Category Archives: Flagstaff

Paving work on westbound Interstate 40 to continue near Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) crews continue with paving operations on Interstate 40 near Flagstaff, Monday through Wednesday (August 1-3). A right-lane restriction and reduced speeds will be in place during construction from 4 a.m. to noon at the following locations:

Monday – Eastbound I-40 from I-17 Junction to Butler Avenue (milepost 196-197)
Tuesday – Westbound from Flagstaff Ranch Road to I-17 Junction (milepost 196-195)
Wednesday – Eastbound I-40 from I-17 Junction to Butler Avenue (milepost 196-197)

During construction there will be lane closures and reduced speed in the construction zone.

Jon Paxton takes over as Community Programs Planner

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PaxtonFLAGSTAFF — We are pleased to announce that beginning August 1, 2016 Jon Paxton will be assuming the position of Community Programs Planner for the Coconino County Sheriff’s. “Jon brings a lot of experience and positive energy to this position,” said Sheriff Bill Pribil. “We think he is a great match for our community and volunteer programs.”

Jon retired from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office in December 2015 after serving 24 years in patrol. Jon has always been recognized by this agency as being the model Community Deputy in his ability to relate to people, his de-escalation skills, for being a be a liaison for the community, and for living the mission of service to community. While his new role will be in a non-sworn capacity, his experiences from his many years of law enforcement and community service will definitely benefit the position.

Jon graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy in Dec 1991. In the early 1990’s, Deputies often were introduced to their career by beginning their assignment in our Detention Facility in managing inmates. In 1992, he moved to a field patrol position and was assigned as the Community Deputy for the Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon patrol district. He immediately established rapport with the community was unofficially, but affectionately known as the “Mayor of Oak Creek.”

Being the local deputy for Sedona and Oak Creek was no simple task. Oak Creek Canyon and the Sedona area receive over 3-4 million visitors a year. Jon’s skills in keeping the peace and reducing the impact of crime in Oak Creek are a testament of his great people skills. It was not uncommon for him to be the first Search and Rescue responder on scene and single handedly hike people safely out of their circumstances in the middle of the night.

In 2000 Jon graduated from the Basic Mounted Police School and became a leader in our Mounted Unit. He often rode Filly, a much loved mule, and participated in parades; mounted color guard; Search and Rescue; forest patrols for marijuana eradication; security patrols at the County Fair, rodeos, horse races, downtown events; valley bowl games; and for public relation events. He became a trainer for the Mounted Unit Academy.

Jon Paxton is the recipient of several awards, including the Fraternal Order of Police Officer of Year in 1991, Sheriff’s Office Achievement Award in 2003 for community policing, Elks Lodge #2291 Officer of the Year award in 2003, National Public Service Award 2003 for the Mounted Unit, CCSO Achievement Award in 2006 for his leadership during the Brins Fire in Oak Creek Canyon, and another National Public Service Award in 2015.

Jon Paxton was selected from a pool of over 30 applicants and competed with five others who were brought in for the interview, testing, and community forum process. He will be filling the Community Programs Planner position left vacant after the May 2016 retirement of Gerry Blair.

Jon will be responsible for the following programs: Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams, Citizens Police Academy, Volunteers in Policing, Woods Watch, our agencies presence at fairs and exhibitions, and other public and community outreach still to come. Please help us welcome Jon Paxton.

Spring hunt recommendations to be available for review

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has scheduled a series of six “open houses” for its constituents to review and ask questions about proposed hunt recommendations for spring hunts for turkey, javelina, bison and bear.

The department annually makes recommendations to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission regarding the management of game species, which establish the seasons, dates, bag limits, open areas and permit-tag allocations based on the framework of the hunt guidelines set by the commission every two years.

The proposed recommendations are posted at www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines. The open houses will be conducted at the following Game and Fish regional offices:

  • Tues., July 26: 4-6:30 p.m. Mesa, 7200 E. University Drive.
  • Thurs., July 27: 3-5 p.m., Kingman, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.
  • Tues., Aug. 2: 3-5 p.m., Pinetop, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
  • Wed., Aug. 3: 6-8 p.m., Flagstaff, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.
  • Wed., Aug. 3: 3-5 p.m., Yuma, 9140 E. 28th St.
  • Wed., Aug. 3: 3-5 p.m., Tucson, 555 N. Greasewood Road.

The proposed hunt recommendations will be presented to the commission for consideration during its Aug. 5 meeting in Flagstaff.

To learn more about the hunt recommendations and hunt guidelines processes, visit www.azgfd.gov/huntguidelines.

Paving work on westbound Interstate 40 between Country Club and Butler Avenue underway

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FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) crews continue with paving operations on westbound Interstate 40, beginning two miles east of Butler Avenue (milepost 198) to one mile west of Butler Avenue (milepost 197) on Tuesday at 4 am to noon.

During construction there will be lane closures and reduced speed in the construction zone.

ADOT advises travelers to allow for extra time for travel in the area, and to watch for crews and equipment in the work zone.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned roadway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.

Mountain Biker Dies During Trail Ride

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit recovered the body of a 63-year-old Cornville, AZ resident who died while mountain biking a trail in Fry Canyon.

