Queen Creek/Pinal County Blog

Schnepf Farms is opening for some Christmas magic for the next two weekends.

The annual Country Christmas Magic Down on the Farm is going on for just two blocks this year, starting with an extended weekend from Dec. 17 through 23 and again Dec. 26 through 30.

More than 300,000 lights will be on display at the farm from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m on weeknights and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Visitors can also enjoy train rides , bon fires, visits to feed Santa’s reindeer, crafts and more.

There will also be an opportunity to camp and watch Christmas movies Dec. 19 and visit with Santa Dec. 20 and 21.

Schnepf Farms is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays over the course of the course of the event. Hours for particular activities vary. General admission to the farm is $5, although food and some activities cost extra. Visit www.schnepffarms.com for more details and exact prices and times.

Queen Creek’s town council will take their first look at a proposal that would connect Meridian and Signal Butte roads for easier access to a future freeway today .

Construction of the future State Route 802 freeway is scheduled to start in 2016 with exits at both Signal Butte and Meridian roads.

The town is looking to create an arterial between Signal Butte and Meridian between Ocotillo and Queen Creek roads. This would allow the town to prioritize developing Signal Butte north of Queen Creek and Ocotillo south of Meridian, according to a staff report.

The council will discuss this proposal at its work study meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at town hall, 22350 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek. The council may direct town staff to start the process to allow for the project in the general plan, but no final action will be taken on the issue Wednesday.

While school’s out for the winter, Queen Creek’s Community Center will be open.

School-aged children can come to the center for interactive, holiday-themed activities while the Queen Creek Unified School District is on winter break. Activities at the center are free to registered participants and include an afternoon snack.

There will also be two field trips with fees associated: one to Bounce U in Gilbert on Dec. 23, which will cost $14; and one to the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park on Dec. 29, which will cost $28.

Programs will be available 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays Dec. 22 through 31 at the Community Center, 22407 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek.

For more information regarding youth and teen Parks and Recreation programs or how to register, call (480) 358-3700 or visit www.queencreek.org and search “youth programs.”

Sheriff-elect Paul Babeu has named the two top commanders for the 800-person Pinal County Sheriff’s department.

Babeu appointed Chandler traffic commander Steve Henry to be the chief deputy. That post is currently held by Jeff Kirkham, a former Mesa cop.

Kirkham released a memo Monday that says he was caught unaware of the change.

“The Sheriff elect has announced my replacement via his website,” Kirkham wrote. ” … I was never given the opportunity to personally meet with the new sheriff …”

Henry is a Pinal County resident who holds the rank of lieutenant in the Chandler force.

James Kimble was picked to be the chief deputy of the jail. The jail is currently run by Terry Altman.

Kimble currently serves as the deputy warden of the central unit of the state prison in Florence. The facility houses medium and maximum security prisoners.

Babeu made the top officials in the department reapply for the jobs and said he wants his own command staff. The two selections are the first ones announced.

Babeu takes over as sheriff at the first of the year.

It’s a few more weeks until Queen Creek’s Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre opens, but a schedule of events for the first few months of its existence is already online.

The park, located at 20464 E. Riggs Road, is scheduled to open Jan. 3 with a grand opening celebration planned for Jan. 17.

A complete schedule of events is on the Horseshoe Park section of Queen Creek’s Web site, www.queencreek.org.

Queen Creek residents and families are invited to join in on a wide variety of recreational classes being offered for the first time by the town of Queen Creek.

Activities for all ages will be offered at the new Library Recreation Annex, located on the northwest corner of Ellsworth and Ocotillo roads, come January. Classes include dance, arts and crafts, softball lessons, Mandarin courses, karate, sculpting, oil painting and more.

The winter session runs from January through March, with a wide range of classes from preschool enrichment to senior fitness. Visit www.queencreek.org and search “special interest classes” for current class listings.

Registration must be completed prior to the first class meeting. Registration is not accepted at class. For more information about classes and how to get a registration form, contact Aimée O’Malley at (480) 358-3700 or aimee.omalley@queencreek.org, or visit the Town’s Web site at www.queencreek.org.

The town of Queen Creek has posted the following traffic advisories for Dec. 11 to Dec. 18:

Ellsworth Road - Cloud Road to north of Chandler Heights Road

Crews continue the work on this portion of street. Some turn restrictions may be in place at specific times throughout the non-peak travel periods. Drivers should expect flaggers and off-duty police officers controlling traffic in the area. Drivers are advised to pay close attention to the warning signs throughout the work area as lanes may be shifted throughout the work day.

Ellsworth Loop Road/Ocotillo Road

The northbound right lane is closed south of Ocotillo Road so that crews can install necessary street improvements - work will continue through December.

Rittenhouse Road/Hawes Road

Crews continue work to widen the intersection. Traffic is shifted slightly at the intersection as well as another location slightly west of Hawes Road. Work will continue through December.

Santa turns on the signal at Rittenhouse and Village Loop North roads

Santa Claus visited Queen Creek early this year, and he brought the power for a new traffic light with him.

Santa was at the corner of Rittenhouse and Village Loop roads Monday to flip on the power to a long-awaited traffic signal. The signal will make it easier for drivers to turn on and off Rittenhouse Road, something residents of the Villages at Queen Creek subdivision especially have been looking forward to, said Queen Creek spokeswoman Marnie Schubert.

Cloud Road will be closed between Ellsworth and Rittenhouse roads from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 through Dec. 12.

The road is expected to be open during non-working hours; however, situations can arise where it would be necessary to extend the closure hours without prior notification.

Local access for those living along Cloud Road in this area will be from Rittenhouse Road during the hours the closure is in place. “Road closed” signs will be posted at Rittenhouse Road restricting access to local residents and businesses only. Through traffic will be detoured using Rittenhouse Road to Ocotillo Road.

Traffic will be able to travel Cloud Road as far west as 210th Place.

Questions can be directed to the Queen Creek Traffic Hotline by calling (480) 358-3132 or by e-mail at traffic@queencreek.org.

There are still 10 spots left for this weekend’s skateboarding clinic, which will give kids and teens the chance to get expert advice, safety tips and skateboarding instruction from the Rural Skate Shop staff.

Kids ages 6 to 17 can bring their skateboards, helmets and pads to the clinic, which runs from 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Founders’ Park Skate Park, 22407 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek.

This program is limited to 30 participants and registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost is $10 for general registration plus a $5 late fee for registrations received Dec. 8 to 11. Register 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Parks and Recreation office located at 22350 S. Ellsworth Road. The office is closed on Fridays.

For more information about the clinic, call the Parks and Recreation department at 480-358-3700 or visit www.queencreek.org.