Daily Archives: October 24, 2017

Desert bighorn sheep poached, left to waste near Yuma

Posted on by

YUMA – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking information about the recent poaching of a desert bighorn sheep that was found near Yuma, Ariz.

A reward of up to $500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the killing of the adult ram through the department’s Operation Game Thief program. The Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society is offering an additional reward of up to $500 for a conviction in the case.

The carcass was found floating in the Wellton-Mohawk Canal, where it meets the Gila Main Gravity Canal. Some portions of the hide, legs and head of the animal had been removed, and additional leg quarters were found floating in nearby Fortuna Pond.

Game and Fish officials believe the sheep was shot around the week of Oct. 9 and that the suspects might have been visiting or camping at Fortuna Pond during that timeframe.

“There is no justifiable reason to poach an animal during a closed season and leave it to waste,” said Richard Myers, wildlife manager. “Poachers are not hunters or sportsmen. They are criminals who are stealing from the residents of Arizona.

“Due to the location of the crime scene, a fisherman or an off-highway vehicle user near the area may have seen something or heard something that may assist officers in solving this case.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700, or visit http://www.azgfd.gov/ogt_form.shtml, and refer to case #17-004025. Callers can remain anonymous upon request.

ADEQ Announces $120,827 Brownfields Grant to Mohave County for Arnold Plaza Abatement Project

Posted on by

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a $120,827 Brownfields Grant award to Mohave County, Arizona to conduct an asbestos and lead-based paint abatement at Arnold Plaza in the City of Kingman.

The abatement work funded by this grant will help the County move forward with plans to sell Arnold Plaza to the Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council, who will remodel the building for use as a veterans services facility.

Established in 2003, the Brownfields Assistance Program (BAP) conducts projects through Arizona’s State Response Grant using funds provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. The program has funded more than 70 projects, assisting entities from local governments, schools, hospitals and nonprofits to tribes in completing environmental assessments, cleanup and restoration.

Redeveloping Brownfields has the potential to reduce environmental hazards, mitigate public health threats, create new business opportunities, increase tax revenue and restore habitats and blighted areas to productive use. Program funds are limited and available to eligible applicants in the order that they apply and qualify.

Westbound Interstate 40 off-ramps at A-1 Mountain restricted early Wednesday

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – Northern Arizona drivers exiting westbound I-40 at A-1 Mountain (milepost 191) will need an alternate route during early hours on Wednesday because of guardrail work. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to allow extra travel time as the nearest interchange–‒at Bellemont–‒is 5 miles to the west.

The A-1 Mountain off-ramp to westbound I-40 will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Drivers will use westbound I-40 to Bellemont (milepost 185) and turn around at the Bellemont traffic interchange to access eastbound I-40.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.