Category Archives: Flagstaff

Coconino County pilots Super Service Saturday

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County initiated a pilot project to bring services to residents one Saturday a month during the summer. In a multi-departmental effort called “Super Service Saturdays,” the County will provide select services from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month (July 14, August 11 and Septeptember 8) at the County Health and Human Services Office, 2625 N. King St. Flagstaff.

During every Super Service Saturday, there will be a wide variety of services offered by the Public Health Services District, Community Services Department, the Career Center and other County departments.

“We’re very excited to be launch this new program that will expand services to Saturdays,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Ryan. “The Board of Supervisors fully supports trying this out and opening our doors on Saturdays to help ease the burden for people who can’t access services during normal business hours. We hope people take advantage during this pilot period and help us spread the word.”

Resources for job seekers, Financial Empowerment Workshops and WIC Services will be available every Super Service Saturday. People can also get a free backpack, while supplies last, when they get back-to-school immunizations or sports physicals during the July and August events. District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta’s office will also take part in Super Service Saturdays to help answer constituent questions and inform them on County updates.

“We live in a very rural and diverse county where accessing these crucial services, Monday through Friday, during working hours, isn’t always easy,” said Supervisor Archuleta. “I’m thrilled that this program will help people, who usually have to take vacation or sick time or take unpaid time off work during the week, get services they need. If we can make the lives of the people we serve just a little bit easier, this program will be a success.”

The 2017 Coconino County Community Need Assessment and focus groups conducted by the Health District found that accessing services during traditional hours was sometimes difficult due to transportation issues and work schedules. The Super Service Saturday program will be evaluated after the pilot is completed to determine if Super Service Saturdays are continued or expanded to include more locations, dates and services.

More information and a complete list of services can be found at http://www.coconino.az.gov/superservicesaturday or by calling 928-679-7120. Registration is required for some of the services. Regular fees apply.

Rescue of Injured Hiker at Lava River Cave

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FLAGSTAFF — On July 9, 2018 at approximately 2:00 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Guardian Medical Transport, and Ponderosa Fire District responded to an injured hiker in the Lava River Cave. The 44-year-old male hiker from Cordes Lakes, AZ suffered an ankle injury near the end of the cave and was unable to walk out on his own. Ponderosa Fire and Guardian Medical personnel hiked in to initiate patient care while Search and Rescue carried a litter and responded with additional personnel to transport the hiker out of the cave. Twenty-three rescue personnel from the three agencies were involved in the operation.

The terrain in the cave as well as the darkness made for a challenging rescue. After an approximately three-and-a-half-hour rescue operation, rescuers were able to get the hiker out at 5:52 pm. The hiker was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of an ankle injury.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind hikers planning a trip to the Lava River Cave to be prepared for the conditions inside the cave. In addition to total darkness, the ground is rocky and uneven. Temperatures range from 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit inside the cave even during the summer. It is recommended that hikers use a headlamp and helmet as well as wear appropriate hiking footwear when entering the cave.

Meeting to be held Thursday, July 12, in Sedona on SR 89A improvements

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation will hold an informational meeting on Thursday, July 12, in Sedona about plans for safety, roadway and bridge improvements along 12 miles of State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff.

The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 12, at the Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road. A formal presentation is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The four projects planned for this stretch of SR 89A beginning in 2019 will require traffic restrictions and are being coordinated to minimize impacts on those who live, work and recreate in the area. The work involves:

Rehabilitating the Pumphouse Wash bridge.
Rehabilitating pavement from the Sedona city limits north to Bear Howard Drive.
Reducing the potential for rock fall between mileposts 375 and 389.
Installing erosion control infrastructure.

More information on the projects is available at azdot.gov/SR89AImprovements.

Project team members will be at the meeting to explain the improvements and share information about proposed construction schedules and traffic plans. The public can ask questions, provide comments and speak directly with project team members.

Those unable to attend the meeting can ask questions and submit comments in these ways:

Toll-free ADOT bilingual project information line: 855.712.8530.
Email: SR89A@hdrinc.com.
Mail: SR 89A Projects c/o HDR, 101 N. First Ave., Ste. 1950, Phoenix, AZ 85003.

The deadline for comments is July 28.

