News April 29, 2009

"State May Cut More Money From Schools

There is a new proposal floating around the state capital calling for more monies being cut from Arizona schools. The word in Phoenix is that Republican lawmakers now want to "fix" Arizona’s budget by using 1 million in federal stimulus monies, also cutting $670 million more in spending and then claiming $500 million more from the schools and cities. That is $300 million less funding for schools and some $200 taken away from cities.

Police Chase Ends in Globe

A Mesa man who stole a tow truck led DPS officer on a chase from 40th Street and Interstate 10, to Globe. At around 5:30 in the morning on Saturday, April, 25, Darin Matracia pulled a knife on the tow truck drive after he had repossessed his car. Officers were able to flatten the the tires on the truck in Apache Junction, but Matracia continued toward Globe. Travelers who were pulled over at Top of the World witnessed the strange "parade" of Matracia Police Chase Ends in Globe grinding slowly westward on the rims of his tires, followed by a number of law enforcement cruisers. DPS, with the assistance of the Gila County Sheriff's Office, was able to bring the tow truck to a stop by The Old West Shopping center in Globe. Matracia was treated at CVCH for a self-inflicted knife wound to his neck and was booked into the Gila County Jail on Unlawful Flight and Endangerment charges.

New Queen Creek Tunnel

It was in May of 1953 when the formal announcement came. Dedication ceremonies had been set for Saturday, May 16th for the official opening of the new Queen Creek Tunnel and an adjoining two mile new sector of U.S. highway 60 East of Superior. Arizona Governor, Howard Pyle, along with a host of other state dignitaries and local civic leaders will be on hand to speak and travel through the tunnel. The new addition to Highway 60 replaces a long used, steep, winding roadway with blind curves through the old Claypool tunnel often referred to as a "death trap." During the early history of the Superior and Globe-Miami areas, the original roadway connecting the communities began as a wagon trail in the early 1870's and was needed for transportation to the early silver mines in Globe such as the Stonewall Jackson (at McMillan) east of Globe, the Ramboz, Centennial, Fame and the Mack Morris. According to one old publication, it was in 1875 when the road was completed to reach the Silver King mine (north of Superior) then booming, and linked it to Globe a distance of 35 miles at the time. It was during the year 1922 when the first automobile travel began on the rugged section of the highway opening many other mines and ranches in the Pinal Mountains. Locally community leaders, elated about the recent completion of this new Queen Creek tunnel and road section, say this now opens up a new travel route in our part of Arizona free from a major traffic barrier for those using highways 60 and 70. It was also pointed out that two masterpieces of bridge structures have aided in expanding travel to our mining communities. These were the Pinto Creek bridge which had been in use for over a year while the Queen Creek Bridge was just recently opened. (Writers Note: The old “Claypool” tunnel can still be seen about 800 feet down the mountain side from Queen Creek tunnel along with portions of the old original 1870's wagon trail. This has been a photo attraction for many tourists who have traveled through our communities along with the huge and towering rock formations here.)

Gila Co Supervisors Call for Action on Young Highway

The northern road to Young, AZ that stems off of Hwy 260 was a topic of stern discussion at the Gila County supervisors’ meeting Tuesday, April 21. The northern road has a three mile portion that crosses Coconino County and, therefore, is out of Gila County jurisdiction. Around 2006 Congressman Rick Renzi obtained a $750,000 earmark for pavement to Young. Supervisor Dawson explained that it costs $1million dollars per mile to pave a road, but that this money could be used to chip seal the 3 mile piece, which need is illustrated by it's notorious nick name, "Dead Man's Curve." The County Attorney's office advised the supervisors that the road lies outside the jurisdiction of Gila County and is dependant on Coconino County for maintenance. Supervisor Dawson stated that she will have this item on the agenda every week until the County Attorney's offi ce brings a legal solution as to how Gila County can use that money to maintain that road, or how the money can be given to another county for road repair. Supervisor Dawson said that it is not right to hold on to earmark money for three years without use, and that the money has already dwindled to $692,000 from sweeps and retractions. Chief Deputy County Attorney Brian Chambers answered on behalf of the County Attorney's office, and stated that their office will continue to work on a legal opinion and will inform the board if it can be legal or not. Supervisor Tommie Martin agreed that the county needs to move on this Young Highway.

Fish Advisory Issued for 2 Arizona Lakes

Arizona health agencies issued warnings Friday about consuming fi sh from two Arizona lakes because of mercury contamination. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Department of Health Services issued a fish consumption advisory that recommends people limit eating certain fish caught from Lake Pleasant and Roosevelt Lake. Tissue samples taken by ADEQ of fish caught from the two lakes and analyzed, show elevated levels of mercury. The fish covered by the consumption advisory are largemouth bass from Lake Pleasant and largemouth bass and channel catfish from Roosevelt Lake.

