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Retired L.A. Detective Stuns with ‘Bombshell’

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Best-selling author Mike Rothmiller pulls from his investigative notes to write about Marilyn Monroe’s death.

Delving deep into political intrigue energizes Mike Rothmiller, a former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detective, who, in 1977 at age 27, had been the youngest person assigned to the department’s Organized Crime Intelligence Division (OCID).

The division armed a succession of LA police chiefs with intelligence to peddle influence and intimidate opponents, Rothmiller said. Among about 70 detectives active during Rothmiller’s five-year tenure, he noted, not one arrest was made.

“Going back to the 1930s, the police chiefs were the most powerful people in Southern California,” he explained. “It was a very different time.”

New detectives were assigned to learning how the filing system worked. Never dreaming that he would one day be writing books about what he discovered, Rothmiller said he flipped through index cards linked to files about mobsters, actors and actresses, politicians and other icons.

From Detective to Writer

Now a New York Times bestselling author chasing down conspiracy theories, Rothmiller has published 34 books since 1992. Four of those volumes were co-authored and some were written under pen names.

His latest book, “Bombshell: The Night Bobby Kennedy Killed Marilyn Monroe,” incorporates Rothmiller’s handwritten notes, Monroe’s diary, and a 1982 interrogation of the late actor and Kennedy brother-in-law, Peter Lawford. “Bombshell” re-
creates the events of Aug. 4, 1962, at Monroe’s LA home, and has generated media buzz in Australia, England and Germany.

Rothmiller stumbled upon Monroe’s missing diary, the grail in Robert F. Kennedy’s (RFK) frantic search of Monroe’s home on the night she died. Lawford later told Rothmiller that he was at Monroe’s home while Kennedy rummaged for the incriminating volume. Monroe’s diary had not been logged in the OCID filing system, a fact that Rothmiller ascribes to it having been buried. Rothmiller handwrote the entries that interested him.

When Rothmiller interviewed Lawford 20 years after Monroe’s death, he says the actor was an alcoholic and a broken man. Nonetheless, the he said he is certain that the actor was sober and truthful about witnessing RFK mixing a special beverage for Monroe. Not realizing what the concoction was, Lawford allegedly joined RFK in urging the emotionally distressed Monroe to drink it.

Undercover to Mainstream

The undercover experiences of Rothmiller in OCID and the cover-ups he alleges in his books are a far cry from his daily life in Prescott. He and his wife, Nancy, arrived 15 years ago following a stint in Colorado.

He is currently working on his first novel and his next compendium of conspiracies, including RFK’s assassination and the Black Dahlia murder. The fiction book is pure detective drama.

“My wife is reading it now,” he said. “I wrote it actually the way that detectives speak, not the TV stuff. It takes place in Hollywood. I worked there, so that’s where I come from in my writing.”

Rothmiller also has been digging into Hillary Clinton’s 340,000 emails. Despite his intense interest, Rothmiller says those email messages likely will be classified for the next 25 years.

“I enjoy the research more than anything else,” he said. “I dig in. A lot of times, it’s a deadend. My work is true crime, very graphic. There is no candy coating.”

Decoys and Subterfuge

Decoys, misinformation and other subterfuge were used by detectives and their sources to keep OCID’s intervention quiet, Rothmiller said. Often, there would be an official crime investigation and a parallel OCID case. The OCID analysis never saw the light of day.

“We were working under cover,” he explained. “In a lot of cases, the information [from sources] was so startling to you that it was seared/embedded into your memory.”

The backstory behind how he snagged the interview with Lawford and the actor’s concern that Rothmiller was a CIA agent provide interesting reading in “Bombshell.” Shortly after the Lawford interview, Rothmiller was ambushed and badly injured. Ultimately, the attack was traced to another case involving Central and South American gun running and drugs.

“I was in the hospital in the trauma center under an assumed name,” Rothmiller recalled, when intelligence personnel reported that the attacker had returned to Nicaragua and that Nancy also had been targeted. “[The criminals] wanted to send a message to everyone in law enforcement that if you got in their way, they would take out your whole family.”

Rothmiller’s first book was published about 10 years after he had left police work. Titled “LA Secret Police,” the book documented life inside OCID and quickly made the bestseller list. By that time, he had been a TV reporter and had his own ESPN series.

“I thrive on exposing things that the average person does not see,” Rothmiller said. “Intelligence gathering is a completely different world. There are things that people do not want you to see.  There is so much political corruption, but now they are more cautious and devious in the way they cover their tracks.”

Best Advice Ever Received

It came from my mother: I am not sure how old I was, 8 or 9 that I recall, and about to play hardball at the park. I had never played before and I was nervous about it. She said, “Michael, you don’t know what you can accomplish unless you try.” I did well and pitched a no-hitter. Her words always stayed with me. What is the worst that can happen? You don’t know until you try.

Favorite Place to Visit

For vacation, I like Alaska and I have been 20 to 30 times to Hawaii. When not a vacation situation, I like going places that are unusual and different. I am an archeological site steward for Arizona. I have spent plenty of time off the beaten path, hiking two-story cliff dwellings that look like the inhabitants walked away a couple of weeks ago, even though it was the year 1300. Doing the news (as a TV reporter/director), I spent two weeks in the Amazon swimming in clear tributary waters and enjoying the wildlife.

Who I Admire

When I was in San Diego working at Sony and on the USO Board of Directors, I met a lot of military personnel being shipped off to Iraq and other places, not knowing if they would be coming back. I saw them with their spouses and children. The littlest children did not understand where Dad or Mom was going. Even in police work, you can quit anytime you want, but not as a soldier going on deployment to war. You can’t say, “I quit today.” I have to admire those people. In my book, “My Hero: Military Kids Write About Their Moms and Dads,” the kids wrote essays about why their parents are their heroes. I admire those kids, too, for how brave they were talking about their parents.

My Superpower

That goes back to what my Mom said. I am not afraid to try new things, not knowing if I am going to succeed or fail. If I succeed, wonderful. Maybe it’s an attitude toward life.

