What I am about to say will either be seen as a moderate approach to a difficult problem or as a sellout heretic to a fundamental truth. So, buckle up.

Rarely do I interject myself into politics, especially here. But there is a problem that is overlapping between politics and religion that both people of faith and people opposed need some clarity and perhaps compromise.

It is not our borders, inflation, or geopolitical wars. It is not who defines gender or whether a person can be a “furry” (look it up—crazy).

In short, it is the issue regarding a woman’s right to have a pharmaceutical or surgical abortion after becoming pregnant.

Here, it is important to discern between a religious understanding and a political one. Otherwise, this singular issue will further assist us in sociopolitical isolation from one another. And, because we therefore become single issue voters, we may throw the baby out with the bathwater (I know, a terrible idiom).

For purposes of definition, devout Christians hold that abortion for any other reason except the life of the mother is immoral according to biblical precepts. Those holding to nearly unrestrained rights regarding reproductive autonomy hold that a woman possesses sovereign control of her body at any point in the pregnancy including the outcome of the unborn child or fetus as they prefer.

These profoundly divergent views are implacable—at least so far.

For people of a religious bent and people concerned with individual autonomy, we need to perhaps discern what can be “gained” by both sides if we are reasonable. If we choose not to work together, we will deepen our house divided.

Like it or not, our nation is a republic not a theocracy. We have already agreed that the will of the people is the guiding force for our way of living. People decide, not God.

To be sure, many of founders were deeply religious and based their ideas about humanity in the light of God’s i.e., “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

Whether we chose to base our morals upon God’s or upon a different ideology, most agree that our founders wrestled with the concern of overlapping politics and religion.

Having said this, is there a compromise that both sides of the issue can agree, even while holding their noses?

For those in the biblical/religious camp, it is time to take what we can get. In an increasingly secular society, the idea that restrictive abortion rights will prevail in the long run is misplaced. Far too many will never cede their rights altogether in this area. We will never be able to legislate morality.

For those in the camp of unfettered reproductive rights, you will probably win the day, but lose the war. If single issues such as abortion rights cloud your judgement in other areas politic, you may rue the day of your religious zeal.

Learn from us… we who hold steadfastly to the sanctity of life, have lost the greater battle of the minds and hearts of the people.

Soon, you may, too.

Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ.

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PHOENIX – The state’s goal of expanding broadband internet access in rural areas is taking a big step forward with a public-private partnership. The agreement with eX2 Technology is to operate, maintain and lease space in fiber-optic conduit installed along Interstate 17 and Interstate 19, and being installed later this year along much of Interstate 40.

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Commerce Authority, entered into the agreement recently with eX2 Technology, an Omaha, Nebraska, firm with extensive experience working with state and local governments to manage what is often referred to as middle-mile fiber-optic infrastructure. 

This partnership represents the next step in leveraging state-owned, open-access conduit installed by ADOT to expand broadband internet access to homes and businesses in rural Arizona. It complements a state law that allows private broadband providers to install, operate, and maintain telecommunications equipment within ADOT’s right of way using conduit installed along state highways.

“This investment of a robust statewide middle-mile program will connect Arizonans in rural and tribal lands to quality broadband, providing families access to good jobs, quality health care and education, and positioning Arizona to continue its dynamic growth for years,” Governor Katie Hobbs said. 

In addition to the benefits to rural broadband connectivity, ADOT plans to use the fiber-optic conduit to provide intelligent transportation systems technology, such as overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations and wrong-way driving detection. The infrastructure also will help lay the groundwork for emerging technologies like connected and automated vehicles.

“We appreciate the support and collaboration from the Governor’s Office and our colleagues at the Arizona Commerce Authority and are excited to be a part of this transformative project,” said ADOT Director Jennifer Toth. “We continue to safely connect people and empower our state’s economy.” 

The initial scope for this 25-year agreement includes fiber-optic conduit along I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, I-19 from Tucson to Nogales, and conduit to be installed on Interstate 40 from Flagstaff to California. It will be available for lease by internet service providers looking to expand broadband internet access, something that’s expected to start happening in the coming months.

