If you have some unwanted hazardous waste items around the house, the City of Prescott is giving you an opportunity to get rid of them free of charge. A waste collection event is scheduled to run from 8 to noon at the City’s Transfer Station on Sundog Ranch Road.  Stephanie Miller, Director of Field and Facilities Services explains what type of items will be accepted. Items that won’t be accepted include asbestos, explosives and medications.  Miller says there is always a good response to these events, and if you want to participate, you’ll need to bring proof of Prescott residency. Regular transfer station operations will continue during business hours.  The station is open from 8 to 4 Monday through Saturday. 

Got unused prescription medication?  There will be 6 drop-off locations for these drugs throughout Yavapai County.  MATForce, the County’s Substance Abuse Coalition is hosting a Dump the Drugs event in conjunction with National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  Spokeswoman Jeanne Wellins says it’s important to dispose of unwanted medication. Wellins explains where you can get rid of your medications in Prescott and the Verde Valley.
For more information on this event, go online to matforce.org. 

A Chino Valley man has been arrested after he allegedly shot and killed his roommate.  When police officers arrived at a residence in the 800 block of West Road 1 South just before 6:30 Wednesday night, they found 47 year old James Brooks dead from a gunshot wound.  Police Commander Mark Garcia explains 51 year old Dale Gibson was identified as the suspect. Garcia says the suspect and victim knew each other. Detectives have processed the residence as a crime scene and the investigation has concluded there.

The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors will be having an explosive discussion at 9 Monday morning.  There is an explosives storage facility located near the Town of Mayer and the Board is being asked to approve a use permit so operations can continue.  Board Chairman Tom Thurman says the facility located on 160 acres is safe. Thurman describes the materials that are stored there. The County Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the permit, but with conditions that include limiting the amount of explosives stored to 1 thousand pounds, requiring an amendment to the use permit for any future expansion and prohibiting on-site retail sales.  The Board meeting will be held in the County Administrative Services Building on Fair Street in Prescott. 

Former Congressman, Senator and Prescott Mayor Sam Steiger has died.  The 83 year old Steiger served 2 terms in the State Senate from 1960 to 1964 and he served 5 terms as Representative of Arizona’s 3rd District from 1966 to 1977.  He also ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate and Governor.  In 1999, he ran for Prescott Mayor on a slow growth platform, but he explained during his campaign there were other issues he had concerns about. Steiger stated 1 issue he was at odds with a lot of people on was open space. Steiger only served 1 two year term as Mayor and mostly remained out of the public eye after suffering a stroke 10 years ago.  Two incidents he will probably be best remembered for are his shooting of 2 burros near Paulden in 1975 and painting the crosswalk in the middle of Whiskey Row in 1986. 

A cleanup effort of the Prescott National Forest will be taking place today and.  Volunteer Coordinator Bruce Maurer explains trash and debris will be picked up from 8 to 2 today. From 8 to 2, volunteers will be working on weed removal.  Participants are asked to meet at Forest Service Headquarters on South Cortez Street in Prescott and Maurer says proper attire is required. This cleanup event is being done in conjunction with National Public Lands Day.  The $5 at all forest day use facilities is being waived. 

Prescott Valley will soon have a new recharge facility that will put reclaimed water back into the ground.  As part of its voting session last night, Town Council members approved a more than 873 thousand dollar contract with the Capital Improvements company for construction of 5 basins and distribution pipelines.  This is Phase 1 of a project to capture effluent, or treated sewage, and Water Resources Manager John Munderloh explains why that’s important.
Munderloh adds this project will help with the Prescott Active Management Area’s Safe Yield goal. The facility will be built south of Lakeshore Drive and east of Fain Road.  Capital Projects Manager Kim Moon explains when construction is expected to start. Moon explains why a new recharge facility is needed. The Town receives credit from the Arizona Department of Water Resources for each acre foot of water recharged into the aquifer.  Credits can be recovered from the aquifer and used to meet water demands.