EASTMAN GIN TO BE RAZED, PAGE 5
westvalleyview.com — the newspaper of Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park & Tolleson, AZ (623) 535-8439
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GRAMMY’S Avondale teen heading to music camp — Page 11.
TO THE
View photo by Michael Clawson
AN INVESTIGATOR with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms takes photos of the main chapel of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward building July 2 in Tolleson. Investigators say the fire was deliberately set and are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for it.
KENNEL FEVER Damien wants out of his confines and into a loving home — Page 13.
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Volume 27, No. 26 24 Pages 1 Section
Circulation: 79,389 INDEX
Classifieds .................... 21 Business Briefcase ........ 10 Editorials & Letters .......... 6 Obituaries ...................... 19 Society ........................... 13 Military ........................... 13 Sports ........................... 14 Pet of the Week ............. 13 Volume ........................... 24 Recycle this paper
Church fire ruled arson
by Michael Clawson staff writer
Authorities are hopeful they will arrest and prosecute the people who set a Tolleson church on fire late last month, a federal law enforcement official said Monday. In addition, a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the fire setters, said Tom Mangan, a special agent in Phoenix for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF. “We are confident that there is information within the Tolleson community that will help us identify the individual, or individuals, responsible for the fire,” Mangan told the View. He offered the comments after a Friday press conference in which city and federal investigators in Tolleson announced that the June 29 fire at a Mormon church was caused by arson. “It was determined, during this investigation
that the fire was started by an individual and that it is arson,” Tolleson Police Chief Larry Rodriguez said at the press conference. “[We] will pursue any and all perpetrators of this crime.” The investigation was carried out by a National Response Team run by chief investigator Brian Hoback, who said the team was requested by Tolleson’s fire and police departments. The team was made up of local investigators and agents with the ATF. Hoback would not discuss details of the
evidence of arson.
was used to start the fire,” Atteberry said, later adding, “At this point in time there is no indication that it was a hate crime.” Tolleson fire crews arrived at the Tolleson
“It is safe to say that some type of accelerant
investigation because it is ongoing. “Here’s the common sense approach: Only the bad guys and law enforcement know where the fire started and that’s the way we like to keep that,” Hoback said. Special Agent Tom Atteberry with the ATF said there was vandalism found in the charred remains of the church and that there was
ward building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at the intersection of 95th Avenue and Pierce Street, in the early morning hours of June 29. No one was in the building at the time. The church was estimated to be a total loss after the fire swept through the main chapel, adjoining lobbies and several offices. Three congregations totaling about 1,300 people have been displaced to other LDS church buildings in Avondale and Phoenix. The 52-year-old church is one of several historic church buildings in Tolleson. Others
(See Arson on Page 2) Veteran W. Valley lawmaker retiring
by Brent Whiting staff writer
Valley lawmaker, announced Thursday he will be calling it quits after 28 years in city and state elected positions. “After a lot of consideration with my wife and family, I have decided to retire from public service,” Nelson said. In addition, he will withdraw his name for consideration as a Senate candidate in the new Legislative District 13, he said.
State Sen. John Nelson, a veteran West
Nelson, a Republican, now represents the current District 12, which covers Goodyear, Litchfield Park and portions of Glendale, west Phoenix and Surprise. The new District 13 that was redrawn this year is a sprawling area that extends from Dysart Road in Goodyear as far west as the Colorado River and as far north as the Yavapai County line. Previously, Nelson has criticized the district lines, but did not cite the new district boundaries as a reason for his decision to withdraw from public life.
“This is a huge area that really doesn’t bring communities of interest together,” Nelson told the View earlier this year. On Thursday, Nelson said, “I am proud of my service and the trust that the voters have placed in me over the years. “I have been honored to serve the people of Arizona and stand by my legislative track record of supporting quality education, fostering job creation and balancing the state budget during the
(See Retiring on Page 4) John Nelson
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