Monthly Archives: April 2014

Williams Alliance urges parents to speak to kids before prom night.

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waada-logo-01By Judge Rob Krombeen
Williams Alliance

The Williams Alliance wants to remind parents and members of the community during this upcoming Williams High School prom and graduation season, that we can make a difference to decrease the risks to our students associated with underage drinking and substance abuse, during this time of year when our youth are more vulnerable and at risk. As we enter this season of celebration, let’s keep our eyes focused on the great potential of those lives, but let us honor the lives that have been lost in the past, by ensuring those lives were not lost in vain.

Statistics and analysis from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) show that underage drinking continues to be a significant concern across the state of Arizona, and Williams in particular. (see http://www.azcjc.gov/ for more information) Those statistics however, also show that proactive and combined efforts across the state have reduced underage drinking, and have increased and improved youth awareness and perceptions about the negative aspects of underage drinking and substance abuse.

Preventative measures and programs implemented in recent years such as the Draw The Line campaign, have also increased community awareness and reduced risk factors amongst our youth. Ultimately, the ability to increase awareness of the inherent risks of underage drinking and reduce those risks our youth face, particularly at this time of year, may be with each of us.

Parents, educators, community leaders, peers, and others have one of the most effective tools at their disposal to make a significant difference in the decision making of our youth, which is simply, communication. Talking with your teenager, student, youth group members, and friends about underage drinking can have a dramatic impact on their decisions in upcoming weeks.

Add accountability to the effectiveness of speaking with our youth about underage drinking, combined with the creation of boundaries and parameters, and we will go a long ways towards increasing the chances of a safe prom and graduation season.

Please remember your words are powerful and can make a difference!

Rob Krombeen

Interstate 40 paving between Ash Fork and Williams to continue

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Winter construction shutdowns have lifted, enabling crews to continue paving work on Interstate 40 between Williams and Ash Fork (mileposts 146 to 162) starting Monday, April 28.

Over the next eight weeks drivers can expect a single lane restriction on I-40 in each direction during work hours, which are between 1 a.m. and 8p.m. Monday through Friday.

The work is part of a 16-mile repaving project on I-40 between Williams and Ash Fork. The work also includes new pavement, guardrail replacement, pavement markings and some bridge work.

The project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2014.

Visitors and residents should remember that speeding through a construction zone increases the fines. Arizona also has a “move over” law requiring all vehicles to move over for any vehicle with flashing lights if you can do so safely.

Paving project on I-17 begins Sunday night

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The Arizona Department of Transportation begins a project to repave a 10-mile of Interstate 17 between the State Route 169 traffic interchange and the Orme/Dugas exit (mileposts 269 to 279).

Work begins Sunday, April 27 at which time drivers can expect a nightly single lane restriction on northbound I-17 just south of the SR 169 traffic interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday morning, May 2.

In addition to the work on I-17, ADOT will perform bridge work on the SR 169 bridge, during that time drivers using the SR 169 bridge will be restricted to one lane and guided through work zone with a pilot car.

This $6.4 million project consists of the removal of a layer of the existing pavement, repaving the roadway, bridge work and guardrail replacement and is expected to be complete by the fall 2014.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Driver license service providers increase under ADOT program

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dlsamplePHOENIX – Arizona residents will soon have more options for obtaining a driver license or identification card. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is increasing the number of Authorized Third Party providers able to process driver license transactions.

Four existing businesses are scheduled to expand their operations by mid-June. Beginning April 28, Third Party MVS Services, Inc., located in Mesa, will offer driver license services. Other businesses set to add driver license services are Montes Multiple Services LLC, located in Yuma, on May 12; GG & D Financial & Check Cashing LLC, at their west Phoenix location, on May 27; and Ginger’s Title & Auto, located in Sierra Vista, on June 9. Additional Authorized Third Party businesses are expected to offer driver license services during the remainder of 2014 and beyond.

The Authorized Third Party businesses will be able to complete identification card and all phases of driver license application processing for Class D and G operator licenses, including conducting the knowledge and road skills examinations.

Authorized Third Party service providers have been successfully processing primarily title and registration transactions for more than 20 years with a limited few also conducting driver license services. As Arizona continues to grow, the expansion in the driver license program will give customers more options in carrying out this important transaction. The growth in the program was made possible by the passing of House Bill 2183 in the 2013 Arizona legislative session. This expansion means seven Authorized Third Party offices around the state now offer driver license services.

“Authorized Third Party businesses are private companies that contract with ADOT to conduct motor vehicle services, providing customers with options and expanded service opportunities. The program has grown over the years and there are now 147 locations statewide,” said Stacey Stanton, director of ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division. “ADOT oversees the businesses to ensure that stringent operational requirements are being followed and the Motor Vehicle Division provides Authorized Third Party employees with extensive training to assure proficiency is demonstrated by the businesses. Customers can feel confident using Authorized Third Party offices.”
Prior to the current program expansion, there were three Authorized Third Party offices that processed driver licenses: Academy of Driving Motor Vehicle Center, located in Tucson; Western Motor Vehicle, located in Phoenix; and MVP (Motor Vehicle Processing), located in Willcox.

