On The Border

Good morning, it’s Tuesday August 10th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more. 

 

Today - Cochise County Sheriff’s officials say that the rain has begun to take its toll on the areas surrounding the unfinished fence along the border. 

 

Now, some local history.

 

Did you know that the Coronado National Memorial commemorates the first organized expedition into the Southwest by conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in 1540? Located in a natural setting on the border of Mexico and the United States, the memorial was built to help solidify the ties and friendship between the US and Mexico in 1941. E.K. Burfew, Secretary of the Interior at the time, wrote that the memorial “world be of great value in advancing the relationship of the United States and Mexico upon a friendly basis of cultural understanding. It would stress the history and problems of the two countries and would encourage cooperation for the advancement of their common interests.”

 

Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital. Benson Hospital’s comprehensive rehabilitation team strives to get you back on your feet and improve your lifestyle. Offering Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy. For more information visit bensonhospital.org or call 520-586-2262. 

 

Cochise County Sheriff’s officials say that the rain has begun to take its toll on the areas surrounding the unfinished fence along the border. There are now deep trenches forming at the foot of the massive steel structure that could soon give way once the foundation underneath is washed away.

 

Construction of the 30-foot-high steel fence that separates the United States and Mexico stopped along the Southwest border when President Joe Biden took office. Biden’s executive order, which he signed on Inauguration Day, dissolved Proclamation 9844, which former President Donald Trump issued in 2019, “to deal with the border security and humanitarian crisis” at the border.

 

Politics aside, local law enforcement officials are frustrated by the unfinished work. Not only have tons of steel and concrete been left behind, marring the desert landscape, but the rains have started seeping into and eroding the soil where roads and a bridge were supposed to be built.

 

Sgt. Tim Williams, who heads the Cochise County Sheriff’s Ranch Patrol division, as well as the Southeastern Arizona Border Region Enforcement unit, is worried that water from a few more rains will seep into the ground. That could destroy the foundation under the unfinished fence and bring it crashing down.

 

Williams explained that when construction of the fence began on this stretch of the border in Cochise County, workers were supposed to build a road that would allow water to flow downhill.

 

And at the southern end of the memorial there are switchbacks leading to the top near the unfinished fence. Williams fears the switchbacks will soon become impassable because the road below will have succumbed to water.

 

Just south of the switchbacks there is a steep hill where the fence was abruptly halted. Williams said a large vehicle couldn’t be driven up that incline because the soil would probably cave in.

 

In fact he’s concerned about driving a heavy vehicle up because the road was not compacted, so it could give way and the fence there could fall over. 

 

Ultimately, the unfinished work has completely changed the environment.

 

Meanwhile, Williams says that the section of border between the memorial, east to the San Pedro River, remains one of the busiest crossing corridors for undocumented migrants entering the U.S. illegally. Cameras set up along the border that are monitored by the Sheriff’s Office are capturing seven to eight undocumented migrants an hour.

 

And he noted that the current situation with erosion along the border will make enforcement even more challenging.

 

Unsurprisingly land erosion because of the unfinished fence and abandoned construction materials in the environment are not exclusive to Cochise County.

 

According to an article on BorderReport.com, the situation has become just as intolerable in California, where Border Patrol agents have reported many areas where there is erosion along the base of the wall and under service roads built to provide better access.

Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, who along with other sheriffs had been speaking regularly with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, said he has broached these issues with the secretary.

 

But Dannels also says there’s no answer...Nobody knows what’s going on.

 

Dannels said he’s concerned not only for his deputies when it comes to the unfinished fence and the resulting erosion issues, but also for the Border Patrol agents who must traverse the area daily for enforcement.

 

To learn more visit us at myheraldreview.com

 

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And before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living. 

 

Next - In case you missed it The Halloween spirit came early to Bisbee on July 31 when “The Munsters” actor Butch Patrick came for the first Munsters Masquerade Ball. It was hosted by Bisbee’s Gretchen Bonaduce.

 

In addition to meeting Patrick, taking pictures and getting signed merchandise, partygoers danced to tunes from a DJ. In fact, many people had come looking for a good party more than anything.

 

Most people at the event were also dressed up. Costumes ranged from Frankenstein’s Monster to Eddie Munster, Patrick’s character from the show.

 

At the end of the evening, Miss Piggy and Kermit won the costume contest.

 

Next year, Bonaduce said she hopes to have the ball in downtown Bisbee to continue bringing theme-party fun to the whole town.

 

Next - The Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center has extended its Dog Days of Summer Adoption Special through the end of August.

 

 -- brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

 

The Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center has extended its Dog Days of Summer Adoption Special as the shelter’s busy summer season continues to stretch its capacity.

 

Through Aug. 31, the dog adoption fee is reduced from $75 to $50. This includes sterilization, the first set of vaccinations, a complete physical exam, a city dog license, and a microchip implant.

 

Foster families are welcome too! Potential fosters need to fill out an application first, and provide proof of rabies vaccinations for any pets in their home. 

 

For information, call the shelter at 520-458-4151.

 

Before we go, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of David Lee Edwards of Sierra Vista. He was born in New York. David was an athletic youth and played football all four years that he attended Central Islip High School from which he graduated in 1981.

 

David joined the Army after graduation and served until he retired in 2001 at Fort Huachuca. During his service he received many honors and was proud to be a part of the 82nd Airborne Division as well. He was also a Mason.

 

David was a “Girl Dad” of four. If you knew him you knew how proud he was of his girls. He recently became a grandfather to a beautiful granddaughter as well. David was headstrong but had a good heart and would give his last if you needed it. He loved to DJ and cook, and especially BBQ.

 

He was taken away much too soon and will be greatly missed.

 

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Wednesday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week.

 

Want to stay up to date on what’s going on? Join NABUR

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Good morning, it’s Tuesday July 6th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more. 

 

Today - A man charged in the death of two undocumented migrants will remain in the Cochise County Jail on $1 million bond. 

 

Before we begin, some local history.

 

Did you know that Sierra Vista was the hometown of Jeffrey Williamson (better known as Axe), a professional Super Smash Bros. Melee player? It’s true! Playing as Pikachu, Axe has placed in the top ten every year since 2016 and is widely considered the best Pikachu player in the world. He is currently sponsored and playing for Team Tempo Storm based in Los Angeles.

 

Also, The Daily Chirp podcast is giving away 5 Amazon Echo Dots - one every month now through July. You can enter for your chance to win twice a day! Today's code is Freedom and find the other codeword in our “Daily Chirp Podcast Alert” e-newsletter. To enter the sweepstakes go to myheraldreview.com, again today's codeword is: Freedom

 

Now, our feature story. 

 

A man charged in the death of two undocumented migrants will remain in the Cochise County Jail on $1 million bond. This decision comes after a superior court judge said he committed the offenses in this area while on probation for violations in another county.

 

Cochise County Superior Court Judge Laura Cardinal issued the ruling after prosecutor Michael Powell also argued that William Maurice Brown had stolen a gun in Maricopa County. At the time he was on probation for armed robbery.

 

Powell noted that the fact that he stole a gun while on probation should be enough. He continued to say that this is a dangerous individual and a lifelong criminal.

 

Brown has now been charged with two counts of first degree murder in the death of two undocumented migrants in January. 

 

The two people were killed in a truck that Brown was driving when he lost control. Three other undocumented individuals were injured as well.

 

According to police reports, Brown and another man drove to Douglas in two vehicles to pick up 10 undocumented migrants. 

 

As the migrants were climbing into the respective vehicles, an off-duty Border Patrol agent spotted the activity and called it in to his colleagues. 

 

At that point, Border Patrol agents spotted Brown’s truck and the Jeep. They began following them as the drivers headed out of Douglas and toward Bisbee.

 

Both suspects accelerated on the highway and attempted to escape at speeds over 100 miles per hour. The headlights on their vehicles were turned off and they almost slammed into other motorists. Eventually, Border Patrol agents called ahead to alert Bisbee police of the situation.

 

When Brown and the driver reached the traffic circle in Bisbee, they failed to slow down and Brown lost control. The car flipped and two of the passengers died at the scene.

 

Brown later told investigators that he had been paid $2,000 to drive the load. Load is the term human smugglers use to refer to undocumented migrants. These migrants fork over thousands of dollars to be taken to Tucson, Phoenix or beyond after they’ve crossed the border illegally.

 

Defense attorney Chris Kimminau argued that if Brown was released, he would remain under the supervision of Maricopa County since he violated probation.

 

But Cardinal said Brown is a danger “to this community and the state.” 

 

The judge also mentioned the continuing situation with undocumented migrants crossing the border in Arizona and the perils that creates. She admonished Brown for being involved in the human smuggling trade, and especially while on probation.

 

Brown is set to reappear in court on July 12.

 

To learn more visit us at myheraldreview.com

 

Next - Earlier this spring, the population of beavers along the Upper San Pedro River grew by one! This beaver transplant was saved from being euthanized in Northern Arizona. It will augment the population of San Pedro beavers, building dams that slow flows, recharging the aquifer and creating more wetlands critical in the desert.

