Category Archives: City

Santa freed by Williams Fire Department

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Santa with Williams Fire Department

WILLIAMS — We have been reporting that Santa was stuck on the Zipline and would apparently not be able to make his rounds.

Last night there were several reports concerning break-ins around the area. Reports indicated missing cookies, pastries, milk and hot cocoa with little marshmallows and whipped cream. Oddly, it was reported that left behind were wrapped boxes and bags with various toys and other objects.This morning we learned that the Williams Fire Department apparently saw our Facebook post and responded late in the cold night to free Santa so that he could make his rounds. He was seen this morning driving around in a fire truck handing out a few more gifts with his elves prior to departing on his return trip to the North Pole.

Business Plan Development Training begins open enrollment

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Basic Business Empowerment (BBE) is accepting applications for the next Basic Business Empowerment Business Plan Development Training. Training will start on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., January 14 to March 31 at the Health and Human Services Building, 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff.

The CCHHS BBE Business Plan Development Training has assisted people in starting or expanding a small business since 2007.

BBE participants will learn to:

  • Create a business feasibility plan
  • Clearly define product or service
  • Analyze market and competitors
  • Project cash flow and profit
  • Plan and more

Participants may also be eligible for Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grants. An IDA is a special bank account to save earned income for small business start-up and/or expansion available to income and asset eligible candidates. Every dollar saved, up to $2,000, will be matched with two dollars, up to $4,000, for approved business asset purchases.

The cost for the 12-week BBE training is $125.00 with need-based 50% scholarships available for income qualifiers. For more information or to enroll, call 928-679-7453, or visit www.coconino.az.gov/bbe.

Sheriff’s detectives continue investigation into Williams burglaries

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WILLIAMS – Detectives continue to work to positively identify stolen property recovered in the search warrants conducted last week. The suspects were using a white GMC Yukon to travel in the Valle and Red Lake neighborhoods and are thought to have burglarized at least 20-25 residences between May and November 2019. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office and the Williams Police Department also are investigating burglaries that occurred within the City of Williams. Detectives recovered approximately 120 items of suspected stolen property during the search warrants and are diligently working to contact potential victims to identify their property. Due to the number of burglaries and items that were recovered, this is taking some time to put together.

Christopher Tow, age 27 of Williams and Clyde Dunwoody, age 36 of Red Lake were arrested and booked into the Coconino County Jail last week for 2nd Degree Burglary, Theft, Trafficking in Stolen Property, and 1st Degree Criminal Trespass. Sheriff’s deputies worked with the Williams Police Department in making the arrests.

The case remains active and under investigation by Detectives. As the investigation continues, the Sheriff’s Office anticipates additional charges to be referred to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office.

American Legion Cordova Post #13 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

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WILLIAMS — In the wake of September 11, 2001, it seems to slip the minds of most people that we were injured in a surprise attack before. An attack that President Roosevelt labeled, “…a date which will live in infamy.” On December 7, 1941, the island nation of Japan attacked the Naval base at Pearl Harbor and the aircraft at Hickam Field, Hawaii. The attack came mostly from the sky, but some Japanese two-man submarines were also suspected. Over 2,000 service men and civilians lost their lives in the attack with several thousand more injured. The war with Japan came to an abrupt end with the bombing of two of their cities with newly-developed atomic bombs on August 9, 1945.

The symbol of the attack on Pearl Harbor is the U.S.S. Arizona over which a memorial has been built. A piece of that historic vessel was shipped to Williams and placed in Williams Memorial park on the west end of town.Since the attack, December 7th has become Pearl Harbor Rememberence day. With a statue of Bill Williams and a World War II soldier looking on, a group of residents attended the memorial service of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 in Williams. After speeches and a prayer, the residents were invited to a Mexican buffet at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 on Grant Street at 4 p.m.

Bearizona Kicks Off Wild Wonderland Holiday Celebration

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Bearizona photo

Bearizona, a popular drive- and walk-thru wildlife park devoted to providing homes to wild animals in need, kicked off the annual Wild Wonderland celebration last night. Visitors are allowed to enter the glowing Fort Bearizona after normal operating hours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December to experience this night-time extravaganza.

Wild Wonderland is a family-friendly event that immerses guests in the Christmas spirit as they stroll among 400,000 lights illuminating the towering ponderosa pine trees. The lights are synchronized with traditional Christmas music every half hour, providing a dynamic multimedia show of colors and sounds. Additionally, several of the park’s resident critters, such as jaguars, otters, bobcats, raccoons, badgers and foxes, will be staying up late to open their early Christmas presents for the viewing pleasuring of park guests.

Guests will also be given the opportunity to spend time with Mrs. Claus during a nightly story time reading in the gift shop, stay warm by the outdoor fire pit where they can purchase s’mores to roast, and enjoy the seasonal libations and holiday treats available for purchase at Canyonlands Restaurant. After story time, kids of all ages can take photos with Mrs. Claus.

The full nightly schedule for Wild Wonderland is below:

  • 6 pm – Front gates open
  • 6:30 pm – Jaguars and otters open presents
  • First light show takes place, repeating every 30 minutes until 8:30 pm
  • Craft room opens in gift shop
  • 7 pm – Story time with Mrs. Claus
  • 7:30 pm – Bobcats and raccoons open presents
  • 8 pm – Story time with Mrs. Claus
  • 8:15 pm – Last admittance
  • 8:30 pm – Badgers and foxes open presents
  • 9 pm – Park closes

“Our Wild Wonderland has always been a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and get into the spirit of the holidays,” said owner Sean Casey. “We are proud to continue providing this experience for the thousands of park visitors who have let us become a part of their family traditions.”

