Category Archives: Counties

It’s Election Day

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"Here" is the Grand Canyon Railway if you are in Williams.

“Here” is the Grand Canyon Railway if you are in Williams.

If you have not already, make sure you take time to vote in the election today. No candidates are on this ballot, but you are voting for something as important. Whether or not to raise property taxes.

In Williams, you will determine whether or not to keep the property tax which supports the Williams Health Clinic.

The Coconino Community College is asking for $4.5 over seven years:

To maintain the operations of Coconino Community College, shall the Coconino County Community College District be authorized to levy a secondary property tax in an amount not to exceed $4,500,000 each year for the next seven years. The incremental funding to be used to continue its missions to:

• Maintain Career and Technical education programs that prepare local students for careers as Nurses, Emergency Medical Technicians, Firefighters, Detention Officers, Computer Technicians, Network Engineers, Alternative Energy Technicians and others; and

• Continue to prepare local students for higher education and for transfer to Arizona’s public universities; and

• Maintain programs to train and re-train local workers, in conjunction with local employers, for new occupations and careers in areas including Health Care, Manufacturing, Alternative Energy and others.

The Grand Canyon School and Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School districts will be asking voters to exceed revenue control limits set by Arizona Revised Statute. The Grand Canyon proposal would add approximately $1.21 per $100 assessed value of your property while the Sedona-Oak Creek proposal claims .21 per $100 assessed value.

At the Williams voting station there is also a poster urging people to become an election board worker. You must be registered to vote in Coconino County and may register online. You may call 928-679-7860 or 800-793-6181 if you have questions.

Boy Scout Troop Rescued from West Fork

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Flagstaff—Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Search and Rescue Volunteers assisted a group of eight Boy Scouts and three adult leaders out of the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon after one of their leaders sustained a leg injury.

On Saturday, October 19, 2013 at about 11:00 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an adult male approximately thirty years of age who identified himself as one of three adult leaders who had taken a troop of Boy Scouts ranging in age from eight to twelve years on a hike through the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. According to the caller approximately three miles into their hike the group encountered an unexpected large body of water that ceased their forward progress.

According to the caller the group was not equipped or prepared to wade through the water that at its highest point was chest high on some of the boys. During this same time period the other male leader who was seventy-one years of age injured his leg to the point that he found hiking or walking to be painful. The reporting party hiked out to the West Fork Trail Head off of Woody Mountain Road which was the point where the group began their hike to call for help. He was able to obtain cellular telephone service and called the Sheriff’s Office for help and subsequently hiked back to the location where he left the rest of his group.

Sheriff’s Deputies and Search and Rescue Volunteers hiked to the group’s location. Some of the rescuers immediately escorted the boy scouts and a thirty year old female leader back to Woody Mountain Road. A group of Search and Rescue Volunteers remained with the injured leader and administered wilderness first aid preparing him to hike back to the starting point. The rescuers and the injured leader reached Woody Mountain Road on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at about 7:20 a.m. A crew from Guardian Medical Transport met the victim as he arrived and conducted an initial medical assessment. The injured person refused additional medical care and declined transportation to the medical center. The Boy Scouts and their leaders returned to the Phoenix area where they live.

Arizona Firearms and Collectibles gun show this weekend

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FLAGSTAFF—The Arizona Collectibles and Firearms gun show will be held this Saturday and Sunday the 21st and 22nd at the Coconino County Fairgrounds on Ft. Tuthill loop. The show times are from 9 am to 5 pm and 9 am to 4 pm respectively. The cost to enter the show is $7 for one day and $10 for both days. Look for a $2 discount coupon. Gun show dealers and purchasers are reminded that they are obligated to follow all applicable laws.

Thirteen Year-Old Boy Seriously Injured After Fall

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Forest Lakes—On Saturday, August 31, at approximately 11:30 p.m. the Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Forest Lakes area and Forest Lakes Fire Department personnel responded to Forest Service Road 237 at milepost seven on the report of a thirteen year-old boy who fell an unknown distance. At the time of the fall the child and his father were on a Bear Hunt in an area that is located approximately 1,000 feet below the top of Cheveleon Canyon in very rugged and steep terrain. Upon their arrival Emergency First Responders determined they were not equipped to safely access the location where the child came to rest.

