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3 World Tai Chi Day 4 EMT training 4 DUI Detail 5 Neighborhood Watch Potluck 6 Editorial 7 Letters to the Editor 8 Elmer's Laws of Human Frustration 9 Restaurants 10 Traveling with Gypsy Jane 15 Adventures with Rocks 16 Sherri's Turn 17 Assessor's Corner 18 Puzzles 19 Arrest Report 20 Churches 22 Classifeds 22 Paul Winer's Cartoon 24 Class of 2017 www.DesertMessenger.com • "Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper" • 928-916-4235 WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017 VOL. 13 # 258 Now in our 13 t h YEAR! Alwa y s FREE! WHAT'S INSIDE New transmission lines coming to Q? ����� | S������ RAIN G�����-B��� During the Quartzsite Town Council's May 9th meeting, BLM Yuma Field Offi ce Manager John McDonald presented multiple proposed routes for a transmission line project near Quartzsite. The proposed project is the Ten West Link 500-kilovolt Transmis- sion Line. It is a joint project of Abengoa Transmission & Infrastruc- ture, LLC, and Starwood Energy Group Global, Inc. The proposal is to build a transmission line from Tonopah, Arizona, to Blythe, California. It would span 114 miles, with 83 miles of it on public lands managed by the BLM. All but 17 miles of the line would be in the Arizona counties of Maricopa and La Paz. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) held public meetings in Arizona and California in the spring of 2016, as part of the scoping process for the Ten West Link project. In a March 23, 2016 notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact state (EIS), BLM stated, "The planned 114-mile route has 97 miles in Arizona and 17 miles in California, largely following an exist- ing transmission line – the Devers to Palo Verde 500-kV line – in an established utility corridor." However, according to McDonald, the permits for the proposed route through Kofa National Wildlife area were denied by Fish & Wildlife Service, so BLM is reviewing alternative routes near Quartzsite. Both County Supervisors and Town Council members have expressed con- cerns for the health and safety of residents living near the transmis- sion lines, as well as the economic impact to the area. "There's a number of alternatives that are being looked at during this process," said McDonald. He stated there is also a visual evalu- ation, taking into account a possible ridge placement of the towers. McDonald announced there will be a 60, 90, or 120-day public com- ment period opening up at the end of this year. However he ended the presentation with, "The fi nal decision is with BLM," and then added, "after input from the public." The transmission project is slated to be online in 2020. For more information visit www.tenwestlink.com. Comments can be e-mailed to blm_az_azso_10westlink@blm.gov. ����� | S������ RAIN G�����-B��� Memorial Day weekend events Come check out the Community Rummage Sale Friday & Saturday, May 26th & 27th at the Senior Center. The event is a fundraiser for Friends of the Quartzsite Food Bank, which needs lots of support. Before she died two weeks ago, local author Gypsy Jane Finley helped plan the rummage sale to include her Estate Items. Plus there will be a huge Free-For-All Food Grab with a wide variety of out-of date, but usable, food items. Hours are 8am-1pm in the cool, air-conditioned main hall. If you'd like to donate items for the Rummage Sale, please drop them off Thursday 3-6pm...OR... set up and sell your own good- ies for only $5 donation. The Senior Center will provide refresh- ments for sale, too. Volunteers are needed as well to help set up and move boxes from Jane's house. For more details, contact Rain at 928-916-4235. Quartzsite VFW Post 769 will hold its annual Memorial Day program 10 am on Monday, May 29th at the Hi Jolly Cemetery. Also on Monday, May 29th, the Town of Quartzsite and Parks Board will host a Party at the Park starting 4pm-8pm at the Pavil- lion/Dance Slab. There will be an honor wall; please bring pictures of Veterans to Rosa Santos at the Community Center. Businesses that would like to participate in booths for Memorial Day event please contact Rosa Santos Com- munity Center at 928-927-4333. Honor wall and salute to are past and present vets, Fun booth games for kids, Water slide, rock painting, music, food and other snacks. There will be free hot dogs for kids provided by the VFW. For more information contact Town Hall at 928-927-4333.