Category Archives: Coconino County

Deceased Male Located in Oak Creek Canyon

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FLAGSTAFF—The body of the man who was found deceased in Oak Creek Canyon on May 27,2013 has been identified as forty-seven year old Stephen Buck of Washington state.

On May 27, 2013 at about 4:13 pm an individual who was hiking in Oak Creek Canyon called a Coconino County Sheriff Emergency Dispatcher on his cell phone to report that he and a companion hiker were exploring the canyon when they found a deceased male subject. The caller’s location was determined to be off of State Route 89A in the area of mile post 379.5. Upon their arrival Deputies made contact with the reporting party and found the body to be that of an adult male, that was lying face down behind some trees by a creek. The subject was fully clothed and investigators did not observe any signs of injures or blunt trauma that would be consistent with an assault or some other manner of foul play.

Detectives found several types of controlled substances or narcotics in close proximity to the body. Investigators found a key for a U-Haul vehicle in a pocket of clothing worn by the deceased individual and matched it to a U-Haul van that was parked along SR 89A. The van was reported as stolen by the renting agency and investigators learned that there was an active US Marshal Federal Warrant for the deceased subject that was initiated by the Department of Drug Enforcement in California.

Detectives are considering the possibility that the individual died as the result of a self-induced drug overdose. This investigation is being continued.

Continuing court during emergency situations

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tj-20130412-01WILLIAMS—The weight of snow has just collapsed the roof. The snow has caused a train to derail on Seventh street sparking a horrendous forest fire. The fire is melting the snow causing flooding. The flooding freezes over Railroad Avenue causing a semi to skid out of control into the building. Okay, not all of those things are likely to happen at one time, but something might happen to cause the evacuation of the Williams Justice Center. The staff of the Williams Justice Center will have to have a way to provide important court services after that.

The Williams Municipal and Justice Courts are working together with Coconino County Court Administration to develop our Continuous Operations (COOP) plan to enable our courts to continue providing services during any unanticipated emergency or contingency.

“The court has to be able to issue orders—court orders—and those things 24/7. We have to be able to provide orders of protection and other court orders during business hours and that take precedence in court,” Justice of the Peace Robert Krombeen explained.

“If somebody’s arrested in the city they have to be seen by the JP or a magistrate within twenty-four hours. They have to be. For a felony—a homicide, for example—they would be released in twenty-four hours. That’s required by law and the Arizona Constitution.”

The Flagstaff Court system has their own system as part of the County emergency plan. “They have the specifics of their plan in place where they have other sites in the greater Flagstaff area where they could set up their court, as well, so that they could maintain court within their precinct.”

Krombeen explained that our plan has two alternative sites within our precinct so that we can maintain court in this area. “If something really weird happened where it was going to be a longer term, we could potentially go to Flagstaff. But it’s our goal and our plan to set up to have those services provided right here.”

One of the sites being considered is the Coconino Community College building which is being turned over to the high school. It has facilities to allow video court similar to the facilities in the Williams Justice Center. The other location is the Clark Memorial Airport which has sufficient parking and Internet facilities that could allow the same function.

So if an emergency should occur in any of the areas serviced by the Williams Justice Center, do not try to take advantage of the situation. You will not pass go, you may loose $200 and you may go to jail.

Lost 14 Year Old Hiker Located in Paria Canyon

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PAGE—Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter from Flagstaff and the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office located and rescued a lost 14 year old boy, who had become separated from his party while hiking Paria Canyon.

Around 11:00 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a lost hiker in the Paria Canyon in Northern Arizona, just off the Utah border. A church Boy Scout group from Mesa, AZ consisting of a scout leader and six scouts were on day two of a multi-day hike in the canyon. The group had entered the canyon at the Wire Pass Trailhead.

At some time Wednesday afternoon, the 14 year old boy became separated from his party. Due to a lack of communication from inside the canyon, the scout leader hiked the group out to Lee’s Ferry where they reported the lost subject.

The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit requested assistance from DPS Ranger Helicopter, while searchers from Kane County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area to conduct ground searches.

The DPS Air Rescue Helicopter and crew flew into the canyon and located the missing boy around 3:30 am. The flight crew was able to land the helicopter in the canyon and transported the boy out to Lee’s Ferry.

