Click here to submit a question to The Daily Courier editors. They'll do their best to find the answer for you. Answers will be posted by one of the following: Courier Editor Tim Wiederaenders, Managing Editor Karen Despain, City Editor Steve Stockmar or Sports Editor keith Jiron.
Q: * How does one access a previous edition of the Courier?
A: You can easily access past locally-written stories and features by using the search tool on the top, right-hand corner of every page on dCourier.com.
You can also simply click on the large blue section headers on the front page of the site -- Latest News, Sports, Opinions, Features, Obituaries, etc. -- and then browse all the story headlines in date order. This is an easy way to see specific past edition articles. The posting dates show up under each story description. These dates reflect when the story was actually posted on the Web site.
We generally only post locally-written articles on dCourier.com because of some syndicated news archiving restrictions. However, you can also view entire past editions the way they actually printed in the newspaper by visiting our alternate news Web site, DailyCourierPages.com. This alternate site allows you to flip through the pages of the printed edition. You can click on a page image to enlarge it. (Be sure to give it a moment to load.) If you want to view a past edition you can use the dropdown menu at the top that says, "View previous issues."
Q: * I may have missed this in the paper. Why were the traffic cameras at Spouse and Glassford Hill removed?
A: In January we published an article wherein Prescott Valley Police Chief Jim Maxson said the contractor, Redflex Traffic Systems of Tempe, deactivated photo enforcement at the intersection with the completion of the paving project on Glassford Hill Road. He said police and Redflex officials would explore redeploying the cameras to another location, based on factors such as traffic and accidents.
Q: * Why is the City of Prescott Transfer Station discontinuing the glass recycle program?
A: City officials say the suspension of the glass recycling is necessary for a number of reasons. In recent years manufacturers discovered it was cheaper to start from scratch to make new glass products. The city could no longer find a buyer. With virtually no market for glass the city has resorted to a system of crushing the 25 to 35 tons of glass it takes in each month and trying to use the ground-up product somewhere in the city.
Click here to see complete story and video
Q: * When scanning the "comments to articles," many of the comments follow points made earlier. In order to follow the stream easily it is necessary to go to the end of the stream and work my way forward. Is it reasonable to add new comments so that they appear after previous comments, and is this practical to do?
A: The decision to have the newest reader comments appear at the top is based on user habits specific to community news Web sites. People who enjoy reading and posting comments on community news stories will often revisit an article to see if there are new entries. If we reversed the current order readers would be forced to page through all the old comments to finally see if there are any new posts. Over the years as we tested this format on our community news Web sites we found readers had no difficulty following the discussions and preferred seeing the most recent comments at the top. Since the reader comments are displayed with a posting date this also quickly reveals what stories continue to inspire discussion, regardless of how long ago the story was originally published.
Q: * When writing or responding to a letter or article in the Courier, why do I always have to enter your "PASSCODE" two times? It never takes it on the first try. I always get the message I have entered it wrong but that is not the case.
A: We have our programmers looking into the issue you reported involving the need to enter the passcode twice. A few other readers have reported the same behavior. It's tricky to identify the cause because in our tests outside our network it has been difficult to recreate the error. It is likely a combination of things occurring that involve the reader's ISP and their operating system or the browser. We will keep looking into it. If other readers are experiencing this error please click here to let our Web staff know.
Q: * The link you had on your website for "Police and Emergency Scanner" is missing, or I can't find it. Have you removed it?
A: The Police and Emergency Scanner link was removed because the software for the online scanner was no longer compatible with our network.
Q: * How do I pull up the comic (cartoon) page?
A: Because of the nature of the comics we post the entire page on our alternate Web site, www.DailyCourierPages.com. There is a handy link to the site on the front page, right rail of our primary Web site, dCourier.com. Simply enter the site and flip the pages until you get to the comics. Click on a page to enlarge it.
Q: * We need articles on fast pitch softball from 1967 to 1970. Only articles pertaining to Del Stilwell, Patterson Motors Softball Team. How could we find this.?
Thank you
A: You can find old editions of the Courier at Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Library have Courier on microfiche. This link http://news.google.com/archivesearch/advanced_search may also be a source
Q: * Where has the "this day in history" column gone? Is it a temporary absence or is it permanently history?
A: Editor Tim Wiederaenders answered: It's gone for now. In this economy we were looking recently to be more efficient with our staff time and discovered Today In History was taking 24 to 30 hours to produce. We did a test and did not publish it for a week, and got only three complaints. For perspective, in 2005 when we stopped running stocks pages, we got 50-plus calls a day. Thus, for now it is history. I instituted Today In History in 2005 when we did our anniversary book, wanting to share our history with readers and residents, especially new residents. We may bring it back when the time is right. Sorry.
