization of such costs and expenditures subject to City’s review and approval.

G. City will not exercise its right to require Grantee’s facilities to be relocated in an unreasonable or arbitrary manner, or to avoid its obligations under this Franchise. City may require Grantee to relocate Grantee’s facilities to avoid conflict with the installation or relocation of other utility facilities, provided the costs and expenditures associated with relocating Grantee’s facilities are paid by the other utility.

H. All underground abandoned lines shall continue to remain the property of the Grantee, unless the Grantee specifically acknowledges otherwise to the City Manager and such is accepted by the City. Grantee shall remove, at Grantee’s sole cost, abandoned lines at the request of City when the lines are in direct physical conflict with City’s facilities, in the opinion of the City Engineer.

3.6 Grantee will keep accurate records of the location of all facilities in the public rights of way and furnish them to City upon request. Upon relocation or construction of new underground facilities in the public rights of way, Grantee shall, unless directed otherwise by City, provide the City Engineer or its equivalent with corrected drawings showing the location of the underground facilities in those cases where the actual location differs significantly from the proposed location. Grantee shall provide to City, upon City request, the location of such new or relocated facilities in the public rights of way in a noneditable electronic format.

Section 4 – Indemnification; Insurance

4.1 City, its departments, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns, shall in no way be liable or responsible for any accident or damage that may occur in the exercise of this Franchise by Grantee or its contractors, and the acceptance of this grant shall be deemed an agreement on the part of Grantee to indemnify and hold harmless the City, its departments, officers,

employees, agents, successors and assigns from and against any and all liability, loss, costs, legal fees, damages or any other expenses, which may be imposed on the City by reason of the acts of the Grantee, its officers, employees, agents, successors, assigns and contractors in the exercise of this Franchise, including the maintenance of barricades and traffic control devices in construction and maintenance areas. Grantee shall defend, indemnify, and save City harmless from any expenses and losses incurred as a result of injury or damage to third persons occasioned by the exercise of this Franchise by Grantee, its officers, employees, agents, successors, assigns and contractors, provided, however, that such claims, expenses and losses are not the result of any willful or grossly negligent acts of City.

4.2 Grantee shall maintain throughout the term of this Franchise liability insurance and/ or a program of self-retention or general assets, to adequately insure and/or protect the legal liability of Grantee with respect to the installation, operation and maintenance of the gas lines together with all the necessary and desirable appurtenances authorized herein to occupy the public rights-of-way or public utility easements. Such insurance, self-retention or general asset program will provide protection for bodily injury and property damage including, without otherwise limiting the foregoing, contractual liability and legal liability for damages arising from explosion, collapse and underground incidents. Such insurance also includes pollution liability.

4.3 Grantee shall file with City documentation of such liability insurance, self-retention or general asset program within sixty (60) days following written request of City.

Section 5 – Restoration of Rights-of-Way

If, in the construction, maintenance or operation of its gas system, Grantee damages or disturbs the surface or subsurface of any public road, adjoining public property or the public improvement located thereon, then Grantee shall restore the surface or subsurface of the public road, or public property, or repair or replace the public improvement as required by the City development standards in effect at that time. The Grantee shall be responsible for the costs of the restoration or repair. Should such restoration, repair or replacement not be completed within a reasonable time or fail to meet City’s development standards in effect at that time, the City may, after prior notice to Grantee, perform the necessary restoration, repair or replacement either through its own forces or through a hired contractor, and Grantee agrees to reimburse the City for its costs and expenses in so doing within thirty (30) days after its receipt of the City’s invoice. As used herein, “costs and expenses” includes, but is not limited to, administrative costs and employee wages and benefits costs incurred by the City in the performance of such restoration, repair or replacement.

Section 6 – Franchise Fee

6.1 In consideration of the grant of this Franchise, Grantee shall pay a franchise fee (“Franchise Fee”) City as set forth in this Section 6. Except as provided in Section 7.1, the Franchise Fee and the ability of City to establish a Franchise Fee greater than 0% shall be in lieu of any and all charges or exactions of any kind otherwise assessed by the City in any way associated with Grantee’s use of or work in the public rights-of-way.

6.2 The amount of the Franchise Fee to be paid by Grantee shall be zero percent (0%) of the gross revenues of Grantee from the sale and/or delivery by Grantee of gas for all purposes within the corporate limits of City, as shown by Grantee’s billing records.

6.3 The City Council may adopt a resolution changing the franchise fee to a sum equal to zero percent (0%), one percent (1%) or two percent (2%) of the gross revenues of Grantee from the sale and/or delivery by Grantee of gas for all purposes within the corporate limits of City, as shown by Grantee’s billing records, on the first of January each year. Written notification of this change must be received by Grantee on or before the first of October of the previous year for this new franchise fee percentage to be established.

