Category Archives: Counties

Safety Tips for homemade apple cider

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Public Health Service District (CCPHSD) advises residents to protect themselves against potential foodborne illness from apple cider. There is an abundance of apples in Coconino County this fall due to the lack of an early frost and people may be using apples to make apple cider.

Foodborne illnesses have been attributed to the consumption of fresh, unpasteurized cider contaminated with a foodborne pathogen like E. coli O157:H7. Certain age groups are at a greater risk of complications from harmful bacteria such as children, the elderly and persons with compromised immune systems.

CCPHSD recommends taking the following precautions to protect against foodborne illness when making homemade apple cider:

Avoid using apples that have visible signs of decay or mold growth.
Wash apples thoroughly before pressing or grinding to make cider.
Use a fruit press or small kitchen appliances to crush the fruit.
Wash hands and sanitizing equipment.
Place washed and rinsed utensils and equipment in a mixture of 1 tablespoon household bleach per gallon of water for at least 1 minute.
Squeeze juice through a clean, damp muslin cloth.
Pasteurize cider to ensure safety. Heat to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit and pour into warm jars to prevent breakage.
Store cider in the refrigerator for immediate use, or up to five days. Put cider in the freezer if you want to keep it longer.
Be sure to use strong, sound glass bottles that will not break during fermentation.
Boil unpasteurized apple cider before drinking it or drinking pasteurized cider or juice.

Caution: Young children, elderly and immunocompromised individuals should never drink fresh apple cider unless it has been heated to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

After each day’s cider making, all equipment should be:

Rinsed with potable water to remove apple and cider residue.
Washed with warm soapy water and a clean brush.
Sanitized with bleach diluted with clean, potable lukewarm water in a ratio of one-tablespoon bleach to one-gallon clean water. All utensils and equipment that contacted cider should be rinsed with this sanitizing solution.

Learn more about steps that can help keep you healthy and your fruits and vegetables safer to eat at https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/steps-healthy-fruits-veggies.html.

Sheriff’s Office Labor Day Holiday Activity Summary

Posted on by

COCONINO COUNTY – The extended weekend encompassing August 31 – September 3 resulted in a large number of calls stemming from outdoor activity in Northern Arizona. The following is a summary of activity as best can be determined from dispatch and officer information available at the time of this media release.

During the extended Labor Day 2018 weekend, deputies responded to over 513 calls for service compared to 383 the previous Friday through Monday. These totals are comparable to the numbers of calls responded to over the 4-day weekend encompassing Memorial Day 2018 (455 calls) and the non-holiday weekend before Memorial Day 2018 (350).

In addition, deputies conducted 316 forest and community patrols and 83 traffic stops over the Labor Day weekend compared to 360 forest and community patrols and 47 traffic stops the previous, non-holiday weekend.

Deputies made multiple contacts with off-road vehicle operators and passengers throughout the county to promote off-road vehicle safety. A common safety violation they encountered was helmet violations. Deputies also made multiple contacts with boat operators and passengers on Lake Powell to promote water safety.

Common calls that deputies responded to over the Labor Day weekend included:

  • 46 disturbing the peace complaints (including off-road vehicle, weapons discharge/target shooting, fireworks, loud parties, complaints about neighboring campers, barking dog issues, etc.)
  • 38 emergency medical situations
  • 46 motorist and public assists (several calls related to public assists at the Coconino County Fair including 5 calls for lost children)
  • 45 assists to other agencies and attempt to locates
  • 35 suspicious activity incidents
  • 17 domestic disputes, assaults, threatening/intimidating related incidents
  • 22 (911) hang-up and alarm related calls
  • 12 fire related calls
  • several Search and Rescue calls (see below for synopsis)

Vehicle Collisions: The Sheriff’s Office received reports of 11 off-road vehicle collisions resulting in injuries.

Seven other vehicle collisions occurred on regular roadways. In all but one medical transport was either refused or not needed. Three of the collisions involved animals crossing the road.

Summary of off-road, recreation travel collisions:

  • August 31 around 10 pm – report of four males injured in off-road collision in the area of forest road 82 (near Blue Ridge). Vehicle reportedly struck a tree ejecting three people. Two patients in critical condition were transported by air, and two other patients were transported by ground medics.
  • August 31 around 11:30 pm – report of adult male injured in ATV rollover accident in the forest area outside of Munds Park. Upon arrival, no one was located at the scene, but the vehicle was still present.
  • September 1 around 8 am – report of adult male and teenage male injured in off-road vehicle accident in the Bear Canyon Lake area. Air medical also responded for patient transport.
  • September 1 around 12:45 pm – report of a teenage male involved in quad rollover accident in forest south of Flagstaff. The camping group self-transported him to medical care.
  • September 1 around 2 pm – report of male injured in dirt bike accident in the forested area around Pumpkin Center. The patient was transported by family to medical care.
  • September 1 around 4 pm – report of female injured in a boat accident near Anchovy Point, Lake Powell
  • September 1 around 4 pm – report of male injured in ATV accident in forested area around Willard Spring. One person was transported by ground medics.
  • September 2 around 9:30 am – report of “side-by-side” that flipped. Parties self-transported to medical care.
  • September 2 around 10:45 am – report of female injured in ATV accident in forested area near Kelly Canyon. Patient was transported by ground medics.
  • September 2 around 5 pm – report of 9-year-old boy and two adults injured in off-road vehicle collision in the Cinder Lakes recreation area. The passenger and boy were transported by ground medics.
  • September 2 around 6:30 pm – report single vehicle collision involving two young adults and their baby on forest road in the area of Walnut Canyon. One person was transported by ground medics.

