Prescott eNews

Cottonwood Police are investigating an arson incident. Police, along with the Cottonwood Fire Department responded to the Masonic Lodge on North Verde Heights Drive in reference to a fire. Upon arrival, police and arson investigators found the building vacant and it is believed to have been that way for some time. Two fires had been started in separate locations and they were put out prior to doing any significant damage. Investigators determined this was a potential arson scene based on the location of the fires, burn patterns and the presence of possible chemical accelerants. It appears transients and possibly juveniles had entered the property at some point in the past. At this time, there are no leads or suspects.

The Williamson Valley Community Organization will discuss subsidizing growth as part of its annual meeting. The Organization was scheduled to meet in January, but that meeting was cancelled due to snow. Tonight's meeting will start at 6:30 in the Davis Learning Center Auditorium at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Willow Creek Road in Prescott. John Danforth will discuss why the arguments for subsidizing residential development by providing infrastructure and other services to new developments do not hold water. He will also address ways to control the practice. The business portion of the meeting will include brief updates on several issues of importance to the community.

The Arizona Sundogs will be visiting elementary schools this week. Sundogs players will read to children, answer questions and discuss the importance of reading as part of Read Across America Week, which was first established 13 years ago by the National Educational Foundation. Players made an appearance at Lake Valley Elementary School in Prescott Valley last night, and they will be at Acorn Montessori Charter School, also in Prescott Valley from noon to 1 today and at Mingus Springs Charter School in Chino Valley from 1:30 to 2:30. On Thursday, Coyote Springs Elementary School in Prescott Valley will host an appearance from 12:30 to 1:30.

Players and Coach Marco Pietroniro are scheduled to participate in the Sundogs Coach's Show, which runs from 6 to 7 tonight at the Pony Espresso on Robert Road. Those who can't be there in person can listen live on KQNA, 1130 AM and 99.9 FM in Prescott.

The Humboldt Unified School District Board will consider Arizona School Boards Association policy advisories at 6:30 tonight. The policies involve vendor and contractor relations, salary deductions, budget hearings and the review and adoption process and budget transfers. With approval, these policies will become effective immediately and will be added to the current policy manual. Other agenda items include relocation of current District Office staff and functions to Bradshaw Mountain High School East, a change in Food and Nutrition authorized account signers and an antenna site lease with the Town of Prescott Valley. The meeting will be held at Glassford Hill Middle School on Panther Path in Prescott Valley.

Items related to a Thumb Butte water reservoir upgrade and replacement project will be before the Prescott City Council for discussion. Public Works Department staff is seeking direction from Council on negotiations regarding the acquisition of real property, located south of Thumb Butte Road and east of the Prescott National Forest. City Director of Public Affairs Kim Kapin indicated on yesterday's Q&A with Sandy Moss on KQNA that officials would like to use the property for an upgraded water tank:

Also at 3 this afternoon, Council will discuss authorization of the purchase of other property for construction of a water utility pump station as part of the upgrade project. The meeting will be held at City Hall on South Cortez Street.

Wireless service upgrades have been completed and implemented. The Prescott Regional Public Safety Communications Center and the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center have announced the Phase 2 upgrades, which are designed to accurately identify a 911 caller's location from a cell phone. During yesterday's Q&A with Sandy Moss on KQNA 1130 AM and 99.9 FM, Prescott Police Lieutenant Andy Reinhardt explained not knowing the caller's location causes problems:

Reinhardt said with the upgrades, calls are routed to the proper answering point:

According to Communications Center Director Paul Laipple, the Regional Dispatch Center is now receiving more 911 calls from cell phones than land line phones, and he expects that trend to continue.

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