Joe Pyritz
Home prices in Pinal County rise 22.5 Percent in First Quarter of 2013
The average sale price for a residential property in Pinal County rose 22.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period last year. While there were only 1,568 homes sold in the first three months of this year versus 2,104 in the first quarter of 2012, the average sale price went from $126,170 one year ago to $154,616 for the most recent three month period ending March 31st. The average square footage remained relatively similar at 1,945 for 2013 and 1,970 in 2012.
Javelina Estates Area to Benefit from Road Improvement Projects
County crews are preparing to apply Asphalt and Rock Dust Palliative (ARDP) to several areas in the Javalina Estates are of the county. Javelina Estates is located south and east of the Town of Florence.
ARDP helps cut down on dust by providing a protective rock and emulsion seal on the road surface. The application of this material is highly weather-dependent with ideal conditions taking place in the spring and fall.
National Work Zone Awareness Week Aims to Educate Drivers
Orange cones, detour signs, lighted message boards, flaggers, work crews and heavy equipment – for some drivers, all of these items can add up to confusion and sometimes fatal accidents.
The Pinal County Public Works Department is observing the 11th annual Work Zone Safety Week, held April 15-19. This year’s theme: “Work Zone Safety: We’re All In This Together.”Shortage of TB Skin Test Solution Forces Halt to Routine Testing
A national shortage of Tubersol solution, the solution used to test for the tuberculosis (TB) infection, is forcing a temporary change in procedures for Pinal County’s Public Health program. Effective Friday, April 20, the county will only administer the test to those who are suspected of having TB or people who are suspected of being in contact with a person having TB who needs to be screened for possible treatment.
Some occupations, school admissions or in-home childcare arrangements require screening for TB. This is considered ‘routine screening’ and, due to the shortage of Tubersol, the county must suspend routine testing until the solution is more widely available.
Supervisor Todd House Featured Presenter at March 30 Open Space Forum
Pinal County Earns State’s Only A+ for Transparency in Government
Pinal County is the first and only Arizona county to earn an A+ for transparency in government. Sunshine Review is a non-profit organization formed to push for transparency in government and recognize the most transparent government websites in America. This is the fifth year that Pinal County has received a Sunny Award and the first year it earned an A+.
Sunshine Review rates more than 7,000 city, county and school district websites in all 50 states, giving each a grade for transparency.Chairman Miller Invited to Testify Before House Committee
Pinal County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Miller has been invited to the United States House of Representatives to testify in support of a land exchange bill being debated in Congress.
The House Energy and Minerals Subcommittee will hold an oversight hearing on “America’s Mineral Resources: Creating Mining and Manufacturing Jobs and Securing America” on Thursday, March 21 in Washington, D.C.
Union Pacific Work will Close a Section of Hunt Highway
The Union Pacific Railroad will be performing repairs on their crossing located on Hunt Highway between Arizona Farms Road and Merrill Ranch Parkway. The repairs will force a temporary closure of Hunt Highway from Wednesday, March 20, beginning at 6:00 AM until Thursday, March 21, ending at 6:00 PM.
There will be a detour route for drivers who use Hunt Highway and a special route for those living in Magic Ranch.
Supervisors Unanimously Approve Resolution in Support of Resolution Copper
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to support a resolution to urge the United States House and Senate to recognize the Resolution Copper Company for its efforts to build a copper mine near Superior.
Next week, the House Energy and Minerals Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on seven mining bills. One of the seven bills includes H.R. 687 entitled “Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013” sponsored by Representatives Paul Gosar and Ann Kirkpatrick.
County Recorder: Elections Office will Move
Pinal County Recorder Virginia Ross announced on Friday that election services for the public, and for candidates, will be moved to the Recorder’s Voter Registration Office at 31 North Pinal Street, Building E.
The Pinal County Elections Office located on 383 North Main Street will be closed to the public beginning Monday March 18th and the space will be converted into a secure elections warehouse and ballot processing center.
