Monthly Archives: March 2017

Expect road work for the next four weeks on Interstate 17 between New River and Sunset Point

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Crews have completed the initial paving on Interstate 17 between New River and Sunset Point as part of a $10.8 million pavement project that began last summer. However, crews will be on site over the next four weeks as they work on sign and guardrail installations, delineators and other miscellaneous work.

Work is scheduled to occur Sunday through Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Drivers should anticipate north and southbound lane restrictions during work hours.

The project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2017.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Overnight work on State Route 260 continues next week; crews will reduce roadway to one lane overnight

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Overnight work will continue on SR 260 in Camp Verde near Interstate 17 as crews haul excess materials. SR 260 will be narrowed to one lane from Sunday, April 2 through Thursday, April 7 between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Drivers will need to allow additional travel time as they will be guided through the work zone by flagging crews.

The $62 million safety improvement project in Yavapai County will upgrade a nine-mile segment of SR 260 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane, modern divided highway east of Cottonwood between Thousand Trails Road and the Interstate 17 junction in Camp Verde. The work is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Mexican wolf captured in Chiricahua area of Arizona

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PHOENIX — A female Mexican wolf originating from an ongoing reintroduction effort in Mexico was captured March 26 on private ranch land in southeastern Arizona by the Interagency Field Team (IFT) and relocated to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility in New Mexico, where it is in good health. Management agencies in the United States and Mexico will determine the most appropriate long-term management action for this wolf.

The wolf was first sighted in the United States on March 19 by an Arizona Game and Fish Department wildlife manager and again on March 22 by ranch employees. In the latter instance, the wolf exhibited minor problem behavior by not retreating after the reporting party tried to haze it out of the area. The wolf is believed to have been traveling alone, as there have been no other wolf sightings in the area.

The wolf was initially described as wearing a GPS radio collar, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department conducted an aerial telemetry flight on March 22 to detect any signal emanating from the collar; however, no signal was detected, and the collar was later found to be non-functional.

The wolf (f1530) was born in 2016 at a captive wolf breeding facility in Cananea, Mexico, and released in October 2016 in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, approximately 90 miles from the international border. The last collar radio transmission was Feb. 14, 2017, from 21 miles south of the international border with New Mexico.

Some area ranchers reported possible livestock depredations in the area. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Wildlife Services investigated eight livestock carcasses between March 22 and 27, to determine the cause of deaths. The results of the investigation confirmed that one was killed by a wolf, four died of natural causes, two died of unknown causes, and one was unable to be investigated because of its deteriorated condition.

Ranchers who experience confirmed wolf depredations can apply for compensation through the Arizona Livestock Loss Board. Additionally, area ranchers can receive funding to implement actions to minimize wolf-livestock interaction through Defenders of Wildlife and the Mexican Wolf Fund.

“We were decisive in our management actions because this wolf was young, alone, genetically important, and not affiliated with another pack,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwest Regional Director Benjamin Tuggle. “Future management actions may differ based on the circumstances of each scenario.”

The area where this wolf was captured is within the federal Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) in the United States. This designation was revised in 2015 and provides flexibility for managing Mexican wolves as part of an experimental population. Prior to 2015, the MWEPA extended from Interstate 40 south to Interstate 10 in Arizona and New Mexico. The 2015 revision extended the southern boundary to the United States/Mexico border to provide more management flexibility in this area.

The Fish and Wildlife Service, along with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Mexican government, and the states of New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, are reviewing biological information for the development of a revised Mexican wolf recovery plan. That review focuses on recovery south of Interstate 40 and into Mexico with the expectation that populations in the two countries will be connected.

Mexico has been a partner in the recovery of the Mexican wolf since the two countries established a binational captive breeding program in the 1970s to halt the extinction of the Mexican wolf. The Mexican government began re-establishing Mexican wolves back into the wild in 2011, following their elimination from the wild in Mexico in the 1980s.

The Mexican wolf recovery program is a partnership between the Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, White Mountain Apache Tribe, USDA Forest Service, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Wildlife Services, and several participating counties. The Interagency Field Team (IFT) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Mexican wolf population and includes field personnel from several of the partner agencies.

For more information on the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program, visit
www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf or www.azgfd.gov/wolf.

Popular live-streaming peregrine camera goes dark

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s popular live-streaming peregrine camera in downtown Phoenix will unfortunately remain dark this season, after the nesting pair failed to return to the nest this breeding season.

“We have been monitoring the nest for several weeks and neither of the birds have returned, and being that it’s so late in the breeding season, it is very unlikely they will this year,” said Randy Babb, AZGFD Watchable Wildlife program manager. “This is unfortunate, given how the streaming camera resonated with the public, who were given a window into Arizona’s wildlife. Through that window, thousands of people worldwide learned about and began to have an appreciation for downtown Phoenix’s peregrine falcons.”

