Monthly Archives: November 2016

Interstate 40 paving work by Interstate 17 interchange on Monday, Nov. 14

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FLAGSTAFF — Motorists traveling eastbound along Interstate 40 just outside of Flagstaff should allow for extra time for travel on Monday, Nov. 14 as crews perform spot-repairs to the roadway near the Interstate 17 junction (milepost 194-197).

Work will begin early in the morning and continue during daylight hours. The speed limit will be reduced through the construction zone.

Drivers should allow extra time for travel, use caution in the work zone and watch for equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but it’s possible that unscheduled closures or restrictions might occur because of weather or other factors. For the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511 except while driving.

Producers of Christmas Pageant seeks equipment.

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300-pageant16-10-18-13WILLIAMS — Producers of the Williams Christmas Nativity Pageant are seeking help from the community for the December 23 show.

The show is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. December 23 which is expected to be cold at the outside venue. Cosette Riggs is asking if anyone has outdoor patio heaters that they can contribute for the event. According to Facebook posts, the pageant seems to be coming together, but other contributions would be appreciated. The pageant could use safety observers, cocoa, cookies and other baked goods, ushers and so-forth.

If you have a patio heater with a full tank of fuel that they can borrow or can contribute in other ways, you can contact the organizers of the pageant at 602-818-6559 or by email jdmoede@aol.com.

Naval Academy Students Planning CubeSat with HF Uplink

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usna-logo1ARRL News — Students at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, are planning an Amateur Radio CubeSat — dubbed HFSAT — that would carry an HF transponder as a primary payload as well as 2-meter APRS as a secondary mission when power is available. The 1.5 U CubeSat will have a linear uplink at 21.4 MHz and a downlink at 29.42 MHz.

“HFSAT is a small 1.5 U CubeSat that will demonstrate the viability of HF satellite communications as a back-up communication system using existing ubiquitous HF radios that are often a part of every amateur station,” said USNA Instructor Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, who developed APRS. Bruninga said HFSAT would be similar to the 1990s-era RS-12/13 Russian Amateur Radio satellite.

Bob Bruninga WB4APR

Bob Bruninga WB4APR

“HFSAT will continue the long tradition of small amateur satellites designed by students and hams at the US Naval Academy,” Bruninga told ARRL. The uplink will be at 21.4 MHz and downlink at 29.42 MHz, similar to [earlier] Mode K HF satellites. No launch has yet been identified.” Bruninga said HFSAT would be gravity gradient-stabilized by its full-sized, 10-meter, thin-wire, half-wave dipole.

Other unique features of HFSAT include its APRS telemetry command-and-control capability. “For VHF the students have modified a popular Byonics.com MTT4B all-in-one APRS Tiny-Track4 module for telemetry, command, and control to fit on a single 3.4-inch square card inside the CubeSat, that they will use for this and for future CubeSats,” Bruninga said. The students are working with Bill Ress, N6GHZ, on the HF transponder card, which will provide a bandwidth of 30 kHz, employing an inverting transponder to minimize Doppler. Todd Bruner, WB1HAI, will be the HFSAT control operator.

Bruninga said the HF transponder is a follow-on from the USNA’s existing PSAT 10-meter PSK31 transponder, still operational. HFSAT‘s telemetry downlink will be captured via stations in the worldwide ground-station network. The packet link is a secondary mission compared to the HF transponder on this spacecraft.

Once HFSAT is in space, Bruninga recommended using a vertical HF antenna, because it would match well with the antenna patterns and geometry of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. “When low on the horizon, both the satellite and the user antennas are in their main lobes, providing maximum gain at the distant horizons,” Bruninga said. “At the higher elevations, the satellite is 6 dB to 10 dB closer, significantly making up for the reduced antenna pattern geometry.”

He said hams would be able to use “simple, manual” pass-prediction tools, much as they used the old Oscar Locator in the early years of Amateur Radio satellites.

ADEQ Awards $22,530 in Brownfields Grants to Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council, Kingman

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today two Brownfields Grant awards totaling $22,530 to the Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council (JAVC) (http://www.javc.org/) to support redevelopment of the long-vacant, deteriorating Arnold Plaza located at 301-315 E. Oak Street in downtown Kingman. JAVC’s reuse plan for Arnold Plaza, called ‘Operation 6’, will establish and provide transitional housing, treatment, training and reintegration for homeless and at-risk military veterans and their families.

