Injured hiker rescued from the Grand Canyon Monday

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Photos courtesy of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department.

640-GC-Rescue-03GRAND CANYON – Elements from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Arizona DPS, Flagstaff Fire Department and National Park Service performed a dramatic rescue at the Grand Canyon in the early morning hours Monday. A 68-year-old Tuscon woman was injured when she fell from a trail while hiking.

The female hiker was hiking with two others along the Clear Creek Trail on Sunday, November 2 when about 7 p.m. she slipped and fell down a slope off of the trail. The hikers fall stopped with her head down slope and about three feet from a cliff’s edge that dropped down 80 feet to the creek bed below. When the hiker attempted to recover and move, she would slide further down slope due to very loose soil and rocks. The victim, fearing that she would slide over the cliff edge, lay still as her two friends activated a satellite emergency notification device or SPOT device.
640-GC-Rescue-02The National Park Service at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim was advised of the emergency notification and sent a ranger to area of the SPOT alert. The park service ranger hiked for six hours from Phantom Ranch, reaching the victim around 3:00 a.m. Rangers determined the victim had suffered some type of injury to her leg. Due to the dangerous and unstable ground, the Park Service requested assistance from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter, who have the capability to conduct night operations.

The DPS helicopter flew two heli-rescue members, one from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the other from the Flagstaff Fire Department into the canyon where they were able to land about a mile away from the victim. Rescuers hiked to the area where they had to secure ropes and rappel down to the victim. The victim was secured by a harness and then “short hauled” or flown out with a rescuer.

The victim was flown to the Grand Canyon Heli-base at the South Rim where she was transferred to a ground ambulance and taken to the Grand Canyon Clinic. She was treated for a fractured ankle and hypothermia and later released.

Overnight delays on State Route 87 north of Sunflower expected

PHOENIX — Motorists who regularly travel overnight between Phoenix and Payson on State Route 87 are urged to plan ahead or allow extra travel time as the Arizona Department of Transportation moves into the next phase of an improvement project, approximately 7 miles north of Sunflower.

Beginning on Sunday night, Nov. 9, the highway will be restricted in both directions between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. daily as crews begin slope excavation work. Traffic will be stopped in both directions between mileposts 223-228 and guided through the work zone with the aid of a pilot car.

Overnight traffic restrictions from Sunday night through Friday morning between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. daily are expected to continue through Nov. 21.

Delays up to 30 minutes at a time are possible. A 12-foot vehicle width restriction will also be in place from mileposts 223-228.

The $6.2 million safety improvement project, which began last month approximately seven miles south of the State Route 188 junction, includes the reconstruction of an existing curve at milepost 227, as well as building a new southbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228. Runaway truck ramps offer an opportunity for out-of-control trucks, which may have inoperable brakes, to safely exit the highway and come to a controlled stop.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Yavapai election results

Arizona-electsHere is an unofficial list of the voting for Yavapai County based on the reported results. Results must still be canvassed to be final. Offices and Propositions decided on a higher level are excluded. Offices with only one candidate are excluded because, quite frankly, if you cannot figure that out, we do not want you wasting our bandwidth.

OFFICES

City of Sedona Council Member
Scott Jablow 1,324 (634 Coconino votes)
Rio Robson 690 (293 Coconino votes)
Write-in 26

Constable Bagdad/Yarnell
Dennis Dowling 1,185
Jim Armstrong 553
Write-in 5

Justice of the Peace Seligman
Dominick Sarno (IND) 277
Wade Simon 211
Marcus Jacobson 145
Write-in 0

Camp Verde USD #28
Kitty McDowell 1,447
Tim Roth 1,277
Mick Marton 1,041
Write-in 22

Clarkdale-Jerome ESD #3
Laurie Lozano 616
Becky O’Banion 555
Dale Williams 497
Robert Szmanda 391
Write-in 7

Prescott USD #1
Maureen Erickson 10,350
Greg Mangarelli 8,139
John Lamerson 7,198
David Stringer 5,624
Write-in 75

Yavapai College District 2
Deb McCasland 4,816
Herald Harrington 3,331
Write-in 37

Yavapai College District 5
Dale Fitzner 2,312
Steve Irwin 5,006
Write-in 37

Black Canyon Fire District
Daniel R. Brett 359
Jim Speer 356
Sharon McMahon 326
Write-in 9

Mayer Fire District
Paul F. Coe 686
Jack Williamson 675
Russ I Dodge 637
Chuck R. Leon 589
Bill G. Slankard 474
Write-in 24

Red Tock Road EMD
Ruth E. Kane 1,142
Paul Gazda 1,083
Steven L. Fiedler 834
Write-in 8

American Ranch DWID
Monte L. Anderson 38
Jason J. Gisi 35
Charles Dickson 29

Mayer DWID
Bob Kaufman 186
James W. Sherwood 175
Kathryn L. King 168
Frank C. Soto 158
Write-in 3