Last year AZGFD installed a high-definition camera, which became an instant hit with viewers worldwide as the parents cared for four eggs, with only one egg hatching – on Mother’s Day. However, the lone chick eventually fell from the nest and succumbed to internal injuries.

Ahead of this year’s nesting season, AZGFD completed upgrades to the nesting box based on input from the Peregrine Fund and other experts. The box was modified to allow the birds to get into the box more easily, which should help nesting success.

An air conditioning unit was also planned for installation to help keep the box cooler during dangerous triple-digit temperatures. Installation of the AC was generously donated by Forrest Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. in Phoenix with unit design by Otterbein Engineering. Despite efforts to renovate the box, the pair chose not to return this year.

Peregrine falcons often nest in cliffs, steep canyon walls and in urban locations, such as skyscrapers, water towers or power poles. They have been known to live up to 15 years in the wild and are considered the fastest animal on the planet, capable of reaching speeds in excess of 200 mph.

Peregrine falcons have nested in the downtown Phoenix area for more than a decade and early on, the birds selected the Maricopa County Administration Building as a nesting site. Until this season, birds have used the nesting box since 2014.

It is hoped the birds will return to the nest box next season.

For more information on peregrine falcons, visit www.azgfd.com/peregrine.

High wind advisory continues through 11 tonight

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WILLIAMS – Strong winds started this morning and continued throughout the day blowing in dark clouds and possible snow tonight. There is a possibility of some lightning. There is a 60% chance of snow tonight dropping as snow continues through Saturday morning. Overall there is a possibility of about one-inch throughout the period. The weather should clear and start to warm up through next week with the exception of a slight chance of snow on Monday. Snow may continue in Flagstaff through Saturday.

Flagstaff man sets 30-year-old catfish state record

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FLAGSTAFF – A giant fish tail, dark and maybe two feet in length, curled beneath the surface of the water.

Carson Pete, shore-fishing about 50 yards away, hiked to where he spotted the tail Sunday at Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff.

He happened to have brought a heavy spinning rod with 50-pound braided line, a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader, and a 7/0 Gamakatsu circle hook. Just before the sun crawled beneath a horizon of pine trees, Pete grabbed a few frozen anchovies he’d dipped in a homemade fish oil/garlic mix and slid them onto the hook. Then he cast the bait near a brush line in 2 feet of water depth.

Immediately, a fish took the bait, drifted away — and then bolted. Pete said he set the hook three times as the fish peeled out about 60 yards of line during a cool and breezy evening. After about 20 minutes of wrestling and reeling, Pete got the huge fish to shore. Monday morning at the Arizona Game and Fish Department office in Flagstaff, the catfish weighed 33.36 pounds, measured 39 ½ inches in total length, and set an inland waters hook-and-line state record for channel catfish.

“Before I left, my 7-year-old daughter kept saying, ‘You’re going to catch a big fish. Send a picture when you do,’” said Pete, a Flagstaff resident who was targeting northern pike. “Well I saw a few people fishing for pike and no one was having any luck. So I just kept fishing and fishing.”

As one reward for his persistence, Pete has quite the picture to send his daughter.

Pete broke the previous record by about one pound. That record belonged to Chuck Berndt of Sierra Vista, who caught a channel catfish at Parker Canyon Lake that weighed 32 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 38 ¾ inches. Berndt caught that previous record fish in 1987.

It is possible that Pete’s catfish is as old as the record.

“It is feasible that this new record catfish is 30-plus years old,” said AZGFD Wildlife Specialist Scott Rogers, who helped weigh the fish. “The oldest on record for this species is 40. These slow growing cats live a long time. Perhaps he was hatched the same year the old record was set.”

The inland waters, catch-and-release record catfish also was taken from Upper Lake Mary. Jared Sandall of Rimrock caught that 34-inch channel catfish in 2015.

With an elevation of about 7,000 feet, Upper Lake Mary has excellent springtime fishing and refreshing summertime temperatures.

MVD expands number of online road test appointments

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PHOENIX – It’s goodbye to guesswork. If you need to take a road test to get your driver license, the number of available online appointments at Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division offices just went up more than 30 percent.

There are now more than 900 daily appointments available statewide every business day at the MVD offices that conduct road tests. Of those, more than 600 are available at locations in metro Phoenix and Tucson – the busiest areas for MVD.

Those numbers represent the full capacity for road testing based on MVD hours of operation and the time it takes to perform a road test, which is typically between 15 and 30 minutes.

