The Ajo Copper News is a Weekly Newspaper
Serving Ajo, Why, & Lukeville in
Southwestern Arizona since 1916.
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| Issue |
2010 News |
Deaths,
Services |
Weddings, Births, Happy News |
| July 21, 2010 |
• Pronghorn preservation vs smuggling
prevention has been a hot topic, the subject of recent editorials and
opinion pieces in several major newspapers. Curt McCasland of Cabeza
Prieta National Wildlife Refuge says it's old news harking back to a
2008 memo and covered thoroughly at the time in the Ajo Copper News and
other newspapers. • People who want to run for the school board or health service district board need to file their papers by August 4. • A small travel trailer burned to the ground on Jefferson last Sunday. The trailer was fully engulfed when the fire department arrived; the Pima County Sheriff's Dept. and Ajo Ambulance also responded. • What's happening? Ajo events calendar |
• Neal G. Mowers, 92, a longtime Why
resident, died July 7, 2010, in Tucson. No services are planned. |
• Happy Birthday Dominique Pacheco, Daisy
Farmer, and Gleason Antone! • Congratulations Emily Marie Whitley on graduation from high school in Scottsdale. |
| July 14, 2010 |
• Ken
Farmer has retired as the Ajo school athletic director. He retired as a
teacher in 2004. • Plea bargains have been signed for eleven of the senior pranksters over 18, others are considering the deal. The agreement involved community service, restitution, and a year of unsupervised probation. One individual was offered a separate plea agreement, which he refused. The cases of those under age 18 are still pending. |
• Lawrence Ray "Corky" Sipe, 82, died at
his home in Ajo on July 10, 2010. Memorial services will be held at the
Elks on July 31. Douglass Funeral Home. • Perry "Pat" Alley, 91, died at a Tucson hospital. No service information was available. |
• Happy birthdays Nellie Jo David, Deana Pearson, Abrahan Alvarez Jr., Emelda Yasmine, and Angelique Ramirez. |
| July 7, 2010 |
• Independence Day weekend, though hot, was
filled with activities. Several dogs were frightened by the fireworks
and ran away; some remain missing. • Three people were seriously injured in an accident on SR 85 milepost 44. Two dogs were uninjured. • Local organizations are making plans for food-related projets under a grant awarded to the International Sonoran Desert Alliance. • While it's true Minerals Research & Recovery will be working on slag processing in Cottonwood, they have no plans to leave Ajo until the slag here is exhausted, a process expected to take several more years. |
• Edward Ivan Huish, 82, died July 2, 2010.
He was a longtime Ajo resident. Services were held at the LDS church on
July 8; burial was in Ajo Cemetery. Douglass Funeral Home • Oscar Pullum, 81, died July 3, 2010, at his home in Ajo. Services were held at the funeral home on July 9. Douglass Funeral Home. |
• Happy birthday Myke V., Morgana Wallace-Cooper, Sherry Marquez, Sara Olea, Rigoberto Serventi, Nathan Pullum, Cristina Picos, Nancy Scholl, Yolanda Gonzalez, Martin Gray, Horacio Casillas, Belia Espinoza, Angie Olais, Barbara Miller-Staples, Adrian Rendon, Darlen Cubillas, Audrey Torgerson, Dominque Pacheco. |
| June 30, 2010 |
• Independence Day festivities will be held
in the Plaza on Saturday. Fireworks will be set off Sunday
evening. Many local events and parties will celebrate the holiday. • The Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers can create identification cards for kids. Call 387-8531 for more information. |
• There were no obituaries in the June 30 issue. | • Melanie Humphrey Moreno received her
masters degree in speech-language pathology from the University of
Arizona. • Happy birthday Gayle Weyers. |
| June 23, 2010 |
• The Hook a Kid on Golf participants were
treated to presentations by Border Patrol, Pima County Sheriff's
Department, and golf course maintenance personnel. • Plans are being made for the 4th of July. Primary sponsors are the American Legion, VFW, and American Legion Riders. The Ajo Gibson Volunteer Fire Department spearheads the fireworks display. Donations are needed by all to ensure community tradition continues. • Summer events continue with programs by the library, ISDA, and Arizona Youth Partnership. |
• Lucille "Sheila" Flores Angulo, 64, died
June 6, 2010, in Scottsdale. She was an Ajo native. Memorial services
are being held in Scottsdale. |
• Happy anniversary Paula & Joey Call. • Happy birthday Brandon Larremore and Kevin Acone. • Marcos A. Acosta received his bachelor's degree in criminology & criminal justice with a minor in Spanish from Northern Arizona University. • Jenna Rae Midgon has received her nursing degree. |
| June 16, 2010 |
• Following the discovery of two homemade
bottle bombs, residents were advised to steer clear of suspicious items. • The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church was rededicated and Father Peter Nwachukwu officially installed as parish priest. • Victor Maduro-Flores was officially sworn in as Ajo's postmaster. • Fernando Campa and Jose Flores foiled the daylight theft of a donations collection at Desert Senita Community Health Center. |
• Grace "Shorty" Durham, 92, died June 7,
2010, in a care facility in Idaho. She was a former Ajo resident.
