The Maverick Magazine

07/26/2026

Show Low Main Street's Deuces Gone Wild Casino Night was a great night of fun and games at the Show Low Elks Lodge #2090 to support Meals on Wheels Arizona White Mountains, local food banks, Shamrock, Show Low Police Department and the Sirens and Sleighbells program to help during the holiday season with food and toys. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to those who came out to play on a rainy day. 😃

07/26/2026

Boots are walkin' and wild at Show Low Main Street Deuces Gone Wild Casino Night. The Arizona Peaches are giving us an even better show than Mother Nature outside and she's rockin' too. 🥰🥳🤓

07/25/2026

Nine new peace officers ready to protect and serve Arizona communities

In the photo: New officers pictured left to right, Benjamin Meeks, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office; Randon Rogers, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office; Jonathon Lopez, Snowflake/Taylor Police Department; David Talerico, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office; Luis Morales, St. Johns Police Department; Jake Walker, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office; Tony Espitia, Holbrook Police Department; Diego Mendoza, San Carlos Police Department and Francisco Glora, Snowflake/Taylor Police Department.

Determined to fulfill their class motto and “Live with Honor; Serve with Pride,” nine cadets earned their official badges during a swearing-in ceremony on May 29, 2026, at Northland Pioneer College’s (NPC) Performing Arts Center.

These are the latest graduates of the intensive 21-week Arizona Peace Officer Standards for Training (AZPOST) at Northland Pioneer College’s (NPC) Northeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy (NALETA).

Presiding Navajo County Superior Court District IV Judge Michala Ruechel administered the oath of office to the recruits. Sworn in were new Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Deputies Benjamin Meeks, who was also selected as the class leader, along with Randon Rogers, David Talerico, and Jake Walker. Joining them were new officers Tony Espitia of the Holbrook Police Department, Francisco Gloria and Jonathan Lopez of the Snowflake/Taylor Police Department, Luis Moralez of the St. Johns Police Department, and San Carlos Apache police officer Diego Mendoza.

The ceremony’s guest speaker, Pastor David Marshall of the Snowflake Calvary Chapel, addressed those gathered. “Today represents sacrifice. It represents discipline. It represents a decision very few people are willing to make in today’s world. The decision to stand between peace and chaos, between order and disorder, between safety and danger.” To the recruits, he said, “You have chosen a profession that demands courage when others retreat, integrity when compromise would be easier, and service when recognition may never come. For that, you deserve our respect.” He stressed that communities are built on trust. “People do not expect perfection. They expect integrity,” he said. “This is a profession that will challenge you mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. But it is also a profession filled with meaning.” He added, “Years from now, you may not remember every lesson from the academy, but you’ll remember the lives you touched. You’ll remember the people you helped, and you’ll remember the moments when your presence made a difference.” He told the recruits, “Carry yourselves with honor, protect the vulnerable, defend the innocent, stand for truth, lead with courage, and serve with humility. Never forget that the authority that you carry is ultimately a trust placed in you by the people you serve. Today you’ll graduate as officers; tomorrow you’ll begin serving as guardians for members of your community.” He concluded, “May you do so with wisdom, integrity, and unwavering dedication.”

Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Sergeant Dustin Matkin served as the class supervisor. He, along with fellow NCSO Sergeant Robert Santos, guided the recruits through the academy and presented the class awards. The top academic award went to NCSO recruit David Talerico. Fellow recruit Tony Espitia earned the “top shot” fi****ms award. The award for killing the most cones during the defensive driving training went to recruit Luis Morales of the St. Johns police department, who was deemed the “cone killer.” The class’s top physical fitness award went to San Carlos Apache Police Department recruit Diego Mendoza. The prestigious “David Kellywood Top Recruit” award goes to the recruit who strives to do their best at all times in everything they do and encourages others to do the same. It honors the life of 1991 NALETA graduate David Kellywood, who died in the line of duty in February 2020. NCSO Recruit Benjamin Meeks earned the honor and also took home the class’s top defensive driving award.

NALETA is a partnership with regional law enforcement agencies that assign sworn officers as instructors under NPC’s Public Safety Education program. Centrally located at the Northeast Arizona Training Center (Jake Flake Emergency Services Institute) in Taylor, NALETA is a fully accredited AzPOST “closed” academy. This means students can only enroll in the police academy under the sponsorship of a local law enforcement agency.

At a minimum, a prospective recruit must be at least 21 years of age by the end of the academy and be able to pass a variety of tests. These include physical agility, fi****ms, written tests, a background investigation, and a polygraph.

For more information about AzPOST eligibility requirements, visit post.az.gov or contact the police or sheriff’s office where you would like to begin your law enforcement career. Tribal officers, Game and Fish wardens, and agricultural inspectors are also sworn peace officers.

To learn more, contact NPC’s Director of NALETA and Public Safety Education, Chad Kreuger, at (928) 536-6263 or [email protected] or visit NPC’s website, https://www.npc.edu/natc. To view a photo gallery of the 2026-01 completers ceremony, visit https://www.npc.edu/photos

07/20/2026

If you love a good story like we do, you should spend a little time in one of our favorite places with awesome people. 🥰

07/16/2026

This weekend High Country Art Gallery will be hosting a special showing of newest member Jim Beck (AKA James Gucwa)'s work. The show will be available Friday through Sunday, July 17-19 at the Gallery, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Come meet the artist on Friday, July 17, at a Meet the Artist Reception for Jim from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. 🙂

07/16/2026

Accord Hospice of the White Mountains welcomed local caregivers today to enjoy valuable information, an impressive line up of presenters, resources and pampering at Northland Pioneer College in Show Low. If you missed today's event, mark your calendar for Sept. 23rd for the Northern Arizona Caregivers Conference at NPC's Little Colorado Campus in Winslow. There is no cost to attend and for more information, visit www.npc.edu/caregiver 😀

07/16/2026

If farm fresh is your favorite flavor, be sure to stop in and check out The Farm Stand this Saturday.

07/13/2026

You can have your burger and veggies too this week at The House - Show Low. Mom would be proud. 😁

Burger of the Week: Summer Salad Burger
Enjoy an 8 oz. patty cooked to your liking, topped with Havarti cheese and a House summer salad.

07/13/2026

The bird is the word and it is quirky at this fun upcoming class at the Arts Alliance of the White Mountains. 😁

07/12/2026

If you haven't been yet, today is YOUR day! 🤓

There's one more day left!! Bring the family out to our Sunday Funday 2 for 1 Day! Skip the box office and get your tickets online: www.azmayhem.com

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