Monthly Archives: May 2015

US 89 improvement project south of Page starts June 1

Posted on by

PAGE — Motorists traveling on US 89 between Cameron and Page should allow for extra travel time as the Arizona Department of Transportation makes improvements to an eight-mile stretch of roadway from Gray Spot Wash to North Red Hill (mileposts 510-517), just south of the US 89/US 89A junction near Bitter Springs.

Beginning on Monday, June 1, the two-lane highway will be reduced to one lane and traffic will alternate through the work zone with the aid of a pilot car. During the one-lane restriction, delays of up to 30 minutes are possible.

In addition to resurfacing the pavement throughout the entire project length, ADOT will construct new passing lanes for north- and southbound travel (mileposts 514-515), widen the shoulders and reinforce bank protection at Tanner Wash.

The $6.9 million improvement project in Coconino County is scheduled to be completed this fall.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from early morning hours to sunset. No nighttime, weekend or holiday construction is anticipated.

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

Timberline/Fernwood Neighborhood Watch Holiday Meeting

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta would like to invite residents of the Timberline and Fernwood communities to the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. The meeting will be held from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Summit Fire Station 33, located at 6050 Firehouse Lane, off of Highway 89N.

Our guest speaker Zach Schwartz will speak about the Coconino County Comprehensive Plan. The Sheriff’s Office will give a presentation on the Woods Watch Program.

Neighborhood Watch is similar to the Block Watch program commonly conducted in urban areas and goes back to the concept of “neighbors looking out for neighbors” that many people remember from 30 years ago. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent and deter criminal activity, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of our children and the elderly, and to alleviate fear and isolation. Residents learn how to observe and report suspicious activity and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.

Williams Summer Recreation program begins tomorrow

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — The Williams Summer Recreation program begins tomorrow. Please drive with care around the area of the Recreation Center and Circle-K on Railroad Avenue. Let’s make this another successful event with no injuries.
cow-summer-rec

Please watch out for the deer

Posted on by

deer-15-05-30-38This picture of deer grazing by I-40 was taken this afternoon. We would like to remind travelers that deer can dart out in the road without warning. This is an invitation of damage to vehicles and possible loss of life. From Ash Fork to Flagstaff, please keep an eye out for animals and slow down if you see them.

Bill to allow automatic restoration of voting rights introduced

Posted on by
Frederica Wilson, D-FL24

Frederica Wilson, D-FL24

WASHINGTON — Representative Frederica Wilson of Florida introduced H.R. 1556 to allow non-violent felons to vote.

The bill would not allow the denial or abridgement of voting rights of U.S. citizens who commit non-violent criminal offenses once released. The bill excepts those currently incarcerated. The Attorney General would establish a list of felonies considered non-violent under federal and State laws.

If the individual is released on probation, their right to vote would begin at the end of probation if the probation is less than a year. If the person is on probation for more than a year, then their voting right would be automatically restored one year from the date probation began.

The law would establish notification requirements for prisons and jails. A State, local government or other person would not be allowed to receive federal funds to construct or improve, “…a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program under which each incarcerated individual is notified, upon release, of his or her rights under this Act.”

The bill only allows for voting in federal elections and does not affect State laws. Arizona Revised Statute 13-905 outlines the procedure for restoration of civil rights which begins at the end of any probation period after incarceration.

The bill, of course, does not go far enough. It does not allow the automatic restoration of Second Amendment rights for the same non-violent offenses.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Memorial Weekend 2015 Activity

Posted on by

coco-sheriff-300pxCoconino County, AZ — Historically holiday weekends attract large numbers of people to northern Arizona. Deputies responded to multiple calls for service and initiated many contacts with the public over the Memorial Day weekend Friday, May 22 (noon) – Monday, May 25 (midnight). They responded to approximately 270 citizen requests for assistance and conducted over 500 patrol activities (e.g., area patrols, business checks, traffic stops, etc.).

In efforts to enhance highway, roadway, and recreation safety throughout Coconino County, Deputies in the Flagstaff, Williams, Page Districts, officers conducted approximately 115 traffic stops resulting in: one Aggravated DUI arrest, 19 citations (including two for child restraint offenses, 3 seat belt offenses, several speed citations, and one Title 4 alcohol offense), 8 repair orders, 28 verbal warnings, and 21 written warnings.

Outdoor recreation being higher this time of year, we received over 25 emergency medical related calls, 18 fire related calls, and numerous other calls reporting shooting near public areas, disturbing the peace, large parties, and suspicious activity. Many of these calls were in campground areas or on public land. In an effort to help educate people about off-road, ATV, and boating safety, officers made contact with riders and boaters to ensure safety measures were being followed. We had four reports of off-road related injury accidents in the county.

