Monthly Archives: August 2013

Lost Hiker in Bear Jaw Canyon Located

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Flagstaff––On Monday, August 12, 2013 at about 9:20 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an overdue hiker in the Bear Jaw Canyon area of the San Francisco Peaks. The hiker, a 24 year old male, separated from his hiking companions on their return hike to their vehicle at the trailhead. He was last seen at approximately 7 pm. When the rest of the group arrived at the trailhead he was not there. The overdue hiker was dressed in shorts and a tank top shirt, and only had a water bottle with him.

A search was conducted by Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Search and Rescue personnel who were aided by a helicopter from the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit in Phoenix.

The hiker was located by searchers at approximately 2:20 am on 08/13/13 on a ridge between Bear Jaw Canyon and Reese Canyon. He was in good condition and was reunited with his hiking companions at the trailhead.

At this time of year the weather can be warm and pleasant during the day but can rapidly cool off at night. Day hikers should be prepared with at least the ten essentials when they set out for even short day hikes. Hikers should always tell someone where they are going and when they plan to return.

10 Essentials:

1. Water
2. Food
3. Extra Clothing for the conditions
4. Navigation Equipment (map, compass, GPS)
5. Headlamp/Flashlight
6. First Aid Kit
7. Shelter Material (emergency blanket/heavy duty leaf bag)
8. Fire Starting Kit (be aware of any fire restrictions)
9. Pocket Knife/Multi-Tool
10. Whistle/Signal Mirror

Coconino County Public Health to Continue with Dental Clinic

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FLAGSTAFF—–Following a thorough review and input from community stakeholders, the Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) will continue to offer dental clinic services for the public.

The CCPHSD Dental Clinic offers a host of services including, dental cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments and extractions for primarily low-income residents. Another key component of the program is dental preventative education and outreach to teach area school children the importance of proper dental hygiene.

Earlier this year, as part of the County’s strategic budget process, the County began evaluating and prioritizing all public programs to determine how to best utilize taxpayer funding. These evaluations were done to determine whether there was a duplication of services and to study whether the County could partner with an outside agency or group to deliver services.

The CCPHSD Dental Clinic received the same evaluation, which included a community questionnaire, the review of health data and meetings with the dental community, including local dentists and key stakeholders.

“The information gathered revealed that direct-care services are critical to low-income individuals where the availability of these needed services is limited,” said CCPHSD Interim Chief Health Officer Kimbal Babcock. “The findings indicated that discontinuing direct dental services would result in negative health effects and more expensive needs in the future for low-income and uninsured individuals. By continuing to utilize the clinic, we are also renewing our commitment to serve our residents who are in most need of these critical programs.”

Based on the program’s review, the County opted to continue utilizing the clinic and its dental prevention and outreach programs. However, the CCPHSD will continue to find efficiencies to ensure taxpayer funding is used most-effectively.

The Dental Clinic is located at 304 S. Humphries Street in Flagstaff and can be reached at 928-679-7825. For more information on the clinic and services offered, and eligibility requirements please visit the CCPHSD webpage at www.coconino.az.gov/health.

Coconino County Fair Entry Forms Deadline Extended to Aug. 19

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FLAGSTAFF–—The Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department extended the deadline to Aug. 19 for those submitting exhibits into the 64th Annual County Fair.

The Fair offers multiple family friendly events and activities, and runs Labor Day Weekend from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at Fort Tuthill County Park at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop off of Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff.

Fair organizers extended the deadline to enter exhibits into the Fair for multiple categories, including Fine Arts, Hobbies and Collections, Gems and Minerals, Agriculture and Horticulture, Floriculture, Home Economics, Schools, Open Youth, Open Poultry, Open Rabbits, Open Sheep and Open Horse.

Entry forms for 4-H Livestock and 4-H Club work are not included in the deadline extension.

Information on how to enter an item into the Fair for competition in various categories is contained inside the County Fair Book, which can be found at http://coconino.az.gov/countyfair.

Complete and signed entry forms may be scanned and submitted via e-mail to parksrec@coconino.az.gov or faxed to 928-774-2572. Entrants can also mail completed and signed forms to or drop off them off at the Coconino County Parks & Recreation office at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

For additional assistance, contact the County Parks and Recreation Department at 928-679-8000. Information on the County Fair can be found at http://coconino.az.gov/countyfair.

They’re Coming: Cool Country Cruise in attracts classics

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Cool-Country130809-2WILLIAMS—The Cool Country Cruise In comes to Williams again. The classic car show is an annual event in Williams and cars began to arrive yesterday to sign up for the event. Sign up is at Twister’s on Route 66 which sponsors the event.

The event packs the strip with plenty of cars and spectators, so please watch for pedestrians when using Route 66.

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U.S. Forest Service bans exploding targets

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Seven fires in Rocky Mountains blamed on devices

DENVER – The U.S. Forest Service announced a ban on exploding targets Monday, citing them as a major cause of wildfires.

Shooters who use exploding targets have ignited 16 wildfires since last year, including seven in the Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain region of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota.

The ban extends to all national forests and grasslands in those five states.

The public should understand that exploding targets can cause fires, said John Walsh, the U.S. Attorney for Colorado.

“You don’t want to have on your conscience starting a huge forest fire,” Walsh said.

A month before the Boston Marathon bombings, the FBI warned that commercial “exploding targets” used for recreational rifle shooting could power homemade bombs on American streets.

Read more and see video at The Durango Herald

Army veteran and cancer survivor rides for life.

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Fred-Vlchek130730FLAGSTAFF—Thirteen-year army veteran and cancer survivor Fred Vlchek stopped in Flagstaff yesterday on his way to dip his bicycle tire into the water of the Pacific Ocean at the Oceanside Municipal Pier.

Fred is riding to raise funds for Fred’s Difference, his 501(C)3 non-profit organization committed to increasing awareness and to support/fund treatment of all types of cancer plaguing the world today. The elements of the threefold mission of Fred’s Difference are; fundraising to help cancer patients offset the costs associated with cancer treatments, increasing awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of those affected by cancer, and support community efforts to increase awareness and raise funds for the assistance of cancer patients and their families.

As a six-year testicular cancer survivor, Fred began this pilgrimage on July 26th in Oceanside to raise funds in order to help others struggling in their battle with cancer. The five-week, 3200 mile trek will cover 12-states reaching elevations over 8,000 feet.

The next leg of his journey takes him through Tuba City toward the Navajo township of Kayenta where he is looking for assistance. He will need lodgings overnight to prevent paying a hotel bill which takes away from the effort of the ride. In fact, any lodgings that people can provide along the way will help save money which can be applied toward the foundation. As a Fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, he hopes that he will have assistance from that organization throughout his ride.

You can follow his ride and make donations at his web site: Freds Difference.com.