Parker Live News from the Parker Strip since 2009.

March, 2023

• 14 March

  PICTURES: La Paz County Fair 2023

  

  The 2023 La Paz County Fair is over! Here are some pictures from the event. Send us more to add by leaving a message HERE telling us you have some.

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• 1 March

  Sheriff’s deputy dies after 31 years with department

  

  A deputy of the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office has died after taking his own life, according to Sheriff William Ponce. Lieutenant William Poindexter, who served the department for 31 years, died in mid-February. A procession through the town of Parker was held last Wednesday to honor him. Speaking to the La Paz County Board of Supervisors on February 21st, …

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January, 2023

• 16 January

  Canoe capsizes on Lake Havasu, man drowns

  

  A man drowned on Lake Havasu on Saturday morning after his canoe capsized. His body was recovered by a dive team on Monday morning. On Saturday at around 10:13 am, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department boating deputies responded to a report of a boat accident with one missing person near Cove 1, south of Havasu Landing Marina on Lake Havasu. …

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• 10 January

  PHOTOS: Stunning new home listing in town of Parker

  

  UPDATE: Under contract. – A stunning 4-bed, 3-bath home could be yours, after this desirable single level ranch-style house was listed this month in the town of Parker. The 2,150 square-foot home has two living spaces, including a spacious, bright main living room with vaulted ceilings and large bay windows, and an outstanding kitchen with artisan ceramic backsplash and over …

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• 5 January

  President Biden signs CRIT water bill into law

  

  President Biden has signed a bill into law that will allow the Colorado River Indian Tribes to lease some of its water rights to other entities that need it. The bill had previously passed both chambers of Congress. The Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2021(S.3308) was introduced to the Senate by Senator Mark Kelly. It was co-sponsored …

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• 4 January

  One dead after head-on collision in Parker

  

  A head-on collision left one dead and others injured today in the town of Parker. The collision happened on California Avenue near the intersection with Arizona Avenue. A white vehicle with California plates, possibly a Nissan Kicks crossover, was traveling northbound while a dark colored Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was traveling in the other direction southbound next to a semi. …

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• 4 January

  Randy Hartless is the new Mayor of the Town of Parker

  

  Randy Hartless is Parker’s new Mayor after a vote at Tuesday night’s council meeting, the first of the year. David Lucas was voted Vice Mayor. The change represents a new season at Town Hall. After the invocation and pledge of allegiance, the new council took the oath of office and were seated. Marion Shontz began by nominating Jerry Hooper for …

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• 4 January

  River drawdown begins Monday

  

  The Colorado River on the Parker Strip will be a foot lower beginning on Monday as the Bureau of Reclamation facilitates its annual drawdown. The temporary elevation change is done in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to facilitate annual maintenance on canals operated by Colorado River Indian Tribes. Beginning the morning of January 9th, the agency will begin …

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December, 2022

• 14 December

  Why has the Parker 425 really been cancelled for 2023?

  

  UPDATE: A new statement from BITD President Bryan Folks apologizing for the cancellation is included below. Folks said he takes “full responsibility” and does “not begrudge” the Bureau of Land Management. “We did not provide a satisfactory action plan on how we would control the spectators in 2023.” — ORIGINAL STORY: Race fans were met with disappointing news late on …

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• 5 December

  Controlled burn near the river Friday for debris clearance

  

  A controlled burn permit was issued to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and is scheduled to occur on Friday, December 9th at 2449 Parker Dam Road from 10 am to 2 pm. This location is near Gene Camp and Parker Dam. Residents from Gene Camp and Parker Dam on the California side and Buckskin area on the Arizona side …

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November, 2022

• 19 November

  Missing 14 year-old girl found unharmed in La Paz County

  

  A missing, endangered, 14 year-old girl was found unharmed in La Paz County, and a suspect was arrested. On Friday at around 8:12 pm, deputies with the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department were notified of a possible Amber Alert vehicle traveling on Highway 72 in the Bouse community toward the town of Parker. The suspect vehicle had been detected by …

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• 15 November

  Former cop charged with 10 counts related to images of child sexual exploitation

  

  A former law enforcement officer, Lance Palma, has been charged with 10 counts of of sexual exploitation of a minor relating to some images he allegedly shared on a social messaging app. Last December, a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicated that images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors were sent to the …

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• 14 November

  Sheriff’s vehicle strikes, kills, pedestrian in Parker

  

  A man was killed when a Sheriff’s deputy struck him while he was attempting to cross the street in the town of Parker. An investigation will be led by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. On November 10th at around 6:30 pm, Jose Sanchez was struck and killed while attempting to cross Riverside Drive (AZ-95) between Walmart and McDonalds in …