There were 97 total bookings processed at the Flagstaff and Page Coconino County Detention Facility from May 22 (8:00 am) – May 25 (midnight). Bookings are processed for agencies including: Flagstaff Police Department, Page Police Department, Williams Police Department, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety as well as other law enforcement agencies in the county.
Continue reading →

Mountain Lion has been sighted in Williams

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — We have confirmed that there has been a mountain lion sighted in the City of Williams. It is our understanding that Arizona Game and Fish has been notified and is working with the Williams Police Department to capture the animal.

The cougar was sighted several weeks ago and was sighted again last night. It appears to be hanging around Pine Street area in the south-eastern section of town according to reports.

It is recommended that you keep your dogs on a strong leash when walking them and keep dogs and cats inside at night unless you are with them.

If you spot it, do not attempt to approach, capture or shoot it. Call the Williams Police Department at 928-635-4461.

Sedona: Proposed AZPDES permit

Posted on by

PROPOSED ARIZONA POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (AZPDES) RENEWAL PERMIT

Pursuant to the Clean Water Act and in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R18-9-A907, the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) proposes to issue an Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Permit to discharge pollutants to Waters of the United States to the following applicant, subject to certain effluent limitations and special conditions:

Public Notice No.15-54                                                Published on May 20, 2015
Published in Red Rock News

AZPDES Permit No. AZ0021807
The Sedona Venture Sewer Company
7310 N. 16th Street, Suite 165
Phoenix, AZ 85020

The Sedona Venture Sewer Company applied for a renewal AZPDES permit for the proposed discharge of up to 0.075 million gallons per day (mgd) of treated domestic wastewater from the Sedona Venture Wastewater Treatment Plant to Dry Creek, a tributary to Oak Creek in the Verde River Basin at Township 17 N, Range 5 E, Section 19, in Yavapai County, Arizona. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is a privately owned treatment works that receives domestic wastewater from residential sources in Sedona Shadows Manufactured Home Community and Sunset Hills Resort. Waste activated sludge is held in the aerobic digester for a period of 45 to 60 days and then hauled to either the Butterfield Station or N.W. Regional Municipal Solid Waste Landfill for disposal.

The permit and fact sheet may be viewed online at http://www.azdeq.gov/cgi-bin/vertical.pl by typing the permit number in the box left of “Search Event”. The public notice and related documentation also are available for public review, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the ADEQ Records Center, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona, 85007. In Phoenix, please call (602) 771-4380 or e-mail recordscenter@azdeq.gov 24 hours in advance to schedule an appointment to review the file.

Persons may submit comments or request a public hearing on the proposed action in writing, to Richard Mendolia, Water Permits Section, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, 1110 W. Washington St., 5415B-3, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. All written comments received by ADEQ by the close of business on the date 30 days after publication of this notice will be considered in the final permit decision. A public hearing request must be in writing and must include the reasons for such request. If there is a significant degree of public interest, the Director will hold a hearing in accordance with A.A.C. R18-9-908(B).

City council meeting for May 28

Posted on by

640-city-hall-williamsWILLIAMS — The Williams City Council meeting will be held tonight at 7 p.m. They will approve the following items:

  • Council will review and may recommend approval for an Acquisition of Control for the Safeway #1639 liquor license (#09030026), Series #9, Liquor Store.
  • Council will consider and may approve an IGA with the Arizona State Forestry Division to provide wild land fire protection services.
  • Council may accept a bid for the water meter replacement project.
  • Council will review the transfer of cash to the Golf Fund from the General Fund and may offer direction to the Finance Director.

Public participation begins before voting on the above items, but the council cannot act on the items presented.

Afterward the Mayor and council may make reports or provide other information.

Next phase for US 89 and Haul Road roundabout construction to begin Friday

Posted on by

PAGE — The Arizona Department of Transportation is moving onto the next phase of construction on the new roundabout at the intersection of US 89 and Haul Road in Page, beginning this Friday, May 29.

During this phase of construction the intersection of US 89 and Haul Road will have restrictions in place for east- and westbound travel on Haul Road, which will not allow cross traffic on US 89 from Haul Road.

With Haul Road temporarily closed at the US 89 junction during the roundabout construction, motorists can connect to local businesses by using one of two new access locations along US 89: one in front of Walmart, and the other on the north side of McDonald’s.

Traffic on US 89 will be accommodated with one lane of travel in each direction, including a center turn lane. ADOT urges motorists to obey the reduced speed limit of 25 mph through the work zone.

Access to area businesses will be provided at all times during construction.  Drivers can expect congestion through the work zone and should be prepared for possible delays. Motorists should allow for extra time and exercise caution while traveling through work zones.

The $2.3 million improvement project includes the construction of a large, two-lane roundabout that will allow oversized vehicles, including houseboats, to safely pass through the intersection. The project is expected to be completed late this year.

For more information on the project, please visit azdot.gov/US89PageRoundabout.

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. 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.