Graveside services were held in Ajo on June 18. Douglass Funeral Home. • Ann L. Hunter, 77, died in Oklahoma on June 11, 2010. She was a former longtime Ajo resident. Services were held in Oklahoma. |
• Brooke J. Petersen received both her high
school diploma and her associate of arts degree in Washington in June. • Gabriel de Jesus Cardenas was born in Tucson on January 10, 2010, to Adriana Hernandez and Jesus Cardenas. |
| June 9, 2010 |
• The Western
Pima County Community Council
heard about programs to environmentally test and clear land, a Health
Start program for pregnant women, and updates from the sheriff's
department and county attorney's office. The formation of a new
landscaping & beautification business was announced. WPCCC will be
on hiatus until September. • The Ajo Elks Lodge will hold a Flag Day ceremony at the lodge at 5 p.m. Monday, June 14. A dinner will be held at 6 p.m. with vets eating free, others must pay. • The Las Artes program celebrated GED achievement for Nadine Hernandez, Vanessa Alegria, Ashley Pearson, Amber Juarez, Ramon Diaz, Anthony Vannasdale, Roman Sanora, Joe Atkinson, Brandi Gates, Ryan Marquez, Steven Stafford, Francisca Lopez, Raul Perez, Sierre Bosley, Marion Guevara, and Shelley Hinojos. |
• Bessie Miller, 87, died May 27, 2010, in
Phoenix. She was a longtime resident of Ajo and Why. A memorial service
was held in Vernon on June 4; she was buried there next to her husband. • Saturnina Felix Sotelo, 87, died in Montebello, California, on June 3, 2010. She was a former Ajo resident. |
• Marcos Acosta, Joseph Alvillar, and
Denise Mariscales all received bachelor's degrees from Northern Arizona
University. • Happy birthday Louie Walters, Danielle Cowhig. • Landon Allan Fate was born in Gilbert on April 21, 2010, to Brittany Celaya and Chad Fate. |
| June 2, 2010 |
• The Ajo High School Class of 2010
includes valedictorian Savannah Rachel McCasland, salutatorian Mandi
Elizabeth Macias, National Honor Society members Anissa Chanel Garcia,
Andrew R. Maya, Keshia Yazmeen Olea, and Leonela Vazquez, and graduates
Hugo Acosta, Rene Acuna, Jesse Ray Alvarez, Joaquin Antonio Betancourt,
Guadalupe Cuevas, Chynna Kristie Davis, Luz Elena Flores, Andrew Joseph
Foster, Bergundi Doraleen Gates, Joseph David Granillo, Ty-Ahna Morning
Dove Jones, Mackenzie Victoria Manuel, Jose Luis Martinez, Ivan U.