You asked for it. You’re gonna get it.

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FILE PHOTO

The monsoons are about to hit with a fury over the next week. There are no official weather advisories for the period, but there is a 60% chance of thunderstorms through tomorrow. Thunderstorms, of course, bring lightning so there is a possibility of fire starts. The moisture, however, might make them easier to contend with.

Tuesday through Friday the chance of thunderstorms continues ranging from 40% to 50% chance. There is a 30% chance on Saturday.

Temperatures are expected to cool slightly dropping from the low 80s to the upper 70s and there are no excessive winds predicted for the period. The forecast for Flagstaff is almost identical to Williams with slightly cooler temperatures overnight.

Rescue of Climbing Accident Victim at Oak Creek Vista

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FLAGSTAFF – On July 2, 2018 at approximately 1:15 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a climbing accident at Oak Creek Vista off of State Route 89A. Multiple agencies responded to assist in the rescue of the injured climber.

A 57-year-old male from Tucson, AZ had sustained a back injury when he fell approximately 20 feet at the end of his rappel. Due to the location of the patient and the nature of his injuries, Search and Rescue established a technical rope system to lower a rescuer and basket litter to the patient. Highlands Fire and Guardian Medical personnel had hiked to the patient’s location to provide initial treatment and help prepare the patient to be raised by the rope system. The Search and Rescue litter attendant and the patient were then raised via a mechanical advantage rope system to the top of the canyon and carried out to the waiting ambulance. The patient was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

Thank you to Highlands Fire District, Guardian Medical Transport, and Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit.

Rain in the future

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In case you forgot, rain looks something like this.

WILLIAMS — According to the long-range forecast, moisture may move into the area next Friday. Williams and Flagstaff have a 20-percent chance of rain starting Friday morning and continuing through Saturday night. The chance of rain increases to 30-percent Sunday morning.

Whether or not it will be enough to break the drought remains to be seen.

Independence Day closures

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FLAGSTAFF –– All Coconino County offices will be closed Wednesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, records will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please dial 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.

Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 and leave a message and an officer will respond. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open during the holiday, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill County Park will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. The Fort Tuthill Bike Park is open. The public is encouraged to visit one of the County’s parks for a morning run, afternoon hike or to view local wildlife.

The County remains in Stage Three Fire Restrictions below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and the use of fireworks is prohibited throughout the County. For more information on restrictions go www.coconino.az.gov/ready.

2018 Coconino County Fair early bird ticket sales began today

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting the 69th annual Coconino County Fair, on Labor Day Weekend, August 31 – September 3, at Fort Tuthill County Park. The Fair is a community event where people exhibit animals and handcrafts. There are also various entertainment acts, carnival rides and games.

Starting July 1, fairgoers can purchase early bird Coconino County Fair admission tickets and carnival wristbands for a discounted rate at coconinocountyfair.com. The promotion ends July 31. Discounted carnival wristbands are available until they are sold out.

Early bird admission tickets will be $5 each for adults and $3 each for youth (ages 6 – 12) and seniors (65 and older). Kids, 5 and under, are not charged admission at the Fair. Carnival wristbands, which allow people to ride unlimited carnival rides for one day, will be $25 each, while supplies last. There is a limit of ten wristbands that can be purchased at one time.

To enter exhibits such as artwork, photography, crafts, homegrown vegetables and flowers, clothing, quick breads, cookies, cherry pies, candies, preserved foods, quilts and more, go to coconinocountyfair.com. Entries are free except for livestock. Participants will compete for red, white or blue ribbons with special awards, including cash prizes.

The 2018 Fair Book is now online for people to view categories and enter their exhibit information. There are a limited number of printed Fair Books available at the Parks and Recreation Administration office or participating locations in Coconino County.

For more information on the County Fair go to coconinocountyfair.com or call the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department at 928-679-8000.

County Board appoints James Jayne County Manager

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FLAGSTAFF -– The Coconino County Board of Supervisors selected James (Jimmy) Jayne as County Manager. Jayne has served as Interim County Manager since January 2018.

