John Wright

John is Editor of Parker Live. He is also the host of a daily afternoon radio show on KLPZ 1380am and a documentary filmmaker.

KLPZ to run infamous baseball golf tournament July 12th

Parker radio station KLPZ 1380am is running its infamous FLOG tournament (‘GOLF’ spelled backwards) at Emerald Canyon Golf Course north of Parker on July 12th, 2014. Participants – called ‘Floggers’ – play a ‘best ball’ version of golf with baseball bats in teams of 3 people. There are typically prizes for winners and runners-up and some prizes for best dressed …

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Former police chief loses certification

Parker’s former Chief of Police Rod Mendoza has lost his certification by POST, the Arizona police officers’ certification authority. Mendoza resigned his position in mid-December almost 4 months after being placed on paid administrative leave in relation to accusations of harassment from the wife of a subordinate police officer. Lorrie Thompson alleged in July 2013 that Mendoza was sexually harassing …

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Former Quartzsite mayor in plane crash, no injuries

A former mayor of the town of Quartzsite was piloting a plane that crashed near Parker Airport Thursday. Both he and his passenger are not believed to be hurt. Richard Oldham, founding mayor of Quartzsite and the owner of a small air strip on the west side of the town, is reported to have crash landed a small aircraft with …

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Legendary Parker Strip saloon to reopen Friday after years shut down

A Parker bar legendary for its waterfront parties decades ago is reopening for Memorial Day weekend 2014. Rumors of Sundance Saloon’s reopening have swirled for years, with several false starts over the past year. But according to a tribute Facebook group (HERE), the riverfront saloon was ready to reopen Friday after over a decade shut down, and welcome nostalgic and …

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Missing man: Quartzsite

This is Eric Stapleton, a 58 year old from Quartzsite, AZ who didn’t show up for work on Wednesday and was declared missing. According to the Desert Messenger, Eric has grey hair, is about 5’10” or 6 feet tall and has not been seen since Monday morning. His cell phone and car were found at his house with the front …

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All Things Tube Float: Voices of La Paz

Wednesday I made an appearance on Voices of La Paz, on AWC Channel, to talk about the Tube Float, June 7th, 2014. For all things Tube Float, including information on how to register, where to go, what to do, and how to do it, watch the segment below, with interviewer Kathy Ocampo.

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Viewfinder: An Unexpected Storm

Here’s a photodump of your pictures posted on social media Thursday evening as an unexpected storm cell moved through La Paz County northwest and over the town of Parker, AZ. It brought with it thunder, lightning, rain and a huge dust cloud. Thankfully, everything is bright and sunny Friday morning in Parker ahead of Memorial Day weekend, and the weather …

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La Paz County nursing staff win immunization award

LPC Health Dept. Press release La Paz County Health Department was the recipient of its seventh Daniel T. Cloud Outstanding Practice Award for exceptional immunization rates in adolescents at the annual Arizona Partnership for Immunizations (TAPI) awards ceremony in Phoenix, April 23, 2014. Since its inception in 2000, The Arizona Partnership for Immunizations (TAPI) has recognized exceptional efforts of individuals, …

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