 

Critter Control, a private animal removal company in Northern Arizona, was called to remove a beaver along Oak Creek because the landowners didn’t like the beaver chomping on their cottonwoods. 

 

Critter Control needed to find a new home for the beaver in short order or the animal would have to be euthanized. Beavers need year-round water for their natural habitat, and being trapped in a cage, the beaver was not eating much and quickly losing weight.

 

So they called the Watershed Management Group to help. As part of their Release the Beavers campaign, they have been supporting monitoring efforts along the San Pedro, public education initiatives and river restoration projects in the Santa Cruz and San Pedro watersheds to ensure desert beaver populations can thrive.

 

WMG has been advocating for beavers as part of their larger efforts to protect and restore flowing rivers in Southern Arizona. 

 

As we know, western watersheds and desert rivers have been drying up for the last 100 years, but beavers provide a powerful, nature-based solution to reverse that trend, even in the face of a warmer and drier climate.

 

If you’d like to get involved, visit Watershedmg.org/Beavers for updates on the Release the Beavers campaign, including volunteer opportunities and events. They also offer a wide variety of free conservation classes and workshops, including virtual and in-person opportunities related to river restoration, water harvesting, soil stewardship and native ecology.

 

 

Next, as pandemic restrictions are easing, we’re excited to tell you about more events going on in our community. 

 

 -- brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

 

The USA Dance Sierra Vista Chapter 4050 will be hosting their FIRST dance social of 2021! 

 

There will be a group class from 7-8 PM, and then open dancing until 9:30 PM! The cost is $10/person, and USA Dance members will be admitted for half price! Whether you're an absolute beginner or an experienced dancer, all are welcome to attend!

 

Before we go, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of 

 

Ray Jennings of Benson.

 

Ray was born on the family farm in rural Minnesota. As the youngest child in the family, Ray was always into mischief. At age 17, Ray joined the Army where he served with the prestigious 101st Airborne. His career spanned 21 years and four foreign deployments. In between tours, Ray married his high school sweetheart, Ruth. They remained happily married for 55 wonderful years. The military life took them all over the country from South Carolina to Alaska and Colorado before retiring to Benson.

 

Ray was an avid woodworker who could often be found in his woodshop creating lovely, handcrafted pieces of work. Ray made many pieces of furniture for Ruth and countless crosses, piggy banks, coat-hooks and other gifts for his friends and family. Ruth and Ray could regularly be found at the local craft shows sharing their works with the community.

 

When Ray was not sharing his gifts, he was sharing his humor, and his endless supply of stories with those around him. He truly made the world a better place with his easy kindness and gentle laughter. He would always flirt with the waitress and leave a big tip, because he knew that small acts of kindness made big impacts on the people he cared about.

 

Ray lived his life with conviction and dedication to his community, his country, and most of all his family. 

 

Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Ray’s life.

 

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Wednesday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week.

 

Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning, it’s Monday June 28th and this is The Herald Review’s Daily Chirp podcast. We’re bringing you a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other important things going on in our community. 

 

Today - Dozens upon dozens of people from around the country flocked to a private ranch on the border late Friday afternoon to rally for immigration reform in the United States.

 

But first, a quick message from our sponsor [insert sponsor audio]

 

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Before we begin, some local history.

 

Did you know that Canelo has several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places? One of them is The Canelo School which was opened in 1912 and is one of the few remaining one-room adobe schoolhouses in the state.

 

Originally serving 20 students, their first teacher, Miss Fern Bartlett, would ride her horse eight miles each way to instruct the pupils.

 

 36 years later, the school closed when just one student arrived.

 

Since then, the school has served as a community center, a country store, a church and a funeral home. This and other historic Canelo sites are just a short drive away.

 

NEW -- Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital - they’re doing more than treating illnesses in Benson, they're building a healthier community. Benson Hospital is now collaborating with the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona to provide diaper assistance to families in need. For more information visit their website at bensonhospital.org.

 

Also, The Daily Chirp podcast is giving away 5 Amazon Echo Dots - one every month now through July. You can enter for your chance to win twice a day! Today's code is FIREFLYS and find the other codeword in our “Daily Chirp Podcast Alert” e-newsletter. To enter the sweepstakes go to myheraldreview.com, again today's codeword is: FIREFLYS

 

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Now, our feature story. 

 

Dozens upon dozens of people from around the country flocked to a private ranch on the border late Friday afternoon to rally for immigration reform in the United States.

 

Rancher John Ladd had invited members of an organization called the Federation for American Immigration Reform to his massive property off State Route 92 between Bisbee and Palominas for the three-hour event.

 

F.A.I.R officials claim they’re a non-partisan entity. According to the organization’s website, their objective seeks to reduce overall immigration to a more normal level. It also says that reducing legal immigration levels from well over one million at present to a very generous 300,000 a year over a sustained period will allow America to manage growth, address environmental concerns, and maintain a high quality of life.

 

About 10 miles of the Ladd ranch is right along the U.S.-Mexican border and the rancher is no stranger to undocumented migrants traipsing through his land daily. 

 

Ladd has also found several dead undocumented persons on his ranch over the years, people left behind by their human smugglers.

 

But the running theme throughout the rally was not one of anti-immigration, but one about entering this country legally and becoming a lawful and productive member of society.

 

While the event was titled “End the Biden Border Crisis Rally,” it centered more around the suffering of the parents, relatives and friends of people who have died at the hands of undocumented migrants inside the U.S.

 

Many of those families, referred to as Angel Families, were at the rally Friday afternoon. 

 

Banners with photos of the deceased were spread out on the rocky ground in front of a raised stage where several speakers. Speakers included Tom Homan, a former director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Trump administration, and Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels. There were about 30 sheriffs from around Arizona and other parts of the country at the rally. In fact, the event was schedu led for Friday because it coincided with the end of the National Sheriffs Convention in Phoenix. That meant many of the law enforcement officers who attended the convention then headed to the Ladd ranch for the rally.

 

Also in attendance were also four members of a group called Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime. All of them were visiting from other states and each had lost either a child, a friend or another relative to a violent death caused by an undocumented migrant.

 

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Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living. 

 

Next - Twenty-one years ago, Douglas High School principal Randy Walker arrived in Douglas ready to start a new chapter of his life. Now he is about to enter the next chapter of his life, retirement. 

 

brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy in Benson and Sierra Vista. They’re doing more than just treating patients, they’re helping patients get back to living their daily lives. Using extensive knowledge, their therapists treat each patient one-on-one, focusing on individual care. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.

 

Twenty-one years ago, Douglas High School principal Randy Walker arrived in Douglas ready to start a new chapter of his life.

 

Now he is about to enter the next chapter of his life, retirement. Walker announced earlier this year he would be retiring; his last day with the Douglas Unified School District will be June 30.

 

Walker, who has 36 years in education and has worked for two school districts, came to Douglas from Illinois. Three years after arriving here he was named DUSD’s athletic director and since has been an assistant principal at Douglas High School and principal at DHS and at Paul Huber Middle School each for two years before returning to Douglas High School two years ago.

 

Upon his initial visit to Douglas High School he saw possibilities and hope for what the training room could be like. He knew then this would be his new home.

 

Walker feels he is leaving the athletic program and the high school in good hands but won’t deny these past two years have been a challenge dealing with COVID and the gun incident at DHS two years ago that led to the clear backpack policy.

 

Walker admits he’s going to miss the students and the teachers but adds he and his family are not going anywhere and they will still be around.

 

The last week of school some of the staff at DHS threw Walker a surprise luncheon and presented him with some very nice gifts. 

 

But now,Walker says he is looking forward to following his son, who is 4, as he begins participating in youth sports.

 

Get ready for this weekend, there’s a lot going on. Like the Tombstone 4th of July Parade, Car Show & Pin Up Contest.

 

The parade will be in Tombstone over the 4th of July!! It’ll start at 11:00. And there is NO ENTRY FEE FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE PARADE!!! They’re also putting out a special invite for the children to decorate their bikes and compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places!! Kids 15 and under are eligible. ALSO....they'll have a couple of car clubs coming to show off their own cars!!! 

 

If you’d like to enter contact Marge at 702-290-5290.

 

Finally - we’d like to remember the life of 

 

Loretta Rose Bowman.

 

Lorie was born in Plattsburg, New York.

 

She served 3 years in the U.S. Air Force where she met the love of her life and soulmate, Clarence. She always supported Clarence while he continued to serve 22 years in the Army, traveling the U.S. and overseas with five children, while she sustained her career in the U.S. Government Civil Service in Finance and Accounting for more than 30 years.

 

Lorie loved the outdoors, camping and fishing while her children were young. She was an avid crocheter and enjoyed doing crafts with her daughter. She loved watching her children and grandchildren participate in sports and competitions and was ALWAYS their number 1 fan. Even at 85 she still would cheer her loudest. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be tremendously missed.

