Category Archives: Grand Canyon

Friends of the NRA selling raffle tickets

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friends-nra-drawWILLIAMS – The Grand Canyon Friends of the NRA is selling tickets for your choice between two guns. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20. Only 200 tickets will be sold and there are less than 100 left. The drawing will take place when all tickets are sold.

The winner will have their choice between two weapons. The Ruger American bolt action rifle in .308 caliber or Soeger P350 pump action 12 gauge shotgun.

The winner must be able to comply with all State and federal laws concerning firearms. Must be at least 18-years old and able to pass background check.

The group is also gearing up for their annual dinner at Doc Holiday’s in Williams. The dinner is August 1 and the doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

The Grand Canyon Friends of the NRA supports sport shooting events in the northern Arizona area.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Williams Wear inside Buck’s Place at 117 W Route66 in downtown Williams.

Grand Canyon to Celebrate President’s Day Weekend with Free Entry

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Grand Canyon open for free President's Day Weekend.

Grand Canyon open for free President’s Day Weekend.

GRAND CANYON – If you guys are looking for somewhere to take your honey this weekend, the Grand Canyon National Park will be open free in honor of Presidents Day Saturday, February 14, 2015 through Monday, February 16, 2015.

Park visitors are reminded that fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, reservations, guided tours, or use of concessions. Park entrance stations will have the Interagency Senior and Annual Passes available for those who wish to purchase them. Visitors who plan to spend time in the park beyond February 16th will need to pay the regular entrance fee for the remainder of their stay.

Grand Canyon’s South Rim sits at approximately 7,000 feet. As a result, visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, and should be aware that road closures and temporary suspension of shuttle service may occur with little or no notice if winter weather passes through the area.

The long-range weather forecast, however, is predicting temperatures in the 60s with lows around 40 with some cloudiness. Water is always something visitors do not think about.

Dogs are also welcome but are required to be on a leash at all times.

Search for missing Texas man scaled back

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GRAND CANYON – Twenty-one year old Drake L. Kramer remains missing at Grand Canyon National Park and a six day search by the National Park Service has turned up no additional clues as to his whereabouts.

Kramer was last seen on Sunday, February 1 in the vicinity of the Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim. He had spent the previous night as a guest at the lodge and checked out on the morning of the 1st. He was reported missing by members of his family on Monday, February 2nd.

For the past six days park rangers have extensively searched the South Rim developed area stretching from Hermit’s Rest on the west side to Grandview on the east. Teams of searchers have walked miles along the canyon rim, searched heavily forested areas, utilized dog teams, performed several over the rim technical searches, and conducted multiple aerial reconnaissance missions to support ground searchers.

Kramer is described as 5’7, 140 pounds, brown hair and blue eyes. He is last known to be wearing blue jeans and an olive green sweatshirt.

With no additional clues to guide search efforts on land, the search will be scaled back to a continuous, but limited mode in which rangers and pilots will continue to search for clues when in the area.

In addition, flyers with Kramer’s picture and description remain posted at various South Rim locations and anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to call National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840. Any additional clues collected will guide future search efforts.

Search Area Expands for Missing San Antonio Man at Grand Canyon National Park

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GRAND CANYON – (Feb. 6) Today National Park Service Search and Rescue crews expanded the search area for missing San Antonio man, Drake L. Kramer. Kramer, 21 was reported missing by family on Monday, February 2.

The search area was expanded east from the South Rim developed area along Highway 64 towards Grandview. National Park Service personnel assigned to the search have walked dozens of miles along the rim of the canyon, covered several miles of wooded area, traversed along the edge of the canyon walls, and in some instances completed technical rappelling searches over the edge. The park helicopter continues to provide aerial supervision and reconnaissance.

Drake L. Kramer of San Antonio, TX was reported missing by a family member on February 2. His last known location was at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Kramer spent the night of January 31 at the Bright Angel Lodge and checked out on the morning of February 1. He is described as 21 years old, 5’7, 140 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. It is unknown what he was last wearing, it is known that he favors dark colored clothing and typically wears a backwards baseball hat.

