Our Top Stories
Officials Assessing Damages from Flooding; Water Donations Sought
Fri, Aug 22nd, 2008
As the waters are receding, officials are assessing the damages caused when excessive rain triggered flash flooding and greatly impacted the Havasupai Tribe.
Donations
Bottled water is being sought for those affected by the flash flood. To donate, please go to the Aidmatrix portal and follow the instructions, especially the contact information.
The Aidmatrix Network is a national disaster relief coordination system funded by FEMA, The UPS Foundation, Accenture, and the Aidmatrix Foundation, Inc. to better manage unsolicited donations and volunteers.
The Havasupai Tribal Council is requesting financial, technical and supplies assistance. Please contact Ron Quasula, Emergency Coordinator at nativefire1@yahoo.com for more information. The Havasupai Tribal Disaster Fund has been set up to assist with relief efforts.
Wells Fargo Bank Arizona
330 East Beale Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
....more
Donations
Bottled water is being sought for those affected by the flash flood. To donate, please go to the Aidmatrix portal and follow the instructions, especially the contact information.
The Aidmatrix Network is a national disaster relief coordination system funded by FEMA, The UPS Foundation, Accenture, and the Aidmatrix Foundation, Inc. to better manage unsolicited donations and volunteers.
The Havasupai Tribal Council is requesting financial, technical and supplies assistance. Please contact Ron Quasula, Emergency Coordinator at nativefire1@yahoo.com for more information. The Havasupai Tribal Disaster Fund has been set up to assist with relief efforts.
Wells Fargo Bank Arizona
330 East Beale Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
....more
Furniture Stuffed with Drugs Seized in Arizona
Wed, Aug 20th, 2008
Naco, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers foiled a sophisticated smuggling attempt at the Naco port of entry yesterday when they discovered 1,595 packages of marijuana hidden inside wooden entertainment centers coming from Mexico.
"This type of deep, sophisticated concealment is a sign of how much effort drug trafficking organizations must go through in an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs past our officers,” said Port Director Al Acuna, “Our officers have proven they are up to the challenge."
Almost 1,600 packages of marijuana line the ground after being discovered inside entertainment centers coming from Mexico.
At just before noon on August 19, CBP officers screening commercial importations from Mexico entering through the Naco port of entry chose a shipment of wooden entertainment centers for intensive inspection based on suspicions raised during an examination of paperwork, questions asked of the driver and a quick inspection of the items.
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"This type of deep, sophisticated concealment is a sign of how much effort drug trafficking organizations must go through in an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs past our officers,” said Port Director Al Acuna, “Our officers have proven they are up to the challenge."
Almost 1,600 packages of marijuana line the ground after being discovered inside entertainment centers coming from Mexico.At just before noon on August 19, CBP officers screening commercial importations from Mexico entering through the Naco port of entry chose a shipment of wooden entertainment centers for intensive inspection based on suspicions raised during an examination of paperwork, questions asked of the driver and a quick inspection of the items.
....more
Latest Round of Arizona-Made Films Debut
Wed, Aug 20th, 2008
Phoenix, AZ – Three productions filmed in Arizona in the last year will premiere on the small and silver screens beginning this weekend. Most recently, “The Kingdom,” filmed almost entirely in the East Valley in 2006 to mimic Saudi Arabia, hit movie theatres last September.
The latest movie, “S.I.S,” centers on a police officer who joins an elite investigative team in Los Angeles whose methods come into question. Filmed mostly in central Phoenix to replicate L.A., “S.I.S.” premieres Sunday, August 24 on Spike TV at 10:00 p.m. The two-hour film was shot in the Valley earlier this year.
“Jake’s Corner” is a family-friendly independent film about a former football star who moves as far away from the spotlight as possible: To a small and sleepy desert town known as Jake’s Corner (a real place in Gila County). The town is a mere stopover for tourists and travelers, with its own cast of quirky residents. The main character, Johnny Dunn (played by Richard Tyson; Black Hawk Down, There’s Something About Mary), finds his life dramatically changed when he’s left to care for his nephew and ends up discovering the true meaning of family in his new community. The film also stars Diane Ladd, Danny Trejo, B.J. Thomas, as well as many Arizona-based actors and actresses. “Jake’s Corner” premieres on outdoor screens in Payson, and debuts nationwide on September 5th. The film was produced by Jeff Santo, son of Chicago Cubs baseball player, Ron Santo, as well as Phoenix-area business owner and former basketball star Dan Majerle and others.
