American Legion Cordova Post #13 color guard leads the parade.
Memorial parade over
Monthly Archives: May 2015
Williams Memorial parade starts soon
WILLIAMS — The American flag lines Route 66 from west-to-east along the Williams Memorial parade route. The Williams Police Department went all out to make sure people understand not to park in the parade route this year. KPBX 91.1 FM is blasting from the announcers stand. The 4-H club is setting up for their bake sale at Circle-K.
The parade is ready to begin in a little less than one-hour. The parade starts from the Banker’s Real Estate plaza in the area of the Williams Memorial Park on the west end. It will travel Historic Route 66 past 1st Street where it will end.
Pet services in Williams
WILLIAMS — If you are coming to Williams for this long weekend (or pretty much any time), you probably wonder what pet services are available in town. Apart from the Chinese made toys and treats stocked in the general stores.
Veterinary services are available at the Williams Veterinary Clinic open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. The clinic is located at 122 3rd Street. They provide a full range of pet health care services. They also sell Science Diet dog food products at their store. On certain weekends, they hold a vaccine clinic at the Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique. Their phone number is 928-635-5392.
They do not, however, have emergency care. There are two locations in Flagstaff that provide emergency pet care. You might want to call ahead to make sure they know that you are coming.
- Canyon Pet Hospital, 1054 E. Old Canyon Court, Flagstaff, AZ 928-433-3970
- Westside Veterinary Clinic 963 W. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ, 928-779-0148
Another emergency veterinary clinic is trying to get started in Flagstaff. According to the latest on their web site, the Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center of Northern Arizona plans to open on May 29. They plan to be open all weekend long from Friday at 5 p.m. to Monday at 8:30 a.m. to provide emergency medical services for pets. The pet hospital will be open 24 hours on holidays when other veterinary clinics are closed.
As an aside to the Williams clinic, Traci started Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique & Supplies (Facebook) located at 517 E. Historic Route 66 on the east end of town. They sell cat and dog toys and clothing, bedding and the like. They stock Science Diet foods and treats. They include a selection of treats from the Bubba Rose Biscuit Company that are baked treats iced with yogurt.
On the grooming front, just down the street from Spoiled Rotten at 402 E. Route 66 is Manytails Pet Grooming. They have pet sitting and daycare services. They open Tuesday through Saturday at 9 a.m. You can call 928-635-8897 for appointments.
If you are traveling from Kingman, Seligman—and all points west—to Williams, you might have a pet that just needs to be groomed. Or, perhaps, Manytails is too busy to get your pet groomed on time for that formal activity. You can call Aunty Abby’s Pet Services and Doggie Day Spa at 928-380-5123. Aunty Abby’s is located at 47125 N. 5th Street in Ash Fork. She provides bathing, grooming, nail clipping and pet sitting.
Middle Gila River selenium and boron draft TMDL comment extension announced
PHOENIX — In response to several requests, ADEQ is allowing additional time to respond to the content of the Middle Gila River Selenium and Boron TMDLs. These draft TMDLs were released on April 23rd for public comment.
In recognizing that parts of the stakeholder population may not have had time to read, consider, or respond to the TMDLs, and in support of trying to engage the largest stakeholder population that we reasonably can, ADEQ is granting a one-week extension for the submission of written comments.
A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that load among the various sources of that pollutant.
Formal comments must be in writing (email attachments are fine) and should be addressed to dm4@azdeq.gov or mailed to the attention of the project hydrologist Doug McCarty at ADEQ. The address is 1110 W. Washington St, Phoenix AZ 85007. Only written comments will be formally considered and responded to by the agency.
The deadline has been extended to 5:00 pm on May 29.
Public comment period for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Program ends next week
PHOENIX — There is still time to add your voice to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 2016-2020 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. The public comment period is open until the end of the business day on May 26 to provide community members with a chance to submit their input about the plan for the state transportation system over the next five years.
The 2016-2020 Tentative Five-Year Program is available for public review and comment at azdot.gov/fiveyearplan. ADOT has developed a “how to read it” guide and welcomes feedback at fiveyearconstructionprogram@azdot.gov. A phone number is also available for public comments at 1-855-712-8530.
