Monthly Archives: May 2014

Run for the Wall reminds us of what Memorial day is about

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somegaveallWILLIAMS – While most Americans feel that Memorial Day is to mark the beginning of summer and barbeque season, there are those who actively participate in what Memorial Day was actually meant to be. The day is meant to honor the approximate 7% of those Americans who have actually served and are serving to keep this country free from tyranny.

In about a week, the motorcycle riders of Run for the Wall will arrive in Williams once again. The Run for the Wall mission actually consists of three routes with the Central route making its first stop in Williams at the Cordova Post American Legion Hall.

Run For The Wall (RFTW) was started in 1989 by Vietnam veterans James Gregory and Bill Evans. The mission is to promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends and to call for an accounting of all still listed as prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA).

Sergeant Bowe R. Bergdahl of Idaho is still a prisoner of war in Afghanistan.

The ride consists mostly of Vietnam veterans, but younger veterans are invited and are starting to answer the call. Some riders are not veterans, but are friends, relatives and others who want to honor those who gave all.

The run begins on the 14th, this year, and the riders usually begin arriving between 4 and 5 pm. The American Legion Cordova Post #13 in Williams hosts a barbeque for the group between 7 and 8 pm. The riders then rest up for the continuation of their ride through New Mexico. The three routes converge in Washington, D.C. at the Vietnam Veteran’s Wall memorial for the Memorial weekend.

The group Rolling Thunder, founded about the same time, makes a Memorial Day run to Washington, D.C. as well. Their mission to bring attention the POW/MIAs is the same as Run for the Wall.

Their motto—We ride for those who can’t—indicates the fact that they ride in honor of those fallen heroes killed in action and those serving in the active duty military, as well as the POW/MIAs.
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County Board of Supervisors Approves Ordinance Regulating Use of Devices While Driving

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text-msgFLAGSTAFF — Culminating multiple years of research and several months of deliberations, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that aims to curb distracted driving within the County.

On Tuesday, the Board unanimously passed County Ordinance 2014-03: Regulation of Portable Communication Devices and Texting While Operating a Motor Vehicle. During the meeting, members of the public who addressed the Board spoke favorably of the ordinance and urged its passage to increase public safety.

“Our board feels strongly that this is a public health and safety issue that needs to be addressed. Countless studies have shown that distracted drivers are far more likely to be involved in a crash than those who are focused on what’s going on around them,” said Board Chairman Matt Ryan. “On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I thank the Public Health District Advisory Board, our public health staff and Sheriff’s Office for helping address this critical issue.”

For years, County officials postponed passing its own ordinance, hoping that Arizona lawmakers would enact a statewide law placing restrictions on the use of cellphones and other devices while driving, Supervisor Ryan said.

While many bills have been introduced in the Arizona Legislature in that time, none have become law. Arizona is one of three states without any form of regulation on the use of cellphones and other devices while driving.

“It was important for the safety of our residents that we implement these safety measures in our area,” Supervisor Ryan said. “However, we still urge our lawmakers to consider a similar measure at the state level.”

The ordinance passed Tuesday goes into effect in 30 days on May 22. The ordinance states that “a person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a portable communications device to engage in a call unless that device is configured to allow hand-free listening and talking, and is used exclusively in that manner while driving. Texting and typing are banned while operating a motor vehicle.”
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Coconino County Supervisors Ban Use, Sale of Fireworks

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution today that prohibits the sale and use of consumer fireworks in unincorporated areas of the County.

The action taken Friday immediately bans the sale and use of consumer fireworks on unincorporated areas of the County and is in effect until the U.S. Forest Service lifts Stage 1 fire restrictions.

“The Board has heard from countless residents who are concerned about what is likely to be an active fire season,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Ryan. “Our residents are all too familiar with the devastating impact wildfires have on our forests, property and economy. By approving this resolution banning the use of fireworks, the Board hopes to thwart the next wildfire.”

