Press Coverage June 2021
The landscape isn’t the only reason “It’s a film vision that’s been in my Wickenburg to be filming will be coming to town. heart since 1996,” he said. “I felt this movie location urge to make a film of the Gospel of Jun 29, 2021 11:00 PM “Shooting in the Los Angeles area is John and actually make a word-for- By Scott Turner very complicated,” Marchiano said. word film. There are a lot of fictional Wickenburg Sun Editor “It’s difficult because of the politics Jesus movies. They’re all wonderful. of the area. Wickenburg is just a very But for my money, you can’t beat He received an offer he couldn’t comfortable, inviting and authentic the source itself, the Word of God. refuse. environment. I’m just excited to be That concept was burst in my heart.” there.” That is one of the reasons director- He spent many of the years trying to producer Bruce Marchiano is filming His production company has put out raise money for the film and getting a movie about the Gospel of John in a casting call for Wickenburg area people on board with the project. Wickenburg later this summer. residents to participate in the Marchiano also said he researched filming. Marchiano said he’s pleased filming in Israel and Morocco before “I made the acquaintance of a ranch with the response. settling on Wickenburg as the owner, Joe Beattie, who owns the location. Kay El Bar, and Joe opened his “We actually have 74 people who ranch up to us to use as a home base have emailed me,” he said. “That’s a “My hope for the film is that people and a shooting location,” Marchiano good bunch of people. Many of will discover Jesus in their lives,” he said of the filming of “The Great I those emails are saying ‘look my said. “And I have a long, long Am.” “They have acres and acres of entire family is interested.’ I just history of many years of seeing the land we can use. To quote the think it’s a tremendous response. Lord really turn people’s lives Godfather, you can’t refuse it.” I’ve also spoken to a pastor in the around, everything from rescuing Hispanic community. His people are them from suicide to you name it. So He said with a few manipulations, all excited. We’re going to have a I understand the power of the the area around Wickenburg can wonderful mix of Wickenburg Gospel and it’s just my pleasure to double for ancient Israel. folks.” bring it to the screen.”
But Marchiano said he was met with Marchiano said the production is Marchiano’s long acting career a major challenge in choosing open to anyone, “but obviously, the includes roles on television series Wickenburg as the location for the more dark, Middle Eastern features such as “Days of Our Lives," movie: the lack of water to be used the better in our film.” "Columbo" and "Murder She for the Jordan River and other spots Wrote.” portrayed in the Gospel. “But what folks lack in those features, our makeup artists will “In 1989, I began to get very serious “There’s no water in Wickenburg,” make up the difference. Young and about the Lord in my life and he said. “I was losing sleep, how are old, children … we just welcome turning my life around,” he said. “In we going to do this? At the end of them all to come on board,” he said. 1993, I was first asked to be a part of the day, we found water at the a film like this called ‘The Gospel of Wickenburg Country Club. Believe it Marchiano said he will be in Matthew.’ As an actor, I actually or not, we’re actually going to Wickenburg July 12-13 to meet portrayed Jesus in that film. baptize Jesus at the Wickenburg people in the community. Country Club.” “That experience took me deeper to “I’ll actually audition people if they an understanding of the importance Filming will begin Aug. 23 and will can carry a few lines of dialogue and of walking with the Lord,” wrap Sept. 24. Most of the filming aren’t intimidated by the process,” Marchiano added. “To make a long will be out at the Kay El Bar Guest he said. “I’d rather hire them than an story short, in my professional life, I Ranch, Marchiano said. actor from L.A. or Phoenix. I’m just began to focus on films such as excited to cast locals.” the ones we are making.” “We will also be filming at the Hassayampa River Preserve,” he Marchiano said the filming of “The According to his IMDB page, he was said. Great I Am” is a project decades in the director and producer of the the making. 2015 movie “Allison’s Choice” and was the associate producer for seven
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episodes of the 2016 TV series “The Target shooting and fireworks are Pictured is a white-winged dove, which is one of the Encounter.” prohibited year-round. species that is a part of this month’s Eco-Blitz Program. Using iNaturalist’s app or website, citizens can upload photos of species observed in Maricopa For more information about “The During the closures, several park parks, and the data collected can be used by staff to Great I Am” or to apply for a role as trails and those segments of better manage the parks an extra, email the Maricopa Trail that intersect with [email protected]. land managed by the agencies will Maricopa County is looking for not be accessible, which includes citizen scientists to gather and access points that intersect with the upload photo observations of Enjoy Parks & Trails Tonto National Forest at Spur saguaro blooms and white-winged Safely This Summer Cross Ranch Conservation Area. doves for its June Eco-Blitz Be aware of closures and mindful of program. Participants can join by dangerous heat In a statement, Maricopa County creating an account at iNaturalist’s By Kathryn M. Miller Parks and Recreation website. Published on Jun 29, 2021 Department said, “As an agency that is also in charge of protecting natural Once registered, search for resources and park visitor safety, “Maricopa County Parks Eco- Maricopa County Parks and Blitz” through the app or website, Recreation Department respects select the join option, and upload their decision to close the areas they captured photos of saguaro blooms or white-winged doves when visiting manage.” Along Spur Cross Trail any of the 12 parks managed by the Photo courtesy of Spur Cross Ranch Conservation While these closures are in effect, county in June. Area/Maricopa County Parks & Recreation the Parks Department reminds
residents that there are many other Participants can attempt to identify As wildfires continue across the segments of the 315-mile Maricopa the species themselves or, if they are state, agencies at the federal, state Trail system available to explore. unsure, the app or an iNaturalist and local level are all taking action to Trail maps can be found online. expert will suggest the correct prevent fires closer to home. species based on the photos
To stay up to date with closures uploaded. Effective June 25, the Tonto around the state, National Forest entered into a Stage visit land.az.gov or fs.usda.gov. “If participants get it wrong, that’s 3 Forest Closure, which will remain |CST OK. There are a variety of regional in effect until July 31, or until it is experts in the Valley that are willing rescinded. In conjunction with that to review photos, identify them, announcement, the State Land County looking for confirm and suggest the actual Trust announced its own closures, species. This is all part of the stating, “Due to extremely high fire citizen scientists for learning process of the program,” a danger, exceptional drought Eco-Blitz Maricopa County Parks conditions, resource availability, and By Tara Alatorre, West Valley view spokesperson stated in an email. increased fire activity, the Contributing Writer Department of Forestry and Fire Jun 26, 2021 According to Maricopa County Management and the Arizona State Natural Resource Specialist Juanita Land Department will implement Armstrong-Ullberg, the app’s closures to State Trust Land suggestions are often accurate if the throughout Arizona. These closures photos uploaded contain high are also in conjunction with our resolution, lighting and display USFS partners.” identifiable characteristics.
