Category Archives: Flagstaff

Coconino SAR rescues injured skier on Fremont Peak

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FLAGSTAFF – On February 16th at approximately 6:10 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an injured skier on the north side of Fremont Peak on a path known as Telemark. The 25-year-old male from Flagstaff had been skiing down the path and fell causing a shoulder injury which made impossible for him to continue to ski down. The group that he was with requested rescue and began to assist him down to the toe of the path where the terrain was less steep.

CCSO SAR rescue injured skier on north side of Fremont peak. – CCSO Photo

An Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter was requested to assist with the rescue, however due to the winds in the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks and the location of the injured party, they were not able to land to conduct the rescue. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team responded to the area and were assisted by an ambulance crew from Guardian Medical Transport. The SAR team and the Guardian Medical crew drove the Sheriff’s Office snowcat to the Lockett Meadow campground in the Interior Valley.

The injured skier and his party were able to make it to the Inner Basin snow study cabins and waited there for rescuers. Due to the snow conditions in the area, the snowcat was not able to make it to the cabins, so a SAR team with the Guardian Medical crew hiked from the Lockett Meadow Campground to the cabins, which were approximately one and a half miles away. Upon arrival at the cabins at approximately 1:30 AM patient care was initiated by Guardian Medical and the SAR team prepared the patient for transport in a litter using a “hypothermia wrap” system to keep him warm and dry during the litter carry to the snowcat. The patient was loaded into the snowcat at approximately 3:30 AM and then transported down to the base of Lockett Meadow Road to be transferred to the ambulance for transport to the Flagstaff Medical Center.

This mission was another example of the close coordination and relationships between Northern Arizona emergency responders. The patient and his party were also well prepared and experienced in backcountry travel which allowed them to adequately manage the emergency until rescuers could arrive. Emergencies that occur in the wilderness areas require that the parties involved be able to manage the situation for an extended period of time as access is often difficult or time consuming. Being prepared for emergencies in the winter backcountry requires the proper clothing and equipment as well as experience using that equipment.

Summer ramada reservations available for County parks

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Parks and Recreation will begin accepting summer ramada reservations on February 18, 2020. There are 11 ramadas at four County parks available for rent.

Ramadas can be used to host parties, reunions get-togethers and other events. They are available for rent seven days a week, for half or full days throughout the year, including holidays. Reserving a ramada for a party or special occasion will guarantee space and ensure utilities are active.

Customers may reserve a ramada online by going to Coconino.az.gov/Parks/Ramadas or by going to the Parks and Recreation Administration Office located at Fort Tuthill County Park, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, AZ. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Prices range from $46-$114 for ramada rentals. Staff will follow up with a confirmation within one business day. For reservations less than 24 hours in advance, or for additional questions, please call the Administration office at (928) 679-8000.

Joanne Keene named Deputy County Manager

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Manager James Jayne has announced the appointment of Joanne Keene as Deputy County Manager. The Board of Supervisors are expected to approve the appointment at a regular board meeting in March.

Keene has almost twenty-five years of experience in local, state and federal government. Most recently, Keene has served for five years as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff to Northern Arizona University. Prior to her work at NAU, Keene served as the Government Relations Director for Coconino County from 2007 – 2015 and for eight years in various roles in Arizona and in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We’re thrilled to welcome back Joanne to the County team,” said County Manager James Jayne. “Several highly qualified candidates were interviewed for this position and Joanne’s experience and dedication to this County made her the clear choice. Joanne has remained an essential and trusted voice in our community and has been a fantastic partner in her role with NAU. She is known for her leadership, professionalism and devotion to public service and we look forward to her joining the County Management team as she provides vital leadership to key departments.”

As Deputy County Manager, Keene’s focus will be on fulfilling the goals and further developing the missions of internal service departments. As part of the County’s Organizational Renewal initiative, the Deputy County Manager will promote organizational culture to achieve success and partnership in Information Technology, Human Resources and Facilities Management.

“Coconino County is a special place and I’m excited to rejoin such a committed organization,” said incoming Deputy Manager Keene. “I strongly believe that local governments, and the people working in them, make an incredible difference in people’s lives. I look forward to working with the Board, people, elected officials, the County Management team and the internal service departments to continue the work the County does to provide excellent service.”