Seven other vehicle collisions occurred on regular roadways. In all but one medical transport was either refused or not needed. Three of the collisions involved animals crossing the road.

Traffic / Moving Vehicle Stops: Deputies throughout the county conducted 83 traffic stops during the extended weekend, resulting in 18 citations and 15 written warnings.

Search and Rescue:

  • August 31 around 3:45 pm – report of a male hiker in West Fork who was in possible need of medical attention. Hiker later reported to no longer need assistance.
  • September 1 around 11 am – female was injured during fall in the area of West Fork. Patient required transport by rescue person via a litter carry to the trailhead / parking area.
  • September 1 around 3 pm – two young adult males were reported overdue to their campsite. They had been driving ATVs when they left their camp earlier in the morning. The were located and escorted back to their camp.
  • September 1 around 6 pm – deputy in Forest Lakes area located three lost hikers in the Bear Canyon area and provided them rides back to their camp
  • September 1 around 9:30 pm – received report of separated parties hiking Humphreys Trail. Parties were able to self-reunite and no longer needed assistance.
  • September 2 around 12:30 pm – a 21-year-old female on a 21-day group hike was reported to be in anaphylaxis. Several agencies were involved in the search to attempt to locate the patient in the area of Chevelon Lake and Horse Trap. The patient was transported by Arizona Department of Public Safety Northern Air Rescue.
  • September 2 around 5:45 pm – report of 7 teenagers overdue to their campsite at Bear Canyon Lake. Game and Fish officers assisted and learned all had returned safely to the camp.
  • September 3 around 9:45 am – report of a female hiker who had been stuck in quick sand in the Paria Canyon near Big Springs since the previous afternoon. Arizona Department of Public Safety Northern Air Rescue and Search and Rescue responded to rescue the person.
  • September 3 around 8:30 pm – assisted Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in response to multiple vehicles caught in swift moving water and mud in the area of Perkinsville Road and Drake Road (south of Williams, AZ)

Deaths:

  • On September 1, 2018, deputies responded to a male subject who committed suicide at a residence in Greers Trailer Park.
  • On September 1, 2018 deputies responded to a male subject who was found unresponsive in a bathroom at Knoll Lake.

Detention Facility: The Coconino County Detention Facility Flagstaff Facility which receives arrested persons from multiple agencies throughout Northern Arizona (including: Coconino Sheriff’s Office, Flagstaff Police Department, Northern Arizona University Police, Williams Police, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety, as well as federal and state agencies) processed 105 bookings from August 31, 2018 through September 3, 2018. The majority of these booking occurred at the Flagstaff facility; 18 bookings occurred in the Page facility.

Of those bookings, 34 had felony related charges. Bookings by type of offense included (but were not limited to), 6 aggravated assault, 8 other assault, 8 DUI’s, 29 wants or warrants (e.g., failure to appear, failure to comply, probation violation, other warrants), 10 disorderly conduct, 9 drug offenses, 8 court remands, 4 trespass offenses, 4 driving offenses, 1 sex offense, 1 endangerment offense, 1 burglary offense.

Thank you to the other agencies who assisted: The Sheriff’s Office thanks all those individuals and other public safety agencies that assisted with responses during this holiday weekend and in helping to keep our community safe.

Grant funds Bike Park construction

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Parks and Recreation was awarded a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant from the Arizona State Parks and Trails for infrastructure improvements and visitor amenities, including a restroom, at Fort Tuthill County Park. The grant award of $150,620 will also fund the construction of trails and additional features at the Fort Tuthill Bike Park.

Construction of the Bike Park’s new trails and features began August 27. The completion of Phase 2 will include adult pump tracks and Phase 3 will include technical flow trails.

Coconino County Parks and Recreation has an agreement with non-profit Flagstaff Biking Organization (FBO) to build the Fort Tuthill Bike Park. FBO is contracting with American Conservation Experience (ACE), who is sub-contracting with FlowRide Concepts, a professional company that specializes in building bike parks across the country. FBO, ACE and FlowRide Concepts successfully built Phase 1 of Fort Tuthill Bike Park, which opened to the public in 2015.

