More than 450 exhibitors will be at the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association’s three-day home and patio show Friday through Sunday at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.

Exhibitors from various areas of home building will be explaining their services and answering questions.

Exhibitor categories include appliances, closets, kitchens, baths, landscaping, garage, flooring, heating and cooling and many more.

Event times are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday.

Admission is $8 for adults, free for ages 11 and younger.

Military discounts will be available, and $2 off coupons at www.sahbahomeshow.com and at all local Circle K stores.

For more information and a full list of exhibitors visit www.sahbahomeshow.com.

A man was struck by a train downtown Saturday night, the second man to be struck in two days.

Both men survived, but suffered injuries, police said.

The man struck Saturday was hit near South Toole Avenue and East 16th Street just before 10:30 p.m., said Capt. Trisha Tracy, a Tucson Fire Department spokeswoman.

He was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

The man hit by a train Friday morning had leg injuries, police said.

The man had been walking near West Sixth Street and North Ninth Avenue about 8 a.m. when he was struck, said Sgt. Fabian Pacheco, a Tucson police spokesman.

TFD officials said it can take more than a mile for a train to stop, and advise pedestrians to use “extreme caution” when crossing the tracks, Tracy said.

A Tucson woman is dead and a man is wounded after a Sunday morning shooting during a party at a Northwest Side home, officials said.

Ashley Nicole Fimbrez, 23, was found dead in her home in the 1000 block of West Sea Star Drive just before 5 a.m. of what appeared to be “obvious signs of trauma,” said Deputy Dawn Barkman, a Pima County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman.

Deputies responding to a call at the residence were talking to a man at the front door of the residence when gunfire erupted inside, Barkman said.

After deputies went inside, they found Fimbrez dead in an upstairs bedroom, she said.

A Tucson man was also found in the room with possible gunshot wounds.

He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, she said, and remained there Sunday afternoon.

Witnesses at the scene told detectives the man and woman had been in an upstairs bedroom while the party continued downstairs.

The motive for the shooting is unknown and no arrests have been made, Barkman said.

The Youth Volunteer Corps will meet Tuesday afternoon as part of its weekly community volunteer projects.

The meeting is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona, 924 N. Alvernon Way.

New volunteers are welcome to participate.

Some of the projects available for volunteers include cooking for the homeless, helping animal rescue organizations, environmental work and mentoring.

For more information, call the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona at 881-3300.

All U.S. Citizens will have to show a passport book or passport card starting June 1, 2009, when entering the country through international borders and sea ports of entry.

After June 1, U.S. Citizens older than 16 traveling by land or sea must show a U.S. passport card or a passport book.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials will not longer accept a driver’s license and a birth certificate as proof of citizenship.

Those traveling by air will continue to show a U.S. passport book to re-enter the U.S. from international flights.

For more information visit www.travel.state.gov.

Arizona basketball fans Leanne Lisalda (right) and Kim Levin watch with disappointment during the final seconds of UA's loss to Louisville in the semifinals of the Midwest Regional of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon. The fans were at Sam Hughes' Place Championship Dining, 446 N. Campbell Ave.

Wildcat fans wearing red and blue packed a local bar and restaurant Friday to watch what turned out to be the end of the Wildcats’ run in the NCAA Tournament, one that took the team further than many had expected.

More than 300 University of Arizona students and family members were at Sam Hughes’ Place Championship Dining, 446 N. Campbell Ave., to cheer on their team.

But UA lost to the Louisville Cardinals 103-64 in a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s sad to see we lost, but at the same time, I never thought we would even get this far, or that we’d come close to reaching this point, so that was great” said UA senior Joseph Rodriguez.

The 22-year-old was there with his father, Ron Rodriguez, who was visiting from Phoenix as part of parents weekend for Joseph’s fraternity.

“At least we had a good time with friends and it was pretty cool to have our dads here for the game,” Joseph Rodriguez said.

As the second half wound down with UA losing by more than 30 points, many fans left the bar.

Suzette Valenzuela, a UA alumni, and her friends stayed until the end.

She said she was proud of the UA team for making it this far, no matter the outcome.

“I knew before the game that Louisville had a very strong team and unless they didn’t get enough sleep last night, they would be tough to beat,” she said. “But I’m still happy they got to play (Louisville).”

