Monthly Archives: May 2013

Coconino Sheriff Deputies make arrest in Freeway Fire

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Flagstaff, AZ—Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested twenty five year-old James Duncan an individual who is currently in transit and who is originally from Mississippi, for one count of Reckless Burning a Class One Misdemeanor. Investigators believe Mr. Duncan was responsible for a one acre fire named the Freeway Fire.

On Thursday, May 24, 2013 at about 1122 am the Sheriff’s Office received a call from dispatchers assigned to the Northern District of the Arizona Department of Public Safety regarding a hitch hiker who was believed to have stated the Freeway Fire.

The Freeway Fire was a one-acre fire on the north side of I-40 just west of the Bellemont rest stop.

According to the DPS Dispatcher one of their Officers had visual contact with a hitchhiker who matched the description of an individual who was seen smoking in the area where a wild land fire ignited. DPS dispatchers received a cellular phone call from a passing motorist who observed the suspect sitting on a log on the shoulder of the West bound lanes of Interstate Highway I-40 in the area of Mile-Post 181 and smoking a lit cigarette.

When the Deputy arrived he and the DPS Officer made contact with the individual. The caller returned to the area and identified the subject as the same person he observed sitting on the log and smoking the cigarette. During an interview with the subject he admitted to sitting on the log and smoking a cigarette but denied causing the fire. United States Forest Service Firefighters identified the point of origin of the Freeway Fire to be the log where Duncan was seated or in very close proximity to the log.

James Duncan was arrested for one count of Reckless Burning and transported to the Coconino County Detention Facility located in Flagstaff, Arizona.

High winds and dry conditions have caused red flag conditions in Coconino causing fire restrictions to be put in place in the Kaibab and Coconino forests starting today.

Be safe Memorial weekend

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This video shows, starting at about 30-seconds, that some people just should not have a motorcycle license.

Seems an appropriate time to ask you to please be careful driving over the Memorial weekend. Watch for kids excited to be out of school. Try to avoid arguments over whose fault it was simply by watching out for the other driver. Slow DOWN. You will get there.

Visitors must be aware that the speed limit in downtown Williams is 15 miles per hour. Remember that it is a one-way traffic scheme downtown. As you come in traveling west from Flagstaff, stay to the right on Railroad avenue. If you are traveling east, again stay to the right. Route 66 is one way going from west to east. Railroad avenue is one way going from east to west.

williams-one-way

If you need help finding activities in Williams, the Williams Visitor Center is located on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Second Street across the street from the Pine Country Restaurant. Visitor parking is located across the street from the Red Garter. We recommend that you use that parking and walk downtown, as much as possible.

Please have a safe Memorial weekend. Do not forget to thank veterans and active duty military. Memorial day was meant to remember the sacrifices of our military, not to mark the beginning of summer vacation.

Homicide suspect held over without bond

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court-20130412 018WILLIAMS—Williams homicide suspect, 53-year-old John Willis, was ordered held over without bond by Justice Robert Krombeen in his initial appearance at the Williams Justice Center. Willis is alleged to have murdered 17-year-old Manuel “Boongy” Navalez with a single-shot to the back of the head possibly in retaliation for an alleged residential burglary.

Willis was arrested on May 21 as a result of evidence collected at the scene where Navellez’ body was discovered, the interviewing of friends, family and acquaintances of the victim, and evidence collected during the service of search warrants on multiple homes. Three residences and one vehicle were searched. Willis was known to frequently stay at one of the residences. Evidence was located during the search warrants which was consistent with evidence at the scene. Evidence and interviews indicate this was not a random shooting incident. Detectives currently are investigating the possibility that drugs may have been a factor in this crime. Detectives are investigating the possibility that this homicide may have been in retaliation for a residential burglary to which Navellez may have been an involved party.

Investigators credit the cooperation of the community of Ash Fork and Kaibab Estates and resident deputies from the Yavapai Sheriff’s Department

The defendant had his initial court appearance before Justice Krombeen today via video link to the county jail. The Justice ordered the defendant to be held without bail at the request of the State on four charges. The charges against Willis are first degree murder, prohibited possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Krombeen bases his decisions on a statement of facts to show probable cause of a crime submitted by the arresting officer—which is submitted in all cases before the court.