The boy had become separated when he stopped due to a muscle cramp. He attempted to catch up to his party, but could not do so before nightfall. The boy walked back up the canyon to a wide area in the canyon, where he placed his sleeping bag out in the open to be visible for searchers. He was medically assessed on scene and suffered no injuries. Search and Rescue crews transported the boy to Flagstaff, where he was reunited with his parents.

The availability and response of the DPS Air Rescue Helicopter was invaluable in the quick location and recovery of the hiker.

Two Stranded Hikers Rescued from West Fork in Oak Creek Canyon

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SEDONA—Two male hikers, one seventeen and one twenty years of age both of Scottsdale, Arizona, were rescued by Coconino County Sheriff’s Office personnel late Saturday evening after they found themselves in darkness with no flashlights or other light sources.

On Saturday, June 1, 2013 at about 8:43 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Sedona Fire Department (SFD). According to a SFD dispatcher, she received a 911 emergency call from one of two hikers who were stranded in West Fork Canyon in extremely dark conditions in the absence of a visible moon. The Sedona Fire Emergency Dispatch was able to determine latitude and longitude for the cell phone call, within approximately 100 feet, because they are equipped with a 911 Enhanced emergency call system that provides cell phone location information.

Furnished with a precise location of the stranded youth, a team comprised of a Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputy, a Search and Rescue Coordinator and a Search and Rescue Volunteer responded to the West Fork Trailhead and hiked approximately two miles to the victims’ location. Rescuers reached the victims at about 11:10 pm and provided each with a flashlight. The rescuers then accompanied the two hikers back to the trailhead.

The men and women of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind hikers and hunters to leave a detailed trip plan with a trusted person and be prepared for the unexpected night out in the event of an accident or other emergency. Carry the 10 Essentials: extra water, food, warm clothing, navigation equipment, a headlamp or flashlight, a first aid kit, shelter material, a fire starting kit, a pocket knife, and signaling equipment like a signal mirror and whistle. These can be important tools to help you stay safe in the outdoors and to aid searchers in locating you. During the summer months extreme caution with fire is urged in order to prevent a wildfire.

Take Precautions to Prevent Hantavirus

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Residents, visitors urged to protect themselves against the Hantavirus

FLAGSTAFF, AZ––As warmer temperatures and wetter weather return to Northern Arizona, so does the threat of Hantavirus, a rare but fatal disease spread by infected rodent droppings.

The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) reminds the public to take a few precautions when entering and cleaning sheds, garages, campers, cabins, barns and other buildings to protect themselves from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).

“As preparations for summer activities begin, we want to remind everyone to take the time to use appropriate precautions when entering and cleaning structures and buildings,” said Kimbal Babcock, CCPHSD Interim Chief Health Officer.

HPS is transmitted to people who come into contact with or breathe the urine, droppings and saliva of wild mice, primarily deer mice. The illness starts with fever, headache and muscle aches, and progresses rapidly to severe difficulty in breathing and, in some cases, death.

The last reported case of Hantavirus in Coconino County was reported in 2007, but to prevent HPS, public health officials recommend the following:

Proper clean-up methods:

  • Open all door and windows, leave them open for 30 minutes before cleaning.
  • Do not stir up dust by vacuuming, sweeping, or any other means.
  • When rodent droppings or nests are found in and around the home, spray them liberally with a household disinfectant and allow them to soak for at least 15 minutes. Any rodent droppings and rodent nests should be sprayed with a pesticide to kill fleas before disinfecting or disposing the carcasses.
  • After disinfecting, wear rubber gloves and clean up the droppings with disposable materials such as paper towels, rags or disposable mop heads.
  • Seal all materials, droppings or nests in double plastic bags and dispose of them in the trash.

Rodent-proof your home:

  • Prevent rodents from entering the home by plugging or sealing all holes and gaps to the outside greater than 1/4-inch in diameter. Use steel wool, thick wire screen, metal flashing or cement to seal holes.
  • Eliminate or reduce rodent shelter around the home by removing outdoor junk and clutter, and by moving woodpiles, lumber, hay bales etc., as far away from the house as possible.
  • Do not make food easily available to rodents. Do not leave pet food in dishes. Dispose of garbage in trash cans with tight-fitting lids.