Some fans shook their heads on their way out the door; others shrugged their shoulders when discussing the game with friends.

“We are leaving without a win but at least we can have the victory of getting this far in the tournament,” Joseph Rodriguez said.
Arizona loses to Louisville

Arizona loses to Louisville 103-64

Arizona played Louisville in the third round of the NCAA tournament Friday afternoon. The UA lost 103-64. Fans gathered at Sam Hughes’ Place Championship Dining, 446 N. Campbell Ave., to watch the game.

Producer: VAL CANEZ/Tucson Citizen

Slide 1 of 15.
Arizona basketball fans and UA students (from left) Christina Searby, Chris Waters and Carrie Hardesty cheer for the Wildcats as they play Louisville in the first half Friday afternoon. The fans were at Sam Hughes' Place Championship Dining, 446 N. Campbell Ave., enjoying the game.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 2 of 15.
Arizona basketball fans Leanne Lisalda (right) and Kim Levin watch as the UA plays Louisville in the second half.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 3 of 15.
Arizona basketball fans Leanne Lisalda (right) and Kim Levin watch with disappointment as the UA loses to Louisville in the final seconds.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 4 of 15.
Arizona basketball fans Rusty and Mary Garrett cheer for the Wildcats at Sam Hughes' Place Championship Dining.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 5 of 15.
Arizona basketball fans Chris Larocca (left) and Jennifer Crawford watch the game.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 6 of 15.
Arizona basketball fans Joseph Rodriguez (left) and his dad, Ron Rodriguez, watch the game.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 7 of 15.
Arizona basketball fans and UA students (from left) Zach Nadler, Kiersten Abraham and Courtney Wells enjoy the UA-Louisville game.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 8 of 15.
Arizona basketball fans (from left) Lyndsey Maher, Marisela Celaya and Haley Patterson cheer for the Wildcats.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 9 of 15.
Arizona plays Louisville in the first half of an NCAA Midwest regional men's college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, March 27, 2009, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Source: MARK DUNCAN/The Associated PressSlide 10 of 15.
Arizona's Nic Wise (13) looks to pass against Louisville's Terrence Jennings during the first half.
Source: MICHAEL CONROY/The Associated PressSlide 11 of 15.
Louisville's Earl Clark (5) grabs a rebound against Arizona's Fendi Onobun and Louisville's Samardo Samuels (24) during the first half.
Source: MICHAEL CONROY/The Associated PressSlide 12 of 15.
Louisville's Earl Clark (5) knocks the ball away from Arizona's Jordan Hill (43) in the second half.
Source: DARRON CUMMINGS/The Associated PressSlide 13 of 15.
Arizona interim coach Russ Pennell (right) talks to Jordan Hill in the second half.
Source: DARRON CUMMINGS/The Associated PressSlide 14 of 15.
Arizona's Chase Budinger (left) and Jordan Hill sit on the bench in the final seconds of a 103-64 loss to Louisville.
Source: DARRON CUMMINGS/The Associated PressSlide 15 of 15.
Arizona's David Bagga (left) and Fendi Onobun sit in the locker room after a 103-64 loss to Louisville.
Source: DARRON CUMMINGS/The Associated Press

Pima County will pay $1 million over five years in a settlement of a 2004 case of missing narcotics at Kino Hospital, a federal spokeswoman said Friday.

The $1 million will be used to establish a three-pronged drug abuse prevention initiative in Tucson, said Sandra Raynor, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors approved the settlement with the federal government in a closed-door session last week.

In early 2004, hospital officials discovered “several doses” of controlled substances were missing and notified police and the Drug Enforcement Administration, court documents show.

An audit found more than 470,000 missing painkillers including morphine, methadone, OxyContin and hydrocodone, with an estimated street value of $1 million, according to Citizen archives.

Many of the drugs had been sold on the streets, according to Citizen archives.

Pima County paid a $110,000 fine to the Arizona Board of Pharmacy in 2004, said Patti Woodcock, community relations director for the Pima County Health Department.

Shirley Thompson, then director of pharmacy at Kino, was fined $4,000 and put on probation for one year by the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy because the painkillers disappeared under her watch, according to Citizen archives.

Thompson no longer works for the county.