Molina, Danielle Ashley Morales, Alexys Ortega, April Ann Ortiz, Jose
Maria Ortiz Jr., Frank Javier Robles, Larissa Rachelle Velarde, and
Kyle Whitley. • Immaculate Conception Church is being rededicated. • The VFW and American Legion Riders are joining the American Legion in organizing the 4th of July celebration. The Ajo Gibson Volunteer Fire Department is trying to raise funds for the firework display. |
• Norma Faye Ortiz died May 26, 2010, in a
nursing facility. She was a lifelong resident of Ajo. Service at
Assembly of God on June 2. Douglass Funeral Home. |
• Happy birthday Josie Castro, Willie
Marquez, Paul Colarich Jr., Virginia Leatherwood, Mike Mekelburg,
Pamela Martinez, Juanito Lozano, Bob Guinn, Jan McKay Smith, Liz McKay
Olea, Bob Hickman, Larry Torgerson, Romeo Cubillas, Robert Jonston,
Virginia Garcia, and Katie Martinez. |
| May 26, 2010 |
• Ajo High School graduation is May 27;
eighth grade promotion is the day before. The administration has
expelled the prankster seniors and they will not be allowed to
participate in the graduation ceremony though they will be granted
diplomas. • The American Legion is taking the lead to make sure the 4th of July celebration still takes place. • The Ajo Community Pool is open for the summer. • Four golf carts and greens were vandalized at Ajo Community Golf course. • An single vehicle roll-over in Crater Range resulted in one fatality and injuries to three other people. |
• Richard "Dick" Park, 91, died May 9,
2010, in the Phoenix area. He was a former longtime resident. • Maybelle Burchfield - no information available |
• Happy retirement to Robert Runge,
Margarita Martinez, Tracy Sepulveda, and Dixie Grissom. All are
retiring to the school system. • Denise Ysela Mariscales was awarded a bachelor of science degree in criminology and criminal justice with a minor in sociology by Northern Arizona University. • Ashley Marie Castillo has been accepted to the University of Washington's School of Medicine. |
| May 19, 2010 |
• Dark streetlights in the Ajo Improvement
area of town have turned some streets into gray areas. The outage is
because the lights do not have power; repairs are planned but no
timeline has been set. Ajo Improvement says about 75% of the
streetlights in their area have been upgraded with new bulbs and
fixtures in preparation for Project Dark Sky. • 4th of July festivities remain in peril as no group has come forward to assume responsibility for the holiday events. • No decision has been made as to whether the prankster seniors responsible for vandalism at the school will be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies. Superintendent Bob Dooley says damages came to about $5000. |
• Arturo T. "Turi" Rendon, 76, died at his
home in Ajo on May 16, 2010. Services pending. Douglass Funeral Home. |
• Elinor Luz Campion was awarded her
bachelor of science degree in computer engineering by Arizona State
University. • Thomas Dean Gagnon was born at Verde Valley Medical Center on April 19, 2010, to Corina and Paul Gagnon of Clarkdale. • Happy birthday Don Weyers, Mona Yanez, and Nico David! |
| May 12, 2010 |
• Approximately 20 students were
disenrolled from the Ajo schools as the state school superintendent
demanded the local school return $1.2 million in funding for students
they say an audit determined lived in Sonoyta. Local superintendent
said the 120 student figure released by the state was highly inflated.
Both sides agree that the students in question are in the US legally
(many are US citizens) and that the issue is residency, not citizenship. • A senior prank night went too far, edging out of the realm of a practical joke and into vandalism. A reported eighteen students were involved; one was arrested and the others cited. The school is also meting out punishment; it has not yet been decided if the students will be able to participate in the graduation ceremony. • There may be no 4th of July celebration in Ajo. The committee that organized the parade and festival have given up the task, citing lack of community support. Ajo District Chamber of Commerce director Silvia Howard said there was not enough time left for it to take over the event. Chief David Tibbitt of the Ajo Gibson Volunteer Fire Department said only a tiny fraction of the money needed for the annual fireworks display had been donated; $400 has been received and a deposit for half the cost of $3400 is due on May 21. Unless substantial donations are received, the fireworks will be canceled. • Movie night at the Oasis Theatre is resuming on Thursday, May 13, with films on Thursday & Friday evenings and a Saturday matinee. |
