Monthly Archives: May 2014

Bearizona Wildlife Park Job Fair

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bearizonaWILLIAMS – Bearizona Wildlife Drive Through park is holding a job fair on Saturday starting at 10 am and lasting until 2 pm. The fair will be held at Wild West Junction, 321 E Rte 66 in Williams.

They are interviewing for Buster the mascot, car attendant, maintenance, animal staff, and ambassadors. See website for applications and complete job description.

Bearizona also has volunteer opportunities for teenagers over 15 and adults to assist paid staff while developing skills for a full-time job.

Applications available on their website. They will not consider anyone for an interview with an incomplete application.

Bearizona is an equal opportunity employer and drug and alcohol free.

Improvement project on SR 89 on White Spar Road in Prescott nears completion

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adot-logo3Crews will begin paving the roadway on State Route 89 (White Spar Road) in Prescott starting on Tuesday, May 20.

Next week, paving work will occur Tuesday through Thursday, May 20 to May 22, and be off the road on Friday, May 23 in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

During paving activities drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes over the next two weeks. Work hours are 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph through the work zone. 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.

Bike riders expected throughout Verde Valley this weekend

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adot-logo3The Arizona Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to be alert for bicyclists traveling along the shoulders of state highways throughout the Verde Valley this weekend due to a special event.

More than 1,000 bicyclists are expected to participate in a charity bike race on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Drivers can expect to see bicycle riders on State Route 89A and SR 179. Minimal delays are expected but ADOT suggests drivers be prepared for slower traffic through the area.

State law requires a vehicle to maintain a three-foot gap when passing a bicycle on a roadway.

Run for the Wall reminds America of POWs and MIAs

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The soldier at the Williams Own Veterans Memorial stands watch with a Road Guard waiting for the riders of Run for the Wall

The soldier at the Williams Own Veterans Memorial stands watch with a Road Guard waiting for the riders of Run for the Wall

WILLIAMS – The riders of Run for the Wall roared into Williams on their annual mission to remind America that we still do not have a full accounting of POWs and those missing in action from the Vietnam war. At least 15 from Arizona are still unaccounted for.

The ten-day journey to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. is also a chance for brothers-in-arms who fought in the conflict to help each other heal. In addition the ride honors those currently serving in the military.

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Staff Sergeant David C. Lee

Although the ride was originally started by and for veterans of the Vietnam conflict, it has always been open for anyone with a desire to honor veterans and military. Recent years it has become more important for veterans and others to start to ride as Vietnam veterans are passing and getting too old to ride. This year there were several obvious non-veterans riding in the group.

Williams was especially honored this year to welcome active duty Army Staff Sergeant David Lee, a recruiter from North Orange County. He said he hangs out with a group of veterans known as the Orange Plaza Patriots where he learned about Run for the Wall. Marine Corp veteran Mark Waylon, a member of the group and annual rider, invited Lee to ride. Staff Sergeant Lee took leave so that he could make the Run for the Wall ride this year.

Officers Jaynes (left) and Humphrey (Right) are thanked for their service.

Officers Jaynes (left) and Humphrey (Right) are thanked for their service.

The riders came in their normal route from I-40 to parade down historic Route 66. Due to an emergency call, the Williams Police Department could not handle the normal duty of escorting the group. Officers Jaynes and Humphrey of the Department of Public Safety stepped in to handle the call.

The Ambassadors of Run for the Wall arrived about 5:45 after the Run for the Wall traveling commissary. The van sells T-Shirts, patches, pins and other items to support the activity.

At the American Legion Cordova Post #13, volunteers started in the morning setting up and cooking for the event. It was particularly gratifying to see young citizens of Williams serving at the event this year.

Volunteers serve the riders at the Cordova Post #13.

Volunteers serve the riders at the Cordova Post #13.

In previous years the riders were divided into two routes. This year the riders were divided into three routes with the Central Route coming into Williams and Flagstaff. Unfortunately this is not a tourist run and the riders will rise early in the morning to depart the city to continue their mission.

The Northern Arizona Gazette wishes them fair winds and following seas.

UPDATED 11:45

2nd Annual High Country Stand Down for Veterans this weekend

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stand-down-logoFLAGSTAFF – The 2nd annual High Country Stand Down for veterans will be held this Friday and Saturday in Flagstaff. The event is a part of the Arizona Veterans Stand Down organization.

The stand down is designed to reach out to homeless veterans and other veterans at risk. Services provided include VA health care, pet services, dental exams and services, mental health services, clothing, meals, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, ID and drivers licenses, court services and legal aide, showers and haircuts and myriad other services and resources.