Months later, Pima County contracted with University Physicians Healthcare to run Kino. The nonprofit corporation oversees the medical practices of physicians who are faculty members of the University of Arizona College of Medicine. The hospital is now called University Physicians Hospital.

Under the settlement, the county will finance and develop a campaign to educate parents and teachers of teenagers in southern Arizona about the abuse of prescription drugs, according to court documents.

The county will also finance the development of a program to collect drug use information from people who have been arrested.

The information would help county officials assess treatment and law enforcement efforts, Raynor said.

The county will also finance the development of a voluntary drug treatment program within the Pima County Jail system, she said.

Pima County will determine how much money will go to each program, Woodcock said.

The funding will be in addition to programs, services and equipment already set out in the county’s annual budget, documents show.

At the end of each fiscal year, Pima County will have to submit a report with accounting records to the federal government.

Citizen Staff Writer Garry Duffy contributed to this report.

R. Chavez

As part of the Cesar Chavez Week celebration, Richard Chavez, brother of the late civil rights activist, visited Tucson on Thursday to participate in various events.

A couple of dozen Pima Community College students gathered at the patio of the Desert Vista Campus, 5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz, to listen to Richard Chavez speak and the Mariachi Club of Pima perform just before 6 p.m.

“I’m so honored to see you all honoring my brother and his legacy,” 79-year-old Richard Chavez said. “There isn’t one day that goes by that I don’t think about my brother and all the work he did.”

Cesar Chavez was the Arizona-born founder of the United Farm Workers.

He died at age 66 in 1993.

Cesar Chavez was a civil rights, farm worker, and labor leader; a religious and spiritual figure; a community servant and social entrepreneur; a crusader for nonviolent social change; and an environmentalist and consumer advocate, according to the Cesar Chavez foundation.

“My brother said 20 years ago that it was not good enough for the government to improve our wages, but he said we needed better education for our children,” Richard Chavez said. “And now we’re getting there. We’re on our way.”

University of Arizona student Angel Sanchez, 25, introduced Chavez to the crowd and said his visit to the campus was to recognize the legacy of Cesar Chavez.

“We need to educate others on (Cesar Chavez’) work, but focus on the present and what we can do now,” Sanchez said.

The Cesar Chavez Week celebration culminates in a march Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at Pueblo Magnet High School, 3500 S. 12th Ave.

The march continues to Rudy Garcia Park, at the southeast corner of East Irvington Road and South Sixth Ave., where at noon there will be music, food and a speech by Richard Chavez.

More than 100 schools from the Tucson Unified School District will be showcased at the Festival of Schools on Saturday.

Staff members from the district’s schools will provide information to families about their schools and what students can expect, said Chyrl Hill Lander, a district spokeswoman.

The festival will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the district’s administrative offices, 1010 E. 10th St..

There will be face painting and balloons for children, food vendors and musical performances, Lander said.

For more information call district community services at 225-6400.

More than 100 schools from the Tucson Unified School District will be showcased at the Festival of Schools on Saturday.

Staff members from the district’s schools will provide information to families about their schools and what students can expect, said Chyrl Hill Lander, a district spokeswoman.

The festival will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the district’s administrative offices, 1010 E. 10th St..

There will be face painting and balloons for children, food vendors and musical performances, Lander said.

For more information call district community services at 225-6400.

Get your 2009 Pima County Fair ride tickets now and save!

The fair runs April 16-26, at the Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road, but discounted ride tickets are on sale through April 16 at Fry’s grocery stores, said Launa Rabago, a fair spokeswoman.

You can get 10 rides for $10, a 70 percent discount from regular tickets. The discounted ride tickets can be used only on weekdays.

Admission is $7 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 10 years old, and free for children under 5 years old. Parking is $5.

Opening day will be free until 3 p.m. with two cans of unopened food.

Children who read three books and write a report will get a free carnival ride as part of the “Read and Ride” program which will go on throughout the fair, Rabago said.

For more information on daily discounts go to www.pimacountyfair.com.

Local group sues to force feds to designate habitat

An attorney for the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity told a federal judge Monday that the government must develop recovery programs for jaguars because “they are in need of protection now more than ever.”

John Buse said the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has ignored the need to designate critical habitat for jaguars, causing them to become nearly extinct in the U.S.