As of 8am June 25, closures were She also suggests asking rangers at implemented on state-owned and their nature center if someone is managed lands in all 15 counties. All unsure of the species identification. state-owned and managed lands are closed to entry for recreational “This is a fun, fantastic way to learn purposes, including hunting, about native species,” Armstrong- camping and off-road vehicle use.
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Ullberg said. “The more people decisions when it comes to know, the more people care.” protecting these areas. The scientific data can also be used She said the staff chose saguaro by universities and students blooms and white-winged doves for conducting research for school the June Eco-Blitz because the bird’s projects and possible future studies, breeding season is synchronized with as iNaturalist allows others to the reproductive cycle of the download the data. saguaro. With highs sometimes exceeding 120 Each month the parks offer a degrees in summer in metro “Saguaros are a keystone species in different challenge to participants Phoenix, it may seem impossible — the Sonoran Desert and provide that joined Eco-Blitz, and the and frankly undesirable — to spend nesting, shelter and food for many featured species highlights the time outside. But you can still get birds, insects and bat species,” she animals and plants that are most your exercise and fresh air if you said. “These birds rely on saguaros active during that month. The head out early. It's all about the almost solely for nutrients and water monthly challenge will be featured timing. during the breeding season.” on Maricopa Parks social media, and an email is sent to registered Head out at dawn for a hike that's a Saguaro blooms can be a little participants. good workout but short enough to challenging to photograph because get you off the trail before it gets they are so high off of the ground, There are 45 Eco-Blitz participants dangerously hot. and Armstrong-Ullberg suggests officially registered, with 3,102 either bringing a lens attachment for observations and 564 species Some of these hikes have water. a smartphone or a camera with identified, and the department is Some are harder than they look. All zoom for this month’s observation. excited to see more people join the have great views. The biggest thing Otherwise, most species are easily Eco-Blitz program as well as they have in common? A workout in captured on a phone camera. increased data collection, according a short amount of time. to the department. Her tip for citizens scientists trying Here are four hikes recommended to capture a photo of a saguaro “It is going really well, and obviously by staff members at REI's Chandler bloom, “Go to a park that has a trail the more people we get involved the store. that goes up above the saguaro. … better. The goal is a few thousand Cave Creek is a good spot to go.” people registered, but I would be Best easy day hikes in Phoenix:5 fun happy with a few hundred,” trails with great scenery She suggests that participants take Armstrong-Ullberg said. photos while visiting the parks but Camelback Mountain upload them from home because it “The more people that are doing it, There's a reason this is one of the provides more opportunity to the better data that we are going to most popular hikes in Phoenix. The identify the species and it’s often get.” Echo Canyon Trail is a faster to upload photos. steep route thatcan get fit hikers up
The secret to the mountain and back in two to However, if someone wants instant three hours while giving feedback, they can upload the image summer hiking in spectacular city views. Stop and snap in the field. Phoenix? Start photos along the way if you need to take a break. Eco-Blitz was launched in February super early. Here by the Maricopa County Parks and are 4 scenic trails to Dozens of people are rescued from Recreation Department and is Camelback Mountain each year designed to help educate participants try because of its challenging terrain. about native species while increasing Sofia Krusmark Don't be one of them by misjudging data collection on each park’s Arizona Republic a summer hike. Bring plenty of water biodiversity. June 22, 2021 and don't be afraid to turn around if it feels too hot. The data collected will help wildlife managers make more informed Length: 2.5 miles out and back.
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Difficulty: Extremely difficult. Drive, Phoenix. https://www.phoen Trailhead: Echo Canyon Recreation ix.gov/parks. Reach the reporter Area, 4925 E. McDonald Drive, at [email protected]. Foll Phoenix, https://www.phoenix.gov/ North Trail at McDowell ow her on parks. Mountain Regional Park Instagram @sofia.krusmark.
Hiking with your dog:Essential tips for exploring Arizona trails safely Mule Deer Trail at with your buddy White Tank
South Mountain Mountains Told by Kuma and Written by Lorraine Bossé-Smith Foothills Focus Contributing Writer If you're looking for more of a leg Jun 21, 2021 stretcher than an endurance test, this hike is for you. A completely flat trail, this trek will give you great views without a hard workout. Saguaros and rich vegetation saturate Try the Holbert Trail to Dobbins the entire hike. Lookout. The lookout is a prime location for a panoramic view of the Length: 2.9-mile loop. Get there early, as the Mule Deer Trail has no shade city and you'll trek past cactus and Difficulty: Easy. perhaps wildlife along the way. For a Trailhead: McDowell Regional One of the down sides of always shorter outing, try out Mountain Park, 16300 McDowell blogging about new adventures is the moderate, 2-mile round- Mountain Park Drive, north of that we don’t return to places. This trip Kiwanis Trail to Telegraph Pass. Fountain time, mom decided it was time to Hills. https://www.maricopacounty revisit the White Tank Mountains Length: 5 miles out and back. parks.net. near Peoria. Difficulty: Difficult. Trailhead: South Mountain Park and Safety tips for hiking in the heat Previously, when we went up to the Preserve, 10919 S. Central Ave., • Here are hot-weather hiking tips waterfall, it was a very easy and high- Phoenix. https://www.phoenix.gov from David Vela, a sales lead at traffic trail. We, unfortunately, didn’t /parks. the REI store in Chandler. get to see water flowing, but it was a Who yields on a trail? Arizona hiking • Make sure you have enough nice hike, nonetheless. For this hike, etiquette questions answered water. Two to three liters to we selected the Mule Deer trail drink plus a backup bottle in because mom’s ankle was bothering Piestewa Peak Summit Trail case of emergency is a safe her again. Like the Camelback hike, this one is bet. Once you’ve drunk half of no easy feat. With a 1,200-foot your water, it’s time to turn The White Tank Mountains elevation gain in the 1.2-mile trek to around. Regional Park is off the 303 in the West Valley. You take the exit for the top, you're summiting the second • You'll want full sun protection Peoria and head west or to the right. highest peak in Phoenix and can — a brimmed hat and long- Look for the brown sign that says proudly cross that off your bucket sleeve wicking shirt are good “White Tank Mountain Regional list. Camelback Mountain, city views choices. and the Dreamy Draw Recreation Park” on the left and turn in. The • Let someone know where Area are just a few of the sights cost is $7 per vehicle to enter, and you're going, especially if you're you'll see while hiking this steep trail. you will get a nice map with all the hiking alone, and even if it's a Length: 2.4 miles out and back. options. seemingly easy hike.
