Monthly Archives: September 2018

ADOT truck safety training expands to maquiladora industry

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NOGALES – The Arizona Department of Transportation’s first-of-its-kind international truck safety training program is adding another innovation to its resume: focusing instruction on commercial truckers from the maquiladora industry.

At the request of operators of border-area plants in Mexico making goods for export, ADOT’s Border Liaison Unit recently offered its first International Border Inspection Qualification training session for the maquiladora industry in Hermosillo, capital of the Mexican state of Sonora.

“Expanding to maquiladoras demonstrates that our partners in Mexico see as much value in this safety training as we do,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Interest from the maquiladora industry also means the safety and economic benefits we have seen in this program’s first year will multiply.”

Maquiladora factories import certain material and equipment without duties or tariffs. Goods are assembled, processed or manufactured using that material and then returned to the U.S. The industry employs about 34,000 people in Sonora near the Arizona border.

ADOT’s Border Liaison Unit developed the International Border Inspection Qualification program to help make Arizona roads safer and to support international trade by training Mexican truck drivers and mechanics – in Mexico – about the safety regulations they must follow to drive on U.S. roads.

The 469 drivers who have completed the training since it began a little more than a year ago have crossed the border nearly 5,500 times but have had only 12 significant safety violations that required trucks to be stopped for repairs.

“Arizona is leading the nation in developing innovative ways to make our ports of entry safer and more efficient – it’s been a priority for Governor Ducey since day one,” said Juan Ciscomani, Senior Advisor for Regional and International Affairs to Governor Doug Ducey. “This kind of proactive approach implemented by ADOT and supported by the Arizona-Mexico Commission, under Governor Ducey’s leadership, drives Arizona’s border to move at the speed of business and supports international commerce in the state.”

Following Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance guidelines, which are the standard across the U.S., this training stems from ADOT’s use of the Arizona Management System championed by Governor Ducey to have all employees continuously improve state agencies’ value to their customers.

The Hermosillo session was the 18th held in Mexico since International Border Inspection Qualification training began in summer 2017.

The program also has expanded beyond locations near the Arizona border and Hermosillo, with training offered in Mexicali and Ensenada in Baja California and in Caborca, Sonora, at the request of trucking companies in those areas.

To learn more about ADOT’s Border Liaison Unit and International Border Inspection Qualification training, visit azdot.gov/BLU.

Daytime maintenance project narrows US 180 to one lane in Valle, east of Flagstaff on Friday, September 21

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers that US 180 will be narrowed to one lane of alternating north- and southbound travel on Friday because of pavement-preservation work.

The work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should plan for delays of 20 minutes or more while work is underway. Traffic-control personnel will direct motorists through the work zone.

Crews are working in 4-mile increments along a nearly 18-mile work zone just outside of Valle, east of Flagstaff.

The restriction is needed while crews apply a pavement surface treatment, which helps extend the life of the roadway.

Arizona Game and Fish accepting applications for Heritage Fund grants

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is accepting applications for more than $400,000 in Heritage Fund grants.

The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 31, 2018 to be eligible for grant funding, which will be available through a competitive application process in the following categories: environmental education, outdoor education, schoolyard habitat, urban wildlife/habitat, public access; and Identification, Inventory, Acquisition, Protection and Management (IIAPM).

In addition to government agencies, the department welcomes non-profit organizations to apply for a Heritage Grant as eligible applicants. This eligibility applies to any non-profit group which meets the internal revenue service definition of a 501(c) organization.

The Heritage Fund was created after voters approved an initiative in 1990 and is funded through Arizona Lottery ticket sales. Heritage funding goes toward conservation efforts such as protecting endangered species, educating students and the general public about wildlife and the outdoors, and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The grant program was established by AZGFD in 1992 as part of the overall Heritage Fund program. The grants were initially developed as a way to promote outreach to enhance important partnerships and generate fresh approaches in support of the department’s mission.

Since the grant program’s inception, the department has awarded more than $16 million and supported more than 800 projects throughout the state.

