Donation boxes were placed at the Police Station, all Fire Stations, both library locations, City Hall as well as offices on Sundog and Virginia Streets.

The goal was to donate all food to the "Prescott Community Cupboard."

"It started off slow and I was concerned," said "Put a Nail In Hunger" coordinator and City employee, Nina Lessard. "But, the contractors started coming in and I was amazed. They pulled up to the back door and started carrying in bags and cases of food. Their generosity was heartwarming."

Lessard added that the City's Streets Department provided a truck and two employees to pick-up local donations. "We had so much, we had to make two trips to Prescott Community Cupboard. We ended up gathering and donating 1,420 pounds of food."

Another food drive coordinator, Janice Witt, said she was so impressed with the contractors "that we are planning on making certificates of appreciation for the ones that donated. We just want them to know how much we appreciated everything they did."

According to Kelly Sammeli, also part of the coordinating team, the Building Department hopes to make the food drive an annual event in conjunction with Building Safety Week. "This year we learned what did and didn't work, so next year should be even better."

According to traffic engineer Ian Mattingly, local residents will be allowed to travel to and from their homes. "There are multiple work areas," explained Mattingly on the closure. "VASTCO will replace an existing cross-gutter and repave an intersection. They'll have message boards in place on Wednesday May 14 to provide local notification of the closure."

On Thursday May 15, beginning at 2:00PM, Principal Joe Howard (and the Mile High Jazz band) will introduce those who organized this unique project to encourage the time honored tradition of students walking and biking to school along with the important role the community plays in placing its own public art.

The air carrier cites current economic conditions, including soaring jet fuel prices as obstacles in achieving sustained profitability.

"At this point, it's out of our hands," states Prescott Mayor Jack Wilson. "The U.S. Department of Transportation has put the route out to bid in their search for a viable replacement. That process closes June 2nd."

Air Midwest's action will result in termination of scheduled service to 16 small cities in 10 states—all of which operate under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. (U.S. Department of Transportation subsidized routes).

Following the ride, there will be free muffins, juice, and coffee at the steps of City Hall at 201 S. Cortez.

All ages are welcome. Helmets required. Free helmets courtesy of Prescott Alternative Transportation's Safe Routes to School program.

For further information, please contact Karen Warrick at 713-9811.

"Tee times are available starting at 8:00 am," says Parker. "Sign up your foursome or sign-up individually."

Parker adds that the weekly prize pool is $10.00 which includes lunch at the Manzanita Grille. There are no membership dues but a USGA handicap is required.

For further information or to register, please contact Jerry Watson at 776-7888.

BBQ Anyone?

The Texas Roadhouse project is well on its way to completion. They are planning their VIP grand opening on June 20th-21st with opening to the public on June 23rd.

We Appreciate You!

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon: Prescott Police Department held an appreciation luncheon for 47 volunteers. The luncheon was in recognition of the volunteer's services to the Police Department in conjunction with Volunteer Week.

Helping Prescott's Sister Cities

Sister City Donation: Prescott Police Department provided a large donation of surplus out-dated Law Enforcement equipment to our Sister City of Caborca, Mexico.

Educator or Officer?

Officer Amy Drew Recognition from Mile High Middle School: Prescott Police Officer Amy Drew was chosen as Educator of the Month at Mile High Middle School. Officer Drew is School Resource Officer and was chosen by students and faculty members for this award.

Bell Graduate Academy

Citizens Academy: Prescott Police Department graduated 23 local area residents from the Prescott Police Citizen's Academy on April 24th. The Citizen's Academy provides insight for residents into the many different functions of the Police Department.

New Programming on Access 13

Parents and their little ones can now attend Prescott Public Library storytime from the comfort of their own living room. The Prescott Public Library Storytime Show will be shown on Mondays at 5:00 pm and Fridays at 7:00 am, beginning Monday May 5 on cable channel 13. The stars are the library's own Amadee, Steve and Joyce, with a supporting role going to Tippy the Dinosaur.

Flying their own Flag

If you haven't checked out the library flagpole lately, take a look. Beneath the United States and Arizona flags, Prescott Downtown Library is now flying a library flag.