• Difficulty: Hard. Bring snacks, especially light Note that the distances are one way, Trailhead: Phoenix Mountains ones that contain sugar and which mom didn’t realize from the Preserve Mesquite Trailhead, 2701 electrolytes. "No one wants to web. The map shows all sorts of E. Squaw Peak be a Snickers commercial," Vela options from mild to wild, so you said.
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can pick whatever suits you for the are traveling back toward the day. entrance for the entire trail (an out and back). All in all, we went about The Mule Deer Trail is a few miles 3.5 miles, just like mom wanted to from the visitor center on the right. do. We enjoyed shade under a There isn’t a human restroom, and pavilion and a long drink of water the trail is at the very back of the before heading back. parking lot. Several other trails start from this dirt parking lot. Expect to If you live in the West Valley, this is see horses and lots of mountain a gem. Truly, they have done a bikes on this trail. remarkable job making this a versatile park. It’s 7 miles and it is an out and back. We didn’t go to the end as mom was Even for those of us on the north up for about 3.5 miles. That’s the end, it is nice to have another Lilia Menconi worries about out-of- good news — you can do whatever option. Isn’t it amazing how town hikers. you like. Apparently, the name different the desert can look from comes from the bleached-out granite one part of town to another? “They stay at resorts where someone water catchments or “tanks.” Back tells them, ‘Everybody hikes in the 1800s, this area was a watering I am continually in awe of this area Camelback Mountain!’” says hole for stagecoach horses. and consider myself a lucky pup to Menconi, a champion hiker and live here. author of several books on the The trail is relatively flat, mostly dirt subject, including last year’s Take a and has some rocks. It makes a nice As the temps rise, be sure to carry Hike Phoenix, which covers 82 mountain biking or horseback riding extra water for you and your furry different local trails. “And so they trail. Be sure to get out early now friends. See you on the trail my head out, unprepared, and they get that the hot season is here as the trail friend! sick.” has very little shade. My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is Even for seasoned hikers, hiking the The White Tank Mountains Park is kind enough to help me share my desert can be dangerous and full of laid out well, and the trails are visibly Great Adventures. She is a unknown obstacles they wouldn’t marked. They have strategically motivational speaker, corporate find along the more temperate placed benches and picnic areas for trainer, executive recruiter, business Pacific Coast Trail or the your enjoyment. This trail did not go consultant, coach, fitness expert, and Appalachian Trail in the east, into the White Tank Mountains but author of nine books. Enjoy my blog Menconi says. rather skirted around in the desert. at https://bit.ly/2MRHKv3 and be What we liked about it was the sure to follow me on Facebook She has hard-and-fast rules about “forever” views. We could see all the @kumathedog and Instagram hiking when it’s hot out — like way to Downtown Phoenix and @kumaitothedog. Get outside! You trying to keep hikes under four miles beyond. never know what you’ll discover, and during summer months. “And our paths just might cross. remember that a hike you start at Fair warning: This particular trail sunrise is going to get progressively goes through a burn area. In May hotter and more dangerous.” 2020, a fire blazed through, Hiking in the Heat: destroying a lot of the vegetation. How to Stay Safe She favors nighttime hikes for that It’s sad and bleak in some areas, but reason, though hiking at dusk also you still have the views. If we had When It's Triple has its dangers. “You’re racing known about the burn, we would Digits on Phoenix against the sunset, and you don’t have taken a different trail like the want to get stuck on a trail in the Black Rock Loop. Have you done it? Trails dark.” Let me know what you think. ROBRT L. PELA JUNE 16, 2021 7:00AM Knowing when the trail opens and Anyway, we met nice people along Phoenix New Times closes isn’t a bad idea. “Do the the way and turned around just shy math. A two-mile hike that starts at 5 of the visitor center. In essence, you p.m. means you’re getting off the
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trail at 7 or 8. Is the temperature exercise, and come home safely.” and gives you a pretty unobstructed miserable at that time? I always tell view of the whole valley. If you people to work it out in advance and Here are a few of Menconi's favorite make it all the way there, you’re plan to be off the trail a half-hour easy-to-moderate hikes for the really in shape.” after sunset.” summer months:
Wearing a headlamp or carrying a Quartz Ridge Trail at 32nd Street Woman reported flashlight is imperative for nighttime and Lincoln Drive is a little more missing after hikes and sticking to familiar trails than two miles long with an during high-risk times of year is elevation gain of 500 feet. getting stuck while probably wise. “And please tell off-roading found someone where you’re going and “I like to keep my hikes short and when you plan to be back,” Menconi shady in the summer, and this one safe, Maricopa implores. follows a wash between two County Sheriff's mountains, so you get shade almost There is no rule more important, in the entire time. There’s a nice Office says Menconi’s book, than the one about mellow start, then one or two baby Photo by: MCSO water. “For every two miles, bring a hills. At the end of the bigger climb By: abc15.com staff liter bottle of water,” she cautions. you wind up at a bench where you Posted at 6:16 AM, Jun 15, 2021 “Remember that those water bottles can see mountains to the north and and last updated 9:41 AM, Jun 15, add weight and affect your effort.” the city to the south. And for some 2021 reason, I always meet the nicest people on that trail.” Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Wetting her hair and her shirt is says a 28-year-old woman reported something Menconi does to stay An easier hike can be had missing after an incident while off- cool on a hike. She carries a squirt along Cat’s Peaks Loop via the roading near the Valley has been bottle for misting and sometimes Blevins Trail. Located in the east found safe. wraps a plastic bag of ice cubes in a Valley's Usery Mountain Regional bandana and lets it melt as she hikes. Park, this one is about three miles Amanda Calimeri was last seen long. “But there’s no climbing, just Sunday, June 13, when she was off- When half of your drinking water is walking,” Menconi promises. “The roading with a friend in the area of gone, Menconi says, it’s time to turn elevation gain is maybe 300 feet, and Bull Dog wash and Forest Road 10, around and head for home. “It it’s a flat, fine-dirt trail. It’s not very in the Usery Mountain Regional Park doesn’t matter if you’ve made it to rocky, and you get beautiful views of area. Their vehicle reportedly got the top or not. It’s better to be alive the Usery range and the Superstition stuck in the sand, and while the than to say you made your goal for Mountains, and you don’t have to driver was trying to free the vehicle, the day.” climb way up to see them.” Calimeri walked away.
