SanTanValley.com

Representatives of the law-enforcement and public-safety professions have contacted me about not receiving raises in the past five years.

Many of these messages have been passionate and heartfelt, explaining personal hardships and sacrifices. Others have expressed a notion that somehow raises were guaranteed or promised.

The Maricopa County Supervisor of Elections recently announced that Queen Creek residents have approved Town plans to purchase of the H2O, Inc. Water Utility, a family owned business that has served the Pinal County/Maricopa County area for more than 40 years, in an all mail special election that took place from April 25 through May 21, 2013. The final vote was recorded as 2,550 in favor, 379 opposed.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and the Pinal County Attorney’s Office are preparing to send manpower, financial-aid and other needed resources to the devastated communities in Oklahoma County in a response for assistance from Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel.

This afternoon, County Attorney Lando Voyles and Sheriff Paul Babeu introduced the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue members that will accompany County Attorney Voyles on Friday morning to travel to Oklahoma and assist in humanitarian aid and clean-up efforts.

In response to the story entitled “Medical marijuana going to young and healthy” featured on CBS 5, KPHO Broadcasting Corporation, Phoenix, Arizona, Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles released the following statement:

They represent business, farming, education, corrections, law enforcement, public health and other professions.  They give tirelessly – each of the 12 logging in excess of 500 volunteer hours per year.  But Pinal County’s Juvenile Court Community Advisory Board just got a big statewide thank you from Governor Jan Brewer after they earned the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award in the Small Organization category. 

Name: Daymn Pete Mondragon

Comments: In 2013, offender accepted a plea agreement and was convicted of Lewdness involving a child in Utah.  Offender engaged in sexual acts with a 10 year old female acquaintance.

On Thursday, May 9, Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles received the honor of speaking at the 2013 Pinal County Fallen Officer Dedication Ceremony, remembering the lives of the brave men and women in uniform killed in the line of duty and recognizing the families of those individuals.

Serving as the Pinal County Attorney and working directly with federal and state officials, Sheriff Babeu and his deputies, local police chiefs and their officers, Voyles knows the hard work and dedication the trained men and women in law enforcement encounter on a daily basis.  At the Ceremony, he shared instances where the dedication of law enforcement positively impacted lives and signified their willingness to sacrifice for the betterment and safety of those in our community.  

Meet Paint, a sweet Cattle Dog / Akita mix about 6 years old.

Paint has a wonderful personality: he is confident and independent, but also laid-back, gentle and friendly.

Paint enjoys being with people and other nice dogs. He also does very well on walks, earning a B+ leash grade.

Paint will make an excellent addition to any loving forever family!

For such a great dog, he has been at the shelter too long - drop in soon to meet Paint!

Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles announced the creation of the Pinal County Attorney’s Office Veteran’s Group at the inaugural Veteran’s Town Hall in Maricopa on Saturday, April 20, 2013.  This Group represents the first of its kind in Arizona.

As introduced by Voyles, the Veteran’s Group enables the Pinal County Attorney’s Office to take a veteran’s circumstances into consideration when determining criminal charges.  An example of how the program could significantly help in such considerations is when a criminal act can statutorily be charged as a misdemeanor, resulting in jail or probation, or a felony, with a probable sentence resulting in prison.

The average sale price for a residential property in Pinal County rose 22.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period last year. While there were only 1,568 homes sold in the first three months of this year versus 2,104 in the first quarter of 2012, the average sale price went from $126,170 one year ago to $154,616 for the most recent three month period ending March 31st. The average square footage remained relatively similar at 1,945 for 2013 and 1,970 in 2012.