The construction area is next to the existing trails at Fort Tuthill Bike Park and has been sectioned off and is closed to the public. There are no immediate closures to the Bike Park scheduled, however some minimal closures may occur for maintenance of the area. Construction of the Bike Park and restroom are expected to be completed by Fall 2020.

Statement from the Board of Supervisors on the passing of Senator John McCain

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – “The Coconino County Board of Supervisors were deeply saddened to learn that Senator John McCain lost his battle with brain cancer this past weekend. Senator McCain was a tremendous statesman and dedicated public servant for the country and to the people he served. We were always grateful for the honest conversations we had with him in Washington D.C. and here in the County.

We will remember him most for always putting politics aside and coming to the aide of County residents. For example, during disasters such as the Schultz Fire and subsequent flooding, the Slide Fire and other events throughout the County, the Senator was instrumental in securing funding for disaster assistance, changing the law so residents could get flood insurance in the future and in mediating boundary disputes.

As a County, we worked with the Senator and his staff throughout his outstanding legacy on a wide breadth of issues from federal funding to the establishment of national monuments. He was always there when it mattered for the citizens of Coconino County and we will be forever grateful for his partnership.

His influence will continue to have a lasting impact on Coconino County, the State of Arizona and the Nation. We extend our deepest sympathies to Senator McCain’s family and friends.”

Low-cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF- The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) is sponsoring a low-cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 11 at the Coconino Humane Association, 3501 E. Butler Avenue, Flagstaff.

Rabies vaccinations will be $10 for dogs and cats. The Kaibab Veterinary Clinic will provide services as well as other vaccinations. Fees will vary and only cash or check will be accepted.

CCPHSD Animal Management will also be offering a one-year license for dogs for $12 altered and $25 unaltered. CCPHSD Animal Management also offers 2 and 3-year license options. Spay/neuter vouchers ($30 value) will also be available for canine owners current with rabies vaccinations and licensing.

Arizona State law requires all dogs to be properly vaccinated and licensed. The CCPHSD strongly recommends that cats be vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord of animals and humans. It is caused by a virus present in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to humans through contact with the live virus.

For more information, call the CCPHSD Animal Management Program at 928-679-8756 or visit www.coconino.az.gov/health.

Flagstaff and Grand Canyon Voters Consider School Bond, Override Ballot Questions

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, Coconino County voters within the Flagstaff Unified School District #1 (FUSD) will consider an override and special bond election, and those living in Grand Canyon Unified School District #4 (GCUSD) will consider an override election.

Registered County voters within GCUSD will vote on the following issue:

  • To adopt a General Maintenance and Operations Budget, which exceeds the revenue control limit specified by statute by 9.3 percent for fiscal years 2019-2020 through 2023-2024 and in fiscal years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. The amount of the proposed increase will be 6.19 percent and 3.09 percent, respectively, of the District’s revenue control limit in each of such years. The 2019-2020 budget override authority represents an extension of the existing 9.3 percent budget override. If the override is not approved for continuation, then the existing 9.3 percent override will phase out by reducing one-third for fiscal year 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. The estimated tax rate to fund the continued override in fiscal year 2019-2020 is $1.24 per one hundred dollars of net assessed valuation used for secondary property tax purposes.

Registered County voters within FUSD will vote on the following issues:

  • A Special Bond Election, which will allow the District to issue and sell Class B general obligation bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $ 75,000,000 to fund capital improvements over and above those funded by the State. The estimated average annual tax rate for the proposed bond authorization is $0.4067 per $100 of net assessed valuation used for secondary property tax purposes.
  • To adopt a General Maintenance and Operation Budget which exceeds the revenue control limit specified by statute by 15 percent for fiscal years 2019-2020 through 2023-2024 and in fiscal years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 The amount of the proposed increase will be 10 percent and 5 percent, respectively, of the District’s revenue control limit in each of such years. The District’s current 15 percent budget override is by law required to be reduced by one-third in fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Because the existing override does not begin reducing until fiscal year 2020-2021, the proposed 15 percent override budget will equal the 2019-2020 alternate budget. The estimated tax rate to fund the override in fiscal year 2019-2020 is $0.70 per one hundred dollars of net assessed valuation used for secondary property tax purposes.

The Coconino County Superintendent of Schools will prepare an informational pamphlet for the election. The pamphlet will be mailed to households of registered voters who reside within the relevant school districts. Arguments “For” and “Against” these issues are being requested by the County Superintendent of Schools Office for inclusion in the informational report. The County School Superintendent shall review all factual statements contained in the written arguments and correct any inaccurate statements of fact. The County School Superintendent shall not review and correct any portion of the written arguments which are identified as statements of the author’s opinion.