Grant funds will be used to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and asbestos and lead-based paint survey. The ESA and survey will address both the underlying land and physical improvements to the property by identifying potential or existing environmental contamination and the presence, type and amount of building materials that contain asbestos and lead-based paint, which require cleanup or abatement to protect public health and the environment.

Arizona highways honor veterans all year long

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img_2463As you prepare to mark Veterans Day and then the Dec. 7 anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, look to signs along our highways for tributes to our veterans.

ADOT’s employees join all Americans in their deep gratitude to veterans and their families, and we hope you’ll be inspired by highway designations including these:

Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway (I-10)
Interstate 10 is referred to outside of the Valley as the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. A group of veterans requested the designation from the Arizona State Legislature in 1995.

The highway designation was formalized by House Joint Resolution 2003, and the first signs bearing the name went up later that year.

Buffalo Soldier Trail (SR 90)
State Route 90 from I-10 to Fort Huachuca is known as Buffalo Soldier Trail, a designation created in 1994 by House Joint Resolution 2001.

Lawmakers wanted to honor the black soldiers who traveled the route on horseback long before it was paved.

Buffalo Soldiers, officially known as the U.S. Army’s 10th Cavalry Regiment, fought in the so-called Indian Wars of the 19th century. In 1983, Bob Marley immortalized them in the song “Buffalo Soldier.”

Veterans Memorial Highway (I-15)
State lawmakers designated Interstate 15, which runs through the northwest corner of Arizona, as Veterans Memorial Highway in 1995.

Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Montana and California have also designated the interstate as Veterans Memorial Highway. As such, the highway spans about 1,430 miles from San Diego to Montana’s border with Canada.

Arizona Veterans Highway (I-17)
Arizona Veterans Highway is the name given to the 140 miles of Interstate 17 between Flagstaff and the Valley, thanks to a 2004 resolution by state lawmakers.

A 5-foot stone monument honoring veterans and the highway’s designation stands at the McGuireville Rest Area. It’s engraved with messages including, “Freedom isn’t free.”

Purple Heart Trail (I-40)
In 2003, lawmakers endorsed dedicating Interstate 40 as the Purple Heart Trail.

According to House Joint Resolution 2001, the Military Order of the Purple Heart provided funds for signage and wanted the designation “to promote patriotism, history and education among the people of this state.”

“The State of Arizona and the other states in the union, by likewise designating portions of their highways, can establish the Purple Heart Trail as a nationwide tribute to the millions of purple heart recipients who have courageously and selflessly defended this nation in times of war,” the resolution reads.

Bushmaster Memorial Highway (SR 64)
SR 64 stretching north from Williams to the Grand Canyon and then east to Cameron is known as the Bushmaster Memorial Highway in honor of the Arizona National Guard 158th Infantry Unit that fought in World War II.

It got the name in 1995, joining Veterans Memorial Highway (I-15) and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway (I-10).

The Bushmasters unit “distinguished itself in three separate sectors on Luzon (Philippines) after a long and sanguinary march through New Guinea and its neighboring jungle islands,” according to resolution.

Blue Star Memorial Highway (I-8, I-19, US 89, SR 80)
The National Council of State Garden Clubs began erecting placards honoring veterans on highways across the nation in 1945.

Arizona has four of them.

“The Blue Star became an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war, and in churches and businesses,” according to the National Garden Clubs website.

There are placards on I-19 three miles north of Nogales, US 89 near the Utah state line, US 89 at Hell Canyon Bridge and US 80 near the I-10 junction.

Piestewa Freeway (SR 51)
Perhaps the best-known freeway honoring an Arizonan who served in the armed services is the Piestewa Freeway (State Route 51) in Phoenix, which is named for Army Specialist Lori Piestewa, who was killed in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The freeway runs past Piestewa Peak, also named in her honor.

Piestewa, a member of the Hopi Tribe, was the first female Native American member of the U.S. armed services to die in combat.