If you take along your dog, make Cat’s Peaks Loop is busy with MCSO says Calimeri walked toward sure you pack extra bottles of water, wildlife — mostly birds and lizards the Usery entrance and when the too. Better yet, don’t take your dog — as well as lots of pretty cholla and driver freed the vehicle, he was for a daytime hike in the desert vegetation. “For a stretch of unable to find her. summertime, at all. (You may not desert, it’s very lush,” Menconi says. even have the option; for example, “It’s peaceful and quiet and not very MCSO said Tuesday morning that hikers are not allowed to bring dogs crowded, especially at dusk.” Calimeri was found safe. No further on trails within the city of Phoenix information was released. once the temperature hits 100 There’s a greater elevation gain — degrees.) nearly 1,300 feet — along the Black Mountain Trail out near Cave Creek. “I have that rule for people, too,” This one’s for more seasoned hikers, Menconi says. “In the summertime Menconi cautions. “It’s in a very in the desert, dusk or dawn are your small preserve, and there’s not much only healthy choices. And any time of a parking lot. The hike itself is a of year, the point of hiking is to straight shot up and a really hard enjoy yourself, get some good workout. The summit is at 3,400 feet
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raised. He left at 6 a.m. with trail least 115 degrees at least six days in a mix, water and sports drinks to hike row. and train for an upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon, his family said. Heat-related rescues rose in Maricopa County in 2020 "He was getting his body prepared to go," his mother, Delrose Egwu, Last year's summer and fall seasons told The Arizona Republic. were the hottest on record in Phoenix, according to National But when he didn't return home later Weather Service officials, who said in the day, his family drove to the this year is on pace with 2020. White Tank mountains to find him. The next day, the Maricopa County Along with a rise in excessive heat Sheriff's Office released a missing warnings issued by the National person notice for Quincy. Weather Service last year, Phoenix fire and Maricopa County Sheriff's The Sheriff's Office said Quincy Office officials also saw more hiker went on a hike alone near the rescues in 2020, mostly due to Mesquite Canyon trailhead injuries or the heat. Mother urges hikers and although he was an experienced to be safe in heat hiker, he may have been unprepared Fuel your hometown passion and for prolonged exposure to the heat. plug into the stories that define it. after her son, an avid hiker, died in "To my knowledge, he has never From 2019 to 2020, the number of really hiked to that degree in the rescues and searches slightly the White Tanks summer," Delrose said. "I think he increased in Maricopa County, said Audrey Jensen underestimated the weather." Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Arizona Republic Deputy Kyle Clancy. Last year, the June 13, 2021 Then, a day after he set out to hike sheriff's office conducted at the White Tanks, officials found approximately 60 rescues and nearly Quincy's body near his car in a wash 30 searches compared to 50 rescues area by the Mesquite Canyon trail, and 25 searches the year prior. according to the Sheriff's Office and Delrose. So far in 2021, the sheriff's office has conducted approximately 25 rescues "He was 200 to 300 feet away from and 20 searches, according to his car. He was so close," Delrose Clancy. said, adding that he collapsed in the wash area. The Medical Examiner Searches typically decrease with listed Quincy's death as accidental hotter temperatures, but rescues and caused by environmental heat tend to spike during the summer exposure. season, Clancy added. Clancy said rescues the Sheriff's Office conducts Delrose said she wants to encourage are mostly due to heat-related others to adequately prepare for illnesses and sometimes injuries.
being outside as temperatures rise Capt. Todd Keller, a spokesman for Quincy Egwu woke up early to go heading into the hottest months of the Phoenix Fire Department, said hiking at White Tank Mountain the year. their rescue teams conducted Regional Park on August 13, 2020 multiple mountain rescues — one of the hottest days in the The National Weather Service issued throughout last summer. Phoenix area last year. an excessive heat warning for at least a week starting Saturday in central "There were some days where Egwu, 29, was no and northwestern Arizona, where (we) were going up the mountain stranger to spending time outside in temperatures are expected to reach two to three times a day. It was a Arizona, where he was born and as high as 118 degrees and reach at very busy summer for us," he said.
