Monthly Archives: June 2015

Northern Arizona law enforcement track kidnapping suspect

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On Wednesday, June 18, 2015 at approximately 1:19 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Lieutenant who manages the Page Patrol division received information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that an individual may have been taken against his will. The FBI provided subject, victim and vehicle descriptions as well as direction of travel of the vehicle. Additionally, the subject was seeking to acquire a firearm.

The CCSO Lieutenant initiated a regional attempt to locate message with information regarding the case and a vehicle description to Northern Arizona Law Enforcement Agencies to include the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Page Police Department, the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety and the National Park Service.

An Arizona DPS Officer and a CCSO Sergeant located the suspect vehicle as it was north bound on Highway 89 and positioned behind a pilot vehicle at a construction zone near Cedar Ridge.

The officer and a deputy attempted to perform a high risk stop on the vehicle and administered verbal commands instructing the occupants to exit the vehicle. The occupants failed to follow instructions and the driver maneuvered the vehicle through the construction zone and continued north on Highway 89 at speeds reaching 100 miles per hour with officers in pursuit.

Page Police Officers, AZ DPS Officers and National Park Service Rangers attempted on four occasions to deploy Stop Sticks designed to gradually deflate vehicle tires; however the driver was able to avoid the stop sticks at all four locations.

At one point a Page Police Officer fired his duty weapon once at the suspect vehicle; no one was struck or injured by the bullet. CCSO Detectives and Page Police Department personnel are conducting independent investigations of this shooting.

The pursuit continued through the City of Page, AZ and north on Highway 89 into Utah. As the vehicle fled from pursuing officers the occupants threw items out of the windows to include miscellaneous papers. Utah law enforcement authorities deployed stop sticks at two more locations and during both incidents the devices effectively deflated all four tires of the suspect vehicle. In the area of milepost 54.9 on Highway 89 after traveling on tireless wheels, the vehicle veered to the side of the road.

Pursuing officers gave commands to the occupants to exit the vehicle. For a prolonged period of time the occupants refused to follow commands and continued to throw items out of the vehicle to include an empty handgun holster. They also waved an American Flag and a second unidentified flag out of the windows. At least one of the occupants placed gas masks over his face.

Eventually the driver who was believed to be the alleged kidnap victim exited the vehicle and shortly thereafter the passenger also exited the vehicle. Both individuals were taken into custody by Deputies assigned to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Unit. Utah Highway Patrol officials are continuing this investigation.

A portion of Highway 89 in Utah was shut down for a prolonged period of time as the result of the pursuit and subsequent standoff with the vehicle occupants.

Florence AZPDES renewal permit

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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 renew 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.15-64                      Published on June 18, 2015
Published in Florence Reminder

AZPDES Permit No. AZ0025208
Town of Florence- South Wastewater Treatment Plant
P.O. Box 2670
Florence, AZ 85232

The Town of Florence applied for renewal of an AZPDES permit for the proposed discharge of up to 2.5 million gallons per day (mgd) of treated domestic wastewater from the Town of Florence South Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Gila River in the Middle Gila River Basin in Township 4 S, Range 9 E, Section 34, in Pinal County, Arizona. The Town of Florence South Wastewater Treatment Plant is a publicly owned treatment works that receives domestic wastewater from residential and commercial sources in the town of Florence and the Florence Prison System. Sludge is treated in sludge digesters, then pumped to a belt press and disposed of at the Apache Junction Landfill Corporation in Pinal County. The WWTP also receives and treats sludge from the North Florence WWTP.

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).

Locust Fire being managed on Kaibab National Forest

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FREDONIA — Like the Jolly Fire, the Locust fire is a lightning caused fire in the Kaibab National Forest. The Locust Fire is located approximately 39 miles south-southeast of Fredonia, Arizona northeast of Locust Point near the Rainbow Rim Trail. The fire was discovered by fire personnel on June 15 at approximately noon during an aerial reconnaissance flight.

North Zone fire managers met yesterday to discuss strategies for managing a second fire in the North Kaibab Ranger District, and the possible impacts this managed fire could potentially have on forest visitors.

