Monthly Archives: September 2016

SWAT responds to report of an armed and suicidal man

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Flagstaff — Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Northern Arizona Multi-Agency SWAT team have responded to a call involving an armed, suicidal man at a home in the Munds Park area. The incident began about 10 a.m.

At about 11 a.m. the Sheriff’s Office issued a press release that the situation was “resolved safely” with no injuries. The man is in custody and may face aggravated assault and disorderly conduct with weapon charges.

There is no report on the motivation for the incident at this time.

Get Set for the SET

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During the Cascadia Rising earthquake exercise in the Pacific Northwest, Island County Amateur Radio Club members John Acton, K7ACT (seated, in yellow vest), types a Red Cross emergency message via a 2 meter packet link, while Bill Frederick, KF7BMK (standing, with handheld), monitors a VHF simplex voice net at a field triage and treatment facility on Whidbey Island. Red Cross volunteers Kendra O'Bryan (left) and Patty Cheek (right) help coordinate the message traffic flow. [Vince Bond, K7NA, photo]

During the Cascadia Rising earthquake exercise in the Pacific Northwest, Island County Amateur Radio Club members John Acton, K7ACT (seated, in yellow vest), types a Red Cross emergency message via a 2 meter packet link, while Bill Frederick, KF7BMK (standing, with handheld), monitors a VHF simplex voice net at a field triage and treatment facility on Whidbey Island. Red Cross volunteers Kendra O’Bryan (left) and Patty Cheek (right) help coordinate the message traffic flow. [Vince Bond, K7NA, photo]

The primary focal point of the 2016 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is just ahead — Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2. The national emergency exercise is aimed at testing the skills and preparedness of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and other organizations that are called into action in actual emergency situations.

“Every local ARES team and/or ARRL Section will come up with their own scenarios and work with served agencies and partner organizations during the SET,” ARRL Field Organization Team Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X, said, noting that not all SETs will take place on October 1 and 2.

“SETs can be scheduled at the local and Section levels and conducted throughout the fall to help maximize participation,” he said. “But ARRL Field Organization leaders have the option of conducting their SETs on another weekend, if October 1 and 2 is not convenient.”

ARRL Field Organization leaders are among those tasked with developing plans and scenarios for this year’s SET, Ewald explained.

“The SET invites all radio amateurs to become aware of emergency preparedness and available training,” Ewald said. “ARES, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), National Traffic System™, SKYWARN, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), and other allied groups and public service-oriented radio amateurs are encouraged to participate.”

The object of the annual nationwide exercise is to test training and skills and to try out new methods.

“It’s a time to work with partner organizations and served agencies to get to know them better and to determine their needs before an emergency or disaster strikes,” Ewald said. “Knowing who to contact within partner groups and knowing the planned procedures will help everyone to accomplish their goals and succeed in their missions.

Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Chicken Nugget Products

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WASHINGTON — Tyson Foods Inc., a Sedalia, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 132,520 pounds of fully cooked chicken nugget products that may be contaminated with hard plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

This is a Class I Recall which represents a health hazard where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

The fully cooked Panko Chicken Nuggets items were produced on July 18, 2016. The following products are subject to recall:
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  • 5-lb. bag containing “Tyson FULLY COOKED PANKO CHICKEN NUGGETS” with a “Best If Used By” date of July 18, 2017 and case code 2006SDL03 and 2006SDL33.
  • 20-lb. bulk packages containing “SPARE TIME Fully Cooked, Panko Chicken Nuggets, Nugget Shaped Chicken Breast Pattie Fritters With Rib Meat” with a production date of July 18, 2016 and case code 2006SDL03.

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The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 13556” printed adjacent to the “Best If Used By” date on the back of the package. The 20-pound cases were shipped for institutional use in Pennsylvania and the five-pound bags were shipped to retail locations nationally.