The National Park Service is currently conducting a Search and Rescue operation. A missing persons investigation is on-going. No further information is available at this time.Any individual who may have had contact with or has with information on the location of Drake Kramer should contact the National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840.

Grand Canyon National Park Opens 2016 Noncommercial River Trip Permit Lottery

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lellouch_3767GRAND CANYON – Grand Canyon National Park will open the permit lottery for 2016 Noncommerical River Trip launch dates. Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on February 24, 2015. A nonrefundable fee of $25 is required to enter the permit lottery. A total of 472 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips launching on specific dates in 2016. Eligible individuals may apply online at the lottery web site located at http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/whitewater-rafting.htm.

The Noncommercial River Trip lottery is held in February to assign launch dates for river trips occurring the following calendar year. Due to the high demand for Noncommerical River Trip permits in Grand Canyon the lottery is weighted in favor of individuals who have not been on a trip in recent years. Public notifications regarding main lotteries are made by both email and news release. In addition to the annual main lottery, follow-up lotteries are held as needed throughout the remainder of the year to reassign canceled and/or left-over river trips. Public notifications for these follow-up lotteries are made through email, an RSS feed, and Twitter (twitter.com/GCRiverPermits).

The Noncommercial River Trip lottery web site can be accessed year-round to create or modify an account and to sign-up to receive email notifications. Individuals who are interested in a future Noncommercial River Trip permits are strongly encouraged to create an account. Lottery applications are accepted through the Noncommercial River Trip lottery web site only when lotteries are open.

Individuals must be 18 years or older to apply for a river trip permit. Noncommercial river trips must be self-guided, and technical whitewater experience is mandatory on each trip. Individuals may participate on a maximum of one recreational river trip per calendar year (commercial or noncommercial).

Individuals interested in professionally-guided river trips should not apply through the lottery, but instead request space on a commercial trip. A list of commercial companies offering guided trips can be found by visiting www.nps.gov/grca, selecting “River Trips/Permits”, then “3 to 18 Day Commercial Trips”.

For more information about the 2016 weighted lottery, please visit the Grand Canyon National Park web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/whitewater-rafting.htm, contact the River Permits Office at 1-800-959-9164 or 928-638-7884, or email us at grca_riv@nps.gov

 

 

Missing Man at South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

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sm-02-03-15-KramerGRAND CANYON – On Monday, February 2, 2015 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a phone call reporting a missing individual last known to be at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Drake L. Kramer of San Antonio, Texas was reported missing by a family member. Kramer was a guest at Bright Angel Lodge on the evening of Saturday, January 31 and checked out on Sunday, February 1. Kramer is described as 21 years old, 5’7, 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

The National Park Service is currently conducting a Search and Rescue operation. A missing persons investigation is on-going. No further information is available at this time.Any individual with information on the location of Drake Kramer should contact the National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840.

New Year snow

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640-141231-7WILLIAMS – The riders on the last few days of the Polar Express will find Santa Clause in snow for the first time. After a couple of months of winter waiting, Williams finally got a significant snow today. The long range weather forecast predicts about seven-inches by the end of the day with about an inch of new snow on New Year’s Day.

Flagstaff is expected to get about 10-inches with 3 to 5-inches overnight. They could get up to 2-inches tomorrow.

Last night until about 7:30, the sky was clear and stars were visible. Later that night the clouds moved in and snow started to fall about 10:58 p.m.

This morning Williams woke up to about two-inches and it continued to fall through the day piling up to about five-inches at about 1 p.m. Snow removal crews are on the job and Williams residents are taking pictures like tourists.

Many of the restaurants and shops are open, but Bearizona closed early in the morning. They, like everyone else, are shoveling snow and removing it from the roadways. Bearizona should re-open on Friday.

Williams set up for Mountain Village Holiday festivities.

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City of Williams Christmas tree set up on Second Street.

City of Williams Christmas tree set up on Second Street.

WILLIAMS – The tree is up and decorated for the 2014 Christmas on Route 66 celebration next weekend. The tree will be lit following the annual Parade of Lights. This year and Elf Costume Contest has been added.