The center filed the lawsuit in 2007, aiming to force the federal government to designate habitat and develop a recovery plan, said Michael Robinson, a conservation advocate for the center who attended the hearing.

Last year, Fish & Wildlife declined to designate critical habitat in the U.S. because the main jaguar population is in Mexico.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Grosko argued at Monday’s hearing that the species’ main population is in Mexico and South America and the U.S. is not critical to its survival.

He said the government has taken into consideration the lack of breeding observations and the lack of jaguars living in the U.S. and determined that there are not enough to “bring about the recovery.”

Grosko said the jaguar population north of the Mexico border is “transients not residents.”

Buse said that wasn’t true.

“There is a population of jaguars in the U.S. and, though small, it is not a transient population. They reside in southern Arizona and parts of New Mexico,” Buse said.

He said the best example of that is the recently euthanized Macho B, a jaguar that was first photographed in southern Arizona in 1996.

Macho B was captured Feb. 18 and released wearing a radio collar. He was recaptured March 2 and euthanized at the Phoenix Zoo after he was found to have severe kidney failure.

“Macho was the most photographed jaguar in the United States for the past 13 years,” Buse said. “Now that is a resident not a transient.”

Robinson said people care deeply about the fate of jaguars and the government is “ignoring the need to preserve them.”

“Jaguars have roamed our country for thousands of years,” Robinson said. “This is the American jaguar’s last stand.”

U.S. District Court Judge John M. Roll said he would make a decision on the case soon.

Barton has worked at Reid Park for past five years

Reid Park Zoo's Scott Barton will run the Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, Calif.

Reid Park Zoo’s general curator will leave Tucson next month to become director of the Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, Calif.

Scott Barton, 51, has been the zoo’s general curator for five years. He said he’s excited about the opportunity but sad to leave Tucson.

“Tucson’s an amazing community, and this zoo is a great resource for the community,” he said. “I will miss it very much.”

Barton will work with other zoo employees to “make sure everything is taken care of” before his departure at the beginning of May, he said.

Susan Basford, the zoo’s administrator, said that the search for Barton’s replacement will begin as soon as the city approves it.

“This position is essential and we hope to find someone that can bring as much experience, creativity and energy as Scott did,” Basford said. “We are happy for him but sad to see him go.”

Barton grew up in Fresno and graduated from Fresno State University in 1982.

His first job in a zoo was at the Roeding Park Zoo in Fresno from 1980 to 1984.

Homeowners interested in learning about using rainwater harvesting or a graywater system at home are encouraged to participate in a town hall Wednesday.

Councilman Rodney Glassman from Ward II will host the meeting at 7 p.m. at Eastside City Hall, 7575 E. Speedway Blvd.

Graywater expert Brad Lancaster will teach homeowners about the latest methods and technology for rainwater harvesting, and answer questions from the audience, Glassman said.

Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, call the Ward II office, 791-4687.

About 2,000 students from middle schools and high schools in Pima County participated in the 20th Annual LULAC Youth Leadership Conference Monday and Tuesday.

It was the biggest turnout yet for the conference, according to Javier Herrera, the conference’s co-chairman.

The League of United Latin American Citizens hosted the “Education is the Key to Success: Wise Decisions Pave the Way” in partnership with Pima Community College and the Southern Arizona Institute of Leadership, at PCC’s West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road.

The conference featured a career fair and workshops on the effects of drug use, HIV/AIDS prevention, the importance of education, and safety in and out of school.

First-time attendees Briana Montano and Jocelyn Zazueta, both seventh-graders at Alice Vail Middle School, said they were excited to learn about getting into college.

“We’re talking to people who can help us pick the right classes now so we can go to college later,” said Zazueta, 14.

She also put on the “drunk goggles” provided by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and said, “Wow! I would never drive like that.” The goggles distort vision to mimic the effects of alcohol.

Tejano musician and motivational speaker Patsy Torres and the Positive Force Tour performed at the conference and encouraged students to stay in school and continue on to higher education.

“Her performance brought so much emotion out of the students it was amazing,” Herrera said.

“She touched on so many things, from relationships, to drugs, to losing someone to suicide, and many of these kids can relate to those situations,” he said.

Since 1998, the LULAC Youth Leadership Conference has had more than 88,000 middle and high school students participate from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, and Mexico, Herrera said.