Five Years From Now

I assume I will still be writing right here. It keeps my mind active. Research and writing are like a treasure hunt for me. Most of the time, I find a gem to answer a question or open others’ eyes to something. QCBN

By Sue Marceau, QCBN

Smoothing Out Life’s Bumps

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Preferred Auto Body’s Cameron and Erika Snow know when you’ve had a bad day.

Cameron and Erika Snow are exactly the people you’d want managing the fallout if your motor vehicle were sideswiped, rear-ended, dented or otherwise damaged in a mishap.

The Snows, owners of Preferred Auto Body, Inc., apply their know-how to making your prized wheels look as good as new. From coordinating with insurance companies to buffing newly repaired auto bodies, their 11-person crew aims for complete customer satisfaction.

Since purchasing Preferred Auto Body in 2014, the Snows have focused on “keeping people happy” and “trying to do everybody right,” Cameron said. He and Erika bought the shop three years after relocating from California to Prescott, where Cameron had enjoyed visits during high school with a friend whose family had local connections. Cameron had been a firefighter until a job-related back injury ended that career. A family friend mentored him in auto body work, Cameron explained, “and here we are.”

In a typical week, the shop repairs about 20 vehicles. After dropping to 15 a week during the pandemic, business is picking back up.

“Our business is a mix of everything from bumpers to ‘train wrecks,’” Cameron said. “It goes in spurts. We can’t predict what will be coming in, so we’re ready for anything. Seventy percent is repeat customers and referrals. There are a lot more customer pays than I ever thought. People are scared to death to use their insurance.”

That fear arises from misconceptions about what causes insurance rates to rise, he explained. The general rule is that a driver hitting something spurs a rate increase, while damage such as that from hail storms, vandalism and grocery carts does not. A collision with a deer or other animal is exempt. Cameron shared that three-year rate increases of $27 to $30 a month have been reported by customers for “chargeable” incidents.

“The average person is going to get into a wreck,” according to industry statistics, Cameron said. “You would have to go 21 years without a loss to justify a $1,000 deductible and you’d only save a small amount a year for not choosing the lower deductible. People should know the fine print of their policies. Everyone thinks they have full coverage, but they don’t. Many go online and pick the cheapest rate, where accident payouts are low and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are limited.”

Preferred Auto Body takes pride in advising customers on when to use insurance coverage and when to pay cash. “You may be able to repair minor damage for not much money, but you will want to explore if a more expensive repair justifies the cost of having insurance pay for it,” Cameron said. “We can help you figure that out.”

Besides negotiating with insurance companies, Snow says interfacing with customers can be challenging. “There are a thousand different scenarios, but any of them may have one thing in common: customers are stressed and not happy because their prized possession, and their second most expensive purchase after a home, is broken. We apply our knowledge to make them as happy as possible when they get the vehicle back. Circumstances change, so that task can be hard or easy.”

Community is important to the Snows, who have built strong relationships with businesses such as Brinkley Automotive, Big O Tires, Jim’s Alignment & Brake Service Inc., Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hertz Car Rental. The Preferred Auto Body experience includes, if needed, a ride to or from Enterprise or Hertz or a nearby home, office or similar location.

Of their many philanthropic activities, Erika said they like to keep their donations local by contributing to Prescott High School, Boys to Men Mentoring, Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kiwanis, and Arizona tax credits to area schools. Serving veterans is a favorite cause.

The Snows had collaborated in California with other businesses to raise $10,000 to $20,000 a year to take underprivileged children shopping during the holidays. They said they’d like to do the same in Prescott by aligning with schools and a merchant for after-hours shopping.

On a personal level, the Snows met at a California high desert roping event during the summer between sixth and seventh grades, Erika said. Their parents were friends and Erika later saw Cameron at middle school, though she says “he didn’t know I existed until we were 19.”

Their son, Travis, 21, and daughter, Shelby, 18, focus on “storming their own castles,” Erika said. Travis works in heavy construction and Shelby graduates this year from Prescott High School.

“Finding the right employees is the hardest part of this whole thing,” Cameron explained of opportunities for painters, painters’ helpers, detailers and office managers. “It’s worse because of the pandemic. We try to keep everybody working together as a family. We are blessed to have the people that we do.”

Best advice I’ve ever received:

“My former boss, and now friend, taught me everything I know about the auto body business and continues to give us advice regularly. His best advice was to always make the customer happy and go out of your way to make the repair process as easy as possible.”

If I could obtain a new skill, it be would be:

“To learn how to play an instrument, like a guitar, because it would be fun to play around a campfire.”

The last time I felt gratitude:

“We feel pride and gratitude on a daily basis. Our son is 21 and is working for a local company in construction and loving it. Our daughter is 18 and is graduating from Prescott High School this month. We’re proud of both of them and are grateful to God to have been able to raise them in a town like Prescott.”

In our spare time:

“We like to explore Arizona in our Side by Side, go hunting with our kids and when Cam can, he competes in Bench Rest shooting.”

Our role models are:

“Our dads. We lost them both at very young ages. They were 46 and 49. They both were hard-working men who were leaders both at work and at home. We try to work and live our lives in a way that we think would make them proud of both of us.” QCBN

By Sue Marceau, QCBN

Alexa Scholl: Prescott’s Rising Star

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Smiling broadly, which she does often, 23-year-old Alexa Scholl recalls how a local radio talk show host acknowledged that she shares the name “Alexa” with the Amazon electronic application that answers questions and performs communications tasks. It was suggested that the name recognition may have helped her win a seat on the Prescott City Council (PCC) when she was 20 years old.

“I’d like to think it was a bit more than just ‘name recognition,’” she said. “I consider myself a Prescott native and have family roots here since the 1950s. I attended local schools and graduated from Prescott High School in 2015.”

In high school, Alexa committed herself to representing her fellow students as what she called a “servant leader,” someone who wants to help the community make a sustainable difference in its quality of life. “Being involved in such programs cemented my interest in public service. I was inspired by other students who shared similar values. We really did support each other to make the world a better place,” said Scholl.

