Monthly Archives: September 2015

Hoot & Howl Your Way through Bearizona during the Howly Growly Owly Festival

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Howly-7280WILLIAMS — Bearizona is hosting Howly Growly Owly Festival weekends in October. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume and kids that do will get a “beary” special treat!

Festivities Include:

Howl-O-Ween Express: Hop on the windowless bus that takes visitors through the drive-through animal exhibits. This is about as close as you are going to get to our animals, so you don’t want to miss out. Patrons can howl with the wolves in the Alaskan Tundra & Arctic Wolf enclosure and watch the bison interact with a special Howl-O-Ween enrichment treat. Bus rides depart from the Fort Bearizona parking lot at 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. every Friday and 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October.

Growly Bear Cave: Check out our array of jack-o-lanterns that adorn the inside of the Kindergarten Bear Cave.

Scarizona at Bearizona Haunted House: Those who dare can walk through our super scary Haunted House (PG-13 Rated) open Friday 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Saturday ave Sunday 10:00a.m-5:00p.m.

Raptor Show: Guests should plan to catch an Owly Raptor Show at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m., after visiting Fort Bearizona’s baby and smaller animals.

Photo Ops: Several areas of the park are decorated in different themes so visitors can take photos with their families.

Scavenger Hunts: Both adults and children can get in on this fun activity. Check in at the front of Fort Bearizona Walk Through with the attendant and get your scavenger hunt form. After you complete the scavenger hunt make sure to turn in your card at the gift shop for a prize.

Bearizona’s mission is to promote conservation through memorable and educational encounters with North American wildlife in a natural environment.

ADEQ Lifts Fish Consumption Advisory for Gila River and Tributaries

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) announced today that it has lifted the consumption advisory for fish caught in the Gila River and its tributaries within and downstream of the Phoenix metropolitan area – this includes 100 miles of streams and 286 acres of lakes. Fish caught from these waters are no longer unsafe to eat due to banned pesticides (DDT, chlordane or toxaphene).

“This is the first time ADEQ has lifted a fish consumption advisory,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore. “Fish tested by ADEQ and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service show that banned pesticides no longer pose a health risk in the Gila River and its tributaries.”

Lifting this advisory, which has been in place for 24 years, is credited to the cessation of the use of the pesticides in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Detailed information about the delisting of the Gila River and its tributaries can be found at:

Click to access delisting_hassayampa.pdf

ADEQ and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tested 67 fish tissue samples from eight different fish species in the Gila River and several of its tributaries west of Phoenix during 2011 and 2012. Fish tissue data demonstrated banned pesticide levels (DDT, toxaphene and chlordane) dropped from more than 160 times higher than threshold levels designed to protect human health in the 1990’s, to 16 times lower than these thresholds in 2011 and 2012.

On March 10, 2015, ADEQ requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) remove the Gila River and its tributaries from Arizona’s Impaired Waters List, which EPA approved August 7, 2015. Each water body removed from the list also had a fish consumption advisory in effect. ADEQ has lifted the fish consumption advisory for the following waterbodies:
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Resources

ADEQ Fish Consumption Advisory Fact Sheet (PDF):
https://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/download/fca.pdf

ADEQ Water Quality Division Monitoring and Assessment:
http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/index.html

Arizona Game and Fish Department – Arizona Fish Consumption Advisory List: http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/fish_consumption.shtml

Kaibab National Forest to conduct prescribed burn near Kendrick Mountain

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WILLIAMS — Fire managers with the Kaibab National Forest plan to conduct a series of prescribed burns starting tomorrow and continuing through Monday near Kendrick Mountain on the Williams Ranger District in order to reduce hazardous fuels and increase ecosystem health and forest resiliency.

About 2,700 acres are scheduled to be treated to the west of the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness boundary and approximately 11 miles north of Parks, Ariz., using a combination of hand and aerial ignition techniques. The area has been treated with fire in the recent past, so the scheduled prescribed fire is considered a maintenance burn, which should result in less smoke production than a first-entry burn due to lesser accumulations of forest fuels.

Winds are predicted to be from the south southwest, which should push smoke north and east across Kendrick Mountain. Smoke is expected to dissipate quickly but could still be present in the immediate area in the vicinity of Pumpkin Center. It may also be visible from Highway 180 and from Interstate 40 near Parks, Ariz.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and appropriate weather conditions. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorized on any given day, please visit http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html.