They plan to allow it to burn to rid the forest of Pine litter, down woody debris and grass fuels. The planning area is bound by Forest Service Road (FSR) 214 on the north, FSR 206 on the east, FSR 293 on the south and FSR 250 on the west. The Rainbow Rim will not be closed during this managed fire, and fire managers are aware of the anticipated increase in visitor use during this weekend’s scheduled bike festival.

Smoke may be visible from FSR 22, FSR 206 and Arizona Highway 67, Highway 89A and the scenic vista viewpoints on the Rainbow Rim. No closures are currently anticipated.

Sheriff’ Deputies Respond to Multiple Reports of Burglary from Automobiles in 2 Rural Neighborhoods

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FLAGSTAFF — At about 6:30 am this morning, Tuesday, June 16, 2015 a Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the report of a vehicle burglary in Pioneer Valley Estates on Pioneer Valley Road. The reporting party believed the crime occurred sometime after Monday, June 15, 2015 7:30 pm and before Tuesday, June 15, 2015 6:00 am. According to the victim the vehicle was left unlocked and several items of value were taken. After taking the initial report Deputies drove the area and discovered an additional 5 vehicle burglaries. Deputies found several vehicles with doors left open. Many of the vehicle owners were asleep and unaware that their vehicle had been burglarized. Due to similar physical evidence found at several of the crime scenes Deputies believe all of the crimes were committed by the same suspect or group of suspects.

These burglaries also occurred in Sunset Crater Estates on Moonbeam and Gemini. Items taken during the burglaries included a portable audio player, a satellite radio receiver, cash and loose change, and a firearm. All the victims told the investigators that they left their vehicles unlocked. During the investigations Deputies learned that locked vehicles located in close proximity to the burglarized vehicles were left untouched. It is not uncommon for individuals who commit vehicle burglaries to walk a neighborhood and check the doors of each vehicle. If the vehicle is locked they move on until they find a vehicle that is unlocked.

Auto-burglary prevention, like all crime prevention, involves limiting the criminal’s ability and/or opportunity to commit the crime. With very little time and effort, you can make a huge difference in your vulnerability to auto-burglary.

  • Lock ALL your vehicle’s doors even if you plan to be gone for only a brief time. Every year, we have items stolen from unlocked vehicles where the owner was only going to be gone “just for a second.” It only takes seconds to steal your stuff! It’s not uncommon for thieves to walk down a row of parked vehicles and check vehicle doors to see if they are unlocked. Don’t leave any window open or even cracked open, including vent/wing windows and sunroofs.
  • Don’t leave valuables in your car. That sounds like “common sense,” but drivers/passengers do leave items of value in plain view every day. If you leave valuable items visible in your car, your car is automatically a target.
  • Try to park in busy, well-lighted areas. Try to park in well-traveled areas. Large anonymous lots are hit by thieves much more often than parking immediately adjacent to residential housing or other occupied buildings.
  • Set any alarm or anti-theft device. If you have one, use it! Many people believe that car-alarms no longer make a difference, but they can be an effective deterrent to an auto-burglar, who most often chooses the easiest target.
  • Mark your valuables! As a last line of defense (not really to prevent theft as much as to aid in recovery), mark your valuables. Recording serial numbers is dandy, but nowadays many serial numbers are on removable “labels” rather than “engraved” into valuable items. Sheriff Pribil suggests inscribing/engraving a “personal identifier” on all valuables.
  • Take Removable Equipment with You. If you have an after-market stereo/CD-player with a removable faceplate, remove it. Without the faceplate, the unit is less attractive/useful to many thieves, and harder to “fence.” If the unit can be pulled, pull it! Take it with you. Just covering a valuable radio (or ANY valuables in your car) with something (like a blanket or towel) to hide it will probably only draw thieves’ attention.
  • Report Suspicious Activity. If you see suspicious activity, report it to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or call 911

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US 60 passing lane project east of Superior starts this week

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The first of a series of planned improvement projects along US 60 between Superior and Globe will start Wednesday, June 17, when the Arizona Department of Transportation begins work to construct a new passing lane from Devils Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233), along with other improvements.