6.4 If a franchise fee is adjusted during the duration of this agreement, payment of the franchise fee shall be payable in quarterly amounts within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter.

Section 7 — Additional Fees and Taxes

7.1 Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, Grantee shall, in addition to the payment provided in Section 6, pay the following charges, taxes

de y en contra de cualesquier demandas, perdidas, costos, derechos legales, daños, o cualesquier otros gastos que se pueden imponer en la Ciudad por razón de las acciones del Concesionario, sus oficiales, empleados, agentes, sucesores, cesionarios y contratistas en el ejercer de esta Franquicia, incluyendo el mantenimiento de barricadas y aparatos de control de tráfico en las áreas de construcción y mantenimiento. El Concesionario deberá defender, indemnizar, y tener a la Ciudad, libre de cualesquier gastos y perdidas incurridas como resultado de perjuicio o daño a personas de la tercera parte ocasionados por el ejercicio de esta Franquicia por el Concesionario, sus oficiales, empleados, agentes, sucesores, cesionarios y contratistas siempre que, sin embargo, que dichas demandas, gastos o perdidas no sean el resultado de mala conducta intencional, actas de negligencia u omisiones de parte de la Ciudad.

4.2 El Concesionario deberá mantener por todo el plazo de esta Franquicia seguro vigente contra reclamaciones y/o un programa de retención propia o bienes generales para asegurar adecuadamente y/o proteger la responsabilidad legal del Concesionario en referencia a la instalación, operación y

mantenimiento de lineas de gas junto con todos los accesorios y deseables autorizados por esta para ocupar la servidumbre de paso pública. Dicho seguro, retención propia o programa de bienes generales deberán proveer protección contra daños corporales y daños contra la propiedad incluyendo, sin de otra manera limitando lo anterior, responsabilidad por contrato y responsabilidad legal por daños resultando de explosiones, derrumbes e incidentes subterráneos. Dicho seguro también incluye responsabilidad de polución. 4.3 El Concesionario deberá registrar con la Ciudad documentación de dicho seguro vigente contra reclamaciones o un programa de retención propia o bienes generales dentro de sesenta (60) días siguientes a la solicitud por escrito de la Ciudad. Sección 5 B Restauración de Servidumbres de Paso Si, al construir, mantenimiento u operación de su sistema de gas el Concesionario daña o interrumpe el superficie o subsuperficie de cualquier camino público o propiedad pública adyacente o si el mejoramiento público sobre eso, entonces el Concesionario deberá restaurar el superficie o sub-superficie del camino público, o propiedad pública, o reparar o reemplazar el mejoramiento público como

ordenan los standards de desarrollo de la Ciudad en vigor en ese momento. El Concesionario deberá ser responsable de los costos de restauración o reparos. Si dicha restauración, reparos o reemplazo no se completan dentro de un período de tiempo razonable o falla en satisfacer los standards de desarrollo de la Ciudad en vigor en ese momento, la Ciudad puede, después de un aviso anterior al Concesionario, llevar a cabo la necesaria restauración, repararos o reemplazo por sus propios fuerzas o a través de un contratista contratado, y el Concesionario acuerda reembolsar a la Ciudad por los costos y gastos incurridos dentro de treinta (30) días después de recibir una factura de la Ciudad. Como se usa en esto Acostos y gastos@ incluyen, pero sin limitación a, costos administrativos y salarios de los empleados y costos de beneficios incurridos por la Ciudad en completar dicha restauración, reparación y reemplazo. Sección 6 B Derechos de Franquicia

6.1 El Concesionario le pagará a la Ciudad en consideración de la concesión de esta Franquicia un derecho de franquicia (ADerechos de Franquicia@) a la Ciudad como se muestra en esta Sección 6. Con la excepción de lo que se estipula

en la Sección 7.1, los derechos de Franquicia y la habilidad de la Ciudad de establecer

Derechos de Franquicia mayor que el 0% deberá ser en lugar de cualesquier otros y todos los costos o exacciones de cualquier otro tipo tasado por la Ciudad de cualquier manera relacionada con el uso de o trabajo en las servidumbres de paso públicos.

6.2 La cantidad del Derecho de Franquicia que pagará el Concesionario deberá ser el cero por ciento (0%) de los ingresos del Concesionario obtenidos de la venta y/o entrega de su gas para todos los propósitos dentro de los límites corporativos de la Ciudad, como se muestran en los registros de cuentas del Concesionario.