The problem was discovered after the firm received consumer complaints regarding foreign material contamination of chicken nugget products. According to Tyson Foods, the plastic material ranged in size from 21mm in length and 6.5mm in diameter and may have come from a round, hard plastic rod used to connect a plastic transfer belt. The firm said the products pass through a metal detector, but the plastic is not detectable to this technology.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Stoppages on Interstate 40 near Williams Today through Thursday

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WILLIAMS — Intermittent closures will be required on Interstate 40 near Williams (milepost 168) to accommodate overhead utility work Tuesday through Thursday (Sept. 27-29) from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. daily. Two temporary closures per hour are needed as crews work in the area and will impact both east- and westbound travel during operations.

Drivers should allow extra time for travel, drive through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction equipment and personnel.

Governor’s Regulatory Review Council Allows Obsolete Rules to Expire

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Effective September 15, 2016, the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council allowed six Waste Program rules and one Air Quality rule ADEQ identified as obsolete to expire per ARS § 41-1056(J). The list of expired rules follows:

  • R18-2-306.02 (Establishment of an Emissions Cap)
  • R18-8-201 (Hazardous Waste Fees for Fiscal Year 2011)
  • R18-12-802 (Transition)
  • R18-13-902 (Regional Boundaries)
  • R18-13-2701 (Special Waste Management Fees for Fiscal Year 2011)
  • R18-13-2702 (Increased Landfill Registration Fees for Fiscal Year 2011)
  • R18-13-2703 (Solid Waste Facility Plan Review Fees for Fiscal Year 2011)

A notice about the expiration of these rules will appear in the Arizona Administrative Register.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Mark Lewandowski
Waste Programs Division
P: 602-771-2230

Contributions of hunters, anglers benefit everyone

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conservaationPHOENIX — Even if you don’t actively participate in the time-honored traditions of hunting or angling, National Hunting and Fishing Day is a day of celebration for everyone.

Whatever your interest in wildlife, hunters and anglers—the original conservationists—have made countless contributions over the decades to the conservation of fish and wildlife through sound, science-based management.

Governor Doug Ducey recently signed a proclamation (PDF) celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, as well as recognizing the role that the state’s hunting and angling community plays as an economic driver.

It’s important to understand how those outdoor pursuits benefit wildlife. Since 1939, hunters and anglers have generated more than $15 billion toward wildlife restoration through an excise tax imposed on the sale of hunting, angling and shooting-sports equipment.

Those funds are administered by the federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program, one of the most significant programs benefiting wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation. WSFR funds, along with the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, provide a substantial portion of wildlife conservation funding for activities such as fish and wildlife population management, habitat management, research, surveys, land acquisition, hunter education, shooting and archery ranges, boating access, and more.

Who benefits? The general public gets better stewardship of natural resources. Hunters and anglers get more and better places to hunt and fish. State and federal agencies receive more funds to meet their conservation needs.

More than 786,000 Arizona hunters and anglers certainly are doing their part to keep the state in the black, spending more than $1.2 billion annually and supporting 18,220 jobs, according to the latest report (2011) by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. As a result, $132 million in state and local taxes, and another $155 million in federal taxes, are collected annually.

“I want to thank Governor Ducey for this proclamation that recognizes hunters and anglers as the cornerstone of conservation in Arizona,” said Edward “Pat” Madden, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “They are being recognized for job creation, financial impact, conservation efforts and wildlife enhancement.

“On their day, the citizens of Arizona should take a moment and thank a hunter or angler for their contributions to our state.”

As part of National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be hosting a free public fishing event as part of “Verde River Days” at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. For more information, including a listing of additional free public fishing events statewide in October, visit https://fishazblog.com/free-public-events/.

Free fishing clinic October 1 at Kinnikinick Lake

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fishing-clinicFLAGSTAFF — Want to learn about fall fishing in northern Arizona? Join the Arizona Game and Fish Department on Saturday, October 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kinnikinick Lake for a free fishing clinic. The event is for beginners and seasoned anglers alike.

Approximately 50,000 rainbow trout and 10,000 brown trout have been stocked into Kinnikinick during the past two months. Game and Fish staff, along with members from the Northern Arizona Fly Casters and Trout Unlimited Flagstaff Chapter, will be on hand to assist all participants.

