G. S. - Sheriff's deputies arrested Kimberly August Romero, 26, of Golden Shores, Tuesday 12/21 for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia (felonies), open container and furnishing liquor to a minor (misdemeanors). About 10:47 p.m., deputies observed a white 1992 Truck parked by the Memorial Park at Shores and Old Route 66. Deputies found Romero sitting in the driver's seat with an open beer. They also found a 15-year-old male in the front passenger seat. Deputies took Romero into custody. A search revealed a plastic bag of marijuana and a pipe. In conversations with the minor, he said that they were in the park drinking beer. Romero was transported and booked into the Mohave County Jail. The minor was released to his parents.

Bullhead City - Several complaints have been filed with Bullhead City police lately about one or more people using BB guns to shoot out windows around town. The spree began a week or two ago and the problem is getting worse, with several complaints being filed in one day. The case has been hard due to lack of physical evidence at the scene. Anyone with information about the vandals is asked to contact Bullhead City police. KTOX radio reported on 12/22 that Santa was the latest victim of the BB spree.

G. S. - It was standing room only as Topock Elementary School presented a Christmas Program 12/15. Each class performed Christmas songs with Samantha Nutting performing a dance solo to "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and solos by Heidi Berryman, Brittnie Porter, Valerie Doiron, and Sahara Adams. Tess Berryman closed the program with "O Holy Night." Many old favorites were on the program. The fourth grade sang a rousing "I'm Getting' Nuttin' For Christmas."
The Christmas program was the first event using the new sound system. The Student Council presented a bouquet to teacher Wendy Berryman for producing the musical evening and getting the new sound system here in time for Christmas.
The community and individuals made it possible. The $4,625 cost of the system was met in four weeks. Berryman said, "I am so happy. Words cannot express the appreciation and joy that I feel."

Mohave County - Monday's gun battle in Kingman was Mohave County's third fatal officer-involved shooting this year. Officers in the tri state area also experienced many other violent encounters with citizens and suspects during 2004. The trend is disturbing. Sheriff Tom Sheahan said he's alarmed but not surprised.
The Sheriff said that growth brings opportunities, new businesses, and new people, but not every newcomer is a law abiding citizen, so we are going to have additional problems.
Officers walk fine line in being alert and cautious and yet not being obtrusive or aggressive. Kingman policeman Mark Chastain, the survivor of the most recent local officer-involved fatality, said his unpleasant ordeal also serves as a learning experience. He said it was training that saved his life.
Sheriff Sheahan said officers have pepper spray and other non-lethal tools. But when push comes to shove, a service revolver is an officer's best weapon of defense. More training and preparedness is always going to be necessary.

Mohave County - The Mohave County Board of Supervisors approved a general plan amendment Monday that clearing the way for a Las Vegas developer to begin a new housing development in the White Hills area. Interests of many developers to Northern Mohave County shows that the new Hoover Dam By-pass Bridge may make Mohave County a residential area for Las Vegas commuters. According to supervisor Buster Johnson there will be 35-thousand homes up in the White Hills area. They plan to open it when the Hoover Dam Bridge is open. The new bridge is scheduled to be open in 2008.

Bullhead City - A Bullhead City Police officer came upon a reportedly delusional mother and two children on Saturday evening. The woman, Ashley Rybeck, was said to be dragging one of the children down the street by the arm and neither child was dressed for the weather. She said that someone at the hospital had named her child Baby Girl Rybeck and she needed to get that fixed.
Police say Rybeck was making no sense so the officer transported all three to Western Arizona Medical Center where the children were found to be ok. Rybeck's father-in-law took possession of the children and Rybeck was cited for two counts of child neglect and released. A case has been opened with Child Protective Services.

Lake Havasu City - The 19 buses that serve Lake Havasu City and surrounding areas are getting new security cameras due to a grant from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
City transit director Ted Swendra said the cameras are being installed to provide additional security for both drivers and riders. He said bus ridership has doubled in five years and problems have increased. He reported incidents where drivers were confronted, threatened, and harassed by passengers. Swendra said the cameras should be in by mid January with no service interruptions.

