As everyone in Tucson knows, the folks in Phoenix are having a lot of trouble with some serious crimes and criminals. Murders, sexual assaults shootings, and robberies are at the head of the list, and the search for serial felons is also hard underway. Tucson residents are asked to stay alert for the man pictured below. If you see this man, contact police wherever you are – Tucson, Phoenix or any other Arizona city.

The Phoenix Police Department is investigating two separate series of violent crimes involving robberies, sexual assaults, homicides and shootings.

In response, two Valley police departments are holding community forums:

• The Mesa Police Department is facilitating a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2006, in the Edison Elementary School gymnasium, 545 N. Horne, Mesa.

This meeting will focus on personal safety and offer citizens a chance to ask questions.

• Officers from the Phoenix Police Department will host a community forum aimed at bringing residents up to date on the efforts to find the two assailants, and to offer personal safety tips.

This meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006, at Creighton School, 2802 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix.

The meeting is intended for people who are predominantly Spanish-speaking but is open to anyone.

In one series of crimes, investigators have developed a composite for release. The composite below shows a suspect who possibly uses disguises and changes his appearance.

This is the original composite that depicts a suspect from a robbery that occurred on Nov. 3, 2005, at Cupid’s Toy Box, 4019 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. He is believed by investigators to be linked to numerous related incidents involving sexual assault, robbery and murder. Go to Silent Witness to see additional composite drawings.

Police are also investigating a separate series of about 25 shootings that are possibly related.

Anyone with information about either series of crimes is asked to call Phoenix Police at (602) 262-6141 or Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS.

Some tips for personal safety:

• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible.
• Walk confidently, directly, at a steady pace. An assailant looks for someone who appears vulnerable.
• Walk on the side of the street facing traffic.
• Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where an assailant can hide.
• If you think you are being followed, walk quickly to areas where there are people and lights. If a car appears to be following you, turn and walk in the opposite direction or walk on the other side of the street.
• Be careful when people stop you for directions or money. Always reply from a distance and never get too close to the car.
• If you are in trouble or feel you are in danger, don’t be afraid to attract help any way you can. Scream, yell or run away to safety.
• Always lock your car, when inside and out.
• Be aware of other people in parking areas, especially those close to your vehicle.
• If you choose to carry any type of weapon for self-protection, give careful consideration to your ability and willingness to use it. Remember there is always the chance that it could be taken away and used against you.
• If you regularly jog, walk or cycle, vary your route from time to time. If you wear a personal stereo, remember you can’t hear traffic or someone approaching from behind you.

This year’s monsoon began in Tucson on July 18th. Last year’s monsoon began on June 28th. The monsoon’s starting date is determined when the average daily dewpoint is 54° or higher for three consecutive days. Last year’s monsoon left 5.31″ of rain at the Tucson International Airport. 

To date, the Tucson International Airport has already measured 5.59″ of rainfall, and we have as much as two more months of monsoon. The average annual monsoon rainfall is 6.06″, but this year’s rains are coming in such a way as to apparently stress the roads and washes inordinately. Last night’s deluge shut down power around Tucson, for as long as four hours in some cases, and closed many roads and underpasses.

Roads closed at this writing include:
Agua Caliente wash at Ft. Lowell.
East Wilds at the CDO.
Ft. Lowell at Melpomene.
Harrison at the Pantano wash.
Houghton south of I-10.
Limberlost at Soldier Trail.
North La Cholla at the CDO.
Old Spanish Trail at Rincon Creek.
Stone Avenue underpass.
Tanque Verde Loop: Tanque Verde to Speedway.
West Overton at the Cañada del Oro wash.

Drive safely, and do not enter what appear to be flooded road areas. Several Tucson residents were injured and/or trapped by flood waters in roadways this weekend.

Nationwide program displaces 251 million gallons with alternative fuels

TUCSON —Petroleum move over. Coalition members of Pima Association of Governments’ Clean Cities program reported displacing 3 million gallons of petroleum with alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, ethanol, compressed natural gas, hybrid electric vehicles, propane and idle reduction technologies in 2005.

Nationally, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that its coalition members collectively reported displacing 251 million gallons of petroleum.