When completed, this $8.8 million safety improvement project will make it easier for motorists to pass large trucks and slow-moving vehicles whose speed drops because of the sustained grades along this stretch of highway from Devil’s Canyon to the Oak Flat area.

There will be minimal impacts to the traveling public during this initial phase of the project prior to Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Construction of the passing lane and some shoulder widening will require US 60 to be closed during blasting, which will start after the Independence Day holiday weekend.

The project will include the following:

  • Construction of a new westbound passing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233)
  • Widening shoulders in the Devil’s Canyon area (milepost 233-234)
  • Improvements to the Waterfall Canyon bridge (milepost 229)
  • Box culvert drainage improvements (milepost 242 just west of Miami)

Work hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Work crews may also be working at night during different phases of the construction. The project is anticipated to be completed by summer 2016.

Removing several areas of rock embankment will require blasting during the project. The first phase of blasting is being planned for the week after the Fourth of July holiday weekend during morning hours around 9 a.m. The exact day has not been determined. Blasting will occur about every five to seven days in a five-month period until it is completed. Closures during the initial blasts may be up to three hours. As blasting continues there will be a lesser impact on traffic and delays will be reduced.

ADOT will work to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work.

There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide-load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used at different times throughout the project. Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for construction equipment and personnel, and allow extra time for your commute.

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.

Arizona Citizens Defense League announces winners

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ACDLlogo3Congratulations to Linda, Larry, Pat and Dean who purchased the winning tickets for the raffle sponsored by the Arizona Citizens Defense League. The drawing was held on June 14.

The raffle, which benefits the pro-Second Amendment activities of the AzCDL, was for a custom AR-15 pistol built by Forward Operating Base in Phoenix Arizona (Yelp). The AzCDL logo is laser etched on each pistol.

The Arizona Citizens Defense League is already working on their next raffle for four Ruger LC9 9mm semi-auto handguns. Only 1000 tickets will be sold and they may be obtained at the AzCDL tables at gun shows and at the online store of the AzCDL.

The AzCDL Independence Day rifle match is already sold out.

Kaibab National Forest manages Jolly fire for multiple objectives

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FREDONIA — Lightning activity on the North Kaibab Ranger District over the weekend resulted in several small fires, one of which is the Jolly Fire.

The Jolly Fire is located approximately 3 miles south of Jacob Lake. The planning area is bound by Arizona Highway 67 on the west, Forest Service Road (FSR) 200 on the east and FSR 634 on the north. The fire is currently less than 1 acre. Fire managers plan to keep the Jolly Fire within predetermined boundaries, and if the fire grows to the maximum boundary area it will reach about 1,514 acres in size. Smoke may be visible from Arizona Highway 67 and Highway 89A.

On Monday, fire managers met to discuss the likelihood of managing the fire to allow the fire to function in its natural ecological role within defined boundaries and reduce Ponderosa pine, aspen, and pine litter fuels within the planned management area.

Benefits of the burn include restoration of a fire-adapted ecosystem, reduction of accumulated fuels on the forest floor, recycling of nutrients into the soil, protection of the greater area from future high-intensity wildland fires.

Currently, the fire is a slow-moving ground fire, and fire managers are considering managing the fire for resource benefits as weather and conditions allow. No road or trail closures are in effect, but hazard signs are posted and motorist should exercise caution.

Perkinsville road gets a facelift

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south-road-15-06-15-18WILLIAMS — Perkinsville road, commonly known as South road, received a much needed re-paving. Today the lines have been added.

Perkinsville road leads to Benham Trail, Dogtown lake, White Horse Lake and a number of other popular camping and day use spots. With the fair winter and recent rains, the trees are full of leaves making this a beautiful drive.

To access South Road, travel south on Fourth Street. Turn right off of Route 66 and left from Railroad Avenue onto Fourth Street.

Coconino Sheriff’s Deputies Respond to Numerous Calls for Service during the Weekend

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coco-sheriff-300pxFLAGSTAFF — Three community events (Too Broke for Sturgis, Firefly, and Made in the Shade) each attracting a large number of attendees occurred in Coconino County this past weekend.

