Monthly Archives: April 2015

Keeping our Promises to Veterans Act of 2015 moves to Subcommittee on Health

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300tom-emmerWASHINGTON — The Keeping our Promises to Veterans Act of 2015, H.R. 1532, was introduced by Tom Emmer [R-MN-6] on March 23 and has moved through the House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs to the Subcommittee on Health yesterday. The bill would expand the ability of veterans to get access under the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act passed last year.

The Veterans Access Act (38 U.S.C. 1701, PDF) allows veterans to seek outside VA assistance if they live a certain distance from a VA facility. The act did not account for those who might not have or have difficulty in transportation.

This brief bill would reduce the 40-mile radius requirement to 20-miles and require access to the closest medical facility that could treat the need of the veteran. The bill reduces the wait time goal from 30-days to 15. It also requires VA to set up prompt payment system to non-VA facilities which provide care to veterans.

H.R. 1603 submitted by Andy Barr [R-KY-6] would improve treatment for victims of military sexual assault under the Veterans Access Act.

Another bill in Congress, H.R. 1302 would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that VA Form 9 appeals are resolved within one year of submission. The bill was introduced by Ohio Representative Robert Latta [R-OH-5].

Representative Ron Kind [D-WI-3] has submitted H.R. 1628, the Veterans Pain Management Improvement Act which would require VA facilities to set up a Pain Management Board for veteran victims of chronic pain whether out- or in-patient.

The board would provide treatment recommendations for patients with complex clinical pain who are being treated at a medical facility of the Department located in the Veterans Integrated Service Network covered by the Board.

The membership in the board would require a certan number of medical pain specialists, clinical patients or the family members of clinical patients.

How to tell when it is spring in Williams

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640-15040701WILLIAMS — You may wonder how we in Williams determine when spring arrives. Is the flowers blossoming in the Kaibab? Perhaps the leaves appearing on the Aspens. Or when the eyes of those with hay fever start to turn red.

Actually we usually realize it is spring when the classic cars begin their trek down the longest existing stretch of route 66 through Arizona. Today we got a visit from a ’57 Chevy from California.
640-15040702Seems it is still a “right-of-passage” to travel route 66 through Williams and Flagstaff.

Utility work scheduled on SR 89A at Sixth Street in Cottonwood

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COTTONWOOD — Utility work is scheduled on State Route 89A in Cottonwood at Sixth Street tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8 between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Northbound SR 89A at Sixth Street (milepost 352) will be narrowed to one lane to provide a safe work zone for utility crews. Minimal delays expected during work hours.

Fire managers issue moderate fire danger rating today

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forestWILLIAMS — Effective immediately, fire managers are raising the fire danger rating to “moderate” across the Williams Ranger District, Tusayan Ranger District and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

The fire danger rating on the North Kaibab Ranger District and the North Zone of the Grand Canyon National Park remain low, but North Zone fire managers are continuously monitoring conditions on the Kaibab Plateau and will increase fire danger levels to moderate when appropriate.

Forest visitors are reminded to use extreme caution when camping as warming temperatures, lack of precipitation, lowering humidity levels and high winds are ideal conditions for wildfires to spark up. Visitors are also reminded to check with local district ranger offices and ask if any fire restrictions are in effect, as this can quickly change.

Fire managers use the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) to assist in determining Preparedness Levels and when Campfire and Smoking restrictions may be implemented. Using this tool helps Fire Managers to identify critical times when fires can become difficult to control.

For more information on fire activity updates, please call or visit: Fire Information Line: 928-635-8311

Work scheduled on southbound I-17 near McGuireville Rest Area this week

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Work continues at the McGuireville rest area on Interstate 17 approximately two miles south of the State Route 179 junction (mileposts 294 to 299). Crews are working on southbound I-17 today through Friday, April 6 through April 10.

Work hours are 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day with the addition of two overnight schedules which will be tonight, April 6 and Wednesday, April 8 between 2 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Drivers southbound will be restricted to one lane through the work zone during work hours. The southbound McGuireville rest area will be closed this Friday between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. The northbound rest area will remain open. Minimal delays expected.

Maintenance work on the runaway truck ramp on I-17 south of Camp Verde this week

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Landscape maintenance is scheduled on the northbound truck escape ramp this week on a four-mile segment (mileposts 282 to 286) of Interstate 17, approximately five miles south of Camp Verde. Work hours are Monday through Thursday, April 6 through April 9, between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day.

I-17 northbound will be narrowed to one lane and the runaway truck ramp will be closed during work hours. Drivers can expect minimal delays.

The speed limit through the work zones will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.

WAAG rabies clinic this weekend

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WILLIAMS — The Williams Animal Action Group will hold it’s 30th Annual Rabies clinic on Saturday, April 11 from 12 to 3 p.m. The WAAG Clinic will have a veterinarian on hand to administer the rabies shot, but other shots will be available for purchase and must be given by the owner. The dog and cat rabies shot is $10.00.

SICK ANIMALS CANNOT BE VACCINATED. Please make sure that your dog is on a leash and bring cats in carriers.

City licenses will also be offered for cats and dogs. For spayed and neutered dogs the cost is $10 and for normal dogs $25. Cat licenses are offered for spayed or neutered cats only at the cost of $5. You must provide proof of rabies vaccination and surgery.

Flagstaff Police traffic focus: Red light violations

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10696242_869554629754728_2255262553267108991_nFLAGSTAFF — It was no joke. On April 1, 2015 the Flagstaff Police Department focused on red light violations within the city limits.

According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) motorists are more likely to be injured in crashes involving red-light violations than in other types of crashes. A nationwide study of fatal crashes at traffic signals estimates that 20% of the drivers involved failed to obey traffic signals.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (December 2000), or MUTCD, defines traffic signal indications (i.e. green, yellow, and red signals as follows:

  • Steady green signal indicates that vehicle “may proceed straight or turn right or left (at an intersection) except as such movement is modified by lane-use signs, turn prohibition signs, lane markings, or roadway design.”
  • Steady yellow signal indicates that vehicle “is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red signal indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection”.
  • Steady red signal indicates that vehicle “shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if there is no stop line, traffic shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection; or if there is no crosswalk, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until a signal indication to proceed is shown.”

Based on the definitions listed above, drivers should be prepared to stop when they see the yellow signal and stop completely. The yellow traffic signal does not indicate to speed up and get through the intersection.

The Flagstaff Police Department would like your assistance and cooperation with red light compliance most especially in the intersections of South Milton, and Butler Avenue, N. Country Club Drive and N. Highway 89, and Switzer Canyon and Rt. 66.

The Flagstaff Police Department has started a program of concentrating on certain driving violations, of late. Recently they have concentrated on seat belt violations and texting while driving.