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"He was a very caring person. He • Avoid outside activities during Over Labor Day weekend, when the cared about others. Himself, he was the hottest time of day weather service issued one of its 12 very humble, he was a Christian, • Always bring plenty of water, heat warnings over 48 days in that's number one. He was very food and a light source other 2020, Phoenix fire officials said they loving to his family," Delrose said. than your cell phone had rescued an unusually high • Hydrate with water a couple number of hikers due to heat-related Delrose said Quincy wanted to days before, during and after illnesses. "follow in the footsteps of what your hike Jesus did" and would help people • Don't underestimate daytime Keller said it's important to hydrate pay rent, with legal help, food, or temperatures and know your before, during and after a hike, to let transportation out of kindness. The capabilities and limits when someone know you are hiking and to website also said Quincy gave his going out limit hiking to earlier in the morning time and finances selflessly to others. or later in the evening. He said • Let someone else know where hikers should also bring a fully "He cared a lot about others," his you're going, what route you're charged cell phone in case mother said. "He was an exceptional taking and when you'll be back something happens. friend, exceptional son, exceptional • Stay with your vehicle if you're husband, dad." stuck, but if you leave your "Just know your limits," said Keller. vehicle, leave a note or indicate "We want you to make this a fun During his trip to the White Tanks, which direction you went experience. We always say, 'This is Quincy was scouting practice routes • If traveling in a group, turn off going to be a round-trip ticket.' ... If for young adults at his church to all but one cell phone to save you can only make it half way, then prepare for their upcoming Grand phone battery turn around, come back and try to Canyon Trip. • Bring your cell phone, but know accomplish the last half for next there are areas that do not have time." Delrose said she believes if someone service had gone with her son hiking, they • Bring bright-colored clothing 'Every single day I think of him:' may have suggested they stop and like orange or safety green so Family remembers Quincy, a leader rest when hiking in the heat. She said you're easily visible in case of a at a Glendale church. from what she saw, she believes her rescue son did not bring a hat with him and After Quincy's death in August, his was not hydrated prior to the hike. family held a funeral service at their church and his close friend, Clifford "If you know you're going out on Almedia, built a website in honor such a hike, you should make sure of his life. The site displays photo you are hydrated before, two to albums and a description of who he three days before," she said. "He was was — a loving husband, father of a losing heat, more than what he was baby, a brother, a friend, and taking in." someone who impacted everyone he met. She also said that instead of just More advice for staying safe while telling one person where you're spending time outside in the hot "It's been difficult — every single going, that hikers should tell multiple temperatures can be found on the day I think of him," Delrose said. people in case someone forgets. Maricopa County Parks and Recreation website. Quincy was a leader at the Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church. His Reach the reporter young adult group would pass out at [email protected] food to people who are homeless om or on Twitter at @Audreyj101. and he arranged for the nonprofit Samaritan's Feet to provide shoes Fire restrictions and toys for children who just moved to the U.S., Delrose said. He increased at San also went overseas on mission trips. Heat awareness and safety tips include:
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Tan Mountain Eleven Maricopa County regional Nagy told Arizona Central: "Almost Regional Park parks have been affected by the fire everyone who dives at Lake Pleasant SanTanValley.com ban: Lake Pleasant Regional Park, knows about it." Friday, 11 June 2021 White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Adobe Dam Regional Park, Imagine going for a dive and Buckeye Hills Regional Park, Estrella running into this: Mountain Regional Park, Hassayampa River Preserve, San Tan Mountain Regional Park (located in San Tan Valley, Arizona), Usery Mountain Regional Park, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Cave Creek Regional Park, and Spur Cross
Ranch Conservation Area. The Maricopa County Parks and If you have any questions regarding Credit: YouTube/Steele Scuba Diving Recreation Department initiated its annual fire ban on May 1. Now, the fire ban, call the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation When asked why he did it, Nagy the department is taking additional explained that divers often place steps to protect park visitors and Department at (602) 506-2930, or visit maricopacountyparks.net. unusual objects underwater as resources due to the extremely dry personal projects or to act as conditions. markers - as well as the fictional Someone Put A serial killer, Nagy said there was also Effective Tuesday, May 25, smoking some fake skeletons, a poker table in Maricopa County's regional parks Jason Statue At The and a Christmas tree. will be prohibited, except within an Bottom Of A Lake In enclosed vehicle or at developed He said: "There's not much out there recreation sites such as parking lots Arizona [to see]. "They put it out there to Claire Reid and campsites. Individuals who kind of practice skills." Published 18:25, 09 June 2021 BST smoke in designated areas are being | Last updated 7:10, 10 June 2021 asked to please ensure all materials However, when officials from the BST are fully extinguished before leaving park found out about it they were https://www.ladbible.com/entertain the area. less than impressed and ordered for ment/weird-diver-put-jason- it to be dredged out the lake. voorhees-statue-at-the-bottom-of- The heightened restrictions come on lake-in-arizona-20210609 the heels of recent wildfire activity Lake Pleasant Regional Park within White Tank Mountain supervisor David Jordan Regional Park and Cave Creek told Arizona Central at the time: Regional Park boundaries. The "We really have to be mindful and department's decision to increase fire respectful of nature. That's one of restrictions aligns with the Bureau of our biggest things." Reclamation, Tonto National Forest, and Arizona Department of Forestry He added: "I was a little surprised to and Management in the Central see something of that nature. West Zone's current fire restrictions. A super creepy statue of Friday the "There's always a little bit of humour The usual restrictions, which include 13th killer Jason Voorhees was behind it but at the same time, we're banning the use of all campfires, fire dumped at the bottom of an Arizona very much concerned about... trying pits, and charcoal in grills or any lake before park officials stepped in to maintain clean facilities for people other manner, are still in effect; and ordered it be removed. to enjoy." however, it is acceptable to use gas/propane grills in designated The statue was placed deep down in When news broke that the statue areas. Violation of Park Rule R-113 Lake Pleasant back in 2018 by was being removed a petition urging may result in a citation. A date to lift diver Zachary Nagy who said it took people to #savejason was launched the fire ban has not been established. 'weeks' to construct. Page 9
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and soon racked up almost 2,000 caught on a wildlife camera at the has cured their addictions or helped signatures. Spur Cross Ranch Conservation them achieve a deeper connection to Area, a park north of Phoenix. the Earth. Toad altars, T-shirts, and The team behind Slasher Radio Holding flashlights, they scoured a tattoos all profess a worship of the launched the change.org petition Mexican lily-filled pond near a species. which called for a U-turn on the popular hiking trail, on the hunt for statue's removal and asked people to Sonoran Desert toads. One girl The practice has gone from an 'help us preserve this underwater squealed as she held up a fat one — obscure desert phenomenon in the horror passion project'. both hands wrapped around its belly ‘80s, to an increasingly popular — and dropped it into a plastic bag. psychedelic in recent years. In Later, a young man wearing a his new memoir, Hunter Biden, tattered cowboy hat and a tank top President Joe Biden’s son, claimed came into view, his face and hand that 5-meO-DMT helped looming large in the camera frame as temporarily cure his addiction to he clenched a grocery bag. A jumble crack. “The experience unlocked Credit: YouTube/Steele Scuba Diving of legs pressed frantically into the feelings and hurts I’d buried deep thin plastic, captive amphibians for too long,” he wrote. “It served as But that's not quite the end of the trying to escape their new prison. a salve. I stayed sober for a year tale; to add a creepy twist to an afterward.” Since 2018, the World already bizarre story - a