Applicants for this year’s grants should refer to the documents on our Heritage Grant web page for guidance on applying. The documents include the Heritage Grant application manual, the grant application form and the various “Heritage Grant Funding Window” documents, which describe eligibility information and provide specific eligibility criteria listed within each grant sub-category.

Potential grant recipients must have a project that is either located in Arizona or involves research in which the wildlife or its habitat is located in the state and meets the requirements in the funding windows.

Proposals and applications for these grants can be submitted either by email to rbeck@azgfd.gov or mailed to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Wildlife Grant Administrator, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. No faxed applications will be accepted.

Applicants can submit grant applications up until the application deadline of 5 p.m. (MST) Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. For more information, visit https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/heritagefund/grantapply/.

Game and Fish Commission to meet September 21 in Overgaard

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PHOENIX — The next meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be at 8 a.m. Friday, September 21 at the Navajo County Mogollon Complex at 2188 W. Country Club Drive in Overgaard, Arizona.

The public can attend the meeting or view it via webcast at www.azgfd.gov/commission. The meeting also can be watched on streaming video at any regional office statewide.

Those who wish to speak to the commission may submit “speaker cards” (blue cards) in person at the meeting or from any Game and Fish office. The ability to speak to the commission is not available for those viewing the webcast.

Several consent items on the agenda include:

  • Approval of an intergovernmental agreement with the Gila River Indian Community to remove tamarisk from a portion of the Base and Meridian Wildlife Area.
  • Approval of a five-year lease agreement with DS Services of America, Inc. for 200 acre-feet of the commission’s excess type II non-irrigation grandfathered groundwater rights.
  • The commission will consider approval of a policy for revoking shooting privileges for habitual rule violators at commission-owned shooting ranges.
  • Approval of memorandums of understanding with Arizona Mule Deer Organization, Arizona Deer Association and the Mule Deer Foundation to partner and share funding for conservation, habitat projects and education programs.

Other items on Friday’s agenda include:

  • A briefing on the status of state and federal legislation related to the department’s mission.
  • An update on the department’s efforts toward accomplishing commission priorities.
  • An update on the department’s involvement with resource management planning and other major actions on federal lands in Arizona.
  • A briefing on humpback chub recovery and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal for downlisting.
  • Hearings on license revocations for violations of Game and Fish codes, and civil assessments for the illegal taking and/or possession of wildlife (time certain at 10 a.m.).
  • A presentation on two future projects: migration from a license dealer commission to a license dealer convenience fee, and implementing a paperless spring 2020 draw.
  • A marketing update and a briefing on the fiscal year 2019 Conserve and Protect campaign strategy.

The commission will be briefed on the range of ideas received during the recent 30-day public input period regarding establishing discretionary funding sources to provide support for a consistent, long-term public awareness and education strategy.

The commission will consider separate memorandums of understanding between the Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District and the Commission to prepare an environmental impact statement for the Alamo Dam water control manual update; with the Snowflake Unified School District to partner with and provide funding for students and teachers to design and implement wildlife conservation projects; and with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for grassland habitat restoration activities in southeast Arizona.

  • An update on the National Park Service’s expanded non-native aquatic species management plan.
  • Approval of proposed amendments to commission order 40 (fish), establishing open seasons, open areas, closures, and bag and possession limits for sport fish in calendar year 2019 and 2020.
  • Approval of commission orders 25 (raptors), 41 (amphibians), 42 (crustaceans and mollusks) and 43 (reptiles) for the 2019-2023 hunting seasons, establishing seasons, dates, bag and possession limits, and open-closed areas.
  • Approval of final rulemaking amending Article 3 rules addressing the taking and handling of wildlife.
  • A briefing on current issues related to the Mexican wolf recovery program, including updates on cross-fostering pups to meet the recovery plan implementation strategy. The commission may provide direction to the department.
  • Presentation of the 2018 Commission Award nominees and selection of recipients.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, September 22 the commission will participate in a field trip to discuss current and future cooperative efforts between the department, U.S. Forest Service, Eastern Arizona Counties Organization, various non-governmental organizations and local White Mountain forest restoration professionals to restore ponderosa pine forests on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. The field trip will not be webcast.