• Jack Dalton Dickerson, 69, died May 1,
2010. He was a former Ajo resident. A private family service is
planned. Chino Valley Funeral Home www.heritagefuneralchapels.com • Christian Ramirez died prematurely on May 2, 2010, several months before expected birth. |
• Mike Mason was feted at a retirement
party. • Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument received a national award for excellence in wilderness stewardship. |
| May 5, 2010 |
• The Cinco de Mayo holiday will be
celebrated May 8 in the in Plaza. The American Citizens Social Club
sponsor the annual event. • National Women's Health Week will see lots of events in Ajo. Desert Senita Community Health Center is joined in sponsorship by the Pima County Health Department, the public library, and other local groups. • The new officers of the Desert Senita Community Health Center include president Bob Dooley, vice president Judy Macey-Spain, and secretary-treasurer Dick Ducic. As past president, Mari Zimmermann will serve on the executive committee. • There are still lots of programs at the library, food sales, |
• William Joseph "Joe" Reid, 66, died at
his home in Ajo on April 30, 2010. Memorial services were held May 7 in
Douglass Funeral Home. • Darlene Ricks Archer, 75, died April 30, 2010. in Texas. She lived in Ajo in her youth. Services have been held. Gentry Funeral Home of Ft. Stockton, Texas. |
• Sgt. Gary Chatham retired from the Pima
County Sheriff's Department in March after nearly 25 years with the
department. • Happy birthday to Hilda Alvarez, Gabrielle David, Anna Reynolds, LaVerne Reynolds, Linda Guan, Delia Wilkinson, Lina Olais, Aida Zevallos, Maggie Hamilton, Arlene Rojo, Bertha Pino, Henry Gray, Martha Olea, Kay Conroy, Billy Cratty, Selena Jerez, Lari Marie Krznarich, and Larry Wayne Zirkle. • Happy Mother's Day! |
| April 28, 2010 |
• The Ajo Copper News turned 94 on April 29. • Pima County Sheriff's Department deputies Kori Greene and Zachary Rapaich were promoted to sergeant. Both are permanently stationed in Ajo. • The weekend will be busy with the Ajo Historical Society's open house at the museum on Saturday, Kaity's Way yard sale, and an Elvis impersonator at the VFW. |
• There were no new obituaries in the April
28 issue. |
• Bergi Gates was crowned prom queen and
Jesse Alvarez was king. Prom princess was Susanna Esquivel and prom
prince was Carlos Flores. • Happy birthday Katherine Schumacher, Susanna Esquivel, and Lilia Mia! |
| April 21, 2010 |
• The All Ajo Reunion at Rustlers' Rooste
in the Phoenix area was attended and enjoyed by many. The print edition
of the Ajo Copper News had pictures of some of them, including a
picture of the AHS Class of 1960. • Local land manager spoke out about the Congressional bill giving Border Patrol carte blanche on wilderness lands, noting USBP already had wide access. • There's still lots to do with programs, food sales, and more on the community schedule. |
• There were no new obituaries in the April
21 edition of the Ajo Copper News. |
• Schroeder Leviticus Markham was born in
Phoenix on March 29, 2010, to Michael & Amber Markham. • Happy birthday Mike Hipp, Cassandra Coyle, Amanda Weber, Lauren Weber! • Scott Boyd is the new Exalted Ruler at the Elks Lodge. |
| April 14, 2010 |
• The school board approved reductions in
force for three teachers: Joanna Higgins, Girlie Ubarco, and Leslie
Belskis. The RIF status might change if the state sales tax increase
passes They also accepted resignation from Rebecca Estolano, Zoe Walsh,
Dixie Grissom, Margarita Martinez, and Oscar Sisk. • Victor L. Maduro-Flores is the new Ajo postmaster. He has been with the US Postal Service for 17 years. • The pronghorn recovery program is making progress with its captive breeding program. |
• There were no new obituaries in the April
14 issue. |
• Crystal Jean DeWitt and Jose Thomas
Sandoval were united in marriage on April 3. |
| April 7, 2010 |
• The earthquake in California on Sunday
was felt in Ajo as a quiver that swayed chandeliers. Some people felt
it, others didn't. • The Western Pima County Community Council heard about the street lighting drive for the APS area, local law enforcement issues, the community garden, and plans for Earth Day. The non-governmental council posts minutes on their website. • Work on government homes in the 55 Sahuaro housing area was scheduled before the GSA considered the park for potential purchase. |
• James A. Maddox, 83, died in a Phoenix
hospital on February 26, 2010. Burial services in Phoenix were private.
