Category Archives: Flagstaff

Winter Weather Advisory issued for northern Arizona

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The National Weather Service in Bellmont issued a winter weather advisory for areas abover 6500-feet. The advisory started at 2:52 this afternoon and is in effect until Thursday, November 3 at 11 p.m.

Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

Possible Snow forecast from 11 PM Wednesday to 11 PM Thursday are Doney Park 2 to 4-inches, Flagstaff 4 to 8-inches, Forest Lakes 4 to 6-inches, Heber-Overgaard 1 to 3-inches, Shonto 1 to 3-inches and Williams 4 to 8-inches.

Temperatures are expected to be freezing during the advisory raising to 54-degrees Saturday. The temperatures should remain in the mid-50s during the day through Tuesday and below freezing during the night.

Write-In Candidate Filing Opens for Position of City of Page Justice of the Peace

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FLAGSTAFF — The public is notified that with the passing of Justice of the Peace Candidate Donald G. Roberts and following Arizona Revised Statute 16-343(D), the Coconino County Elections Department is opening the write-in candidate filing period for the office of the Page Justice of the Peace.

To be considered an official write-in candidate, a person must file the required nomination papers with the Elections Department by November 3, at 5 p.m. and must meet all the applicable statutory requirements. For information about how to become a write-in candidate for this position, please contact the Coconino County Elections Department at 928-679-7896.

The names of the official write-in candidates will be posted on the Coconino County Elections Department webpages and at each polling location on Election Day. Voters casting a ballot for a write-in candidate must write the official write-in candidate name in the space provided for the race and put a mark on the oval next to the name.

Testing of Election Equipment in Coconino County on October 9

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FLAGSTAFF — The public is invited to observe Logic and Accuracy Testing of the programs and equipment that will be used in the general election in Coconino County on November 8. The tests serve to confirm that all accessible voting equipment works properly and that each tabulator accurately tallies a predetermined, marked set of ballots.

The tests will be performed on October 9 beginning at 9 a.m. at 1186 W University Ave, Suite C in Flagstaff. There is limited space in the onsite viewing room; the public is asked to arrive by 8:45 a.m. The testing will be streamed live on the County webpage Live Feed beginning at 9 a.m.

As stated on the Arizona Secretary of State website, “Before each election, voting equipment is tested to ensure that it is operating correctly. This test is performed by the election officials conducting the election as well as by the Secretary of State’s Office.”

“The Logic and Accuracy Tests are the first step in a series of tests and audits conducted throughout the elections process to guarantee the accuracy and integrity of the election equipment in Coconino County,” said Eslir Musta, Coconino County Elections Director.

Questions may be directed to the Coconino County Elections office at 928-679-7896.

Watershed protection work continues north of Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — A phase II of the Flagstaff Watershed Protection project resumed operations recently in an area north of Flagstaff and will benefit forest and watershed health by thinning overgrown stands of dense pine and mixed conifer.

The Dry Lake Hills project area is located east of Forest Road (FR) 420 and north of FR 551 in the Dry Lake Hills area and will help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and subsequent flooding to the city of Flagstaff.

Vehicular traffic is currently prohibited in the project area, but other means of entry such as hiking, biking, etc., are still permissible.

Operations will involve heavy machinery and log truck traffic along portions of Forest Road 6353, 420, and 556, and the project is expected to be ongoing through fall of 2023 with a temporary cease in all operations each year from March 1 through August 30 due to seasonal restrictions. The public should be aware of heavy machinery and falling timber in the area—a majority of which will be on or in close proximity to hiking and biking trails.

This project is being implemented by Markit! Forestry and Apache Homelands in coordination with the Coconino National Forest.

Free firewood available on Coconino NF, northwest of Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — Free firewood is available to permitted individuals on two new areas of the Coconino National Forest’s Flagstaff Ranger District.

The A-1 area is located off Interstate 40 west. It can be accessed by taking the A-1 mountain exit. Follow the road for half a mile, turn left onto Forest Road 518, and take a slight right onto FR 519. FR 9012J, FR 519 and FR 9022K can all be used to access the collection area. There is plenty of parking in the A-1 area off the road surface.

To access the 9007S area, head northwest on Highway 180. Turn right onto FR 151, located roughly 18 miles northwest of Flagstaff. Follow FR 151 for 1.5 miles, turn left onto FR 9218 and follow it for half a mile. Make a right onto FR 9007S, and logs will be located along both sides of the road. Only a handful of trucks and trailers can fit in the 9007S area at one time; so permit holders are asked to be patient with other vehicle drivers at the collection site.