Q: * Why was Glassford Hill road repaved from the Spouse intersection up to 89A?
A: City Editor Steve Stockmar answered: Thanks for the question, Anthony. We asked Norm Davis, PV Public Works Director, who reported that the project you mention was actually one of two projects – a 2-mile federally-funded project from Long Look Road going south to 89A, and a 1.3-mile town project from Long Look going north to Highway 69. Although the project originally started in November 2009, the final paving
took place only recently due to the better, warmer conditions the summer provides for paving work. Federal stimulus money provided a 3-inch overlay that helped with the pavement’s integrity and ability to withstand traffic, Davis said. "It’s going to give us another 10 years,” Davis added.
Q: * Why is part of the sidewalk closed on North Washington Avenue next to Ken Lindley Field and the kids' park?
A: Debbie Horton, parks and recreation director for the City of Prescott, told us the city closed about 200 yards of the sidewalk about a week ago because the wall was leaning precariously. Horton said because it's a historical wall from the 1930s, it needs to be handled correctly. The city is currently looking at ways to salvage the wall and make it safe. "It could be an extensive fix, so we're looking at what our options are," Horton said. The city looked into fixing the wall years ago, and the bids at that time ranged from $100,000 to $300,000. Horton said the wall would remain closed until the city comes up with a solution.
Q: * I am looking for an obituary ... I wondered if there was a way to search online for the obituaries in Prescott?
A: Editor Tim Wiederaenders answered: Yes, we have several ways for you to track down that obituary, depending on the time element. If the person died between 2000 and now, it is likely online at dCourier.com; in the upper right corner of the page is the archive search tool. Enter their name and modify the dates as needed thereafter. If they died prior to 2000 it would be on microfilm at Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott or the state archives in Phoenix. I am not sure how much their staff(s) can help, but key to your success in those places is having a date, month or year to narrow the search. Please let me know if this helps. Thank you. Update: Another option is our archive within the Google search tool. This archives is not complete, but can be handy for some customers.
Q: * How big is the 'P' on Badger P Mountain?
A: Almost as big as a football field, according to longtime Prescott resident Bob Luzius, who stewards the care and maintenance of the prominent white letter "P" visible on the city's southeast side.
According to Luzius, who was first initiated into caring for the "P" as a sophomore at Prescott High School, the "P" first appeared around 1918 by PHS students during spring break. Back then, wild burros roamed the area and were instrumental in carting rocks, lime and water up the steep slope to bring the "P" to life.
The modern maintenance includes about 150 gallons of regular latex paint and loyal volunteers from PHS students to Boy Scouts.
Luzius, who has a view of the "P" from his kitchen window, is hoping to organize a painting party this May. For more information or to donate time and supplies, call Luzius at (928) 717-2551.
Q: * Is there any serious effort by Prescott to establish a meaningful sign ordnance to diminish the cacophony of current signs?
A: A spokesperson for the City of Prescott says the signs issue and other issues are under review by the Uniform Development Code Committee that will make recommendations on the development code to the City Council within the next month.
Then it will be up to the council on whether the city adopts all or part of the code.
Q: * If the changes to the concealed carry law become reality what effect will that have for current permit holders and also how would that effect the reciprocity agreements with other states?
A: The permit system stays in effect, and anyone who has a valid permit will continue to enjoy reciprocity with other states. The training requirements to get a permit will remain the same. One just doesn't have to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon within the State of Arizona.
Q: * The book "Weird Arizona" tells of a "Spaceship" located here in Prescott. It was a road vehicle similar in concept to the Oscar Meyer WeinerMobile in the 1950s. I was told that it was up behind the Coca Cola facility on Route 69 but have been unable to locate it. Can you help?
Q: * With all of the financial problems, that schools are facing, why do the administrators and superintendents still collect a higher salary? It seems to be so unfair to me. Our children's education will suffer greatly because teachers are being cut. I think that taxpayers have the right to know.
A: Editor Tim Wiederaenders answered: This is more of an opinion and debate. Many people say the schools are top-heavy and administrators should take pay cuts. On the other hand, many have. Chino Valley is a great example -- the schools there are seeing cuts at all levels, including the administration (positions and pay). It's something that ultimately is up to each superintendent and their respective school board. Thank you.
Q: * What is "the rock?"
A: Editor Tim Wiederaenders answered this question. Not having more information from you, I can go with only my first thought -- The Rock house that is across the street from Prescott High School on Ruth Street. It is an outreach by American Lutheran Church for the youth; a place for them to gather, play games, etc. If you were wondering about a different 'rock' please let me know. Thank you.
Q: * Not a question but there was also the Blakley Rocket in Arizona during the 50's and 60's. It was operated by the Blakley gas stations around the state. Prescott Little League had the Blakely Rockets baseball team. I was a member of the team back in the 50's.