follow-up “That is like the last thing I expected Bufo Alvarius Congress in Mexico report by AZ Central claimed that to see,” Kevin Smith, Spur Cross has attracted hundreds of when divers went down to retrieve Ranch’s sole park ranger, said. He participants annually from across the the statue, in true slasher movie estimates, from the footage, that the globe. (Bufo alvarius, as the toad was style, Voorhees was nowhere to be thieves grabbed at least a dozen formerly named, has since been found. toads. Though the recordings — and renamed Incilius alvarius, and is also the story’s peculiar nature —made sometimes called the Colorado River Maricopa County Parks and local and national news, briefly toad.) Many ceremonies take place in Recreation spokesperson Dawna causing a stir, the culprits were never the country, and increasingly for Taylor told the news outlet that 150 caught. What happened to the white tourists in popular destinations volunteers spent five-hours scouring creatures isn’t hard to guess, like Tulum on the Yucatán the lake for the statue on 22 however: In recent years, psychedelic Peninsula, where retreat costs can September 2018, and managed to enthusiasts have been rounding up range from $200 a session to all- clean up a whopping 200 bags of Sonoran Desert toads in order to inclusive packages upwards of litter - but were unable to find obtain their secretions, which $3,000. Voorhees. contain a powerful hallucinogenic substance called 5-MeO-DMT. The toad’s newfound popularity Cue the creepy music... concerns Robert Villa, president of In “toad medicine circles” — the Tucson Herpetological Society A Threatened Toad’s underground ceremonies that take and a research associate with the place across the country in swanky University of Arizona’s Desert Hallucinogenic areas from Malibu and Santa Fe to Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill. Secretions Are in what one participant described as “There’s a psychedelic renaissance “on the floor of a chic apartment on that’s happening,” he said, “and High Demand the Upper West Side” of New York there’s a whole sect of this The latest trendy shortcut to spiritual City — the psychedelic has become community that is devoted to the awakening is fueled by one creature’s the latest trendy shortcut to spiritual Sonoran Desert toad, extracting (it) psychedelic stress sweats. awakening. Ceremony participants for psychedelic use.” Villa became often lie down on the ground, on aware of the toad’s growing Visual: Saguaro National Park blankets and sarongs, and smoke the popularity after working in 2017 as a BY JESSICA KUTZ, HIGH dried secretions — a Schedule 1 consultant for an episode of COUNTRY NEWS drug — , which induce an a Vice docuseries, “Hamilton’s 06.08.2021 otherworldly state that lasts for Pharmacopeia,” in which Mexican about half an hour. Many who’ve practitioners are on camera noting LATE ON A THURSDAY evening undergone the experience refer to the decline in local toad populations in July 2018, three intruders were the poison as a “god molecule” that in the state of Sonora. While those
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who collect the bufotoxin on both though “that could be because it’s in tribes either in Mexico or the U.S. sides of the border claim to do so in not on their radar.” Yet practitioners are still marketing it a sustainable fashion, often releasing as a traditional pan-Indigenous the toads afterward, Villa said there’s Evidence of the growing demand, remedy, lumping it together with no real way to do this. “Toads offer however, can be found at the U.S.- other substances, including peyote those secretions in a defensive Mexico border, where Jeff Moore, a and ayahuasca. context, in a stressed and violent senior wildlife inspector with the context,” he said. “Ultimately, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said people are self-medicating at the that people have been caught The toad itself is culturally expense of another creature.” As the attempting to bring the toad or its significant to the Yaqui Tribe in the toad’s secretions become secretions into the United States. Mexican state of Sonora and the increasingly popular, Villa is raising “We have encountered it and are Pascua Yaqui in Arizona, playing a the alarm about the practice’s working with other partner agencies symbolic role in tribal stories and cascading cultural and environmental on the enforcement,” Moore said, ceremonies. But during the last impacts. adding that because of ongoing decade, the tribe has noticed a investigations, he could not decline in local populations, The Sonoran Desert Toad, as its comment further on the scope of the according to Villa, who consulted common name suggests, is primarily trafficking. with tribal members in Mexico in found in the Sonoran Desert, which 2014. stretches from Arizona to Mexico, “There’s a psychedelic renaissance its habitat also extends slightly into that’s happening,” Villa said, “and The toad has not been classified as New Mexico and California. The there’s a whole sect of this endangered or threatened at the landscape is home to a diverse array community that is devoted to the federal level in either Mexico or in of species that have evolved to Sonoran Desert toad, extracting (it) the U.S., and it would require flourish in the harsh environment. for psychedelic use.” extensive monitoring efforts before For most of the year, the toad such a designation could be hibernates in underground burrows. Whenever demand for a trafficked achieved. Jones said it’s not always In the summer, when the monsoon species grows, however, there are easy to determine when to start season hits, it resurfaces to breed in going to be consequences. When the monitoring a species. “What is often shallow ponds and streams. psychedelic peyote, which is native the case is that people like me will to West Texas and Mexico, became say, ‘Yeah, they’re abundant. I see It’s during this window of time that popular with people outside the them all the time, like I used to.’ And it is vulnerable to being snatched Indigenous communities where its then, after about 10 years, someone from its habitat. But determining the ceremonial religious use originated, says, ‘Hey, you know, I haven’t been scope of the poaching is difficult. this led to a black market and a steep seeing them like I used to.’ And then The species is listed as threatened in decline in the cactus. Steven Benally, you start monitoring them in some New Mexico — a 2006 U.S. Fish a Diné founding member of the place and discover that either they’re and Wildlife Service report cites Indigenous Peyote Conservation still there or that they’ve declined.” myriad reasons for this, including Initiative, told the Los Angeles Jones said. “But because there’s no overcollection — while in California Times last year, “To these outsiders, standard monitoring effort that’s it is believed to be extinct. But in we say, ‘Leave peyote alone. Please.’” going on for a species like that, it’s Arizona, where its range is Beyond the ecological impacts, this really hard to gauge.” significantly larger, it is still type of trade often has cultural considered abundant; with a valid implications. As Taylar Dawn Given that species like the Sonoran Arizona Game and Fish license, one Stagner (Shoshone, Arapaho) wrote Desert toad already face multiple can legally collect up to 10 toads per in High Country News, describing threats, including climate change and year. “We think poaching takes the current “new age” obsession rapid urbanization, overcollection place. And there have been some with white sage: “It’s become so can have consequential impacts. “It anecdotal reports of it (happening),” popular that it has been really kind of shocks me, actually. said Thomas R. Jones, Amphibians commodified to the point of erasure, The fact that people assume, based and Reptiles Program manager with robbed of its Indigenous roots and on its abundance, that it’s fine,” said the Arizona Game and Fish cultural importance.” Villa, who has spent the last few Department. “But even our law years raising awareness about the enforcement guys don’t have a good Oddly enough, the toad’s secretions toad and its plight. “When you begin feel for toad poaching,” he added, have no documented historical use
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to notice something’s happening in Conservation Area in Maricopa the latest trendy shortcut to spiritual those populations, it’s too late.” County, Arizona. awakening. Ceremony participants Maricopa County Parks and often lie down on the ground, on Recreation blankets and sarongs, and smoke the UPDATE: This story was corrected dried secretions — a Schedule 1 to reflect the fact that the Sonoran drug — , which induce an Desert Toad is not endemic to the otherworldly state that lasts for Sonoran Desert. Though it is about half an hour. Many who’ve primarily found there, its habitat undergone the experience refer to extends elsewhere. the poison as a “god molecule” that Jessica Kutz is an assistant editor for has cured their addictions or helped
High Country News. them achieve a deeper connection to This story was originally published at the Earth. Toad altars, T-shirts and High Country News. tattoos all profess a worship of the species.