This is the first initial hearing on a homicide case before Krombeen since he took office. The Williams Justice Court hears initial cases, and sometimes the pre-trial hearing, in cases originating in the jurisdiction of the Williams Justice Court. That area extends from Ash Fork through Williams and up highway 64 to Tusayan.

After the initial appearance, law enforcement must file charges within 48 hours with the Williams Justice Court and a pre-trial hearing must be set within ten-days. A pre-trial hearing has been set for Friday, May 31. Justice Krombeen said that County Attorney David Rozema can choose to send it to the Grand Jury which meets every Thursday by-passing the Williams Justice Center.

The body of Navallez was discovered by an employee of a gas company on the north side of Interstate 40 just east of Ash Fork on May 17. Deputies of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department investigated and notified next of kin.

Vast Oklahoma Tornado Kills at Least 91

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MOORE, Okla. — A giant tornado, a mile wide or more, killed at least 91 people, 20 of them children, as it tore across parts of Oklahoma City and its suburbs Monday afternoon, flattening homes, flinging cars through the air and crushing at least two schools.

The injured flooded into hospitals, and the authorities said many people remained trapped, even as rescue workers struggled to make their way through debris-clogged streets to the devastated suburb of Moore, where much of the damage occurred.

Amy Elliott, the spokeswoman for the Oklahoma City medical examiner, said at least 91 people had died, including the children, and officials said that toll was likely to climb. Hospitals reported at least 145 people injured, 70 of them children.

Read more at the New York Times
SEE ALSO: How to help Oklahoma tornado victims

Coconino and Kaibab National forests implement fire restrictions Wednesday.

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Santa Fe reservoir dropping rapidly. - NAG 05/17

Santa Fe reservoir dropping rapidly. – NAG 05/17

WILLIAMS—While the Santa Fe reservoir may look full from the dam side, a look at the other end tells a different story. Santa Fe and Buckskinner reservoirs filled up after the snow fall of the winter, but Kaibab and Dogtown lakes did not fill even close to capacity. With spring only half over, Santa Fe is already rapidly dropping to low-level.

This situation, of course, leads to the inevitable fire restrictions in the Coconino and Kaibab forests. The forest service will be implementing fire restrictions starting Wednesday, the 22nd. The dry, warm, windy conditions forecast over the Memorial Day weekend are likely to cause Red Flag warning conditions.

Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in developed campgrounds. Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are clear of flammable materials.

Visitors to the area are reminded that they are subject to heavy fines or even arrest for ejecting cigarette butts from a vehicle and are encouraged to use the car ash tray. The Williams Visitors Center offers pocket ash trays that smokers can carry with them in town, but they are not authorized for use in the forest as a substitute for common sense.

Fire restrictions will be in effect until the area receives significant precipitation. That is not likely to occur unless the area receives heavy monsoon rains which usually occur around the beginning of July.

Bearizona celebrates 3rd anniversay Wednesday

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WILLIAMS—The Bearizona drive-through wildlife theme park in Williams celebrates its third year in operation this Wednesday, May 22nd. From its humble beginning, the park grew to include raptor show run by the High Country Raptors. Now they even include an open-air bus tour.

The open windows of the bus allow you to take photographs without interference from the car windows. The cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children 4 to 12 and children under three ride for free.

On the tour you will see goats, donkeys, Bighorn sheep, wolves and the star attraction. In the walk-through area you can take in the free raptor show or some of the smaller animals and juvenile bears.

Unmasking Liberalism on the Arizona Range

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The Drake Exclosure --- The American Thinker

The Drake Exclosure — The American Thinker

When I bring environmentalists here and ask them what they would do to remedy this apparent failure of one of their most basic principles, invariably, they say they would continue to protect the area even though that policy has failed for 66+ years.

By Dan Dagget
May 18, 2013

Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned about liberalism I’ve learned from an unexpected source — nature. Some of the clearest and most instructive of those lessons have come from a U. S. Forest Service “study area” in the central Arizona high desert.