Certain forms of outdoor recreation, such as camping and hiking, can pose a risk for Hantavirus exposure.

  • A few precautions should be taken, including:
  • Campers should not pitch tents or place sleeping bags in close proximity to rodent nests, burrows, or in areas of heavy rodent activity.
  • Before use, properly clean tents and other camping gear that have been stored where rodents may have had access.
  • If possible, do not sleep on the bare ground and zip tents closed to keep animals out.
  • Use only bottled water or water that has been disinfected by filtration, boiling, chlorination, or iodination for drinking, cooking, washing dishes and brushing teeth.

Flagstaff plane crash victims identified; second crash out of Page

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FLAGSTAFF, PAGE—The victims of the plane that crashed departing Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff yesterday have been tentatively identified as 59-year old Matthew Sulivan Mezger of Sacramento, California and his 54-year old wife Mary Patricia Hughes.

The cause of the crash of the Beechcraft 336 single engine plane is still being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s department in cooperation with other agencies indicates that the couple spent the weekend in Flagstaff and flew out of Pulliam airport on Tuesday intending to fly to Bryce Canyon, Utah. The plane crashed at about 11:45 in the Mountainaire neighborhood of Flagstaff.

The Sheriff’s office also investigated a plane crash out of Page Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The dispatcher of the Page Police Department received a cell phone call from the passengers of a downed aircraft 5 miles east of the Page Airport in the vicinity of the Navajo Generating Station.

The Sheriff’s Department, Navajo Police Department and Page Fire Department responded and located a privately-owned, twin engine place out of Nevada.

The plane had left New Orleans heading to Nevada with planned fuel stops in Texas and Page, Arizona. According to statements, the fuel supply expired approximately 5 miles prior to the Page Airport.

The passengers reported only minor injuries to the pilot.

Investigation of the plane crash will be conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Coconino Sheriff Deputies make arrest in Freeway Fire

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Flagstaff, AZ—Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested twenty five year-old James Duncan an individual who is currently in transit and who is originally from Mississippi, for one count of Reckless Burning a Class One Misdemeanor. Investigators believe Mr. Duncan was responsible for a one acre fire named the Freeway Fire.

On Thursday, May 24, 2013 at about 1122 am the Sheriff’s Office received a call from dispatchers assigned to the Northern District of the Arizona Department of Public Safety regarding a hitch hiker who was believed to have stated the Freeway Fire.

The Freeway Fire was a one-acre fire on the north side of I-40 just west of the Bellemont rest stop.

According to the DPS Dispatcher one of their Officers had visual contact with a hitchhiker who matched the description of an individual who was seen smoking in the area where a wild land fire ignited. DPS dispatchers received a cellular phone call from a passing motorist who observed the suspect sitting on a log on the shoulder of the West bound lanes of Interstate Highway I-40 in the area of Mile-Post 181 and smoking a lit cigarette.

When the Deputy arrived he and the DPS Officer made contact with the individual. The caller returned to the area and identified the subject as the same person he observed sitting on the log and smoking the cigarette. During an interview with the subject he admitted to sitting on the log and smoking a cigarette but denied causing the fire. United States Forest Service Firefighters identified the point of origin of the Freeway Fire to be the log where Duncan was seated or in very close proximity to the log.

James Duncan was arrested for one count of Reckless Burning and transported to the Coconino County Detention Facility located in Flagstaff, Arizona.

High winds and dry conditions have caused red flag conditions in Coconino causing fire restrictions to be put in place in the Kaibab and Coconino forests starting today.

Coconino Rises for County’s First Stand Down May 17-18

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CC Stand Down 2013 - update

Click on image for larger view.

Event aids homeless, at-risk veterans and their families with services

FLAGSTAFF—Coconino County, in conjunction with area veteran’s advocate groups, will host the First Annual High Country Stand Down event May 17 to 18 to connect area homeless veterans and their families with the services they need.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 17, County-area homeless and at-risk veterans will have access to a host of services aimed at helping those who served our country. The Stand Down continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18, with breakfast and the Armed Forces Day Parade in Downtown Flagstaff.