6.3 El Concejo Municipal puede adoptar una resolución cambiando los derechos de la franquicia a una cantidad igual que el cero por ciento (0%), un por ciento (1%) o dos porciento (2%) de los ingresos brutos del Concesionario obtenidos de la venta y/o entrega de su gas para todos los propósitos dentro de los límites corporativos de la Ciudad, como se muestran en los registros de cuentas del Concesionario, en el primero de enero de cada año. El Concesionario tiene que recibir aviso por escrito de este cambio en o antes del primero de octubre del año anterior de este por ciento nuevo de derecho de

franquicia que se va a establecer.

6.4 Si se ajusta un derecho de franquicia durante el término de este contrato, el pago del derecho de franquicia deberá ser pagadero en cantidades trimestrales dentro de treinta (30) días después del fin de cada cuarto de calendario. Sección 7 B Derechos Adicionales e Impuestos

7.1 A no ser que cualquier provisión de este contrato declare lo contrario, el Concesionario deberá pagar, además del pago estipulado en la Sección 6, los siguientes cargos, impuestos y derechos como establecidos en un código u ordenanza debidamente adoptada por la Ciudad:

A. Impuesto de uso y de privilegio de transacción autorizado por ordenanza de la Ciudad y cobrados por el Concesionario de usuarios y consumidores de gas dentro de los límites cooperativos actuales y venideros de la Ciudad, sin reducción o compensación.

B. Impuestos sobre la propiedad al valor generales; C. Derechos de corte de pavimento;

D. Los derechos de inspección que se cobran a la Ciudad por una tercera parte sirviendo como el Ingeniero de la Ciudad.

E. Otros cargos, impuestos o derechos gravados sobre los negocios generalmente a través

de la Ciudad siempre que dicho cargo, impuesto o derechos sea un derecho fijo por año y que la cantidad anual de dichos derechos no excedan la cantidad de derechos parecidos pagados por cualesquier otros negocios operados dentro de la Ciudad. Sección 8 B Incumplimiento; Resolución de Litigio Incumplimiento; Remedios. El fallo o aplazamiento irrazonable por cualquier Parte en cumplir con cualquier término o provisión de este Contrato por un período de diez (10) días después de aviso por escrito de eso de otra Parte deberá constituir un incumplimiento bajo este Contrato. Si el incumplimiento es de un sentido que no se puede remediar dentro de diez (10) días, el remedio se deberá comenzar dentro de dicho período, y diligentemente ejercido hasta completarse. El aviso deberá especificar la esencia del supuesto incumplimiento y la manera en que el incumplimiento se puede remediar satisfactoriamente. En el caso de un incumplimiento a continuación por cualquier Parte, la Parte no en incumplimiento deberá tener el derecho a todos los remedios de ambos la ley de equidad, incluyendo, sin limitación, a específico cumplimiento. Resolución de Litigio. Para fomentar la cooperación de

Concesionario

que

y

un

un contacto entre la Ciudad y sus varios departamentos y el Concesionario. El representante inicial de la Ciudad (el ARepresentante de la Ciudad@) será el Administrador Municipal y el representante inicial del Concesionario será el administrador del proyecto, como identificado por el Concesionario de vez en cuando como (el ARepresentante del Concesionario@). Los representantes deberán estar disponibles a todas horas razonables para discutir y revisar el cumplimiento de las Partes y el desarrollo de la propiedad. Arbitraje. Si resulta un litigio por causa de o en relación con este Contrato, o incumplimiento de eso, y si el litigio no se puede resolver por arbitraje, las Partes acuerdan de primero tratar de resolver el litigio por arbitraje antes de recurrir arbitraje, litigación, o cualquier otro procedimiento de litigio. En el caso de que las Partes no puedan acordar en la selección de un mediador dentro de siete (7) días, cualquier Parte puede solicitarle al Juez Presidente de la Corte Superior del Condado Maricopa nombrar un mediador de una lista de mediadores mantenida

por el Consorcio Municipal de Retención de Riesgo de Arizona. Si cualquier parte determina a su propia discreción que el litigio probablemente no se resolverá por arbitraje, esa parte le deberá avisar a la otra Parte por escrito y las partes pueden procurar sus respectivos remedios legales.

Sección 9 B Franquicia; NoBExclusiva

Esta Franquicia no es noexclusiva, y nada aquí dispuesto se deberá construir para impedir que la Ciudad otorgue otros privilegios, iguales o similares, a cualquier otra persona, firma o corporación.