 

She is survived by her best friend and husband, Clarence, her sons and daughter, and her 6 grandchildren.

 

Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Lorie’s life.

 

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review

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Good morning, it’s Wednesday, June 9th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more. 

 

Today - A bi-national oasis has opened in the desert. It’s a place where cultures can unite through art, language, music and a little coffee. 

 

Before we begin, some local history.

 

Have you been to the Horseshoe cafe in Benson? Founded in 1936, the place is rich in history -- it’s been featured in movies and has the longest continuous neon sign inside. 

 

Interestingly, many passer-by’s claim to have seen ghosts. You can even have a drink from the Palomino room and hear stories of unexplained shadows, footsteps and voices inside the cafe.

Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital. The team at Benson Hospital is always working towards building a healthier community. For example, when the Benson Food Pantry needed a new home, they worked with them to find one, and their staff even helped them apply for grants to support the mission. You can learn more about everything they’re doing for our community by following them on Facebook at facebook.com/bensonhospital.

 

Also, The Daily Chirp podcast is giving away 5 Amazon Echo Dots - one every month now through July. You can enter for your chance to win twice a day! Today's code is SUNSCREEN and find the other codeword in our “Daily Chirp Podcast Alert” e-newsletter. To enter the sweepstakes go to myheraldreview.com, again today's codeword is: SUNSCREEN.

 

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Now, our feature story. 

 

A bi-national oasis has opened in the desert. It’s a place where cultures can unite through art, language, music and a little coffee.

 

Welcome to El Centro Community Center in the heart of Naco, Arizona, just steps away from the Mexican border and Naco, Sonora.

 

Its founders, Lori Keyne and Seth Polley, told us the mission is to strengthen the community by celebrating both cultures. At the same time they’ll be teaching youth different skills through art, music, language and entrepreneurship.

 

El Centro — which means "the center" in Spanish — is also a place where people from both sides of the border can hang out and discuss whatever is on their minds, especially after the COVID-infused months kept people apart.

 

Polley is a history teacher at Bisbee High, and a former reverend of St. John's Episcopal Church in Bisbee. 

 

And Keyne is a music teacher at Cochise College and the founder of Concerts Without Borders and the Bi-National Arts Institute.

 

They said It'll be a place to connect.

 

On Friday afternoon that "place" was starting to come alive as Polley and Keyne opened the doors of El Centro on Towner Avenue.

 

Keyne said her dream was to secure a space where youth from both sides of the border could gather, but also learn a few things while doing so, such as language, art, music and job skills.

 

The community center, painted in bright colors and located next to GSS Racing on Towner, includes a front room with several comfortable chairs and a counter area where guests can get a cup of espresso. 

 

Several back rooms will be set up for art, language and music lessons. A spacious side yard includes a tortilla-maker built by Polley and a picnic table.

 

At the moment, El Centro has enlisted three guitar instructors, one of them a local, Keyne said. Classes will be in person and virtually. Spanish and English will be taught through Polley's Sonoran Language Institute.

 

And teens interested in becoming entrepreneurs can learn those skills by running the coffee shop.

 

Jesus Moreno, from Naco, Sonora, and a student at Bisbee High, was helping out at El Centro on Friday. 

 

Moreno, who’s 17, was learning how to hook up the espresso machine along with his friends Saul and Paul Carillo, also Bisbee High students.

 

Rev. Rosa Brown, the associate for Hispanic Ministries at Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix who chairs the Bi-National Arts Institute board, said El Centro will be key in connecting with youth from both sides of the border.

 

Brown, who was also involved with Concerts Without Borders, said El Centro is envisioned as a secure place where youth can share ideas. Its location, just a few feet from the Mexican border, is not by accident.

 

For now, El Centro is in its fledgling stage as Keyne, Polley and volunteers begin to set hours of operation, as well as schedules for music and language classes.

 

Anyone interested in volunteering at El Centro or donating resources of any kind can call 520-678-9067.

 

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Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living. 

 

 

Brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. ApexNetwork Physical Therapy is the leading choice for individualized physical therapy in a warm and comfortable environment. They offer a wide range of services like Manual Therapy, Industrial Rehab, Dry Needling, Golf Rehab and more. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.

 

According to the program director, Dan Barrera, the Vacation Bible School offered by First Baptist Church of Benson drew about 140 children this year.

 

There, the children do hands-on projects and rotate through about six different stations where activities relate to Jesus and a biblical theme.

 

The weeklong Bible school is free. Kids are there from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. working on crafts, participating in recreational activities, bouncing around to music and excavating for relics through Tom Olson’s popular Geology for Kids.

 

The excavations were a favorite activity. Children of all ages sat quietly in sectioned-off areas of a sand box and dug down with a trowel in search of hidden artifacts and other treasures.

 

Each day focuses on a different verse in the Bible, with activities that relate to that verse. 

 

Several churches throughout Cochise County hold Vacation Bible School. But last year, most churches canceled because of COVID. But this year churches in Sierra Vista, Douglas and Willcox are planning to have Vacation Bible School, as planned.

 

It’s time to start training for the Triathalon!

 

Swim 800 yards, bike 13 miles, and run 5 kilometers at Sierra Vista's 20th Annual Hummingbird Triathlon! 

 

You can compete as an individual, or as a member of a female, male, or coed team in this chip-timed race. It’s open to ages 10 and up. 

 

Be sure to register early to save some money and guarantee your event T-shirt and swag from our sponsors. 

 

The race starts and finishes at The Cove.

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Finally, today we’re remembering the life of 

 

Alex H. Castro of Sierra Vista, Arizona.

 

Alex was born on October 6, 1928, in Prescott.

 

Throughout 47 years of working for Safeway Inc. while working up the corporate ladder he found his niche as managing stores. He was recognized as the longest lasting store manager when he retired in 1992 in Sierra Vista.

 

Alex married the love of his life, Mary G. Castro who was also born and raised in Prescott. They have been married for 70 years.

 

He will always be remembered as “Mr. Safeway” to all who knew him.

 

He served his community and was an active member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church. He was one of the founders of St. Vincent De Paul. A member of the Knights of Columbus since the age of 18. A former member of the Lions Club and Elks Club throughout Arizona.

 

He was an avid sports fan of all sports but truly an Arizona Wildcat. His passion was playing golf.

 

He had the “Biggest Loving Heart” for all his family and was the true Patriarch.

 

Alex will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate his life.

 

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Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Friday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week. We also encourage you to rate and review our podcast on Apple Podcasts!

 

Want to stay up to date on what’s going on? Join NABUR

Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning, it’s Thursday, May 13th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more. 

 

Today - It’s been almost two weeks since the Arizona National Guard landed in Cochise County to help the Sheriff’s Office on the border. So, how’s it going so far?

 

Before we begin, some local history.

 

Did you know that from 1913 to 1933, Fort Huachuca was the home of the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Regiment? Formed as a segregated African-American military unit, it served during the Indian Wars in the West, the Spanish-American War in Cuba, and the Philippine American War before being relocated to the Fort in 1913 because of increasing border tensions with Mexico. Today, the 10th Cavalry are known as Buffalo soldiers and proudly use a buffalo symbol to commemorate their heritage..

 

Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital. The team at Benson Hospital is always working towards building a healthier community. For example, when the Benson Food Pantry needed a new home, they worked with them to find one, and their staff even helped them apply for grants to support the mission. You can learn more about everything they’re doing for our community by following them on Facebook at facebook.com/bensonhospital.

 

Also, The Daily Chirp podcast is giving away 5 Amazon Echo Dots - one every month now through July. You can enter for your chance to win twice a day! Today's code is FROGS and find the other codeword in our “Daily Chirp Podcast Alert” e-newsletter. To enter the sweepstakes go to myheraldreview.com, again today's codeword is: FROGS

 

Now, our feature story. 

 

It’s been almost two weeks since the Arizona National Guard landed in Cochise County to help the Sheriff’s Office on the border. With the number of illegal crossings spiking monthly, the assistance is needed more than ever.

 

Sheriff’s Chief of Staff Mark Napier said the National Guard’s help with administrative duties, and especially with monitoring the Buckeye cameras that are placed along the international border, has helped deputies hit the ground and reinforce the manpower out in the field.

 

But Napier also said the number of undocumented migrants who have been seen on the cameras attempting to cross into the region illegally has been “off the charts.”

 

So where exactly are the cameras? The cameras are placed along the border from New Mexico through Arizona and into California.

 

And between March and April alone, investigators monitoring the cameras have seen an additional 428 people attempting to cross over.

 

In April specifically, the cameras caught images of 3,807 undocumented migrants attempting to cross over the border illegally. And in March, the cameras saw 3,379 people attempting to come in. 

 

Last year, the attempted illegal crossings were dramatically lower with 835 people in March and 350 in April.

 

So help from the National Guard has been welcomed. Napier said that it’s allowed them to use more enforcement resources. He also said that working with them has been going well.