Arguments are to be 200 words or less and be typed or printed and signed by the author. The arguments shall include the name of the District, author’s name, the name of any entity submitting an argument, address, telephone number and the author’s signature. The entity and author’s name will be printed in the informational pamphlet.

Arguments must be received by 5 p.m., Monday, August 13, 2018, in the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools office, Ponderosa High School, 2384 N Steves Blvd., Flagstaff, Ariz. 86004. Faxes will be accepted at (928) 526-1469; however, the original must be mailed to Coconino County Superintendent of Schools by the stated deadline. For more information, call (928) 679-8070.

For more information concerning District elections, contact:

  • Grand Canyon Unified School District, 100 Boulder St, Grand Canyon, Ariz. 86023, or call (928) 638-2461.
  • Flagstaff Unified School District, 3285 E. Sparrow, Flagstaff, Ariz. 86004, or call (928) 527-6000.

Free backpacks with back-to-school shots and sports physicals

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Clinic is providing free backpacks to students that come in for back-to-school immunizations or sports physicals while supplies last.

Appointments are available at the CCPHSD Clinic, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff Monday – Friday from 8 – 11 a.m. and noon – 5 p.m. Call 928-679-7222 to make an appointment.

Immunizations and sports physicals are also available on a walk-in basis on Super Service Saturdays, Aug. 11 & Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Visit www.coconino.az.gov/superservicesaturday for more information.

The cost for a sports physical is $20. Childhood immunizations are available via the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program or through insurance. Individuals seeking vaccinations that have insurance should bring their insurance card and immunizations records. No one will be denied services due to an inability to pay.

Childhood immunizations protect children from 16 serious diseases and are an important step toward ensuring long-term health. Immunizations also help protect the health of others in the community, including those who are unable to be vaccinated. When a high percentage of the population is protected through immunization, it is difficult for an infectious disease to spread because there are fewer susceptible people.

Fire restrictions lifted north of the Grand Canyon

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County will lift fire restrictions above the North Rim of the Grand Canyon effective immediately. This region received significant moisture during the last week, decreasing fire risk.

Currently, there are no fire restrictions in any area of the County. However, several areas in the region may have received less precipitation, causing fire danger to be higher in some locations. Residents and visitors are asked to use caution when using equipment or items that can spark a fire. They are also asked to extinguish all campfires, operate ATVS and motorcycles with spark arrestors and to use caution when operating barbeque grills. Residents and visitors are reminded they can be legally responsible for causing wildfires.

A link to the full Wildfire Defense Ordinance can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/ready.

Heavy rainfall, flooding in Schultz Flood Area causes road closures

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County has activated an Emergency Operation Center (EOC) to coordinate emergency response operations due to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding this afternoon in the Schultz Flood area.

County Public Works crews closed Brandis Way due to significant water over the roadway. Debris obstructed one of the culverts, diverting water and debris onto the road and rendering it impassable. Public Works has crews on scene and has begun assessment of the damage and clean-up will commence as soon as it’s safe to enter.

Residents of Brandis Way will not be able to access their homes. The American Red Cross has set-up an evacuation center at Cromer Elementary at 7150 Silver Saddle Rd, Flagstaff.

Several other roads north of Copeland Lane have received flood damage and the County is monitoring that area as well. There is also a report of water in at least one home.

Public Works has a crew on scene and will begin assessment and clean-up of debris as soon as it is safe to enter.

A call center has been opened for people impacted by these closures and in the area to call with questions (928)213-2990.

Multi-Agency Rescue of Injured Hiker at Grand Falls

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — On Monday, July 16 at approximately 7:00 pm multiple agencies responded to rescue an injured hiker at Grand Falls. The 18-year-old female hiker from Flagstaff had descended a route on the west side of Grand Falls with a group. While scrambling out, a hand hold that she was using broke loose causing her to fall approximately 30 feet. The hiker sustained non-life-threatening injuries but was unable to climb out of the area on her own.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office-Search and Rescue Unit, Summit Fire District, Flagstaff Fire Department, Navajo Nation Fire Department, Navajo Nation Police Department, and Arizona Department of Public Safety Northern Air Rescue responded. A Heli-Rescue Technician from the Flagstaff Fire Department boarded the Arizona DPS Air Rescue helicopter and flew to the accident site. The helicopter performed a one-skid landing to allow the crew to access the hiker. The crew carried her back to the helicopter for transport to the parking area. DPS Air Rescue with an additional paramedic from Summit Fire District on board flew the hiker to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind visitors to the Grand Falls area that there may be elevated flows due to the monsoon rains that can make hiking to the base of the falls hazardous. Hikers should be prepared for the conditions and be prepared to change their plans if the conditions do not seem conducive to the activity they planned.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all of the agencies that responded to this incident. The team work and relationships between the public safety agencies contributed to the successful outcome of this call.