WILLIAMS — The Williams Vikings held their annual Homecoming parade blocking off portions (all of) historic Route 66 this afternoon. The parade was a prelude to their bonfire tonight in preparation for their ignominious stomping of their rival from Mayer tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Daily Archives: September 24, 2015
Bodies of Missing Persons Ashley Darby and Jeriah Hildwine Located
FLAGSTAFF — The search for missing persons 23 year old Ashley Darby and 35 year old Jeriah Hildwine came to a close on the afternoon of September 23 when they were located deceased approximately 1/3 mile from the parking lot of the Abineau/Bear Jaw Trailhead in a wooded area. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds; both appeared to have been deceased for several days.
Ashley Darby was reported missing by her father on September 3. Jeriah Hildwine was reported missing by his mother on September 8. They were reported to have been seen together at a lawyer’s office in Flagstaff, AZ on September 2. Friends and family were interviewed and attempt to locate information was given to area law enforcement agencies. Ashley and Jeriah as well as their vehicles were entered into the National Crime Information Center database as missing.
On September 19, 2015 Forest Service Fire Prevention Personnel located Ashley Darby’s vehicle in the parking lot of the Abineau/Bear Jaw Trailhead. Investigators found a note inside the vehicle indicating that the two intended to commit suicide. Search and Rescue personnel searched the parking lot and surrounding area that afternoon but were unable to locate either person or any further clues as to their whereabouts. Missing person fliers also were circulated as detectives continued to seek information to help locate them. Family members continued their own search in the Abineau/Bear Jaw area on September 22.
On September 23, Detectives and Search and Rescue teams, including two dog teams, returned to the Abineau/Bear Jaw area to continue search efforts. The bodies of both Ashley Darby and Jeriah Hildwine were located deceased in less than two hours of searching.
Further details are pending additional investigation and Medical Examiner review. Jeriah Hildwine also had been the subject of a recent sexual assault investigation.
Kaibab National Forest releases Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project documents for public review
WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest recently released for public review the final environmental impact statement and draft record of decision for the Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project, which will treat approximately 15,200 acres on and surrounding the mountain near Williams, Ariz., in order to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health and watershed conditions.
The documents, background information, maps and other associated materials are available on the forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=34690. People who previously submitted comments on the project can file objections through Oct. 30.
The draft record of decision selects an alternative that includes the following:
- Commercial and non-commercial treatments on approximately 15,200 acres, with follow-up post-mechanical treatments on activity slash. In response to comments, cable logging is no longer included as a harvesting method option. Further, in response to comments, the inclusion of steep-slope ground-based logging equipment as a harvesting method option allows for a more economically viable project.
- Rehabilitation of areas impacted by treatments, including aspen protection.
- Strategic fuel treatments designed to enhance fire control lines.
- Prescribed fire application to approximately 15,200 acres using a combination of ground-based and aerial firing techniques. This includes maintenance burning over the next 40 years.
- Transportation system improvements, including 15 miles of new and 16 miles of temporary road construction, and obliteration of 23 miles of poorly-located existing roads. In response to comments, new forest system road construction was reduced by approximately 8 miles.
- Improvements to the non-motorized Bixler Trail and construction of a new trailhead parking area.
After the objection period, which goes through Oct. 30, a final record of decision will be issued. Implementation of the project is expected to begin in 2016.
“Treating Bill Williams Mountain is a high priority for me and for the other managers of Kaibab National Forest,” said Williams District Ranger Danelle D. Harrison. “We are anxious to begin this important work that will provide protection to the Williams community and its watershed.”
Williams Ranger District fire managers announce locations scheduled for prescribed burning starting this fall
WILLIAMS — Fire managers for the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are announcing locations where they plan to complete prescribed fire projects starting in October and continuing through much of next year. Up to about 12,500 acres could be treated across the district during that time as long as weather and fuel conditions allow.
Areas that could be treated are as follows:
- McCracken East Prescribed Fire: Three burn units southeast of Williams, approximately 850 acres
- McCracken West Prescribed Fire: Southeast of Williams, approximately 1,700 acres
- Twin South Prescribed Fire: South of Williams, approximately 300 acres
- Dutch Kid Knoll Prescribed Fire: Southwest of Williams, approximately 4,100 acres
- Dutch Kid Hat Tank Prescribed Fire: Southwest of Williams, approximately 100 acres
- Dutch Kid East Loop Prescribed Fire: South of Williams, approximately 1,000 acres
- Newman Hill Prescribed Fire: Northeast of Williams, approximately 900 acres
- Kendrick Prescribed Fire: Eleven burn units northeast of Williams, approximately 3,400 acres
During prescribed fires, community members and visitors may see fire personnel and vehicles in the vicinity. Smoke may also be present and may result in short-duration impacts to populated areas.
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.
Prior to any given prescribed fire, additional information will be released regarding location, timing and anticipated smoke impacts. 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.
Campgrounds scheduled to close for season on Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts
WILLIAMS — Campgrounds on the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest will soon be closing for the winter season.
Williams Ranger District
The last night to camp at Dogtown Lake Campground and White Horse Lake Campground on the Williams Ranger District will be Sept. 30. Campsites may be reserved at www.recreation.gov through Sept. 22. After Sept. 22, all campsites at the two campgrounds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The last night to camp in the group sites and the upper loops of Kaibab Lake Campground will be Sept. 30. The lower loops (loops A and B) will remain open until Oct. 17, with the campsites being available on a first-come, first-served basis. The day-use area and the boat ramp will remain open.
Spring Valley Cabin north of Parks, Ariz., does not close seasonally. It will remain open throughout the winter months and can be reserved at www.recreation.gov.
Tusayan Ranger District
The last night to camp in the group sites at Ten-X Campground on the Tusayan Ranger District will be Sept. 30. The single-family campsites will remain open until Oct. 4. The single-family campsites may be reserved at www.recreation.gov through Sept. 25. After Sept. 25, they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hull Cabin is scheduled to close for the winter season Sept. 30. It will reopen in April 2016 and can be reserved at www.recreation.gov.
ADOT MVD wins award for driver license services expansion
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division won an award at the recent American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators International Conference for its expanded offering of driver license services at Authorized Third Party businesses across the state.
The Motor Vehicle Division received a Customer Convenience Award for giving customers more options to obtain a driver license or identification card by expanding the number of Authorized Third Party businesses that offer those credentials.
“One of MVD’s goals is to give communities across Arizona more access to our services,” said Third Party Program Administrator Juan Beltran. “Earlier this year, we rolled out a phased expansion program, and have added three to four businesses in each phase to expand the number of Third Party businesses that offer driver licenses and identification cards.”
There are currently 19 Authorized Third Party businesses around the state that offer driver license services in addition to title and registration services.
ADOT’s goal is to have 23 Authorized Third Party businesses offering driver license and identification card services around the state by next January.