Water Damage Restoration in Lake Havasu City, AZ

BLM Joins Community in Action: The Lake Havasu Area Desert Clean-Up

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — On Saturday, February 22, 2025, more than 200 volunteers, law enforcement officers, and members of local organizations joined forces to restore the desert lands east of Lake Havasu. Hosted by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake Havasu Area Desert Clean-Up united community members and dedicated agencies in a significant effort to clear illegal dumpsites, abandoned vehicles, and debris from Arizona State Trust Lands and public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Led by Sgt. Kyler Cox, Supervisor of the Division of Boating Safety and the Dive Rescue Team, this cleanup initiative marked the second annual event of its kind, organized by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office. Open to the entire community, the event highlighted the shared commitment to safeguarding Arizona’s natural landscapes.

“The goal behind hosting the event was to bring law enforcement into the cleanup efforts so that these litter and dump sites can be investigated for prosecution by Mohave County Sheriff’s Office,” said Cox. He added, “This cleanup is about more than just trash removal. It’s about bringing people together to take ownership of these lands, making them safer and cleaner for recreation and wildlife.”

The event was a resounding success, with final totals showing 21 tons of waste removed, excluding abandoned vehicles. Achievements included:

– Four large roll-off dumpsters filled with trash and debris. – Approximately 200 abandoned tires. – Five vehicles, including a stolen Cadillac CTS-V that had been missing since 2017. – Two personal watercrafts. – Two camper shells. – Several large items, including couches, televisions, landscaping debris, and assorted household waste.

All abandoned vehicles were identified, and law enforcement is actively pursuing felony dumping charges against those responsible.

The event’s success resulted from the collective efforts of volunteers, law enforcement agencies, off-road clubs, and local businesses. More than 200 volunteers dedicated their day to conservation, demonstrating the community’s commitment to preserving the environment.

“The community response was incredible,” Cox stated. “From businesses providing food and supplies to off-road groups helping with logistics, it was a team effort from start to finish.”

Participating agencies and organizations included:

– Mohave County Sheriff’s Office – Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue – Arizona State Land Department – Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River District – Mohave County Environmental Rural Area Cleanup Enforcement – Lake Havasu City Fire Department – Havasu 4 Wheelers – Havasu Side By Side Trail Association – Havasu Side By Side Club – Merlin’s Old School Garage – Camel Towing – Tiger Trenching – Discount Tire – Bunker Bar – Donut Post – Starbucks – Home Depot – Republic Services

“This kind of cleanup effort shows how much people care about their public lands,” said Richard and Lynn, members of the Lake Havasu Side By Side Club. “We’ve been involved in many of these efforts—different locations, different times—but it’s always great to see so many people step up to help.”

The cleanup lasted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with volunteers actively hauling debris, uncovering buried trash, and collaborating with law enforcement to rejuvenate desert areas used for recreation.

“It’s amazing to see what we can achieve for our community and public lands when we all pitch in,” said Carrie Wostal, Bureau of Land Management law enforcement ranger. “The real beauty lies in the dedicated, kind people who made this cleanup possible—thank you, Mohave County.”

As volunteers departed the site, the transformation was evident—what was once littered with wrecked vehicles and waste became a cleaner, safer place for outdoor enthusiasts. The Lake Havasu Area Desert Clean-Up is not just a one-day event but a testament to long-term environmental stewardship. With continued support from local organizations, law enforcement, and volunteers, efforts like this will persist, ensuring the protection of Arizona’s public lands for future generations.

“This is just the beginning,” Cox affirmed. “The more people get involved, the more we can do to protect these beautiful spaces for future generations.”

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — On Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, more than 200 volunteers, law enforcement officers, and members of local organizations gathered for a massive effort to restore the desert lands east of Lake Havasu.

The Mohave County Sheriff's Office hosted the Lake Havasu Area Desert Clean-Up, bringing together a coalition of dedicated agencies and community members to remove illegal dumpsites, abandoned vehicles, and scattered debris from Arizona State Trust Lands and public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

This event, led by Sgt. Kyler Cox, Supervisor of the Division of Boating Safety and the Dive Rescue Team, marked the second annual cleanup hosted by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office. This large-scale initiative was open to the entire community, reinforcing the shared responsibility of protecting Arizona’s natural landscapes. Cox told the volunteers in his briefing, “The goal behind hosting the event was to bring law enforcement into the cleanup efforts so that these litter and dump sites can be investigated for prosecution by Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.”

