Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

All campfire and smoking restrictions affecting the Tonto National Forest will be lifted, effective Wednesday, July 1, at 8 a.m.

The fire restrictions, which covered the entire forest, are no longer needed because fire danger has been reduced by increased moisture and humidity from the annual monsoon season. These wetter conditions prompted officials to lift forest fire restrictions.

"Although campfires and smoking will now be allowed throughout the forest, visitors should properly extinguish cigarettes in ashtrays, and ashes in a campfire ring should be cold enough to touch before they are left," said Tonto NF Fire Staff Officer Clay Templin. "Campfires should be put out by drowning with water and stirring with a shovel to ensure the fire is cold."

For more information, visit the Tonto website at www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto or call 602.225.5200.

Both sides are calling a meeting held last Wednesday between Town of Payson and Humane Society of Central Arizona (HSCAZ) officials "positive," but so far there is no resolution to the shelter budget cuts proposed by Police Chief Don Engler.

New Humane Society President Bill Enlund called the 90-minute session a "very good meeting."

"It lasted longer than I thought it would, but that's good," Enlund said. "It means you're exchanging thoughts and there was no animosity or anything. I thought it was very well done."

Engler has proposed cutting the town's allocation to the shelter from $88,000 to $35,000 for the next fiscal year to help make up for a projected budget deficit.

Town officials have been deluged with phone calls and e-mails on the issue, most opposed to the proposed cut.

Engler apparently based his proposal on the number of animals Payson animal control officer Don Tanner personally turned over to the shelter the previous year - 349. But shelter officials say they received 1,094 animals from the town, including strays and other animals turned over by residents. Enlund said the two sides recognize the need to count animals the same way.

"They just listened and they are going to get together with the police department so we both agree on how we count numbers," Enlund said. "We say we have so many animals and they say they have so many, and there's a huge discrepancy in the numbers.

"So what we agreed to do was get together and put together a process or procedure so that we all agree the numbers are the numbers, but that's just a work session in the future."

Payson's ongoing First Friday on Main Street event is a finalist for "Best Practices in Special Events" in the 2009 Arizona Governor's Tourism Awards competition.

The Arizona Office of Tourism sponsors this award each year to honor organizations and individuals that have demonstrated significant commitment to the tourism industry. The awards program, founded in 1993, has continued to recognize outstanding finalists at a special luncheon held during their annual Governor's Conference on Tourism.

This year's awards will be held on Thursday, July 9 in Scottsdale. Winners from seven separate categories will be announced.

The Merchants of Main Street host the First Friday event, which has been held in the historic district of Payson for over two years. Family and friends can celebrate the free summer event, which includes food, music, shopping and art. Approximately 10 Main Street business shops and art galleries are open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A Main Street shuttle provides convenience for pedestrians who want to avoid walking the length of Main Street. They can park in the Community Presbyterian Church parking lot and catch the bus from there.

Last year, First Friday won Best Special Event in the 2008 Main Street Awards competition at the 34th Annual Governor's Rural and Regional Development Conference. The Main Street Awards honor exceptional individuals, projects, and activities in designated Main Street communities.

Minette Richardson, head of the Merchants Guild and owner of Down the Street Art Gallery, has worked closely with the Town of Payson Community Development department to improve the economic welfare for the people of Payson. The Main Street celebrations have been pivotal in stimulating the town's economy, as well as enjoyable for Rim Country residents and out of town visitors.

"The Guild wants to make events free to the public. Last month was a kind of kick-off to the summer season," said Richardson. This Friday, the Fourth of July starts on Main Street.

July 3, 2009
5 - 8 PM Merchants stay open late with music, food & festivities. Bring your family and enjoy the festivities and music by the band Johnny Anonymous.

July 3rd & 4th, 2009
6 PM Pro rodeo Scholarship Fund Dance @ Oxbow Saloon with music by Junction 87. $5 cover charge @ 8 PM. Presented by the Payson Pro Rodeo Committee. Benefit for Scholarship & Breast Cancer Support.

July 4th on Main Street

8 AM - 12PM Farmer's Market Kick-Off @ Community Presbyterian Church

9 AM Payson 4th of July family parade. FREE! For more information call 468-6074

10 - 2 PM Carnival games on Main Street

July 4th at Green Valley Park

8 AM Patriotic Ceremony @ Green Valley Park

1 - 3 PM Kid games & foot races hosted by Habitat for Humanity

4 - 6 PM Music by the band Johnny Anonymous

7 - 9 PM Music by the band Gypsy Juke Rockers

9 PM FIREWORKS starting at dark at Green Valley Park

Starting at 5:30 pm, you will be able to park your car at the Payson High School. A shuttle school bus will pick you up on the north side parking lot (Football Field) and transport you to Green Valley Park. After the show, the buses will return you to your parked car.

With the second of the three major summer tourist weekends approaching, two more communities have joined Mesa del Caballo with water restrictions.

Both Pine and East Verde Park were placed on Stage 2 restrictions by Brooke Utilities on Monday. Meanwhile, Mesa del Caballo improved from Stage 4 to Stage 3 restrictions.

Under Stage 2 restrictions, voluntary conservation measures should be employed by customers to reduce water consumption by 10 percent.

Outside watering on weekends and holidays should be curtailed. Outside vegetation watering may occur during weekday periods on even days of the month for even numbered lots, and odd numbered days of the month for odd numbered lots.

Under Stage 3 restrictions, the following uses of water shall be prohibited:

1. Irrigation of outdoor lawns, trees, shrubs, or any plant life.

2. Washing of any vehicle.

3. The use of water for dust control or any outdoor cleaning uses.

4. The use of drip or misting systems.

5. The filling of any swimming pool, spas, fountains or ornamentals pools.

6. The use of construction water.

7. Any other water intensive activity.

Failure to comply will result in disconnection of water service and enforcement fines.

To reach the Arizona Corporation Commission, which regulates Brooke Utilities, call the Phoenix office toll free at 1-800-222-7000.