 

The 32 members of the Guard were sent by Gov. Doug Ducey at the end of April. The intent is that they’ll help out in various non-law enforcement duties. The majority were assigned to the Sheriff’s Southeast Arizona Border Region Enforcement team. 

 

Other National Guard members were assigned to help with administrative duties in the Sheriff’s Willcox and Bisbee offices. 

 

And monitoring the cameras is a key function aimed at helping authorities hold back the number of illegal crossings into the area by undocumented migrants.

 

This was all prompted by Governor Ducey’s announcement earlier in April when he said that Arizona would take matters into its own hands regarding the onslaught of undocumented migrants pouring into the state. 

 

Ducey’s statement came after the Arizona Department of Public Safety spotted 20 undocumented migrants in Chandler that same day, but were rebuffed by both the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they asked for help. Those migrants were then released back into Chandler.

 

The governor’s law enforcement and military liaison, Megan Fitzgerald, said Ducey had asked the federal government for support in deploying the National Guard — known as Title 32 — but the support never materialized. So Ducey decided to declare an emergency along Arizona’s four-border counties and deployed the National Guard under State Active Duty.

 

One of the National Guard members deployed to Cochise County is Sgt. Jacqueline Schamahorn, a six-year veteran of the Guard. Schamahorn, who lives in Tucson, was assigned to help out with administrative duties at the Sheriff’s Office in Willcox.

 

She told us that it’s been a good experience so far. In the morning she instantly gets started on paperwork. She helps with administrative tasks so the deputies can be out in the field.

 

Schamahorn, who said the public’s reaction to the National Guard has been welcoming, also told us that she was enthusiastic when the governor’s order was issued.

 

She was ready to help.

 

You can learn more on this story by visiting us at myheraldreview.com.

 

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Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living. 

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. ApexNetwork Physical Therapy is the leading choice for individualized physical therapy in a warm and comfortable environment. They offer a wide range of services like Manual Therapy, Industrial Rehab, Dry Needling, Golf Rehab and more. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.

 

Over the weekend Douglas had an unexpected visitor. It triggered a public response as local residents were curious as to what was going on.

 

Sometime between 6 and 7 a.m. a relatively large brown bear was spotted in the alley between 11th and 12th Streets. Apparently it was spooked by all the unwanted attention. So it scurried up a utility pole where it stayed for a while.

 

According to Mark Hart, public information officer for Arizona Game and Fish, the bear is believed to have been a male, weighing approximately 200 pounds and was an estimated 5-years old. Hart said paw prints indicate the bear had entered the area from the west.

And as word began to quickly spread around Douglas that there was a bear downtown, a small crowd of residents flocked to the area. One resident even had a drone hoping to get a better view. 

 

The unwanted attention led the bear to descend down the poll and scurry down the alley toward 13th Street, where it found another utility pole to climb. It was there until officials from the Arizona Game and Fish Department arrived.

 

Shortly after arriving, Game and Fish officials decided to shut down Pan American Avenue in both directions and allow the bear to come down the pole, cross Pan American and proceed toward Whitewater Draw where it is thought the bear came from in the first place.

 

And in a short while the bear climbed down the pole, ran toward the desert with Game and Fish officials on its tail in an effort to push it deep inside the area.

 

Mark your calendars, because the Sierra Vista Wine, Beer and Spirits Festival will be here before you know it. It’s on May 29th starting at 12pm and going until 7pm. But you can get tickets now on Evenbrite for $25. Tickets at the door will be $30. 

 

At the festival you’ll get the chance to enjoy sample pours form some of Arizona’s top wineries, craft distilleries, and craft breweries. Tickets include a wine glass and 10 wine sampling tickets.

 

There will also be a pop up art gallery courtesy of the Huachua Art Association. 

 

The festival is returning after a year’s hiatus. And for this year it’s been reimagined to offer a more relaxing and comfortable day. So bring your own blanket and lawn chairs to set up under the shade trees in Veterans Memorial Park!

 

Finally, today we’re remembering the life of 

 

John Economy, long-time resident of Bisbee. John was born in Silvis, Illinois. The family moved to Bisbee when John was three years old. He was a first generation American of Greek — German descent and attended Bisbee schools until W.W.II.

 

Before retirement he owned Economy Building Supply, a local hardware store and lumber yard and Economy Builders. He worked in many locations throughout Cochise County including Indian Hills Plaza in Sierra Vista and the San Jose and Mountain Ranch neighborhoods. John took pride in his workmanship and made many friends through his business endeavors. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and was involved in many civic activities during his life. John became a founding board member of the San Jose Fire District which has provided fire protection for a previously unserved area in Bisbee.

 

A World War II Navy veteran, John was assigned to the U.S.S, Logan and made landings at Tinian, Saipan, and Iwo Jima.

 

 In February, 1945, under heavy Japanese bombardment, John piloted his landing craft taking troops and supplies onto the beaches of Iwo Jima. From the USS Logan’s 23 landing craft, only John’s craft remained intact when the bombing ceased.

 

John is survived by his wife, his sons and daughter, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his sister and brothers in law. 

 

He will be greatly missed. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate John’s life.

 

 

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Friday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week. We also encourage you to rate and review our podcast on Apple Podcasts!

 

Want to stay up to date on what’s going on? Join NABUR

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Good morning, it’s Thursday, May 6th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more. 

 

Today - After 22 years of searching, investigators have charged a former border patrol agent with at least four rapes that occurred in Mesa, Bisbee, and Gilbert.

 

Before we begin, some local history.

 

When the road over Mule Pass was built in 1913 and 1914, it was done by prison labor. The stubby concrete obelisk that marks the pass in Bisbee was put there to memorialize the triumph of pavement over nature. 

 

But the marker also claimed that Mule Pass was right on top of the Continental Divide.

 

That line, however, lies about 120 miles to the east. 

 

The Mule Pass Tunnel was completed in the 1950s, the ride up and over the winding switchbacks of the Mule Mountains was the only way into Bisbee from Tucson or Tombstone.

 

Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital. The team at Benson Hospital is always working towards building a healthier community. For example, when the Benson Food Pantry needed a new home, they worked with them to find one, and their staff even helped them apply for grants to support the mission. You can learn more about everything they’re doing for our community by following them on Facebook at facebook.com/bensonhospital.

 

Also, The Daily Chirp podcast is giving away 5 Amazon Echo Dots - one every month now through July. You can enter for your chance to win twice a day! Today's code is DANCE and find the other codeword in our “Daily Chirp Podcast Alert” e-newsletter. To enter the sweepstakes go to myheraldreview.com, again today's codeword is: DANCE

 

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Now, our feature story. 

 

For more than two decades law enforcement called their elusive suspect the East Valley Rapist.

An individual who they say had sexually assaulted women in Bisbee, Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler. 

 

But now, after 22 years of searching, investigators caught their man. He was in Hereford at a house on Jaxel Road.

 

The suspect is 57-year-old John Daly the 3rd. And he’s a former Border Patrol agent who recently retired. 

 

According to investigators Daly is facing charges on at least four of eight rapes that occurred between 1999 and 2001.

 

Police say that In each of the attacks, Daly entered the victims’ residences, blindfolded them and raped them.

 

Mesa Police released a statement that showed Daly was identified as the possible suspect in February via DNA samples. The samples were developed through the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. Then in April, after testing the DNA, it was found that Daly was linked to two rapes, one in Mesa and one in Gilbert. On top of the DNA evidence police were able to confirm that Daly had lived in the areas where the incidents happened.

 

After the DNA link surfaced in April, investigators from Bisbee, Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler began comparing information on their cases. The FBI helped. As did the Border Patrol. 

 

But while all eight cases shared similar suspect behavior and patterns, only three shared suspect DNA. 

 

And when Daly was arrested Tuesday, he was charged with three cases in Mesa and Gilbert. 

 

Bisbee investigators will be filing their charges too, for a total of four. 

 

For now, the remaining four incidents require additional investigative efforts.

 

Helping with that investigation are the Mesa, Bisbee, Sierra Vista, Chandler and Gilbert police departments; as well as the FBI; the Border Patrol; the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office; and the U.S. Marshal’s Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force.

 

If you have any information about Daly, the Mesa Police officials encourage you to call 480-644-2211.

 

You can learn more on this story by visiting us at myheraldreview.com.

 

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Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living. 

 

 

Next, The Douglas Business Network welcomed the Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce into its membership at an event mixer at the Douglas Elks Lodge.

 

 Today's episode is brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. ApexNetwork Physical Therapy is the leading choice for individualized physical therapy in a warm and comfortable environment. They offer a wide range of services like Manual Therapy, Industrial Rehab, Dry Needling, Golf Rehab and more. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.

 

The Douglas Business Network welcomed the Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce into its membership.

 

Emily Edwards-Barton, chief executive officer for SVAC, said they’re excited to join.

 

There was a ribbon cutting commemorating the occasion that brings the DBN membership to 35 members.

 

Ralph Robles, DBN president, presented Ted Kulkens of Romitek Solutions, a computer repair business with his certificate of membership. And Leo Gutierrez, owner of Power Zone Gym, and Nathan Darus, band director at Douglas High School, got special recognition for their community efforts.

