Desert Messenger

June 15, 202 ww.DesertMessenger.com 7 School safety by Sheriff Will Ponce RANDY SMITH FOR TOWN COUNCIL QUARTZSITE • Military Veteran • Retired Dept. of Corrections & Rehabilitation • Resident of Quartzsite for 8 years! • College Grad • Committed to fully trained and equipped Quartzsite Police Department • Committed to ensure Camel Express is fully staffed and funded Paid for by Randy Smith P. O. Box 1011, Quartzsite, AZ 85346 VOTE AUGUST 2, 2022! Paid for by Devyn Rosner https://www.facebook.com/DevynRosnerforQuartzsiteTownCouncil Meet & Greet Devyn Rosner at his Birthday Bash! TUESDAY, JULY 5 TH , 2022 12 NOON PATTIES RV & PROPANE 455 E Main St., Quartzsite - Refreshments and Fun! TOWN COUNCIL August 2 nd 2022 VOTE Statement from La Paz County Sheriff Will Ponce We are well aware of what sadly happened in Texas and have been watching the information as it comes out. Our hearts go out to the families of those that have been affected they are in my thoughts and prayers. Regarding our local schools, law enforcement countywide has great relationships within our schools and communicate frequently on safety and security matters. I have walked several of the campuses with staff providing them with guidance on security and safety measures to help us all better know who and what is coming to our campuses. The Parker Police Department has a school resource offi cer at the High School, and La Paz County Sheriff's Offi ce recently received a grant for two School Resources for the rural communities in the county. We have fi lled one of the positions and placed that School Resource Of- fi cer in the Quartzsite Elementary School District stationed at the Eh- renberg school and are seeking an- other qualifi ed applicant to fi ll the vacant position for the east end of the unincorporated part of the county. Recruitment is diffi cult at this time for this profession, so I have been unable to fi ll this second SRO vacan- cy as of this time but will continue to seek the right person for the job. These individuals will have training on emergency response situations like the incident that occurred in Texas, and we have started to evalu- ate some of the schools for better safety protocols and intend to train teachers and staff on best practices in these types of emergency situa- tions. In the coming school year, we have begun plans to have emergency response drills at our schools county- wide with staff and students utilizing patrol personnel in conjunction with our regional emergency response unit. This will ensure that everyone better understands their roll in these types of emergencies. Although we are in rural Arizona, we have great working relationships with our local state and federal part- ners. In time of crisis, we all come together and provide assets to situa- tions for the protection of the public. I am committed to making our schools safer for our children and will strive to make our schools safer and provide more of a presence on our campuses. UPDATE: Plan for US 60 daytime lane restrictions between the communities of Wenden and Aguila May 9 - Aug. 5 Drivers should use caution and allow extra travel time The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for alternating lane closures for the next several months on east- and west- bound US 60 between the communities of Wenden and Aguila while crews complete a pavement preservation project. The following restrictions will occur weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. begin- ning Monday, May 9, and ending Friday, Aug. 5: US 60 will be narrowed to one lane only with alternating east- and west- bound travel between Hillside Road and Black Eagle Road (mileposts 63- 86). Flaggers and a pilot car will direct drivers through the work zone.The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph. A 14-foot vehicle-width restriction will be in place. ADOT advises drivers to slow down and use caution around personnel and equipment while pavement repairs are underway. The pavement preservation project is approximately 40 miles west of Wickenburg in Maricopa and La Paz counties. For more information, visit the project webpage. Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or go to azdot.gov/contact and select Projects from the drop-down menu. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT's Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov Need to know where a milepost is? Click on the "Mile Markers" icon on the map at www.az511.com. Follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving Updated plan for US 60

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