Monthly Archives: April 2015

Accident Involving Flagstaff Police Cruiser

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FLAGSTAFF — The Flagscanner web site reported that around 6:30 P.M on the 7th, a Flagstaff Police Officer was involved in a collision near Black Barts RV Park, 2760 E Butler Ave.

They were attempting to obtain more information, but Christopher Yazzie commented:

Cruiser was going eastbound, and the blue small SUV looked like it was hit on the driver side. The front of the Flag PD cruiser was smashed. From the damage it looked like the collision was at lower speeds around 30 Mph. Traffic was allowed to pass between the two cars involved.

Kaibab National Forest seeks comments on adding camping corridors

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest is seeking public comments on an Environmental Assessment released today that analyzes the potential effects of adding camping corridors and making other changes to the transportation system of the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts.

The document and background information are available on the Kaibab National Forest website at http://go.usa.gov/kpQV. The 30-day comment period begins today and runs through May 11.

Specifically, the Kaibab National Forest is proposing to:

  • Designate approximately 291 miles of camping corridors along all or portions of several system roads on both districts. The corridors would extend 200 feet from either side of the centerline of the road, except where limited by topographical factors, resource concerns or private land.
  • Add 15 spur roads to the open road system on the Tusayan district. These spurs total 1.3 miles and would provide access to areas historically used for motorized camping.
  • Close approximately 9 miles of currently open roads across the two districts.
  • Add approximately 16 miles of roads to the open road system across the two districts. This includes 12 miles of formerly closed roads and 4 miles of user-created routes.
  • Develop an adaptive management strategy for making future changes to the transportation system for the two districts based on changing needs and/or new information.

Besides the proposed action, the Environmental Assessment also analyzes the potential effects of other alternatives such as varying corridor widths.

The proposed action and alternatives were all developed based on several years of monitoring following implementation of the Travel Management Rule on the two districts, which included documenting public concerns about recreational access and other issues.

Additional information and methods to submit comments are available at http://go.usa.gov/kpQV

Safety improvement project scheduled on SR 87 north of Strawberry next week

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will remove dead trees from the right-of-way along a nine-mile segment of State Route 87 next week in both directions (mileposts 276 to 284), approximately six miles north of Strawberry.

Work will begin on Monday, April 13 through Thursday, April 16 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day.

Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes to allow a safe work zone for maintenance crews to remove fallen trees from the roadway. Flaggers will guide traffic through the work zone.

In the interest of safety, motorists are urged not to stop in the tree-cutting areas to pick up wood.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

SACO Act to terminate federal employees who give false testimony

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112_rp_al_5_brooks_moWASHINGTON — It seems that Eric Holder may leave a legacy in Washington after all. In honor of his testimony and the testimony of the likes of Lois Lerner, Representative Mo Brooks [R-AL-5] has submitted H.R. 1535. It is referred to as the Safeguarding America’s Congressional Oversight Act or the SACO Act and the purpose of the act is to terminate any Federal employee who refuses to answer questions or gives false testimony in a congressional hearing.

Apparently perjury and contempt of Congress is insufficient.

The legislation, if passed, would allow Congress to terminate a federal employee if three-fourths of the congressional body receiving the testimony finds that they received false testimony from the witness.

The termination can occur if the witness refuses to answer a question at a congressional hearing after being granted immunity. The bill also allows termination if the witness does not “…answer questions specifically, directly, and narrowly relating to his or her official duties,…”

Special event requires brief closures of US 60 and US 93 in Wickenburg

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Due to a special event, the junction of US 60 and US 93 at the south roundabout in downtown Wickenburg will close briefly from 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday, April 13 and again from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 17.

The closures will allow more than 200 horses and riders participating in the 69th annual Desert Caballeros trail ride to cross US 60 the highway safely.

What to expect during the closures:

  • Eastbound US 60 will be closed at milepost 110 prior to Tegner Street.
  • Westbound US 60 will be closed at milepost 110 prior to the Hassayampa River Bridge.
  • Traffic destined for northbound US 93 will be stopped at the westbound US 60 closure.
  • Southbound US 93 will be closed at the south roundabout prior to milepost 200.
  • The Wickenburg Police Department will enforce the closures and provide traffic control.
  • Drivers will need to wait for horses to pass through, no alternate routes suggested

Governor Doug Ducey Issues a Proclamation to Commemorate Prisoners of War Remembrance Day

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PHOENIX — In honor of Prisoners of War Remembrance Day – held annually on April 9 – Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation today calling upon all Arizonans to pay respect and gratitude to all of the men and women of our nation’s armed forces who have suffered captivity in foreign countries during active service.