Her parents are both highly visible educators. Her father, John Scholl, is superintendent of Chino Valley Schools and her mother, Marti Read, is assistant superintendent of Prescott Unified School District (PUSD).

Alexa graduated from PHS with distinction. She was an award-winning varsity athlete and student leader. She later was named a Tillman Scholar and Truman Scholar – both prestigious honors awarded to exceptional students at Arizona State University (ASU). While there, she enrolled in the Barrett Honors College, where she completed a political science degree with a minor in Spanish in 2019. Currently, she is enrolled in an ASU master’s program in global security.

It seems no matter what she does, she is setting new standards or breaking records.

For instance, while yet an undergraduate at ASU, she ran for and was elected to a four-year term in 2017 to the seven-member Prescott City Council. She did so with the highest number of votes cast for any candidate and became the youngest city council person elected in Arizona history.

“It’s funny. I was not old enough to drink alcoholic beverages, and yet I was voting in council meetings to approve liquor licenses.”

Committed to Public Service

Last month, Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli shared with fellow council members that Alexa had accepted that role as mayor pro tem for the Prescott City Council.

“Having Alexa as our mayor pro tem is something I am very pleased about,” said Mayor Mengarelli. Her continuous thoughtful insight, dedication and knowledge about the greater Prescott community and unique perspectives on various issues the council faces make her truly invaluable in this role. I look forward to working with Ms. Scholl in her new capacity. I am excited to see how her leadership will impact PCC and the city as a whole.”

City Councilmember Billie Orr, who has served as mayor pro tem for the past several years, calls Alexa studious and perceptive. “Alexa is a talented young lady. I have enjoyed working alongside her on the council.”

“Alexa is one of the best examples of why I love being an educator in Prescott,” said PUSD School Superintendent Joe Howard. “She grew up here, represented academically the top levels of our schools in the county and state, and then returned to her community to contribute in the highest manner. We are so proud of this young woman. What’s gratifying is that she accepted a position with PUSD to be our health and safety coordinator in dealing with some of the most threatening situations in our history. She is leading us through this pandemic with incredible skill. I am reminded daily of how important and full circle our efforts are in education.”

Early in her service on the council, she was instrumental in creating the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), which is designed to help area students be aware of local government policies and issues that affect youth.

Scholl also dedicates time to serving on the board of the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Partnerships. She is a member of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States. She also has worked and volunteered for Yavapai Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

In her spare time, Scholl says she listens to podcasts about political, criminal and social issues. She also enjoys a good comedy.

What makes me laugh

I laugh hardest when I spend time with my family. We tend to be sarcastic, so we enjoy poking fun at each other.

My favorite meal

I really love my dad’s chicken curry over rice. But we have some good restaurants in town.

My favorite place to travel

San Felipe, Mexico. We’ve been going there since I was a little kid. It’s like a second home. But I also love, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, where I can study U.S. history. I owe that to Kelly Cordes, my seventh grade social studies teacher.

Prescott is unique

I think our wonderful climate and natural beauty, combined with the history of the region, are major draws. Of course, there’s no place like Prescott during the holidays. Totally spectacular and welcoming.

If I had an unlimited bank account

It would go for non-profits and foundations. These are close to my heart. They have been impacted by the pandemic. They need financial support. QCBN

By Ray Newton

Challenges Ahead for Alzheimer’s Association Director

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Lesley Jenkins, regional director for the Desert Southwest Chapter – Alzheimer’s Association, has a daunting task ahead.

It involves creating more awareness and more support groups for what is becoming the most insidious illness attacking Arizonans – dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the state. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause – 60 to 80% – of all dementia cases.

“Arizona leads the nation as the state with the highest growth rate of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Jenkins. “Right now, more than 150,000 people 65 and older have been diagnosed. That number is expected to increase by as much as 33% in the next five years.”

Two-thirds of Alzheimer’s victims are women.

Jenkins, who accepted the regional director job in February 2019, said the past 10 months have been especially difficult for her and her staff of two. The COVID-19 pandemic essentially stopped face-to-face meetings and training sessions scheduled from her office at 3111 Clearwater Dr., near the northern boundary of Prescott.

“The region for which we are responsible is bigger than some states – more than 66,000 square miles. We work with people in Yavapai, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo and Apache counties. It’s a growing population of more than 773,000. Many of those are older people,” she said.

Despite difficulties with travel and in-person meetings, Jenkins and her team have been recruiting volunteers to help in various areas. “Additionally, we have a variety of resources and programs that help people cope with all aspects of the disease and its progression,” she said.

Among those resources cited by Jenkins:

24/7 Helpline – 800-272-3900
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a professional consultant is available to talk confidentially and provide information about Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Support Groups – When circumstances permit, free forums conducted by trained individuals are offered throughout the four counties. Most are for dementia care partners, but some are for individuals diagnosed with early-stage dementia.

Ongoing Education – These presentations utilize trained volunteers who introduce the audience to all aspects of the disease and provide resources to help caregivers find assistance.

Early Stage Programming – These programs include specific activities focused on engaging, encouraging and empowering diagnosed persons to utilize their strength and capacities as long as they can.

Safety Services – Jenkins and her teams, in collaboration with the greater Alzheimer’s Association and the MedicAlert Foundation, provide membership plans with 24/7 “Wandering Support,” a nationwide emergency response service for persons with dementia who have a tendency to wander or have other medical issues.

 

The Nashville, Tennessee native earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in journalism, speech communication and theater at Tennessee State University. For several years, she served as assistant director for media relations for The Ohio State University. She also had experience in public relations for the City of Columbus. It was in Cleveland where she met her future husband, Rodney Jenkins.

Her husband has been a college and university administrator most of his professional career. Both Lesley and Rodney were working in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. She was the associate director and member coordinator for the YMCA there. Rodney accepted a position as vice president of community relations at Yavapai College in Prescott in 2017.

They have two sons, Jayden, 16 and Jared, 13. Both are enrolled in Prescott public schools.