Those attending will learn fishing basics, types of equipment to buy on a budget, casting and catching, and what species of fish are in the lake. Participants might also get the opportunity to try fly-fishing. Loaner fishing poles and tackle will be available, and fishing licenses will not be required for those participating.

The weekend also marks the opening of fall small game hunting season. So squirrel, rabbit, dove and quail hunting tips and tricks will be shared by the Game and Fish experts. Come on out and learn about great spots for small game hunting — and maybe even pick up a recipe or two.

Participants should bring food and dress appropriately for fall weather.

To get to Kinnikinick Lake, drive 30 miles south out of Flagstaff on Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road) and turn east on Forest Rd. 125, then go 4 miles to Forest Rd. 82. Turn southeast and head 5.5 miles to the lake.

Investigators seek tips to catch cow elk, calf poacher near Happy Jack

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operation_game_thief_footerFLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating the poaching of a cow elk and her calf sometime between Sept. 7 and 9 in Game Management Unit 5A near Happy Jack.

Game and Fish officers received information that the cow elk and calf had been shot from Highway 87 near Happy Jack, which is about 40 miles south of Flagstaff. The poaching was reported in an effort to help the department catch the suspected poacher(s).

“We hope the public will again come forward to help us bring this poacher to justice,” said Game and Fish Wildlife Manager Garrett Fabian. “Poaching isn’t hunting. It’s a crime against all Arizonans, and our sportsmen and women have shown a long, committed history of helping the department combat poaching.”

Anyone with information about the case can call the Department’s Operation Game Thief Hotline toll-free at (800) 352-0700 or use the online form at www.azgfd.gov/thief. Callers should reference case number 16-003184.

Callers may remain confidential upon request. A reward of up to $1,500 is being offered in this case for information leading to the arrest of the violator(s). To learn more about Operation Game Thief, visit www.azgfd.gov/thief.

Lane separator posts being added along westbound US 60 HOV lane

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delineatorpostsadotsept2016a2_cropPHOENIX — To deter unsafe lane changes that can result in crashes, Arizona Department of Transportation crews installed a series of lane separator posts by this weekend along the westbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway) HOV lane between Kyrene Road and Interstate 10 in Tempe.

The white polyurethane posts, also known as lane delineators, are being installed to discourage westbound US 60 drivers using the HOV lane from making sudden lane changes as they approach the I-10 interchange.

Sudden lane changes from the westbound HOV lane have contributed to crashes along this section of US 60 in recent years. While most have been minor, non-injury crashes, some have been serious. The crashes can cause significant delays for drivers on the westbound Superstition Freeway.

Share your priorities for ADOT’s Long-Range Transportation Plan

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capture_cropPHOENIX — Planning Arizona’s transportation future requires setting priorities and making sometimes-difficult choices given limited resources.

As the Arizona Department of Transportation updates its Long-Range Transportation Plan, a blueprint looking from now through 2040, an interactive online survey allows you to help shape this vision by walking through scenarios similar to those facing planners and policymakers.

The survey, developed by ADOT and MetroQuest, is available until November 11 at whatmovesyouarizona.metroquest.com. It gives you the opportunity to rank six transportation priorities: preservation, expansion, safety, technology, accessibility, and maintenance and operations. You’ll get a budget and determine how much of it you’d allocate for each priority. Then you’ll decide tradeoff scenarios that further define your priorities.

It takes just a few minutes and can be completed on a personal computer, smartphone or tablet. A Spanish-language version of the survey is also available via the link.

ADOT’s Long-Range Transportation Plan is updated every five years. While it isn’t project-specific, it identifies investment priorities based on current and projected transportation funding over the next 25 years.

It’s up to the public, policymakers and communities to tell ADOT what’s important to them throughout the long-range planning process and to prioritize projects and funding.

Visit azdot.gov/WhatMovesYouArizona for more information on ADOT’s Long-Range Transportation Plan and to leave a comment. The website also lists study milestones, including a full summary of 12 workshops held earlier this year around the state.

The final version of the plan is expected to be complete in early 2017.