In order to qualify to provide driver license processing, an Authorized Third Party must meet the requirements specified in Arizona law.

“GG & D Financial is looking forward to continuing its partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division to offer this expanded service,” said Director of Operations Ron Neagle. “We believe that both new and existing customers will greatly appreciate the convenience of driver license services being available at the same locations as the existing title and registration services.”

John McCain to host Hillary Clinton in Sedona, Ariz.

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In a statement released Thursday, McCain called Clinton “my friend” and praised her public service career.

Opening Of The Center For The IntrepidSince leaving the State Department last year, Hillary Rodham Clinton has racked up scores of accolades and appeared on many a big stage. Still, it might come as a surprise that a past Republican presidential nominee — specifically, the one who is among the loudest critics of Clinton’s handling of the Benghazi terrorist attacks — would invite her to his desert retreat for a lofty conversation about leadership values.

This is precisely what Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has done.

Clinton, a prospective 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, will appear on stage Saturday with McCain at the Sedona Forum, an annual ideas festival hosted by the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. Clinton is among the national and international business leaders, philanthropists and public figures appearing at the gathering, held in Sedona, the tony red-rocks oasis in Arizona’s Verde Valley.

In a statement released Thursday, McCain called Clinton “my friend” and praised her public service career.

Read more at The Washington Post

Greatest play in baseball history.

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“And from time-to-time people ask, Well, are you upset because you spent nineteen seasons in the major leagues and your known for primarily stopping two people from burning the flag? If that’s all your known for, it’s not a bad thing at all.”

rick-monday-youtube
There are a myriad memorable plays in baseball history. This play by center fielder and Arizona State University alumnus Rick Monday on April 25th, 1976 in the 4th inning at Dodger Stadium was voted one of the best 100 plays of all times.

It did not set up a triple-play. It did not stop the winning run. What it did do is something more important to most people serving, or who have served, this country in the armed forces of the United States.

Source: Madison Rising

Thanks to the Page Community for Supporting Recent Tip A Cop Benefiting Special Olympics

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tip-a-cop-pagePAGE – Trying to “Tip” a cop while stopped for a traffic violation is probably not a good idea. You can, however, “Tip-a-Cop” to support Special Olympics.

250px-2014_letr_logoSuch was the opportunity at the Antelope Point Marina Restaurant on Lake Powell on Saturday, April 19 in Page. Local law enforcement and Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies held the “Tip-a-Cop” event to support the Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign for Special Olympics.

The officers served the meals and the tips for the service from the patrons were donated to the Arizona Special Olympics. Tip-A-Cop in Page has proven to generate a great amount of community generosity as well as public awareness for Law Enforcement and Special Olympics.

The event at Antelope Point brought in over $1,200. On behalf of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, thank you to everyone for your support of the athletes and organizers of Special Olympics.

Utility work on I-17 north of Cordes Junction scheduled on Sunday

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Interstate 17 will be closed in both directions up to 15 minutes just north of Cordes Junction (milepost 264) at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 27 for overhead utility work.

The closures will provide a safe work zone as crews run overhead utility lines across the interstate.

ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. Law enforcement personnel will be present to enforce the closures as they occur.

Demolition of US 191 bridge over I-40 scheduled for Monday April 28

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The newly constructed bridge on US 191 over I-40 has been open to traffic for several months, now the old bridge must be demolished, which will bring the US 191 Sanders bridge and road realignment project very close to completion.

Demolishing the old bridge will begin the night of Monday, April 28 and last through the morning of Friday, May 2 with both day and night work hours.

Monday and Tuesday work will be from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and during these times I-40 traffic will be diverted to the east- and westbound on- and off-ramps. Work will then shift between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, which will only require narrowing I-40 to one lane in each direction.

Officers will be present to assist motorists on US 191 and I-40 and there may be short delays for traffic using US191. ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

For more information about this project, please call the project information line at 1.855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov.

Overnight work on I-17 south of Camp Verde scheduled next week

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Next week the Arizona Department of Transportation will complete paving work and remove temporary concrete barrier on Interstate 17 (mileposts 280 to 282) south of Camp Verde as part of the climbing lane project.

Drivers can expect a single lane restriction through the work zone nightly starting Monday, April 28 through Thursday, May 1. Work hours are from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and drivers can expect minimal delays and slow moving truck traffic.

During construction, bicyclists are not permitted through the project work zone as the shoulders along I-17 are closed. The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage.

Although paving is complete, there is still work to be completed before the passing lane project is completed this summer.

ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.