Monthly Archives: April 2014

Concrete barrier set this week on SR 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will place temporary concrete barrier at night tomorrow and Wednesday, April 15 and 16, on State Route 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley to allow crews to safely work on the widening project.

The work will take place over two nights between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. Drivers can expect minimal delays during work hours.

ADOT advises drivers and bicyclists to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Shoulder work on SR 87 north of Strawberry through April

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Arizona Department of Transportation crews will be mowing the shoulder on State Route 87 in both directions on a 12-mile segment (mileposts 278 to 290) north of Strawberry through Thursday, May 1.

During work hours each day, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., traffic will be restricted to one lane through the work zone. Flaggers and a pilot car will direct traffic in alternating directions using the single lane that is open. Delays of up to 10 minutes at a time are possible.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.

“Blood moon” all the rage tonight.

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Schematic diagram of the shadow cast by the Earth. Within the central umbra shadow, the Moon is totally shielded from direct illumination by the Sun. In contrast, within the penumbra shadow, only a portion of sunlight is blocked. - Wikipedia

Schematic diagram of the shadow cast by the Earth. Within the central umbra shadow, the Moon is totally shielded from direct illumination by the Sun. In contrast, within the penumbra shadow, only a portion of sunlight is blocked. – Wikipedia

Coconino Astronomical Society flier from Fred Espanak's web site.

Coconino Astronomical Society flier from Fred Espanak’s web site.

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino Astronomical Society is encouraging the viewing of a somewhat rare astronomical event starting tonight and running into the early morning hours. Tonight there will be the first of four total eclipses of the moon in 2014. It is predicted to have a red appearance which has given rise to the term “blood moon.”

NASA is even promoting a live stream of the event if it is too chilly for you or if the cloud coverage in your area causes a problem.

Coconino Astronomical Society flier from Fred Espanak's web site.

Coconino Astronomical Society flier from Fred Espanak’s web site.

The rarity of this even is that four blood moons will occur in roughly six-month intervals on the following dates: April 15, 2014; October 8, 2014; April 4, 2015, and September 28, 2015. This is called a tetrad by astronomers. The NY Daily News reports:

According to NASA, seeing four complete lunar eclipses in a row is very rare. The skies were tetrad-free from 1600 to 1900. But in the 21st century, there will be many.

What’s even stranger is that Americans have a front row seat.

“The most unique thing about the 2014-2015 tetrad is that all of them are visible for all or parts of the USA,” NASA eclipse expert Fred Espenak told CNN.

According to the Society flier the eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye with no special equipment required. Binoculars might give a better view of the event.

An eclipse of the moon can only take place during the full moon phase when the moon passes through some portion of the shadow of the Earth. The shadow consists of two parts; the penumbra and umbra. It is when the moon passes through the umbra portion that the earth blocks all light from the sun. That is the type of eclipse we will see with the tetrad.

The event begins at about 10:58 tonight when a partial eclipse begins. The total eclipse should bet at 12:07 tomorrow morning. The moon will be eclipsed until around 1:25 with another partial eclipse ending at 2:33 am.

The Coconino Astronomical Society promotes taking advantage of the dark skies of Arizona to view astronomical events. They have a private, two-acre viewing area two-miles north of Williams provided for CAS members and their guests.

They group has recently been attempting to set up monthly viewing sessions inside Williams. Even within the lighted city the session this month provided remarkable views of Jupiter and four of the moons. Later in the summer Saturn will be visible including the amazing rings surrounding it.

Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe honored by Arizona Highways.

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Anna, Aquilla Larson and Maria Jacobs display the plate awarded by Arizona Highways magazine.

Anna, Aquilla Larson and Maria Jacobs display the plate awarded by Arizona Highways magazine.

WILLIAMS – The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe at 125 West Route 66 has been added to the list of great eateries in Arizona by the Arizona Highways magazine. The restaurant is featured in the latest issue.

The Coffee and Cafe, owned by life-long resident Anna Dick, joins Twister’s and the Red Raven among Arizona’s premiere restaurants in Arizona according to the magazine. They recently received their plate from Arizona Highways magazine making it official.

The restaurant is famous for it’s Canyon Burrito and the best pancakes in the area. They feature Mexican, Chinese and American dishes—to eat in or take out—as well as wi-fi. The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe friendly and courteous staff have made it a favorite among local diners.

The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe is well “yelped” in addition to the Arizona Highways award.
azhiway-04

azhiway-03

OBAMA IN SERIOUS DANGER OF IMPEACHMENT

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b6c1a0e70728e1d4e493b912b474d5e5It is now official. The serious possibility of the impeachment of Barrack Obama is a reality.

The Globe magazine—which brings us articles on all of our favorite celebrities—is calling for the impeachment of the president.

The infamous Globe magazine brought us the exclusives that Barrack Obama is a Muslim who was not born in the United States. They told us of the hit list of Michelle Obama. Presumably that means her favorite music from Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga.