About sandhill cranes

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sandhillcrane2Worldwide there are 15 species of cranes scattered across the globe. Most of these are found in Africa, Europe and Asia, and many are either threatened or endangered due to a variety of reasons with habitat loss being chief among them.

Two species of cranes are found in North America, the endangered whooping crane and sandhill cranes, which is the most abundant crane species on the planet.

Cranes of all species sport long necks, beaks and legs with short tails that are not visible when the wings are closed. Sandhill cranes are predominantly grey with fleshy red caps on their heads. The largest subspecies can stand nearly 4-feet tall and sandhill cranes are long-lived and mate for life.

They are wary birds that shy away from areas of dense vegetation that may conceal predators. Cranes prefer to feed and roost in open areas where potential danger can be seen from a distance. Wintering sandhill cranes often feed on agricultural grain crops but may also frequent open desert and fallow fields.

The sandhill crane live stream is supported by the Wildlife Conservation Fund, which comes from tribal gaming and the Wildlife Viewing Program. You can find out more about wildlife viewing and upcoming public wildlife viewing activities at www.azgfd.com/Wildlife/Viewing.

Arizona Game and Fish’s sandhill crane cam now streaming

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crane-camSandhill cranes have returned to southeastern Arizona and the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s live-streaming camera is again trained on their wintering grounds at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area.

“Now is the perfect time to watch these magnificent birds as they winter in Arizona,” said Randy Babb, watchable wildlife program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “This live-steaming camera allows the public to have an unfiltered view of our state’s wildlife. It also allows the department to connect the public with wildlife.”

The live stream is one of two in the country that offers viewers a glimpse into crane wintering habits. Each year, sandhill cranes coming as far away as Siberia travel thousands of miles to winter in southern Arizona.

Streaming sandhill cranes
The best time to view the birds is a half-hour before and up to a half-hour after sunrise, just before they leave the roost to feed for the morning. Cranes also return to Whitewater Draw sometime in the late morning, generally before noon and remain at the wildlife area for the remainder of the day.

While the department will do its best to keep the camera focused on the cranes and other interesting wildlife subjects, there will be times it isn’t possible due to the unpredictability of wildlife. Viewers that don’t see activity when they try the camera are encouraged to routinely check back. This is especially true in the early winter, when the newly arrived birds are establishing a routine.

The live stream is offered from early November when cranes first start to arrive at Whitewater Draw, through March or early April when the birds leave to migrate to northern nesting grounds.

For those that find the live stream viewing fascinating, the department encourages a trip to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area for a full sensory viewing experience. The sight of up to 10,000 birds is impressive.

2016 Wildlife Photo Contest winners announced

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photo-contestPHOENIX — “I was watching this coyote flipping mice, early one morning at Gilbert Water Ranch,” says Bryan Keil of Scottsdale, describing the instant he took the winning shot in this year’s wildlife photo contest. Keil didn’t just stumble across the scene: The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch has a devoted following among wildlife photographers, and many people knew coyotes were hunting there. Keil was there, putting in the hours required to capture a special shot.

To this opportunity, he brought the tools of his trade: a good eye, time, concentration … and a long lens. He took quite a few photos as the coyote hunted, but didn’t check his camera until after it left. He knew right away: “I was excited about this one.” Keil, who also earned four honorable mentions in this year’s contest for his masterful bird images, studies wildlife behavior to improve his photography. “That way, you’re ready when the moment comes.”

More than 180 photographers entered this wildlife photo competition, which is co-sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Arizona Highways. Thirteen winning images are published in a full-size 2017 wildlife calendar in the November–December 2016 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine, on sale now. Arizona Highways magazine will publish the best-in-show photo in 2017.

In addition to Keil, the other 12 winning photographers are:

Craig Miller, Payson: bald eagle
Kathleen LaRose, Tucson: bobcat
Archie Tucker, Goodyear: bison
Yasmina Parker, Mesa: least bittern
Guy Schmickle, Sedona: black-chinned hummingbird
Tim Van Den Berg, Tucson: northern rough-winged swallow
Jole Guthery, Flagstaff: golden-mantled ground squirrel
Thomas Hansen, Phoenix: Western diamond-backed rattlesnake
Peggy Kniffin, Chandler: snowy egret
Kenneth Wayne Don, Tucson: pallid bat
Bruce Sitko, Lakeside: Gould’s turkey
Tam Ryan, Mesa: pyrrhuloxia

Given the strength and diversity of this year’s 1,900-plus entries, the judges singled out 38 more images from 27 talented photographers for honorable mention. These are also featured in Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. The names of honorable mention photographers are posted on the photo contest’s Web page, www.azgfd.gov/photocontest. News about next year’s contest will also be posted there when it becomes available.

