After being without a vehicle for a year, Karen Ross-Glasser saved up some cash and purchased a 1994 Plymouth Voyager minivan from Craigslist last month. On Wednesday, when she started the vehicle, the airbags exploded in her face.

I was going to an appointment. I put the key in the ignition, and I turned the key, and it went 'Boom!' I was just hit," Ross-Glasser said.

Ross-Glaser said she had no clue what had happened at first, but she knew she was hurt.

For the first time in the State of Arizona, an entire County Department has achieved Lean Six Sigma Certification. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a methodology that lasers in on waste, duplication, defect and variation. Chad A. Roche, Clerk of the Superior Court in Pinal County, a long-time supporter of LSS was proud to announce that his entire staff has completed training.

“Staff development is integral to any organization because a committed, capable team is the most valuable asset you can manage,” said Roche, who has earned the designation of Certified Deployment Champion. “To our knowledge, ours is the first governmental department that has implemented 100% LSS immersion in the State,” Roche stated. 

Pinal County Emergency Management and the elected officials of Pinal County are providing the following update on the response to the Shipman Fire burning near Kearny since Monday.

The Shipman Fire is 50% contained at this time.  A Type II Incident Management Team began fire operations on Tuesday, July 9 and with more than 150 firefighters on scene, significant strides toward containment occurred today.

No Need to Pay High Fees for Documents Available Directly from County

A Phoenix-based firm is mailing carefully worded letters to selected property owners in Pinal County offering to obtain a copy of their property deed for a payment of almost $100.  Homeowners may obtain a copy of their deed from the Recorder's Office for a small fee, usually less than five dollars.

If you physically cannot make it to one of the 13 libraries in the Pinal County Library District system to obtain a card, fret not.

The Library District now allows residents the opportunity to apply for a virtual library card that will give them access to all online resources.  To sign up for the virtual library card, go online to: http://bit.ly/pcazlib (shortened url).  At the bottom of the page in the middle column click on “virtual library card,” you’ll be taken to a sign-in page where you will be able to gain access to the online library.

“This is a great asset for those who are physically disabled or without the means to get to a library,” said Library District Director Denise Keller.  “The virtual library card will open up a wealth of online information for the user.”

With the arrival of the seasonal rains, puddles, standing water and mosquitoes are never far behind. Pinal County performs routine surveillance to detect the presence of West Nile virus in the mosquito population. So far this year, there have been 13 positive mosquito pools meaning one or more trapped insects tested positive as a carrier of the virus.

"The health risks, while rare, can be quite serious. We urge people to take personal, proactive action to prevent mosquito bites. If you don't get mosquito bites, you can't get West Nile virus," said Public Health Director Tom Schryer. "We can all protect our neighborhoods by eliminating standing water. The simple things really do make a difference."

The Ford Bronco on the left was swept away by floodwaters Sunday near Apache Junction.

Two teenagers plucked from raging stormwaters Sunday in Apache Junction said they learned a valuable lesson, but one them found the helicopter ride to safety something to smile about.

A driver following the teens caught the moment the two were sucked into a wash during heavy rainfall.

The Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office has jurisdiction over the autopsy of Dale S. Hausner, 40.  Hausner died while serving on Arizona’s death row in Florence.

On Friday, July 12th, 2013 at 7:59 a.m. Deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff’s office responded to a residence in the 5000 block of South Casa Prieto Drive in Gold Canyon regarding a vehicle burglary. The victim reported that somebody unknown had broken into his vehicle that was parked out front of his residence during the evening.

The victim reported his laptop computer along with his wallet which contained his credit cards and cash were taken from the vehicle.

Lightning Monday, has apparently sparked a wildfire in Kearny, AZ that has led to the evacuation of a trailer park.

The fire is near the San Pedro River.

There are numerous firefighters on scene and there are reports that there are actually two separate active fire scenes, according to Tim Gaffney with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

The small town of Kearny is located in eastern Pinal County about 60 miles southeast of San Tan Valley.

This fourth of July is especially difficult as we thank God for our freedom and to those who made it possible.  During this holiday, as we celebrate our independence, we also grieve our fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots, who gave their lives to protect our wild-land as well as our homes.

On Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 3:58 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office – K-9 Deputy was traveling westbound on Interstate-8 near Interstate-10. He initiated a traffic stop on a passenger car traveling westbound after he observed a traffic violation.

The deputy turned on his emergency lights and the vehicle failed to stop but instead crossed over the eastbound lanes of traffic and then stopped suddenly. The doors to the vehicle opened and the Hispanic male driver and front seat passenger fled on foot. Both suspects were chased into a nearby trailer park.

The Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office has jurisdiction over the autopsy of Dale S. Hausner, 40.  Hausner died in state prison custody while he was serving on Arizona’s death row in Florence.

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors today adopted a tentative budget in the amount of $373,723,558 for the upcoming fiscal year of 2013-14.

The document presented to the board by County Manager Fritz A. Behring, reflected budget numbers based on priorities set by the Board of Supervisors in public meetings that began in February.  Key priorities included:

The Pinal County Assessor’s Office will be charging a one-time fee of $10 for filing the Notification of Arizona Residential Rental Property form beginning on July 1, 2013.  Payment may be made by check or cash can be accepted at the Assessor’s Office in Florence during regular business hours.

The owners of residential rental properties within Pinal County are required to file the form with the Assessor’s Office.  The fee and the rental form are both authorized in ARS 33-1902.

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors recently passed a tentative budget for the upcoming fiscal year.  The vote was unanimous for passage of this document.  The tentative budget came out to $373,723,558.

As your district representative to the board, I would like to tell you what is in this tentative budget.  I am pleased to tell all of you that there are two significant road projects coming to our area.  Many of you know that the Hunt Highway expansion is currently underway.  This budget has money set aside for the phase 1 and 2 of this project which is north of Gary Road.  

On Saturday, July 20, from 8:00 AM until noon, I invite all District 2 residents to Rural Metro’s San Tan Valley Fire Department “Fill the Boot” event at the San Tan WalMart located at 1725 West Hunt Highway. This event will raise funds to support the families of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. 

Pinal County employees interested in becoming foster parents attended a “Lunch and Learn” seminar sponsored by the Pinal County Employee Wellness Coalition.

The presentation was given by Chrissy Edwards, a program coordinator for Arizona’s Children Association.

“There are currently 77 Pinal County kids in group homes right now,” Edwards said.  “We want to get them out and into a real home.”

On Monday night, in a 2-4 vote, Florence Town Council failed to approve a conditional use permit for a marijuana dispensary proposed to be located between Pinal County Superior Court, a family oriented restaurant and Behavioral Systems Southwest’s Florence Residential Re-Entry Center (RRC).

Shedding light on the applicant’s proposed location violating town ordinances and the dangers of a marijuana dispensary being located at the proposed site, speakers opposing the location included Sheri George, Chairman of San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition, Dr. Amy Fuller Superintendent of Florence Unified School District, and representatives from the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and Arizona Department of Corrections.

On Sunday, July 7th, 2013 at 2:10 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from an individual at the “Bowlins Travel Center” located at 16543 East Camino Adelante (I-10 and Picacho Peak). The caller reported to dispatchers and later to deputies on scene, a U-Haul box truck had stopped at this location. When the driver and front seat passenger opened the backend of the box truck, several subjects were inside and they appeared to be in medical distress as they were “falling out and staggering” as they attempted to get out.