PROPOSITIONS

Proposition 431
NO, AGAINST THE BONDS 2,129
YES, FOR THE BONDS 1,011

Proposition 432
YES 1,589
NO 1,472

Yavapai County Jail District
NO 34,386
YES 31,692

Proposition 433
YES 1,429
NO 973

Cottonwood-Oak Creek ESD Question
YES, BOND APPROVAL 4,248
NO, BOND APPROVAL 3,155

Mingus Union HSD Question
NO, BUDGET INCREASE 4,609
YES, BUDGET INCREASE 3,927

The vote on local issues

Arizona-electsHere is an unofficial list of the voting for Coconino County based on the reported results. Results must still be canvassed to be final. Offices and Propositions decided on a higher level are excluded. Offices with only one candidate are excluded because, quite frankly, if you cannot figure that out, we do not want you wasting our bandwidth.

OFFICES

Judge of the Superior Court Division 1
Jacquelin Hatch 13,876
Brent D. Harris 9,770
Write-in 72

Mayor City of Flagstaff
Jerry Nabours 6645
Jamse Hasapis 4905
Write-in 30

Council Member City of Flagstaff
Celia Barotz 6,425
Eva Putzova 5,455
Scott Overton 5,359
Charlie Odegaard 5,229
Jim McCarthy 4,814
Mark Woodson 4,313
Write-in 84

Council Member City of Sedona
Scott Jablow 634
Rio Robson 293
Write-in 9

Blue Ridge Fire District Board Member
James Denham 101
Alma Seward 101
Linda Hammer 79
C.E. Buddle 74
Tammy Rosenhagen 71
Rosemary Jaeger 39
Jerry Smith 97
Write-in 1

Tusayan Sanitary District Board Member
Robb Baldosky 30
Tober Evans 46
Yvonne Trujillo 44
Write-in 1

Coconino Community College District 1 Board Member
Nathaniel White 2960
John R. McDonald 1447
Write-in 20

Page USD Board Member
Robert Candelaria 1770
Delores McKerry 1328
Carol Addy 1332
Write-in 32

Tuba City Unified School DIstrict Board Member
Mary Worker 1760
Lee Tsinigine 1661
Roland H. Bennett 1237
Priscilla Kanaswood 861
Write-in 20

Williams Unified School District Board Member
Michael Fleishman 721
Ann Wells 670
Alyssa Dennison 329
Glenna Christiansen 313
Write-in 11

PROPOSITIONS

Proposition 403 Coconino County
YES 18,567
NO 10,573

Proposition 406 – Flagstaff
YES 7,628
NO 4,555

Flagstaff USD Question
YES 11,191
NO 7,077

Tuba City USD Question 1
YES 2,188
NO 1,085

Tuba City USD Question 2
YES 2,057
NO 1,215

Proposition 407 Town of Tusayan
YES 51
NO 26

Bartlett Milling Company Issues Recall of Horse Food

Bartlett Milling Company has initiated a limited recall of certain horse feeds due to potential Rumensin contamination. The products were distributed to customers and retailers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Rumensin contamination can result in health problems, including mortality, in horses. The products and lot number involved in the recall are:

  • 50 lb. bags of Bartlett Pasture Horse 10 Feed – Lot 288
  • 50 lb. bags of Cleveland Carolina Champion Horse Feed – Lot 288

The recalled products were packaged in typical brand-specific feed bags. Lot numbers are printed on the front and back of each bag.

Retailers have been contacted and instructed to immediately withdraw from sale the recalled product and to notify customers who purchased the product. Customers should discontinue feeding the product immediately. Customers who purchased this product should return remaining bags to their retailer.

For more information on the product recall, contact Bartlett Milling at 1-800-438-6016 from 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday. Contact Bartlett at 1-336-655-1840 outside of regular business hours.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the United States Food and Drug Administration.

ADOT nearing completion of project to display commute times on more freeway message signs in Phoenix area

PHOENIX – Many Phoenix-area drivers have benefited from the display of commute times on freeway message boards since the Arizona Department of Transportation first introduced the program in 2008. ADOT is nearing completion of a project to add more rush-hour commute times on overhead message signs along Valley freeways.

The number of electronic message boards displaying commute times is due to increase to 76 by late this year. Since the expansion of the travel-times program in began in September, ADOT has added commute times to 34 freeway message boards, bringing the total to 65 signs that currently display the information for morning or afternoon freeway commuters.

The electronic signs provide drivers with estimated commute times to locations ahead, including major cross streets and well-known points along the freeways, such as the I-10 Deck Park Tunnel near downtown Phoenix.

Twelve of the 76 message boards will display the travel times during both the morning and afternoon rush hours.

The goal is to increase both efficiency and safety along Valley freeways, according to Reza Karimvand, an ADOT assistant state engineer.

“Having more signs showing travel time information can result in a smoother flow of traffic, since drivers have a better idea of freeway conditions up ahead,” said Karimvand. “National studies have shown that providing travel times reduces the likelihood of rear-end collisions or secondary crashes when an initial crash or other incident has occurred.”