There are about 20 truck loads of wood located at the 9007S area and there are roughly 15 large slash piles located at the A-1 collection area. While the wood in the 9007S area will likely not last long, it’s expected that wood will remain available in the A-1 collection area through November.

Only dead and down Ponderosa pine may be collected from the free use areas, which include slash piles from a recent timber sale contract.

Collection areas are clearly marked. Free use permits are needed to collect wood, and can be obtained by calling or visiting the Coconino National Forest’s Flagstaff Ranger District or Supervisor’s Office during business hours.

Free use permits are separate from personal use paid permits. Free use permits are valid only for collection within the designated area. Free use permits allow the cutting of up to five cords of dead and down wood in specified areas, and a maximum of five cords per household per year is allowed under free use.

Permit-holders are asked to keep safety in mind and be considerate of other forest visitors. Please leave unused wood stacked in slash piles. Drivers should remain wary of tight turns on roads and in collection areas and watch for uneven surfaces both on forest roads and in collection areas.

Last Call for Basic Archery Clinic

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The last Basic Archery Clinic will be on October 1 at the Archery Range. This clinic is for ages 8 and up and costs $28 for adults and $17 for youth.

The archery clinics require advanced registration, and openings fill quickly! Visit HERE to register for the clinics and other Parks & Recreation programs.

Coconino County thanks volunteers for County Fair

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Thanks to all the workers, volunteers, superintendents, sponsors, partners, vendors, entertainers, exhibitors, contractors, and attendees of the 2022 Coconino County Fair.

More than 42,000 people visited over Labor Day weekend.

If you were inspired by this year’s event, please start thinking about a project you might want to enter next year. From gardening to collecting, there are many opportunities to be part of the Fair. See you at the County Fair next year!

Missouri man shot after threatening officers with a screwdriver

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FLAGSTAFF — At 0530 on September 7th, there was an Officer involved shooting at the intersection of North Highway 89 and Cummings Street. The shooting resulted in the death of one adult male who was identified as 51-year-old Donald Wayne Henry of Missouri.

The Flagstaff Police responded to a call of a male subject breaking a gas station window and entering the business taking items from the store. At the same time the Sheriff’s Office received a call for a subject threatening to stab people with a knife in the same area at a nearby business.

When the FPD Officer arrived, he contacted the man in the middle of the intersection. The male subject produced a screwdriver and advanced towards the officer in a threatening manner. The officer drew his Taser and the male then fled on foot.

CCSO Deputies arrived and assisted the Officer. The man refused multiple commands to stop and to drop the screwdriver. He fled from the officers and ran across the road. The Officer and Deputies followed him and surrounded him. More verbal commands were given, which the man refused to comply with.

The male once again brandished the screwdriver and threatened the Deputy by charging towards him. The Deputy ultimately had to resort to deadly force to stop the threat as he was being charged. The FPD Officer fired his Taser at the same time the shots were fired by the Deputy.

Body camera footage and still photos have been uploaded to the FPD Transparency webpage at: https://fpdtransparency.com.

Flagstaff Police investigate suspicious death

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FLAGSTAFF –- The Flagstaff Police Department Criminal Investigations Division is investigating an incident involving a suspicious death. On Thursday September 1, 2022, at approximately 11:00 PM, Flagstaff Police officers on patrol located a male lying on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant located in the 3600 block of E Route 66. When they stopped to check on the male, he was found to have significant facial injuries and head trauma. The male was breathing; however, he was not responsive to officers as they attempted to determine how the male sustained his injuries.

Medics were called to the location and provided emergency medical care for the man, subsequently transporting him to the Flagstaff Medical Center for further emergency medical care. Despite the efforts of medical staff, the male succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased. The deceased male has been identified as 35 year old Donovan Young of Chinle, AZ. The manner of death is still pending further investigation.

If anyone in the community has information that may assist with this investigation, please contact the Flagstaff Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (928) 774-1414, or Detective Hansen at (928) 679-4021 mhansen@flagstaffaz.gov. You can also call Silent Witness at (928) 774-6111.

Flagstaff police seek help in hit and run collision

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FLAGSTAFF – On the 23rd of August, 2022, at approximately 8:30 PM, a truck was involved in a hit and run collision with a motorcycle, near the intersection of S Milton Rd and Mikes Pike Street in Flagstaff. The motorcyclist sustained injuries from the collision and was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment.

The truck is described as a white in color, 2 door Toyota Tacoma with a camper shell on the back. The vehicle was last scene turning West onto Tucson Avenue and into the Plaza Vieja neighborhood of Flagstaff.

Please contact Detective Joseph Gilbert by phone at (928) 679-4120 or by email at jdgilbert@flagstaffaz.gov with any information related to the truck or this collision.