Daily Archives: June 23, 2014

The Fundamental Changing of America

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Opinion by Lyle Rapacki
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Ignoring the “Silent Majority” of Americans, we are witnesses to one of the greatest tragedies in human history…the transformation of America from the nation that stood as a bright light of hope, of protection, of leadership and examples to a world needing such hope, and protection, and leadership. The transformation of America from a country unlike any other in the world because of our form of government by the people, rather than a Ruler or Dictator; exceptional because each citizen had an opportunity to succeed in whatever endeavor they chose, rather than being relegated to remaining in a serf condition. The transformation of America whose laws and civility, in great measure, were founded on Judeo Christian beliefs, with these beliefs taught in school, employed in government, and recognized and supported by the courts, and endorsed by WE THE PEOPLE of these united States of America. We are witnesses to the most radical demographic transformation ever orchestrated upon a country, the deliberately planned and implemented agenda to collapse our Nation’s sovereignty and standing as the leader and Protector to the Free World.

President Theodore Roosevelt clearly stated: “The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities.” The Elites in both political parties whose objective is to create a New-World Order and remove all national sovereignty, have deliberately avoided securing our Nation’s borders so as to bring about a multilingual, multiethnic, multicultural Tower of Babel. Not loyal to America, no allegiance to our values and principles, with no respect for our traditions and heritage, those running across our borders intend to cash-in on all America has to offer, while remaining loyal to their country of origin.

Historically Italians, Germans, Poles, Swedes, Armenians, Greeks, Jews, and so very many other immigrants chose to come to America to assimilate and proudly become Americans, all the while remembering and celebrating their country of origin. From Asia to Africa, from Latin America to Europe immigrants came to our shores and gladly and proudly sang “God Bless America” and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Not today! The flood of illegals pouring into America with the full knowledge and support of the Obama crew are part of the planned destruction of United States sovereignty.

Read more at The Olive Branch Report

Manhunt Monday: Attempted murder suspect at large

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alejandro-narreraPHOENIX (CBS5) – A suspect wanted on charges of attempted homicide is on the loose and Phoenix police need help tracking him down.

Alejandro “Alex” Narrera, 23, allegedly shot a 17-year-old in the head after an argument on May 17.

The shooting took place at 4:19 a.m. in the area of 38th Avenue and McDowell Road. The teen survived but suffered critical injuries.

Narrera is described as 5’9″ tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has a tattoo of a pit bull on his shoulder and has an identical twin brother.

He was last seen driving a 2000 green Ford Expedition with Arizona plates “670-rhz.”

Senators McCain and Flake Bring Attention to I-11 Benefits

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mccain-flake1PHOENIX – As the Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor Study advances, it continues to gain attention from lawmakers in the nation’s capital. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and Department of Transportation Director John S. Halikowski today expressed appreciation for the efforts of U.S. Senator John McCain and U.S. Senator Jeff Flake to propose an amendment expressing the “sense of the Congress” in support of the proposed Interstate 11.

The proposed amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2015 expresses support for I-11 based on “significant enhancement for the western United States” for commerce, tourism, international trade, economic vitality and competitiveness on the global stage. In addition, the proposed amendment supports extending I-11 south to the international border with Mexico and north to the Canadian border.

The proposal lends support to an initiative led by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to study and construct I-11 as a critical economic link for Arizona and the Intermountain West region. Governor Brewer has been a strong advocate for the benefits of I-11, and has worked to focus attention on the proposed corridor.

“Not only will Interstate 11 create jobs in Arizona and Nevada, it also will integrate and increase the global competitiveness of the entire Southwest region,” said Governor Brewer. “I am very pleased to see strong bipartisan support at the local, state and federal level of this significant economic initiative.”

Halikowski expressed appreciation for the attention given to I-11 by lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

“As a corridor creating a stronger connection between Arizona and international markets, in addition to forging a more reliable, safer route between Phoenix and Las Vegas, Interstate 11 has benefits for the entire region,” he said. “ADOT appreciates the support of Senators McCain and Flake in highlighting the critical need for I-11 as a driver for continued economic expansion in the Intermountain West region. It is through leadership like this that we can continue looking forward, assessing our current and future needs and how to raise the funding to support those needs.”

In addition to Senators McCain and Flake, the amendment is supported by Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.).

The Arizona and Nevada departments of transportation have been working together since 2012 on the Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor Study, which includes detailed corridor planning of an interstate link connecting the Phoenix and Las Vegas metropolitan areas, while extending the corridor through southern Arizona to Mexico and potentially north to Canada. Congress designated the future I-11 corridor between Phoenix and Las Vegas as part of the current surface transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

The Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor Study is a two‐year, multiphase, high‐level study examining the feasibility, benefits, opportunities and constraints of a proposed new interstate highway corridor. The study is expected to be completed this summer. Funding to construct this new corridor has not been identified.

Public meetings for the study are scheduled for June 25 from 6-8 p.m. in the Phoenix area and on June 26 from 4-7 p.m. in Las Vegas. A public meeting in Tucson was held on Wednesday. Through July 18, the public can also participate in a virtual meeting, reviewing the latest project information and providing feedback online. This month-long virtual meeting will be hosted on the project website, i11study.com.

ADOT initiating recycling program at rest areas

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adot-logo-03aPHOENIX – Visitors to rest areas along state highways will begin to notice recycling containers onsite since the Arizona Department of Transportation started a recycling program at three rest areas with plans to expand it statewide.

The program involves partnering with recycling vendors to install 8-cubic-yard bins and smaller blue containers at the rest areas for travelers to use for their recyclable trash. The vendor will collect the recyclables at least once a week.