Tickets for Wild Wonderland are available online at http://www.bearizona.com/ for $13 (using promo code bzwild19) or $20 at the gate, and children under the age of 3 are free. Admission to this event is a separate charge from general park admission. Wild Wonderland takes place in the Fort Bearizona walk-thru portion of the park only; the drive-thru portion of the park is closed. Wild Wonderland will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Two Suspects in Custody on Williams Area Burglaries

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WILLIAMS – On December 6, 2019 detectives with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office executed two search warrants in the Williams District of Coconino County and within the City of Williams. These search warrants stemmed from several burglaries that had been reported in the Red Lake and Valle neighborhoods north of Williams between May and November of 2019. During the investigation, Detectives were able to identify suspects in the case. During the execution of the search warrants, several items were located and recovered that had been reported stolen from the burglaries.

Christopher Tow, age 27 of Williams and Clyde Dunwoody, age 36 of Red Lake were arrested and booked into the Coconino County Jail for 2nd Degree Burglary, Theft, Trafficking in Stolen Property, and 1st Degree Criminal Trespass. The case remains active and under investigation, which may result in additional charges.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Williams Police Department with their assistance in this case.

Mogollon Rim District reopening forest roads today

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CLINTS WELL — Forest Service personnel are in the process of reopening all forest roads on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest today in effort to allow access to hunt units now that the recent snow storm has passed.

Forest roads on the Flagstaff Ranger District along U.S. Highway 180 corridor north of Forest Road 222 and south of FR 151 remain closed. Forest Road 420 (Schultz Pass Road) will be closed where it intersects with FR 552, all the way to the west side near the intersection of Mt. Elden Lookout Road. Forest Road 556 and FR 522 will also be closed.

Many roads on the Flagstaff Ranger District south of Flagstaff remain open, but the public should use caution if driving on those forest roads, as vehicles often get stuck and stranded.

Hunters and visitors are reminded that seasonal road closures on northern Arizona national forests typically occur when sustained inclement weather is forecast, so visitors should be aware and plan accordingly. These road closures prevent road damage, soil erosion and visitors from getting stuck.

Financial Assistance Opportunities for Leaking Underground Storage Tanks

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House Bill 2704 has revised and enhanced financial assistance programs available to underground storage tank (UST) owners, operators and property owners.

Enhancements include:

  • Tank Site Improvement Program (TSIP)

– Increased maximum dollar amounts for each eligible activity
– Up to $15,000 per site for over-excavation of petroleum contamination found during UST removal

  • Preapproval Program

– Reimbursement for preparation costs and some non-preapproved activities
– Development of an expedited process to address corrective actions for newly discovered contamination

Winter Storm warning issued for weather through Saturday

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WILLIAMS — NOAA has issued a weather storm warning through November 30 and a wind advisory for November 27. Heavy snow above 4500-feet through Saturday will make holiday travel difficult and possibly dangerous. Localized amounts up to 40 inches over the highest peaks are possible.

The main brunt of the storm is expected to hit Thanksgiving Day leaving a possible 21-inches overnight in Williams. Friday there is a possibility of an additonal 8-inches of snow. There is a slight chance of snow Saturday morning. Weather is expected to clear starting Saturday after 11 a.m.

Snow forecast from 6 AM Thursday to midnight Saturday:

Chino Valley 4 to 6 inches
Doney Park 13 to 19 inches
Flagstaff 21 to 27 inches
Forest Lakes 28 to 36 inches
Fredonia 4 to 6 inches
Grand Canyon 14 to 20 inches
Heber-Overgaard 9 to 15 inches
Jacob Lake 15 to 21 inches
North Rim 22 to 30 inches
Prescott 8 to 12 inches
Prescott Valley 4 to 8 inches
Sedona 4 to 6 inches
Seligman 5 to 9 inches
Valle 9 to 13 inches
Williams 20 to 26 inches

Northern First Responders held Winter Preparedness meeting

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FLAGSTAFF – On November 19, 2019 Northern Arizona First Responder Agencies held their annual Winter Preparedness meeting at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. Agencies in attendance included Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Safety, Flagstaff Police Department, Arizona Game and Fish, Highlands Fire Department, United States Forest Service, and representatives from Arizona Snowbowl and the Nordic Village.

Topics of discussion included, coordinated response of the above agencies, sharing of winter specific resources, impacts of upcoming winter storms, snow play and parking issues along
Highway 180, Kachina Village, Munds Park and other areas throughout the County; and response to lost or injured recreationists, hunters, Christmas tree cutters, and skiers.

Coconino County also would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the Winter Parking Ordinance which went into effect on November 1, 2019. The Winter Parking Ordinance prohibits parking on County roadways between the dates of November 1st and April 1st on a 24-hour basis to assist in snow removal. For more information on the parking ordinance visit
https://coconino.az.gov/1945/Winter-Parking-Information.

With winter approaching, Northern Arizona First Responder agencies want to remind all residents and visitors to be personally prepared for the conditions when traveling or recreating in Northern Arizona. This includes knowing travel routes, weather conditions, carrying emergency items in your vehicle, and being wearing and carrying appropriate clothing and gear when outdoors. Always leave detailed travel and recreation plans with a responsible friend or family member.

The Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind motorists to not blindly trust vehicle GPS or smartphone mapping tools when traveling. It is important to pay attention to road signs and road conditions to determine if the route suggested is a practical one. In many cases, especially in the winter, the GPS and smartphone apps do not take into account the weather or road maintenance and many motorists following those apps become lost or stranded due to the conditions.