The State Transportation Board will consider all public comments received by May 26. Public hearings have been held in Tucson, Phoenix and Chino Valley. The board is expected to adopt the final 2016-2020 Five-Year Program at its June 19 meeting in Pinetop-Lakeside. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Pinetop-Lakeside Town Hall, 1360 N. Niels Hansen Lane, Lakeside, AZ 85929.
The 2016-2020 Tentative Five-Year Program lays out proposed projects and improvements to the state highway system over the next five years, with a major focus on preserving existing infrastructure to ensure that it remains in good condition, while providing a reliable transportation network for drivers. It can be a tough balance, as constrained funding simply cannot meet all the transportation needs around the state.
The Five-Year Program is updated annually and designates how much local, state and federal funding is allocated for projects. This includes highways, bridges, transit and aviation.
Limited funding amid growing statewide transportation needs continues to be the biggest challenge over the next five years. Fewer dollars dedicated to transportation is a result of less revenue from traditional sources of transportation funding, like the state gas tax and vehicle license tax, which support the Five-Year Program. The state gas tax is currently 18 cents per gallon and has not been increased for more than 20 years.
These transportation funding challenges have signaled a shift to a strong focus on the preservation of the state highway system, to protect a system valued at $19.7 billion. If ADOT did not invest in preservation, it would cost approximately $200 billion to replace our existing highway infrastructure, should it fall into disrepair. ADOT is committed to moving major expansion projects forward as well, but with less transportation dollars to stretch, fewer expansion projects make it into the Five-Year Program.
Vendors starting to set up at the Route 66 Street Market
Early shoppers get the best deals.
Spaces are $10 a day or $25 for the weekend, whether a three- or four-day weekend. There is an additional $5 per night for those desiring to stay overnight.
The proceeds from the Route 66 Street Market benefit the projects of the Kiwanis Club International of Williams.
Good news for State Route 87 motorists traveling during Memorial Day weekend
PHOENIX — Just in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation lifted all traffic restrictions along State Route 87 today, Thursday, May 21 as the agency nears completion of a safety improvement project approximately 10 miles north of Sunflower near the Maricopa/Gila County line.
Since construction started in October, motorists traveling between Phoenix and Payson have encountered a series of traffic restrictions related to a $6.2 million project to reconstruct an existing curve to make it easier for vehicles to navigate through at milepost 227, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228.
In addition to all four lanes (two in each direction) being reopened through the work zone, all wide load restrictions were removed permanently as well.
The project also includes slope excavation and reconstruction, drainage improvements, new signage and new concrete barrier installation.
The new runaway truck escape ramp will 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 truck escape ramp is scheduled to open next month, but there will not be an impact to the traveling public as the remaining work on that project will be completed away from the four-lane highway.
Beginning Tuesday, May 26, drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions in both directions for miscellaneous work through the end of June.
The Weekend: Brought to you by Williams, Arizona
Thursday
- The eighth graders will be promoted to High School tonight at p.m. Congratulations
- The Cataract Creek gang is out and around. Gunfight at 7 p.m.
- Bearizona open all weekend.
- Marvelous Marv tours available all weekend.
Friday
- High School graduation 7 p.m. Congratulations graduates.
- The Route 66 Market opens for the season! The market will be open all summer. Tables $10 each or $25 for the weekend whether a three- or four-day weekend. The market is located on the west end of town across the street from the Williams Memorial Park, next to the Williams Justice Center. Open from morning until dusk.
- Gunfight 7 p.m.
- Star Gazing at the Glassburn park area across from Rod’s Steak House on Railroad Avenue 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
- Annual Memorial Day parade begins at 11 a.m. in Williams. Please do not park on Route 66.
- Jack Fuller Roping at the Rodeo Grounds.
- Williams Aquatic Center opens. FREE SWIM. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Route 66 Market
- Gunfight 7 p.m.
Sunday
- Jack Fuller Roping at the Rodeo Grounds.
- Williams Aquatic Center open. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Route 66 Street Market
- Gunfight 7 p.m.
Monday
Happy Memorial Day.