To view a copy of the full meeting agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the “commission agenda” link.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is a five-member, policy-setting board that oversees the Arizona Game and Fish Department. For more information about the commission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.

SCAM ADVISORY – Recent Scam Targeting Mental Health Providers

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FLAGSTAFF – Today we’ve received at least two phone calls from mental health providers who have received fraudulent phone calls saying that they are being contacted regarding an emergency. In both cases, the scammer spoofed a legitimate phone number of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (928-226-5009) and the caller ID information (Coconino Cnty).

The scammer contacted them via their Psychology Today services. The scammer claimed to be an officer with the Sheriff’s Office (although he may vary this approach and use other aliases). The scammer said he was calling regarding an urgent or emergency situation. He provided a non-legitimate phone number requesting call back.

Variations of the scam may include claims that there is a pending lawsuit or civil issue that needs immediate attention. It is our belief that the scammer hopes the intended victim will call him on the phone number he leaves in his message rather than calling back to an official Sheriff’s Office number. It is likely the scammer is intending to fraudulently obtain either personal information or some type of payment from you.

Consider looking up and calling the legitimate (e.g. official website verified) phone number of an agency to verify claims made by the person calling you. Phone scammers are likely hoping you will try to call them back on other phone numbers they provide which then may compromise your private cell or home phone numbers to be used in their future scam schemes. Do not allow them to bully you.

Call the Sheriff’s Office on one of our legitimate phone numbers to report scams or if you have questions. Visit us at coconino.az.gov/sheriff for legitimate information on how to contact our office.

Revival at Rodeo Barn set for tonight

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WILLIAMS – Williams churches have joined together and decked out the Rodeo Barn to present the First Annual Revival Celebration with music and seven local pastors providing messages.

Pastor Joe Oswald from the First Baptist Church pointed out in one of his sermons that a revival is to revive the spirit of Christians. Anyone is welcome, however, and there will be alter calls and baptisms at the services. After the services there will be Christian fellowship. The services run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. tonight through Sunday September 16.

The Schedule for the event is as follows:

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH

5:30PM
WELCOME Pastor Mary Piotrowski-St. John’s Episcopal/Lutheran Church
PUPPET PRESENTATION Martha Simoneau -1st Baptist Church
MUSIC
1ST MESSAGE. …. Pastor Mary Piotrowski – St. John’s Episcopal/Lutheran Church
MUSIC
2nd MESSAGE Pastor Jeff Kennedy – 1st Missionary Baptist Church (Flagstaff)
Altar Call and Baptism service
REFRESHMENTS AND FELLOWSHIP—–BRING SOMEONE NEW TOMORROW!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH

5:30PM
WELCOME Pastor Dave Remender – Calvary Chapel
PUPPET PRESENTATION Martha Simoneau -1st Baptist Church
MUSIC
1ST MESSAGE Pastor Dave Remender – Calvary Chapel
MUSIC
2nd MESSAGE Pastor Tim Milner – Family Harvest Church
Altar Call and Baptism service
REFRESHMENTS AND FELLOWSHIP —— BRING SOMEONE NEW TOMORROW!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH

5:30PM
WELCOME Mike Rioux – SUPPORTED BY HOPE FOR THE WORLD
PUPPET PRESENTATION Martha Simoneau
1st Baptist Church
MUSIC
1ST MESSAGE Mike Rioux – SUPPORTED BY HOPE FOR THE WORLD
MUSIC
2nd MESSAGE. Pastor Fred Brane – Holiness Congregation
Altar Call and Baptism service
REFRESHMENTS AND FELLOWSHIP

12-Year-Old Rescued After Being Injured in Climbing Accident

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FLAGSTAFF – On September 9, 2018 at approximately 1:20 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit responded with the Flagstaff Fire Department and Guardian Medical Transport to a climbing accident at the climbing area known as The Pit which is accessed from the Canyon Vista Campground. Information gathered was that a 12-year-old male who was climbing with family members had fallen approximately 20 feet and was injured and in need of rescue.