G. S. - While many were watching the movie Polar Express, Topock Elementary took it one step further. On Thursday, 12/16, Kindergarten through third grades and the fifth graders headed to Williams to ride the Polar Express! The weather was crisp, and the kids were bundled up. The snow excited everyone. The students boarded at 6:30. Everyone wanted a picture, because the train had Christmas lights on it. On the side of the train were the words Polar Express. The kids enjoyed cookies, hot cocoa, and Christmas caroling. After the singing, the book Polar Express was read and brought around so everyone could see the pictures. Then the Polar Express guides announced our arrival at the North Pole. When we looked out our windows Santa was standing on his sleigh waving.
The North Pole was filled with lights and students were impressed by Santa's Workshop. Santa said hello and his assistant gave bells to every child. The children sang all the way back to the train station shaking their bells.
On the way home, everybody stopped at Pizza Hut, courtesy of the VFW Men's Auxiliary, Post 6306.
Thank you to all the teachers that made this incredible trip possible: Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Pastorius, Mr. Anderson, Mr.Taylor, and Mrs. Anderson.
Submitted By: Nicole Boveri

G.S. - On Saturday 12/11 a complaint was filed by Mike Exsted and his neighbor Paul Maxwell. The two men were assaulted by a Kim Romero of Golden Shores. According to Exsted, Romero is wanted for assault, driving on suspension, and reckless driving. Romero has been arrested two other times for assault on other Topock residents, according to the deputy who responded to Exsted's home. Romero is considered dangerous as she is combative with authorities and does carry a weapon (knives), according to Exsted.
UPDATE:
Romero has been arrested: see number one article in this paper.

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? - OPINIONS are not necessarily the opinion of the Golden Shores eXtra or it's staff. If you have an opinion you would like to put in this publication, please email gsnews@goldenshores.net.

Submitted by: 3KUHNS via email.
On Thursday, 12/16, students went to Williams to ride the Christmas. This trip was open to all students with the cost covered by the Tax Credit given to the school. However, my son, a third grader was denied because they said his behavior was inappropriate. With the taxpayers funding this trip I feel every child should be able to go. Why disappoint a young child because a medical problem causes him or her to act up sometimes?

Submitted by: Mike Exsted

Photo - Buster Johnson sworn in for another term

Lake Havasu City - Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson was sworn in for his second term Wednesday. Johnson took his oath in a room full of family, friends and supporters. Johnson said that you measure your success by the enemies you've made and, but the enemies are not the ones that re-elect and support you.
He said his first project is a long hard look look at the tax rollbacks.
Tom Sockwell and Pete Byers are scheduled to be sworn in after the first of the year.

Desert Hills - Lake Havasu's Billy Nunno, JR. is back in jail. Immediately after securing a court ruling that would have allowed him to remain free on bond.
Why? It seems he stole a vehicle to make his court appearance! Nunno has admitted to being involved in the drug trade in Mohave County and was arrested in October for leading law enforcement on a high speed chase through the desert around Lake Havasu in another stolen vehicle, after making threats and discharging a firearm in the city.
Nunno raised a $10-thousand dollar bond recently to get out of jail. A bond prosecutor tried unsuccessfully to revoke it Thursday. The new charge comes from a report of a stolen vehicle in Desert Hills. The vehicle and Nunno were found together at the courthouse in Kingman. Seven officers took Nunno back into custody after the hearing on the new theft charge.

Kingman - Merchandise can be returned at most stores with a receipt. Kingman Police arrested Rene Raphael Cuadra, age 26 of Kingman, Wednesday at Home Depot on a felony charge of fraudulent schemes. Apparently he found a receipt in the parking lot, went to the store shelf and then to the refund counter. The store suspected Cuadra had done this before and were watching. Cuadra was booked into Mohave County Jail on the felony charge as well as a misdemeanor warrant for a charge of shoplifting.

Kingman - What started as a misdemeanor warrant call ended with an arrest for two felony charges.
Officers went to arrest Danny Scott Divincenzo, age 26 of Kingman, for the warrant but
when he was told he was under arrest he pulled away from the officer and ran. When officers caught Divincenzo they added a charge of felony escape and he was booked into Mohave County Jail. While in jail, Divincenzo received an additional charge of stalking, for allegedly harassing his estranged wife and children over a period of two weeks.

Lake Havasu City - A line of cars seemed to be stretching endlessly down Mesquite Ave in Lake Havasu City this weekend, waiting to see the Havasu Bible Fellowship Live Drive-Thru Nativity. This is the third year for the volunteer event, according to organizer Carol McDougal.
With a cast of about fifty, people working costumes, people for setup, people picking up trees, the total is close to a hundred. This is McDougal's thirteenth year putting on a live Nativity, the first ten in Chino Hills, CA.

Bullhead City - Separate investigations helped authorities understand how an elderly Bullhead City man died in a 12/14 fire in the 1400 block of Rio Vista Drive. An autopsy has determined that Wesley Munson, 71, died of a heart attack. Another investigation determined that a lit, probably dropped, cigarette sparked the fire. The medical examiner determined that Munson died before the fire and smoke caused him any harm. It's suspected that Munson dropped his cigarette when having his heart attack.
BHCFD said the fire started in the living room where Munson was seated in a chair. Fire damage was minimal, but heat and smoke caused about $80,000 total estimated damage.