Jenkins said her most immediate challenge is to organize the annual “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” scheduled in the Quad Cities Oct. 3, and in the Greater Verde Valley on Oct. 24.

“This is a part of the world’s largest event to raise funds to create awareness and support for Alzheimer’s care and research. Because of the pandemic, we’re pivoting to do it virtually this year. Even so, we are calling on people of all ages and abilities from throughout Northern Arizona to step forward and join in this major effort. We are committed to focus not only on care and support for families in this region, but also to help fund research to find a cure.”

My Favorite Entertainment

I binge watch TV – Hallmark channel and HGTV. And, try this: Watch cheerleading competitions.

Best Advice I’ve Ever Received

From my pastor in my early career, who said, to be a leader, we had to have impeccable character and respect for authority and realize that quality of life is more important than quantity.

The Biggest Influence on My Career

My mom. She sacrificed a lot for me. Now that I’m a mother, I want her to know the time and attention she paid me were not in vain.

Characteristics I Admire in Co-Workers and Colleagues

A solid work ethic and ability to work together as a team. Teamwork makes dreamwork.

If YOU Could Snap Your Fingers for Social Change

I would encourage empathy. Empathy allows us to imagine what it is to be someone else. It allows a person to speak the truth and be respected. QCBN

By Ray Newton

For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association, contact Jenkins at
ldjenkins@alz.org.

Nebeker Selected to Sculpt Bronze Statue Honoring Fallen Officers

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One of America’s most renowned Western artists, Bill Nebeker, was selected to create a bronze sculpture as a memorial to officers who have lost their lives in service of citizens of Yavapai County.

Nebeker’s selection was announced by the Yavapai Law Enforcement Memorial Committee (YLEMC), chaired by Sheriff Scott Mascher. Nebeker, a lifelong resident of Prescott, said he was humbled and honored beyond his ability to express.

Recognized as one of the nation’s most prominent sculptors of cowboys and horses, Nebeker has been president four times of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America.

Nebeker was not always famous. He and his wife, Merry, scratched out a modest living in the 1960s and early ‘70s, working at a foundry in Skull Valley created by the late Western artist, George Phippen.

It was not until 1974, when he sculpted a small statue of legendary Western actor John Wayne, that he achieved more than regional recognition. He fashioned the sculpture after an image he had of Wayne from the award-winning movie “The Searchers.” Wayne heard about it, contacted Nebeker and invited him to meet him in Stanfield, a small town near Casa Grande, where Wayne owned a ranch. The Nebekers drove down in their pickup truck.

“We sat on the tailgate and talked to Wayne,” said Nebeker. “He ended up buying a couple of my bronzes. Before long, a lot of Hollywood people knew about me.” His works started selling.

Nebeker credits Merry, his wife of 55 years, with being his main supporter and cheerleader during the lean years when he struggled to make a professional career of Western art. Now, his works are showcased in major museums throughout the United States. Private collectors also have his work. Several European galleries and museums display his art.

On Aug. 9, Nebeker’s largest sculpture ever, “If Horses Could Talk,” was mounted on a roundabout at Deep Well Ranch and Crystal Lane on SR 89 going north out of Prescott. The artwork shows a cowboy peering through binoculars to find a deer while his horse is looking downward under a rock ledge where a buck has hidden.

Remembering Law Officers

His newest sculpture, “Lest We Forget,” will memorialize the estimated 18 Yavapai County law officers who have died in the line of duty since the founding of Arizona Territory.

The memorial features an officer of the 1880s-1900 territorial era portrayed in Western style – a gun belt and holster with historic depictions of a pistol and bullets, wearing old-fashioned trousers tucked into high-topped leather boots. Hat in hand, he’ll look down in honor toward an empty pair of boots signifying fallen officers.

The life-size statue will be mounted on a granite boulder approximately three feet by four feet wide and deep. A smaller boulder in front will be inscribed with names of fallen officers and display a pair of empty old-time boots with spurs on them.

When finished, the sculpture will be located on the Courthouse Plaza in a triangular-shaped raised area near the corner of Montezuma and Gurley Streets. It will be highly visible to thousands of residents and visitors who explore Arizona’s first territorial capital and seat of government.

Nebeker spoke about the memorial’s significance to him. “Several lifelong friends and Prescott High School classmates have been policemen, sheriffs, DPS officers and U.S. marshals. In fact, several of their children now are serving our community, county and state. To create something to honor law enforcement officers is a great opportunity. To have it on the Courthouse Plaza in the town where I grew up and near the famous Bucky O’Neill statue is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Prescott Chief of Police Debora Black commented about the choice of Nebeker to create the memorial: “A memorial dedicated to honor law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice will be a fitting addition to our already beautiful County Courthouse Square. It will allow everyone to pay homage to our fallen heroes. Bill Nebeker grew up in our Prescott tradition. His work embodies the legacy of our Western heritage. I can’t think of anyone better suited to create a memorial reflecting the valuable role peace officers play in our community.”

“This statue at the Courthouse Plaza will remind us all that freedom and peace [are] not free,” said Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chair Craig Brown.

Nebeker said he hopes to have the memorial completed by January. It currently is being cast by the Prescott Valley foundry Bronzesmith.

No taxpayer dollars are being spent to construct the memorial, YLEMC committee members said. Instead, a fundraising campaign fund has been established for those who wish to contribute.

Best advice I ever received:

Be honest. A man’s word is his bond.

Favorite celebrity to hang out with:

John Wayne, but he’s gone. Now, probably Sam Elliott, with that gravelly deep voice that fits so many of his Western movie characters.

Favorite meal:

No doubt about that. A couple of eggs, over medium, easy, sausage and hashbrowns – every morning of the week.

Best place to vacation:

Big Island, Hawaii, up north where all the cattle ranches are.

Advise for a long, successful marriage:

Lots of hugging and kissing and dancing. And never go to bed at night angry.

Best character quality to pass along to my children:

For more information, visit billnebeker.com

By Ray Newton

New HUSD Superintendent Facing Unparalleled Challenges

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Acknowledging that his biggest challenge will be finding ways to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on the educational environment throughout the Humboldt Unified School District, John Pothast says he is “beyond excited” to be working in Prescott Valley.

