Cottonwood Police need your help in locating an armed robbery suspect.  At around 2 yesterday morning, a suspect entered the Shell Station on South Main Street, brandishing a handgun and demanding money.  He then fired 1 shot into a wall of the business.  Employees gave the man 70 dollars from the register before he fled the scene.  Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.  He is described as a Hispanic or dark skinned white male wearing blue jeans, a blue and white flannel shirt, a blue bandana over his face, dark glasses and a dark colored hoodie.  If you have information on this robbery, you’re asked to call Cottonwood Police at 634-4246 or Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232.   

The Central Yavapai Fire District’s 2013 Budget may be up, but its property taxes are down.  According to Acting Assistant Chief of Administration Toni Golden, the budget reflects a decrease of more than $465,000 in taxes levied to District property owners.  The more than $18,000,000 budget is up 10 percent, due in part to staff and operational costs at the new Fire Station 58 on Robert Road in Prescott Valley and increases to supplies and firefighter equipment.  District officials are also reporting that after 3 consecutive years of freezes, all wages and pay increases are being unfrozen this year.  You can share your comments on the final budget during the District Board meeting, which starts at 2 Monday afternoon at the Fire Training Center on East Valley Road in Prescott Valley. 

The Humboldt Unified School District Board’s Planning Retreat will directly include students and parents for the first time.  The Board holds these retreats annually and they are open to the public.  Board President Howard Moody says parents and students will be participating in discussion groups. The retreat will include discussion on last year’s board goals, student achievement, ways to retain and attract staff and marketing schools.  Moody explains no action will be taken on any of these items. The retreat starts at 9 Monday morning at the Transportation Training Facility on Robert Road in Prescott Valley.

If you’ve purchased I Flora Kids Multi-Probiotic or 4-Kids Powder, you should check to make sure those products aren’t part of a voluntary recall.  David McAtee with Yavapai County Community Health Services explains why there is concern with these products. Use of these dietary supplements distributed between March 16th, 2011 and May 3rd, 2012 should be discontinued immediately.  McAtee adds officials only know of 2 retailers who have sold the recalled products. No salmonella illnesses have been reported in connection with use of these products. 

Many Prescott Valley residents believe the Community Facilities District process is flawed, and they want Town Council to take a further look at it.  Last night Council, acting as the Community Facilities Districts Boards, met to consider budgets for such areas as Stoneridge and Pronghorn Ranch.  Pronghorn Ranch residents voiced their concerns over a property tax rate of 4 dollars and 80 cents per 100 dollars of assessed valuation, up from 3 dollars and 90 cents.  Deiter Krantz says it was good to leave the three hour meeting knowing Council is concerned about the districts as well. The town has 9 districts, and Board member and Councilman Richard Anderson explains the next one will have a hard time getting through. Districts are usually formed by developers and bonds are issued to help pay for certain infrastructure improvements.  Sales taxes are levied to property owners to help repay bonds issued by the CFD boards. 

One of the Yavapai County Constables is leaving, so the Board of Supervisors will decide how that position will be filled.  During its meeting at 9 Monday morning, the Board will consider the resignation of Constable John Watson, effective July 31st.  Chairman Tom Thurman explains what the process to fill that vacancy will involve. Thurman says they have someone in mind to serve until the 2014 general election. The meeting will be held in the Verde Valley complex on South 6th Street in Cottonwood.