Monthly Archives: August 2014

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies called to investigate lightning strike.

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FOREST LAKES – On Saturday, August 9, 2014 at about 4:00 pm a Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Forest Lakes Community and the Forest Lakes Fire Department were dispatched to the area of Spillway Campground at Woods Canyon Lake for a report of an adult male who was struck by lightning.

Once the emergency first responders arrived, they found a 41 year old man of Queen Creek, AZ had been struck by a bolt of lightning on his upper torso in the area of his right shoulder. On scene observation revealed the lightning exited the victim’s body through his big toes.

Medical personnel immediately began life saving efforts on the victim who appeared to be seriously injured. Due to the inclement weather, including heavy rain and hail, responders determined that air evacuation of the victim was not a safe option.

He was taken to the Payson Regional Hospital by ground ambulance and was subsequently transported to the Maricopa Burn Center. The investigation has revealed the victim, his wife and two children were at Woods Canyon Lake for a day of fishing when a large storm front moved over the Woods Canyon Lake area.

According to witnesses the victim lifted a metal framed camp chair over his head for cover at which time a bolt of lightning struck him and a tree located in close proximity to the victim’s location. The last report received by the Sheriff’s Office listed the victim good condition.

You should be aware of the dangers that may come with monsoons. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the US Forest Service want visitors to enjoy their time on the forests and encourage visitors planning a trip to the area to “Know Before You Go”

Lightning: What You Need to Know

  • NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area
  • If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you
  • When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up
  • Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder

Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:

  • Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
  • Never lie flat on the ground
  • Never shelter under an isolated tree
  • Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
  • Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
  • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)

Forecast weather conditions can be found at the National Weather Service webpage.

Republicans select former Senator Sylvia Allen to replace Senator Crandell

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ALLEN_SPHOENIX – The Republican party has selected former Senator Sylvia Allen as nominee to replace the late Senator Chester Crandell for LD-6. The office of the Arizona Secretary of State announced today that the Committee to Elect Sylvia Allen filed today in preparation for the upcoming election.

Senator Crandell passed away August 4 while a nominee for re-election for the Senate seat for LD-6. Since ballots were already issued with his name for the primary without opposition, he automatically wins the primary. The Republican party is required to select a replacement.

Senator Allen is a well-known conservative Republican making her the logical replacement. Sylvia Allen served in the Arizona Senate from June 2008 to January 2013.

She chaired the Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty Committee of the Arizona Senate and was Vice Chair on the Natural Resources and Transportation Committee. She was a member on the following committees:

  • Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Health and Welfare
  • Education Committee
  • Education Accountability and Reform Committee
  • Rules Committee
  • Water, Land Use and Rural Development Committee

Senator Allen has a conservative voting record. She received an A- grade for her voting record from the Goldwater Institute in 2012.

LD-6 committeemen are still required to approve the selection.

Deadline to request early mail ballot is Aug. 15

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Arizona-electsSTATEWIDE – The last day to request a ballot from your County Recorder for the Primary Election is 5 p.m., Friday, August 15. The Secretary of State’s Office recommends having your early ballot voted, signed, sealed and sent by August 22. If early voters miss the August 22 deadline they may return their ballot to an early voting location, at the County Recorder’s Office, or at the polling place in their county on Primary Election Day.

For security reasons, election officials recommend to only give your early mail ballot to your postal worker. Should you miss the mailing deadline, you may drop your ballot at an early voting location or with your County Recorder. For locations and availability, contact the County Recorder’s office. If you vote by early mail ballot, do not vote in person.

All voters – including independent voters or those without a party preference – are able to vote through one of three ways:

  1. Early mail ballot;
  2. Early in-person voting; or
  3. In-person on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, August 26.

To find an early voting location and availability, contact the County Recorder. Early in-person voting ends Friday, August 22.

For those voting on Election Day, August 26, make sure you know your correct polling location, as voting locations may change from election to election. To know before you go, go online to www.azsos.gov, and click on the Voter View icon or call 1-877-THE VOTE or in the Phoenix Metro Area 602-542-8683. The Voter View portion of the website is compatible with smartphones and tablets. You also may contact your County Recorder’s office.

