Memorial Day weekend draws 56,250 visitors to Payson
About 56,250 people passed through Payson over Memorial Day weekend, with 5,488 to 9,617 vehicles counted across Friday to Monday. Economists estimate $12 spent per vehicle, totaling roughly $174,000 in local sales. Campgrounds filled early as visitors fled Phoenix heat, aided by relaxed fire restrictions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Payson
Arizona Department of Transportation
Sycamore
Chuck Brandt
Forest Service
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Graduations Planned With Speeches And Awards
Ninety eight graduates will receive diplomas Thursday night at 8 in the high school gym. Richard Baker gives the invocation and Greg Albert leads the flag salute. Salutatorian Candy Hill and valedictorian Judy Musker present awards as Dr. Joseph Matthews and Payson School Board President Joann Jones participate. Nolan Blake will present diplomas with Delbert Leafty delivering the benediction. Friday night 47 seniors receive diplomas with Rev. Robert Donovan leading the invocation and Cherri Stafford giving salutations. State Senator Tony Gabaldon will address the graduates. Matthews presents awards. Jerri Stafford delivers the valedictory and Nelson presents the class with Jones awarding diplomas. Benediction by Rev. Carl Cruse. Musically, Payson High School Band performs. A separate note recalls forest fires near Payson during Memorial Day weekend and a boat fire on Roosevelt Lake.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Richard Baker
Greg Albert
Candy Hill
Judy Musker
Joseph Matthews
Joann Jones
Payson School Board
Nolan Blake
Delbert Leafty
Robert Donovan
Cherri Stafford
William Nelson
Tony Gabaldon
Matthews
Jerri Stafford
Nelson
Jones
Drug seizure targets international ring at Pleasant Valley airport
Early Wednesday a joint task force seized about 1.5 million dollars in marijuana from a suspected smuggling operation at Pleasant Valley airport in Young. Four suspects were taken by federal agents after a gun battle. one wounded was treated at the scene. Names include Ramis Gangadan, David L. Holmes, and Richard L. Freie. another suspect unidentified and in ICU. The operation ties to Globe brothers killed in a Guadalajara crash and used a truck linked to Anthony Keith Chapman.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Young
Pleasant Valley
Payson and Globe
Gila County
Kohls Ranch
Phil Jordan
Drug Enforcement Administration
Ramis Gangadan
Phoenix
David L. Holmes
Eugene
Ore
Richard L. Freie
Tucson
Scottsdale Teens Rescued Safe After Canyon Ordeal
Three Scottsdale youths Kevin Quinn 16 Bryan Houston 16 and Chris Hellman 14 were found safe Tuesday after nearly three days lost in Hell's Gate Canyon near Kohl's Ranch. Deputies Posse helicopters and DPS personnel aided the rescue and all three were in good health.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Scottsdale
Hell’s Gate Canyon
Kohl
Kevin Quinn
Bryan Houston
Chris Hellman
Bear Flats
Hell’s Gate
Gila County
Town fence debate pits ranchers against Payson council
Ranchers Malcom Pyle and Ken Jordan oppose town wide fencing costs as Payson officials prepare to enforce grazing laws. The council plans further talks with ranchers and invites the U S Forest Service to join due to grazing on federal lands.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S. Forest Service
Payson
Arizona
Malcom Pyle
Ken Jordan
Jordan
Forest Service
Eight Thousand Dollars Awarded at ARA Rodeo
About 200 cowboys competed in the annual ARA Rodeo with nearly $8,000 in prize money. Tim VanHorn of Payson won in bull dogging, while Joe Sullivan and Lonnie Jacobs of Phoenix won team roping. Other winners included Billy Wall of Tucson in bareback and Ron Derrick of Tucson in bull riding. Twila Hamman of Phoenix won fastest barrel race, Joy Paddock of Marana claimed top goal tyer, Dusty Miller of El Paso won calf roping, stock by Statewide Stock Contractors, announcements by Carl Black, clown Bill Rauch.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
ARA
Payson
Tim VanHorn
Joe Sullivan
Lonnie Jacobs
Phoenix
Billy Wall
Tucson
Ron Derrick
Twila Hamman
Tyer
Joy Paddock
Marana
Dusty Miller
el Paso
Tex
VanHorn
Also Mentioned on This Page
Northern Arizona University
LIBRA
Carl Cruse
Payson High School
Christopher Creek
Tonto National Forest
Roosevelt Lake
The
Department of Public Safety
DPS
Larry Adye
Adye
Payson Roundup the Newspaper
Mogollon Rim Area
S A ii
Alan Slaughter
Apache Junction
Carl Black
Bill Rauch
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!