Desert Messenger

October 18, 2023 www.DesertMessenger.com 23 Information: Jon Bourassa 406-698-9880 or Jebourassa@gmail.com BOOK SALE Quartzsite Library Friends THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 ND 9AM-3PM 465 N. Plymouth Ave. Quartzsite Quartzsite Public Library The La Paz County Sheriff's Offi ce was recently involved in two major drug busts. One involved cocaine, while the other involved fentanyl. On 09/19/23 La Paz County Sher- iff's Deputies were working an Operation Stone Garden detail in conjunction with our Border Patrol partners. During a traffi c stop an alert Sergeant observed signs con- sistent with criminal activity. K9 Hector from Blythe Border Patrol Station assisted and confi rmed the Sergeants suspicions. A probable cause search revealed 53 pounds of cocaine inside the vehicle. This case was turned over to the La Paz County Narcotics Task Force for further investigation. Sheriff's Office involved in two major drug busts Traffi c Stop leads to seizure of half a million fen- tanyl tablets. On 09/26/23 a La Paz County Sheriff's Deputy stopped a vehicle on Hwy 95, south of Quartzsite for a traffi c violation. During the stop our Deputy observed signs con- sistent with criminal activity and requested assistance from a K9. A probable cause search revealed over half a million fentanyl tablets (ap- proximately 123 pounds) with an estimated street value of over one million dollars. This case remains under investiga- tion by the La Paz County Narcotics Task Force. PHOENIX - As one of the state's primary economic drivers, Arizo- na's tourism industry continued to deliver for communities state- wide in 2022. Post-pandemic highs were achieved in metrics across the board, including tourism jobs gen- erated and tax revenue collected, ac- cording to new data released by the Arizona Offi ce of Tourism (AOT). Visitor spending reached $28.1 bil- lion in 2022, which translates into $77 million spent every single day across Arizona's 90+ cities, towns and communities. "As the national desire to travel grew exponentially last year, AOT and our statewide partners worked tirelessly to ensure Arizona was po- sitioned as a top-choice destination for travelers," said Lisa Urias, di- rector of the Arizona Offi ce of Tour- ism. "Tourism delivers consistent, reliable benefi ts to Arizona families and communities across the state." As expected, all topline tourism data metrics including overnight visitation, visitor spending, taxes collected, jobs generated and tour- ism wages earned topped last year's fi gures. Included is $3.98 billion in combined local, state and fed- eral tax revenue generated in 2022, which supports vital services such as health care, public safety and transportation. Additional 2022 data highlights: Tax Burden Reduced by County: Coconino County gained the largest reduction in tax burden per house- hold from travel spending ($3,236), followed by La Paz ($2,121), Gila ($1,280), Santa Cruz ($1,217), Yavapai ($1,156) and Navajo ($1,084). These numbers highlight the enormous impact of tourism spending in Arizona's rural coun- ties. The overall statewide Arizona average is ($878). Crucial State Budget Contributor: The $1.1 billion in state tourism tax- es collected in 2022 delivered near- ly 10% of the state's entire operating budget for the year. Overnight Visitor Top Origin States: As always, Arizonans re- mained the state's largest overnight visitor group (11.3 million), fol- lowed by visitors from California (7.6 million), Texas (2.3 million), New York (1.9 million) and Florida (1.6 million). AOT provided this data during its 2023 Governor's Conference on Tourism, which was held at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, July 10-12, 2023. The annual meet- ing connects leaders from across the state's travel and hospitality in- dustry. Additional data: 2022 Arizona Visitation Charts All research performed by Dean Runyan Associates, Longwoods In- ternational and Tourism Econom- ics. https://tourism.az.gov/ Visitors spent $77 Million per day across AZ in 2022 "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" What happens in Q UARTZSITE goes around THE WORLD! "What happens however ... "The life of inner peace, being harmonious and without stress, is the easiest type of existence." ~ Norman Vincent Peale

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