The new fiber-optic conduit will also advance historic broadband expansion efforts in underserved and unserved areas of the state, including more than $1 billion in funding to implement the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and Digital Equity Program established through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Representing the largest broadband investments in state history, the programs are overseen by the State Broadband Office, which is housed within the Arizona Commerce Authority, with a goal of  achieving universal broadband access for all Arizonans.

“This agreement represents a significant step forward in our efforts to bring high-speed broadband to all Arizonans,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “The enhanced connectivity along I-17 and I-19 opens new opportunities for rural communities and will catalyze additional public and private sector investments across the state. We’re grateful for Governor Hobbs’ leadership on broadband and our important partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation.”

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With more people getting outdoors to take advantage of the state’s warm, spring weather, it’s important to keep in mind that 13 species of rattlesnakes also call Arizona home.

Depending on location, the species that are encountered most often are the Western diamondback, sidewinder, Mojave, and black-tailed rattlesnakes.  

“Arizona has more rattlesnake species than any other state, and we can all celebrate that amazing biodiversity,” said Thomas Jones, amphibians and reptiles program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

In warm desert areas, rattlesnakes are most active from March through October. During the spring, it’s not uncommon for rattlesnakes to be out during daylight hours. As the days become increasingly hot, though, usually around early May, rattlesnakes tend to move around more at night.

April is typically an active month for rattlesnakes, as they are coming out of hibernation.

“We want people to know that there is a higher than average chance that they might encounter a rattlesnake when they are out recreating,” Jones said. 

Watch your step at home

Rattlesnakes can easily blend in with their surroundings, so a person should always be mindful where they are placing their feet and hands. Carry a flashlight at night, especially on warmer nights when rattlesnakes can be most active.

Stay on the trail

Encounters with rattlesnakes and other venomous reptiles can take place anywhere, but they are more likely to occur when a person leaves a marked trail or wanders away from a heavily traveled area. Always stay on marked trails and be aware of your surroundings. 

When encountering a rattlesnake, remember that the reptile is more concerned with being left alone. Back away from the rattlesnake, give it a wide berth, and continue on your way. An agitated rattlesnake will often hold its ground but will not give chase. 

“Although accidents certainly happen, rattlesnakes are typically not dangerous unless provoked,” Jones said.  

If a rattlesnake bite occurs:

* Remain calm and reassure the victim.

* Call 911 and seek medical attention without delay.

* Remove all jewelry, watches, etc. from the affected area.

* Immobilize the extremity and keep at level below the heart.

* Decrease total body activity as is feasible.

What NOT to do if a rattlesnake bite occurs:

* Do NOT apply ice to the bite area.

* Do NOT use an incision of any kind.

* Do NOT use a constriction band or tourniquet.

* Do NOT administer alcohol or drugs.

* Do NOT use electric shock treatment.

Leaving a rattlesnake alone can significantly reduce the risk of being bitten. In fact, more than half of all rattlesnake bites are provoked by the person who was bitten.  

For additional information and resources about rattlesnake bites, contact the Arizona Poison Drug and Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. 

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KINGMAN – The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) will hold an information session and public workshop for Hualapai Valley Irrigation Non-Expansion Area (HVINA) on May 7. The meeting will be held May 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. in person at Mohave Community College – Neal Campus Building 200 Room 240, 1971 Jagerson Ave.

as follows at Mohave Community College Neal Campus, with some portions held in a hybrid manner as indicated below: 

This meeting will be to further discuss the framework for the Hualapai Valley Irrigation Non-Expansion Area. ADWR staff will be available to answer any questions regarding applications for Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas. ADWR staff will have paper copies available as well. 

The webinar can be accessed remotely at https://azwater.webex.com/azwater/j.php?MTID=m85702781749226c0eb3727b7f44f5dd2, Passcode:ADWRP! Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll, Access code: 2530 901 0036

More information is available online at the Hualapai Valley INA Webpage at https://www.azwater.gov/ama/ina/hualapai-ina and the Public Meetings calendar at https://www.azwater.gov/public-meetings.  

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Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft and Bullhead City Mayor Steve D’Amico are pleased to announce the grand opening date for the long-awaited second bridge connecting Laughlin to Bullhead City, Ariz. They invited their respective communities to save the date of Friday, June 7 for a celebration. Full details will be released once finalized in May.

