Daily Archives: July 14, 2016

Skeletal Remains located North of Jacob Lake Connected to 2013 Glendale Homicide Investigation

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FREDONIA — The skeletal remains found by a rancher between Fredonia and Jacob Lake has been connected to a homicide in Glendale. On July 1 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office advising a rancher had located human skeletal remains between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, AZ. The rancher was working his cattle range area just south of State Highway 89A and located the remains, clothing, boots and a daypack under a tree.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area where the rancher led them to the remains. Remnants of weathered clothing and boot were still present, as was a daypack. A handgun was found under the remains. The remains appeared to have been there for some time, if not several years.

Sheriff’s Office deputies, detectives had respond to a wooded area north of Jacob Lake on April 30, 2013 on a report from Forest Service employees of a suspicious vehicle apparently abandon in the forest off Highway 89A. It was determined the abandon truck was stolen and wanted in connection with a current homicide investigation that occurred in Glendale, AZ. The suspect in the homicide and stolen vehicle was listed as wanted and his whereabouts unknown.

Glendale Police detectives responded to the area as well as Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit and conducted a search of the area. At the time, no further evidence was located and the suspect’s whereabouts were still unknown.

A search of the daypack found with the remains located a work shirt that bore a company name that was connected to the homicide. It is believed the remains may be that of the homicide suspect. The investigation has been turned over to Glendale detectives.

2016 edition of “Hunt Arizona” now available online

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hunt-azPHOENIX — The 2016 edition of “Hunt Arizona,” the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s yearly compilation of big and small game hunting statistics, is now available online at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/surveydata.

The free, downloadable, PDF publication includes draw, survey and harvest statistics for a five-year period, as well as information on distribution, life history and behavior of big game, small game and other wildlife.

The 205-page publication is easy to use and includes the latest data on units/hunts with the highest hunter success rates, hunts with the best draw odds, and historical survey and hunt information that can be used to compare trends, by unit, for the major game species.

“Hunt Arizona” is a must for both novice and experienced hunters when making informed decisions regarding hunt selections.

Edward “Pat” Madden assumes role of Game and Fish Commission chairman

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edward-maddenPHOENIX — Edward “Pat” Madden of Flagstaff became the Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s newest chair on July 1. He will lead the five-member commission for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Madden replaces Kurt R. Davis, who will continue to serve on the commission until his successor is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Each commissioner serves a five-year term that is staggered and customarily serves as chairman during their final year.

Madden, who joined the commission in 2013, has an extensive law enforcement background. He spent more than three decades working for the Flagstaff Police Department – beginning his career in 1966 as a patrolman and retiring as chief of police in 1999 – and also worked for the Arizona Department of Gaming before fully retiring in 2015.

Chairman Madden has been an active member of the Flagstaff community and has served on multiple boards and committees, including: Flagstaff Big Brothers; Flagstaff Route 66 Rotary Club; Northern Arizona Fallen Officers Memorial Committee; Flagstaff Leadership; and Citizens Against Substance Abuse. He has received numerous awards and commendations for his work and community service, including the Officer of the Year award from the Flagstaff Police Department, Outstanding Service Award from Big Brothers Flagstaff, and the Paul Harris Foundation Award from Rotary International.

“I look forward to my chairmanship and a continued productive working relationship between the commission, department and public to ensure that Arizona’s wildlife is protected, preserved, enhanced and managed,” said Madden.

He received his Master of Science degree in criminal justice and his Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern Traffic Institute in Evanston, Ill., and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

The commission oversees the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The commission establishes rules and regulations for the managing and conserving of wildlife and fisheries resources, and for safe and regulated watercraft and off-highway vehicle (OHV) operations for the benefit of Arizona residents.

AZGFD among agencies conducting OUI checkpoint on Colorado River

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KINGMAN — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will participate in a multi-agency enforcement patrol this weekend on the Colorado River, pursuing those who are operating their boats and other watercraft while under the influence (OUI) of drugs or alcohol.

AZGFD, together with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be on the lookout for boat and watercraft operators violating the law and who are found to be above Arizona’s OUI legal limit of a .08 blood-alcohol content.

Throughout the weekend, boaters may be required to pass through a checkpoint and be subject to a systematic safety inspection. Operators will be checked for any sign of impairment from alcohol or drugs, and to ensure the required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and working fire extinguishers, are aboard.

“Our main goal is to ensure people are enjoying our waterways safely and responsibly, and to help avert the next needless accident on the water,” said Velma Holt, west sector supervisor for the department’s regional office in Kingman. “The responsibility for boating safety among watercraft users is critically important.

“Because we share the river with California and Nevada, the area is a major draw for people traveling from across the Southwest. This time of year, our waterways are very congested, which lends itself to the potential for additional hazards.”

Boaters and watercraft users should review all regulations prior to launching. That includes having a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person on board and making sure that anyone 12 and under is wearing one. Boats also must be equipped with a fire extinguisher and a Type IV throwable personal flotation device (PFD).

Additional multi-agency OUI checkpoints will occur on the Colorado River and its reservoirs throughout the boating season.

Pikachu agrees, Pokémon Go is a no-go when driving

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pokemon4525bf78c8006c57b531ff0000a35efcPHOENIX — Have you captured Pikachu? Nabbed Rattata or the elusive Charizard? Leveled-up and trained your monsters at a Gym?

Of course, we’re talking about Pokémon Go, the week-old smartphone app soaring in popularity. The video game phenomenon is sending Pokémon Trainers to landmarks and into parks, neighborhoods and cities, hunting for rare monsters.

The lure of the chase can be strong and the Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona Department of Public Safety want to remind Pokémon Trainers that driving and searching for exotic monsters or checking in at Poké Stops don’t mix.

“Distracted driving takes many forms, even looking for Pokémon,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Although we hope you catch ’em all, if you’re not focused on driving with your eyes on the road, you’re at a higher risk of injuring or killing yourself and others in a crash. No Pokémon is worth that.”

To urge Pokémon Go fans to hunt safely, the following message will be displayed statewide on overhead highway signs this week:

POKEMON GO
IS A NO-GO
WHEN DRIVING
“Distracted driving is not a game,” said DPS Capt. Damon Cecil. “Playing Pokémon Go is not worth your life or someone else’s.”

So, please, #DontCatchAndDrive. And when traveling on foot don’t play the game near the road, either. Do you really want the eggs you’re incubating to get smashed in a crash?

On all Arizona roadways in 2015, distracted driving contributed to at least 33 fatal crashes and nearly 8,000 distracted drivers were involved in crashes on Arizona roadways, according to data collected by ADOT.

Northbound Interstate 17 construction between Kachina Village and Interstate 40 Junction

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FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) crews will be applying Recessed Pavement Markers and other pavement markings on the recently re-surfaced six mile stretch of northbound Interstate 17, from the Kachina Bvd/Mountainaire road exit (milepost 333) to the Lake Mary road exit south of the I-40 Junction (milepost 339). Work will occur on Thursday (July 14) and Friday (July 15) during daylight hours.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zone. Delays can be expected during construction; please allow for extra time for travel in the area. ADOT advises travelers to observe reduced speeds in the area, and to watch for crews and equipment in the work zone.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned roadway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.