Sección 10 B No Transferible Sin Aprobación

El derecho, privilegio y franquicia otorgados por la presente no se pueden transferir por completo o en parte por el Concesionario, sus sucesores o concesionarios, sin aprobación anterior de la Ciudad y la Comisión de Corporación de Arizona. No se requiere ningún consentimiento en relación con una asignación hecha como seguridad de acuerdo con una hipoteca o escritura de fideicomiso o en relación con transferencia subsiguiente hecha de acuerdo con cualquier instrumento.

Sección 11 B Ninguna Renuncia o Limitación de Poderes de Domino Eminente/ Derecho/de Compra

La Ciudad reserva el derecho y el poder de condenar y comprar la planta y las instalaciones de distribución del Concesionario dentro de los límites corporativos o cualesquier adiciones a eso, como estipula la ley, durante el término de la Franquicia y/o vencimiento.

Sección 12 B Provisiones

Independientes

Si cualquier sección, párrafo, cláusula, frase o provisión de este Contrato de Franquicia, y que no sea lo previsto en la Sección 6, es declarada sin validez o inconstitucional, la misma no afectará la validez de este Contrato de Franquicia en su totalidad o en cualquier otra parte de las provisiones aquí contenidas, se declaran ser inválidas o inconstitucional. Si la Sección 6 se declara sin validez o inconstitucional en su totalidad o en cualquier otra parte de la decisión final, este Contrato de Franquicia se terminará inmediatamente y ya no estará en fuerza o efecto.

Sección 13 B Avisos

Cualquier aviso requerido o permitido para ser dado a conocer más adelante deberá ser por escrito, a no ser que otra cosa sea expresamente permitida o requerida, y deberá ser dado o (i) mediante entrega personal a la persona que ostente el cargo expresado en la línea que dice atención en las

dirección de abajo, o si dicho

cargo está vacante o no existe ya, a la persona ostentado un cargo comparable, o (ii) en el tercer día laboral siguiente a su depósito en el Servicio de Correo de los Estados Unidos, por medio de correspondencia de primera clase, certificada o registrada con recibo de entrega requerido, franqueo pagado de antemano y dirigido a:

A la Ciudad: Administrador de la Ciudad

Ciudad de Litchfield Park 214 W. Wigwam Blvd. Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340

Con una copia a: Susan D. Goodwin

Curtis, Goodwin, Sullivan, Udall & Schwab, PLC 501 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Al Southwest Gas Corporation: Legal Affairs Department

Southwest Gas Corporation 10851 North Black Canyon Highway Phoenix, Arizona 85029-4755

Con una copia a: Tax Department

Southwest Gas Corporation 5241 Spring Mountain Rd LVC-400 Las Vegas, Nevada 89150

Sección 14 B Aprobación de los Votantes

Este Contrato de Franquicia esta sujeto a la aprobación de los electores capacitados de la Ciudad. El Concesionario le

deberá pagar a la Ciudad por todos los costos que incurra la Ciudad en administrar la elección de franquicia, con la excepción de que si una o más proposiciones adicionales se les presentan a los electores en dicha elección. El Concesionario deberá pagar solamente aquella parte de los gastos determinados por dividiendo todos los gastos de la Ciudad por el número de cuestiones que se presenten en la boleta.

Sección 15 B Derechos de Auditar La Ciudad tiene la autorización, al costo de la Ciudad, de administrar un auditar del Concesionario en cualquier tiempo durante la duración de esta Franquicia para determinar cumplimiento del Concesionario bajo este contrato. El auditar se administrará de tal manera como no perturbe las operaciones de negocios del Concesionario. Todos los registros pertinentes del Concesionario son sujetos a un auditar administrado por la Ciudad. La Ciudad puede determinar el alcance del auditar de cada auditar administrada. Este auditar no deberá requerir más de una vez en un período de 12 meses.

Sección 16 B Reembolso de las Conclusiones del Auditar El Concesionario le deberá pagar a la Ciudad dentro de 45 días de un aviso por escrito

de cualesquier cantidades que se le deben a la Ciudad como determinado por un auditar del Concesionario. El reembolso de cualquier pago insuficiente como resultado de las conclusiones del auditar será identificado como pagos delincuentes y serán sujetos al interés de pagos delincuentes del 18% por año. Nosotros, los abajo firmantes, Alcalde y Concejo Municipal de la Ciudad de Litchfield Park, Arizona, aprueban y adoptan este Contrato de Franquicia este día ___ de _________ de ___. CIUDAD DE LITCHFIELD

PARK Por: Thomas L. Schoaf Ciudad de Litchfield Park Fecha:

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION, Una Corporación de California

Por: Alcalde Luis Frisby Vice-Presidente, Central Arizona Division Fecha:

CERTIFICA: Carla Reece, Secretaria Municipal de Litchfield Park APROBADO EN FORMA: Curtis, Goodwin, Sullivan, Udall & Schwab, PLC Por Susan D. Goodwin

Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on February 3, 10, 17, 24, and March 2, 2016.