- Williams Aquatic Center open. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Route 66 Street Market
- Gunfight 7 p.m.
More at Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
WEMS Seventh grade students speak out
WILLIAMS — Several groups of Williams Elementary-Middle School seventh-grade students were encourage to Speak Out under the tutelage of Language Arts Teacher Lela Schober. During the presentation, she might have had second thoughts when one group learned during their study that she used the most paper in the school.
The students were encouraged to tackle a problem they felt the school had, collect data on the problem and present a solution.
Ms. Schober introduced the program and said that they conducted this experiment last year, but this year there was an addition. Citizens from the community attended the presentation, asked questions and also added their suggestions.
On the paper trail, one group revealed that too much paper was being used by teachers and students at the school. Their solution was to issue iPads to the students to conduct their work. They said that students would be responsible for replacing the equipment if they damaged it.
Also on the technology front, one group desired to have Wi-Fi access restored to students. They explained that Wi-Fi was available until one student abused the privilege. The infrastructure still exists.
Three groups cited a problem with electives. Either the electives are not fun or there are not enough. The presentation by Sasha Adrian, Kaylee Robertson and Mary Martinez included a hand-out which said that the WEMS middle school deserves electives to provide skills that prepare them for adulthood.
Among the electives suggested by all of the groups were shop class, home economics, ceramics, robotics and even forensics. One group suggested that teachers could volunteer to teach more electives during their preparation hour.
Three groups noted a problem with sports equipment and facilities at the school. There were suggestions that the school could conduct fundraisers for new equipment and donate the old equipment. One very effective presentation included photographs of the poor condition of the gym and sports facilities.
Apparently students and others attending sporting events have received splinters from the wooden bleachers in the gym. The students said that the floor gets dirty and slippery.
Carol Glassburn suggested the students might get in touch with the Arizona sports teams to see if the could contribute replacement sports equipment.
One group believed that there was not enough time for lunch.Their solution was to start school fifteen-minutes earlier. Another group added that the school needed better lunches with a vegetable and a fruit choice.
One group with the best power point display pointed out that there should be a study hour. They cited studies that indicated homework stress. They said that students that have extracurricular activity have little time for homework and a study hour would assist in resolving the problem.
One group cited the prairie dog problem at the school. They noted that during track, students tended to fall into prairie dog holes.
Superintendent Rachel Savage, in attendance at the presentation, explained that there was a plan worked out with Arizona Game and Fish to relocate the animals. The person they were working with, however, was moved to another jurisdiction before the plan could be put into effect.
One group, surprisingly, pointed out that the school needs more discipline. They felt that disturbing influences distracted from learning.
ADOT responds to filing of legal action against South Mountain Freeway
PHOENIX — While the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration have not yet had an opportunity to review in detail the legal action filed against the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, the agencies are confident that any legal challenges will find that the law was followed in coming to a decision to construct this long-planned freeway.
Following an extensive environmental review process that encompassed more than a decade of comprehensive analysis, with various formal and informal opportunities for the public to learn about the project and provide comment, ADOT received a Record of Decision from the Federal Highway Administration in March 2015 to proceed with the project. Throughout the process, nearly 8,000 formal comments from community members were documented, responded to and considered by the study team in coming to the decision to construct the freeway.
The South Mountain Freeway has been a critical part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Freeway Program since it was first included in funding approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985. It was part of the Regional Transportation Plan funding passed by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400, and this freeway is the last piece to complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system necessary for high-quality regional mobility. The South Mountain Freeway will significantly improve travel between the southeast and southwest areas of the Valley and help reduce congestion on Interstate 10. The freeway is also expected to promote economic development in the region.
The freeway will be constructed with four lanes in each direction – three general-use lanes and one HOV lane – and modern features that have made Arizona freeways stand apart from other states for a generation, including rubberized asphalt and aesthetics designed in partnership with the community. Construction of the $1.75 billion project is expected to take about four years under an innovative public-private partnership that will have a private developer design, construct and maintain the freeway for 30 years. This public-private partnership will reduce costs to taxpayers while accelerating construction.
For more information, or to review the extensive environmental documentation, visit www.azdot.gov/SouthMountainFreeway.