Greer-Wilson Funeral Home. Gail Mcclelland died February 11, 2010. No details were available. • Charles Lewis "Chop" Tschop died December 18, 2009, in Surprise hospice. He was a former Ajo resident. Services were held at his home in Surprise. |
• Happy birthday Angus Braseth, Sunnie Cox, Annie Reid, Tim Noran, Natalie Pullum, George Chism, Bobbye Yarberry, Ruth Runge, Ildegardo Olea Sr., Dennis & Esperanza Hughes, Lilia Garcia, Amanda & Lauren Weber, Sheila Colarich, and John Noyes. |
| March 31, 2010 |
HAPPY EASTER
• The Easter sunrise service will begin at
6:30 a.m. in the Plaza.• Crater Range got a scrubbing by volunteers organized by the Cabeza Prieta Natural History Association. The group tried to wipe out graffiti. • The street light issue continues to prompt readers to write letters to the editor. |
• No new obituaries in the March 31 issue |
• Happy birthday Chloe Krehbiel, Cali Faith
Sandoval. • Audry Roy Kinney was born December 9, 2009, to Kristin and Brian Kinney of Petaluma, California. |
| March 24, 2010 | • A 4-day symposium on the Sonoran Desert
was held at Curley School campus. Representatives from Organ Pipe
Cactus National Monument, lead agency in organizing the event, were
joined by people from many agencies and interested individuals. • The Rev. Dr. Jim Thrash is the new pastor at Ajo Calvary Baptist Church. • The Palm Sunday community service will be held at the Ajo First Assembly of God. • Planning is beginning for this year's Grad Night. • A county program to demolish blighted structures is being rejuvenated for the Ajo area. • US Border Patrol has announced an open bid has gone out to build a 52,000 square-foot building at the BP facility in Why. They expect an additional 150 agents to be assigned to the Ajo station over the next 18 months, bringing the total to 450. • Activities include a kids' movie at the library, senior citizens potluck, art shows, an ice cream social, food sales, lectures, and more. |
• Theodore James "Jim" Schnell, 78, died at
his home in Ajo on March 18, 2010. He lived in Ajo most of his life.
Graveside services on March 26. Douglass Funeral Home. • Delbert D. "Mac" Macfarlane, 84, died March 17, 2010, at a Tucson hospital. He was a longtime Ajo resident. Services at the LDS Church March 23; burial in Ajo Cemetery. Douglass Funeral Home. • Gustavo "Gus" Vanegas Nogales, 92, died March 15, 2010, in Bellevue, Washington. He lived in Ajo as a youth. Mass was celebrated March 23 in Washington. www.Flintofts.com • Arturo "Turie" Mazon Caraveo, 67, died at his home in Phoenix on March 18, 2010. He was an Ajo native. Mass was celebrated at Palm Funeral Home in Sun City. |
• Journey Jones was presented an award by
the Most Rev. Gerald Kincanas, bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, for her
participation as a student reader at church. |
| March 17, 2010 | • Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and
Congressman Raul Grijalva toured Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
and discussed border conservation and security issues. They were
accompanied by National Park Service director Jon Jarvis and by Bob
Eggle as well as representatives of other state and federal agencies. • Free rides will be part of the celebration observing five years of service for rural bus service route 685 between Ajo and Phoenix. • This Sunday evening's community pre-Easter service is being held at the Ajo Assembly of God Church. The Palm Sunday service will be held there as well. |
• Christopher Zachary Oberg, 20, died in an
accident in Chandler. Services were held in Tempe and burial was in the
Ajo Cemetery. |
• Happy Birthday Lianna Castillo & Ray
Fober. |
| March 10, 2010 | • Another big weekend for Ajo with the
Sonoran Shindig heading the list. There will also be a Rotary roping,