Pothast is beginning his job as superintendent of the largest school district in Yavapai County. He succeeds Dan Streeter, who accepted the superintendency position with the Marana School Unified District in northwest Tucson.

“During my earlier research about schools in Prescott Valley and then during my interviews, I was genuinely impressed with the intense professional commitment of the district’s faculty and staff,” Pothast said.

Though coming to HUSD from a prior four-year administrative position as director of innovation and strategic planning in Soldotna, Alaska, Pothast is not unfamiliar with Arizona. He and his wife, Sheilah-Margaret, were teachers for several years at Cibola High School in Yuma. He taught English and she taught social studies. Also, Pothast earned a master of educational leadership degree in 1999 from Northern Arizona University (NAU). Years earlier, he earned a bachelor’s degree in English and humanities from the University of Minnesota’s Duluth campus.

Sheilah-Margaret is originally from Camp Verde. They have two adult children: a daughter, who just graduated from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and a son who will be a junior at NAU.

The five-member HUSD school board was unanimous in offering Pothast a two-year contract .

Becoming the head administrator for HUSD begins Pothast’s 32nd year in education. He’ll be responsible for administering a multi-million dollar budget, which in 2019-2020 was $35,292,511 in maintenance and operations, and $3,302,243 in capital investments. New budget figures will be announced at the beginning of the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

He will also be responsible for a workforce of approximately 615 employees: 283 faculty members; 310 classified personnel and 22 administrators. All these people keep 10 schools operational – a high school, two middle schools, one traditional school, five elementary schools, and one preschool. They also serve an estimated 5,400 students, an enrollment which generally has been stable the past few years.

Challenges Are Without Precedent

Pothast admits the challenges facing schools and communities in the state and throughout the nation are without precedent. “If we have to continue dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ll need to find ways to provide quality education to students in remote learning environments. If we start getting back to ‘normal,’ we’ll be dealing with residual – and possibly ongoing – issues created during the past few months.”

He adds that budget and funding issues will be significant across the nation. “It’s too early to tell what or when the beginning of school will be like. Certainly, the governor has announced he wants schools opened in a normal fashion. HUSD already has a working group put together to look at what our options might include.”

Noting that the dramatic changes occurring in schools, society, culture and industry are influencing education in ways previously unimagined, Pothast said he wants to be visionary in moving education forward to give children some ownership in the learning process. He feels that education is not confined to classrooms, or school days or even particular locations. He believes a positive educational journey requires collaboration and open communications from among all sectors of society.

“I want to be clear,” he said. “The health and safety of everyone is paramount, no matter where we find ourselves in the fall.”

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

“My mom told me, ‘This too shall pass,’ and she was right. Life is full of ups and downs. The past several months of school are among those challenging times. But it shall pass, and we’ll find our new normal and continue.”

 

What’s your favorite recent memory?

“Having both our kids home with us again. When their campuses shut down in March, the circumstances that caused that were unfortunate. But having them home, with all the fun and laughter we have together, was a blessing.”

 

What do you and your family do for entertainment or recreation?

“Hiking in the mountains, biking on trails, boating on the water, skiing in the winter – anything outdoors.”

 

What led you to a career in education?

“I had many inspirational teachers over the years. Mrs. Terri Tiech, my middle school English teacher, personalized learning long before anyone else thought about it. Her impact on my later life helped me move in that same direction.”

 

What’s your favorite
holiday and why?  

“Christmas. That’s a time that reminds us of what should be important in life – helping and giving to others. It’s a time to believe.” QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Mod Mom Furniture Designer Teams Up with Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

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Going from television sales in Chicago for the A&E network to stay-at-home mom in Los Angeles, Kiersten Hathcock was restless. “In addition to the fact that we needed to make up for my lost income, I realized quickly that I was wired to work and create. In 2006, I set up a garage sale and it looked like the display floor of The Gap. At that point, I knew I needed to do something to foster my creative side while I was home with the kids.”

She also knew she needed toy storage for her young children, ages 1 and 5. But she and her husband, Scott, wanted that toy box to blend with the rest of the mid-century modern furniture in their 1,400-square-foot home. She looked online, she looked on Craigslist. She found only one that she would consider modern.

“We were in L.A., a town that appreciates mid-century modern style. I thought, ‘If I can teach myself how to build furniture, there’s a niche here.’ So, I bought a circular saw and Googled ‘how to build furniture.’ The first toy boxes I built were horrible. But I put them on Etsy and sold a couple of them. Later, when I got better, I gave those people new toy boxes.”

Becoming a Carpenter, Building a Brand, Battling Sharks

For four years, Hathcock sawed and sanded and painted, creating more than 300 pieces of mid-century modern-style kids’ furniture and building her Mod Mom Furniture brand in her garage. Celebrities became her clientele. So, she drove her minivan into the L.A. foothills to deliver furniture to people like reality television fashion designer Rachel Zoe and actor Matthew McConaughey.

“I wouldn’t trade that time, but boy, did I get tired,” she said. “I was always covered in sawdust and managing the kids at home 24/7.”

Her dad suggested she watch Shark Tank, the television program in which budding entrepreneurs pitch their business idea to famous multi-millionaires in hopes of gaining an investor. After about 30 minutes of considering making her own presentation, she thought, “I should give it a shot.”

She did and she received two offers on the air: one from Robert Herjavec and one from Kevin O›Leary, a.k.a. Mr. Wonderful. She went with Herjavec and what appeared to be the better deal. Hathcock left the television studio elated, believing her dreams had come true. But not long after the bright lights of the set had dimmed, so did her hopes. She tried to track down her investor, but learned the deal would not be moving forward.

“I believe everything happens the way it should happen. I picked myself back up and said,

‘I can do this.’” Besides, she’d already received all kinds of free press from publications like People magazine.

The television appearance, which continues to be rerun, along with media exposure surrounding her television offer, brought another interested investor. “He called from San Francisco and said, ‘I believe in you, tell me what you want.’”