Bullhead City - An uncooperative victim and lack of witnesses hamper Bullhead City Police investigating a drive by shooting Saturday. The victim, Bernabe Penaloza, age 24 of Bullhead City, was hit once in the back while returning to his vehicle on Hwy 95. The vehicle complete with bullet holes is being processed at the station. Penaloza was flown to UMC in Las Vegas with non-life threatening injuries and was refusing to cooperate in the investigation.

Kingman - Steven Andrew Marquez, age 19, was allegedly abusing his girlfriend when her mother got involved. Police say she tried to pull the boyfriend off of her daughter and he focused his attention on the mom, making threats with a kitchen knife. The mother fled the house and Marquez pursued her, hitting her repeatedly with a 2X4. The mother's injuries did not require medical attention. Marquez was booked into Mohave County Jail on charges including aggravated assault.

Kingman - The Maricopa County ME has released the autopsy results of a man who died in Mohave County Sheriff's custody last month. Dr. Phillip Keen stated in his report the cause of death for Patrick Edward Bacon was accidental resulting from excited delirium consistent with stimulant drug use. He reported no evidences of significant or life threatening trauma to the body.
Bacon had reportedly resisted arrest and deputies used pepper spray and leg cuffs to restrain him.

Bullhead City - Police are seeking help in a burglary of a newly constructed home in the Desert Foothills area of the city. While the actual value of stolen property is still unknown, the burglars apparently got away with at least $10-thousand in jewelry, eight long-guns, a coin collection and three satellite receivers.
Police are investigating construction crews and sub-contractors that helped build the house. With no signs of forced entry, Police believe a key may have been used. Keys are often given to contractors and sub-contractors while work is being done on a home.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Bullhead police or Silent Witness. A reward is being offered.

Laughlin - The Colorado Belle Hotel Casino in Laughlin fell around 50 carolers short of the mark needed to break the Guinness World Record for largest group of carolers. However, one goal was accomplished. They beat New York City. According to Colorado Belle General Manager Curtis Jacks, the record was not the only reason to hold the event. They raised a lot of money for, and awareness of, Ronald McDonald House. The Belle donated money for every caroler participating.

When looking at some of the challenges that face Arizona, I have one answer: Jobs.
That’s really what it boils down to at the end of the day: better-trained people who are better able to raise their families and contribute to society because they are in better-paying jobs. The most important investment Arizona can make today is an investment in our human capital. It is impossible to support a strong Arizona economy and private sector without ensuring that our workers have the skills and education they need to succeed.
I am dedicated to enhancing Arizona’s economy in every possible way. In the upcoming session, I will ask the legislature to support research and development tax credits that encourage businesses to build new and creative technologies here. These innovations will stimulate our economy by attracting more businesses and high-paying jobs. Together, we can improve the quality of life for all Arizonans.

Please don't hesitate to contact my office at (800) 253-0883 or visit my website at www.governor.state.az.us.

Lake Havasu City - Mohave County Board of Supervisors is investigating Off road racetracks. Complaints from residents in District 1 and 2, prompted the board to look into the possibility of restricting off-road tracks, according to District 1 Supervisor Pete Byers. He said he intends to visit Supervisor Tom Sockwell's district where most of the complaints are originating. He also said he first wants to look at existing laws and ordinances.

Lake Havasu City - Shane Valdez is trying to sell his ghost on e-Bay. Valdez, who lives in Lake Havasu City, said he has had a long-time interest in the super-natural and believes ghosts haunt when unfinished business prevents them from moving over into the next world. He hopes a binding contract will act as his unfinished business.
At 32 years-old Valdez is not ready to guarantee the time when the haunting will begin, but did say we would be open to making the contract transferable assuring the winner of the auction a haunting that can be passed on. The haunting will last the length of the natural life of the winner or their assignee or until the contract holder releases him from the haunting.

Phoenix - Abuse Victims in the polygamous communities of Colorado City, AZ and Hildale, UT now have a confidential source for help. Childhelp USA has joined the Arizona Attorney General's Office and DPS to offer a 24-hour crisis help line for victims in the area. Staff is available 365 days a year by calling 866-9-SAFE-99. It's another step in a much larger process, but not the solution to all of the problems there.

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. -- George Bernard Shaw

Dear Heavenly Father, In this time when emotions are on the surface, pressures are heavy on everyone, help us think on You. When people we care about hurt our feelings help us turn to you and not lash back. May we be the star that shines the way to the Lord Jesus this year so those in darkness can find their way. Give us the peace that only You can give in this time of high cost, pressure demands. We give ourselves completely over to You.
We pray and ask these things in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
If you are reading the printed version and this is your first time to pray this or similar prayer, please contact or attend your local church.
To learn more about your future: Click Here.