Box culvert work closing SR 277 in Snowflake

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SNOWFLAKE – The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin a project Monday, Aug. 18 to install concrete drainage pipes across SR 277 at two different locations within the city limits of Snowflake.

The project is scheduled to be completed in two phases and will require the closure of SR 277 for approximately two months.

Both pipe installation locations are on SR277 about two miles from the SR 77 junction in the area of the golf course. The installation of each pipe will be done in a separate phase, and each phase will have a different detour route.

One phase will be done at a time, and all detour routes will be properly marked. Each detour is about 1.5 miles long. The project is expected to be completed by this fall.

ADOT advises drivers to precede along the detour routes with caution, slow down and plan extra time for your commute.

ADOT completes some I-15 bridge projects, easing traffic restrictions

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Virgin River Bridge #6 - ADOT Photo

Virgin River Bridge #6 – ADOT Photo

PHOENIX — Travelers who use the Interstate 15 corridor in the far northwest corner of the state will get some relief as the Arizona Department of Transportation today finished a series of bridge rehabilitation projects through the Virgin River Gorge and lifted several traffic restrictions in the area.

The $2.8 million project started in January and included upgrading the southbound bridge surfaces, girder repairs and other related work on Virgin River Bridge No. 2 (milepost 13), Bridge No. 3 (milepost 13) and Bridge No. 7 (milepost 22).

With completion of work on these three bridges, traffic restrictions have eased through the Virgin River Gorge. However, a work zone will remain in place through 2016 for the reconstruction of Virgin River Bridge No. 6 (milepost 16), approximately 20 miles south of St. George, Utah.

In April, ADOT started an extensive rehabilitation project on Virgin River Bridge No. 6, which includes replacing the bridge’s superstructure (girders, deck and railings), as well as widening the roadway through the narrow Virgin River Gorge. When this section of highway was built, it was the most expensive rural interstate highway built, per mile, when it was completed in 1973 after a decade of construction.

Recently, ADOT started work that will eventually serve as the foundation of the new bridge. The $27 million project is the only active project on Arizona’s portion 29-mile-long of I-15, which directly connects Nevada and Utah and is a heavily-traveled commercial and economic corridor linking southern California with the Rocky Mountain region.

With limited alternate routes due to the remote location of the I-15 Virgin River Gorge corridor, ADOT urges drivers traveling between Mesquite, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down and drive carefully through the Virgin River Bridge No. 6 work zone. I-15 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at the bridge project and delays are possible.

Overnight dirt haul on SR 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley this week

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PRESCOTT – Traffic on State Route 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley (mileposts 320 to 325) will be required to stop intermittently this week to allow trucks to safely cross the highway.

The hauling operation will begin tonight (weather permitting), Aug. 12 through Thursday, Aug. 14 between 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and intermittent closures are expected for dirt hauling and removal of temporary concrete barrier along the roadway.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. 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.

On Saturday’s “Things to Do” list – check out the new Loop 303/I-10 Interchange before it opens to traffic

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ADOT Photo

ADOT Photo.

PHOENIX – Saturday morning (August 16) provides an opportunity for you to get an up-close look at the soon-to-be-completed Loop 303/I-10 Traffic Interchange in Goodyear. The Arizona Department of Transportation and city of Goodyear will provide local residents and visitors with a chance to walk, jog, skate or cycle beneath the elevated ramps that will soon carry traffic between the two freeways in the West Valley.

A Loop 303 dedication event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday along the new westbound I-10 frontage road that also was built as part of the $145 million freeway-to-freeway interchange project. All ramps at the interchange are scheduled to be open to traffic by September.

Governor Jan Brewer is scheduled to be on hand for the event, along with Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord, ADOT Director John Halikowski and other dignitaries.

Parking will be available on the eastbound I-10 frontage road east of Citrus Road, south of I-10, in Goodyear. Citrus Road, which is west of the new Loop 303/I-10 Interchange, can be accessed from either McDowell Road or Van Buren Street.