If the Globe is willing to go after a meal ticket such as the current occupants of the White House, you know there is trouble brewing.

And if Congress isn’t listening, there might just be a few articles about them in subsequent issues.

The problem with HB 2284? Nothing, really.

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OPINION by Glen Davis

EJ Montini of the Arizona Republic apparently has a problem with Arizona HB 2284. This bill would allow the Director of the Department of Health Services to inspect, or send a duly designated agent, to inspect abortion clinics if there is “reasonable cause” to believe they are violating the law or rules concerning abortion.

His argument is that they have this authority already if they obtain a warrant.

Mr. Montini does not seem to have a problem with warrantless searches of restaurants by county health departments. Especially to make sure they are adhering to an unconstitutional law against allowing smoking in their business.

I do not know if he has a problem with Obamacare guidelines which allow warrantless inspections of homes of “at risk” families. These include Veterans who have honorably served our country, homes with pregnant women under the age of 21, homes of student that have children with low student achievement, homes of tobacco users, families with substance abuse problems, and so-forth.

I do not know how you determine a student of low achievement since common core curriculum does not require you to get the right answer, but whatever…

This provision is not unusual. ARS 36-463.02 allows inspections of clinical laboratories. Although 36-495.07 does limit inspections of environmental laboratories to an annual occurrence, no warrant is required. ARS 36-855 allows the warrantless inspection of child care facilities by local or State health departments. We have mine inspectors and even a guy to run around and check railroad crossing signals. We can send police to find out why kids are not in school without a warrant.

The point is that any organization licensed to do business affecting the health and safety of the public, in some fashion, agreeing to warrantless inspections on the city, county or State level. It is rather difficult to understand why abortion clinics should be exempt.

SEE ALSO: Center for Arizona Policy

Armed Detroit nurse saves man being beaten by angry mob

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Deborah-HughesDETROIT – When a retired Detroit nurse witnessed an angry mob beating a man last week, she didn’t simply turn away. Instead, she grabbed her gun, placed it in her coat pocket and went to intervene, which quite possibly saved the man’s life.

Steve Utash was driving down the street in his pick-up truck last Wednesday when 10-year-old David Harris stepped off of the curb and into the street. Utash accidentally struck the child with his vehicle, but when he stopped and got out to help him, as a local Fox affiliate reported, things quickly went from bad to worse.

About 10 to 12 people immediately surrounded Utash and began to beat him, while dozens of others stood by and watched.

But Deborah Hughes, who lives across the street from where the incident occurred, witnessed the events and wasn’t about to just do nothing. Hughes grabbed her handgun and went to help Utash.

Read more at Guns.com

Militiamen make presence felt in protest of BLM’s livestock grab

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0410BLMProtest02_t653BUNKERVILLE — The militiamen rolled in to draw a line in the dirt.

About 70 miles northeast of Las Vegas, they set up camp on a sun-baked patch of land next to a bend in the Virgin River, keeping supplies — like rucksacks and sleeping bags — in neat piles under the roof of an abandoned shack.

Gruff and largely unshaven, dressed in camouflage fatigues and cut-off shirts, the men kept their intentions quiet, telling news reporters the reason they pulled their trucks into this rural desert town — on one of the hottest days of the year — is simple enough: “We’re here to camp,” said one man who would not share his name.

The group even had a sign, posted for arriving members: Militia Sign In.

But they were really here to protect one of their own from the perceived enemies: a band of federal agents recently dispatched to the scrub desert to seize the cattle of embattled rancher Cliven Bundy.

“They’re here to protect Cliven’s family and home,” said Lynn Brown, one of Bundy’s daughters.

Read more at Las Vegas Sun

Air Marshal director resigns amid agency gun scheme probe

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bray_splitEXCLUSIVE: The director of the Federal Air Marshal Service is resigning after being investigated for his role in an alleged operation to acquire guns for officials’ personal use, FoxNews.com has learned.

Director Robert Bray’s home was raided in December in connection with the ongoing probe. Law enforcement and congressional sources told FoxNews.com that Bray’s recently announced resignation, which is effective in June, is directly related to the investigation.

Bray allegedly is among several officials who were obtaining weapons through this operation.

The Department of Homeland Security inspector general probe — which also is believed to involve the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — stems from whistleblower accusations involving federal Air Marshal supervisor Danny Poulos.

He is accused of using the agency’s federal firearms license and his relationship with gun manufacturer Sig Sauer to obtain discounted and free guns. He then provided them to high-up agency officials for their personal use, according to whistleblower documents obtained by FoxNews.com and interviews with multiple officials with knowledge of the ongoing probe.

Read more at FOX News Politics

Utility work on State Route 89A in Cottonwood scheduled on Saturday

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COTTONWOOD – State Route 89A in Cottonwood at Sixth Street (milepost 352) will be closed at night between 9 and 9:15. on Saturday, April 12, as overhead utility lines are installed across the roadway.

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.