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Join us each week for top local news, events, and much more. Gila Valley Rundown from EA Media is a quick way to stay up to date on everything happening around the community. For more stories, visit us at https://www.eacourier.com/.
From EA Media, this is The Gila Valley Rundown.
This week: More than 60 people joined Safford’s “No Kings” protest over the weekend on Highway 70 to voice opposition to the Trump administration… plus what’s happening in the days ahead and our top headlines.
It’s Wednesday, April 1st. Before we jump in, a quick word from our sponsors.
Now, here’s what’s coming up in and around our community…
Eastern Arizona College will present its annual Masterworks Concert on Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium. The program features Anton Bruckner’s “Te Deum,” along with performances by the A Cappella Choir and Symphonic Choir, and a spotlight on new keyboard studies professor Gréta Pásztor. Admission is free, but seating is limited.
The Gila Watershed Partnership is asking for volunteers to help finish seasonal planting work along the Gila River. Volunteer sessions are set for Friday, April 10, Friday, April 17, and Friday, April 24, from 7 to 11 in the morning.
Safford has rescheduled a public hearing on how to spend about $291,000 in federal grant money. The meeting is set for April 13 at 6 p.m. Residents can attend at the Safford City-Graham County Library Program Room or join remotely on Microsoft Teams.
The MGRMC Foundation has moved its Casino Royale fundraiser to Manor 415 after strong ticket demand outgrew the original venue. The May 1 event will raise money for a new emergency room planned for completion in 2029, with some proceeds also supporting local United Way programs. Organizers say the night will include casino games, food, prizes and entertainment.
Before we continue, a word from our sponsors.
Now: a closer look at a top story from this week.
On Saturday morning, just over 60 people lined Highway 70 in Safford for a local protest connected to the broader “No Kings” movement. From 9 to 11 a.m., they stood across from Safeway, joining a larger day of action aimed at the Trump administration, ICE, and the war in Iran.
The Safford event was organized by the Graham County Democratic Party. And while the crowd here was local, the demonstration was part of a much wider effort. Organizers said this was the third major wave of “No Kings” protests, with more than 3,100 events held across all 50 states and parts of Europe. In St. Paul, Minnesota, a flagship rally reportedly drew about 100,000 people.
In Safford, drivers passing by made their reactions known. Some semi-trucks honked in support. Others responded less favorably, with a few diesel trucks sending black exhaust toward the group. Even so, protesters largely stayed focused on their message.
Among them was Laura Cronister, a mother of three, who said she wanted to project a non-threatening image while speaking out. She voiced frustration over federal spending priorities and argued that domestic programs, including SNAP, are being neglected while money continues to flow toward war. Her message was that democracy depends on people being willing to stand up for it.
The protest also drew younger residents, including Thatcher resident Connor Hathaway and his younger brother, 15-year-old Hagan Snyder. He said he was there because of concerns over ICE funding, training, and the human consequences tied to immigration enforcement. Snyder said he was specifically protesting the war in Iran and what he sees as excessive military spending.
Retired educators Katie and Dave McDevitt were also among those on the line. Dave, who previously taught at Lafe Nelson and Northern Arizona University at Eastern Arizona College, stood with Katie waving an American flag to passing traffic. He said it was time for people to work together for a better nation.
For Safford, the demonstration brought national issues a little closer to home, with residents using a familiar stretch of Highway 70 to show their solidarity with what appears to be a growing movement.
Before we go, a few more stories you should know about.
A Safford man was arrested after deputies said he led a short ATV chase through a neighborhood on March 28th. Authorities say he turned away from a patrol vehicle, sped through residential streets, and didn’t stop right away, even after lights and sirens were activated. He later pulled over near State Route 366, and was booked on a felony unlawful flight charge.
Arizona tribal gaming brought in nearly $38 million in contributions this quarter. Of that, $33.4 million went to the state fund, up 8.3 percent from a year ago. Another $4.6 million went directly to local communities for services like public safety.
A New Mexico man with a prior conviction for attacking a Utah power substation became the main suspect in a four-state sabotage spree, and Greenlee County investigators say camera footage and tire evidence linked him to local vandalism cases that are now considered solved.
Eastern Arizona College is celebrating Monique Saldaña for completing a selective national leadership program for community college marketing professionals. College leaders say the yearlong institute helped strengthen her leadership and communication skills. Saldaña, a graduate of both Safford High School and EAC, is being recognized as a local success story with a growing impact at the college.
That’s it for this week’s episode. Make sure to subscribe to The Gila Valley Rundown wherever you listen to podcasts.
You can read more on all of these stories at eacourier.com, and you’ll find links and community listings in the show notes.
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Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week.