Desert Messenger

40 www.DesertMessenger.com January 1, 2020 AD ����� ������� �� D����� M�������� The Desert Survivor If trees could talk... Would they paint a portrait of Arizona's climate, inhabitants and events? Would they be an impartial witness and tell it like they saw it? Arizona's rich history has been wit- nessed by many, but none so endur- ing as these living specimens. Some planted by pioneers for specifi c pur- poses, some happened upon and used throughout the years for what we Arizonans needed at various times throughout statehood. They are a living legacy enjoyed and uti- lized by Arizona's inhabitants and now honored for their service. These Witness Trees were dedi- cated as part of Arizona's Centen- nial, verifi ed to have witnessed Ari- zona's statehood form February 14, 1912, to February 14, 2012. This ironwood tree resides in the town of Quartzsite. It is in remark- able condition for its age - 1,050 years old, as determined by the La Paz County University of Arizona Extension offi ce- probably due to its location close to a wash. It is view- able by a trail outside of the Town Hall, north of the water tank. It has witnessed the ages from the same location and recently in its his- tory has become accustomed to the yearly winter population boom of Quartzsite, located along Interstate 10 next to the Arizona/California border. Ironwoods are known for their dense timber, as limbs from these trees do not fl oat. Quartzsite's Centennial Tree A new law in the United States that prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 is now in effect, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Although the Food and Drug Ad- ministration (FDA) said it could take six months to fi nalize a new federal tobacco age limit, the agen- cy announced it is now illegal for re- tailers to sell any tobacco product to consumers under 21 years old. The agency posted a message on its website announcing the new le- gal age is now in effect. FDA statement: "Note: On December 20, 2019, the President signed legislation to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and raise the federal minimum age of sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years. It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product – including ciga- rettes, cigars and e-cigarettes – to anyone under 21. FDA will provide additional details on this issue as they become available." The South Dakota Retailers Asso- ciation said in a statement Thursday although South Dakota state law has not been updated to align with the federal law, retailers should heed FDA guidance. A new federal law sets the minimum age to buy tobacco products at 21. Stay up to date with sex offenders in area Congress enacted Megan's Law in 1996. It made sex-offender reg- istration information public and created guidelines for community notifi cation. Quartzsite Police Department is- sues notifi cations pursuant to ARS 13-3825, the Community Notifi ca- tion of Sex Offender Law. Notifi ca- tion must be made when certain sex offenders are released from the Arizona State Prison, accepted under an Interstate Compact or released from the county jail back into the community. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) has established a website according to the require- ments of A.R.S. 13-3827. DPS is responsible for maintaining the site and annually verifying the address- es of all registered sex offenders. The purpose of the Arizona sex offender information website is to provide information to the public concerning the location of sex of- fenders within Arizona. The site is NOT intended to supplant the com- munity notifi cation process, but rather, it allows the criminal justice community to promote public awareness concerning the poten- tial threat that sex offenders pose to Arizona citizens. An informed public is a safer public! Visit the website to search for sex offenders in your area: http://www.azdps.gov/servic- es/public/sex-offender

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