Bill’s Daily Newscast Wed. Sept. 12th

There’s been a sad end to a search for a missing Chino Valley woman. Thirty-seven year old Jaime Andrews was last seen driving a green 2007 Honda sedan on September 4th. Five days later, a rancher located that abandoned car in a remote area west of Wickenburg. Her dog was found in good condition along with her purse, some clothing and a water bottle. The search of that area included a helicopter flyover and over 60 search and rescue members. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is reporting the body of Andrews was located just before 2 yesterday afternoon by a search team member. The body has been transported to the County Medical Examiner, who will determine the cause of death.

There are many questions regarding the mysterious death of a Phoenix man in the Town of Congress. In July, Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies were notified that 24 year old Joseph Fitzpatrick was missing. According to his brother, Fitzpatrick left a note stating he was going with a friend to a spiritual retreat in Congress. An anonymous woman later called the family and indicated Fitzpatrick had died and Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a call requesting help in removing a body from a Coleman Drive home in Congress. A man and 3 women told deputies after Fitzpatrick arrived, he became ill and the group asked him if he wanted to go back to Phoenix. He said no and later left a group meeting to use the bathroom. His body was found on the bathroom floor but one in the home had called medical personnel. Those who were interviewed were cooperative, but they didn’t provide their legal names and only referred to themselves as living beings. Criminal Investigations Bureau Detectives are working to determine if the people in the home were involved with Fitzpatrick’s death. The Medical Examiner’s report is still pending.

She has been involved with many community organizations, and now Prescott historian Elisabeth Ruffner will be receiving a special award for her efforts. As part of the Arizona Women’s Education and Employment luncheon, Ruffner will be presented with the Spirit of Volunteerism award. Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce Director and event spokeswoman Marnie Uhl explains this award was established 2 years ago.

Ruffner has helped found such local groups as the Prescott Community Hospital Association, Friends of the Prescott Public Library and the Elks Opera House Foundation. Uhl says in addition to Ruffner, there will be other honorees as well. The Baubles, Bags and Bling fundraising luncheon starts at 11:30 tomorrow morning at the Prescott Resort.

The Prescott Unified School District will be using a teacher and principal evaluation tool, but with 1 part missing. Last night School Board members voted to postpone full implementation of the evaluation tool until the next school year. Assistant Superintendent Joe Howard explains what the full version of the tool includes. Howard says the State Legislature passed House Bill 2823 for the evaluation tool, but realized a lot of school districts weren’t ready to go with it. Last night the Board also adopted the Principal and Teacher Evaluation Systems. These systems will be used in the evaluation of certified teachers and principals while the District waits for the new tool to go into effect.

The Williamson Valley Road Widening Project in Prescott is about to reach a milestone. One lane of traffic will be open in both directions from 7 am to 6 pm tomorrow and Friday as crews will be conducting final paving of the roadway from Sidewinder to Shadow Valley Roads. There will be frequent lane shifts and traffic stops as construction equipment and personnel move through the work zone. In addition, clean-up activity, chain link fence and guardrail installment are ongoing this week. While this work is primarily taking place off the roadway, you should still be aware of rough road conditions, reduced speeds and lane restrictions. This section of roadway will complete the Williamson Valley Road Widening Project from Iron Springs Road to Pioneer Parkway.