Too Broke for Sturgis was a four day event from June 11-14 that took place at Mormon Lake. Promoters estimated that approximately 1,500 motorcycle enthusiasts attended this event and camped in the area.

Firefly is described by its promoters as a gathering focused on manifesting vision of a co-creative, nurturing and loving community that fosters a healing, healthy lifestyle partnered with conscious celebration and spiritual peak experiences. Promoters estimated the attendance to be approximately 1,400.

The third event was the Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival that took place at the Pepsi Amphitheater at the Coconino County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 13 from 1-5 pm.

Calls for service ranged from an accidental shooting at the Too Broke for Sturgis event (report S15-02234) to a one vehicle non-injury rollover collision on a dirt road near Blue Ridge (report S15-02236).

On Friday evening Deputies respond to a campsite at the Too Broke for Sturgis event on the report of an accidental shooting. According to witnesses an intoxicated adult male took a handgun out of a shoulder holster he was wearing and accidentally inflicted a through and through gunshot wound to his left hand. Deputies estimated that after exiting the victim’s hand the bullet continued to travel and missed striking a bystander by less than one foot. The bullet came to rest in the tire of a nearby vehicle. The individual who accidentally shot himself in the hand was transported by Guardian Medical Transport to the Flagstaff Medical Center where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies and Detectives are continuing this Felony Endangerment investigation (report S15-02234).

On Saturday Deputies assigned to the Williams Grand Canyon District assisted U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement officers with the arrest of a violent and combative individual for Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer in the area of Forest Service Roads FS17 and FS12 (report S15-02357).

On Sunday Sheriff’s Deputies, Navajo Nation Police Officers, and Arizona Department of Public Safety Officers responded to the report of a fight involving multiple combatants along the side of Highway 89 in the area of milepost 456. Upon their arrival many of the participants were still present and it was determined to be Navajo Nation Police jurisdiction. Deputies arrested one of the participants who was the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant (report S15-02263).

During the weekend Deputies assigned to the Blue Ridge, Flagstaff, Forest Lakes, Oak Creek Canyon and Williams/Grand Canyon districts responded or conducted 27 public assists and motorists assists, conducted 222 area patrols and business checks, responded to 14 reports of disorderly conduct, assisted with 18 calls for medical assistance, investigated 7 reports of property crimes and 5 crimes against persons.

They conducted 48 traffic stops, responded to 2 calls involving firearms, investigated 5 non-injury or injury motor vehicle collisions, arrested 2 individuals for DUI, and responded to incidents involving Domestic Violence.

Sheriff’s Deputies and Coconino County Search and Rescue personnel also responded to 8 reports of missing persons, overdue hikers and injured hikers.

Get out of Williams! Bill Williams lookout

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Watch your step in the forest! Some cacti are in bloom and make great photos.

Watch your step in the forest! Some cacti are in bloom and make great photos.

WILLIAMS — With the gun street show, Route 66 Market and other weekend events, everyone knows that there is much to do in Williams during the summer season. This weekend is the Cowpuncher Rodeo, for example, and Wild West Weekend.

Williams is also known for their outdoor activities. Recently Forest Service Road 111 which leads to Bill Williams lookout has been opened. A popular activity is to drive the road to the top of Bill Williams Mountain—the highest point in Williams. Right now the oaks and aspens are green. During the fall, however, the view is spectacular. So do not count Williams out during that season.

300-FR111-15-06-14-04Not only is there camping in the area, but it is a great place to set up for a family picnic. However, you should be aware that everyone with a dog takes them out into these areas. If your dog is not exactly friendly, you need to make sure that they are tethered.

The other thing to remember—and this is very important—fire danger still exists all year around. Lately the high winds have subsided. If there are high winds, however, you should use a camp stove. If you choose a campfire, make sure you take plenty of water to extinguish it COMPLETELY. Make sure it is cold before you leave. If an accidental fire should start, call 911 IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait and try to put it out.

You will, of course, want to return to Williams after your day in the woods to check out one of the days of the Cowpuncher rodeo. Real cowboys doing the job they do daily. The great restaurants in Williams have your evening meal ready.

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