Daily Archives: April 12, 2017

Arizona temperatures are warm, but the water’s still cold

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Dogtown Lake – NAG Photo

PHOENIX — Arizona’s rising temperatures are signaling that the summer heat isn’t far off and some residents are already eyeing area lakes, looking to hit the water. With that in mind, the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds watercraft users that while temperatures may be warm, water temperatures remain between the 50s and 60s at many of Arizona’s boating havens.

“Undoubtedly, we have seen phenomenally beautiful weather lately, but that hasn’t done much to warm up our lakes,” said AZGFD Boating Safety Education coordinator Josh Hoffman. “The current lake temperatures would be quite a shock on the system if you were to fall overboard right now. Such a shock can lead to gasping for air, which if you aren’t wearing a life jacket could prove to be your last gasp.”

Even in a healthy person, cold-water immersion can impact muscle movement, breathing and a person’s heart rate. Prolonged exposure to the water can lead to hypothermia, cardiac arrest and death. If you fall overboard, climb back into or on top of the boat. If you cannot, stay near the vessel and use oars or anything floating nearby to help stay afloat.

“Area lakes offer year-round family fun even during winter months, but it’s critical for everyone to wear a life jacket,” Hoffman said. “Should someone fall or be thrown overboard, that life jacket – regardless of water temperature – could very well save your life.”

Life jackets aren’t just a good idea, they are required by state law for anybody 12 years old and younger when the boat is underway. There must also be at least one life jacket available for everyone aboard.

To ensure watercraft users have life jackets available, the department has installed 15 Life Jacket Loaner Stations at lakes across the state including Lake Pleasant, Lake Havasu, Lake Mohave, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, Bartlett Lake, and Patagonia Lake. Boaters needing a life jacket can borrow one, use it on the lake and return it once done.

Boaters are also encouraged to learn how to practice safe boating techniques and to respond in the event of an emergency by completing a boating safety course. To register for a free course or for more information on boating in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Coconino County Teacher of the Year finalists announced

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left to right: Jillian Worssam, Sara Zsenai and Angela Buzan

FLAGSTAFF — The office of the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools has announced the 2017 Teacher of the Year finalists.

“The three Teacher of the Year finalists are Angela Buzan of Coconino High School, Jillian Worssam of Sinagua Middle School, and Sara Zsenai of Cromer Elementary School,” said Superintendent of Schools, Risha VanderWey. “I look forward to announcing the winner later this month in a ceremony celebrating the great achievements of all our teachers and staff.”

The fifth annual Coconino County Teacher of the Year Ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 19 at the High Country Conference Center, Flagstaff, AZ. Teacher of the Year (TOY) is the only countywide teacher recognition program that spotlights the contributions of state-accredited, full-time, public and charter school educators teaching pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.

To be eligible for the TOY title, nominated teachers must personally complete an in-depth, multiple essay question application and submit it with three letters of support. A panel of judges score the applications using a rubric and group discussion to determine the top six candidates to interview. Next, the judges discuss, score, and determine the three finalists. The finalists are recognized and awarded cash prizes worth a total of $3000.

The winner will also receive a complimentary one year lease of a 2017 Toyota Tacoma from Findlay Toyota of Flagstaff. This event is funded entirely through sponsorships of local and statewide businesses, and community members.

Avoid a line and print that annual off-highway road vehicle decal at an MVD kiosk

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PHOENIX – Just in time for spring, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division has added a new feature to its self-serve kiosks. For the first time, customers can use a ServiceArizona kiosk to print the annual off-highway vehicle (OHV) decal, eliminating the need to wait in line.

“Off-highway vehicles are very popular in Arizona, and the law requires that owners renew their decals every year,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “Rather than make people wait in line to get this credential, we expanded this service to kiosks located at many MVD offices as well as court buildings in a number of communities throughout the state. This is another way MVD is getting people out of line and safely on the road ‒ or, in this case, off-road.”

OHVs made primarily for use over unimproved terrain and weighing 1,800 pounds or less are required by law to display a valid OHV decal, which costs $25 and must be purchased annually. This includes “street legal” vehicles that meet those requirements. Getting the decal isn’t to be confused with registering the vehicle, which is required only for those OHVs that are meant to be street legal.

While OHV decals and registration are handled by the Motor Vehicle Division, renewal notices are sent by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. For more information, please visit azgfd.com/OHV.

In fiscal year 2016, nearly 86,000 decals were issued. Thirty percent of the funds collected go into the state’s Highway User Revenue Fund, which is distributed to counties and cities for road and highway maintenance.

The remaining funds are split as follows:

· 60 percent to Arizona State Parks for grants, agreements, trail construction, development and maintenance, signage and maps
· 35 percent to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for law enforcement education and outreach
· 5 percent to the Arizona State Land Department for mitigation signage and enforcement

For an interactive map showing court and MVD office locations with self-serve kiosks, please visit azdot.gov/MVD and click the Hours and Locations link under MVD Services.