The Board approved the resolution under a new law signed Tuesday by Gov. Jan Brewer that grants counties under 500,000 people the authority to regulate the sale and use of fireworks when area forests enter into Stage 1 fire restrictions. Until signing the current law, counties could only regulate the use of consumer fireworks during a reasonable risk of wildfire.
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KZBX brings radio back to Williams

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kzbz-92-radioWILLIAMS – KZBX FM 92.1 radio is on the air. Actually, it has been on the air for sometime, but Station Manager/Owner Leslie Stevens may have finally found a permanent home for the station.

KZBX radio is a non-profit 501(c)3 radio station with an authorized 100-watt output. Currently the station runs only 30-watts and has a ten-mile radius. Les expects the station to be broadcasting full power within a few weeks.

Recently Les has been working on getting all of the FCC requirements in order such as the emergency broadcasting system and Amber Alert. The station moved into the First Baptist Church building until they could convert the storage room in back of the church into a radio shack.

The station has been broadcasting syndicated oldies music radio show. Now it is producing local radio broadcasts. Leslie Sevens has his show from 4 to 6pm on Friday and Saturday. PJ the DJ hosts her radio show from 6 to 8 pm on Friday and Saturday.

As a non-profit, the station depends on volunteers to assist in running the station. He does not run commercial advertising so financial donations are helpful. Other non-profits can make use of the station to broadcast their existence and activities.

Leslie said that he would gladly show anyone who desires to run a show how to run the board and equipment.

Fun Run blasts from the past hits Williams, Flagstaff

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Williams resident Bob Sarkesian displays his 1930 Model "A" next to a red 1929

Williams resident Bob Sarkesian displays his 1930 model A next to a red 1929

NORTHERN ARIZONA – The horrendous winds we have been experience stopped as the classic cars of the Route 66 Fun Run rolled into town. Each May classic car owners join together for a run down Route 66 to end up in the town of Topock, Arizona.

The Fun Run is sponsored by the Route 66 Association of Arizona which started the run seven-years after Williams became the last Route 66 town bypassed by I-40. They are dedicated to preserving the memory of the Will Rogers Highway which has come to be known as “The Mother Road.” The road has sparked the imagination through movies such as The Grapes of Wrath and Easy Rider—and more recently the hit animated feature Cars. The long-running television series Route 66 staring Martin Milner and George Maharis concerned two men traveling in a Corvette looking for various job opportunities. Though much of the series was not filmed on Route 66.

Richard from Scottsdale stands with his 1957 Chevy Pickup.

Richard from Scottsdale stands with his 1957 Chevy Pickup.

The Run travels through Holbrook to Flagstaff, through Williams and Ash Fork down through Seligman. They stop at Kingman for a 10 am car show tomorrow. The Run ends just short of crossing the Pipeline Bridge into California at the town of Topock, Arizona. Arizona boasts the longest remaining contiguous stretch of Route 66 and these cars travel the entire distance.

Richard, from Scottsdale, drove his 1957 Chevy pickup with a group of hot rods. While the others stayed in Flagstaff, Richard and his wife decided on Williams where they enjoy the dining fare at Rod’s Steakhouse on Route 66.
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‘Convenience Store Man’ shows crooks who’s boss

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Apr 30, 2014 12:31 PM by Rebecca Taylor

TUCSON – Maen Mdanat doesn’t put up with any shenanigans.
As the owner of Axis Food Mart on Broadway near Campbell, he shows would-be thieves who’s boss. Check out this video that was caught on camera:

So you know when trouble is walking in your door? “Oh yes, you sense it right away,” says Mdanat.

Judging by a surveillance tape clip, the nickname fits.

Around 1:30 Saturday morning Maen says a would-be thief entered his store, asking his clerk for cash.

Read more and see additional video at KVOA Channel 4

Coconino Astronomical Society viewing May 9th.

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640px-earthriseOur source informed us late tonight that the viewing by the Coconino Astronomical Society is apparently next Friday, May 9 at the same times. There will be a slight interference from a sliver of sunlight, but it will be dark enough for some great viewing.

We apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused.

You can do a sky viewing of your own at any time, however. You can see some pretty amazing things even with a simple pair of binoculars. You only have to travel as far as the Santa Fe Dam, for example, to find a dark enough area for a viewing.

You might even have a good viewing area in your back yard.