Monthly Archives: June 2013

Historic Marble Canyon Lodge and Restaurant Destroyed by Fire

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The remains of the historic Marble Canyon Lodge---Photo Courtesy of the Coconino County Sheriff's Department

The remains of the historic Marble Canyon Lodge—Photo Courtesy of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department


FLAGSTAFF–The historic Marble Canyon Lodge and Restaurant located on Highway 89A burned to the ground early this morning. Both the north and south bound lanes of 89A were closed for approximately two hours but were reopened at about 5 am. Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives and fire investigators from the Flagstaff Fire Department are on scene attempting to determine the origin of the fire.

At about 1:30 am this morning the burglary alarm for the Marble Canyon Lodge activated an audible siren that woke the owner who was asleep in a nearby residence. The owner also received telephone notification from the dispatch center of the alarm company. As the owner walked outside he saw a large amount of smoke and flames coming from the rear of the structure.

Crew members of a construction company that are doing improvements on the Lee’s Ferry Road and who are staying at the Marble Canyon Motel attempted to fight the fire with the aid of two company owned water tanker trucks. Firefighters from the city of Page, Arizona, arrived at approximately 3:00 am. Other responding agencies included the Fredonia Fire Department, Colorado City/Hildale Fire Department, Page Electric, National Park Service Rangers from Lee’s Ferry, and Kane County Medical Transport.

The newer building that houses the post office and convenience store and is located north of the lodge was not damaged nor was the motel that is located to the south. The Marble Canyon Lodge was established in 1926 and is located 125 Miles North of Flagstaff near the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry.

Arizona Cowboy Artist Dies during Photo Shoot

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FLAGSTAFF—Seventy one year-old John William Owen “Bill Owen” (Facebook Page) of Kirkland, Arizona died on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at about 7 am while photographing cowboys who were conducting ranching activities at Camp 16 off of Indian Route 18 located in the area of Peach Springs, Arizona.

Investigating Deputies learned that the victim identified as Bill Owen who is a well-known western artist arrived at Camp 16 on Thursday, June 14, 2013 with the intention of photographing ranch hands while they conducted their day to day activities. The assumption was that Mr. Owen would later incorporate the images from the photos into his artwork. According to ranch hands, some of whom were in close proximity to Mr. Owen on Saturday morning, he was in the process of disassembling a portable tepee when one of the witnesses saw him fall to the ground. This witness shouted out that there was a “man down.”

Several of the ranch hands who were present rushed to Mr. Owen’s aid and administered CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) for an extended period of time, possibly as long as thirty minutes. Medical personnel from Peach Springs, Arizona arrived on scene. While one of the medical personnel was speaking on the phone with a physician from Kingman Regional Hospital, the victim was pronounced deceased. The victim’s body was transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff. At this point in the investigation detectives do not suspect foul play.

From his Facebook page, Mrs. Owen informs that a memorial for Bill will be held Saturday, June 29 at 11 am at the Lifepointe Church in Prescott Valley. The church is located at 10100 E State Route 69.

She also requests:

In lieu of flowers I ask that donations be made to the scholarship organization founded by Bill to help young people of the Arizona ranching community further their educations after graduating high school:
The Arizona Cowpuncher’s Scholarship Organization, Inc.
c/o George Vensel, Treasurer
PO Box 55
Patagonia, AZ 85624

Supreme Court Tears Into Fifth Amendment, Rules Silence Can Be Used Against You If Questioned

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dissent-silencedScott Shackford

In a 5-4 decision the Supreme Court ruled today that a potential defendant’s silence can be used against him if he is being interviewed by police but is not arrested (and read his Miranda rights) and has not verbally invoked the protection of the Fifth Amendment.