The agreement included $100,000 and she was able to keep more equity in the company than she would have with previous offers.

Hathcock continued to build children’s furniture as the CEO and founder of Mod Mom Furniture. She also began giving presentations, mostly to high school students and aspiring entrepreneurs, about pursuing their dreams. “I talk a lot about building a brand from nothing, because I didn’t have money to build a brand. I tell them my story and how I went from corporate to carpentry – nobody does that. But, it worked. You can do anything you put your mind to. Be resilient. Don’t quit. Trust your intuition. I had no skill and no money and now I’m designing furniture that’s recognized internationally.”

Teaming Up with Frank Lloyd Wright

A year ago, Hathcock was hired to give a presentation to the American Society of Interior Designers. The new vice president of licensing for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation was in the audience. Three days later, the two were talking on the phone about creating a children’s furniture line for the organization.

In April, a news released announced, “The American-made, modern kids’ furniture brand, Mod Mom Furniture, and leading toddler furniture maker, Little Colorado, are honored and excited to collaborate with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to create a line of modern children’s furniture. Some pieces will be inspired by Wright’s furniture designs, while others will be replicas of Wright furniture scaled down for children.”

Little Colorado is the company Hathcock had chosen because of its environmentally sustainable practices. The Frank Lloyd Wright furniture line is called PlayHouse by Mod Mom Furniture. The origin of the brand name was a drawing of the word “playhouse” Wright had created for a client project.

“This was incredible. All of a sudden, I’m doing business under the name of America’s most famous architect!” Hathcock is now designing and creating multiple kids’ furniture pieces inspired by Wright’s work.

The non-profit organization’s president and CEO, Stuart Graff, said in the news release, “The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation inspires the world through an understanding and experience of Frank Lloyd Wright’s ideas, architecture and design. Developing a new line of children’s furniture that incorporates Wright’s design principles is a fantastic way to show new generations a beautiful and inspired way of living.”

The first product to hit the market is a play table and chair set. Five different Frank Lloyd Wright graphic designs can be printed directly onto the tabletop, or the tabletop can be left in its natural finish. A prototype was on display during Modernism Week in Palm Springs, California. The foundation says feedback throughout and after the event was so positive that the launch of the brand was moved up to April from August.

FOLLOWING HER INTUITION

During the past decade, while Hathcock was intently focused on the extraordinary ups and downs of her children’s furniture business, another astounding development was happening. More children began coming into her life.

“It started in 2011. I started hearing and seeing children in spirit. As a skeptic and believer in scientific data, I couldn’t wrap my head around what was happening. I thought maybe I’d inhaled too much polyurethane in the workshop.”

From that moment on, many children who had been killed by predators, or who died suddenly, began to visit her. They would communicate to her about their tragic deaths. She thought she was going crazy until she started sharing what she was receiving with law enforcement and grieving parents who validated the messages as accurate.

“It’s incredibly emotional work so I had to learn to step outside of myself and just record what I was seeing and hearing. I became like a doctor observing a patient and would write down what I was being told that needed to be shared,” she said.

Hathcock became a reluctant undercover medium, volunteering to help police officers and detectives solve crimes against children. “After I’d been volunteering for about two years, visions of myself at a young age starting coming to me. Because I trusted my intuition by that point, I knew to trust what I was getting.”

Long locked-out memories began to reveal themselves to Hathcock. She learned that she, too, had her own history with a pedophile, assaults by a relative that took place when she was between the ages of 3 and 5. Further, during a three-year split from her husband, Scott, she “fell down a deep hole” in a relationship with a narcissistic sociopath.

“Unbeknownst to me, I was living with a predator,” The spirits of the children were warning her. She says, one in particular named Jason told her to, “’Go get the restraining order now. You have to do it now.’ Had I not left, I believe I would be dead.”

Hathcock’s experiences are now captured in her book with the working title, “Undercover Medium.” She expects it to be on the market in 2021.

Retired New York City Police Department Detective Mark Pucci, who continues to work as a private investigator, wrote the foreword. Here’s an excerpt:

 

Thinking back to before we had the opportunity to speak on the phone, I remember asking myself, “What is this furniture company CEO from Arizona doing volunteering to assist on a high-profile missing persons case in Long Island, New York?” That being said, when I finally had the chance to speak to Kiersten on the phone for the first time, my intuition kicked into full gear. Much to my surprise, not long into our conversation, I realized that Kiersten was unlike any other intuitive medium I had spoken to through the years. She explained to me that she had recently discovered that she possessed certain abilities that might assist investigators in finding missing persons, and that she was simply looking to volunteer her time because she cared and just wanted to help. I eventually came to understand, as time went on and I got to know Kiersten personally, that she had truly been given a gift for helping others in this way . . . especially kids. The most amazing part of her journey is that she wasn’t looking for any of what has happened to her . . . it simply found her. 

 

Hathcock lives in Flagstaff with her husband, Scott. The family moved here from L.A. in 2012. Their two children, Grace and Noah, are now adults. For more information about Mod Mom Furniture or the book, “Undercover Medium,” visit modmomfurniture.com/upcoming-book.html. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Baking for Health

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Cookies, cupcakes, donuts and brownies are not typically considered healthy foods, but Health Coach Karen Russell has found a way to bake for one’s sweet tooth without the processed sugar and gluten.

Owner of Sedona-based Karen’s Gluten Free Living, Russell says her introduction to baking started as a child with an Easy Bake Oven.  She recalls making Rice Krispies treats, cookies and brownies. “I was the oldest of seven siblings and I was always hungry, so I made snacks.”

Russell’s pilgrimage into health started in college where she studied nutrition. “I started to eat healthier, but when I was in my 40s, I was diagnosed with chronic insomnia and fibromyalgia. I decided to change my diet to gluten- and dairy-free and threw out all my regular flour, dairy, butter, cheese and sugar and replaced them with gluten-free flour, coconut sugar and other healthier food options,” she said.