After parking, those attending the event will be able to walk or roll through the Cotton Lane underpass beneath I-10 and have an up-close view of the large ramps at the interchange. Local community organizations will be on hand to share information with guests.

For safety reasons, those attending the open house will not be able to go onto the elevated ramps at the interchange. Guests are asked to be prepared for sunny conditions and are discouraged from bringing dogs or other pets because the pavement will get hotter as the morning moves along.

Governor Brewer will speak at a ribbon-cutting ceremony starting at 9 a.m.

In addition to marking the upcoming completion of the Loop 303/I-10 Interchange, the Open House and dedication also will celebrate the completion of ADOT’s recent series of projects to improve Loop 303 from an older two-lane highway to a six-lane freeway traveling north and south from Goodyear to Surprise. The projects are all part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ 20-year Regional Transportation Plan approved by county voters in 2004.

OUI Checkpoint Detail At Lake Powell Successful

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PAGE – On Saturday, August 9th 2014 law enforcement agencies in Northern Coconino County conducted an Operating Under the Influence (OUI) and Boating Safety Checkpoint at the Wahweap Marina on Lake Powell from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The purpose of the Checkpoint was to identify offenders and get them off the waterways as well as to inform and educate the public on the dangers of impaired boating.

Sixty one vessels were checked to include 48 powerboats and 13 personal watercrafts for safety equipment and impaired operation. A total of 10 citations were issued and two arrests made for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs. Citations included violations for lack of Personal Flotation Devices, Fire Extinguishers, and boating registration. During a similar boating safety detail in 2013 154 vessels were contacted, 28 citations were issued and 1 impaired boat operator was arrested.
[A.R.S. Title 5, Chapter 3, Article 4]

First time offenders of Operating Under the Influence include a minimum fine of $1508.88 with the possibility of up to 10 days in jail and mandatory alcohol screening. Fines and jail time increase with intoxication levels of the operator and as multiple offenses increase. [A.R.S. 5-395.01 and 5-397]

The objective of the weekend checkpoint was to send a clear message to those who are considering operating a watercraft after consuming alcohol or drugs that Operating Under the Influence will not be tolerated. More than 25 law enforcement officers and deputies from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service, and Arizona Department of Public Safety worked together to insure that this was a safe weekend for those who were boating at Lake Powell. Four volunteers of the Coconino County Community Emergency Response Team also assisted with the detail.

More rain for Flagstaff and Williams

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rain-140810-20WILLIAMS – The roar of glasspacks from the Cool Country Cruise-In have been replaced with the rolling thunder of the monsoons. Thunder started sounding about 1pm in Williams and the rain descended shortly thereafter.

Williams and Flagstaff share a similar forecast through next week. 40% chance of showers overnight rising to 50% tomorrow through Wednesday with a 40% chance Monday night. The rain Monday is expected to occur mainly after noon. Winds are expected to be from 5- to 11-mph during that period.

There is a chance of thunderstorm activity from Thursday through next weekend.

Friends of Williams Aquatic Center hold party

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Mike shows off his incredible snow cone making capability.

Mike shows off his incredible snow cone making capability.

WILLIAMS – The action this weekend was not limited to the activities on Route 66. The Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center hosted a Back-to-school free swim with free pizza and snow cones.

The pool will now only operate on Friday and Saturday until the end of the season on August 30. On that day, the Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center will host one last bash. They will accept any volunteer help from the community.

Their next big event after that is a two-person scramble Golf Tournament at the Elephant Rocks Golf Course September 13. The cost is $80 per player. Hole sponsorships are available at three levels.

  • Bronze – $100 includes Bronze level signage at a hole and recognition on their sponsor board
  • Silver – $300 includes Silver level signage at a hole and recognition on sponsor board and two golf registrations
  • Gold – $500 includes Gold level signage at a hole and recognition on the sponsor board plus 4 free golf registrations.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the activities of the Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center, an Arizona 501(c)3 public charity organization.
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(Here is a secret saving tip that only we and anyone who read the flier knows about. Register before September 1 and receive $5 off per registration)

You can contact Kris Vasquez to register at 938-863-2467.