Tim Lynch at the Cato Institute explains that the Salinas v. Texas case was intended to be about whether prosecutors during a trial could cast aspersions on a defendant’s silence during questioning that took place prior to arrest — prior to the defendent being told he had the right to remain silent. Instead, the Supreme Court determined that they wouldn’t need to rule on the matter because the defendant had never invoked the Fifth Amendment’s protection. This decision means that it’s the responsibility of the individual to know about the protections offered by the Fifth Amendment even prior to arrest and to actually verbally invoke it:

The Court said Salinas simply remained silent and did not “formally” invoke any constitutional right, so prosecutors could offer commentary to the jury. What’s most disturbing about the ruling is its discussion of “burdens.” The plurality put the onus on the individual, not the government. That is the profound error in the decision. As the dissenters noted, in the circumstances of the case, it was evident what Salinas was doing. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has complicated the law for persons who are the most vulnerable–persons who lack education, persons who do not speak English very well, persons who may suffer from mental problems, and persons who may be under the influence of alcohol. This is a bad day for the Bill of Rights.

Read more at Prince Vega

Doce fire impacts Williams

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A fire fighting plane passes through the smoke of the Doce fire--Photo courtesy of Addicted to Route 66 Deals.

A fire fighting plane passes through the smoke of the Doce fire–Photo courtesy of Addicted to Route 66 Deals.


WILLIAMS—Smoke from the Doce fire in Prescott surprised residents and visitors in Williams today. The wind-driven fire is reported to have scorched up to 2000-acres, thus far, and caused the evacuation of homes. No homes were reported damaged as of yet.

The smoke has caused problems for some with respiratory problems.

Prescott eNews reported earlier

The fire is off Iron Springs Road, close to Granite Mountain. It is very easily seen in Williamson Valley.

Central Yavapai Fire District is on hand, and Prescott Fire and the Forest Service crews are on the way. Helicopters are already flying to ascertain the situation.

It is currently 100 acres at Mile Post 8, off Iron Springs Road.

They also have recommendations in the event that you have to evacuate.

More fire fighting crews have been called in for tomorrow. It is unclear if the fire is under control.

Smoke from the Doce fire covers Williams and Bill Williams mountain.

Smoke from the Doce fire covers Williams and Bill Williams mountain.


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Free flights for youth in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF—The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 856 of Flagstaff will be hosting an EAA Young Eagles flight experience for children 8 to 17. The ten-minute flights from Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff will be held on Saturday June 29.

Vehicle Collides with FUSD Bus

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FLAGSTAFF—Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the report of a two vehicle collision involving a school bus and a suburban utility vehicle today at about 12:32 pm. The collision occurred on Leupp Road in the area of Copley Drive. To date Deputies have determined that the SUV was traveling southbound on Leupp Road and for an unknown reason crossed the centerline of the roadway and struck the driver side of a FUSD school bus that was traveling northbound.

The impact caused the rear axle of the bus to break free from its mounts. The rear axle of the bus struck the front drivers side wheel and axle of the SUV causing it to separate from the frame. Summit Fire Department and Guardian ambulance personnel transported the driver of the SUV for minor injuries. There were three children on the school bus at the time of the collision. All three elementary school students denied injury however two were transported to Flagstaff Medical Center as a precautionary measure where they were treated and released. The third child was released to a family member who arrived on scene. The driver of the bus was not injured in the collision.

The three students were being transported from an elementary school located in Flagstaff to their homes in Leupp at the time of this collision. Deputies are continuing this investigation. No citations have been issued at this point in the investigation.

Deceased Male Located in Oak Creek Canyon

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FLAGSTAFF—The body of the man who was found deceased in Oak Creek Canyon on May 27,2013 has been identified as forty-seven year old Stephen Buck of Washington state.

On May 27, 2013 at about 4:13 pm an individual who was hiking in Oak Creek Canyon called a Coconino County Sheriff Emergency Dispatcher on his cell phone to report that he and a companion hiker were exploring the canyon when they found a deceased male subject. The caller’s location was determined to be off of State Route 89A in the area of mile post 379.5. Upon their arrival Deputies made contact with the reporting party and found the body to be that of an adult male, that was lying face down behind some trees by a creek. The subject was fully clothed and investigators did not observe any signs of injures or blunt trauma that would be consistent with an assault or some other manner of foul play.