 

Business of the Month awards were presented to Haven Health for February and Verizon Wireless for March.

 

And a check in the amount of $853.11 was made to the St. Vincent de Paul in Douglas on behalf of Verizon Wireless and the DBN.

 

Cochise County School Superintendent Jacqui Clay was there as well as the guest speaker. She stressed the importance of educating all students in Cochise County so they can achieve economic independence and the communities in which they reside can have economic success.

 

Clay also talked about some of the COVID challenges in schools throughout Cochise County.

 

She noted that this was a hard time. The social, emotional needs of students were totally disrupted or destroyed and the teachers and superintendents weren’t ready for it. Clay finished by emphasizing that students, teachers, and administrators alike have done well despite everything that’s happened during the past year.

 

The mixer was sponsored by Simply Bits, Blueberry Cafe, Canvas Prints and the UPS Store.

 

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Next, we’re highlighting Anne Thrush, a retired Army chief warrant officer who’s the new director at the Cochise Family Advocacy Center… brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

 

Anne Thrush was formerly a retired Army chief warrant officer. She was also a business development manager at a local government contracting firm. Now, she’s transitioned to becoming executive director of a center that helps victims of abuse. 

 

At the end of April Thrush took the reins at the Cochise Family Advocacy Center, also known as Lori’s Place. The facility is the only one in the region. It serves Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties to provides a safe space for victims of child abuse and sexual abuse.

 

The organization connects professionals in areas like law enforcement, child safety, medical, mental health, and victim advocacy work together for the benefit of victims. They help with everything - crisis response, investigation, prosecution, treatment, and support.

 

Mike Rutherford, the president of the Board of Directors for Lori’s Place, said that Thrush is coming in with a great deal of experience in management and leadership. He noted that she’s an effective communicator who is financially adroit and fun to work with.

 

Rutherford also thanked former executive director Brenda Parker for her work at Lori’s Place before she resigned in early April.

Read our full interview with Thrush about her first weeks on the job by visiting us at myheraldreview.com.

 

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Finally, today we’re remembering the life of 

 

Leon Craig Gobel. Leon was born in Tulare, California. He passed from this earthly life into the arms of His Savior Jesus Christ on March 6, 2021 after suffering from complications with COVID. Leon served honorably in the United States Army until his retirement after 22 years, 9 months and 2 days. He married Cynthia Louise Battenberg in 1990. He and Cynthia lived in Bisbee for 31 years. 

 

Leon enjoyed spending time with his wife and family, his church activities at First Baptist Church of Bisbee, and countless hours working meticulously on his World War II gun and bayonet collection. He also loved to watch old westerns and war pictures starring Randolph Scott and Audie Murphy.

 

A memorial service for Leon will be held Saturday May 15th at First Baptist Church of Bisbee.

 

Thank you for taking a moment to remember and celebrate Leon’s life.

 

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Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Friday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week. We also encourage you to rate and review our podcast on Apple Podcasts!

 

Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning, it’s Monday May 3rd and this is The Herald Review’s Daily Chirp podcast. We’re bringing you a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other important things going on in our community. 

 

Today - The Arizona National Guard has arrived to bring some much-needed assistance to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Before we begin, some local history.

 

For years now, a group of locals has been working to preserve the storefronts on Erie Street in Lowell in memory of a slice of time in 1950s America when window shopping was a favorite Saturday outing.

 

It has become a favorite tourist destination and many have their photos taken by the antique cars and storefronts along the street.

 

Album covers have been shot there and the street was even featured in Arizona Highways magazine.

 

Erie Street is most of what is left of Lowell, which was originally a mining town incorporated into Bisbee in the early 1900s. Much of the town’s residential area was demolished to widen an open pit copper mine. Losing most of its residents caused the commercial district to struggle, and many businesses failed. But today, volunteers are working to restore the street.. 

 

So although you can no longer see a show at Lowell’s movie theater or pay $0.22 for gasoline, the Lowell Americana Project has made it possible to experience the street as a living snapshot of another time. 

 

Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital - they’re doing more than treating illnesses in Benson, they're building a healthier community. Benson Hospital is now collaborating with the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona to provide diaper assistance to families in need. For more information visit their website at bensonhospital.org.

 

Also, The Daily Chirp podcast is giving away 5 Amazon Echo Dots - one every month now through July. You can enter for your chance to win twice a day! Today's code is MAY and find the other codeword in our “Daily Chirp Podcast Alert” e-newsletter. To enter the sweepstakes go to myheraldreview.com, again today's codeword is: MAY

Now, our feature story. 

 

The Arizona National Guard has arrived to bring some much-needed assistance to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.

 

At least 32 members of the Guard were sent to help out. The majority have been assigned to the Sheriff’s Southeast Arizona Border Region Enforcement team.

 

On Friday, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels said that 22 Guard members will be monitoring the Buckeye cameras that the Sheriff’s Office has along the border with Mexico. That’s a key function aimed at helping authorities hold back the number of illegal crossings into the area by undocumented migrants.

 

This all comes after Doug Ducey’s announcement in mid April where he said that Arizona would take matters into its own hands. Ducey’s statement was prompted by a particular day when Arizona Department of Public Safety spotted 20 undocumented migrants in Chandler. During the incident officials were rebuffed by both the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they asked for help. Those migrants were then released back in Chandler.

 

At the time Ducey said that the Biden Harris administration needs to get its head out of the sand when it comes to the crisis at our border. He went on to say that this lack of action defies all logic, and flies in the face of the law.

 

Then on Thursday morning, the 32 National Guard troops sent to Cochise County were given their assignments.

 

Dannels, who was accompanied Friday by Megan Fitzgerald, Ducey’s policy advisor for public safety and military affairs, said his greatest need is making sure the cameras are being watched.

 

Fitzgerald, who acts as Ducey’s liaison with law enforcement and the military, spent Friday speaking to Dannels and other officials about what they need most from the governor’s office.

 

Her initial take was that things are definitely escalating with the number of crossings and the demographics of the individuals who are crossing.

 

In March, the cameras recorded images of roughly 3,500 undocumented migrants attempting to cross the border into Cochise County.

 

And aside from the 22 National Guard assigned to watch the Buckeye cameras, the other 10 will be helping out at the jail with clerical work and other support functions.

 

The mission has been dubbed SALES — State Activated Law Enforcement Support.

 

So how did it all come together?

 

Ducey had originally asked the federal government for support in deploying the National Guard — known as Title 32 — but that did not materialize. So, instead, the governor decided to declare an emergency along Arizona’s four-border counties and deployed the National Guard under State Active Duty.

 

Meanwhile, Sheriff Dannels, has been communicating regularly with Mayorkas, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. 

 

He asked Mayorkas to relay a message to both the president and the vice-president.

 

The message was an ask - To change the messaging. Dannels stressed that the messaging needs to emphasize that there are actions and consequences.

 

Dannels said he believes Mayorkas is doing everything he can to bring about a resolution… He says it’s the only hope we have.

 

To learn more about this story and to stay up to date on developments visit us at myheraldreview.com

 

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Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living. 

 

Next - we’d like to highlight Tasty Wok & Asian Market, the first entrepreneurial venture of Jung Matranga.

 

brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy in Benson and Sierra Vista. They’re doing more than just treating patients, they’re helping patients get back to living their daily lives. Using extensive knowledge, their therapists treat each patient one-on-one, focusing on individual care. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.

 

While Tasty Wok & Asian Market is her first entrepreneurial venture, Jung Matranga is no newcomer to Sierra Vista’s Asian food scene.

 

The new restaurateur spent six years working long hours at Hana Tokyo before becoming business partners with her former boss to create Sierra Vista’s newest Asian offering.

 

Located in the location previously occupied by Peacock Restaurant, Tasty Wok & Asian Market offers a variety of Chinese, Korean and Japanese delicacies as well as Asian groceries.

 

The restaurant’s specialty is hot pot, a hearty Chinese dish where fresh meats and vegetables are cooked at the table in a rich broth of one’s choice. Pork slices, mussels, vermicelli, napa cabbage, exotic mushrooms and even ramen noodles make an appearance on the varied menu.

 

For those who can withstand the heat, Matranga points out the Spicy Seafood Ramen hot pot as one to try.

 

The decision to not only run a restaurant, but an accompanying market, was inspired by her own experiences trying to procure Asian ingredients locally.

 

She hopes that the groceries at Asian Market, which are supplied by several distributors out of Los Angeles, can assist others in Sierra Vista looking for authentic ingredients.

 

Matranga also noted that while most of the groceries she carries cater to Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean palates, she hopes to soon offer ingredients for the Filipino and Hawaiian communities in Sierra Vista too.

 

And as a new business owner, she has a desire to get customers the products they need, even if they are not currently offered at Tasty Wok & Asian Market.

 

But like many other restaurants in the community, hiring has been another challenge.