“This second bridge spanning the Colorado River has been decades in the making,” said Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, whose district includes Laughlin. “Its completion will facilitate the flow of traffic and commerce across the river, and I’m looking forward to celebrating this historic milestone with our residents.”

“We are thrilled to announce June 7 as the day to celebrate the opening of the new bridge for our communities,” said Mayor D’Amico. “We look forward to a great celebration and years of improved transportation between Laughlin and Bullhead City. Please save the date and plan on attending the celebration on June 7.”

The 724-foot-long bridge rests 35 feet above the river and carries one lane of traffic in each direction along with a multi-use trail on the south side for bicyclists, runners and pedestrians. There are two overlooks on the bridge for users of the multi-use trail. If needed, the bridge can be restriped to accommodate four lanes of traffic and the multi-use trail.

A 3.5-mile road was constructed on the Nevada side that connects with Needles Highway just north of the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation. On the Arizona side, Bullhead Parkway was extended by half a mile to the bridge and was completed in October 2020. More than 1,400 bushes were planted along the bridge roadways.

The project also features a 2.5-acre nature center pond on the Arizona side for waterfowl that can use it as refuge from the river’s boats and personal watercraft.

The bridge has been sought for decades as a means to facilitate cross-river traffic, facilitate the flow of commerce and improve access for emergency vehicles.

The bridge structure consists of precast concrete girders on drilled shaft foundations. It is located 8 miles south of Laughlin’s only other bridge, which opened in 1987 and was paid for by Laughlin founder Don Laughlin. There is a third, privately maintained bridge 6 miles south of the new structure that connects Fort Mohave, Ariz., via Aztec Road with the land at the Avi Resort & Casino on the Nevada side. It is called Veterans Bridge.

Federal funding for this new bridge was first committed in the 1990s and construction began on the $60.6 million project in November 2021. Funding was provided by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, $34.1 million; the federal government, $20.9 million; Bullhead City, $4.5 million; and Clark County, $1 million.

The project is being delivered through Clark County Public Works with cooperation through U. S. Federal Highway Administration, the Nevada Department of Transportation, Bullhead City, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Nevada Division of State Lands, Arizona State Land Department, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Fisher Sand and Gravel, of Tempe, Ariz., is the primary contractor. Construction oversight was provided by WSP, 4LEAF Consulting, Aztech Materials Testing, Newfields Environmental, Ninyo & Moore, and VTN.

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KINGMAN – An arrest is reported after a Kingman woman alleged her ex-husband deliberately struck the bike she was riding Saturday afternoon, April 20. Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies responded to the victim’s residence after being notified a vehicular assault had occurred in the area of Northfield Ave. and Tommie Dr.

“She advised that she had been struck by a vehicle,” said MCSO Public Information Officer Anita Mortensen. “The victim alleged that while riding her bike she heard a vehicle accelerating and saw a white SUV driven by her ex-husband.”

The woman reportedly claimed the vehicle clipped the rear wheel of her bicycle, sending her flying over the handlebars and onto the ground.

Mortensen said deputies observed injuries consistent with her account. She said a look at the collision scene and the vehicle provided additional corroborating evidence.

Mortensen said the subject in question, Michael Gadjoyan, 36, Kingman, provided inconsistent stories when interviewed about his involvement. She said he was arrested and booked into the Adult Detention Center for aggravated assault and endangerment.

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BULLHEAD CITY – Get ready for a day of golf, community spirit and support for the Mohave Community College Bighorns men’s and women’s soccer teams!

The Bighorns Athletics Booster Club is proud to host the Bighorn Scramble Calcutta/Golf Tournament at Laughlin Ranch Golf Club in Bullhead City. It brings together all levels of amateur golf enthusiasts and community members to raise funds in support of the first-ever college athletic teams in northwestern Arizona.

The event kicks off with the Bighorn Scramble Calcutta on May 3rd at 5:30 PM at the Anderson Auto Group Fieldhouse in Bullhead City, located at 3663 Bullhead Pkwy. The golf tournament takes place the next day, May 4th, at Laughlin Ranch Golf Club, 1360 William Hardy Dr, with a shotgun start at 7:30 AM.