Detectives found several types of controlled substances or narcotics in close proximity to the body. Investigators found a key for a U-Haul vehicle in a pocket of clothing worn by the deceased individual and matched it to a U-Haul van that was parked along SR 89A. The van was reported as stolen by the renting agency and investigators learned that there was an active US Marshal Federal Warrant for the deceased subject that was initiated by the Department of Drug Enforcement in California.

Detectives are considering the possibility that the individual died as the result of a self-induced drug overdose. This investigation is being continued.

Camping allowed downtown

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Opinion Glen Davis

Camp out at BBQ event.

Camp out at BBQ event.

WILLIAMS—The City Council has been trying to destroy the Kiwanis Swap Meet for the last few years. The swap meet is a traditional affair that occurs over the summer and pays for Kiwanis events such as the holiday dinner every year and scholarships.

The latest attempt is to not allow “camping” at the swap meet. The swap meet is set up clear on the west end of town out of view of the public.

Apparently the Californians in the Chamber did not like the Freedom is Not Free mural downtown.

Fortunately, camping is allowed downtown for the Northern Arizona barbeque weekend.

Continuing court during emergency situations

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tj-20130412-01WILLIAMS—The weight of snow has just collapsed the roof. The snow has caused a train to derail on Seventh street sparking a horrendous forest fire. The fire is melting the snow causing flooding. The flooding freezes over Railroad Avenue causing a semi to skid out of control into the building. Okay, not all of those things are likely to happen at one time, but something might happen to cause the evacuation of the Williams Justice Center. The staff of the Williams Justice Center will have to have a way to provide important court services after that.

The Williams Municipal and Justice Courts are working together with Coconino County Court Administration to develop our Continuous Operations (COOP) plan to enable our courts to continue providing services during any unanticipated emergency or contingency.

“The court has to be able to issue orders—court orders—and those things 24/7. We have to be able to provide orders of protection and other court orders during business hours and that take precedence in court,” Justice of the Peace Robert Krombeen explained.

“If somebody’s arrested in the city they have to be seen by the JP or a magistrate within twenty-four hours. They have to be. For a felony—a homicide, for example—they would be released in twenty-four hours. That’s required by law and the Arizona Constitution.”

The Flagstaff Court system has their own system as part of the County emergency plan. “They have the specifics of their plan in place where they have other sites in the greater Flagstaff area where they could set up their court, as well, so that they could maintain court within their precinct.”

Krombeen explained that our plan has two alternative sites within our precinct so that we can maintain court in this area. “If something really weird happened where it was going to be a longer term, we could potentially go to Flagstaff. But it’s our goal and our plan to set up to have those services provided right here.”

One of the sites being considered is the Coconino Community College building which is being turned over to the high school. It has facilities to allow video court similar to the facilities in the Williams Justice Center. The other location is the Clark Memorial Airport which has sufficient parking and Internet facilities that could allow the same function.

So if an emergency should occur in any of the areas serviced by the Williams Justice Center, do not try to take advantage of the situation. You will not pass go, you may loose $200 and you may go to jail.

Naked body of woman found in Tempe street

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TEMPE, Ariz.—The naked body of a woman with severe, deadly wounds was discovered lying in the street of a usually calm Tempe neighborhood Saturday morning.

The woman, believed to be about 20-years-old, had no clothing and no identification, making it difficult for police to figure out who she is.

Now they’re asking for the public’s help identifying her and finding whoever killed her and left her battered body in the middle of homes.

At about 4:30 a.m., a person driving to work near McClintock and Baseline came across the young woman’s body and called the police.

“Kind of sick to my stomach actually.”

Debbie Douglas was sickened that a young woman’s naked body was found battered and bruised, lying on the street in a neighborhood she’s called home for 22 years.
Read more at FOX 10