an art exhibits, lectures, and more. • Funding cuts have lead to the lay-off of coordinator Norma Gomez by AzPYP. • The Western Pima County Community Council heard about the proposed acquisition of 55 Sahuaro for Customs housing, a topic that brought about sometimes heated comments. They also heard about the census, the community garden, proposed property demolition, Border Patrol and PCSD, and a proposed visit by a Shriners group. • This week's Lenten community service will be led by Pastor Rob Johnston in Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 14. |
• Agnes Wood Doig Osborn died March 5,
2010, in Portland, Oregon, She was a former winter resident of Why. |
• Spring is arriving, birds are singing,
and plants are blooming. |
| March 3, 2010 |
• The Victim Services Division is holding a
two-day session for people interested in volunteering. • This week's Lenten community service will be led by Pastor Gary Stacy in Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 7. On March 14, the service will again be at Good Shepherd with Pastor Rob Johnson leading the service. • The Season of Tradition will celebrate the crafts & skills of the Tohono O'odham and others every weekend in March at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Other activities include a horseshoe tournament, lectures, dinners, rummage sales, and a concert Tuesday by the Tucson Symphony. • The weather has been warmer but rainy. Last week Freeport-McMoRan recorded 0.20 inches of rain. • The resurfacing of streets after utility upgrades is a problem that has no clear answer. It appears that patching the roadway may be all that is required. |
• Maria Monreal Hoge, 97, died February 23,
2010, at a facility in Tucson. She lived in Ajo most of her life. Mass
was celebrated in Ajo on February 27, burial was in Ajo Cemetery next
to her husband. Douglass Funeral Home. • Ernest W. James, 79, died February 25, 2010, in Tucson. He lived in Ajo since 1943. Family graveside services are being planned. • Esteban "Steve" H. Olea, 69, died February 20, 2010, in a Chandler hospice. He was an Ajo native and lifelong resident. He was buried in Ajo Cemetery, next to his daughter. |
• Happy birthday Ray Fober, Elsie Lumley,
Ofilia Monje, Carolina Pullum, Paul Vasquez, Terry Alvarez, Minerva
Alvarez Connie Villaverde, Helen Mathews, Bud Klinefelter, Jeanette
Nicholls, Coy Wiley, Sunie Cox, Breana and Bianca Vallejo. |
| February 24, 2010 |
• Following two student-involved
single-vehicle rollovers in less than a month, the Ajo Unified School
District is looking into ways to educate students about driving. • Several bobcat sightings have occurred recently and there has been at least one close encounter. People are reminded that bobcats are wild animals that should be avoided. In 2007 two local men received rabies inoculations after being attacked by a rabid bobcat. • The week's activities include a talk by singer songwriter Jeni Foster, lectures, an evening in the desert, Bible study, a blood drive, food sales, auction, and benefit dance for Norma Ortiz. |
• There were no obituaries in the February
24 edition. |
• Happy first birthday Mary Milarnie. • Happy birthday Simon E. Leon Sr. |
| February 17, 2010 | • The Ajo Historical Society is having a
busy season with renovations, exhibit expansion, fundraisers, and
greeting visitors who want to learn more about the area's history. Some
of the renovations are being made by members of the Tohono O'odham
Community College painting apprenticeship program. • A quarter; economic development meeting was attended by county officials and local business and civic leaders. Issues discussed including zoning and building permits, business development, law enforcement, and the new WALD community calendar that appears in the Ajo Copper News and will be available on websites. • Events this weekend are being led by the Legion Riders poker run and chili cook-off. Other events include food sales, art exhibits, potlucks, Bingo, field trips, lectures, and workshops. |
• Benjamin Lopez Rios, 88, died at a
Phoenix Hospital on February 2, 2010. He was an Ajo native. Services
were held in Ajo Federated Church February 13; burial in Ajo Cemetery.