Rest areas currently participating in the program include McGuireville rest area along I-17, Hassayampa rest area along US 60 and Ehrenberg rest area along I-10 near the California state line.

“With each site visit I make to our rest areas, I see how necessary recycling is,” said Bobby Wheeler, rest area manager for ADOT. “There are large amounts of plastic bottles and aluminum cans tossed in waste receptacles that go to a landfill without first being separated. We need to do the right thing and ensure recyclable materials are actually getting recycled.”

One of the vendors that will be collecting recyclables at the McGuireville rest area works with Rainbow Acres in Camp Verde to provide jobs for developmentally disabled adults sorting plastics and aluminum.

“A crew comes from the Rainbow Acres ranch five days a week where five ranchers and two of our staff members will sort all of the plastics and cans,” said Jill McCutcheon, executive director of Sedona Recycles, Inc. “We couldn’t do the work without this great group of people.”

The rest area recycling program is being implemented at no cost to ADOT. The recycling vendors will be overseen by Infrastructure Corporation of America, the private entity which manages the operation and maintenance of the rest areas through a public-private partnership with ADOT. ICA has been supportive in getting the recycling program in place and operational.

As more recycling vendors across the state join in the program, more rest areas will be able to participate. ADOT’s goal is to implement this program at all rest areas along the state highway system.

“We are glad that we were contacted to provide recycling at the McGuireville rest area,” McCutcheon said.

ADOT Director Honored by Arizona-Mexico Commission

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jhalikowskiPHOENIX – At the recent Arizona-Mexico Commission plenary session, the organization recognized Arizona Department of Transportation Director John S. Halikowski for his work co-chairing the commission’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Ports Committee, spearheading the Transportation and Trade Corridor Alliance, and for his keen understanding of infrastructure issues facing border communities.

This year, the Arizona-Mexico Commission awarded the Tony Certósimo Award to Halikowski, who, according to the group, “has committed to fostering improved relations with Mexico for numerous years. His leadership has advanced Arizona’s important cross-border agenda with Mexico and has embraced the mission of the Arizona-Mexico Commission in support of a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.”

During the award’s presentation, Arizona-Mexico Commission Executive Director Margie Emmermann applauded Halikowski for “understanding the marriage of infrastructure and economic development” and for championing this new vision throughout Arizona and beyond through his various Key Commerce Corridor efforts.

The award is given to an individual who embodies all that the Arizona-Mexico Commission strives to accomplish, according to the organization. The honor is named after the first executive director, who was influential in formalizing the Arizona-Mexico Commission by establishing its bylaws and developing the group as a nonprofit membership organization.

“John Halikowski deserves the Certósimo Award as he has embraced the mission of the Arizona-Mexico Commission to improve the economic prosperity and quality of life for all Arizonans though strong collaborations,” according to the nomination. “He has demonstrated this in his work and actions with all levels of the public and private sector on both sides of the border, and truly understands the importance of the relationship with Mexico for Arizona and sets the example for the agency he leads.”

The award was presented June 20 as part of the closing ceremonies for the semiannual meeting between Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and Sonora Governor Guillermo Padrés Elías.

“As the Arizona Department of Transportation turns its focus to the Key Commerce Corridors for the state, the critical linkages between Arizona and Mexico require attention and investment, not only for Arizona but for the entire U.S.,” Halikowski said. “I’m honored to receive this award, which reflects the good work being done every day at ADOT to improve all of our critical connections that support economic development and prosperity.”

SR 89A narrowed to one lane through the “switchbacks” this week

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FLAGSTAFF – ADOT maintenance crews will be cleaning out several culverts through the SR 89A “switchbacks,” between mileposts 387 and 390, Tuesday through Thursday (June 24 -26).

This seasonal maintenance is done in preparation of the upcoming summer monsoon, in anticipation of run-off from rain storms. The highway will be narrowed to one lane at times between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Travel from Sedona to Flagstaff through the SR 89A switchbacks will be permitted during the maintenance, however short delays may be anticipated as the work is performed as flaggers guide traffic through the switchbacks.

Plane Crash in Northern Arizona Claims Two Lives

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Photo courtesy of the Coconino County SheriffCOCONINO COUNTY – A missing aircraft crashed in a remote area of the Navajo Indian Reservation in the northeast part of Coconino County. Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and Detectives along with Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter responded to the scene and confirmed two people were deceased.

The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) had been investigating the report of an overdue aircraft with two males aboard destined for South Carolina. The AFRCC found the aircraft had departed Las Vegas, NV sometime Friday June 20, 2014, landed in Page, AZ and then departed Page at 1:30 pm Arizona time. The pilot had not filed a flight plan. The AFRCC found the last cell phone contact with the pilot’s phone was off a tower at Navajo Mountain shortly after the take- off from Page. The AFRCC then contact the Civil Air Patrol Wings from several states, who launched a multi-state search Sunday morning June 21, 2014.

Four Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Wings were involved in the search across four states, including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. A ground search team was deployed to Tuba City from Arizona, and a Communications Team from Colorado was deployed to Page. At around 1:40 pm Arizona time, the Arizona Wing of the CAP located from the air the wreckage of a plane in a canyon. Wreckage matching the description of the missing aircraft was at the bottom of a remote desert area called Peach Canyon.

Sheriff’s detectives were transported to the scene by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter based out of Flagstaff. Due to the remote nature of the canyon, access to the wreckage could only be made by helicopter. The bodies of the deceased were removed and transported to the medical examiner’s office in Flagstaff.

While positive identification of the victims will be made by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office, the pilot is believed to be 47 year old Charles Trotter of Liberty, SC and the passenger is believed to be 15 year old Dakota Jacks from Pickens, SC. Dakota is reported to be a friend of the pilot’s family. The cause of the crash will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.