Responders caught in flash flood while recovering body

FLAGSTAFF — Yesterday around 4:30 p.m., approximately 16 Sheriff’s Deputies, Search and Rescue and US Forest Service responders were forced to higher ground during a flash flood in Oak Creek Canyon.

The responders were conducting a body recovery for a suicide that occurred off Midgely Bridge. Due to a storm cell over the area that produced heavy rain, hail and lightning, rescuers had to delay removal of the body.

After the storm subsided, rescuers entered the canyon for the body recovery. While conducting the recovery, Sheriff’s Office personnel reported a flash flood in Oak Creek Canyon from the heavy rainfall over Wilson Mountain.

Rescuers were in the process of hoisting the body to the bridge when the flash flood occurred. The body was already above flood waters; however, responders below the bridge had to retreat quickly uphill away from rising waters. With several feet of fast moving water going through the canyon, three of the responders became briefly stranded on one side of the canyon.

They were not in danger and waited just under an hour to ensure storm cells had cleared and the water receded before they re-crossed.

Williams City Council meeting Thursday at 7

640-city-hall-williamsWILLIAMS — The Williams City Council will meet Thursday, October 8 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers on 1st Street.

After public participation period, the council:

  • May recommend approval of issuance of a #12 restaurant liqour license to Olivia Rodriquez for Fiesata Mexican Grill located at 122 W. Route 66.
  • Will review and make an appointment to planning and Zoning Commission.
  • Will consider and may approve a lease with Route 66 Zipline.

Council may not act on items during public participation, but may ask city staff to put the item on a future agenda. People wishing to participate in the public portion should go to the meeting early and fill out the appropriate form.

Hoot & Howl Your Way through Bearizona during the Howly Growly Owly Festival

Howly-7280WILLIAMS — Bearizona is hosting Howly Growly Owly Festival weekends in October. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume and kids that do will get a “beary” special treat!

Festivities Include:

Howl-O-Ween Express: Hop on the windowless bus that takes visitors through the drive-through animal exhibits. This is about as close as you are going to get to our animals, so you don’t want to miss out. Patrons can howl with the wolves in the Alaskan Tundra & Arctic Wolf enclosure and watch the bison interact with a special Howl-O-Ween enrichment treat. Bus rides depart from the Fort Bearizona parking lot at 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. every Friday and 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October.

Growly Bear Cave: Check out our array of jack-o-lanterns that adorn the inside of the Kindergarten Bear Cave.

Scarizona at Bearizona Haunted House: Those who dare can walk through our super scary Haunted House (PG-13 Rated) open Friday 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Saturday ave Sunday 10:00a.m-5:00p.m.

Raptor Show: Guests should plan to catch an Owly Raptor Show at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m., after visiting Fort Bearizona’s baby and smaller animals.

Photo Ops: Several areas of the park are decorated in different themes so visitors can take photos with their families.

Scavenger Hunts: Both adults and children can get in on this fun activity. Check in at the front of Fort Bearizona Walk Through with the attendant and get your scavenger hunt form. After you complete the scavenger hunt make sure to turn in your card at the gift shop for a prize.


Bearizona’s mission is to promote conservation through memorable and educational encounters with North American wildlife in a natural environment.

The Pumpkin Patch Train event begins this weekend.

WILLIAMS — The Grand Canyon Railway rolls to the secret pumpkin patch starting this weekend and running every weekend through October. The event includes some spooky fun at the terminal on Grand Canyon Boulevard.

The long-range weather forecast currently shows sunny weather for the event on Friday and Saturday with a slight chance of thunderstorms on Sunday. Highs will range from 82 to the upper 70s throughout the week. Highs Saturday and Sunday are expected to be around 78.
There are only eight-days for the Pumpkin Patch Event through October. The dates are the 3, 4 (this weekend), 9, 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18. Departure times are 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets for the Pumpkin Patch train event are $23 for adults and $18 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the Grand Canyon Railway web site.

Williams Vikings hold homecoming parade


vikings-3WILLIAMS — The Williams Vikings held their annual Homecoming parade blocking off portions (all of) historic Route 66 this afternoon. The parade was a prelude to their bonfire tonight in preparation for their ignominious stomping of their rival from Mayer tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Williams Clean and Beautiful tomorrow

WILLIAMS — Do not forget to come out to Williams Clean and Beautiful campaign at the Williams-Kaibab Visitor Center parking lot tomorrow. The clean-up will start at 9 a.m. and run until noon. The American Legion Cordova Post No. 13 will be hosting the barbecue at that time.

The weather will be clear tomorrow through Sunday night. There is a chance of showers Sunday night increasing to 40% Monday afternoon to 50% over Monday night. Thundershowers are likely from Tuesday afternoon to midnight Tuesday.

The chance of showers continues through Wednesday but is expected to clear up to sunny days Thursday and Friday, according to the long-range forecast.

Sunny skies predicted through the week

800-rainthreat15-09-16-01WILLIAMS — Clouds loomed over Williams, yesterday morning, threatening a storm. A few drops of rain even dropped. By the afternoon, however, the sun came out and the clouds parted.
640-sunny15-09-17 001
Just in time for the Clean and Beautiful event in Williams, the skies became clean and beautiful. The Clean and Beautiful event will start at 9 a.m. at the Williams Visitor Center parking lot and end with a barbecue at noon.

The long range weather forecast predicts sunny skies in Williams and Flagstaff through the weekend until Monday. A chance of showers returns next week.

Zipline should be open all weekend.

Zipline should be open all weekend.

A funny thing happened in Flagstaff. Or will happen.

comedy-1FLAGSTAFF — We are not joking. Flagstaff will be hosting the first annual Big Pine Comedy Festival October 7 through 10. The show boasts 48 performers.

The performers will appear at different venues throughout Flagstaff. For dates, times and venues you can check the schedule at their web site.

There is also a Little Pine competition for those who want to try their hand at comedy. The Little Pine is a comedy competition open to any comic who wants to come to Flagstaff and try and win a spot on a festival showcase. There will be 2 Little Pine competitions during the festival. The first will be Friday October 9 at 6pm and the second will be Saturday October 10 at 6pm. Sets for Little Pine will be 5 minutes and if you win Little Pine you will do a festival showcase later the same night. To get booked for Little Pine simply email BigPineComedyFestival@gmail.com with the date(s) you would like to perform.

All shows (except Little Pine and The All New Material Show) are $5 at the door or people can purchase festival passes on their website or in the lobby at the haunted Hotel Weatherford Oct 7-10 for $25.