Desert Messenger News

28/05/2025

Regular Meeting of the Town of Quartzsite Common Council
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 7:00pm
Quartzsite Town Hall Council Chambers
465 N. Plymouth Ave.
Agenda available at:https://cms8.revize.com/revize/quartzsite/Document_Center/Agenda%20&%20Minutes/Town%20Council/2025/Agendas/052725%20Agenda%20Packet.pdf

27/05/2025

Attorney General Mayes Warns Landlords About Obligations Under Arizona Landlord Tenant Act as Temperatures Rise

PHOENIX – As temperatures rise to triple digits, Attorney General Kris Mayes is warning landlords about their obligations under Arizona law as well as advising tenants on the rights they have if their air conditioning (AC) needs repair or otherwise fails to provide a habitable living environment.

“Extreme heat poses a serious health risk, and it’s unacceptable for tenants to be without proper air conditioning during summer months,” said Attorney General Mayes. “In the case of an outage, landlords and management companies must take swift action to ensure residents have safe and habitable living conditions in accordance with the law. Landlords should be on notice that I will not hesitate to enforce these critical protections for Arizonans because adequate air conditioning is a matter of life and death in Arizona’s summer heat.”

Tenants have rights that are protected by Arizona law. Failure to provide adequate air conditioning potentially violates the Arizona Landlord Tenant Act (A.R.S. § 33-1301-1381) and any applicable local regulations.

Under Arizona law, landlords must provide a rental unit that has fully operating cooling systems and other appliances that make it safe to occupy. Some municipalities also have more specific standards that may apply.

For example, in the cities of Phoenix and Tucson, rental units that use air conditioning cannot exceed a maximum temperature of 82 degrees in all habitable rooms, including bathrooms. This includes chiller systems which are air conditioning systems and subject to this requirement. Evaporative coolers are allowed a slightly higher maximum temperature (86 degrees).

It is also important to note that even if renters are not up to date on their rent, landlords are not allowed to cut off air conditioning or other utilities to “punish” tenants (A.R.S. § 33-1374).

Landlords and management agents also have obligations as housing providers under the Arizona Civil Rights Act. Arizona Fair Housing Laws guarantee Arizona citizens equal conditions and access to services, such as functioning cooling systems, while renting.

As such, any remedial measures or repairs cannot be provided to residents on a discriminatory basis. Housing providers must also make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Failing to provide an accommodation to an individual whose disability is impacted or exacerbated by heat related conditions can potentially be a violation of the Fair Housing Laws.

This may include individuals who are at 60 years old and above, as older individuals have greater difficulty regulating core body temperatures and are more susceptible to heat, especially in temperatures exceeding 85 degrees.

AG Mayes offers the following tips to consumers whose AC has gone out:

If your rental unit has a broken AC, it is important to take steps to ensure your safety. Before you do anything else, notify your landlord. Start with a phone call and then follow up in writing, preferably hand delivered or by certified mail. If you have a medical condition that will be exacerbated by extreme heat, please include this information in your notification, and request accommodations as necessary.
Your landlord must fix your broken AC within five days of written notice, if temperatures exceed 100 degrees. This timeframe may be shorter if the temperature inside the unit is higher than what is allowed by individual city code. The notice in writing starts the clock. They have up to five days to fix the issue, which may mean providing a new air conditioning unit, calling in a repair team, or otherwise bringing your indoor temperature down to legally acceptable limits.
If temperatures are below 100 degrees, the landlord has ten days to repair a broken AC unless the temperature inside the unit exceeds what is allowed by individual city code or the temperature inside the unit poses a threat to health or safety.
For landlords who fail to repair the broken AC, renters may be able to make use of the self-help repair statute. Arizona law allows you to notify your landlord that you will be fixing an issue yourself and deducting the cost from your rent if they have failed to fix your AC after five to ten days, if you meet the specifications.
If your landlord does not fix your broken AC within five to ten days, Arizona tenant rights with air conditioning may allow you to terminate your lease or sue for damages (such as for medical bills or paid rent).
If your landlord continues to fail to repair the broken AC, you may file a Consumer Complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. If you need a complaint form sent to you, you can contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.

27/05/2025

26/05/2025

PHOTOS:
VFW Post 769 hosted Quartzsite annual Memorial Day remembrance Ceremony at Hi Jolly Cemetery today.
VFW Post 769 Commander Dennis Sutherland was Master of Ceremonies, 769 Chaplain Chuck Cagley did the opening prayer. District and Post 769 Snr Vice Edward Reid spoke after Mayor Simpson, Aux Snr Vice Gayle Holt gave the wreath presentation, Aux Treasurer Cheryl Reid played the military medley on violin, Aux Chaplain Shelley Pool gave closing prayer. Veteran and Aux member Mike Burns provided taps. Memorial Day cross presented by Commander Sutherland, Unknown soldier wreath presented by 769 Aux Pres. Marcy Urban.