Responders from Guardian Medical Transport, Flagstaff Fire Department, and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue hiked into the climber’s location and initiated treatment and transport out of the canyon in a basket litter to a waiting ambulance at the campground. The climber sustained a head injury and a wrist injury and was transported by ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment. The climber and his family were from the greater Phoenix area.

Investigation into the accident revealed that the climber was lead climbing a route known as The Microwave and fell while he was attempting to clip his rope to the third bolt fixed on the route. When he fell, the carabiners connected to the second bolt and first bolt broke causing the climber to land at the base of the climb after falling approximately 20 feet. Upon inspection it was determined that the carabiners that broke were not rated for climbing.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind climbers to routinely inspect their equipment and ensure that the equipment they are using is rated for the activity that they are engaging in. Failure to use properly rated equipment could lead to a serious accident.

Sonoran Corridor: We want to know what you think

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TUCSON – Nearly halfway through a three-year environmental study, state and federal transportation officials want your input on a proposed Sonoran Corridor connecting Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson International Airport.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will hold a public information meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, to hear public comments and suggestions for the Sonoran Corridor. The meeting will be held at the Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Highway in Tucson. A presentation will begin at 6 p.m.

The Sonoran Corridor has been designated as a high-priority corridor under the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. It would support and connect the economy of southern Arizona and the entire state. It also would reduce travel distances south of Tucson and relieve congestion at the current interchange of I-10 and I-19 southwest of downtown Tucson.State and federal officials are identifying and studying a range of possible corridors along with the opportunities and constraints of each. The study considers the potential social, economic and natural environment impacts of the alternatives, as well as the impact of not building a freeway in this area.

The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study is a three-year process developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Expected to be completed in 2020, the Tier 1 study is evaluating multiple 2,000-foot-wide corridor alternatives that would connect I-19 and I-10 south of the Tucson International Airport. The study will evaluate a no-build alternative and multiple build alternatives to determine a recommendation that is based on technical analysis and other factors, including public input.

A future Tier 2 environmental study would advance the Tier 1 recommendations to identify the specific project alignment, effects and mitigation. There is no timeline or funding identified for the Tier 2 study.

For more information about this study, please visit azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor.

The meetings are part of the public involvement process that allows the community the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments and concerns about potential locations for the proposed corridor as well as environmental considerations, impacts on wildlife habitat and cultural resources, and other modes of transportation that may be considered.

Public comment also is welcome through October 26 in several ways:

* Email: Sonorancorridor@azdot.gov

* Toll-free bilingual information line: 855.712.8530

* Mail: Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS Study Team,m c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave., Mail Drop T100, Tucson, AZ 85713

The September 26 meeting is a follow-up to public meetings held in Tucson and Sahuarita in June 2017.

Homeless veterans benefit from new law waiving some MVD fees

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PHOENIX – Arizona veterans who find themselves in the challenging situation of being homeless now have the opportunity to get a driver license or ID card without paying a fee.

Under a new state law that took effect this month, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division has the authority to waive the $25 fee associated with getting a license or ID. Several other fees, including those for a license suspension or revocation, a road test for drivers moving to Arizona from another state, among others, may also be waived.

“Having a license or ID card is essential to so many aspects of life and this new law will make it easier for less-fortunate veterans to get one of those credentials,” said MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser-Richards. “Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to serve our nation, and the MVD is proud to assist homeless vets in this way.”

“Since most assistance programs require identification, getting an ID knocks down huge barriers for our homeless veterans,” Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services Deputy Director John Scott said. “This is important, especially for chronically homeless veterans, who can now access resources to help them stabilize.”

To qualify for the waiver, the MVD will verify the customer’s status as a veteran. In addition, the customer must provide a statement on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs letterhead or a statement on the letterhead of a verified provider of homeless services that the customer has been homeless within the past 60 days.

Arizona law relies on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of homeless as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. This includes a location not meant for human habitation, or a temporary or emergency shelter.

For more information: azdot.gov