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• 14 November

  Woman on 1600-mile Colorado River trek passes through Parker

  

  Vanessa Keating has been on a one-woman trek along the Colorado River since the beginning of August. She’s now passing through the Parker area and on the final stretch of her trip, which she has been documenting online to help raise awareness about the water crisis facing the southwest. Vanessa on the Parker Strip   “I fell in love with …

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• 14 November

  Man arrested for robbery, his girlfriend arrested for intimidating the victim

  

  A man was arrested in Big River for robbery and, a day later, his girlfriend was arrested for intimidation of the victim. On Sunday, November 6th at around 6:10 pm, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station came in contact with Stephen Welsh, 47, during a report of a robbery that occurred in the 149000 Block …

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September, 2022

• 29 September

  Town of Parker settles with former Town Manager

  

  The Town of Parker has settled a lawsuit brought by its former Town Manager Lori Wedemeyer. She will receive $77,276 and her attorneys will receive $36,975 for their work on the case. According to the settlement agreement, Wedemeyer intends to use the funds to purchase service credit from the Arizona State Retirement System. This will allow her to ‘buy’ the …

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• 26 September

  Boating collision leaves San Diego County man dead

  

  A San Diego County man is dead after a nighttime collision on his personal watercraft on the Parker Strip. He was not discovered until the morning after the incident is thought to have occurred. On Monday morning at around 7 am, deputies with the San Bernardino County Colorado River Station responded to a report of a boating collision. Through witness …

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• 13 September

  Local man found dead in river after boat towed

  

  A local man was found dead in the river Sunday after his boat was towed in an effort to locate its owner. On Saturday at around 6:30 pm, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputies were flagged down regarding a possible float away vessel located across from the Desert Riviera resort on the Parker Strip. Deputies arrived and found the vessel …

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• 7 September

  Two fatalities on Sunday before Labor Day

  

  A 17 year-old girl died after the boat she was in capsized on Lake Havasu, and a 69 year-old woman died after striking another vessel while on a personal watercraft on the Parker Strip. On Sunday at around 1 pm, deputies responded to a report of a boating collision on the Parker Strip in the area of the Sundance RV …

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• 2 September

  OP-ED: Will Lake Havasu and the Parker Strip drop in elevation like Mead and Powell?

  

  This week’s brief, unexpected drop in the water level of the Parker Strip – caused by a mechanical issue at Headgate Rock Dam that was repaired within hours – has prompted some people to speculate that the change could someday soon become permanent. After all, we’re all aware that the Colorado River system is in crisis, right? The effects are …

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August, 2022

• 31 August

  PHOTOS: River elevation drops overnight, will return to normal by afternoon

  

  An unusual sight Wednesday morning: exposed docks, boats sitting on muddy riverbed, exposed land around riverside resorts and private property, muddy bars in canals. The river elevation on Lake Moovalya, the part of the Colorado River more commonly known as the Parker Strip, apparently dropped by several feet overnight. The drop was not planned, but reportedly was due to a …

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• 29 August

  Parker man drowns on Lake Havasu

  

  A Parker man drowned on Lake Havasu over the weekend. Samuel Wipf, 35, was swimming with friends at the rear of a boat when he began struggling in the water and never resurfaced. On Sunday at around 4:20 pm, deputies responded to a report of a drowning in Skiers Cove on Lake Havasu. According to witness statements, Wipf was swimming …

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• 25 August

  Submerged body positively identified as homicide suspect Dunnan

  

  The body found behind the wheel of a submerged vehicle in May has now been identified as the vehicle’s owner, Brian Dunnan, who was wanted for homicide after the death of Johnny Beckham over a year ago. Beckham was killed by gunshot on June 29th, 2021 at his home on Dreamy Lake north of Parker. Dunnan was quickly identified as …

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• 22 August

  Parker councilwoman threatened in anonymous letter

  

  Parker councilwoman-elect Erica Daniels was threatened in a letter delivered anonymously to her door. The author threatened to turn her into the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for living at an address that is different to the address on the documents she used to run for office if she doesn’t resign. In a public Facebook post, Daniels called the letter “a …

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• 3 August

  Kelley leads race for Judge of La Paz County Superior Court in unofficial results

  

  Marcus Kelley leads the race for Judge of the La Paz County Superior Court in unofficial results of the 2022 primary election released late Tuesday. Superior Court Judge Kelley is challenging incumbent Judge Jessica Quickle, who has been on the bench since 2019. The unofficial results say that Kelley has 859 votes so far, and that Quickle has 626. Kelley …

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• 2 August

  Boat collides with shoreline, two hurt, alcohol believed to be a factor

  