Douglass Funeral Home. • Rebecca Merrill Fullagar died February 12, 2010, in a Mesa hospice. She was an Ajo native. Services were held at a Mesa LDS ward. • Roy Eugene Templeton II died at his home in Tucson. He grew up in Ajo. No services. • Nicholas Orosco, 67, died at Archie Hendricks on February 3, 2010. He lived most of his life in Ajo. Mass was celebrated in Gu Vo. |
• Congratulations to Olsens Marketplace for
being one of just three 5-star IGA stores in a four-state area. • Happy birthday Hop David, Cary Chatham, Mariah. • June Nickell and Lil Jones reigned as sweethearts at a dinner held by local Beta Sigma Phi chapters. • Aimee Nicole Shoulders and Christopher Michael Andela were married in Las Vegas on January 8, 2010. |
| February 10, 2010 | • The pharmacy at Desert Senita Community
Health Center is now open. Tom's Pharmacy remains open. • The Ajo office of the state Motor Vehicle Department has closed. Some transactions can be handled online while others will require trips out of town to MVD offices or third-party services. • Street lighting district formation, law enforcement issues, and the airport were topics at the Western Pima County Community Council meeting. • Events in a gymkhana, concerts, a valentine dinner show, bird count, library lectures, food sales, |
• Frank M. Estrella. 78, died February 3,
2010, at a hospice in Gilbert. He was a lifelong resident of Ajo. Mass
February 13 in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church . Douglass Funeral
Home. • Ruth Wimer, 106, died February 7, 2010, in Indiana. Services have been held. • Andrea Olivas Gonzalez died February 1, 2010. She was a former Ajo resident. She was buried in Ajo on February 6. |
• Happy birthday Margarita David, Joseph
Jaye Bejarano, Toni Cubillas, Carla Chatham. |
| February 3, 2010 |
• Ajo's busiest weekend -- fiddlers'
contest, quilt show, vaudeville, food and craft sales, lectures, church
events, Bingo, WPCCC and school board meetings, and more. • The Ajo Parent Teacher Student Organization became the Parent Teacher Student Association. The group's next meeting will be Tuesday, February 9, in the school boardroom. • Residents attended a Freeport open house and learned about everything from soil testing and utility upgrades to the possibility of future mining in Ajo. • Though county budget cuts are in the 1 to 2% range, more severe cuts could be on the horizon. The county budget manager says annual cuts could add up to 10% over the next five years, a cumulative effect that would have definite affects on services offered in Ajo. |
• Marceline Marietti, 98, died January 25,
2010, at a Chandler facility. She was a longtime Ajo resident. Visitation
Friday, February 5, 10 a.m. at Ajo Federated Church followed by
services at 11 a.m.
Douglass Funeral Home in Ajo • Marjorie Korolsky, 85, died January 25, 2010, in Casa Grande. Services will be in Casa Grande at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, at Calvary Southern Baptist Church. Simes Mortuaries - Casa Grande Chapel. • Albert Venables, 86, died January 27, 2010, in a Tucson hsopital. No services are planned. |
• Happy birthdays to Ian Nez, Brian Bissell, Hop & Margarita David, Stella Krznarich, Ken Kermode, Frank Estrella Sr., Jesus Espinoza Jr., Victoria Munoz, Father Peter Nwachukwu, Joe Rosalez, and Esperanza Rosalez. |
| January 27, 2010 |
• Rain and wind hit Ajo as three storms
passed through the state. Depending on the local area, 3 to 4.5 inches
of rain fell, possibly an Ajo record for January and about half the
area's yearly average. Winds toppled saguaros whose roots were
surrounded by moist soil, several sheds lost roofs, and homes and
businesses sustained both wind and water damage. The highest wind gust
in the region was reported to be 94mph in Ajo. • It's another busy week. Kristie Miller will be at the library to discuss “A Volume of Friendship: The Letters of Eleanor Roosevelt and Isabella Greenway, 1904-1953” at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Desert Senita Community Health Center will hold its annual health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday - included in the celebration is the newly opened on-site pharmacy. Other events include a Childs Mountain tour, a Fifth Sunday Sing, a day in the sonoran desert, food sales, meetings, and golf events. • The Community Response Committee is continuing work on emergency plans to cover a variety of situations in the Ajo area. |
• Ross Erickson, 69, died December 31,
2009, in Canada. He was a winter resident of Ajo. Services were private. • Christopher Strickland, 28, died December 10, 2009, in Alabama of injuries in a motorcycle accident. He was the son & grandson of former Ajo residents. A graveside service was held in Alabama. • Lupita Ruiz-Castillo Johnson, 71, died at her home in Alabama on December 11, 2009. She was a native of Ajo. Mass was celebrated in Alabama. Fuqua-Bankson Funeral Home. • Ramon Trejo, 74, died in Casa Grande on January 15. Mass will be celebrated in Ajo on February 13. Simes Mortuaries-Casa Grande Chapel. |
• EmmaRose Constance Antone was born in Chandler on January 15, 2010, to Carol Ann Guthrie and Gleason Antone of Ajo. |
| January 20, 2010 |
• John Byrnes is the new president of the
Ajo school board and Lisa Rossi the new clerk. Other board members are
Rose Cameron, H.J. “Hop” David, and Amy Runge. • The Ajo golf course has been reinstated in the county bond package, though at a decreased amount. • The International Sonoran Desert Alliance has been awarded the grand prize in the nationwide MetLife Innovative Space Awards. It will receive $50,000; five other winners will receive $10,000. • Events this week include a talk by author Rebecca McEldowney and other library programs, a cultural food festival, an ISDA meeting, a hike and a trek up Childs Mountain, food sales, and more. |
• Maria D. Rios, 87, died in a
Goodyear hospice on January 27, 2010. She was a longtime Ajo resident.