 

Beyond showing up every day for full 10-hour shifts herself, Matranga has had to put her son to work, and sometimes her other family family members come in to help.

 

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Next, we’re excited to highlight local athlete William Stemler  -- brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

 

Ask his coaches, or his teammates… William Stemler is fun to be around.

 

But ask his opponents in javelin and shot put. Uh, not so much. Deadly serious, with a total focus on one goal: Being the best he can be.

 

Stemler has come a long way in a short time. He received his introduction to the throwing events at Buena High school as a freshman, sat out the COVID-19 season cancellation as a sophomore and really didn’t start to train and learn until this season as a junior.

 

A lot of that productivity coincided with the arrival of Kassie Smith on the Buena campus.

 

Head coach Roger Bristow credits Smith for her work with Stemler and other Colts throwers.

 

For Stemler, the 6-foot-2, 245-pounder just needed some direction, and Smith easily provided that.

 

Smith was a standout performer at Brigham Young University. She started throwing when she was 12 years old. She was an assistant coach at Utah Valley University in the throws for a season before moving to Sierra Vista and joining the Buena track and field coaching staff.

 

Stemler and Smith became a perfect match.

 

Now, Stemler is Number 2 among Arizona Interscholastic Association Division II shot putters.

 

However, it’s the javelin he loves. 

 

The main things Smith and Stemler work on for the javelin are good extension, establishing a good plant leg and “letting it go.”

 

Smith says he’s always striving to be the best that he can be as an athlete. He’s also super contagious to be around, and  easy to coach.

 

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Finally - we’d like to remember the life of 

 

Anthony Lee Stewart, of Miami, Arizona and previously Sierra Vista. Anthony passed away on April 23rd in Phoenix.

 

He loved sports, playing football and basketball for Miami and Globe schools, and also playing video games with his cousins and friends. He was a kind and loving person always helping others and taking care of his animals.

 

Anthony graduated from CAS High School in Sierra Vista on October 31, 2016.

 

He is now survived by his mother, Valerie, his father, Robert, his step-father, Kenneth, his brothers: Robert and Joseff, and his sister, Valrie. He’ll also be survived by his Grandparents, Robert and Dorothy of Sierra Vista, his great grandmother and his many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

 

Anthony will be greatly missed. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate his life.

 

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Tuesday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week.

Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning, it’s Wednesday April 28th and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at one of our top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more. 

 

Today - Most smugglers being hired by the Mexican cartel to transport undocumented migrants through Cochise County are non-residents. And they’re being recruited via social media.

 

Before we begin, some history.

 

Historic Arizona 80 and its importance to Cochise County’s tourism was the featured presentation on Friday at the Southeast Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting.

 

Jon Donahue, tourism coordinator for the city of Tombstone, along with Bob Nilson, Benson Visitor Center tourism supervisor, have launched the Arizona 80 Foundation. It’s a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the highway’s route through Cochise County and the four towns it connects. 

 

From Exit 303 off Interstate 10 into Benson, travelers can follow Arizona 80 south to Tombstone, Bisbee and Douglas for a 72-mile tour of four historic towns.

 

The original Highway 80 came through here in 1926, starting in Benson and heading south to Douglas, then back up to Rodeo, New Mexico. And Highway 80 is still alive ... Everywhere you go, every mile along the highway, there’s a story to be told. And tourists like to come and hear those stories. It's like taking a step back in history.

 

For information about the Arizona 80 Foundation, visit the website at www.arizona80.org.

 

Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital. Benson Hospital’s comprehensive rehabilitation team strives to get you back on your feet and improve your lifestyle. Offering Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy. For more information visit bensonhospital.org or call 520-586-2262. 

 

Also, The Daily Chirp podcast is giving away 5 Amazon Echo Dots - one every month now through July. You can enter for your chance to win twice a day! Today's code is CHICK and find the other codeword in our “Daily Chirp Podcast Alert” e-newsletter. To enter the sweepstakes go to myheraldreview.com, again today's codeword is: CHICK

 

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Now, our feature story. 

 

Most human smugglers being hired by the Mexican cartel to transport undocumented migrants through Cochise County are non-residents. And they’re recruited via social media. How? According to the Sheriff’s office the cartels are promising big bucks. 

 

Many of these individuals, so called "coyotes," are young people from the Phoenix or Tucson areas. Sheriff Mark Dannels told us that they’re being paid hefty amounts to drive close to the border, pick up their human cargo and get out of Cochise County as fast as possible. 

 

And now that at least three Border Patrol checkpoints that lead out of the county and toward large cities are shut down, getting out of Cochise County has never been easier. Agents that would normally at those checkpoints have instead been shifted to the border to deal with the influx of undocumented persons.

 

Dannels said that it’s very seldom they see people from here trying to transport migrants... but they regularly see people from Phoenix doing it.

 

Last Friday, he arrested a 21-year-old Mesa man on State Route 92 who was driving 14 miles over the speed limit. When Dannels stopped the motorist, identified as Juan Angel Gaeta, he discovered four undocumented migrants as well.

 

Gaeta had been paid $1,000 per migrant, so he made $4,000 in that trip.

 

Two weeks before that encounter, Dannels and a deputy nabbed a Phoenix man who was spotted loading four undocumented migrants into his Dodge truck on SR 92. When he was pulled over the passengers bolted from the truck and ran behind a house. 

 

Those undocumented people were caught that afternoon. 

 

But as mentioned, Cochise County residents for the most part are not being recruited by the Mexican cartel to transport undocumented migrants. Dannels said that it’s because this is a smaller, more rural area compared to Tucson and Phoenix.

 

It’s also a close-knit area and people here are not tolerating what's going on.

 

And in a way this is helpful. Dannels noted that the one positive factor about the non-resident coyotes, is their unfamiliarity with the area.

 

Some of them end up getting lost, or they don't know what the speed limits are and you end up catching them on traffic stops.

 

But unfortunately the negatives outweigh the positives overall.

 

Coyotes who do get away unnoticed with their human charges can easily get onto I-10 and head west now that the Border Patrol checkpoints that lead to the freeway have been closed for months.

 

Many of those undocumented individuals who make it to Phoenix or Tucson are usually indebted financially to the cartel. They become what Dannels calls "modern-day slaves."

 

Apparently, the cartel sells them a bill of goods. They tell them they’ll live the American Dream. But in reality, they end up as modern-day slaves until they pay off their debt.

 

To stay up to date on this story or read more, visit us at myheraldreview.com

 

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Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living. 

 

[Insert Prestige ad]

 

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Now, we’d like to highlight the Diamond Mountain retreat center, a non-profit religious organization that teaches people how to retreat from the stressful demands of everyday life.

 

NEW Copy -- Brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. Voted Best of Cochise County 2020, ApexNetwork provides exceptional care to the Sierra Vista and Benson communities. Choose ApexNetwork for all of your physical therapy needs. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.

 

Diamond Mountain retreat center, located off-the-grid just south of Bowie, is a non-profit religious organization that aims to teach individuals how to retreat from the sometimes stressful demands of everyday life.

 

The retreat center also teaches meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and offers yoga and expansive hiking trails.

 

Hanlie Van Wyk, director of the center said that their aim is to really encourage people to learn how to do a retreat as part of the Buddhist tradition. 

 

Van Wyk, who came to America from her native South Africa and then resided in the Bowie-area after participating in a Diamond Mountain retreat, also spoke to their diverse clientele.

 

They work with people from all walks of life. 

 

They even have YouTube videos where people can learn about the basics like how to meditate or how to sit at an altar.

 

All meditations are translated into English and taught by Tibetan monks.

 

So how does it work? Well, right now with COVID, people pay per night. 

 

The core teachings are always free though. 

 

To learn more visit our full story about the Diamond Mountain retreat center on myheraldreview.com

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Next, The search is on — for the third time —  for someone to take the reins at Southeastern Arizona Communications, the emergency dispatch communications center...  -- brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

 

[New sponsor audio message]

 

The search is on for someone to take the reins at Southeastern Arizona Communications.

 

interim director Chis Hiser said that the facility's new director, its third, could be named just in time for SEACOM's third anniversary in July.

 

So far, nine people have expressed an interest in the job since it was posted about two months ago. Some are local, some aren’t.

 

So what does it entail? SEACOM provides county and municipal emergency services. The center opened back in July of 2018. A year before that Cochise County supervisors and the Sierra Vista City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement outlining the governance and command structure for the independent central dispatch center. 

A board that includes Sierra Vista City Manager Chuck Potucek and Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels is responsible for hiring the director. The agency's budget is about $2.5 million. 

 

And while someone with a background in public safety is preferred, it's not actually required.

 

What is required is a bachelor's degree and five years of management experience. 

 

It pays $77,096 to $115,644. But apparently the hefty salary has not been enough of an incentive to keep anyone at the helm for more than a year.