SECTION 2. That an election is hereby called and ordered to be held in the City of Litchfield Park on March 8, 2016 for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the

conditions of the above referenced agreement shall be granted to Arizona Public Service Company.

SECTION 3. That this franchise election be held pursuant to the provisions of the Arizona Constitution and laws of the

SECTION 4. That the ballots used at said election shall be substantially in the following form: SHALL THE PROPOSED FRANCHISE FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS BE GRANTED TO ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY FOR THE USE OF CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY

SECTION

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the

Thomas L. Schoaf, Mayor ATTEST:

Carla Reece, MMC, City Clerk

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

of Litchfield Park, Arizona this 4th day of November, 2015.

of the

and

By Susan D. Goodwin, Curtis, Goodwin, Sullivan, Udall & Schwab, PLC City Attorney

Section 1. – Grant of Franchise:

FRANCHISE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY AND CITY OF LITCHFIELD PARK, ARIZONA

notify the other party of such

and the parties shall use their

efforts to resolve such conflict. Activities related to the construction of Grantee’s facilities within the rights-of-way such as traffic control, backfilling, compaction and paving, and the location or relocation of lines and related facilities shall be

A.

City’s contractor working on the governmental project. Governmental functions are those duties imposed on City, where the duties involve a general public benefit, not in the nature of a corporate or business undertaking for the corporate benefit and interest of City. Governmental functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Any and all improvements to City’s public rights-of-way;

2. Establishing and maintaining domestic water systems, sanitary sewers, storm drains, and related facilities;

3. Establishing and maintaining municipal parks, parking spaces, parkways, pedestrian malls, or grass, shrubs, trees and other vegetation for the purpose of landscaping any street or public property;

4. Providing fire protection and other public safety functions; and

5. Collection and disposal of garbage and recyclables.

6. The relocation of Grantee’s facilities necessary to carry out the exercise of the City’s police power for urban renewal.

C. City will bear the entire cost of relocating any of Grantee’s facilities, the relocation of which is necessitated by the construction of improvements by or on behalf of City in furtherance of a proprietary function. All functions of City which are not governmental are proprietary.

D. If City participates in the cost of relocating Grantee’s facilities for any reason, the cost of relocation to City shall not include any upgrade or improvement of Grantee’s facilities as they existed prior to relocation.

E. City will not exercise its right to require Grantee’s facilities to be relocated in an unreasonable or arbitrary manner, or to avoid its obligation under the Franchise. City agrees to notify Grantee during the planning and design of City’s projects in rights-of-way that may require relocation of Grantee’s facilities and to coordinate its construction plans and schedules with Grantee to determine the most cost-effective design to mitigate Grantee’s cost to relocate its facilities.

F. City agrees it will not require Grantee to relocate its facilities located within the public rights-of-way without providing Grantee adequate space within the rights-of-way to relocate the facilities that must be moved.

G. City will not plant any tree that can normally grow to a height of more than 25 feet under or adjacent to Grantee’s overhead power lines in the public rights-of-way. Grantee shall have the authority to prune or remove any trees or shrubs located within or hanging over the limits of the public rights-of-way of City that in the judgment of Grantee may interfere with the construction, or endanger the operation, of the lines and/or facilities of Grantee. All said vegetation management work is to be done at Grantee’s expense and pursuant to

A.N.S.I. Standard A300. Section 4. – Indemnification:

City, its departments, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns, shall in no way be liable or responsible for any accident or damage that may occur in the construction, operation or maintenance by Grantee of its appurtenances hereunder, except to the extent such accident or damage may be proximately caused by the negligent or willful and wanton acts or omissions of City, its departments, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns. The acceptance of this Franchise shall be deemed an agreement on the part of Grantee that Grantee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, defend, indemnify, and hold City harmless from and against any and all claims, costs, suits, damages, judgments, expenses and losses including, but not limited to attorney fees and court costs relating to, arising out of, or alleged to have resulted from the exercise of this Franchise by Grantee; provided, however, that such claims, expenses and

Grantee, so long as it maintains, operates or owns facilities, within rights-of-way of City, at

operation or maintenance by Grantee of its facilities in a reasonable amount sufficient to insure Grantee’s obligations under this Section, with City named as an

– Notices:

Section

or, if