SanTanValley.com

A sexual harassment suit has been filed against Pinal County Clerk of the Court Chad A. Roche, by former clerk, Linda Martinez.

The complaint, which was filed January 3rd in the U.S. District Court, alleges that Roche engaged in retaliation, sexual harassment and employment discrimination, creating a hostile work environment. Pinal County is also named in the suit.

The Arizona Commerce Authority has awarded $490,000 in grants to support specific economic development projects that will bring jobs to Pinal County.

The Central Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation (CAREDF) earned grants for two projects.  Ehrmann and Commonwealth Dairy will apply its grant toward a waste pre-treatment facility at a brand new 90,000 square foot dairy processing facility for manufacturing yogurt.  Ground was broken for this facility earlier this month.  The plant’s partners, Ehrmann and Commonwealth Dairy also own a Brattleboro, Vermont dairy operation.

The Arizona Children’s Association has been in the backyard of Apache Junction residents for more than a decade.

The association that started in 1912 has spent a century helping keep families together and even creating new ones. The regional office, 2066 W. Apache Trail Suite 101/112, opened in 2004 and does recruitment throughout the year for adults who are eager to become foster parents but they also do much more than that.

From his Florence office, Supervisor Pete Rios reflects upon his days in the legislature and says his next term on the Pinal County board will be somewhat familiar to his legislative past.

“In all my years in the state legislature, the Democrats had the majority one time,” Rios recalls.  “That meant we, as Democrats, had to work with the Republicans to get our bills passed.  I can say it wasn’t cut-throat like it is now.  Everyone had their ideas and sometimes they passed, other times not.  Still to this day I remain good friends with many of those on the other side of the aisle.”

Since arriving from California in 2000, Todd House has made it a point to be active in his community.  From the Kiwanis Club to Paws 4 Life, the new District 5 Supervisor has been busy helping residents in and around the Apache Junction area.

State Senator Rich Crandall (R-Mesa), Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) President Kevin Quinn announced their comprehensive $30 million dollar plan adding nearly 300 School Resource Officers, funding $4.5 million to improve mental health assessment to pro-actively identify threats and $1.5 million to expand school guidance counseling.  The plan proposes to redirect clean elections excess funding via a ballot referral. Other ideas include a tax on alcohol sold in Arizona or a fee on private party auto sales although the referral is the preferred method of funding.  The annual revenue generated would provide the necessary funding stream to guarantee the program’s ongoing success.  

Arizona native and resident of Pinal County for more than 40 years, Steve Miller just took office in January 2013 as District 3 Supervisor representing the Casa Grande region.  He was then nominated by his peers on the board to be the first chairman of the now five-member Pinal County Board of Supervisors.

“We each have a single vote, but the chairman conducts the meetings and, if there’s a tie I get to cast the tie-breaking vote,” Miller said.  “I was honored to be selected by my colleagues to be chairman for the first year.”

Monday morning at 9:38 a.m. a bank robbery occurred at the "Wells Fargo Bank" located at 6607 S. Kings Ranch Road in Gold Canyon.  

During the robbery, a firearm was displayed by the suspect and fired inside of the bank.  Nobody was injured.  After obtaining an undisclosed amount of currency, the suspect fled in a white Ford Ranger.  

The 2013 Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival is shaping up to be a real toe-tapping good time.

The year’s festival will once again feature marvelous music, exciting entertainment, classic cars (Saturday only), super shopping and fantastic food.

Held at the Pinal Fairgrounds and Event Center on Eleven Mile Corner Road, this annual event is host to some of the nation’s top Bluegrass artists.  “We have brought in some major national acts this year.  It’s three days jam packed with great talent,” commented Executive Director Michael Searle.  “Whether you’re a long time fan of Bluegrass music or new to the whole scene, this year’s festival is not to be missed.”

Dear fellow Pinal County residents,

I have received many emails and calls regarding a female dog named “Conan.”

As a fellow animal lover and proud new owner of a dog rescued at our shelter, I was also concerned about her welfare.