In 1946, the U. S. Forest Service erected a fence around a portion of an area exhausted by human overuse and misuse in this arid rangeland to demonstrate one of the core principles of modern liberal environmentalism — that the best way to restore damaged land to ecological health is to protect it from the impacts of humans. Today, the Drake Exclosure (The Drake) (PDF) has been under the beneficent care of nature alone for more than 66 years, but…

Rather than the revived Eden one would expect to find after 66 years of environmental protection, much of the Drake, today, is as bare as a well-used parking lot.

“Actually, it looks pretty much the same as it did back in 1946,” said a Forest Service scientist studying the area, “but the trees were smaller.”

Read more at the American Thinker

Coconino Rises for County’s First Stand Down May 17-18

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CC Stand Down 2013 - update

Click on image for larger view.

Event aids homeless, at-risk veterans and their families with services

FLAGSTAFF—Coconino County, in conjunction with area veteran’s advocate groups, will host the First Annual High Country Stand Down event May 17 to 18 to connect area homeless veterans and their families with the services they need.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 17, County-area homeless and at-risk veterans will have access to a host of services aimed at helping those who served our country. The Stand Down continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18, with breakfast and the Armed Forces Day Parade in Downtown Flagstaff.

“It is an honor to be a part of Coconino County’s first veterans stand down,” said District 4 County Supervisor Mandy Metzger, who convened the event. “Providing critical and basic services is the very least we should be doing for those who have bravely safeguarded our freedoms, but have become homeless or are at-risk of becoming homeless.”

“The High Country Stand Down is the first of what we hope becomes an annual tradition to continue creating positive impacts for veterans and their family’s within our communities. No veteran will be turned away,” Metzger added.

The event May 17 event will be held at the Flagstaff Armory at 320 N. Thorpe Road. During this event, veterans will be offered free dental exams, haircuts, clothing, hygiene kits and showers or they can receive ID assistance, Veteran’s Affairs healthcare and housing information and much more. That evening, veterans will also be offered a bed to sleep indoors and a hot dinner.

On May 18, veterans will convene for breakfast at the American Legion Post 3 at 204 W. Birch Ave. in Flagstaff. At 11 a.m. they can attend the Armed Forces Day Parade. The veteran’s services fair will continue throughout the day until 5 p.m.

“Our veterans had the courage to rise and serve when our nation called on them. It’s only fitting that we rise to aid them in their time of need,” said John Davidson, who helped coordinate the event. “It’s been a great privilege to work with Coconino County in a unified effort to host this event. Our service groups, Native American communities, statewide organizations and other partners stepped up to help our veterans.”

In addition to Coconino County, the event is a collaboration among multiple organizations, including the Coconino County Courts, County Public Health Services District, the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, American Legion Post 3, Salvation Army, Arizona Stand Down, Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, Madison Street Veterans Association, US Veterans Administration, Arizona Department of Veterans Services, United for Change, US Veterans Association and many others.

From the Bench: Justice Krombeen thanks Tusayan.

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rob-krombeen(Grand Canyon Edition) by Justice of the Peace Robert Krombeen

Since entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Town of Tusayan just over a year ago, it has been our court’s privilege to partner with the Town to provide your court and judicial services. Now that the council has voted to enter into a longer-term IGA for the next five years, I want to reiterate our court’s commitment to your community.

During the past year, our staff has made administrative changes and improvements which have led to improved customer service in our court. Surveys conducted by the Coconino County Court Administration have shown our court to have amongst the highest ratings for customer service in the county. We are continually striving to find ways to improve the function and services of our court.

It has been my observation that our staff has worked exceptionally well with the Town Prosecutor and Public Defender to provide consistent, designated time on the court calendar to Tusayan customers who appear in our court. The relationship with the Town Prosecutor and Public Defender will only continue to improve, as we find creative ways to provide those services in an efficient manner to reduce drive time for those appearing. As has been demonstrated this past year, it has and will continue to be our court’s desire to be good neighbors to the Town as you develop your community into the future.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your judge. We look forward to providing services to your community for the next five years. Please contact the court at (928) 635-2691 if you have any questions about the IGA or the services provided.