The 4:30 News

Last updated at 4:21 p.m. on February 3

Theater plan gets council OK
The concept plan and development agreement for the proposed downtown theater project were approved of the Town Council Thursday evening on 6-1 votes. Councilwoman Cassie Hansen was the dissenting vote, saying she thought the council should take more time with issues surrounding the project. A main concern was objections brought forward by the residents of the Villages at Town Center residential complex. That condominium community is adjacent to the project site and residents raised concerns about parking, traffic, pollution and security at the meeting. The motion on the plan was approved with a stipulation added that the concerns of the residents be addressed. “Too often the perception is that the council gets in the way (of business),” Councilman Tait Elkie said. “We need to move forward. These are issues we can work out.”

TM agreement for Buchanan approved
The Town Council made it official on Thursday night. With a unanimous vote the council approved the employment contract for Ken Buchanan to become the next town manager. An Arizona native, Buchanan has spent his career in the state working in Eloy, Florence, Payson, Casa Grande and most recently Pinal County where he serves as assistant county manager for development services. Buchanan will begin work in Fountain Hills on March 5 at a salary of $135,000 per year.

Candidate forum Tuesday, Feb. 7
Fountain Hills voters will get the chance to pose questions to the candidates for Town Council at a public forum on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The forum, sponsored by the Fountain Hills Cultural and Civic Association will get underway at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Town Hall. The forum will be moderated by Boyce Baldwin and will include candidates Dennis Brown, Dennis Contino, Nick DePorter, Cassie Hansen, Mary Nickum, Nancy Ordowski and Cecil Yates. Councilman Henry Leger and his recall challenger, Dr. Richard Rutkowski will also participate. Mayoral candidate Linda Kavanagh, who is running unopposed, has chosen not to participate to allow more time for the other candidates, according to Baldwin.

ADOG serves spaghetti Friday
A spaghetti dinner to benefit Association of Dog Owners Group (ADOG) is scheduled for 6 p.m., Friday. Feb. 3, in Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, 13001 N. Fountain Hills Blvd. Sheriff Joe Arpaio will be the speaker. Tickets are $8 per person or $15 per couple.

‘Republic’ columnist here Saturday
Popular Arizona writer Clay Thompson will speak and sign copies of his new book, “Occupy Gooberville,” Saturday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. at the Fountain Hills Branch Library. The event, presented by the Fountain Hills Library Association, is free. He will speak first, then sign his new book along with his first two books, “Valley 101: The Big Book of Life” and Clay Thompson’s Valley 101: A Slightly Skewed Guide to Living in Arizona.”

Art in the Park on Saturday
The Fountain Hills Art league presents its monthly Art in the Park Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit local artists for truly special Valentine’s Day gifts or for yourself. Works include paintings in oil, acrylic and watercolor, photography and sculpture. Fine crafts include jewelry in many different mediums and woodworking. Or choose handcrafted handbags and scarves. New this season are two authors selling and signing their books. The monthly art show is held behind the shops of Plaza Fountainside overlooking the park and the world famous Fountain.

Charter School hosts amateur dog show
The Fountain Hills Charter School will be hosting its amateur dog show Saturday morning beginning 11 a.m. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. with participants able to sign their dogs up for categories like best tail wag, cutest, most affectionate and best trick. A total of 10 categories are available with a $10 fee per dog, per category. Prizes will be awarded in each category and everyone is invited out to enjoy the show and dog themed refreshments.

Weekend busy at McDowell Park
McDowell Mountain Regional Park has a busy weekend of activities planned for visitors to the park just north of Fountain Hills.
Team RPM Circuit Road Race, Saturday, Feb. 4, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Race starts in the Palo Verde Picnic Loop. The North Trail will not be accessible to the public until mid-afternoon. Parking is in the Ironwood Picnic Area. USCF sanctioned race on a 1.6 mile loop. Visit www.azcycling.com/o6calflyers/rpm_06_v21.htm for more information.
Desert Birdwalks, Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wagner Trail. No previous birding experience is required. Participants will look for winter sparrows, phainopeplas and signs of the park’s resident owls. Meet at the Wagner Trailhead in the campground.
Reptile and Live Animal Feeding at McDowell, Saturday, Feb. 4, 1 to 2 p.m. Watch as some of the animals eat. Ask questions, meet the park’s huge wolf spider, a diamondback rattler and a giant hairy scorpion. Visitor Center. Xterra Trail Run Series, Sunday, Feb. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This race is the third in a series of desert races. Points are awarded to the top finishers in each age group for long distance events. Visit www.aztrailrace.com for details.


Police calls
The following incidents were reported to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Fountain Hills District 7 substation.

Thursday, Feb. 2:
Report not available.