Southwest of Center

Benson's Next Mayor (and it isn't Toney King Sr.)
Levi Johnson - Benson's next mayor - has an ambitious agenda that prioritizes public safety, infrastructure, parks and transparency; One of Benson's most effective council members - a community volunteer, eight-year-army veteran, and devoted family man - will be a mayor the town of Benson can be proud of. 

Pay to Play Doesn't Apply to Benson School Students - but That Presents Challenges
Students in Benson schools aren't charged fees to participate in athletic programs, but that means the District faces special challenges to keep its programs going; Athletic Director Eric Tatham outlines what's at stake as we discuss the extensive positive impacts school athletic programs have not only on the District and its students, but on the community at large.
 

What is Katie Hobbs afraid of? How can she be called "governor" when she won't even talk about the state budget that the state house just passed and the state senate is also poised to approve. Good governance involves direct negotiation, but "Governor" Hobbs wants to only negotiate using the media. We've got the facts about a budget that provides tax cuts for Arizona's working-class families with state Rep. Lupe Diaz, who says it's impossible to reach a compromise with someone who won't even come to the table. 

Benson Budgets and Development - The Future of a Town
From the Enterprise fund to the golf course, from development along the Hwy 90 corridor to industrial zones, we break down the Benson city budget and look into the crystal ball called the General Development Plan - with the insight of City Manager Greg Volker - who throws in some surprising perspective when we talk about the future of economic development. 

"I Love You, Man!" Remembering Bob Hammond
Never hesitate to tell someone that you love them. Bob Hammond was my BFF and truly "my brother from a different mother." I love you, Bob.

An RV Resort That Really Is
With more than 3,000 RV spaces and dozens of RV parks in the area, one lives up to the word "Resort." With lakes, a salt-water pool, clubhouse, gym, live entertainment, and more, The Lakes at St. David RV Resort is drawing RV enthusiasts from all over the US, and contributing economically to an industry that brings millions of dollars into the region. Plus, custom casitas with a million-dollar view - what's not to like?

A state gas tax holiday would save everyone a lot at the pump, but state dems won't consider it; State Rep. Lupe Diaz talks about why, and points out the democrats and Gov. Hobbs - who already twice vetoed it - won't support the conformity bill, which would provide tax cuts for working class families. Hobbs won't even talk to Republicans about a compromise. Diaz has much more in this update on the legislative sausage making in a session that will likely extend into June. 

More than 40 percent of people in the U.S. will need an ambulance at some point in their lives, and in a huge 3,000 square mile area that includes most of the northern half of Cochise County, it's the service now known as North County EMS - formerly known as HCI (Health Care Innovations).  In this conversation with Anthony Kugler, we learn some surprising things about ambulance service, including the level of training required, how service territory is decided, and how the "golden hour" of trauma care is still critical to saving a life. 
("40 percent" is sourced from NIH and other sites; HCI is doing business DBA as North County EMS)