The Stand Down will be held in two locations in Flagstaff. On Friday May 16 it will be at the Flagstaff Armory at 320 N. Thorpe Road from 10 am to 5 pm. This day is open to the public until 5 pm. After 5 pm only veterans will be allowed.

On Saturday the Stand Down veteran surplus distribution will be held the American Legion Post #2 at 204 Birch from 8 am to 3 pm. On Saturday only veterans will be permitted.

The Stand Down is sponsored by Coconino County, the City of Flagstaff, Department of Economic Security, American Legion, The Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation.

Flagstaff will hold their annual Armed Forces Day parade beginning at 11 am.

Run for the Wall arrives today

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r4tw-2006-01FLAGSTAFF/WILLIAMS – The riders of Run for the Wall are expected to start arriving in Williams in two groups today. The first group will arrive and continue on to Flagstaff while the second will stop in Williams.

The first group of Vietnam veterans will start arriving at about 4:30 and will stop for fuel before continuing on to Flagstaff.

The second group will arrive at about 6:30 and start the traditional Run for the Wall motorcycle parade down historic Route 66. They will proceed to the American Legion Cordova Post #13 to be served dinner by volunteers from Williams.

Run for the Wall is an annual event in which Vietnam veterans ride to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. arriving on Memorial day. The event is over twenty years old and the mission is to allow healing for Vietnam veterans and their families and to call attention to the fact that the national government has still not demanded a full accounting of prisoners of war and those missing in action from the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Overnight work on two paving projects on I-17 continues this week

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The Arizona Department of Transportation has two improvement projects on Interstate 17, both south of Camp Verde, which will require overnight restrictions for drivers this week.

Drivers will be restricted to one lane southbound on I-17 through the climbing lane project (mileposts 280 to 282) Monday through Wednesday (May 12 through 14) between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly. Minimal delays expected.

At the State Route 169 junction (milepost 278) crews will close I-17 in both directions and drivers will be required to use the off- and on-ramps at SR 169 to continue around the work zone. Work will occur overnight starting tonight through Thursday, May 12 through May 15, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

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.

Lane restrictions on I-17 this week for pavement work

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will be performing routine pavement maintenance on a five-mile segment of Interstate 17 between the Sunset Point Rest Area and Cordes Junction tomorrow and Wednesday, May 13 and 14 between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The work will occur daily between mileposts 256 and 262 and will require alternating lane restrictions in both directions. There will also be intermittent shoulder closures during work hours to provide a safe work zone for maintenance crews. Minimal delays are expected.

The speed limit through the work zones will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours. Fines for speeding through a construction zone are doubled.

Blue Ridge Neighborhood Watch Meeting Wednesday

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neighborhoodwatchBLUE RIDGE – The next Neighborhood Watch Meeting for the Blue Ridge and Happy Jack areas will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 beginning at 6:00 pm at the Blue Ridge Fire Station located at 5023 Enchanted Lane.

Deputy Rick Shouse and Gerry Blair of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to give an update for the Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Shouse will speak about activity in the neighborhood that has occurred during the last month. District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger will be at the meeting to give an update on the operation of Coconino County Government and to share information. Marc Della Rocca who is the Public Relations Manager for the Coconino County Public Works Department will give an update on County Roads. Fire District Chief John Banning will give an update on the Blue Ridge Fire Department.

Jeb Koons who is the Fire Management Officer for the Coconino National Forest and Robert Auza who is the assistant Fire Manager will give a current Outlook for the 2014 Wild Land Fire Season. They will also speak about the “Ash Barrel” project.

Zach Ellinger who is a Fire Prevention Technician for the United States Forest Service will speak about the “One Less Spark-One Less Wildfire” program. Fire danger in Arizona is above normal levels. Significantly dry conditions are present due to historically low precipitation and high temperatures. Everyone has the responsibility to prevent human-caused wildfires. “One Less Spark-One Less Wildfire” is a public information campaign designed to inform the motoring public on how to prevent vehicle or equipment caused wildfires. The campaign is in part the product of research conducted by The Forest Service Research Station and the Centers for Disease Control. According to their research, vehicle or equipment caused fires are a major source of wildfires and are among the most costly and damaging fires because they begin near busy roadways and often, interrupt traffic, negatively impact roadside scenery and threaten settled areas.

The goal of the One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire Campaign is to use an all lands, all voices coordinated approach to guide interagency efforts for wildfire prevention to reduce human-caused wildfires in the Southwest.