A: Also interesting to know. Thank you.
Q: * I've read your article about the Luer Rocket. To the best of my knowledge & experience, the rocket was first used by Lew King (Lew King Ranger Show), back in the very early 50's, as a prop for the "Flash Gordon" serial that ran on Mr. King's show. The rocket would be shown with smoke streaming past it, to simulate the atmosphere & to give the illusion of flight & movement. As I recall, it looked kind of phony, even to little kids, because the image of the rocket flying was always the same, as if it had only been filmed that way once & was a rerun every time thereafter. The Lew King Ranger Show was one of the first TV shows in AZ, along with the innovative Wallace & Ladmo Show for kids.
A: Thank you for the information -- very interesting and it brings back memories for us.
Q: * When I first moved here in 2001, there was another turn for the 89A near the Pinion Pines bar. When they built the new 89A later the old road was closed. It was such a beautiful drive into Prescott Valley but it remained closed with fences to keep even hikers out. Why is that road still closed?
A: Editor Tim Wiederaenders answered this question. Because it was the old highway, its purpose now is only for people who live or work back there. In other words, it is now only a local access road and does not go through to where it used to. Thank you.
Q: * I would like to submit my mother's milestone birthday but I am not sure what to submit it under since there isn't a birthday category, just births. Can you please let me know? Thanks, Ginger
(Originally submitted 3/29/2010 6:51:00 PM)
A: Ginger, there is a link under the SUBMIT button on the front of the site labeled "Other milestone submission." Here's a direct link: click here
Q: * What exactly are we able to recycle curbside in Prescott? Are there any specific instructions on how to or what not to? If there are restrictions, can we take things to the transfer station? Do workers have to sort through our recyclables if people do it wrong?
A: City Editor Steve Stockmar answered: Great question. According to the City of Prescott’s website, the city provides blue recycling containers for each household with a green garbage container, and offers many different sizes for recycling – 32, 68, 96 and 300 gallons. All recyclable material must be placed in the container. The materials are collected once a week on the same day regular trash collection is scheduled. Materials that can be recycled include aluminum (cans, pie plates, frozen dinner pans, foil and food containers); metal (steel food cans, metal lids, empty aerosol cans, wire clothes hangers); newspaper, paper, junk mail (self-sealing and window envelopes are OK); magazines (glue-bound and stapled magazines are OK, but no paperback or hardbound books); chipboard (packaging or facial tissue boxes, dry food boxes, such as cereal, cake mixes without liners, shoe and gift boxes; cardboard (flattened, corrugated and clean. The cardboard must be cut to a size no larger than 20" x 30". All cardboard must fit inside the container); plastics (all Number 1 through Number 7 plastics) (the number is on the bottom or side of the container). Remove and throw away all lids. No plastic grocery bags. No styrofoam. Items do not have to be separated, only bagged.
Items that CANNOT be recycled curbside in Prescott include glass (glass can be recycled at the City of Prescott Transfer Station, at 2800 Sundog Ranch Road, just north of Prescott Lakes Parkway, off Highway 89. There are three bins located outside of the Transfer Station gates to accommodate after-hours recycling. Recycle clear, green and brown food and beverage containers only, rinsed out, with caps removed. Labels are OK. No window glass, glassware, tableware, ceramics or light bulbs); paperback or hardbound books; grass, yard and/or food waste; plastic bags; styrofoam; and unrecyclable caps and lids.
If you have questions or comments regarding recycling, contact the city at 777-1116.
Q: * I would like to read older Daily Couriers online, but don't know how to access them. Are they available?
A: Editor Tim Wiederaenders answered this question. You have two ways to view "older" content by The Daily Courier. The first one is dCourier.com, the archive of which goes back to the year 2000. The site has a search function in the upper right corner of the screen. The second is below that -- a tab-button that takes you to pages as we printed them, dailycourierpages.com. It shows a 3-D view of the pages one month at a time; to view other dates, select from the drop-down menu. If you have any problems, feel free to call us. Thank you.
Q: * Tim, I am trying to find out information on the death of a classmate from Prescott High. His name is Randy Hill. Can you give me any information on him? He and I were from the class of 1974. Thank you.
A: Editor Tim Wiederaenders answered this question. This poses quite a challenge. First, if he still is living, you could utilize one of the number of websites online that search for people. Maybe someone will see this Q&A and reply too. If he is no longer with us and still was local, we might have obituary information on him; those would be in our online archives at dCourier.com or in microfilm at Sharlot Hall Museum. Otherwise, finding a long, lost friend can be difficult; I have been searching for a friend from college for about 10 years now without success. Another place you could contact would be the high school; maybe they have an alumni group contact for that year. Please let us know your progress. Thank you.
