Photo Essay: A look back at 2008 in Maricopa
Maricopa360.com started operations in April of 2008. As the year comes to a close, we take a look back, in pictures, at the top news stories and events we’ve covered in the past eight months.
Local events drew record crowds. Elections brought major change to not just our city, but the entire nation. Fundraisers came to the aid of numerous, deserving local charities. There was cause for celebration. There was cause for sorrow. Through it all, Maricopa retained the spirit of community that makes this a great place to live!
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Honeycutt Road to close again for bridge construction
The City of Maricopa has announced that Honeycutt Road will be closed between Maricopa Groves Parkway and Santa Rosa Parkway, starting Monday, January 5th.
The closure will be in effect from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is expected to end on Friday, January 9th. Drivers can detour around the area by taking Maricopa Groves south to Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, east to Santa Rosa, then north back to Honeycutt.
The City is currently constructing a bridge over the Santa Rosa Wash, and widening the road to four lanes in that area. Estimated completion for the entire project is early 2009.
Drivers are reminded to proceed with caution in this area and through the detour.
Grain elevator explosion rocks Maricopa
At approximately 9:15 this morning, the Maricopa Fire Department responded to a report of an explosion at Arizona Grain Company located at 38501 West Cowtown Road, near Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and White-Parker Road, in Maricopa. Numerous other agencies responded as well for automatic aid to the units already on scene.
Three workers were treated by Maricopa Paramedics on scene and then flown to Maricopa County Medical Center with first and second degree burns to their face and hands as a result of the powerful dust explosion.
Fire investigators have determined the origin of the initial explosion was in one of the four vertical grain elevator legs with a secondary explosion reportedly caused by the first and subsequent fire ball to the subterranean grain elevator network. The explosion could be felt and heard throughout the City of Maricopa. The tremendous force of the explosion was such that it sheared six 7/8 inch bolts to a truck scale lifting a semi loaded with grain weighing approximately 80,000 pounds.
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Mobile On-Site Mammography coming to Maricopa
Mobile On-site Mammography (M.O.M.) will be at the Maricopa City Hall on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
If you are interested in getting a mammogram, schedule an appointment by contacting M.O.M. at (480) 967-3767 or (800) 285-0272. Please bring the following items to your appointment on January 27th: Medical insurance card, Doctor’s name and address, Location of prior mammogram films.
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Supervisor David Snider to Hold Maricopa Office Hours on Tuesday, January 6th
CASA GRANDE- Pinal County District 3 Supervisor David Snider will kick off 2009 by holding his monthly office hours in Maricopa on Tuesday, January 6th from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.
“I am excited to be serving the residents in this area and all throughout Pinal County for another term,” Supervisor Snider said. “I welcome my two new fellow board members and look forward to facing head-on the challenges that await us in this term.”
Supervisor Snider will be at the Interim Maricopa City Hall located at 45145 West Madison Avenue. The Supervisor added that if anyone would like to schedule a time to visit during his office hours in Maricopa, you can call his office at (520) 836-0003, otherwise it is first-come, first-served.
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City opens Christmas tree disposal lot
The City of Maricopa has a free option for those needing to dispose of their Christmas trees.
From December 26th, 2008 through January 24th, 2009, residents will be able to drop off their old Christmas trees in a fenced and posted lot at the corner of Garvey and Honeycutt, on the west side of State Route 347 (John Wayne Pkwy).
This drop-off area is only for previously cut live trees. Please do not bring artificial trees, ornaments or any plastics.
There is no charge to drop-off trees.
Registration now open for City of Maricopa indoor volleyball league
The City of Maricopa, in partnership with Maricopa Elementary School, is now offering indoor volleyball programs for the community.
Currently, registration in underway for the winter adult indoor volleyball league – men’s, women’s and co-ed competitive and recreational divisions available. Sign up your team today.
Fees for the upcoming league are $200 per team. Register in person at Maricopa City Hall, 45145 W. Madison Ave. Contact Monica Rubio, 520/316-6965, with any questions.
More information on upcoming youth programs will be available in the Spring.
Maricopa Police Department offers residents safe place to dispose of rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable batteries are used by many residents in flashlights, cell phones and other electronic devices. If you need to dispose of any rechargeable batteries, the Maricopa Police Department is now a drop-off location. The following batteries may be dropped-off:
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn)
Small sealed lead (Pb)
By recycling the above items, you are helping to keep heavy metals out of landfills and helping the environment. For more information on this program, contact Cathy Colbert at (520) 316-6868.
Note: alkaline or lithium batteries and cordless phones are not accepted at this time.
City still collecting unused “Cell Phones for Soldiers”
More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers, and the City of Maricopa are calling on all residents to support for these brave men and women by donating your unused cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 50,000 cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.
“Over the past few years, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. But, we have also seen the need to support our troops continue.” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. “It is easy for Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, and providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.”
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Chamber encouraging residents to shop local
The Maricopa Chamber of Commerce has launched the Buy Maricopa campaign to get Maricopa residents to spend money locally throughout the year.
“Shopping locally not only benefits our merchants and their employees, it adds to local government revenue in the form of sales tax dollars,” the chamber said.
“I think it’s crucial,” local resident Michelle Cartwright, said about shopping locally. “It is important that we [Maricopa residents] remember to shop locally. You can find unique items that will not be at a big box store.”
“I think it’s very important for our economy for the local community to support local business, so we can continue to be here for them the long run,” said entrepreneur Michael Eriksson. “We have a great rapport with our customers and we have a wonderful clientèle. Of course, there are some cautious people with the way things are going, but we just have to keep doing what we’ve always done and that is to offer great customer service and a great product.”
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