“The MVD began offering online appointments for road tests in 2016, and it’s been a tremendous success,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “One of our goals in 2017 was to fully implement this program so that people who need to take a road test can go to one of our locations with the confidence that they’ll get it done at a time that’s convenient for them. This is all about serving our customers well, making the MVD offices run more efficiently and fulfilling our vision to get people out of line and safely on the road.”

Scheduling an online appointment is as easy as going to servicearizona.com, clicking on the “MVD Office Appointments” button and selecting a time and location for the road test. Not all MVD offices conduct these tests, but locations are well distributed throughout Arizona.

MVD will still serve walk-in customers for road testing based on availability that may be limited due to high demand.

For a map of MVD offices and services provided, please visit azdot.gov/mvd and check for MVD hours and locations.

Kaibab National Forest works to create young citizen scientists

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Kaibab National Forest employees demonstrate how to use iNaturalist to upload photos of plants and animals to the 2017 citizen science project.-Kaibab Forest photo

WILLIAMS – Several Kaibab National Forest employees spent a day at Williams Elementary-Middle School, last week, teaching all 140 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades how to make discoveries about plants and animals near their homes and on their public lands, thereby creating a small army of young citizen scientists who can assist land managers in understanding the biodiversity of the area.

Kaibab National Forest resource specialists demonstrated to the eager students a new way to interact with the forest and its flora and fauna using their smart phones and the free online platform iNaturalist.org. At the beginning of 2017, the Kaibab began a citizen science project to identify and document the biodiversity of the forest by encouraging visitors to take photos of plants and animals and post them to the project page using the free iNaturalist app.

Williams Middle School students use their smart phones to participate in the Kaibab National Forest’s citizen science project and contribute to species information in the Williams area. – Kaibab Forest photo

“The students loved the iNaturalist day. The number of Forest Service employees in my classroom was phenomenal. Students were able to learn about a bunch of different parts of the Forest Service, and the adult-to-student ratio allowed for small groups while working outside,” said Isabel Caldwell, Williams Middle School science teacher. “Students were also able to learn how they can contribute to science in their own home, and they were given a tool to help them do that. The students were incredibly excited and thankful to have community members come into the classroom and work with them.”

Involving students in the fun but also scientifically valuable project is just one way Kaibab National Forest employees hope to connect members of the public with their public lands. By the end of just one day, the Williams students had collected more than 200 observations, and that number keeps increasing as students continue their citizen science work outside of the classroom. Students without smart phones are still able to participate by using the school’s laptops to upload photos of their scientific finds.

“It’s days like the one we had with the students that remind me why we do what we do,” said Mark Christiano, geographic information systems coordinator for the Kaibab National Forest and the planner of the citizen science project with the school. “Getting out to a school and connecting with kids is so important. Not only did we teach them a whole new way to interact with the forest, but we also connected them with a global community of citizen scientists.”

Once participants post photos of plants or animals to the “Kaibab NF 2017 Citizen Science Project,” they receive expert feedback from the iNaturalist community on their discoveries. Kaibab National Forest biologists also help identify or confirm findings, providing a connection to local scientists who are interested in knowing more about and tracking the abundance and distribution of species on the forest.

“I hope our students learn to stop and smell the roses. Sometimes, they move so fast that they miss the beauty in their own backyard,” said Maya Caldwell, director of student services for the Williams Unified School District. “Williams is a beautiful town, and I hope this program helps them see how special our area is and how much Northern Arizona has to offer them. I also hope we have a few future scientists that bloom because of these experiences.”

Williams Middle School students use their smart phones to participate in the Kaibab National Forest’s citizen science project and contribute to species information in the Williams area. – Kaibab Forest photo[/caption]The Kaibab National Forest created the year-long citizen science project with a couple goals in mind. First, biologists and planners hope to increase knowledge of plant and animal species, especially unusual or rare ones, and to inform the overall species list for the forest as well as management approach. Second, forest managers see the project as a way to build relationships with local communities and visitors, creating an opportunity for shared stewardship and turning visitors into scientists and champions of public lands and the resources they offer.

“By connecting people with natural and cultural resources, we hopefully help them understand the importance of public lands and the need to keep them public for our grandchildren and their children,” said Heather Provencio, forest supervisor for the Kaibab National Forest. “The Kaibab has so many special places and opportunities for everyone, and I’m excited this project is helping inspire young people to experience those things.”

Teaching the Williams Middle School students about citizen science and how to get involved through iNaturalist was just the first step. The Kaibab National Forest is planning a day-long field trip May 4 for all 140 students to visit the forest and collect observations side-by-side with wildlife biologists, botanists, silviculturists, archaeologists and other resource specialists. In the interim, students have been collecting observations around their homes or while out with their families camping, hiking, fishing, hunting or participating in other outdoor adventures.