“Jimmy has shown tremendous leadership ability over the last six months as Interim County Manager,” said Chairman of the Board Matt Ryan. “His extensive experience and vast network of connections throughout the state will advance the County’s initiatives on behalf of our citizens. The Board trusts and believes that Jimmy is the right person to deliver the quality services our citizens have come to expect.”

District 1 Supervisor and Vice Chairman Art Babbott added, “We’re excited by the creativity and innovation that Jimmy will bring to Coconino County to better serve our citizens, build our organization and engender productive local, state, tribal and federal partnerships. We are enthusiastic about his leadership and ensuring the County grows as a forward thinking, supportive and high-performing organization.”

Jayne’s breadth of experience serving in state and county leadership roles positions him to support the County’s mission to build strong and resilient communities across the vastness of Coconino County.

“I’ve been really impressed with the work ethic and dedication to public service Jimmy has shown over his tenure with the County,” said District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler. “He’s traveled to every corner of the County and worked to establish relationships in all of our diverse communities. I look forward to working with him as we continue to meet our many challenges.”

Jayne joined the Coconino County team in August 2017 serving as the Director of Special Initiatives, responsible for Public Affairs and Community Relations, Public Works and various special projects.

“I am honored to be selected by the Board to serve the people of Coconino County,” said Jayne. “My life has been dedicated to building community – I pledge to bring energy, creativity and a strong commitment to collaborating with our communities. I am also privileged to work with one of finest service organizations in the country, a team that is strongly dedicated to serving the public.”

Prior to coming to Coconino County, Jayne served as the Navajo County Manager since 2003. He also served as Executive Secretary for the Arizona Corporation Commission, the Chief of Staff in the Arizona House of Representatives, worked at the Arizona Water Banking Authority and served as staff in the U.S. Congress. Jayne earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University and his Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University. Recently he was inducted into the Northern Arizona University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Hall of Fame for his outstanding public service career.

The Board will officially appoint Jayne as County manager during a special session on July 11.

Suspect Taken Into Custody after Armed Stand Off

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FLAGSTAFF –- An armed suspect in a domestic violence incident was arrested after a five and half hour standoff with police.

On Tuesday morning June 26, 2018, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic violence incident that allegedly occurred inside a home in the 2600 block of Kona Trail in the Kachina Village subdivision south of Flagstaff. The reporting party was the Coconino County Adult Probation Department. Probation had received a call from the female victim and her father, alleging the female’s boyfriend had become aggressive with the father, and later physically assaulted the female when she found a bag of suspected methamphetamines in the suspects personal possessions. The female also reported the suspect had a handgun on his person during the physical assault, but did not threaten or use the weapon. The suspect had allegedly told the female that he would not open the door for police or surrender.

The suspect is identified as 26-year-old Spencer William Bird. Bird is currently on probation for attempted sexual assault. Bird does not live in the home, but had asked to stay at the home and was asking for help stating he had a drug problem. He had been a guest in the home for two days.

The female and her father left the home and reported to the incident to the Adult Probation. The suspect was on probation out of Maricopa County and under courtesy supervision by Coconino County Adult Probation.

Sheriff’s deputies and probation officers worked together to get Bird to come out of the home under the pretense that Probation needed to visit with him. The suspect failed to show up to the meeting. Maricopa County Probation issued an arrest warrant based on information from this incident. Probation officers then attempted to locate the suspect at the home. The suspect would not answer the door or respond to officers. The Probation Officer and Sheriff Deputies tried for several hours to contact Bird, but he refused to answer his phone.

Surrounding neighbors were evacuated and two streets were closed during the incident. The Flagstaff Police Departments Joint Tactical Operations Team responded at the request of the Sheriff’s Office. Negotiators spent several hours attempting to contact Bird, but he refused to communicate with negotiators and the female victim.

A chemical irritant was introduced into the bathroom of the home, and Bird exited within minutes and surrendered to officers. Bird was treated on scene for the irritant, then transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for evaluation. Bird was later released from medical care. He was booked into the Coconino County Jail on the felony warrant issued out of Maricopa County with possible additional charges pending the investigation of this incident.

This was a joint operation involving several agencies. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Flagstaff Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Highlands Fire Department, Flagstaff Fire Department, Coconino County Adult Probation, and Guardian Ambulance. We also thank the residents in the area for their cooperation during the incident and evacuation.