Kaibab National Forest fire information is also available through the following resources: InciWeb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4112/; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.
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US 93 traffic switch planned for Thursday north of Wickenburg for widening project

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation continues to make considerable progress on an improvement project to widen and upgrade a five-mile segment of US 93 between State Route 71 and State Route 89, just north of Wickenburg.

On Thursday, Oct. 1, crews are scheduled to switch both directions of traffic to the newly constructed southbound lanes. As crews make preparations for the planned traffic switch, motorists may be stopped intermittently for up to 15 minutes at a time between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 1.

While one travel lane will remain open in both directions, motorists should continue to be prepared to allow 10 to 15 minutes extra travel time through this segment (mileposts 185-190).

Once the traffic switch is complete, ADOT will begin work to repave and restripe the existing northbound lanes.

ADOT began this expansion project in February to widen US 93 from two lanes to a modern, four-lane divided highway. The $12.5 million project is expected to be completed in November.

Once completed, ADOT will move one step closer to the agency’s ultimate goal of transforming the entire 200-mile stretch from Wickenburg to the Hoover Dam bypass bridge into a modern, four-lane divided highway.

Since 1998, ADOT has invested more than $350 million in projects to upgrade the US 93 corridor, which stretches from Kingman to the Nevada state line and Wickenburg to Interstate 40 (a 23-mile segment of I-40 east of Kingman connects the north and south sections of US 93).

Currently, all but 46 miles of the 200-mile drive (more than 75 percent) from Wickenburg to the Nevada state line has been upgraded to a four-lane divided highway in an effort to improve traffic flow, support the movement of freight and enhance safety through this heavily traveled area.

Rescuers Respond to Paria Canyon Twice in Two Days

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FLAGSTAFF — On Sunday, September 27, the Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a sick hiker in Paria Canyon in very close proximity to where the previously described response occurred. The DPS helicopter based in Kingman responded, located the ill hiker, and landed. The individual was flown out of the canyon and subsequently refused any medical treatment.

Yesterday at about 5:00 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a Kane County Utah Sheriff’s Deputy who advised of a personal locater beacon spot activation in Paria Canyon approximately 8 miles upstream from Lees Ferry. The family members of the hikers in possession of the device, indicated to investigators that the distress signal was a level 2 which indicates the individuals initiating the signal are sick or injured and need help as soon as possible.

Due to the late hour of the day, the impending darkness and the rugged terrain, an air search was conducted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter based in Flagstaff—instead of a ground search. The helicopter left the airport at 5:30 pm and arrived at the location where the device was activated an hour later and began an air search.

Crew members spotted the hikers approximately 1 mile downstream from the initiation point. The pilot was able to safely land the helicopter and crew members made contact with the group of hikers. According to one of the individuals, he was changing the batteries in the spot locater and accidentally activated the level 2 emergency signal. None of the party members required transport and the DPS helicopter returned to Flagstaff.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Arizona Department of Public Safety for the availability of air rescue helicopters and crews. This vital service is extensively utilized by the Sheriff’s Office throughout Coconino County on search and rescue assignments and a wide variety of other law enforcement related missions.

Lyle Rapacki authors Our Forefathers truly Appealed to Heaven!

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51WmF3cG2NL._SX312_BO1,204,203,200_Lyle Rapacki has a list of credintials after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Northern Arizona University and his Doctorate from Clayton College of Natural Medicine specializing in the treatment of psychological disorders with natural medicine.

Most of his career was centered around law enforcement and he now runs the Sentinel Intelligence Service.

He also writes on intelligence and religious topics at Western Journalism and on The Olive Branch web sites.

Lyle recently released a new Kindle book on the founding fathers and religion for $5 entitled Our Forefathers truly Appealed to Heaven!

Lyle apparently received a strong review via email from Annette Meisner which read:

This little booklet is packed with insightful truths of the faith of our forefathers, leaders and patriots. Rapacki explains how we are now witnessing the removal of God’s blessings from the USA as President Washington and Benjamin Franklin both warned would happen if we turn our backs on Him disobeying His commands and precepts. Quick 30 minute read.