“The use of alternative fuels decreases our nation’s dependency on foreign oil,” said Colleen Crowinshield, PAG’s Clean Cities manager. “The local number is a 50 percent increase compared to 2004. Last year 2 million gallons of petroleum were displaced.”

“It is important to educate our community as to our contributions to this national effort,” Crowninshield said. “We are proud to see our number of alternative fuels and idle reduction programs both growing, and making a difference nation wide.”

The national survey was conducted by the National Renewable Energy Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy. The 251 million gallons of alternative fuels represents enough fuel to power 500,000 vehicles for a year. This accomplishment represents a 6 percent increase over the 237 million GGE displaced in 2004. 

“I’m pleased with the coalitions’ efforts in 2005,” said Dennis Smith, U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities manager in Washington, D.C. “Increases in almost every technology area bode well for meeting our goal of displacing 2 billion GGE by the end of 2008.”

Tucson has been getting its fair share of gully-washers the past few days, and as each storm dumps the much needed water, more roads flood out, and others become temporarily impassible. Drivers are encouraged to be cautious about entering low areas or driving through washes.

Call the Road Closure Hot Line at 1-520-866-6078 for the latest information on road closings. As of this morning (July 28) the following closings were listed:
1. Canada Del Oro Wash at Overton Road
2. Canada Del Oro Wash at Wilds Road in Catalina
3. El Tiro Road west of Cocio Road
4. Mission Road between San Xavier Road and Campus Drive
5. Silverbell Road west of Cocio Road

The next three Hunter’s Education courses taught in Tucson, which are listed below, are currently filled. If you want to know about classes scheduled after September, contact: the Education Branch of Arizona Game & Fish at: (602) 789-3235 or (602) 789-3236. Sometimes, cancellations open spots in currently full classes, but it’s rare. Make early reservations to ensure your spot.
Where: Tucson Class is full
Sportsman’s Warehouse
3945 W. Costco Drive, Tucson
 
What: Basic`
When: July 24,31 August 7, 14, 21, 28 September 11
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Cost: $5.00
Registration: Class is full
 
Instructor: Gerry Perry
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Where: Tucson – Class is Full
Drexel Heights Community Center
5220 S. San Juaguin
Mission & Irvington, Tucson
 
What: Combo
When: August 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Field Day August 26 – 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
 
Cost: $5.00 Per Person
Registration: Class is Full -
Instructor: Gabriel Paz 
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Where: Tucson – Class is Full
Precision Shooting Equipment
2727 N. Fairview Ave, Tucson
 
What: Combo
When: August 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31
September 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Field Day September 3
 
Cost: $8.00
Registration: Class is Full
Instructor: Bob Bonko

The northern Aplomado Falcon was listed as an endangered species in 1986. The use of pesticides caused the falcon’s eggs to hatch early, and that dangerously reduced the populations of the birds. Since then, several efforts have been underway to help the species recover.
In the continuing efforts to repopulate the species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be releasing as many as 150 of the falcons into private and public lands in Arizona. The bird’s historic range covers parts of New Mexico and Arizona, specifically the Chihuahuan desert grasslands of both states.
The northern Aplomado Falcon is approximately the same size as a Peregrine Falcon: 12-16″ in height, and a wingspan up to 36″. The Aplomado weighs only about half of the Peregrine. It has a broad white stripe above each eye that goes to the back of the falcon’s head/neck.

What better place than Tucson Arizona to display artwork which uses solar energy? Tucson Convention Center and Hotel Arizona, in conjunction with the Tucson Pima Arts Council, intend to host the Luminarias del Pueblo sculptures in mid-October.

These large sculptures (minimally 6′ high or wide) are lighted by solar power. Each sculpture comes with the necessary solar panel and battery. The Tucson Pima Arts Council currently has sold two of the sculptures for $10,000 each, but they are seeking thirteen more sponsors who will purchase the remaining pieces.

Whether or not there is a solar powered art display of Luminarias del Pueblo at the Tucson Convention Center and Hotel Arizona will depend on whether or not the remaining pieces are sold.

Interstate 10: Tucson District

Interstate Improvements
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) plans to widen Interstate 10 from Prince Road to 29th Street. The work will include:

- Totally reconstructing the freeway from 6 lanes to 8 lanes (4 lanes in each direction, plus an auxiliary lane in each direction to connect the exit and entrance ramps).