“Today, we pause to recognize the brave members of our armed forces who, throughout history, have been taken captive by an enemy nation while fighting to protect us at home.

We are eternally indebted to these men and women. Day after day, American heroes put on the uniform and answer the call to service – selflessly relinquishing their personal freedom to preserve ours. To those who have not returned home, they are in our thoughts, prayers and hearts. We forever honor them, and we continue to pray for their safe return.

I ask that all Arizonans join me in paying respect to our nation’s Prisoners of War, their families and all who serve and sacrifice in the name of our national and personal security. God Bless them all.”

Road construction starting on US 180 west of St. Johns

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin an improvement project on Wednesday, April 22 to resurface eight miles of US 180 west of St. Johns (milepost 338-347).

The $3.6 million project will include removing and replacing the existing asphalt, removing and replacing the approach slabs at the Little Colorado Bridge and other related work. The work is anticipated to be completed by October.

Work hours will be from sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used to guide vehicles through the work zone and drivers should anticipate delays of up to 30 minutes. A traffic signal will also be used to regulate traffic across the bridge in alternating directions. There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone.

Drivers are asked to use caution and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Today is POW remembrance day

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OPINION
pow-mia-banner-2ARIZONA — In accordance with Arizona Revised Statute 1-307, today is Prisoners of war remembrance day.

Subsection B. of the law requires:

The governor shall make proclamation of prisoners of war remembrance day to commemorate the sacrifices of men and women who suffered captivity in foreign lands while in the service of our country. The governor shall recommend that teachers and students of the schools of this state observe this day with appropriate exercises and shall encourage citizens to contemplate the plight of Americans who have been held captive of an enemy nation.

We searched the official web site of the Governor of the Great State of Arizona and his Facebook page. We found no proclamation nor any information on “…the plight of Americans who have been held captive of an enemy nation.”

Looking over the web site of the Arizona Legislature, we found that Senator Lesko handed out 60 dictionaries, but no word on Prisoners of War.

This is an absolute disgrace. Thus, it falls on us to tell you the plight of POWs.

Vietnam POWs cheer as their flight takes off from Hanoi.

Vietnam POWs cheer as their flight takes off from Hanoi.

First we honor those faithfully served our nation during a most difficult time in their lives. We pray for your continued health.

The most disgraceful treatment of returning prisoners of war by the United States government has to be the treatment of those returning from the Vietnam war. Many do not know, nor seem to care, that those veterans are denied access to the records of their own debriefing. They are still held classified after 40-years!

You would think that former POW John McCain would be on the front lines defending the rights of other POWs in this matter. Unfortunately this is not the case. He is one of the loudest voices in keeping these records secret and withheld from the patriots who served their country when future presidents and actors ran to foreign lands.

It is still the wee-hours of the morn. Perhaps statements are forthcoming. If they are, we hope that they will include remonstrances to the national government to allow Vietnam POWs access to their records.

Special event requires brief closures of US 60 at Vulture Mine Road on Saturday

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WICKENBURG — Due to a special event, the intersection of US 60 and Vulture Mine Road in Wickenburg will be restricted intermittently between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11 to allow marathon runners to safely cross the roadway.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

Traffic shifted tomorrow on SR 87 north of Sunflower

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PHOENIX — Drivers traveling between Phoenix and Payson this month on State Route 87 north of Sunflower will be shifted onto the northbound lanes starting Thursday, April 9 between mileposts 223 and 229. Delays of up to 25 minutes are possible.

Traffic in both directions will use the northbound lanes which will become a two-lane roadway through the work zone and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place through April 24.

For the past few weeks, crews have been working 24-hour days, six days a week (Monday through Saturday) to ensure the project will be done before the Memorial Day weekend.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destinations and proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage.

The $6.2 million safety improvement project, which began in October, 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 northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228.