Keene is a graduate of NAU with a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelors in English and Broadcast Journalism. She is also a Certified Public Manager through Arizona State University and a Flinn-Brown Fellow. Keene currently serves on several local boards including High Country Humane and Mountain Line. On the statewide level, Keene services on the Board of Directors for Arizona Forward and is a Governor’s appointee to the Arizona State Fair and Exposition Board and the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Governor’s Office and County collaborate to promote child passenger safety

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Injury Prevention Program received a grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety of $15,913 this fiscal year. From the grant, $14,138 will be spent on child passenger safety/occupant protection and $1,775 will go towards pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The CCHHS Injury Prevention Program has promoted child passenger safety and driver awareness with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety since 2003.

The CCHS Injury Prevention Program will use the funding to provide under-served areas in Coconino County with car seat safety education and to participate in events that enhance the existing child safety program, materials and supplies.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages two to 14. Research shows that as children age, they are less likely to be in the appropriate child safety seat for their age and weight. Correctly used child safety seats are extremely effective and reduce the risk of injury and death approximately 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Children ages 4-8 using belt-positioning booster seats are 45% less likely to sustain injuries than those only using seat belts.

Child Passenger Safety is at the heart of the CCHHS Injury Prevention Program and teaches families how to safely transport their children. Certified child passenger safety technicians and instructors inspect child safety seats at several community events throughout the year and educate parents and caregivers.

For more information on the CCHHS Injury Prevention program, call 928-679-7262 or visit www.coconino.az.gov/health.

Public comment period for County Fair fee changes open

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FLAGSTAFF — The public can comment on proposed County Fair fee changes until April 6. The 60-day comment period on the proposed fees affects vendors, open livestock entries and 4-H wristbands. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors reviewed the fee changes, which have not increased since 2006, at the regular meeting on Jan. 28

The Board may consider any increase or change up to the amount proposed by the department but not anything higher. The Board could approve the fees any time after the 60-day comment period ending April 6, 2020

Coconino County Parks & Recreation (CCPR) manages the Coconino County Fair. CCPR suggested the fee changes to recover costs due to increased prices for goods and services, to align with industry best practices and to moderately increase revenue without impacting the cost to fairgoers. Fees also help offset damages to the Fairgrounds at historic Fort Tuthill Quad, which had a $4.1 million renovation in 2017.

The following is a summary of the proposed fee changes:

Coconino County Fair Vendors

  • Food Vendor fees change from a square footage fee to a minimum guarantee based on frontage against a percentage of gross revenue.
  • Amusement Vendor fees change from a percentage to a square footage fee.
  • Commercial & Non-Profit Vendors will see a nominal increase in cost per square foot of space rental.
  • A refundable deposit will now be required to account for damages, staff time outside of scheduled hours and violating rules set forth in the contract.

Open Livestock Entry

  • Open Poultry and Rabbit & Cavies fees increase from $50 to $1 per entry to offset a portion of the cost of feed and bedding supplied by the Fair.
  • Open Horse fees increase from $3 to $5 per entry to offset a portion of the cost of supplies associated with the Fair Horse Show.

4-H Wristbands (applicable to 4-H youth and parents only)

  • 4-H Adult Admission Wristband (includes unlimited days and parking) fee increases from $20 to $25.
  • 4-H Child Admission Wristband (includes unlimited days and parking) fee increases from $12 to $15.

For more information on the proposed fee changes and to provide comments, visit Coconino.AZ.Gov/Parks.

County Superintendent of Schools to host 2020 Spelling BEE

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FLAGSTAFF – Twenty-two Coconino County students will compete to be the top speller at the 2020 Coconino County Spelling BEE. The County BEE will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 8 in the Coconino High School mini-auditorium at 2801 N. Izabel Street, Flagstaff.

The 2020 Coconino County Spelling BEE consists of home, public, charter and private school-students from throughout the County who won their school or district Spelling Bee.

The Rotary Clubs from Flagstaff, Grand Canyon and Williams donate monetary prizes for the top three spellers. The clubs also provide experienced and qualified judges who determine if the contestants have spelled the words correctly.

