Daily Archives: July 1, 2015

Are you up for the PTSD Challenge?

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Glen Davis

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a complication many veterans suffer with upon returning home. It used to be called “battle fatigue.” They find it difficult to sleep because of dreams or memories. They find it difficult to relax because they are used to constantly being on guard. Sharp loud noises which most civilians take for granted are grating on the nerves of these veterans.

22 veterans die each day by taking their own lives. The 22 Until None Facebook page documents the continuing victims of war each day.

While Ted Turner and VA representatives may find it fun to mock the 22 suicides daily, veterans of all eras take it very seriously. Our prayer for this Independence day is that we become independent of this suicide trend. That from here on out, our brothers and sisters seek the help they need. There are plenty of veterans out there that know what you are going through. Some of us do not. We are, however, willing to spend the time to listen to your story.

To raise awareness, Iron Apparel (Facebook) has issued a video challenge in hopes of raising $22,000 for the PTSD Foundation of America. The challenge is in the video below.

The T-shirts they speak of can be found at their website. I ordered mine today and with shipping it costs about $35. You may simply donate $22 directly to the PTSD foundation.

To help raise awareness more, however, I will do a video completing the challenge since my T probably will not arrive for two- to three-weeks. Watch for the video and I will throw down the gauntlet then.

Another healing resource used by a friend of mine is Honor House in Phoenix.

Whether you have served or not, you can help by contributing to these resources.

No state highway construction closures over Independence weekend

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PHOENIX — As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, state and local agencies are focusing efforts on promoting safety along the busy highways, including Interstate 17 between north Phoenix and Camp Verde, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

ADOT and its contractors will not schedule construction closures along state highways between Thursday afternoon and late Sunday night. Drivers are urged to use caution over the weekend, especially in areas that have been narrowed due to existing work zones.

As they have done over recent major holiday weekends, ADOT, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety will team with local first responders on the state’s “Stay Alert, Stay Alive” safe-driving campaign.

While pointing out that drivers hold the key to safety, state officials stress the importance of being patient, obeying speed limits, buckling up and avoiding distractions. While the holiday weekend safety campaign is underway, DPS will place an emphasis on speed enforcement, especially during the busy Thursday and Sunday afternoon travel periods.

ADOT’s I-17 overhead message boards will be used to post safety and highway-condition messages. Highway crews also are staging equipment such as front loaders and utility trucks at strategic locations along the highway, including the Outlets at Anthem mall and the Sunset Point Rest Area. The equipment will allow crews to respond as soon as possible if crashes or disabled vehicles need to be cleared.

Existing work zone locations along state highways include State Route 260 about 20 miles east of Payson, where traffic is shifted to single lanes in each direction for a bridge-improvement project. Interstate 40 west of the State Route 89 junction near Ash Fork also is narrowed to one lane in each direction for bridge work.

Drivers are urged to check their vehicles, including tire pressure, and get a good night’s rest before heading out on a trip. Motorists also are urged to:

  • Buckle up
  • Obey speed limits
  • Avoid the busiest travel times if possible
  • Never drive while impaired. Arrange for a designated driver in advance
  • Be prepared for unexpected closures during warmer weather and possible thunderstorms
  • Pack extra drinking water and snack foods in case traffic is stopped due to a crash or disabled vehicle up ahead

State agencies also will work with the Black Canyon City and Daisy Mountain fire departments as part of the I-17 safety corridor campaign. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is working with local law enforcement agencies on a holiday DUI enforcement campaign.

Last year in Arizona, nine people were killed in a total of seven fatal crashes along highways and local streets over the Independence Day weekend. The sobering figures were higher during the holiday weekend in 2013, when 16 people died in 15 fatal crashes across the state.

You can check on statewide highway conditions on ADOT’s Travel Advisory site at az511.gov or by calling 5-1-1 (within Arizona). Traffic information also is available on ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT).

For the hail of it

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64015-07-01-5WILLIAMS — Williams received a quick dose of rain, hail and lightning this afternoon as a prelude for the rest of the week.

The chance of thunderstorms rises to 50% tomorrow lowering to 30% through Independence Day. Highs will remain in the 80’s through the week with lows around 55. Winds are expected to remain fairly calm at about 5- to 8-mph. 64015-07-01-7

Animals at Bearizona are prepping for their own unique Independence celebrations

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Bearizona photo


WILLIAMS — Bearizona bear cubs spent the day yesterday prepping for some fun Independence Day enrichment, bear cub paintings! The bear cubs love to have fun, and keepers introduced a new enrichment activity to four incredibly eager cubs.

The bear cubs got to paw in red white and blue paint and tromp all over canvas to create their own unique artwork.

The artwork will be sold in the gift shop over the weekend with all proceeds going to C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors, Bearizona’s 2015 charity). The cubs will be doing more artwork on the 4th of July at 9:40 a.m. for any visitors that want to witness this fun filled enrichment in person.

Other animals getting special Independence day enrichment or treats include:

Kindergarten Bears: 10:00 a.m.
Bobcat: 12:50 p.m.
Otters: 2:30 p.m.

Bearizona Photo

Bearizona Photo

Tusayan Ranger District to manage the Jar Complex for resource benefit

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forestTUSAYAN — The Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest is managing the Jar Complex fires in order to improve forest health and meet other natural resource objectives.

The Jar Complex is made up of three separate fires, the largest being the 16-acre Mason Fire located just southwest of Camp 36 Tank about 4 miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower. The other two fires comprising the Jar Complex are the Lost and Shale fires, each about one-tenth of an acre in size. The Lost Fire is located about 6 miles south of Tusayan, a quarter mile east of Highway 64, and 5 miles north of Red Butte. The Shale Fire is about a mile southeast of the Lost Fire just west of the junction of forest roads 2703 and 2703A.

The planning area within which the Jar Complex fires will be managed is about 18,600 acres in size. Much of the area is ponderosa pine forest that has seen various forms of treatment over the last several years from other managed fires, prescribed burns and various kinds of mechanical treatments.

While the Tusayan Ranger District has received some light precipitation over the last few days, growth potential for the fires, especially the Mason Fire, remains high. Fire managers expect the Mason Fire to continue relatively rapid growth over the next few days, so smoke will be visible from Tusayan, Highway 64, Grand Canyon National Park and Highway 180. Smoke is expected to be pushed toward the northeast due to prevailing winds, so it could also be visible from Cameron and Tuba City.

Goals of managing the Jar Complex for resource benefit include reducing fuel accumulations, improving wildlife habitat, restoring fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem, and enhancing overall forest health.

“These fires are excellent candidates for managing to achieve resource objectives due to their locations and the fire effects we are seeing so far,” said Josh Miller, fuels assistant fire management officer for the Tusayan Ranger District. “Despite a little bit of rain, the Mason Fire remains active on all sides, and we expect it to grow tens to hundreds of acres over the next few days.”

The forest service is currently managing the Locust Fire treating 3227-acres. They are also managing the Smith Fire near Love’s and the Keyhole fire north of Keyhole Sink.

All fires are natural caused.