A hallucinogenic The practice has gone from an toad in peril obscure desert phenomenon in the How a Sonoran Desert species got ’80s, to an increasingly popular psychedelic in recent years. In caught up in the commodification of spiritual awakening. his new memoir, Hunter Biden, Jessica Kutz June 7, 2021From President Joe Biden’s son, claimed the print edition that 5-meO-DMT helped HighCountryNews.com (hnc.org) temporarily cure his addiction to crack. “The experience unlocked Late on a Thursday evening in July feelings and hurts I’d buried deep 2018, three intruders were caught on for too long,” he wrote. “It served as a wildlife camera at the Spur Cross a salve. I stayed sober for a year
Ranch Conservation Area, a park afterward.” Since 2018, the World north of Phoenix. Holding “That is like the last thing I expected Bufo Alvarius Congress in Mexico flashlights, they scoured a Mexican to see,” Kevin Smith, Spur Cross has attracted hundreds of lily-filled pond near a popular hiking Ranch’s sole park ranger, said. He participants annually from across the trail, on the hunt for Sonoran Desert estimates, from the footage, that the globe. (Bufo alvarius, as the toad was toads. One girl squealed as she held thieves grabbed at least a dozen formerly named, has since been up a fat one — both hands wrapped toads. Though the recordings — and renamed Incilius alvarius, and is also around its belly — and dropped it the story’s peculiar nature —made sometimes called the Colorado River into a plastic bag. Later, a young local and national news, briefly toad.) Many ceremonies take place in man wearing a tattered cowboy hat causing a stir, the culprits were never the country, and increasingly for and a tank top came into view, his caught. What happened to the white tourists in popular destinations face and hand looming large in the creatures isn’t hard to guess, like Tulum on the Yucatán camera frame as he clenched a however: In recent years, psychedelic Peninsula, where retreat costs can grocery bag. A jumble of legs enthusiasts have been rounding up range from $200 a session to all- pressed frantically into the thin Sonoran Desert toads in order to inclusive packages upwards of plastic, captive amphibians trying to obtain their secretions, which $3,000. escape their new prison. contain a powerful hallucinogenic substance called 5-MeO-DMT. The toad’s newfound popularity concerns Robert Villa, president of In “toad medicine circles” — the Tucson Herpetological Society underground ceremonies that take and a research associate with the place across the country in swanky University of Arizona’s Desert areas from Malibu and Santa Fe to Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill. what one participant described as “There’s a psychedelic renaissance “on the floor of a chic apartment on that's happening,” he said, “and Stills from security camera footage the Upper West Side” of New York there’s a whole sect of this of the poaching that occurred in July City — the psychedelic has become community that is devoted to the 2018 at the Spur Cross Ranch
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Sonoran Desert toad, extracting (it) season hits, it resurfaces to breed in this led to a black market and a steep for psychedelic use.” Villa became shallow ponds and streams. decline in the cactus. Steven Benally, aware of the toad’s growing a Diné founding member of the popularity after working in 2017 as a It’s during this window of time that Indigenous Peyote Conservation consultant for an episode of it is vulnerable to being snatched Initiative, told the Los Angeles a Vice docuseries, Hamilton’s from its habitat. But determining the Times last year, “To these outsiders, Pharmacopeia, in which Mexican scope of the poaching is difficult. we say, ‘Leave peyote alone. Please.’ practitioners are on camera noting The species is listed as threatened in ” Beyond the ecological impacts, this the decline in local toad populations New Mexico — a 2006 U.S. Fish type of trade often has cultural in the state of Sonora. While those and Wildlife Service report cites implications. As Taylar Dawn who collect the bufotoxin on both myriad reasons for this, including Stagner (Shoshone, Arapaho) wrote sides of the border claim to do so in overcollection — while in California in High Country News, describing a sustainable fashion, often releasing it is believed to be extinct. But in the current “new age” obsession the toads afterward, Villa said there’s Arizona, where its range is with white sage: “It’s become so no real way to do this. “Toads offer significantly larger, it is still popular that it has been those secretions in a defensive considered abundant. “We think commodified to the point of erasure, context, in a stressed and violent poaching takes place. And there have robbed of its Indigenous roots and context,” he said. “Ultimately, been some anecdotal reports of it cultural importance.” people are self-medicating at the (happening),” said Thomas R. expense of another creature.” As the Jones, Amphibians and Reptiles Oddly enough, the toad’s secretions toad’s secretions become Program manager with the Arizona have no documented historical use increasingly popular, Villa is raising Game and Fish Department. “But in tribes either in Mexico or the U.S. the alarm about the practice’s even our law enforcement guys don’t Yet practitioners are still marketing it cascading cultural and environmental have a good feel for toad poaching,” as a traditional pan-Indigenous impacts. he added, though “that could be remedy, lumping it together with because it’s not on their radar.” other substances, including peyote and ayahuasca. “Ultimately, people are self- medicating at the expense of another The toad itself is culturally creature.” significant to the Yaqui Tribe in the Mexican state of Sonora and the Evidence of the growing demand, Pascua Yaqui in Arizona, playing a however, can be found at the U.S.- symbolic role in tribal stories and Mexico border, where Jeff Moore, a ceremonies. But during the last senior wildlife inspector with the decade, the tribe has noticed a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said decline in local populations, A Sonoran Desert Toad photographed at the Spur that people have been caught according to Villa, who consulted Cross Ranch Conservation Area, north of Phoenix, Arizona. attempting to bring the toad or its with tribal members in Mexico in Kevin W. Smith/Maricopa County Parks and secretions into the United States. 2014. Recreation “We have encountered it and are working with other partner agencies “Because there’s no standard THE SONORAN DESERT on the enforcement,” Moore said, monitoring effort that’s going on for TOAD, as its common name adding that because of ongoing a species like that, it’s really hard to suggests, is primarily found in the investigations, he could not gauge.” Sonoran Desert, which stretches comment further on the scope of the The toad has not been classified as from California and Arizona to trafficking. endangered or threatened at the Mexico, its habitat also extends federal level in either Mexico or in slightly into New Mexico. Whenever demand for a trafficked the U.S., and it would require species grows, however, there are extensive monitoring efforts before The landscape is home to a diverse going to be consequences. When the such a designation could be array of species that have evolved to psychedelic peyote, which is native achieved. Jones said it’s not always flourish in the harsh environment. to West Texas and Mexico, became easy to determine when to start For most of the year, the toad popular with people outside the monitoring a species. “What is often hibernates in underground burrows. Indigenous communities where its the case is that people like me will In the summer, when the monsoon ceremonial religious use originated, say, ‘Yeah, they’re abundant. I see