Gary Reynolds, Bighorn Athletics Booster Club Member and golf tournament organizer, expressed his excitement about the event. “We are thrilled to host the Bighorn Scramble and invite everyone to join us for a fun-filled weekend of golf and camaraderie,” said Reynolds. “Your support will make a meaningful impact on our Bighorns soccer teams and our community.”

The cost to participate is $125 per player, which includes range balls, hole-in-one prizes, cash prizes, and lunch.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available, with tee sponsor signs for $100 and Corner Kick Sponsorships for $500, which include a tee sponsor sign, logo/name on the corner kick banner, and 4 tickets to the Calcutta/Registration Party.

To register as a player or sponsor, and for more information about the event, please visit www.BighornScramble.com. For questions about the tournament, please contact Gary Reynolds at (928) 716-8182.

Current event sponsors include Los Matadores, Fairway Village Estates, Baron Services, Desert Palms Medical Associates Inc., TWN Communications, Callaway Financial Group, Laughlin Ranch Golf Club.

Don’t miss this chance to have fun, support local athletics, and be a part of history as we cheer on the MCC Bighorns in their inaugural season. Join us at the Bighorn Scramble and help make a difference!

The post MCC Booster Club’s 3rd annual Bighorn Scramble Calcutta and Golf Tournament to Support Bighorns Athletics is Coming to Laughlin Ranch first appeared on The Standard Newspaper Online.

MOHAVE COUNTY – More than 800 vehicles carrying thousands of friends will be joining the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona on May 3, 4, and 5 for a weekend of adventure! Historic Route 66 Fun Run participants from across the globe will meet in Seligman to travel a 140-mile stretch of Route 66 with events planned in nearly every community along the way. The procession will conclude in Topock/Golden Shores with an awesome award ceremony to cap off the weekend. Saturday is the big event in downtown Kingman, with over 800 classic cars on display on Route 66 and Beale St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please visit www.66funrun.com for full event schedule.

The post 35th Annual Route 66 Fun Run first appeared on The Standard Newspaper Online.

KINGMAN – The 46th Annual Kingman Festival of the Arts will be held at Metcalfe and Locomotive Parks on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Local artisans will display their creations including paintings, ceramics, photography and jewelry. This year there will be  a Marketplace where you can shop for fun and exciting merchandise, gifts and decor. Also featuring food, beer, mimosas, and live music and entertainment provided by Leonard Interior, Casey Frank, AZ Blue Raz, KP Studio, AZ Blue Rayz, GoodHeart and BAHIRA/Hot Hips Belly Dancers. The festival is presented by Kingman Route 66 Rotary Club Foundation, with net proceeds going towards Rotary local and international service projects. For further information contact Tina Greenwood at 801-979-7123 or email her at rt66rotaryforms@gmail.com.

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PHOENIX, AZ – Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee announced the appointment of Mohave County Treasurer SueAnn Mello to the State Board of Investment. Treasurer SueAnn Mello has devoted her career to public service in her community. Prior to her election in 2023 as Mohave County Treasurer, SueAnn served as a staff member at the Mohave County Treasurer’s Office for over 16 years.

“I am proud to appoint Mohave County Treasurer SueAnn Mello to the Arizona Board of Investment. Treasurer Mello has shown an exemplary commitment to public service and her experience managing local public funds will bring an important voice to the Board,” said Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “Treasurer Mello understands the importance of rural Arizona needs and the responsible stewardship of Arizona taxpayer dollars.”

The State Board of Investment reviews all investment activities of the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office and board members serve as trustees for the Permanent Land Endowment Trust Fund. The Board of Investment is also responsible for the approval of the Treasury investment policy and provides oversight of the AZ529 Education Savings Plan. Treasurer SueAnn Mello will be replacing former Pima County Treasurer Beth Ford, who recently retired after honorably serving on the Board of Investment for 15 years.

“I am grateful to Treasurer Yee for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve on the Arizona State Board of Investment,” said Treasurer SueAnn Mello. “It is an honor to serve Arizona in this capacity and I look forward to contributing to the important decisions in advancing investment growth and prosperity to our state.”

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