The Deputy immediately requested the assistance of the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Tonto Rim Technical Rope Rescue Team, and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Technical Rescue Team. Due to inclement weather including rain and thunder storms DPS helicopters stationed in Flagstaff and Phoenix both responded. Considering the serious nature of the child’s injuries and the inclement weather it was reasoned that with both helicopters responding at least one would be able to reach the location in a safe and timely manner.

Immediately following the arrival of the first rescue helicopter a crew member who was flown to the bottom of the canyon began to hike up to the victim’s location. Once he reached the victim the DPS Medic immediately administered advanced life support for injuries the child sustained as a result of the fall.

The child was removed from the canyon by the Short Haul method during which the victim was secured in medical basket and suspended underneath the helicopter as he was flown to a location where the victim was safely lowered to the ground.

Due to the inclement weather commercial medical air transport was not an option. Once the helicopter landed the aircraft was reconfigured to support a long distance medical flight. The helicopter carrying the victim flew to the Payson Airport where the airship was re-fueled.

The child was then flown to a Medical Trauma Center located in the Phoenix area. The child was then flown to a Medical Trauma Center located in the Phoenix area.

The second DPS Helicopter short hauled the child’s father to a location where he too could be safely lowered to the ground and eventually flew him to a DPS Air Rescue Hanger where he was transported by ground to the medical center where his child was being treated. The child received emergency medical care for serious head, facial and leg injuries.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and County Emergency Management offer Community Emergency Response Team Training in Flagstaff

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The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Emergency Management Division will present a three day Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class in Flagstaff. More than fifty CERT classes have been delivered to urban, rural and reservation communities throughout Coconino County since its inception and we want to continue to share this training with our community members.

The class will be held in Flagstaff beginning Friday, September 27, 2013, from 6 pm to 9 pm, Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday September 29, 2013 from 8 am to 5 pm. The class will be held in the Brent F. Cooper Memorial Auditorium at the Law Enforcement Administrative Facility located at 911 E. Sawmill Road, Flagstaff, Arizona.

CERT Classes are offered free of charge by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and upon successful completion each participant will receive a Community Emergency Response Basic Certification and a back pack containing basic community emergency first responder gear to include a reflective vest, hard hat, eye protection, gloves, a four-in-one tool, and a CERT field response guide.

Successful participants who wish to serve their community will be invited to join a team in Flagstaff that meets monthly for additional in-service trainings and assists local first responders during emergency and non-emergency events. CERT Team members in Flagstaff meet monthly for additional training. CERT Volunteers have been utilized during responses to wild land fires, flooding, tornados, heavy snow storms and many other natural disasters. CERT Volunteers have served in a variety of capacities to include staffing road blocks, assisting with neighborhood evacuation notifications, staffing joint information call centers, assisting with Incident Command Centers, distributing neighborhood safety information and in many other areas.

Community members who would like additional information or who wish to register for the Basic CERT Training in Flagstaff are encouraged to call the Community Programs Office of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089 or go to the Community Programs & Education page of the Sheriff’s website http://www.coconino.az.gov/index.aspx?nid=354
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Lost Hiker in Bear Jaw Canyon Located

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Flagstaff––On Monday, August 12, 2013 at about 9:20 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an overdue hiker in the Bear Jaw Canyon area of the San Francisco Peaks. The hiker, a 24 year old male, separated from his hiking companions on their return hike to their vehicle at the trailhead. He was last seen at approximately 7 pm. When the rest of the group arrived at the trailhead he was not there. The overdue hiker was dressed in shorts and a tank top shirt, and only had a water bottle with him.

A search was conducted by Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Search and Rescue personnel who were aided by a helicopter from the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit in Phoenix.

The hiker was located by searchers at approximately 2:20 am on 08/13/13 on a ridge between Bear Jaw Canyon and Reese Canyon. He was in good condition and was reunited with his hiking companions at the trailhead.

At this time of year the weather can be warm and pleasant during the day but can rapidly cool off at night. Day hikers should be prepared with at least the ten essentials when they set out for even short day hikes. Hikers should always tell someone where they are going and when they plan to return.

10 Essentials:

1. Water
2. Food
3. Extra Clothing for the conditions
4. Navigation Equipment (map, compass, GPS)
5. Headlamp/Flashlight
6. First Aid Kit
7. Shelter Material (emergency blanket/heavy duty leaf bag)
8. Fire Starting Kit (be aware of any fire restrictions)
9. Pocket Knife/Multi-Tool
10. Whistle/Signal Mirror

Coconino County Public Health to Continue with Dental Clinic

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FLAGSTAFF—–Following a thorough review and input from community stakeholders, the Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) will continue to offer dental clinic services for the public.

