WILLIAMS – Williams was the beneficiary of an interesting laser light show about 7:10 tonight and lasting about twenty-minutes. After raining all day, the setting sun created and interesting partial rainbow display.
Daily Archives: August 19, 2014
Flagstaff Man Arrested for Sexual Assault
FLAGSTAFF – On Saturday, August 16, 2014 the Flagstaff Police/Coconino County Sheriff’s 911 Dispatch center received a cell phone call from a motorist who said he was driving in the area of Old East Route 66 by the Market Place retail outlets when he was waved down by a female who said she had been physically and sexually assaulted. The 35 year old female victim of Flagstaff declined medical examination and treatment at the scene and was transported to the Sheriff’s Office to meet further with investigators.
Thus far the investigation has revealed the victim was in downtown Flagstaff on Friday evening when she was contacted by her ex-boyfriend, a 45-year old male of Flagstaff. According to the victim the suspect drove alongside of her and ordered her into the car and she complied. During the victim’s contact with the suspect at times he was brandishing a handgun. Initially the suspect drove the victim to the area of Buffalo Park where she exited the vehicle and attempted to escape. According to the victim, the suspect physically assaulted her, bound her hands together in front of her, attempted to choke her, and tied a rope around her neck. The suspect threatened the victim’s life and forced her back into the vehicle. The suspect then drove the victim to an area in East Flagstaff off of Old East Route 66 where he physically and sexually assaulted her.
According to the victim, at one point inside the vehicle the suspect fell asleep allowing the victim to escape. According to the victim she ran to the location where she flagged down the passing motorist.
Following her interview with Sheriff’s Office investigators, the victim was transported to the Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. Deputies issued an attempt to locate on the suspect and his vehicle and he was subsequently located by Flagstaff Police officers and arrested for one count of Kidnapping per Domestic Violence, one Count of Sexual Assault per Domestic Violence, one count of Aggravated Assault per Domestic Violence and one count of Weapons Misconduct/Prohibited Possessor. Due to the previous relationship between the suspect and the victim the suspect’s name is not being released in an attempt to protect the victim’s identity.
Adult Male Campers Engage in Confrontation with a Shot Fired
MORMON LAKE – Police/Coconino County Sheriff’s 911 Center received two 911 calls that were made from cell phones yesterday at about 11:23 am in Flagstaff. The first caller advised that an angry man with an assault rifle was at his camp site and that he the caller was hiding behind a tree. The second caller told dispatchers that the original caller had fired a shot at him.
While deputies were enroute to the camp site located off FS Road 125 in area of Kinnikinick Lake, deputies requested the 911 dispatcher call both of the involved parties on their cell phones and advise each of them to disarm and separate themselves.
Upon their arrival, deputies contacted a 51-year old male in possession of a 9-mm semiautomatic handgun. The second involved person was a 44-year old male who was in possession of a semiautomatic assault rifle and two handguns. Investigation revealed that although both individuals were from Anthem, they did not know one another. Both individuals were detained without further incident.
Both individuals were camping in the area and came into contact in the parking lot of the Mormon Lake Lodge convenience store where they had a brief conversation. Afterward, they passed each other while driving in opposite directions.
According to one of the drivers, the other driver turned around and began to follow him. In response to being followed, one of the involved parties stopped and exited his vehicle and fired a single shot in what he described as an attempt to warn the driver who was following him.
He then continued to drive to his camp site as the other driver continued to follow him. Once at his camp site, he exited his vehicle and hid behind a bush. The other individual also exited his vehicle with binoculars and an assault rifle. According to the subject with the binoculars and assault rifle, he believed the other driver had fired a shot at him and it was his intent to obtain the license plate number to provide it to the deputies.
No arrests have been made at this time and the case will be referred to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office for review and possible criminal charging.
In a situation such as this, it is best not to pull over and shoot at a person who may be following you. You should call 911 first and fire only if you need to. While it is legal to defend yourself, A.R.S 13-401 provides that you can be charged should you hit an innocent third party.
Rainy days and Tuesdays
WILLIAMS – The weather for Flagstaff and Williams for the week is roughly the same with Flagstaff getting a slightly better chance for rain on Thursday with 40% chance. The chance in Williams on that day will be 30%.
The long-range forecast for Williams shows a 40% chance of rain tonight and a 50% chance in Flagstaff. The rest of the week there is a 30% chance of rain and thunderstorms dropping to 20% on Friday and a slight chance on Friday night. Winds are expected to be between 5 and 11-mph.
Interestingly the people who normally complain about the snow are complaining little about the current rain. Currently the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts another unusually dry winter for the region.
Council approves Dollar General liquor license
WILLIAMS – The City of Williams approved a Series #10 liquor license for the Dollar General store on Grand Canyon Boulevard. The license only allows the sale of beer and wine. City clerk Susan Kerley reported that the notice of the license application had been posted on the store for the required twenty-days and there were no comments filed. Clare Abel representing Dollar General said that they have liquor licenses in 20 States and are now applying for them in Arizona. The vote carried 4-0 after Councilman Fritsinger motioned to approve.
At the same meeting, Police Chief Herman Nixon welcomed Tim Magnuson and Anthony Ryan to the police force. Magnuson has twenty-years with Utah law enforcement while Ryan served in Flagstaff for nine-years. Chief Nixon said they are great fits for the Department. The council voted to approve the purchase of two vehicles for the police department 4-0.
Councilman Don Dent motioned to appoint Marci Freshour and Gil Hoffman to fill vacancies on the Golf Committee by the resignations of Brian James and Tom Hughes. The motion carried 4-0.
They also approved 4-0 an agreement with aircraft mechanic Jason Engelke of Grand Canyon Airlines to do maintenance work at the airport in exchange for the use of one hangar. City manager Brandon Buchanan said the city is on track to get ten-hangars in the spring.
(NOTE: Article based on final minutes from August 14 City Council meeting on City of Williams web site)
Independent voter registration continues to rise
Arizona Independent Party on Facebook.
Since March 2014, the number of independent voters has risen by 18,201. In comparison the number of registered Democrats and Republicans fell by 16,036 and 7,447; respectively. Meanwhile, the Libertarian and Americans Elect parties grew slightly.
A Facebook page has been set up for independent voters to exchange ideas.
Arizona has four recognized political parties: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian and Americans Elect. Registrants who decline to indicate a party preference or register with parties without recognized status are classified as “Other” by election officials but are widely referred to as “independents.”
Statewide, overall voter registration decreased by 0.15%. This is attributed to the maintenance of the voter rolls by the counties.