26/05/2025

Quartzsite VFW Post 769 hosts Memorial Day Remembrance 9am at Hi Jolly Cemetery. Let's take one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

25/05/2025

This year’s Memorial Day Program, hosted by VFW 769 and its Auxiliary will be held on Monday, May 26th at the Hi Jolly Columbarium Shelter at 9 am. This is a time change due to heat issues. This event is open to the public. Please share this time change, so everyone has the chance to help honor our fallen.

The Girl Scouts will be attending with poppies, Memorial pins and water. The Girl Scouts will also be assisting with VFW’s hot dog and hamburger lunch at noon at VFW Post 769, 305 N Central, Quartzsite. This is open to the public and is free to Veterans. Both the dining room and backyard are open for this event. The V’s regular menu will not be available on Memorial Day. Please join our Veterans and Families as we honor those who fought for our country and have gone before us.

25/05/2025

La Paz County Comprehensive Plan comment form is now more user friendly.

24/05/2025

UPDATE: is 50% contained at 713 acres. Lines have held for 48 hrs. Closures at Oxbow Rec Area and adjacent lands are lifted—access is restored. Final update unless conditions change.

23/05/2025

Plan for daily lane restrictions on SR 95 in Quartzsite beginning May 27th - Drivers should expect delays and allow extra travel time
The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for north- and southbound lane restrictions along State Route 95 in Quartzsite for handrail and rumble strip installation.

The following lane restrictions will occur daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Tuesday, May 27, and ending Friday, May 30:

North- and southbound SR 95 between Main Street and milepost 116 will be reduced to one lane. Note: Only one direction will be impacted at a time. Motorists should anticipate a 1 to 2-mile lane restriction while crews progress through the work zone.
A 14-foot width restriction will be in place.
The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph.
Delays are likely, so allow extra travel time. Proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.
State Route 95, Main Street to milepost 116 pavement rehabilitation

The Arizona Department of Transportation is repairing the pavement on State Route 95, between Main Street and milepost 116, north of Quartzsite.
Project Elements
Milling the existing pavement and replacing it with new pavement
Replacing guardrail and guardrail end terminals
Constructing drainage facilities
Installing pipe liners
Replace bridge barrier transitions
Replacing pavement markings and other related work
Project Schedule
The project began December 2024 with completion anticipated December 2025.

23/05/2025

Dry conditions trigger fire restrictions in central and western Arizona
PHOENIX – Effective Friday, May 23, at 8 a.m. the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the Bureau of Land Management Colorado River District and Phoenix District will implement seasonal Stage 2 fire restrictions in central and western Arizona.
-Restrictions on State Lands include Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Yuma counties.
-Restrictions on BLM-managed lands include La Paz, Maricopa, southern Mohave, northern Pinal, western Pima, Yavapai and Yuma counties.
-Fire managers have reported an increase in wildfire activity, which is anticipated to peak as the weather continues to get hotter and drier in the coming months. Fire restrictions help to limit activities on public lands that are known to be the most common causes of wildfires.

Beginning Friday, May 23, at 8 a.m., these activities are prohibited:
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. Smoking is prohibited in all federal buildings.
- Operating any internal combustion engine, such as a chainsaw or similar tool.
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal law, and regulations.
- This restriction also includes the BLM Phoenix District’s developed recreational shooting sites: Baldy Mountain, Box Canyon, Church Camp Road, and Saddleback Mountain.
- Welding or the use of any torch or metal cutting or grinding implement.

- Fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited year-round on federally managed lands in Arizona.
- Fireworks and target shooting are prohibited year-round on Arizona State Lands.

Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters possessing shut-off devices are allowed. When using a portable stove, make sure the area is clear of grass and other vegetation and on a stable surface to prevent stoves from tipping and starting a fire.

Residents and visitors should check with respective county and municipal governments for information on fire restrictions in those jurisdictions.
Fire conditions as well as localized closures and restrictions are subject to change. Tribal, federal, state, and local mandates are different, they may have some differences in their restriction notices. Variations are possible, and visitors should check with the most local office for area-specific restrictions and regulations.
Violation of restrictions is punishable by fine, imprisonment or both. Violators may also be held personally responsible for reimbursement of fire suppression costs.

To further help to prevent wildfires, never throw ci******es out of a vehicle window. Use an ashtray instead. Never park a vehicle over dry grass as the underside of a vehicle can get hot enough to ignite the vegetation. Make sure your vehicle is in good operating condition, tires are well inflated, and check for any dragging metal or chains from towed trailers.
Additional Useful Links/Resources in comments

22/05/2025

Due to extreme heat over the upcoming weekend (including Memorial Day), the Quartzsite Community Center at 295 E Chandler St. will be open to serve as a Cooling Center on May 23rd. 24th, 25th, and 26th from 10:00AM to 7:00PM.