“It is an honor to be a part of Coconino County’s first veterans stand down,” said District 4 County Supervisor Mandy Metzger, who convened the event. “Providing critical and basic services is the very least we should be doing for those who have bravely safeguarded our freedoms, but have become homeless or are at-risk of becoming homeless.”

“The High Country Stand Down is the first of what we hope becomes an annual tradition to continue creating positive impacts for veterans and their family’s within our communities. No veteran will be turned away,” Metzger added.

The event May 17 event will be held at the Flagstaff Armory at 320 N. Thorpe Road. During this event, veterans will be offered free dental exams, haircuts, clothing, hygiene kits and showers or they can receive ID assistance, Veteran’s Affairs healthcare and housing information and much more. That evening, veterans will also be offered a bed to sleep indoors and a hot dinner.

On May 18, veterans will convene for breakfast at the American Legion Post 3 at 204 W. Birch Ave. in Flagstaff. At 11 a.m. they can attend the Armed Forces Day Parade. The veteran’s services fair will continue throughout the day until 5 p.m.

“Our veterans had the courage to rise and serve when our nation called on them. It’s only fitting that we rise to aid them in their time of need,” said John Davidson, who helped coordinate the event. “It’s been a great privilege to work with Coconino County in a unified effort to host this event. Our service groups, Native American communities, statewide organizations and other partners stepped up to help our veterans.”

In addition to Coconino County, the event is a collaboration among multiple organizations, including the Coconino County Courts, County Public Health Services District, the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, American Legion Post 3, Salvation Army, Arizona Stand Down, Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, Madison Street Veterans Association, US Veterans Administration, Arizona Department of Veterans Services, United for Change, US Veterans Association and many others.

From the Bench: Justice Krombeen thanks Tusayan.

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rob-krombeen(Grand Canyon Edition) by Justice of the Peace Robert Krombeen

Since entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Town of Tusayan just over a year ago, it has been our court’s privilege to partner with the Town to provide your court and judicial services. Now that the council has voted to enter into a longer-term IGA for the next five years, I want to reiterate our court’s commitment to your community.

During the past year, our staff has made administrative changes and improvements which have led to improved customer service in our court. Surveys conducted by the Coconino County Court Administration have shown our court to have amongst the highest ratings for customer service in the county. We are continually striving to find ways to improve the function and services of our court.

It has been my observation that our staff has worked exceptionally well with the Town Prosecutor and Public Defender to provide consistent, designated time on the court calendar to Tusayan customers who appear in our court. The relationship with the Town Prosecutor and Public Defender will only continue to improve, as we find creative ways to provide those services in an efficient manner to reduce drive time for those appearing. As has been demonstrated this past year, it has and will continue to be our court’s desire to be good neighbors to the Town as you develop your community into the future.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your judge. We look forward to providing services to your community for the next five years. Please contact the court at (928) 635-2691 if you have any questions about the IGA or the services provided.

County Attorney announces citizen prosecutor academy

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FLAGSTAFF—The County Attorney has announced the next no-cost Citizen Prosecutor Academy. The academy will be held Friday, June 7, 2013 from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

This could be the start to your legal career. However if you plan to pursue a career in this area you can expect a little more schooling at a little more cost. This course gives citizens an idea of how the court system works in general terms. “Participants will gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of real-world prosecution and the responsibilities of the Coconino County Attorney’s Office,” the press release states. These classes fill up quickly so it is recommended that you sign up soon if you are interested.

Tami Suchowiejko, coordinator for the academy at the County Attorney’s office, said that they prefer participants be over 18-years of age because of the graphic nature of some of the content of the course.

“We’re excited to continue our academy which brings the community into the office to share information, exchange ideas, and facilitate a better understanding of how the County Attorney’s Office serves the public. It’s also a lot of fun”, said County Attorney Rozema.

The academy presenters include various experts from the Coconino County Attorney’s Office as well as other professionals from the criminal justice system. Participants will learn how criminal cases are handled from intake/grand jury through trial. They can also expect presentations from the County Medical Examiner and a Criminalist from the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab.

To get an idea of what the course entails, you can see the previous academy agenda. If you are interested in participating, you can download an application to fax to (928) 679-8201 or mail to Coconino County Attorney’s Office, 110 E. Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

The County Attorney’s office also holds an advanced version of the academy for graduates of this course.