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them all the time, like I used to.’ And Diefenderfer said the idea for a time then, after about 10 years, someone The monument will commemorate capsule first came up about two says, ‘Hey, you know, I haven’t been the citizens of Cave Creek, Maricopa years ago, when memorial organizers seeing them like I used to.’ And then County and the State of Arizona for Sue Mueller and George Ross were you start monitoring them in some its joint efforts to officially preserve talking during initial discussions place and discover that either they’re the land in September 2000. about the monument’s design. They still there or that they’ve declined.” brought up the idea of adding a time Jones said. “But because there’s no Organizers are seeking donations capsule, and soon after, it was standard monitoring effort that’s such as shirts, posters and stickers purchased through donations. going on for a species like that, it’s that memorialize the grassroots really hard to gauge.” efforts citizens made in the late ’90s “It’s going right at the edge of the to ensure a tax bond passed. The tax parking lot so everyone going there Given that species like the Sonoran allowed the town of Cave Creek to will walk right by it,” Diefenderfer Desert toad already face multiple purchase the final piece of land said. “It’s a cool story, the fact that threats, including climate change and needed to create the present day the town, the county and the state all rapid urbanization, overcollection preserve. got together to do this and it was can have consequential impacts. “It driven by citizens. It took a big really kind of shocks me, actually. The time capsule will be effort to make that happen.” The fact that people assume, based approximately 2 feet by 18 inches on its abundance, that it’s fine,” said and will be installed underneath the He went on to explain how the Villa, who has spent the last few monument, which will be placed on design of the monument, which is a years raising awareness about the the northwest corner of the parking spur on top of a cross and was the toad and its plight. “When you begin lot, according to Cave Creek brand emblem used at the dude to notice something’s happening in Councilman Paul Diefenderfer. ranch, pays homage to all those those populations, it’s too late.” involved with the preservation of it. The contents of the time capsule will also contain historical documents “Everyone always assumes that the Items sought for with information about the dude parks are all just the government. In Spur Cross time ranch, a summary of archaeological this case the government was investigations, attempts to develop involved, but it was driven by capsule the land, preservation efforts, and a citizens,” he said. By Tara Alatorre, Foothills Focus list of citizens involved in the Contributing Writer preservation effort. It will be 6 feet high with a width of 3 feet and three layers of half-inch Jun 7, 2021 Items that organizers are still steel. Each layer of steel represents specifically looking for are a green T- the town, county and state. The shirt and baseball cap — both layers of steel will be riveted emblazoned with a cougar and the together, with the rivets representing phrase “Preserve Spur Cross” — as the people who came together to well as photos from an event called preserve Spur Cross. The base of the Save Spur Cross Ranch Day that monument will include an inscribed happened on Sept. 2, 2000, and any plaque. newspaper articles from publications excluding the Sonoran News and “That is what I think the message is, Arizona Republic. to get people to realize that if you’re The image is a rendition of what the monument will passionate, it doesn’t mean you will look like that will be installed at the northwest corner “Any historic items that were about always be successful, but you can of the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area’s parking lot. Spur Cross, assuming we have room, be,” he said. Image courtesy of Sue Mueller we could put that in there. That place has a lot of history, and so it is A date for the dedication ceremony Items are being sought for a time appropriate,” said Diefenderfer, who for the monument and time capsule capsule that will be installed soon in is building the memorial and helping will be published on the town’s conjunction with a new monument collect items for the capsule. website and social media. at the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.
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Time capsule donations can be charcoal in grills or any other dropped off at the Cave Creek manner, are still in effect; however, it Tourism Bureau, 6061 E. Cave is acceptable to use gas/propane Creek Road, Suite 7, and items grills in designated areas. should be donated by June 6, 2021. For more information, call Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Annual fire Department, 602-506-2930, or restrictions in place visit maricopacountyparks.net. Jun 4, 2021 Fountain Hills Times
The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department initiated its annual fire ban on May 1.
The department now is taking additional steps to protect park visitors and resources due to the extremely dry conditions. Effective immediately, smoking in Maricopa County’s regional parks will be prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or at developed recreation sites such as parking lots and campsites. A date to lift the restrictions has not been established. That information will be provided when available.
The heightened restrictions come on the heels of recent wildfire activity within White Tank Mountain Regional Park and Cave Creek Regional Park boundaries. McDowell Mountain Regional Park is among the 11 parks in the county system to adopt the ban.
The department’s decision to increase fire restrictions aligns with the Bureau of Reclamation, Tonto National Forest and Arizona Department of Forestry and Management in the Central West Zone’s current fire restrictions. Restrictions include banning the use of all campfires, fire pits, and Page 15