U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 4,000 rounds of ammunition from going into Mexico today from the Mariposa Port.

From the press release:

CBP officers conducting outbound operations at the Mariposa Port referred a 34-year-old U.S. citizen female, accompanied by her two minor children, for a secondary inspection. When officers inspected the vehicle, they discovered ammunition and high-caliber magazine cartridges concealed in duffel bags. Agents seized 4,050 rounds of ammunition and 100 AK-47 magazines. The subject was taken into custody and referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation. Custody of the minor children was turned over to a family member.

Nogales Port Director Guadalupe Ramirez applauded the CBP officers for their attention to detail and the continued results.

“Ammunition and weapons smuggling typify the true need for outbound inspections,” Ramirez said. “Like catching illegal drugs and other contraband coming into the United States, it’s just as important to prevent smuggling proceeds from funding further illegal ventures.”

Shirley Scott's campaign announced the city councilwoman filed paperwork yesterday for the city's matching funds program:

The Committee for Shirley Scott filed paperwork today with the Tucson City Clerk, showing 229 City of Tucson donors to date and making Councilwoman Scott eligible for the City’s matching funds program.

So far, the campaign has raised more than $26,300 from individuals, with the average contribution being $80. Many donors have given small donations more than once. Every dollar of these individual donations is now “matchable.”

Regarding the numbers, Councilwoman Scott stated, “I’m pleased with the hard work we’ve put in to reach this important campaign milestone, and very grateful for the support of Tucsonans from all walks of life and from every corner of our great city.”

The campaign expects the application for matching funds to be approved by early August, at which point we will immediately be eligible for dollar-for-dollar matching funds for all donations from individuals, up to the City’s limit of $52,000.

Councilwoman Scott added, “I believe in putting solutions over politics, and part of keeping politics at bay is participating in the city’s clean elections program. Our participation means our campaign is limited in how much we can raise and how much we can spend. Special interests have no more influence in helping me get re-elected than do everyday Tucsonans. In fact, they have less. And that’s the way it should be.”

A press release went out tonight from Lisa Ruth, identified as a spokesperson for TUSD governing board member Michael Hicks. No quote from Hicks, but Ruth explains how Hicks supposedly feels that he and other school board members were "misinformed and misled by district officials":

TUSD Governing Board member Michael Hicks regrets and rescinds his support for TUSD’s appeal of Arizona ’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Huppenthal’s finding that the district is in violation of multiple state laws.

Mr. Hicks feels that district officials misrepresented the intent of the district’s appeal. Board members were told that the appeal was intended to lead to a better understanding of Huppenthal’s finding, when in fact the appeal challenged not only the constitutionality of the finding, but denied those parts of the finding that the district knew to be true.

Lisa Ruth stated, "Michael Hicks was led to believe that by voting in favor of the appeal, Huppenthal's findings would be explored further. Had he known the outcome, he would have voted against the appeal and regrets his original position. Through the course of the last month, Mr. Hicks has met with more parents, children and educators regarding the Ethnic Studies program. These individuals have come forward to express their continued concerns about the course and curriculum. This information also leaves Mr. Hicks with concern for the children who have been exposed to the program and the implications for the community."

Michael Hicks believes that in light of revelations by staff and statements made by parents and children involved in the program, and the entire investigation conducted by Superintendent Huppenthal that the entire program must come to an immediate end. Electives are not an acceptable alternative in current form, and staff and curriculum must be reevaluated in their entirety.

Michel Hicks is disappointed that Superintendent Pedicone has elevated the formerly unassociated and unofficial Mexican American Advisory Board to a Superintendent Committee. Members of that organization may not have put the interest of the district’s students ahead of their own political and economic interests.

Today marks art-guy/maker-of-advertisements-and-such Andrew Ling's last day here in the office, and while it's not like he's dropping off the face of the earth — he's leaving for another job in town — he will be missed here, if only because he's a good enough sport to be the subject of my jokes here on The Range.

Los Betos won't be quite the same without you, Andrew. Good luck at the new job, jerkface.

This week, Arnie and Eric tearfully consider the death of Ultimate Spider-Man in Ultimate Fallout.

"A Work in Progress" by Benjamin William Phillips, is on display in Arizona Biennial '11, through Oct. 2, at the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.

• Samantha Sais

Tonight is Social Media Night at Kino Stadium... all you've got to do is say the magic word. Details from General Manager Mike Feder:

Go to the Box Office and say "Padres" and you will get in for $2 for any ticket price level, $2 for the regular beer when the gates open at 6:00 (cuts off at 9:00) AND $1 hot dogs! If we get a good crowd we'll bring it back next Wednesday.

The Padres play the Tacoma Rainiers at 7 p.m.

Hydee, a 3-year-old female domestic shorthair, and Tux, a 3-year-old male domestic medium hair, could star in a Doublemint Gum commercial.

Tux and Hydee are two peas in a pod! As the ultimate BFFs, these bonded buddies practically finish each other’s sentences. In fact, there’s nothing Hydee and Tux can’t handle together — including homelessness. Surrendered because they were fearful of the family dog, Hydee and Tux are now looking for a peaceful home where they can relax and make lasting memories with a kind cat-lover. If you could give two wonderful feline friends a forever family to make their hearts whole again, please consider meeting Hydee and Tux today at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. These appreciative siblings can’t wait to introduce themselves and assure you that two cats are way better than one!

Here's a video of Hydee and Tux dreaming of a roomy place to roam.

Come meet Hydee and Tux! They're currently living at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

Attention wannabe intellectuals: if you don't spend tonight absorbing the words of local poets and authors, you won't have another shot at sophistication until after the summer is over. Casa Libre's last summer Edge reading will feature three emerging Tucson writers — more about them here.

Tony Luebbermann, Lisa O'Neill, & Ann Seiferle-Valencia
Wednesday July 20, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $5

Come to Edge: A Reading Series of Emerging and Younger Writers. Edge is a series of local and national writers and cross-genre artists, emphasizing diversity of narrative, identity and literary source. Its purpose is to create community, visibility and voice for emerging and younger writers. Broadsheets of the authors' work will accompany each reading. Books and journals will be available for purchase and signing by the authors. Refreshments will be available after the reading.

Sure, it would seem a little unfair to ask more from the low-paid employees of area fast food establishments, but my burrito at Los Betos this morning would have definitely tasted better if a synchronized dance routine proceeded my receiving it.

Related (sort of):

[Reddit]