  Two people were transported to hospital Saturday night with injuries after their boat struck the shoreline on the Parker Strip. Deputies believe alcohol to be a contributing factor. On Saturday at approximately 8:26 pm, Marine Enforcement deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a boat collision involving major injuries near Bass Point, just south …

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• 2 August

  CRIT water bill passed by U.S. House of Representatives

  

  A U.S. House version of S. 3308, a bill that would authorize the Colorado River Indian Tribes to lease a portion of its federal Colorado River water allocation, has been approved in a vote on the House floor. Arizona District 3 Congressman Raul Grijalva introduced the House legislation as part of a larger drought relief bill. It awaits passage in …

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July, 2022

• 7 July

  Bear in school grounds euthanized at request of Arizona Game & Fish

  

  A black bear, sighted in recent months in the area and found Thursday morning inside Parker school grounds, was euthanized by law enforcement at the request of Arizona Game and Fish. At around 4:30 am, law enforcement responded to a call of a bear sighting in the area of 19th Street and Kofa Avenue in Parker. When officers arrived, they …

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• 6 July

  La Paz County judges to be chosen in primary election August 2nd

  

  La Paz County will choose its judges in Arizona’s primary election on August 2nd. Judge of the La Paz County Superior Court and Justice of the Peace of Parker Justice Court will be chosen on the Republican primary ballot. Since there are no candidates running as Democrats or Libertarians for the two offices, the Republican candidates nominated in the primary …

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• 6 July

  Teen suffers major injury, deputies search for missing child, over holiday weekend

  

  A teen was transported to hospital with a major injury on Sunday after being hit by a boat propeller at Roadrunner on the Parker Strip. Later the same day, deputies searched for a possible missing child, though nobody was reporting missing. On Sunday around noon, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station Marine Enforcement Unit responded …

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• 6 July

  KLPZ’s morning show will return July 12th, celebrates 30 years

  

  KLPZ’s flagship morning show will be back on the air on July 12th after a summer break. Host Keith Douglas has been spending a few weeks at the family ranch in North Dakota with his mother, brother and family, doing maintenance work on the property and helping take care of tasks that have been waiting for him. The KLPZ morning …

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• 1 July

  Man arrested for assault with a knife in Big River

  

  A Big River man was arrested Thursday for assault with a deadly weapon, a knife, and committing a crime while on bail or release. On Thursday at around 7:53 am, deputies assigned to the Colorado River Station of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of an assault near the 5700 block of Hanemo Drive in Big …

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June, 2022

• 16 June

  Sheriff Ponce and former employees weigh in on department financial struggles

  

  UPDATE 3:30pm to add a statement by Sheriff’s Detective Jeremy Johnson (added at bottom below). – Former employees of the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department say management and lack of funding for the department are the reasons they left, coming after after the department’s low salaries were highlighted in a meeting of the Board of Supervisors on June 6th. Sheriff …

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• 15 June

  Harold Smith pleads guilty to attempting to molest his grandchild, to get lifetime probation

  

  Harold Smith, a Parker man who was charged almost 4 years ago with crimes relating to sexually abusing his grandchild, has accepted a plea agreement from the state prosecutor. He will be given lifetime probation with sex offender conditions, lifetime registration as a sex offender and no jail up front. Smith, 73, was initially offered a plea deal back in …

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• 14 June

  Both Roadrunner AND Sundance are for sale

  

  Two of the most iconic venues on the Parker Strip are both on the market. Roadrunner, a floating dock bar, restaurant and RV park, has been a fixture of Parker river fun for decades. And the legendary Sundance Saloon is for sale again after it was bought just last year, with investment partners reportedly wanting to go in different directions …

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• 10 June

  Thousands to float river Saturday

  

  The annual floating party on the river known as the Tube Float is back for its 44th year, and people are packing their inflatables, sunscreen and coolers for a day of sun, water and fun. “Registration is looking very similar to last year’s number,” said Melissa Newton, Director of the Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. “Tube Float is …

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• 8 June

  Council sends termination notice to suspended Town Manager

  

  Suspended Parker Town Manager Lori Wedemeyer has officially lost her job as the Town Council sends her a termination notice. At a meeting on Tuesday, the council voted 6-1 not to renew Wedemeyer’s employment agreement, instructing the Town Attorney to issue a Notice of Termination. “Pursuant to the employment agreement, this Notice is required to be given to Ms. Wedemeyer …

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• 7 June

  Three suspects arrested for drugs and weapons charges in Big River

  

  Three people have been arrested on the 5000 block of Rio Vista Drive in Big River for drugs and weapons charges. On Monday at approximately 6 am, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station and Needles Police Department contacted Michael Rivera, 37 of Lake Havasu City, Rodolpho Talamante, 30 of Lake Havasu City and Denise Capaccione, …