 

Two directors have come and gone in just over two years…

 

--

 

Before we go, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of 

 

Elizabeth Ann Wehrli of Pearce who passed away in Tucson on April 21st at the age of 70. She was born in Cottonwood, Minnesota to John F. Schultz and Irene Helen Schultz. Liz was a retired bookkeeper, and loved her animals that included her horses, donkeys and dogs. She was a faithful wife and supported her husband, traveling with him for his work. In November of 1981 in Leadville, Colorado she married her husband Larry who survives her. She is also survived by her daughters, her seven grandchildren, her seven great grandchildren, as well as her sisters..

 

Memorial Services will be 11:00 am on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Westlawn Chapel. \

 

Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Liz’s life.

 

--

 

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Thursday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week.

Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning, it’s Monday April 26th and this is The Herald Review’s Daily Chirp podcast. We’re bringing you a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other important things going on in our community. 

 

Today - As Arizona border cities are challenged with the arrival of undocumented migrants, Sierra Vista has been relatively “unscathed” … But why is that the case?

 

Before we begin, some local history.

 

Ever heard of the “Pink Moon?”

 

Venture outside tonight to catch a glimpse of April’s full Pink Moon. This full moon — the first of two supermoons this year — will be visible after sunset and reach peak illumination at 8:30 p.m. 

 

Before you get your hopes up, this “Super Pink Moon” won’t actually look “super pink”—or any hue of pink, really. The moon will be its usual golden color near the horizon and fade to a bright white as it glides overhead!

 

Although we wish this name had to do with the color of the moon, the reality is not quite as mystical or awe-inspiring. In truth, April’s full moon often corresponded with the early springtime blooms of a certain wildflower native to eastern North America. It’s commonly called creeping phlox or moss phlox.

 

Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital - they’re doing more than treating illnesses in Benson, they're building a healthier community. Benson Hospital is now collaborating with the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona to provide diaper assistance to families in need. For more information visit their website at bensonhospital.org.

 

Also, The Daily Chirp podcast is giving away 5 Amazon Echo Dots - one every month now through July. You can enter for your chance to win twice a day! Today's code is APRIL and find the other codeword in our “Daily Chirp Podcast Alert” e-newsletter. To enter the sweepstakes go to myheraldreview.com, again today's codeword is: APRIL

 

Now, our feature story. 

 

Many Arizona border cities are challenged with the arrival of undocumented migrants. But Sierra Vista has been relatively “unscathed” so far… At least according to Mayor Rick Mueller.

 

But that doesn’t mean the city isn’t on alert. Mueller said it also doesn’t mean that nothing’s happening in Sierra Vista. It’s just that it hasn’t yet reached alarming levels.

 

At city call on Wednesday Mueller said that they are on alert - noting that the police chief is very aware of what’s going on.

 

Mueller also talked about how they’re trying to address the concerns with other mayors in the area - as well as with the federal government and the state government. With this collaboration he says they’ll be able to better respond to any situations that arise in the future.

 

The mayor said Sierra Vista’s location and specifically the lack of bus service that provides transportation outside the city limits have worked in the municipality’s favor. At least for now - to keep the influx of undocumented migrants at bay.

 

The departure of Greyhound bus service from Sierra Vista - prompted by the pandemic has not been positive for the city overall, but Mueller said it’s been somewhat of a blessing.

 

Sierra Vista’s southern boundary is about nine miles from the Mexican border, and another 15 miles from the Sonoran town of Naco. Naco, Sonora, has a population of just 5,700.

 

Mueller explained that operating human or drug smuggling transactions through a smaller town such as Naco isn’t cost-effective for the Mexican cartel.

 

Apparently it’s much easier for the cartels to amass people in other areas of the border across from Nogales, across from Douglas, across from Yuma, and bring them in that way.

 

Mueller noted that we’re talking about a business operation run by the Mexican cartels and for the purpose of infiltrating people and drugs and maybe other things into the United States.

 

It’s easier for them to gain their profits by being in these other larger locations.

 

Mueller also talked about the federal government's handling of the situation at the border overall. Something in particular that irks him is when the Border Patrol or other agencies come into a town or city and drop off undocumented migrants.

He says they expect the local governments to have facilities available to take care of these people before they get on a bus and go somewhere else.

 

But to Mueller - that’s not the local government’s responsibility, it’s the federal government’s responsibility and that’s where the federal government has abrogated its responsibility. They expect the local governments, with their own budgets, to take care of these problems.

 

So what if Sierra Vista is faced with such a situation in the future? Mueller said the only thing we could do would be to call state officials and ask them to pick up undocumented migrants and take them elsewhere. 

Earlier this past week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey declared an emergency on “the southern border with the Republic of Mexico,” a move that allows the governor to call in the Arizona National Guard. Cochise County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Carol Capas said Cochise County would be getting 23 National Guard members to help the Sheriff’s Office in a non-law enforcement capacity.

 

And on Thursday the Bipartisan Border Solutions Act was introduced. It addresses the impact that the influx of undocumented migrants have on local communities. 

 

To learn more about this story and to stay up to date on developments visit us at myheraldreview.com

 

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Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living. 

 

Next - Two conceptual designs on the proposed Bisbee Bike Path are ready for comments. The city and Bisbee Bikeways are taking public input on both ahead of an online meeting on May 4.

 

brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy in Benson and Sierra Vista. They’re doing more than just treating patients, they’re helping patients get back to living their daily lives. Using extensive knowledge, their therapists treat each patient one-on-one, focusing on individual care. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.

 

Thanks to a grant written by Bisbee Bikeways from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Grant Development Program, a feasibility study for the  shared use path has been completed.

The plan is to have the pathway on U.S. Route 80 - connecting Old Bisbee and Warren.

 

Meggen Connolley, founder of Bisbee Bikeways, announced that the two designs were completed. They were both created by Brent Crowther and his team at Kimley-Horne. 

 

The plans propose one lane in each direction on 80 to allow for a turning lane in the middle. It’ll run on the eastbound side - adjacent to the Lavender Pit, between Naco Road and Erie Street. It’ll also have a buffer between the pathway and the roadway.

 

The goals of the project are to create a safe facility for walkers and bikers, to make it comfortable for people of all ages, to make it convenient, and of course, to make it aesthetically pleasing. Finally, it’s important that it’ll be financially viable to both set up and also maintain.

 

Both plans call for a 12-foot-wide pathway with directional arrows. Why 12 feet wide? So it can be cleaned by a street sweeper. There will also be lighting at the pedestrian level.

 

In the first plan, Plan A, Main Street becomes one way westbound between U.S. 80 and the Historic District. Vehicles that would’ve originally used eastbound Main Street from Historic Bisbee to U.S. 80 would use Naco Road instead. The driveway for the Queen Mine Tour to the highway would be relocated west. This plan, Plan A is estimated to cost $2.3 million.

 

Now, let’s move onto Plan B. Plan B minimizes impacts to the existing intersections that connect U.S. 80 to Historic Bisbee. The pathway would be adjacent to the existing streets from Dart Road, near the Queen Mine Tour entrance. It would require construction of retaining walls adjacent to Main Street near the Queen Mine Tour entrance. Plan B also calls for the widening of the U.S. 80 Main Street underpass to accommodate the path. The estimated cost? $4.7 million, so over two times the cost of Plan A.

 

So, if you want your voice to be heard head over to bisbeeaz.gov to check out the plans. You can comment in the Bisbee Shared Use Path survey. For more information and the full link to the survey visit our full story on the path at myheraldreview.com.

 

-

 

Next, an upcoming event in our community that you should know about -- brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

 

Are you interested in a behind the scenes experience of police work? Well, you’re in luck. You can apply for the upcoming Citizen Police Academy hosted by the Sierra Vista Police Department. Classes will be held in the police department auditorium for 12 consecutives weeks starting in August. So mark your calendars! The class is limited to 25 students and it’s first come first serve. Make sure to submit your application before June 4th. Keep in mind you need to be at least 18 years old, and live or work in the greater Sierra Vista area. There will also be limited background checks for those who apply. Check out our events section for more information.

-

 

Finally - we’d like to remember the life of 

 

Nathan James Stover.. He is now reunited with the love of his life, Nadia.

 

Nate was born on April 25, 1980 in Rockport, Maine. He became an “army brat” soon after. Nate spent his childhood living in, traveling, and visiting various locations within the United States and Europe. At age 15, he moved to Sierra Vista and was a student at Buena High School. He graduated in the class of 1998. 

 

Nate then worked at a local automotive dealership for most of his adult life. He was a devoted family man and cherished time spent with them at home, on vacations, at sporting events, or other activities. He was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed golf. Nate always saw the best in others, was always ready to lend a helping hand. Everyone appreciated his sense of humor and outlook on life.

 

Nate will lovingly be remembered by his children, his parents, and his grandparents. Nate was predeceased by his wife of 19 years, Nadia. He will be missed by his many other family members and friends.

 

A celebration of Nate’s life will be held on May 16, 2021 at the Windemere Hotel and Conference Center.

 

Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate his life.

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Tuesday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week.

Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning, it’s Thursday, April 22nd and this is The Herald Review’s podcast, the Daily Chirp. We’re excited to bring you a closer look at top stories, events in the community, local history, sports, and more. 

 

Today - Undocumented migrants were recently discovered hiding in Benson High School parking lot. Parents, law enforcement, and Benson Mayor Joe Konrad are speaking up.

 

Before we begin, some local history.

 

April 22nd began just like every other day in 1970, except that it wasn’t like every other day. It was Earth Day! And it marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement.

 

Earth day was the end result of a yearlong idea by a junior Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson. Nelson’s idea was to infuse the energy of student anti-war protests with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution. 

 

He enlisted the help of a conservation minded Republican Congressman, Pete McCloskey as co-chair and together they recruited activist Denis Hayes to organize college campus teach-ins about the environment. 

 

But why April 22nd? It was perfect since it fell between Spring Break and Final Exams. They were hoping to maximize the greatest number of student participation.

 

The special day inspired about 10% of the population at that time, so 20 million Americans, to take to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate against all of what 150 years of industrial development progress had brought to the impact of health.

 

So today, don’t forget to check out the Sierra Vista farmers market to join them for a celebration.

 

Today’s history is brought to you by Benson Hospital. The team at Benson Hospital is always working towards building a healthier community. For example, when the Benson Food Pantry needed a new home, they worked with them to find one, and their staff even helped them apply for grants to support the mission. You can learn more about everything they’re doing for our community by following them on Facebook at facebook.com/bensonhospital.

 

Also, The Daily Chirp podcast is giving away 5 Amazon Echo Dots - one every month now through July. You can enter for your chance to win twice a day! Today's code is SHOWERS and find the other codeword in our “Daily Chirp Podcast Alert” e-newsletter. To enter the sweepstakes go to myheraldreview.com, again today's codeword is: SHOWERS

 

-

 

Now, our feature story. 

 

On Friday around 9:15 at night Benson police officers responded to a call. It involved undocumented immigrants who were hiding under cars in the Benson High School parking lot. 

 

Police Chief Paul Moncada said that officers found a vehicle with a U.S. citizen and a passenger, along with three undocumented immigrants. They were detained. the chief said. Three other undocumented aliens immigrants north from the school.

 

That’s when Benson Police officers and Cochise County Sheriff’s Office deputies searched for the three who fled on foot. But according to Moncada they couldn’t find them.

 

Border Patrol was contacted and said they’d be there in an hour.

 

But after the hour passed, they still weren’t there. So they were contacted again and gave yet another one-hour ETA.

 

So Benson PD decided to reach out to a Border Patrol agent who was in the area instead. And that agent contacted a supervisor. Ultimately they were told that Border Patrol wouldn’t respond at all. At that point, all three detained subjects were released.

 

It all started when a high school student discovered undocumented migrants hiding under his car. The student’s parent sent out a warning on social media.

 

It said  -- quote “kids, after games, be safe. Watch your surroundings at all times. Illegals are everywhere now. The baseball team is aware of this. Pass the word to softball, track and tennis. Sadly, this is just the beginning of illegals in parking lots, neighborhoods, etc..”

 

Benson School District Superintendent Micah Mortensen also sent a letter home to parents, describing the incident.

 

The letter stated that as part of the school’s safety protocols, coaches will remain with students until every student has safely departed campus.

 

Mortensen went on to ask that parents encourage their children to report all incidents or situations that make them uncomfortable, saying that we must all be vigilant in order to keep our children safe.

 

Benson Mayor Joe Konrad weighed in on the situation as well. He expressed concerns about what he described as “an escalating UDA problem” and its impact on border communities.

 

Konrad noted that it seems like Border Patrol’s hands are tied, and citizens are going to have to be vigilant and take extra precautions to stay safe. He said that people need to call the police when they see something that seems out of place.

 

Konrad also said police officers aren’t getting the support they need from federal officials. Especially once they determine they have detained migrants who are in the country illegally.

 

Police officers are sworn to enforce Arizona law, but have no jurisdiction in immigration matters. 

 

To Konrad, this immigration issue is a huge problem, and it’s only going to get worse if the border crisis continues. It’s very disheartening.

 

You can learn more on this story by visiting us at myheraldreview.com.

 

-

Thanks for listening, before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors, Prestige Family Living. 

 

Next, we’d like to highlight Mike Frosco, Bisbee High School’s retiring athletics director. 

 

Today's episode is brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. ApexNetwork Physical Therapy is the leading choice for individualized physical therapy in a warm and comfortable environment. They offer a wide range of services like Manual Therapy, Industrial Rehab, Dry Needling, Golf Rehab and more. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com.

 

What do you give a man who is retiring after 50 years of service to Bisbee High School athletics?

 

Well, the Bisbee High School Alumni Association has a great idea to honor retiring athletics director Mike Frosco — a plaque at Warren Ballpark dedicating the field to him.

 

It was alumnus Snoody Borowiec that presented the idea to the board of the Bisbee Unified School District.

 

And proud Pumas alumnus Don Bays said he met Frosco back in 1958 when the coach allowed newcomers to try out. Frosco was one of them.

 

Bays says that he was a senior when he met Frosco on the first day of practice. He described him as a frail, scrawny looking kid with a permanent, built-in smile. Bays said that he was very quickly proven wrong about Frosco’s athletic ability. He was an outstanding player every year. 

 

Bays noted that he doesn’t think there's anyone more deserving to have his name attached to the field than Mike. Coach Frosco is Mr. Baseball.

 

After college Frosco returned to BHS as an educator and a coach. As a coach he was inducted into the Arizona Hall of Fame. He coached three state championship teams, had 23 state tournament appearances, was awarded 11 Coach of the Year titles and had 555 career team wins.

 

Then when he gave up coaching, he continued to be involved with the kids in the entire school district as director of athletics.

 

Frosco also has been involved in getting funds to improve Warren Ballpark.

 

Ultimately, the school board’s decision to honor Coach Frosco would be a tribute to a man who touched many young men’s lives.

 

The final decision to follow the recommendation of the alumni to dedicate the field to Frosco will be made at the board meeting on May 11th.

 

Next up the Community Food Pantry of Benson has added something new to its list of services. brought to you by our sponsors, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

 

[New sponsor audio message]

 

The Community Food Pantry of Benson has added something new to its list of services.

 

As part of its monthly cooking class, they now have community resource presenters. The presenters will inform residents about different services they might need.

 

The cooking class is the third Friday of the month, and last Friday they had two representatives from SEAGO - SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization - who talked about how to access programs for caregivers and seniors. 

 

Because of COVID, Friday’s presentation was their first in-person outreach session in over a year.

 

This was a very welcome change. Throughout the pandemic outreach has been hard for the organization. Some seniors and caregivers were faced with computer literacy barriers and struggled with devices and the internet.

 

But they overcame the challenges and built a program called Trualta that they’re rolling out soon.

 

It’s a skill-based online learning portal designed for families and caregivers. It’ll include articles, videos and professional-level training.

 

Ultimately SEAGO’s goal is to support seniors and people with disabilities so they can maintain their independence safely at home.

 

Finally, today we’re remembering the life of 

 

John Michael Donnelly. He was born in San Diego, California, the youngest of 5 children. He was a “surprise” child - 19 years younger than his older brother, Donald. He grew up in San Diego and graduated from St. Augustine High School. John made the decision to enter the Carmelites and conducted his initial studies in the San Francisco Bay area. Later, he studied in Ireland and in Rome for the priesthood, where he earned a master’s degree in Theology. He took the Sacrament of Holy Orders in 1967 in Rome, and took the name Kevin, which is the name many people knew him by as an adult.

 

In the early 1970’s, Reverend Donnelly met Susan Mullaney and made the decision to leave the priesthood to marry, in the sincere belief that priests ought to be allowed to marry and in the hope that it wouldn’t be long before that change occurred. Susan brought three children into the marriage, Lisa, Laurie and Bruce. And together they had a son named Kevin. When Susan’s health began to fail, they made the decision to move from northern California, where they met, to southeastern Arizona, where Susan lived as a child. They were married for 43 years.

 

In 1987, John was accepted into the Episcopal Church as a priest. After several years in pastoral ministry at St. Alban’s in Tucson, and the Church of the Transfiguration in Apache Junction, John served as a chaplain for the Arizona State Prison at Douglas, ministering to an inmate population of over 2,000 individuals for 20 years. 

 

He loved to sing, and played the piano, guitar and cornet. He was well known for his gentleness, being very approachable and humble, with a wry sense of humor. John spoke French, Italian, Spanish, Latin and was conversant in Irish Gaelic.

 

After his cherished wife, Susan, passed in 2016, John reconciled with the Catholic Church. The day before his death, two Carmelite friars visited him, and he renewed his vows as a Carmelite. 

 

His son Kevin commented that his dad was glowing with happiness at renewing his vows. By the next morning, Divine Mercy Sunday, John was on his way to sing with the angels.

 

Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Friday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week. We also encourage you to rate and review our podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.