“This cleanup is about more than just trash removal,” Cox said. “It’s about bringing people together to take ownership of these lands, making them safer and cleaner for recreation and wildlife.”

Final weight totals were 21 tons, not including the abandoned vehicles. The event successfully removed:

All five abandoned vehicles were identified, and law enforcement is actively pursuing felony dumping charges against those responsible.

The event’s success was made possible by the combined efforts of volunteers, law enforcement agencies, off-road clubs, and local businesses. Over 200 volunteers worked throughout the day, demonstrating the community’s commitment to conservation.

“The community response was incredible,” Cox said. “From businesses providing food and supplies to off-road groups helping with logistics, it was a team effort from start to finish.”

Participating agencies and organizations included:

“This kind of cleanup effort shows how much people care about their public lands,” said Richard and Lynn, members of the Lake Havasu Side By Side Club, which hosts additional cleanups throughout the year. “We’ve been involved in many of these efforts — different locations, different times — but it’s always great to see so many people step up to help.”

The cleanup began at 9 a.m. and continued until 5 p.m., with volunteers hauling debris, uncovering buried trash, and working alongside law enforcement to restore desert areas frequently used for recreation.

“It’s amazing to see what we can achieve for our community and public lands when we all pitch in,” said Carrie Wostal, Bureau of Land Management law enforcement ranger. “The real beauty lies in the dedicated, kind people who made this cleanup possible — thank you, Mohave County.”

As volunteers left the cleanup site, the difference was immediately visible — what had been littered with wrecked vehicles, illegal dumpsites, and piles of waste was now a cleaner, safer space for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Lake Havasu Area Desert Clean-Up is more than a one-day event — it’s a commitment to long-term environmental stewardship. With the support of local organizations, law enforcement, and dedicated volunteers, efforts like this will continue to make a lasting impact on Arizona’s public lands.

“This is just the beginning,” Cox said. “The more people get involved, the more we can do to protect these beautiful spaces for future generations.”

Story by:

Jason VanBuskirk, Public Affairs Specialist

Monning27 // Shutterstock

Highest-rated cafes in the Lake Havasu City area by diners

From the first coffee houses in the Ottoman Empire to Boston's famed London Coffee House, cafes have always been an egalitarian place to gather, sip, and share ideas, many of which have changed the world.

During the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, cafes regularly entertained the likes of Voltaire, Rousseau, Thomas Jefferson, and Isaac Newton. Later, Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre would spend hours in cafes, pondering their works and holding court alongside other intellectuals.

Needless to say, coffee and cafes beget some revolutionary ideas; sipping a cup may even be a political act. When settlers dumped tea into the Boston Harbor to send a message to the British in 1773, tea became a British loyalist's drink, and coffee became a popular substitute.

Boston's London Coffee House, which had opened nearly 85 years earlier, was soon renamed the American Coffee House. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, Merchants' Coffee House hosted the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Paul Revere.

Many other coffee shops steeped in history abound in the United States, including New York City's Caffe Reggio. Founded in 1927, it was the first to serve cappuccino in the country. New Orleans' Cafe du Monde, founded in 1862, is a fixture in the French Quarter for its coffee and beignets.

Whether it's for a cup of Joe, a heady conversation, or simply a place to start the day, cafes have become landmarks of our daily lives. But where's the best one to find refuge and that perfect caffeinated cup near you?

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cafes in the Lake Havasu City area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Cafes with at least 20 reviews tagged as "coffee" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Lake Havasu City were included. As a result, some cafes featured may primarily serve other items besides coffee and tea. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 25 locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.

Keep reading to see if your favorite cafe made the list!

You may also like: Highest-rated steak restaurants in the Lake Havasu City area by diners

By Becky Maxedon

Rotary Beach Community Park is about to get a makeover that will provide accessibility to everyone in Lake Havasu City.

The city has been awarded a $969,750 grant from the Arizona Parks and Trails through its SLIF program. The SLIF (State Lake Improvement Fund) grant will be used to make the northern parking areas at Rotary ADA compliant and accessible to all.

City Grants Manager Vijette Saari said, “In our grants division, we do a community hearing to look at what grants are available and what we’re going to apply for in the future.

“Overwhelmingly in 2023, the people who participated said we need more accessible spaces in Lake Havasu. It’s hard to navigate through our parking lots. It’s hard to get to different recreation sites, so the city in looking at our grant opportunities, we started looking at where can we really make a difference in these spaces.”

