Desert Messenger

8 www.DesertMessenger.com April 17, 2024 • Birth • Obituary • Anniversary Place it FREE in the: Desert Messenger! 928-916-4235 Got something to share? Read Desert Messenger online! Sign up for free email alerts when the Desert Messenger becomes available online! Join thousands reading the paper online at: www.DesertMessengerOnline.com Snakes are out! Warm temperatures are bringing snakes out of their dens where they hi- bernated during the winter, and they will be around for several months. With 13 different types of rattle- snakes slithering throughout the state, it's important for every desert dweller to know what to do when crossing paths with a snake. While snakes often aren't looking to cause trouble, people must ex- ercise extreme caution when they come across a rattlesnake. Keith Boesen, director of the Ari- zona Poison and Drug Information Center and a professor with the UA College of Pharmacy, said the center typically receives a report of someone being bitten every other day during rattlesnake season, with those numbers approaching a bite per day in the peak stretch from mid-August to mid-September. "Snakes are a lot like us in that they like to be out and about when it's cooler, either early in the morning or in the evening," Boesen said. A snakebite packs enough ven- om to cause serious injury or even death. Most snakebite victims have to spend at least two to three days in a hospital and spend weeks, some- times months, rehabilitating the area around the bite in order to re- gain full range of motion and mus- cle functionality. A bite can deliver three separate types of injuries that must be treated. First, there is the pain and swelling at the site of the bite. Second, bleed- ing complications can occur. Lastly, the snake's venom can cause muscu- lar and neurological disruptions. "No two snakebites are exactly the same and no two people react the same ways to a snakebite, so the best treatment plan is always devel- oped on a case-by-case basis," Bo- esen said. The best treatment for a snakebite is to avoid rattlesnakes entirely. Don't engage, if at all possible. Don't try to shoo it away with a stick. Don't get near it. If an individual encounters a rattlesnake, Boesen suggests tak- ing one big step back to get out of striking range, and then to continue calmly walking without agitating the snake. "Snakes don't have any interest in attacking us," Boesen said. "They're primarily defending themselves. As long as they don't feel threatened, they typically won't strike." Boesen added that the majority of those who suffer snakebites are those doing typical, everyday tasks, such as pulling weeds, gardening, taking out the trash or checking the mail. Hikers often have full at- tention on the path and can spot snakes before encroaching on their territory. These city strikes happen because it's often the last thing on the individual's mind. "Many bites take place simply because the person was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Boesen said. If a bite does take place, the best thing an individual can do is to get to a hospital. Transfer station hours Quartzsite Transfer Station is now on their SUMMER hours. They are open Sunday thru Tues- day 6am to 1pm. (When temper- atures reach over 110 degrees, they will close early.) For more info call the Main landfill 928-916-1253 or Main office at 928-854-9152. The transfer station is located north of Town, just off Hwy. 95, near the Sewer Treatment Plant. Quartzsite Town Council have begun their annual budget meet- ings. They held their first meeting Wednesday, March 20th to review and discuss the General Plan. A meeting was held Tuesday, April 16th from 9am at Community Cen- ter. There were discussions with Department managers and Council members. Department discussions include Magistrate Court, Facility Maintenance, HURF, Water, Waste- water, Parks, Cemetery, Capital Projects, and Review of Priorities. The Council will meet the next day, Wednesday, April 17 at 9am at the Community Center. Discussions to include Mayor & Council, Legal, Town Manager, Administration, Finance, Police, Economic Devel- opment, Community Development, Library, Community Center Ser- vices, Transit, Contingency, Grants, and Review of Priorities. There will be a Budget overview from the two-day budget workshop & Expenditure Limitation Work Ses- sion on Thursday April 25 start- ing at 9am at the Community Cen- ter. Discussions include: Present and Review Proposed Budget, to reflect changes from Workshop, and Dis- cussion and Direction with Council. The Proposed Budget meeting is planned for Wednesday, May 8th (date may change depending on receiv- ing Final State Share Revenues) start- ing at 9am at the Community Center. Discussion will include Present and Re- view prepared Proposed Budget before Adoption of Tentative Budget, Discus- sion and Direction with Council. Adoption of Tentative Budget will be presented at the regular Coun- cil Meeting (To Be Announced) at 7pm. Items will include Make ap- proved changes, Possible adoption of tentative Budget. Then the coun- cil will meet to Adopt the Final Bud- get at a Special Meeting (Date to be announced) which will be held after publishing of the Tentative Budget. Final adoption will depend on the adoption of the Tentative Budget and publishing public notices for two consecutive weeks. If you missed the meetings videos will be uploaded to www.QuartzsiteVideos.com. Budget time Quartzsite's Great Salsa Off is en- tering its 4th year, on May 3rd & 4th. We're looking forward to what our competitors offer. The Great Salsa Off was started to bring the Quartzsite and La Paz county com- munities together after all the winter visitors returned north. We wanted to do this in a way that honors the southwest flavor (salsa) we are all crazy enough to live in year-round. Anyone age eight and up can enter, with only a $5 entry fee. If you're not interested in compet- ing, Saturday, May 4th's salsa tast- ing is free for everyone. The competition starts on Friday, May 3rd at 4pm. Visit https://www. quartzsitealliance.com/about-1 or call 928-916-9571 for the rules and entry form. Tasting is on Saturday, May 4th, beginning at 11am and going un- til 12:30pm. You can also judge your favorite salsa if you're partak- ing in the tasting. So come out and build our summer community in Quartzsite this May 3rd and 4th. The Great Salsa Off is sponsored by Arise Alliance Church. Great Salsa Off The Quartzsite GFWC Women's Club is sponsoring a Vitalant Blood Drive Monday May 18, 2024, 9am to 1pm. Walk-ins are always wel- come, but it is faster if you pre-reg- ister. Call Vitalant 877-258-4825 or Becky Johnstone 208-634-9304. Blood Drive

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