Winkelman's Mystery Crystal Caves Raises More Questions, by Ted Lake

Eighty years ago, two large underground caverns were discovered about 10 miles south of the Town of Winkelman . We have written about this situation several times before in our "Mystery" Cave articles on what has been called locally the "Crystal Cave." Two historic reports on the fi nding of this underground marvel were glowing as to the size of the caverns or the length of the two tunnels. But there are confl icting stories as to who were the actual persons who made this amazing discovery hidden beneath the Pinal County desert. That was then. Today, we have been told the cave opening, which is on private property, is very small and hidden in brush making it diffi cult to fi nd. To get underground, you have to squeeze directly downward dropping through a small hole and once inside, the area is by Ted Lake teddlake@yahoo.com Winkelman's Mystery Crystal Caves Raises More Questions no longer large. The caverns are fi lled with dirt and the tunnels are blocked with collapsed walls of the cave. There are also possible snake and bat encounters. . However, there apparently was a period of time you could travel by boat on water going through at least one of these tunnels several miles East towards the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. We also picked up a story in Winkelman that in the very "old days", one of the tunnels had lights inside and the property owner was charging the public admission for cave boat rides. There are still a lot of questions about this unique "Mystery Cave" with its two caverns ( rooms) and tunnels. I am asking for reader help once again if you have any detailed information about my following questions: 1) Do you happen to have the complete names of the men and their towns which the University of Arizona attributes to be the original persons who discovered our "Mystery Cave?" Or are you aware of the names of other persons who may have been the original locators since I have conflicting information (see below U of A and Newspaper Report)? 2) I have been told a number of persons participated in a detailed underground survey of the caverns (rooms) and tunnels some years back, prior to 1960. Do you know anyone who has such a survey? My email address is teddlake@yahoo. com Here is what I have to date to work on: First, a publication put out 35 years ago by the University of Arizona in Tucson which said: Our Mystery Cave was located "in early 1929 by Mr. Logan and Mr. Rhodes. The Cavern has 2 rooms. The fi rst over 300 feet long, the second over 400 feet long. The walls and the roof of the Cave are of gypsum interspersed with shale and many beautiful crystals." "The name Crystal Cave is descriptive of this Cavern." Second, an abstract of a 1947 Newspaper story which said: "A large cave discovered near Winkelman would be investigated soon. The possibilities of advertising this huge cave South of here to bring tourists and sightseers was being investigated and under consideration by George Wright of Globe." "The cave was discovered about 20 years ago by Lee Turner of Winkelman, but since the discovery, practically little has been done in its exploration. However, it is known that approximately 225 feet from the entrance there is a body of water which is said to extend at least three miles and possibly further inside. Walls of the cave are from 15 to 25 feet in height above the water." Besides these two brief reports, and a number of interesting emails from our readers about the "Mystery Cave," I've learned on February 25, 1994, the National Speleological Society published its list of 861 caves in the United States known to be more than one mile long. The list included six here in Arizona, however, our cave, the "Crystal Cave" was not there. One was in Pima County and was the popular Colossal Cave. There were fi ve others, all in Coconino County. Theses caves were known as Allen Springs, Cave of Bells, Roaring Springs, Falls and the Topeats. I have sent this organization an email with some questions, but to date, have not received a response. The position of this writer is because of the glowing early reports on the fi ndings of this "Cave" and from information given to me in April last year from William G. "Bill" Kishbaugh and others, some government agency or private organization should get with the necessary property owners to conduct further underground exploration at this site to make sure we haven't lost a major treasure and tourist attraction here in our part of the state. Kishbaugh, who is 75 years young, is a retired Industrial Hygienist from ASARCO. He had been in this cave only a few times in the early 1940's. What is interesting from the lengthy email I received from him a year ago is how he described the inside of our "Mystery Cave." which follows: "The main entrance was perhaps two feet high and four feet wide. If you slid in feet fi rst, you would drop about 4 to 5 feet into a dark chamber and would be standing in one or two chambers or passageways. The passageway leading to the right widened within a very short distance and it contained an underground body of water that was blue green in color and appeared to have no movement. It also disappeared into the tunnel which turned to the right and went out of sight. The other passage to the left was very narrow, but you could squeeze your body through it while standing up. It soon widened into a tunnel or passageway about eight feet wide. While traversing the passageway, I remember feeling a burst of air coming from the outside coming from an undetermined vent." If you happen to know any new additional information about the early history of this "Cave," write and send an e-mail to me with your telephone number. E-mail teddlake@ yahoo.com

Integrated Counseling Service Given Award For Military Support, By Jesse Bryant

Gerald McDaniel and David Rice were presented with the Patriot Award Wednesday, April 15. The award came upon the recommendation of Audrey Vasquez who works for Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Rice, and serves in the United States Navy Reserve. Her recommendation was due to the great cooperation and sacrifice her employers endure so that she can pursue her military career and ambitions. Lawrence Wise, and Doreen Burton, program support specialists from Employer Support Of The Guard and Reserve, traveled to Globe to present the award. The ESGR is an agency under the Department of Defense that promotes an understanding of Guard and Reserve service. The recipients of the Patriot Award will be considered for higher awards. McDaniel and Rice were unaware that the award was enroute, and were very honored to receive it.