The book is available only for Amazon Kindle through Kindle devices or you can read it by downloading their Kindle reading app. I did not realize that before I purchased the book. Since I refuse to download their app and do not have a Kindle, I cannot review the content.

Having received numerous news tips from Lyle over the past year and reading many of his articles, I suspect this is probably a good read.

Final striping today on SR 89 at Road 4 North in Chino Valley

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CHINO VALLEY — Work at the State Route 89 and Road 4 North roundabout in Chino Valley is almost complete and crews are striping the new intersection today, Sept. 28 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Minimal impacts are expected during work hours. For the remainder of the week, drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions approaching the roundabout for final miscellaneous work.

Drivers are encouraged to be alert for construction equipment and personnel through the work zone.

This $2.1 million project began in February and included a new roundabout at the intersection of SR 89 and Road 4 North near milepost 331, the removal and replacement of existing pavement, drainage improvements, new pavement markings and lighting.

Missing Person Ethan Depler Found Deceased

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Coconino County Sheriff Photo

Coconino County Sheriff Photo

FLAGSTAFF — Twenty-one year old Ethan Depler of Chandler Arizona who was the subject of a missing person investigation by the Chandler Police Department and later believed to be somewhere in Northern Arizona was found deceased on Friday 9/25/15.

At approximately 2:30 pm on Friday the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a United States Forest Service employee who had previously received the missing person flyer on Ethan from the Sheriff’s Office. According to the caller he found Ethan’s vehicle as described in the flyer off of Forest Service Road 75 which is located north of Pittman Valley off of Interstate 40.

On duty Deputies from both the Flagstaff and Williams patrol divisions responded to the area and began a ground search. Within a short period of time Deputies located the body of Ethan Depler on a wooded knoll approximately 100 to 150 yards west of where his vehicle was parked.

Ethan’s body was removed to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. Detectives and Medical Examiner’s Death Investigators are considering the possibility that Ethan died as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

OC RAW DOG Voluntarily Recalls Limited Number of Raw Frozen Dog Food Due to Potential Salmonella Health Risk

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Santa Margarita, CALIFORNIA — OC Raw Dog of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is voluntarily recalling 640 lbs. of Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation. This is being done in an abundance of caution, as the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported and no other OC Raw Dog manufactured products are affected.

Individuals handling raw pet food can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or to surfaces exposed to the product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. If a consumer exhibits these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

This voluntary recall is limited to Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulations that were packaged into 6.5 lb. Doggie Dozen Patties, 4 lb. Doggie Sliders, and 3 lb. Meaty Rox with the lot number 1819, and use by date of 05/05/16. These codes can be checked on the bottom left corner of the back of the package. Distribution is limited to customers in Colorado, Vermont, and Pennsylvania and sold to consumers through independent pet specialty retailers.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Colorado Department of Food and Agriculture of a sample that they collected at retailer revealed the presence of Salmonella in a 3 lb. bag of “Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulations” Meaty Rox. Another sample from the same lot was previously tested by the California Department of Agriculture and it had a negative Salmonella result.

If you are in possession of this recalled product please submit a picture of the package with the lot number to Olivia@ocrawdog.com for verification. Either dispose of the product immediately or return the product to the retailer where you purchased it for a replacement product.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-844-215-DOGS (3647) Monday thru Friday 9am – 4pm PST. If you get our automated answering system please leave a message and we will call you right back.

At OC RAW DOG, we are passionate about our products and the safety of canine and human customers is our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience this recall may have caused.
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The Pumpkin Patch Train event begins this weekend.

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WILLIAMS — The Grand Canyon Railway rolls to the secret pumpkin patch starting this weekend and running every weekend through October. The event includes some spooky fun at the terminal on Grand Canyon Boulevard.

The long-range weather forecast currently shows sunny weather for the event on Friday and Saturday with a slight chance of thunderstorms on Sunday. Highs will range from 82 to the upper 70s throughout the week. Highs Saturday and Sunday are expected to be around 78.
There are only eight-days for the Pumpkin Patch Event through October. The dates are the 3, 4 (this weekend), 9, 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18. Departure times are 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets for the Pumpkin Patch train event are $23 for adults and $18 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the Grand Canyon Railway web site.