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May, 2022

• 30 May

  Seven year old dies after being struck by impaired boater on Parker Strip

  

  A 7 year-old child has died after being struck by a boater impaired by alcohol on the Parker Strip near Buckskin State Park, according to law enforcement. On Sunday after 5 pm, boat patrol deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to the report of an unknown injury boat collision near Buckskin State Park on the Parker Strip. …

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• 26 May

  UPDATES: Lost Lake Fire burns, forces evacuations

  

  TUE 11am- 5,856 acres, 50 percent contained. Personnel down to 123 from around 150. “Key management objectives have been met, allowing a transfer of command back to the Colorado River Agency Wednesday evening. In preparation for this transition, the Incident Management Team is releasing unnecessary resources. The remaining fire resources will finish containing the fire while keeping it inside the …

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• 25 May

  CRIT officer seriously injured in attempted hit and run

  

  Jason Prichard, a Sergeant at the Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department, is in stable condition at a Phoenix area hospital after he was hit by a vehicle on Saturday on Highway 95 near Parker. According to CRIT PD reports, Sergeant Prichard and deputies with the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a person needing medical …

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• 5 May

  Emergency action taken on Colorado River water, CRIT Chairwoman responds

  

  The Bureau of Reclamation announced two separate urgent drought response actions this week that aim to prop up Lake Powell by nearly 1 million acre-feet of water over the next 12 months. CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores responded to the news with support. Lake Powell’s water surface elevation is at 3,522 feet, its lowest level since originally being filled in the …

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• 4 May

  Body of Brian Dunnan may have been found, submerged in river in his own vehicle

  

  The body of Brian Dunnan, accused of killing Johnny Beckham last June, may have been found, submerged in the Colorado River in his own missing vehicle. Beckham died by fatal gunshot wound on Wednesday, June 30th, 2021 at the age of 33, at his home on Dreamy Lane in the Lakeside 5 subdivision north of Parker. Dunnan, whose family vacation …

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• 1 May

  Man arrested in Big River while riding stolen ATV

  

  A man was arrested in Big River while riding a stolen ATV. Charles Taylor, 44 of Big River, had an existing warrant for assault. On Thursday, April 28th, at approximately 4:05 p.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Colorado River Station conducted a traffic stop on an ATV at the intersection of Del Rey Drive and Papago Trail in …

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April, 2022

• 13 April

  Five arrested for prostitution and drug house in Big River

  

  Five people were arrested for prostitution after deputies served a search warrant at a residence they called a “drug house” in Big River. On Tuesday at about 8 am, Roy Carter, 71 of Big River, Angela Bush, 48 of Parker, Donald “Tim” Hall, 65 of Parker, Anna Mandan, 37 of Parker and Terry Evans, 57 of Parker were arrested when …

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• 12 April

  Hartless says Wedemeyer notice of claim “preposterous”

  

  Suspended Town Manager Lori Wedemeyer filed a notice of claim last month against the Town of Parker, Mayor Karen Bonds and Councilman Randy Hartless, the latter of which says he finds the claim “preposterous”. Last October, Wedemeyer was suspended by the Town Council after a search warrant was executed at her home in connection with an investigation by the Yuma …

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• 12 April

  Why the Trump census count has already begun to negatively impact La Paz County

  

  According to the U.S. Census, roughly 20 percent of La Paz County’s residents disappeared from towns like Parker and Quartzsite between 2010 and 2020. The idea is “ludicrous”, County Supervisor Duce Minor responded last summer when the numbers were announced. But the Trump administration’s interference for political reasons makes the inaccuracy in the 2020 Census an even bigger issue than …

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• 12 April

  Bureau of Reclamation to give presentation on river operations on the Parker Strip

  

  La Paz County District 2 Supervisor Duce Minor has announced he will be hosting a community meeting regarding U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s river operations. Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Chief Mike Bernardo and River Operations Manager Noe Santos from the Boulder Canyon Operations Office, Interior Region 8: Lower Colorado Basin will be sharing a presentation on the operations of their department …

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March, 2022

• 18 March

  Wilkins pleads guilty in police chase that led to death of Sergeant Rudd

  

  Mark Joseph Wilkins has pled guilty to all the charges against him after he was accused of leading police officers on a chase that led to the death of La Paz County Sheriff’s Sergeant Mike Rudd last year. Late in the evening of October 11th, 2021, a report went out about an individual who had used a fraudulent credit card …

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February, 2022

• 17 February

  BOAT ACCIDENT: Yucaipa man dies after attempt at life-saving measures

  

  A man died earlier this month after falling off his boat. By the time he was pulled to shore, he was unresponsive. Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station responded to a medical aid call at the 1400 block of Parker Dam on February 9th at around 2:08 pm. A male subject had fallen off his …

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