Arizona Game and Fish welcomes new subscribers to Arizona’s award-winning magazine about wildlife and outdoor recreation. The regular price is $8.50 for six issues (one year), but through Dec. 31, subscriptions are on sale at $7 for seven issues. They can be purchased at www.azgfd.gov/magazine.

Those who subscribe by Dec. 31 will be sure to receive the calendar issue showing this year’s winners and honorable mentions. The calendar issue is also sold at all Game and Fish offices for $3 starting in mid-November.

2016 Unofficial Coconino County results

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FLAGSTAFF — With all precincts reported as of about 10:30 p.m. last night, it appears that there were a few upsets in Coconino County.

It is not surprising that Coconino went for the Clinton-Kaine and Ann Kirkpatrick tickets, but it was not enough to carry a victory in Arizona. Democrat Tom O’Halleran won the Congressional District 1 seat vacated by Ann Kirkpatrick with a margin of 60.07% to Paul Babeu’s 33.19%.

Nikki Check Bagley unseated Republican Sylvia Tenney Allen 59.68% to 40.15%. It appears that Democrat Alex Martinez will take the representative seat for District 6 from Brenda Barton. Martinez took 41.09% of the vote, Bob Thorpe took 30.18% and Brenda Barton finished with 28.26%.

Democrats won across the Board of Supervisors with only one apparent Republican win in District 4. Jim Parks beat Janis Crossman with a slim margin of 50.10% to 49.75%. Matt Ryan defeated Republican challenger Christine Gannon by about a 5% margin. Democrat Jim Driscoll won the race for Sheriff of Coconino county beating Independent challenger Danny Thomas 67.58% to 32.13% of the vote.

In Flagstaff, Coral J. Evans beat Republican Jerry Nabours by about 14% of the vote. The results for Flagstaff council member candidates in order of number of votes were Jamie Whelan, Jim McCarthy, Charlie Odegaard, Adam Shimoni, Karla Brewster and Jeff Orvits.

In Williams, George Otero was defeated in a runoff for a council seat by Dawn Trapp 51.29% to 46.77%. In the Town of Tusayan, the council member race in order of votes was Al Montoya, Rebecca Wirth, Robert Gossard with Anavon Harris and David Chavez in a tie with 14.78%.

Proposition 205 to make marijuana legal passed in Coconino county, but was defeated State-wide. 206 passed in both County and State. Propositions 408 through 414 passed with the exception of 410 to raise taxes for Coconino Community College.

Forest Service Hiring for 2017 Temporary Positions

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ALBUQUERQUE NM — The Forest Service is gearing up for another round of temporary hiring. From November 08 – November 14, 2016, the agency will be accepting applications for over 1,000 temporary spring and summer jobs in New Mexico and Arizona. Positions are available in multiple fields, including fire, recreation, natural resources, timber, engineering, visitor services, and archaeology.

Applications must be submitted on www.USAJOBS.gov from November 08 – November 14, 2016. Interested applicants are encouraged to create a profile on USAJOBS in advance to save time once the hiring process begins.

Forest Service representatives will notify selected applicants by email or phone. Applicants not selected will be notified by e-mail. More information about temporary employment in the Forest Service’s Southwestern Region can be found at: R3 Jobs Outreach.

The Southwestern Region consists of 11 National Forests in Arizona and New Mexico; and national grasslands in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Working in the Southwestern Region is very rewarding and requires talented people working safely as part of a team in a variety of specialized positions; including Archeology, Range, Timber, Recreation, Engineering, Wildlife, Administration and Fire and Aviation Management. To learn more about the U.S. Forest Service in the Southwestern Region National Forests, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r3/home.

The Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.