When commute times are longer, drivers can use that information to make decisions about using alternate routes.

Five message boards also show rush-hour commute times along I-10 in Tucson.

ADOT operates a total of 193 overhead message boards along Arizona highways, including 108 in the Phoenix area and 15 in the Tucson area.

ADOT worked with the Maricopa Association of Governments, the metropolitan planning organization in the Phoenix area, in launching the commute-times program along Valley freeways six years ago.

David Gowan elected as speaker in the House

300-gowanBrenda Barton, Arizona House Representative for District 6, is reporting on her Facebook page that the newly elected Republican Caucus has met and selected David Gowan as the new Speaker of the House.

David M. Gowans Sr. is the legislator for District 14 and lives in Siera Vista. District 14 encompasses Cochise, Greenlee, Graham, and east Pima County with the exception of the Indian reservations.

Gowan has been a member of the Arizona House of Representatives since 2009. He is considered a strong advocate for gun rights and veterans affairs.

Cory Gardner unseats Udall in Colorado

300cory-gardnerCOLORADO – While you may have heard that the Republicans have taken the Senate, you may not have heard that one of the seats was taken in Colorado. In a surprising victory, Republican Cory Gardner of Colorado upset incumbent Democrat Mark Udall with almost 4% of the vote.

John Hickenlooper retained the office of governor by 1.36%

Preliminary election results

Arizona-electsWith 49 precincts yet to report, as of about 8:30 this morning, it appears the results look good for Republicans across the board. Statewide the Republican hold a firm margin in the Arizona legislature with 17 Republican Senate seats over 13 Democrats. The Republicans hold 39 House seats to 21 filled by Democrats.

Ann Kirkpatrick retained her House seat with 53.11% to 46.59% for Andy Tobin. The seat for the House of Representatives for District 2 may still be in question with Rep Martha McSally holding a .02% lead with 145 of 194 precincts reporting over Democrat Ron Barber.

Districts 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 remain the same with Grijalva (D), Gosar (R), Salmon (R), Salmon, Schweikert, Trent and Sinema (D), respectively, retaining their seats. Ruben Gallego (D) was declared winner of District 7 early in the counting by taking an overwhelming margin.

Doug Ducey was declared the winner of the gubernatorial race just before 9 p.m. last night. He took 53.83% of the vote over 41.32% for Democrat Fred Duval, so far.

The race for Secretary of State is still tight, but Republican Michele Reagan holds about a 5% lead over Terry Goddard.

With 53.29%, Mark Brnovich will probably defeat Felecia Rotellini for the office of Attorney General.

Republican Diane Douglas holds a marginal 3% lead in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction with 51.11% to 48.84% for David Garcia. This fight became over Common Core Curriculum with Douglas saying that she wants it out of schools while Garcia stated that Arizonans are too stupid to understand what it is about.

Republicans Tom Forese and Doug Little maintained about 8% over their Democratic rivals with Sandra Kennedy receiving 21.42% and Jim Holoway receiving 20.89%. Forese and Little received almost 29% each.

Sylvia Allen, who ran for Senator in place of the late Chester Crandell, took the District 6 Senate seat. This morning Allen has 51.48% with O’Halleran taking 48.32%. Brenda Barton and Bob Thorpe retained their House seats.

We might have misspoke last night. The Coconino County sight had O’Halleran ahead, but the Statewide site might have had Allen ahead. Coconino, of course, votes Democrat.

Proposition 122, the State Rights initiative, is still passing with 49 precincts yet to report. So far it has 51.3% in favor with 48.7% opposed. Proposition 303 passed overwhelmingly allowing terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs. Why this was even a question is unknown. What is known is that the legislators elected will have to tighten their belts because they will not get a pay raise with the failure of Proposition 304.

In local battles, Democrat Howard Grodman soundly defeated his Libertarian rival Kevin Morrow for Justice of the Peace in Flagstaff. Judge of the Superior Court for Division 1 went to Jacqueline Hatch.

Nathaniel White was elected at Coconino Community College District 1 Board Member.

Ann Wells and Michael Fleishman were elected to the Williams School Board.

Jerry Nabours was re-elected as Mayor of Flagstaff

In Coconino County, all local propositions raising taxes passed.

In tight races Jeff Dewit State Treasurer may take the office of State Treasurer with 99.15% and Joe Hart State Mine Inspector 99.28%.

These results were based on the Arizona Secretary of State election results web site and may change. Upon completion of the counting, the results are not final until canvassed by the office of the Arizona Secretary of State.

Car Care Clinic at I-40 Fleet Services

i-40-02WILLIAMS – Once again the Williams Neighborhood Group is hosting an annual Car Care Clinic for single women in the Williams area. They will top off fluids and conduct a few routine inspections to alert you to any necessary maintenance.

The clinic will be held at I-40 Fleet Services on Route 66 next to the Goldie’s Route 66 Diner on Sunday November 9th from 1 to 4 pm. The clinic is free.

For more information you can contact Daniel Miller at 816-719-8470.