300-141122-04Businesses lining Route 66, and beyond, have been decorated for a couple of weeks in preparation for the event.

The Polar Express will begin two nightly runs to the North Pole. Santa has also lent one of his late-model sleighs to the Zip Line located at the Williams Visitor Parking lot.

You can also take a tour around the city to see the decorations of the residents of the City of Williams.
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Other events include:

November 29th

Save-MTR 11th hold their 11th annual Holiday Craft Show at the Sultana Theater at 301 W. Route 66 in downtown Williams from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be over 35 vendors and you can have pictures of your pets, family and friends taken, as well. Benefits building animal shelter.

The Parade of Lights starting around 6:30 p.m.

Elf Costume Contest at the city tree after the parade. Open to young elves to age 13 and elder elves 14 and older.

Lighting of the Christmas tree will occur upon completion of the Parade of Lights.

November 30th

Santa will be at the Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique at 517 E. Route 66 from 12 to 5 p.m. for photos. The price of photos benefits the Animals in Need fund at the Williams Veterinary Clinic.

December 5

The American Legion Cordova Post #13 will host an Arts and Crafts fair from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the American Legion and VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Table rental is $10 and all items must be original and home-made. You can get more details or reserve a table by contacting Carolyn Kleck at at 602-677-2561. Spaces are limited so reserve early.

December 6

Restaurants, gift shops and galleries will be offering specials and possibly special treats to

The Mountain Village Holiday continues through New Years Day so events will continue throughout the city.
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You can obtain more information for the time you plan to arrive at the Williams Visitor Center at 200 W. Railroad Avenue (Across from Circle K and the Zip Line) or by visiting the Williams Grand Canyon Chamber site.
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State Route 67 to North Rim of Grand Canyon closing for winter season

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will close State Route 67 between Jacob Lake (US 89A) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park for the winter season beginning Monday, Dec. 1.

The road could be closed earlier if heavy snowfall occurs in the area prior to the closure date. ADOT does not clear snow from SR 67 during the winter since the visitor accommodations at the North Rim are closed. The highway reopens each spring, usually around mid-May. US 89A will remain open at the junction with SR 67.

Before heading out on the roads, drivers are encouraged to call 511 or visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at az511.gov for the latest highway conditions around the state. The website features camera images along state highways that give drivers a glimpse of weather conditions in various regions.

Be prepared for winter driving by checking for weather conditions prior to your travels on Arizona roadways.

Injured hiker rescued from the Grand Canyon Monday

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Photos courtesy of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department.

640-GC-Rescue-03GRAND CANYON – Elements from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Arizona DPS, Flagstaff Fire Department and National Park Service performed a dramatic rescue at the Grand Canyon in the early morning hours Monday. A 68-year-old Tuscon woman was injured when she fell from a trail while hiking.

The female hiker was hiking with two others along the Clear Creek Trail on Sunday, November 2 when about 7 p.m. she slipped and fell down a slope off of the trail. The hikers fall stopped with her head down slope and about three feet from a cliff’s edge that dropped down 80 feet to the creek bed below. When the hiker attempted to recover and move, she would slide further down slope due to very loose soil and rocks. The victim, fearing that she would slide over the cliff edge, lay still as her two friends activated a satellite emergency notification device or SPOT device.
640-GC-Rescue-02The National Park Service at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim was advised of the emergency notification and sent a ranger to area of the SPOT alert. The park service ranger hiked for six hours from Phantom Ranch, reaching the victim around 3:00 a.m. Rangers determined the victim had suffered some type of injury to her leg. Due to the dangerous and unstable ground, the Park Service requested assistance from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter, who have the capability to conduct night operations.

The DPS helicopter flew two heli-rescue members, one from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the other from the Flagstaff Fire Department into the canyon where they were able to land about a mile away from the victim. Rescuers hiked to the area where they had to secure ropes and rappel down to the victim. The victim was secured by a harness and then “short hauled” or flown out with a rescuer.

The victim was flown to the Grand Canyon Heli-base at the South Rim where she was transferred to a ground ambulance and taken to the Grand Canyon Clinic. She was treated for a fractured ankle and hypothermia and later released.