- Building new interstate bridges at Grant Road, Speedway Boulevard, St. Mary’s Road, Congress Street, Granada Avenue/Clark Street, 18th Street and 22nd Street.

Interstate Frontage Roads
In 1989, ADOT began the design and construction of continuous, one-way frontage roads from Ina Road to 29th Street. This frontage road system was developed in order to expand the capacity of I-10 and to provide a detour for traffic during the widening of mainline I-10. The final sections of frontage road are complete and motorists are able to travel between Ina Road and 29th Street on a two lane, one-way frontage road system.

Traffic Movement during Construction
The construction of I-10 from Prince Road to 29th Street will cause the following changes in traffic movement through the project area:

Fall 2006 – Spring 2007
• All ramps and roads remain open, with limited impacts to traffic, as work is done to install an intelligent transportation system, modify signals and modify turn lanes.

Spring 2007 – Spring 2010
• For local traffic and access, three lanes of one-way traffic will be maintained on each frontage road from Prince Road to 29th Street.

• All on-ramps and off-ramps between Prince Road and 29th Street will be closed.

• Major crossroad traffic will be maintained. However, motorists should anticipate occasional weekend and nighttime closures during bridge demolition and construction. Turning movements at major crossroads will be maintained.

• I-10 traffic that does not need to exit between Prince Road and 29th Street will be maintained through the construction zone with two eastbound and two westbound travel lanes on the interstate.

Schedule – Reduced from 10 years to 3 1/2 years
• The decision to construct six miles of freeway as one project was made in conjunction with the City of Tucson. Constructing this project all at once allows ADOT to keep the major cross streets open during the major portion of construction and reduces the construction time from 10 years to 3 1/2 years.

• Construction is planned to start in Fall 2006 and be complete in Spring 2010.

Why is it so dangerous to drive the speed limit these days? I live and work in the Northern Tucson Arizona, Marana area. The Thornydale section of road between Cortaro and Ina is the most dangerous driving I do on a daily basis. Most specifically the turn out into the post office at Thornydale and McGee. The city just installed a brand new 4-way stop light. I normally travel at about 38 in this clearly marked 40 mph speed limit area. As I approach the traffic light, which is green for me, there are three cars about to turn into my lane, all from different angles, different lanes. Not only am I trying to execute my turn into the post office, but I’m acting in a defensive manner towards these creeping cars and the fast approaching cars behind me. Once past the 3 cars, I slow to pull into the post office. Behind me now are the speeding cars. Even with my turn signal on, they continue to barrel down. Who needs to rock climb when you can just go to the post office for a quick adrenaline rush!

I remember last year when the motorcycle cops would frequently cruise this avenue between Ina and Cortaro. They often worked from morning to evening, stopping motorist and enforcing that 40 mph speed limit. I don’t know if the heat has made them go away from this area or the increased construction and dust hazards posed to them on their bikes. I do wish they would come back around and get that road under control again.

Yes, I know, we are all in a hurry to get somewhere when we are behind the wheel. Arriving dead or alive is the issue. And it shouldn’t be. Hey, if you want to speed that’s fine – but when you’re in these areas, where people are coming in and out of shopping centers, school and post office parking lots, slow down, at least go the speed limit. If you feel the need for speed, get out on the interstate and do some quick workouts. You could really turn your speed up and head towards Phoenix Arizona anytime of the day, if taking risks in traffic is your thing. But try not to do it around the neighborhoods, please.

The Tucson Police Department reports that on July 23rd, 2006, at 08:57 a.m., at 22nd Street and 4th Avenue Officers from the Operations Division Downtown on-sighted a collision at 22nd Street/4th Avenue. Detectives from the Traffic Section responded to investigate and have learned that a 2005 Chevy truck was traveling eastbound on 22nd Street in the left lane. A 1991 Ford Escort was traveling westbound on 22nd Street, failed to yield the right of way, and turned southbound on 4th Avenue colliding with the truck.

The three male occupants in the Chevy truck were unhurt.

The Ford Escort also had 3 male occupants. The front passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as Felipe Acedo Parra, 25 years old, a Mexican national from the state of Sonora. The driver and rear seat passenger were transported to a local hospital and are listed in critical condition.