Nationally Recognized Teens

The Division will host The Hershey's Track and Field event, to be held on Saturday, May 10 at Prescott High School. This event is a nationally recognized track and field meet for boys and girls aged 9 to 14. First place participants are invited to represent the Prescott area in the State meet in June.

Olympic Softball in Prescott

The Division is preparing for the upcoming USA Women's Olympic Softball exhibition game on Sunday, May 25th at Ken Lindley Field. We are anticipating a sell out of approximately 3,000 spectators. The event will include 14 and Under National Qualifier with 30-40 teams from California, Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona participating.

Downer Trail Pavement and Utility Reconstruction Project

Oregon Avenue to Sierry Peaks Drive, is nearing completion with asphalt paving finished the week of April 28th. The project was delayed significantly by utility conflicts, ground water, and weather. Final adjustments to utility covers and driveways should substantially complete the project by May 16, 2008.

Iron Springs Road

Traffic signal and street light installation is ongoing on Iron Springs Road. These activities should conclude in the next 7-10 days.

Building a Better Campus

ERAU opened the doors to their new 34,000 SF Library and Learning Center on the Prescott Campus. This state-of-the-art facility is twice the size of the old library and offers students worldwide access to the most technologically advanced aerospace information. Amenities include multi-media production room, group editing room digital imaging and presentation editing software, 40 personal computers available for rent, top quality printers and plotters, and computer projectors and screens for rehearsing team projects.

Customer Service Is Our Priority

The new Customer Service Handbooks have been distributed to all regular and temporary employees. These books stress the importance of meeting City's #1 priority of providing superior customer service to all of its customers, both internal and external. Customer Service training will take place in the upcoming months and will become a regular part of new hire orientation.

Good News

In 2006, Envirosolve handled all of the City's Household Hazardous Waste. We pursued the extension clause in our contract with them and Envirosolve has just agreed to honor the 2006 pricing and conduct our one-day drop off event on October 12, 2008. Official memo will be prepared for Council once all signatures are obtained.

Investigators from the Prescott Police Department conducted follow up and interviewed witnesses in the days following the assault. They identified a suspect and arrested him on May 12, 2008. The suspect, Jesus Guevara, age 27, of Prescott was charged with Aggravated Assault and Attempted Murder for the attack against Mr. Mendibles. Mr. Guevara was booked into Yavapai County Jail.

Council members Bob Roecker and Bob Bell as well as City Manager Steve Norwood are scheduled speakers, slated to discuss the relevance of the Sister City committee.

Citizens wishing to learn more about the El Salvador-Prescott Sister City program are cordially invited to attend. Refreshments and door prizes provided by the El Salvador arts community will be available.

For more information call Prescott City Hall 777-1380.

The following is the text of an e-mail sent to The City of Prescott from Mandy Greenwalt of Austin, Texas on behalf of her family, recent visitors to Prescott.

My niece, ten year old McKenzie, had fallen off her bike and down into a rocky riverbed, fracturing her skull and breaking her wrist and was air-lifted to St Joe's in Phoenix.

My brother and sister-in-law stated how grateful they were for the Prescott Fire Department's response and immediate care for Mack.

While they said it felt like forever for help to arrive due to the stress of the situation, they knew that the response was quick and the crew knew exactly what to do.

They said firefighters even helped them disassemble their camper so that they could get on the road after the helicopter was en route. The professionalism and competence exhibited by your folks was outstanding!

My husband is a firefighter for Austin Fire Department, and we both volunteer for Manchaca Volunteer Fire Department. I work as a command admin for the Austin Police Department. We understand emergent, traumatic situations all too well!

Allow me to express my gratitude and appreciation for your exceptional crews! Minutes count with head injuries. PFD did much to help my family. On their behalf, thanks to you and your responders!

Mack is doing well. She was in surgery for about 5 hours, and from what I understand, has a metal plate in her forehead and across her frontal sinuses to block them. Her wrist is broken; ankle sprained and her sternum is cracked. But, she went home today, probably with some physical therapy to work on!! She is happy to be home; all her scans were good!

Prescott Fire Department will hold a special place of honor and respect in our family!

Congratulations to your city for having such a fine department! Respectfully - Mandy Greenwalt/Calvin Poole - aunt/uncle: Austin, TX , Ed & Carole Greenwalt, Jan & Gary Manes - grandparents: Anderson, IN