As her health improved significantly, she decided to become a health coach, guiding others to a better way to live healthy. During this journey, she published a book called, “Gluten Free Living.”

However, her dissatisfaction with the gluten-free products on the market inspired Russell to begin making her own. “The gluten-free food available didn’t taste fantastic and they were dry and crumbly and full of sugar and processed ingredients. So, I began to formulate recipes that were healthy and tasty.”

Her first product was her Chocolate Chip D-Lites. “I would take my cookies to a party or picnic and people loved them so much I would have to hide a few so there would be some left over for me.”

In 2014, Russell started selling her Chocolate Chip D-Lites at the Sedona Farmer’s Market.  She began to add more products such as her Red Rock Energy Bites, Pecan Delights and her Gluten Free Paleo and Sour Dough Breads. “Two years later, I quit health coaching and decided to devote all my time to this business. I registered as an LLC, and sought investors to finance my kitchen packaging/marketing for the products.”

“We love to support local sellers,” said Flagstaff Natural Grocers Store Manager James Rowe. “Previous to working here, I worked at the Sedona store and Karen’s gluten-free products were a big seller. They are selling well in Flagstaff, too. Pecan Delights are my favorite.”

Karen’s Gluten Free Living kitchen is a Certified Gluten Free Kitchen, which means there is no cross-contamination. “I pay a fee and get audited every year; plus, I have to keep paperwork. It’s an involved process, but worth it because people with serious gluten-free health issues such as celiac disease can be assured they have a genuine gluten-free product.”

During the 2019 Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO) Moonshot Pitch Event, Russell’s products were a hit. “Her passion for her field and quality of product really shone through,” said Moonshot Vice President of Operations and Finance Amanda Kristinat. “On a personal note, after being given the opportunity to try some samples, I was hooked.  My whole family loves Karen’s shortbread cookies.”

A regular shopper at Russell’s weekly Sedona Farmer’s Market, Margaret Weant- Leavitt says she absolutely loves Karen’s cupcakes, cakes and cookies. “I’m a self-professed chocoholic and can’t go a day without these wonderful baked goods. I couldn’t find good bread until I tried her sourdough bread and bagels…they are amazing. When I share with my friends, they are in disbelief that they are gluten and sugar free. Plus, they taste like gourmet baked goods.”

Packaged mixes are available from Karen’s Gluten Free Living, as well. “We have a brownie, muffin, bread and shortbread cookies mix,” said Russell, who plans to add more products.

A heart-warming recollection for Russell was when she was at the Sedona Farmers Market and a young boy walked up. “He was eyeing my cupcakes and told me how good they looked but he was sure he couldn’t have one because of his allergies. His mom came and read the ingredients and he was so happy because he could have one. Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile.”

Born in Japan and raised in Ohio, Russell is married and has lived in Sedona for eight years. She has three adult children and four grandchildren. Her kitchen is currently based out of her home. “Someday, I’d like to grow bigger and get a bigger space.” QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

To find Russell’s products, visit karensglutenfreeliving.com or call 928-282-8918.

 

Country Doctor Celebrates a Lifetime of Memories in Northern Arizona

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For decades, retired physician and cattle rancher George Yard and his wife, Sharon, a nurse, have impacted the medical, educational and agricultural fields of both Yavapai and Coconino Counties, directly and indirectly.

Though both had their primary careers in hospital medicine in Coconino County, they nevertheless owned and operated a large cattle ranch Yavapai County, just east of Paulden and west of Perkinsville.

For 25 years, beginning in 1991, the Yards managed the Y Bar D Ranch and grew feed crops and fed cattle year-round. George was a member of the Chino Winds Natural Resources Conservation District from 2014 until 2018, and the Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District from 1987 through 1994. They were well-known among ranchers in the area.

Having just celebrated his 90th birthday on Feb. 28, Yard reminisced about his experiences with more than 230 close family members and friends when they attended a party in his honor at the Elks Lodge in Flagstaff.

Friends from throughout the Quad Cities area joined those from Flagstaff and elsewhere to sing “Happy Birthday” to the country doctor. They also heard close friends tease the Yards in ways that only occur when genuine respect and friendship is involved. A sizable number of them made the claim, “Dr. Yard delivered me,” or “Dr. Yard delivered one of my kids.” What Yard likes to brag most about, though, is that he delivered all his grandchildren.

It is true. George Yard delivered them and thousands of other babies during those years that he practiced medicine in Flagstaff and, later, in Williams. In 1960, Yard was honorably discharged as a captain from Army Medical Corp after having served in Germany. He began a family practice in Flagstaff. The population then was only 18,214. At that that time, six physicians were headquartered in the little town. Family doctors were busy with every type of medical issue.

Never Quite the ‘Boy Next Door’

A native of Bisbee, where he lived on a ranch-farm, Yard became an Eagle Scout and went to high school. In 1948, Yard decided he wanted a look at the bigger world. He was one of two outstanding Bisbee High School students to receive a Phelps Dodge scholarship to attend the University of Arizona.

As his grandson, Charlie Moody, described to the crowd at the birthday party, “Grandpa was known for his campus shenanigans. He and his fraternity buddies crept into a sorority house, stole all the toilet seats, took them to Old Main on [NAU] campus and strung them up for everyone to see.”

A pre-med graduate at the University of Arizona in 1952, Yard then was admitted to Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. In just two years, he received his bachelor of medicine degree, “And I am quite proud of that BM,” he said with a grin. In 1956, he earned his doctorate in medicine and soon after, joined the military.

Others who talked about Yard during the celebration were emphatic that Yard, while an excellent physician, was not the traditional “white coat and necktie doctor.” In contrast, he wore cowboy boots, jeans and western shirts, and of course, a cowboy hat – all a reflection of his youth when he was a champion bull rider.

Influential Community Leader

Through the years, as Dr. Yard became involved in the greater Flagstaff community, he joined the State Board of Medical Directors. He served from 1973 to 1977 as president of the Coconino County Medical Association. For a while, he served as a part-time physician at Northern Arizona University (NAU).