Mass was celebrated January 22 in
Tucson. Douglass Funeral Home. • Richard “Dick” Westbrook, 86, died November 25, 2009, in Iowa. He was a winter resident. Services were held in Iowa; a memorial service was held at the Ajo Senior Center on January 22. • Joseph Carter, 84, died in a Phoenix area hospital on January 17, 2010. He was an Ajo resident. Services were held at the Assembly of God on January 21. Douglass Funeral Home. |
• Congratulations Janae (Lewis) and Matthew
Thomas Anderson. • Happy birthday Lisa and Sandra. |
| January 13, 2010 |
• The
Western
Pima County Community Council met and
discussed the street lighting petition drive, community development
block grants, law enforcement issues, and Border Patrol activities. The
council's minutes are available on its website. • The best-selling mystery author JA Jance will give a talk at the Dicus Auditorium at 1 p.m. this Saturday, January 16, as part of the Friends of the Ajo Library author series. Tickets are required but are available for free at the library and at the Ajo Copper News. Books will be sold at the talk and the author says she will be happy to autograph them. • Closure of the Motor Vehicle Office in Ajo has been approved by federal authorities. People will have to handle transactions over the Internet or, when personal visits are required, at other state or third party offices. The office is one of twelve slated to close. For more information visit www.azdot.gov • Ajo is starting its busy season with lots to do. JA Jance will be followed by two other authors speaking here this month. Art shows, food sales, culture classes, scrabble club games, library programs, parties and dances, golf events, and more are open to the public. |
• Dorine Monica Francisco died January 7,
2010. She is a former Ajo resident. A celebration of life washed at her
home in Sells; mass was celebrated in Charco 27 with burial following.
Marcus Funeral Consulting. • Barry David Martin, 53, died at his home in Ajo on December 29, 2009. He was an Ajo native and lived here most of his life. Memorial Services are being held at the VFW at 2 p.m. n Saturday, January 16. • Theresa Flores, 75, died December 30, 2009, in a hospice. A wake was followed by mass at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church at Menager's Dam; burial was at Menager's Dam. Douglass Funeral Home. • Pauline Hightower died January 10, 2010, in a Glendale hospice. She was a longime Ao resident.Mass 10 a.m. Friday, January 15, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Douglass Funeral Home. |
• Happy Birthday JonJon Cameron. • Welcome home, erstwhile lost dog Marley. • Nicole Goodman and Michael Wendelgass were untied in marriage on September 19, 2009, in Avondale. |
| January 6, 2010 |
Happy New Year!
• The Western
Pima County Community Council will meet
Thursday; the agenda has not been announced. New officers will be
announced.• The Desert Senita Community Health Center pharmacy is expected to open later this month. • The community event calendar is filling up. Coming are book club meetings, WPCCC, library lectures, golf, the Second Sunday art show, art shows, and a talk by mystery author JA Jance. |
• Francisco “Shorty” Garcia, 92, died
January 1, 2020, in Archie Hendrick Skilled Nursing Facility. Services
will be held at the facility on January 8, burial will follow at Darby
Wells near Ajo. |
• Happy
birthday Paula Krehbiel Call, Cyndi Jones Sandoval, Helen Nelson, and
Lonnie D Guthrie III. |
| 2009 |
