The West has been slammed by wet weather this winter: An “atmospheric river” has pummeled California with weeks of heavy rain and the Rocky Mountains are getting buried with snow. That’s good news for the Colorado River, but climate scientists say the 40 million people who use the river’s water should take the good news with a grain of salt.

The name George Johnson has gained-state wide notoriety in the last year, but his reputation precedes him in Pinal County.

All eyes seem to be focused on the Corporation Commissioners and their supposed sell out to APS or its parent Pinnacle West. At the same time, taking a back seat with the media is another huge water/wastewater issue.

During the Corporation Commission April 14 meeting, the Town of Carefree's mayor, Les Peterson, said the high wastewater rates could force half of Carefree’s 11 restaurants to shut. The high rates will be addressed in an upcoming rate case by Liberty Utilities.