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The latest movie, “S.I.S,” centers on a police officer who joins an elite investigative team in Los Angeles whose methods come into question. Filmed mostly in central Phoenix to replicate L.A., “S.I.S.” premieres Sunday, August 24 on Spike TV at 10:00 p.m. The two-hour film was shot in the Valley earlier this year.
“Jake’s Corner” is a family-friendly independent film about a former football star who moves as far away from the spotlight as possible: To a small and sleepy desert town known as Jake’s Corner (a real place in Gila County). The town is a mere stopover for tourists and travelers, with its own cast of quirky residents. The main character, Johnny Dunn (played by Richard Tyson; Black Hawk Down, There’s Something About Mary), finds his life dramatically changed when he’s left to care for his nephew and ends up discovering the true meaning of family in his new community. The film also stars Diane Ladd, Danny Trejo, B.J. Thomas, as well as many Arizona-based actors and actresses. “Jake’s Corner” premieres on outdoor screens in Payson, and debuts nationwide on September 5th. The film was produced by Jeff Santo, son of Chicago Cubs baseball player, Ron Santo, as well as Phoenix-area business owner and former basketball star Dan Majerle and others.
....more
Honeywell Agrees to $6 Million Settlement for Environmental Violations
Wed, Aug 20th, 2008
PHOENIX -- Honeywell International, Inc. (Honeywell) will pay a $5 million civil penalty for hazardous waste and environmental cleanup violations at its Phoenix airport facility, located at 111 S. 34th Street in Phoenix, and $1 million for a supplemental environmental project.
The penalty settles a lawsuit filed by ADEQ and the Attorney General’s Office against Honeywell in July 2004 for a number of environmental violations spanning more than 30 years.
The lawsuit alleged that between 1974 and 2004 Honeywell violated numerous environmental laws, including the Arizona Water Quality Control Act, Arizona Hazardous Waste Disposal Act and Arizona Underground Storage Tank Act.
Honeywell’s alleged violations included discharging chlorinated solvents such as vinyl chloride, dichloroethane, trichloroethane and trichloroethylene, into the Phoenix sewer system without a permit.
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The penalty settles a lawsuit filed by ADEQ and the Attorney General’s Office against Honeywell in July 2004 for a number of environmental violations spanning more than 30 years.
The lawsuit alleged that between 1974 and 2004 Honeywell violated numerous environmental laws, including the Arizona Water Quality Control Act, Arizona Hazardous Waste Disposal Act and Arizona Underground Storage Tank Act.
Honeywell’s alleged violations included discharging chlorinated solvents such as vinyl chloride, dichloroethane, trichloroethane and trichloroethylene, into the Phoenix sewer system without a permit.
....more
French Airmen Train at Luke Air Force Base
Wed, Aug 20th, 2008
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- Approximately 20 French air force aircrews, 60 maintainers and support personnel and four Rafale aircraft visited Luke to participate in an exercise July 28 to Aug. 8.
The major coalition exercise provided a unique opportunity for the French Rafale pilots and Luke’s F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots to familiarize themselves with combined operations. Pilots from both countries took advantage of the opportunity to fly in an aircraft they were not accustomed to operating, and they got to see first-hand the capabilities of the other country’s aircraft.
“It was an amazing opportunity,” said Capt. Matt Spears, an F-16 pilot with the 309th Fighter Squadron here. “I was impressed with the capabilities of the aircraft.” The Rafale is a twin-engine aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of short- and long-range missions, including ground and sea attack, air defense and reconnaissance. The F-16 is a single-engine, compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. The F-16 also has the ability to fly more than 500 miles deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft and return to its starting point.
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The major coalition exercise provided a unique opportunity for the French Rafale pilots and Luke’s F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots to familiarize themselves with combined operations. Pilots from both countries took advantage of the opportunity to fly in an aircraft they were not accustomed to operating, and they got to see first-hand the capabilities of the other country’s aircraft.
“It was an amazing opportunity,” said Capt. Matt Spears, an F-16 pilot with the 309th Fighter Squadron here. “I was impressed with the capabilities of the aircraft.” The Rafale is a twin-engine aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of short- and long-range missions, including ground and sea attack, air defense and reconnaissance. The F-16 is a single-engine, compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. The F-16 also has the ability to fly more than 500 miles deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft and return to its starting point.
....more