Saari said the grant will cover 93 percent of the cost of the current project, with the city picking up 7 percent, or $73,235. The city will provide landscaping and labor.

The two parking lots are located at the north end of Rotary Park where it meets the Bridgewater Channel.

“We’ll replace some of the buoys. We’ll be extending the swimming area out further. We’re going to be putting in some Mobi-mats for non-motorized vehicles like paddle boards and kayaks so it will be easier for people to take them across the sand. And it will make the water accessible to those in wheelchairs,” Saari said.

She said the project will extend accessibility all the way to touch the water.

An ADA bathroom will also be added to the area.

“We’ll be taking up all the asphalt in the two parking lots because there are a lot of trip hazards a lot of areas where it’s really hard to come up. We don’t have enough entry spots to get into the beach. We’re going to reconfigure where the ADA access to the water is parking spots are and curb space to bring up wheelchairs and to make it easier for families with strollers and such,” she said.

There will be three areas by which to access the new bathroom.

The sidewalks will be widened in order to meet ADA criteria. There will be shade structures, canopies, outdoor showers and benches.

“We have been awarded the grant and it’s going through cultural review with Arizona State Parks and Trails and we’re anticipating being able to start using the money in about a month and a half,” Saari said.

“For me personally, as a mom and someone who has volunteered in the disability community for a long time, it’s very exciting and heartwarming to give more accessibility to people and families that live here and community members that come to visit. I think it’s important to have inclusive spaces that can be used and are easy to navigate,” she said.

She said the Parks and Recreation is going through a master planning process for all city parks.

smspsy // Shutterstock

Highest-rated steak restaurants in the Lake Havasu City area by diners

The French have their bistros. The English have their pubs. And the Americans have their steakhouses.

Going out for a steak has been a pivotal part of American culture for more than a century, but it wasn't always considered a high-class, expensive meal. In New York City in the 1800s, working-class folks would down pints of ale and feast on slices of beefsteak (usually without utensils and atop white or French bread) for celebratory meals. Sometimes, the "beefsteak banquet," as it was known, would be put on as a political fundraiser.

Soon, fine-dining establishments opened up to take those steak dinners up a notch, like Delmonico's in 1837, Old Homestead Steakhouse in 1868, and Carl Luger's Café, Billiards and Bowling Alley (now Peter Luger) in 1887. One thing has remained the same though: Dining at a steakhouse is still synonymous with celebration. It's the kind of meal used to mark milestone moments on the path to the American dream—get a job, buy a house, go out for steak.

The steakhouse experience has certainly modernized from the days of eating beef with your hands and slugging beers. Ordering a steak involves choosing the best cuts, like rib-eye, filet mignon, and New York strip. Then there are the starters—a shrimp cocktail, oysters Rockefeller, or a classic house salad with your choice of dressing. And of course, you can't forget all of the accoutrements—the potato (baked, mashed, or au gratin?), the vegetable (creamed spinach, sautéed asparagus, or roasted broccoli?), and a slice of classic New York cheesecake to finish it off.

More than a century after the steak dinner got upgraded in New York City, chain steakhouses started bringing this central part of the American culinary tradition cross-country in the 1980s and '90s with spots like Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse, and The Capital Grille. Today, with so many steakhouses to choose from, it takes high-quality service, top-of-the-line cooking, and of course, the best cuts of beef to stand out from the rest.

How will you choose where to live out this iconic American meal? To help, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated steakhouses in the Lake Havasu City area, according to diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "steakhouses" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Lake Havasu City were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may primarily serve other food items. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered.

You may also like: Highest-rated seafood restaurants in Lake Havasu City by diners

#5. BlondZee's Steakhouse

- Rating: 3.6/5 (159 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 4501 London Bridge Road Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Categories: Desserts, Steakhouses, American- Read more on Yelp

#4. Montana Steak House

- Rating: 3.8/5 (233 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 3301 Maricopa Ave. Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Categories: Steakhouses- Read more on Yelp

#3. Boat House Grill

- Rating: 3.9/5 (406 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 801 Beachcomber Blvd. Ste L - 100 Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, Burgers- Read more on Yelp

#2. Shugrue's Restaurant & Bar

- Rating: 4.0/5 (660 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 1425 North McCulloch Blvd. Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Categories: Wine Bars, Seafood, Steakhouses- Read more on Yelp

#1. Cha Bones

- Rating: 4.2/5 (958 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 112 London Bridge Road Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, Tapas Bars- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 302 metros.

You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in the Lake Havasu City metro area