“I am hoping that students take more time to observe their surroundings. Growing up in this time, it is easy for students to be completely absorbed in their technology and forget about the world around them,” said Isabel Caldwell. “I think one of the strengths of the iNaturalist program is that it allows students to use their technology to access the natural world. The more connected students feel to their surroundings and community the more likely they are to protect it, and iNaturalist provides students with a vehicle that fosters this connection.”

To participate with the Kaibab National Forest in its citizen science project, visit Kaibab NF 2017 Citizen Science Project on iNaturalist.org.

Freeman no longer a free man

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WILLIAMS – All three suspects who fled police this morning are now in custody.

At approximately 10:45 AM, a Yavapai County Sheriff K9 attempted to stop a maroon 4 door sedan for a traffic violation east I-40 in the Ash Fork area. As the vehicle failed to yield, a male passenger appeared to be thrown from the vehicle and was detained.
The k9 unit pursued the vehicle at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The vehicle apparently became disabled and pulled off at milepost 165 near the Bearizona attraction and crashed into a culvert.

One of the remaining two suspects was apprehended almost immediately at the ADOT yard on Route 66 near the Bearizona Wild Life park. The suspect identified as John Dale Freeman fired shots at deputies and fled beginning a six-hour manhunt with units of the Yavapai County and Coconino County Sheriff’s Departments, the Williams Police Department and the Department of Public Safety including the DPS helicopter. The Arizona Department of Transportation also assisted and Kaibab Forest Rangers may have also participated. None of the search party were injured in the event.

Arizona DPS helicopter flies over Williams searching for suspect.


Schools in Williams were locked down as was Bearizona. Guests of Bearizona were gathered in the Gift Shop and Restaurant area for a couple of hours. They were eventually allowed to evacuate the park. Parents of Williams were required to pick up their kids from schools early and kids in outlying areas were bused home at the regular time.

Freeman in custody.


Various reports of sightings of Freeman occurred in Williams with none being confirmed. The search continued in the forested areas around Bearizona until about 3:30 p.m. when Freeman was reported captured outside of Bearizona. The other two suspects have not yet been identified.

Freeman turns from camera while in police vehicle.


Citizens around Williams reported recognizing Freeman as frequenting the Williams area. Others in Flagstaff reported on the Facebook page of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department that they recognized him around Flagstaff. Freeman may have lived in Williams according to some accounts. Our research shows that Freeman may have a criminal past.

Campgrounds scheduled to open for season on Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts

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WILLIAMS – With summer recreation season rapidly approaching, Kaibab National Forest recreation facilities on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts will soon be opening to the public for a variety of outside activities.

Williams Ranger District

Kaibab Lake – Kaibab Forest Service Photo

Kaibab Lake Campground –The lower loop will open on April 22 and sites will be available on a first come first served basis. The entire facility will be open on April 28.

Dogtown Lake – NAG Photo

Dogtown Lake Campground – Fully open April 28.
Whitehorse Lake Campground – Fully open April 28.
Cataract Lake Day Use Area – Effective April 15, this site will have a host and a schedule of hours open to vehicle access. The entrance gate will open daily at 7 a.m. and be closed at sunset each evening. Foot travel into the site is allowed.
Spring Valley Cabin – does not close seasonally and remains open throughout the year. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov.

Tusayan Ranger District

Ten-X Campground – Fully open May 26. The late opening is due to current improvements being made to the facilities and infrastructure. Two large group sites and a portion of single-family campsites are available by reservation at www.recreation.gov. Campers are encouraged to arrive early in the day for first come first served sites as this campground fills up quickly.

Russell Tank Day Use Area – Has been stocked with rainbow trout for the first time in many years providing excellent fishing opportunities this summer.

Hull Cabin – will open May 1 and is available by reservation only at www.recreation.gov.

General Information

Forest visitors are invited to camp year round at dispersed sites across the entire Kaibab National Forest, however motorized vehicle use is restricted in some areas, so visitors should be prepared by knowing the regulations.

Motorized Visitor Use Maps are available for free at any of the district offices or can be downloaded from www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd490027

Additionally, camping corridors on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps have expanded to allow motor vehicles up to 100 feet off the center of designated roads for dispersed camping.

“Among many of the improvements you may see this summer is the reconstruction of the amphitheater at Kaibab Lake campground. New seating will replace the current benches,” said Recreation Program Staff Officer Lisa Jones. “Water levels are at a historic high this year which has made piers accessible, greatly enhancing boating and fishing activities at many of our locations.”

To obtain more information about recreational programs on the Kaibab National Forest contact Lisa Jones at (928) 635-5619 or Dutch Maatman at (928) 635-5661

For additional information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or call (928) 635-8200.