A Prescott man had made himself at home at an East Gurley Street motel; the problem is that business is no longer open. According to a police report, last week officers were patrolling East Gurley when they found 35 year old Arthur Esparza camping at the former American Motel and Suites. Esparza was lying on a sleeping bag on the floor of the upstairs suite and he appeared to be intoxicated. Police located food, supplies and general household items set up as if he was using the suite as an apartment. Esparza told police he had been staying there for about 3 weeks and that he knew he wasn't supposed to be there. He was issued a citation for camping on private property and was told to pack up his belongings and leave. It was later discovered Esparza had been issued a warning at that same location in 2006.

Work is underway on a project that will increase water supply to meet demands in Prescott. This project involves replacement of the existing 200 thousand gallon storage reservoir on Skyline Drive. A new 1.25 million gallon reservoir tank is being constructed that will last over 100 years. There will be installation of the new partially buried concrete reservoir and a new water line. Contractor CLM Earthmovers will also construct a new pump station near the intersection of Gurley and Josephine Streets and a new water main on Gurley, Thumb Butte Road and Country Club Circle. Work hours are 7 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday and this project is expected to be done next fall.

Country and western and bluegrass classics will get your toes tapping at the Elks Opera House at 7 tomorrow night. The Prescott Opry will feature the Potato Patch String Band, plus songs by Lloyd Self and Doc Rosinski. Guitarist Jim West will also perform country swing music and Shari lane will sing some swing standards. Gospel music will be offered by Brush Arbor Revival. During yesterday's Q&A with Sandy Moss on KQNA 1130 AM and 99.9 FM, Potato Patch String Band member Ellen Tyler explained how the band got its name. Lewis Maykill says he starting playing publicly before he started singing lead and plying guitar with the band. The Prescott Opry show runs every month. For ticket information, call 777-1370, go online to elksoperahouse.com or stop by the box office on East Gurley Street.

Approval of a letter of support for a regional transit program will be considered by the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Board. This proposal involves an expansion of Chino Valley Transit into Prescott and Prescott Valley. Liz Toone, Executive Director of New Horizons Independent Living Center explains her organization alone has supplied many rides. Chris Bridges describes what role the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization will play in this process. Bridges, who serves as Organization Administrator, will be making the presentation on the transit proposal to the Executive Board along with Toone and Chino Valley Transit Advisory Committee Chairman Ron Romley. The funding application with letters of support is due to ADOT by December 7th. The Board meeting starts at 6 tonight in the County Administrative Services Building on Fair Street in Prescott.

The Prescott General Plan Committee is finishing up discussion on 1 element while starting talks on another. In previous discussions on Economic Development, Committee members suggested some changes. They include strategies for businesses and wording regarding safety in the downtown area. The Committee has also asked for more discussion on community improvement and recreational tourism. Following conclusion on this item, members will talk about the Community Quality Element. This includes goals and strategies for cultural assets, the library, healthcare and historic preservation. The Committee meeting starts at 4 this afternoon in the Downstairs Conference Room at City Hall on South Cortez Street.