The winner of the County Spelling BEE will advance to compete with 26 other top spellers at the state level. The Arizona Educational Foundation State Spelling Bee is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at AZ PBS, 500 N. Central Avenue, 6th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004.

The winner of the state bee will represent Arizona at the 2020 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in late May or early June.

The County Spelling BEE is coordinated and hosted annually by the County Superintendent of Schools Office. Spectators are welcome to attend.

For information please contact Betsey Williams at (928) 679-8070 or e-mail bwilliams@coconino.az.gov.

Coconino County Detention Facility Upgrades Video Visitation System

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Detention Facility recently upgraded its Video Visitation System so that friends and family can now visit from anywhere using a smart phone, computer or tablet. Visitors no longer need to go to the jail lobby to use the free video visitation feature.

Inmates now receive 60 minutes of free video visitation each week. Visitation can take place from anywhere, and inmates can use their weekly free minutes for the visits. The 60 minutes can be split up into different visits and can be used with any type of visit, whether to a computer, phone, tablet, or with someone in the Flagstaff or Page jail lobbies.

For more information and to set up an account, please visit www.gettingout.com or from a smart phone or table visit the app store to download the free app GettingOut Visit.

Sexual assault suspect in custody

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FLAGSTAFF – On January 25, at approximately 4:30 am, Jason Gonnie was taken into custody during a traffic stop at 4th Street and Highway 66 by Deputies from Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Officers and the Flagstaff Police Department.

Gonnie was taken into custody without incident, during an early Saturday morning traffic stop, where he was then transported to the Coconino County Detention Facility.

Gonnie was booked for Kidnapping, Sex Assault, 3 counts of Endangerment, Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon, Burglary 2nd degree, Possession of Marijuana and a Probation Warrant. Gonnie currently has a $150,000.00 bond.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Flagstaff Police Department, Department of Public safety, United States Marshals Office, the media and the public for their assistance in bringing this matter to a peaceful resolution.

Barricaded Subject in Kachina Village not found in residence.

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FLAGSTAFF – On January 23, 2020 around 5:20 pm, after continued efforts by negotiators to contact the suspect Jason Gonnie with negative results, the Tactical Team was deployed and made entry into the residence off Chof Trail where Gonnie was last seen.

The entire multilevel residence was cleared and searched by the Tactical Team with the assistance of a canine and robot. Gonnie was not in the residence.

Detectives found through investigating the incident that the suspect was familiar with the family and the residence. Gonnie is believed to have broken into the lower level of the residence and contacted the victim sometime Wednesday night.

Gonnie remained at the residence until Thursday morning at which
point, he presented a weapon and refused to allow the victim and children to leave the home. It was during this time Gonnie reportedly sexually assaulted the victim. Around 1:00 pm on Thursday the victim was able to escape the residence with her two children after Gonnie moved to another level of the residence, leaving her alone.

Efforts to locate Jason Gonnie are ongoing. Gonnie is considered a threat to the public and potentially armed. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to use caution if they come in to contact with Gonnie. If anyone is aware of Gonnie’s location or sees him, they are asked to immediately
call 911 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

Barricaded Subject in Kachina Village

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FLAGSTAFF – On January 23, 2020 since around 1:16 pm, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has been working a barricaded subject accused of Sexual Assault in the area of Chof Trail in Kachina Village. On scene deputies are still trying to confirm if the suspect is in the residence.

Information obtained from the reporting party was the victim along with two other children had removed themselves from the house and made their way to the reporting party’s residence. The reporting party advised that the suspect was the only one in the residence.

After arriving on scene, deputies confirmed the safety of the victim and children who had been in residence. Deputies set up a perimeter around the residence in which the suspect was last seen. At this time no contact has been made with the suspect. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to attempt to contact the suspect through phone and loudspeaker. The suspect has been identified as Jason Gonnie an 18-year-old Native American male, 5 foot 9 inches tall, slim build, black hair and black eyes.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter has been deployed along with the Northern Arizona Regional Tactical Team. Efforts are ongoing to confirm Gonnie is still in the residence. Due to the ongoing investigations, no further details are available at this time. More information will be made available as the investigation progresses.