The Northern Arizona Regional 911 Center received a call around 8:16 am on Sunday July 24, 2106 from a group of mountain bikers advising one of their party had either suffered a medical incident or an injury while riding. Members of the group had started CPR on the victim.

Sheriff’s deputies, along with Guardian Medical and Highlands Fire Department responded to the area and hiked to the victim. Medics performed life saving measures, but were unable to revive the victim, 63-year-old Michael Weinberg. Weinberg was pronounced dead at the scene.

The group of riders had been riding for a distance when they stopped to re-group. After a short stop, the group started to ride again with Weinberg at the back of the group. The group had only ridden five to ten minutes when they realized Weinberg was not there. They headed back up the trail and found Weinberg unresponsive lying on the trail with his bike.

Search and Rescue and fire personnel performed a litter carry to transport Weinberg out to a forest service road. The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Sheriff’s office releases name of lightning victim

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FLAGSTAFF — After consulting with families of the three victims of the lightning strike yesterday, the Coconino County Sheriff has released the names of two of the teenagers involved.

The 18-year-old who was injured is David Lyons from Tempe. The deceased 17-year-old was identified as Wade Young of Tempe. The other 17-year-old that was injured has not been identified.

The three youths were hiking near the summit of Humphreys Peak when the tragic lightning strike occurred.

One hiker killed, two injured in Flagstaff

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Williams experienced severe lightning starting around noon.

Williams experienced severe lightning starting around noon.

FLAGSTAFF — At approximately 12:50 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff dispatcher received a 911 call concerning three hikers struck by lightning near the summit of Humphreys Peak. One hiker was reported as unresponsive.

Due to severe and continuous lightning on the peaks, emergency responders are staged at Agassiz Lodge and coordinating with the hikers to get them to safety.

At about 8 p.m., one male age 17 was confirmed deceased after being struck by lightning. Two other males ages 17 and 18 were transported to Flagstaff Medical Center with injuries that were likely received due to their proximity to the lightning strike.

The two injured hikers were conscious and walking when emergency responders reached them. The three hikers are from the Tempe, AZ area.

SR 89A improvements between Sedona to Flagstaff begins Tuesday

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FLAGSTAFF — Travelers heading on State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff should allow for extra time for travel as one-lane restrictions will be in effect beginning Tuesday (July 19) at milepost 394, just north of the Vista Point Overlook to accommodate construction on SR 89A between the Vista Point Overlook and JW Powell Boulevard intersection.

The one-lane restriction will be in effect weekdays between 7 am and 4 pm until early October as crews clear trees and perform other work as part of the roadway improvement project. Flaggers will be in place to control travel through the area and a pilot car may be in use to allow for alternating north- and southbound travel through the work zone.

Delays can be anticipated during construction. ADOT advises travelers to allow for extra time for travel in the area, and to watch for crews and equipment in the work zone.

The SR 89A improvement project will widen and rehabilitate approximately 8.4 miles of SR 89A between Vista Point Overlook and the JW Powell Boulevard intersection. For more information on the project, please visit the project website at: www.azdot.gov\89A

Public workshop to be held in Flagstaff for Grand Canyon National Park Airport Master Plan

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FLAGSTAFF — The master plan study process for the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, owned and operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation, continues with a public information workshop July 20 in Flagstaff.

The public will be able to review data collected by the study team regarding aviation forecasts and how it relates to current airport facility capabilities. Members of the community will also be able to provide comments and input on the study.

The open house forum will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave.

Airport master plans are required by the Federal Aviation Administration. The update for Grand Canyon National Park Airport will evaluate the facility’s capabilities and role, forecast future aviation demand and plan facility improvements to meet that demand over the next 20 years.

In addition to public meetings, comments and questions can be provided to the study team online at azdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan, by phone at 800.574.6334 or by mail to Grand Canyon Airport Master Plan Study, c/o Coffman Associates, 4835 E. Cactus Road, Ste. 235, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

For more information on the Grand Canyon Airport and the master plan study, please visit azdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan.

 

Elderly Woman Missing Outside Ash Fork

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CORRECTED: 7/17; 21:08
Missing Person Schleizer 3Ash Fork — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the assistance of the public in locating a missing 70 year old woman.

The Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting a search operation for the missing woman, 70 year old Linda Schleizer. Schleizer walked away from her home outside Ash Fork around 4:00 PM today and never returned home. Schleizer suffers from severe Alzheimer’s and when stressed, she has a tendency to withdraw and may have panic attacks. Schleizer will not answer to her name when called.

Schleizer commonly walks around the family’s property and normal returns home. She had been an avid hiker, and it is unknown how far she may walk. The family home is about 8.4 miles North West of Ash Fork and about 4.7 miles north of Interstate 40.

Schleizer is 5 feet 6 inches tall, 108 pounds, brown hair with hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a burnt orange shirt, purple shorts, gray Skechers tennis shoes and wearing prescription glasses.

The search is being conducted by Coconino County with assistance from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter out of Flagstaff and Kaibab Estates West Fire Department.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Schleizer, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office as 928-774-4523.