He was involved in multiple community organizations, too, such as the Republican Party, Flagstaff Symphony, Turquoise Ball and as chairman of the Community College State Board. In fact, he was a primary leader in the founding of Coconino Community College.

Yard was well-known in the greater community, where he was joined by notable community leaders like the late attorney Douglas J. Wall, the late former NAU president J. Lawrence Walkup, and longtime physician George Hershey, 82. They and their community colleagues formed close bonds, and vacationed and socialized together. In fact, Yard reminisced at the party, “The one guy I really wish was here – Doug Wall. He made a real difference in my life.”

Fellow doctor George Hershey teased the birthday crowd, “I’ve got a lot of stories I could tell you about pranks George pulled on me and other doctors – but there are too many kids here.”

When the Yards moved from Flagstaff Medical Center to Williams so he could become a clinic physician at Williams Hospital, the Yards bought a cattle ranch, the Y Bar D, south of Williams near Perkinsville and Paulden in Yavapai County. They retired in 2002. Yard, then 72, built what he called their dream house, where they lived adjacent to the Verde River until 2019. He and Sharon raised crops and cattle, and “built enough fence to corral any herd John Wayne ever ran,” he said.

Now, the Yards live in Flagstaff, near many of their children and grandchildren. “I still have my horse, too, though getting in the saddle is a bit more than I want to do now.”

Sharon laughs, “Heck, getting in the truck is a chore for you anymore.”

What’s your favorite holiday?

“No doubt, Christmas, because of the spirit involved.”

What is the funniest thing you ever did?

“When I was at the UofA [University of Arizona], one night my frat brothers and I stole a pig from the university farm. We greased it up really good and then at 2 in the morning, we took it to the Kappa Kappa Gamma house and turned it loose in the living room. We sat on the lawn and roared as the girls tried to catch it.”

What is your most memorable experience?

“Taking a pontoon boat trip down the Grand Canyon with my wife. My son, since he was a river-runner, made arrangements and accompanied us in another boat.”

How seriously should we take the coronavirus epidemic?

“People need to treat it as they would any other serious disease. Maintain good sanitation practices, wash your hands regularly with soap, avoid unnecessary exposure to large crowds, and if possible, stay away from areas that have been contaminated.”

What advice would you give a young person starting a medical career?

“If you decide to make medicine a career, you must make it a full life, multifold commitment.” QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Former Green Beret Tackling Jail Issues

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The coming weeks and months will be demanding and intense, says Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chair Craig Brown. Requests continue to come in for more services and facilities. That, he says, coupled with what looks to be an aggressive political year, will heat up the governmental landscape.

“The major issue we supervisors will face in the next month is looking toward the estimated $70 million bond issue to pay for a new jail in Prescott. Some have said we need to spend more, but I am insistent that amount will cover the costs.”

The board has been preparing for the construction of a 144-bed jail just south of the Prescott Lakes Parkway near the Yavapai County Juvenile Detention Center.

“We desperately need that jail to take the pressure off the existing jail in the Verde Valley near Camp Verde. That jail has about 550 people a day in it. What’s worse, about 65 percent of those prisoners are in trials in Prescott, so we – the county – have to transport them back and forth at a cost of about a million dollars a month. Think of the money we can save if we have them in a prison in the city where they are going to be tried,” he explained.  “We’ll be making some final decisions this coming month.”

If approved by voters, a bond to cover the cost of the new jail will be paid off through a combination of property taxes, jail sales tax revenue and the general fund.

Another major issue the board will be addressing is the matter of water shortages, not just in Yavapai County but throughout Arizona. “What most people don’t realize is that we really don’t have much say about water allocations, especially with private owners,” he said. “What is needed is for state legislators, in cooperation with federal authorities, to face up to reality and develop new water management plans and strategies. We have too many independent straws in the ground sucking water, but we at the county level cannot control that.”

Annexation is another matter Brown discussed. “Somewhat like the water issue, how land is annexed from the county into a city or town is not something we have absolute authority over. The reality is, the county cannot say no to annexation. Legal cause has to be demonstrated before it can be denied.”

With county growth, Brown says public safety and improved roads will get a lot of the board’s attention this year, too.

Brown is serving his second term as a county supervisor. He was first elected in 2012 and served as board chair in 2016. Already, he has declared he will run for a third term in 2020.

A resident of Yavapai County since 2005, Brown and his wife, Sandi, live In Williamson Valley’s Inscription Canyon, northwest of Prescott. That makes him the elected supervisor for District 4, which stretches to the county border north and west.

The Browns’ adult children – two sons and a daughter – and their families live in California and Texas.

Brown began his career with the Santa Monica Police Department. He was a detective for seven of his 15 years there, and rose to rank of sergeant. During the same period, he attended Redlands University where he earned degrees in administration of justice and public administration. Injuries forced him to retire in 1985.

Almost immediately, Brown was hired by the Superior Court system of Los Angeles and then, later, by the Los Angeles County Probation Department as a director. He used his organizational and administrative skills to manage a $300 million annual budget and oversee some 6,500 employees.

Before working in law enforcement, Brown was in the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam with the Green Berets along the Cambodian border and earned several citations for his service before he was honorably discharged.

What is your favorite holiday?        

“No doubt about that, the Fourth of July. I love everything that day stands for.”

What is your favorite meal? 

“The same thing I’d eat on the Fourth of July – fried chicken and mashed potatoes.”

What’s your favorite kind of entertainment?         

“I love slapstick comedy – Laurel and Hardy and stuff like that. But I also like good Western movies or historic dramas and books. I’m kind of a history nut.”

If you had unlimited money to contribute, where would you direct it? 

“Locally. Sharlot Hall Museum would get a chunk of it because of all the great preservation of our local Western history. I’d also give a bunch to veteran’s causes, for they have served our country. And certainly, I’d give to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. What it does for terminally ill children is remarkable.”

What music would we find on your playlist?  

“You’ll laugh, but probably elevator music. Or, maybe rhythm and blues.”

 

 

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Photo by Ray Newton