Monthly Archives: April 2014

Nevada range war: Western states move to take over federal land

Posted on by

Christian Science Monitor

Christian Science Monitor

Like a mustang tied to a fence post, many westerners for years have resisted Uncle Sam’s control of land they say more properly belongs to states or counties – or to nobody at all except the ranchers, miners, and loggers who work the land for its natural resources.

The tussle over Cliven Bundy’s 400 cows – grazing on federal land, although he refuses to pay the required fees now amounting to more than $1 million – sharpens this debate, which has featured state legislators, county officials, environmentalists, and federal judges (all of whom have ruled against Mr. Bundy).

In Salt Lake City Friday, representatives from Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington met for a “Legislative Summit on the Transfer of Public Lands.”

“Those of us who live in the rural areas know how to take care of lands,” Montana state Sen. Jennifer Fielder said at a news conference. “We have to start managing these lands. It’s the right thing to do for our people, for our environment, for our economy and for our freedoms.”

Read more at The Christian Science Monitor

2014 Virtual Urban Farm Tour Contest

Posted on by

(Click for larger image)

(Click for larger image)

FLAGSTAFF – Attention local urban farmers and gardeners: Flagstaff Liberty Alliance is happy to announce their 2014 Virtual Urban Farm Tour Contest! This contest is open to the public and it is free to enter.

To enter the 2014 Flagstaff virtual urban farm tour, submit pictures of your urban farm including: gardens, fruit trees, chickens/livestock, and harvest/preserves!

Go to flagstafflibertyalliance.com to submit your photos and vote on your favorite entry!

First place winner will receive a $50 gift card to Flagstaff Native Plant & Seed and be featured in the Flagstaff Liberty Alliance 2015 Urban Farm Calendar. Runner up will receive a $25 gift card to Flagstaff Native Plant & Seed.

Entries for the Urban Farm Tour will be accepted through September 15, 2014.

Read more at Flagstaff Liberty Alliance

Still time to get in on some of the Easter egg hunt

Posted on by

bunnyaWILLIAMS – The Easter egg hunt is still going on at the Williams Recreation Center. Most of the eggs, however, have been found. There is still time to get in for barbeque chicken, hotdogs, cole slaw and other treats.

High above the event the Zip Line is running and drawing a crowd.
zipline

There is also a yard sale at the First Baptist Church of Williams on Grant street across from Safeway.

You still have time to partake of some of the activities.

Reminder for the Citizen Prosecutor Academy

Posted on by

CASEALGoldBlueReduced2Tami Suchowiejko of the Coconino County Attorney’s office reminds Coconino County residents of the Citizen Prosecutor Academy scheduled for Friday May 2nd. The one-day course runs from 8:30 am to 5 pm and is conducted by various law enforcement agencies in the county.

Visit the website at www.coconino.az.gov/CountyAttorney to download an application form. Completed forms can be faxed to (928) 679-8201, or mailed to Coconino County Attorney’s Office, 110 E. Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 or contact Tami Suchowiejko at (928) 679-8229 or Email.

Overnight work on I-17 south of Camp Verde scheduled tonight

Posted on by

CAMP VERDE – The Arizona Department of Transportation will move concrete barrier on southbound Interstate 17 tonight, April 17 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. south of Camp Verde as part of the climbing lane project. 

 

Southbound drivers can expect a single lane restriction and northbound traffic will be guided through the project work zone with flaggers and a pilot car. 

 

Starting Monday, April 21 crews will begin the milling and paving work on I-17 through the project.  For the next two weeks, overnight work will require a single lane restriction in both directions and drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel times to reach their destination.     

 

Work hours are from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and drivers can expect minimal delays. 

 

During construction, bicyclists are not permitted through the project work zone as the shoulders along I-17 are closed.   

 

This project is expected to be complete by the summer 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. 

 

For more information, email projects@azdot.gov or call the ADOT project information line at 1.855.712.8530. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 511.

New flea market opening in Flagstaff Saturday.

Posted on by

symmetreeFLAGSTAFF – A new flea market opens Saturday, April 26 at the Symmetree Marketplace north of the Flagstaff Mall. The Symmetree Marketplace is located at 5900 north highway 89 in Flagstaff.

The landscaped fenced property features 24/7 security and safe parking in a high traffic area on highway 89. Spaces are $15 per day or $25 for the weekend.

Contact Steve Curry at 928-600-6681 for more information or to reserve space.

Weather may not cooperate this Easter weekend.

Posted on by

Williams Easter Egg Hunt 2012WILLIAMS – While there will be a lot to do this Easter weekend, many activities may have to move indoors because of the weekend weather. The Weather Service predicts rain Friday and Saturday clearing by Sunday.

The weather service predicts a 40% chance of rain Friday with gusts of wind possible up to 29 mph after 11 am. The chance decreases to 30% Friday night and Saturday after 11 am. Thunderstorms are possible both days. The last two predictions of rain brought very little wet weather into the area, however.

The weekend begins with Friday Good Friday service is at the church at the First Baptist Church and Saint Joseph Catholic Church.

On Saturday Williams Parks and Recreation will host the annual city Easter egg hunt at the Youth Center. The event will run from 11 am to 2 pm. In addition, the Grand Canyon National Park entry is free this Saturday the 19th.

Sunday of course Churches will probably host Easter egg hunts of their own after services.

Raffle to help pay for cancer patient Fionn Bowen

Posted on by

11-year old Fionn is undergoing cancer treatment at the Phoenix Children's Hospital.

11-year old Fionn is undergoing cancer treatment at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

WILLIAMS – A raffle is being conducted to assist in paying the medical bills for the cancer treatment of Fionn Bowen.

Raffle tickets are $2 each and prizes include a $20 Mary Kay gift certificate, a certificate for the Red Raven, yard work, quilts and more. Raffle date is May 11. To purchase tickets call Laci Karlsberger 635-4075.

Army, National Guard Fight Over Apache Helicopters

Posted on by

defense-largeBen Watson – Defense One

The Army National Guard is pushing back against a plan to send all of its 192 Apache attack helicopters to the active duty Army. In exchange, the Guard and Reserve components would receive 111 UH-60 Blackhawk transport and utility helicopters from the Army in a broader aviation restructuring after more than a decade of combat and steep budget cuts.

The restructuring would also eliminate three of 13 combat aviation brigades from the Army, while the Guard would phase out its entire fleet of OH-58 Kiowa Warrior scout helicopters, which have been in use for nearly five decades.

This shakeup of Army air assets amounts to some $12 billion in cost-saving measures through fiscal year 2017, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee at a hearing Tuesday.

But National Guard Chief Gen. Frank Grass, who also testified at the hearing, isn’t happy with the plan. “None of us like what we’re having to do,” he said. “My big concern right now is figuring out how I’m going to move, and how many states I’m going to have an impact on, and what’s the cost of facilities and to retrain pilots. I’ve got to tackle that because the decision’s been made.”

Read more at Defense One

Google Buys Drone Company Titan Aerospace

Posted on by

s50_highalt2_4k (1)Jay Yarow – Business Insider

Google has acquired drone maker Titan Aerospace, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Titan is a New Mexico-based company that makes high-flying solar powered drones.

There’s no word on the price Google paid, but Facebook had been in talks to acquire the company earlier this year for a reported $60 million. Presumably, Google paid more than that to keep it away from Facebook.

Read more at Business Insider