The CCPHSD Dental Clinic offers a host of services including, dental cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments and extractions for primarily low-income residents. Another key component of the program is dental preventative education and outreach to teach area school children the importance of proper dental hygiene.

Earlier this year, as part of the County’s strategic budget process, the County began evaluating and prioritizing all public programs to determine how to best utilize taxpayer funding. These evaluations were done to determine whether there was a duplication of services and to study whether the County could partner with an outside agency or group to deliver services.

The CCPHSD Dental Clinic received the same evaluation, which included a community questionnaire, the review of health data and meetings with the dental community, including local dentists and key stakeholders.

“The information gathered revealed that direct-care services are critical to low-income individuals where the availability of these needed services is limited,” said CCPHSD Interim Chief Health Officer Kimbal Babcock. “The findings indicated that discontinuing direct dental services would result in negative health effects and more expensive needs in the future for low-income and uninsured individuals. By continuing to utilize the clinic, we are also renewing our commitment to serve our residents who are in most need of these critical programs.”

Based on the program’s review, the County opted to continue utilizing the clinic and its dental prevention and outreach programs. However, the CCPHSD will continue to find efficiencies to ensure taxpayer funding is used most-effectively.

The Dental Clinic is located at 304 S. Humphries Street in Flagstaff and can be reached at 928-679-7825. For more information on the clinic and services offered, and eligibility requirements please visit the CCPHSD webpage at www.coconino.az.gov/health.

Coconino County Fair Entry Forms Deadline Extended to Aug. 19

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FLAGSTAFF–—The Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department extended the deadline to Aug. 19 for those submitting exhibits into the 64th Annual County Fair.

The Fair offers multiple family friendly events and activities, and runs Labor Day Weekend from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at Fort Tuthill County Park at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop off of Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff.

Fair organizers extended the deadline to enter exhibits into the Fair for multiple categories, including Fine Arts, Hobbies and Collections, Gems and Minerals, Agriculture and Horticulture, Floriculture, Home Economics, Schools, Open Youth, Open Poultry, Open Rabbits, Open Sheep and Open Horse.

Entry forms for 4-H Livestock and 4-H Club work are not included in the deadline extension.

Information on how to enter an item into the Fair for competition in various categories is contained inside the County Fair Book, which can be found at http://coconino.az.gov/countyfair.

Complete and signed entry forms may be scanned and submitted via e-mail to parksrec@coconino.az.gov or faxed to 928-774-2572. Entrants can also mail completed and signed forms to or drop off them off at the Coconino County Parks & Recreation office at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

For additional assistance, contact the County Parks and Recreation Department at 928-679-8000. Information on the County Fair can be found at http://coconino.az.gov/countyfair.

Lightning Strikes Three Killing Two

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Fredonia AZ—Yesterday at about 3:00 pm a bolt of lightning struck in the area of the LeFevre  Scenic Overlook at MP 590.4 on Highway 89A about eight miles north of Jacobs Lake. Two visitors from a foreign country were pronounced dead at the scene and a non-related minor received non-life-threatening injuries. This highlights the dangers that thunderstorms represent.

A group of people were standing in the area of the overlook when a man and wife from out of the country were struck and later pronounced deceased at the scene.  A third victim who is a male minor also was struck by the lightning and knocked to the ground.  He was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.  He was transported to an area hospital by Kane County Utah Medical Transport.  The child was not associated with the two deceased victims and was traveling with several adult guardians.

After the lighting strike several other people at the overlook called the Kane County 911 Dispatch Center on their cell phones and reported the incident.  Dispatchers sent the Kane County Ambulance and notified the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.  The two deceased victims were transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office located in Flagstaff.

Names of the two deceased victims are being withheld pending next of kin notification.  This investigation is being continued by Sheriff’s Detectives and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Department recommends the following when thunderstorms are present. Chance of thundershowers exist through Saturday in the 40% to 50% range.

Lightning Safety Tips

Plan in advance your evacuation and safety measures. When you first see lightning or hear thunder, activate your emergency plan. Now is the time to go to a building or a vehicle. Lightning often precedes rain, so don’t wait for the rain to begin before suspending activities.

IF OUTDOORS…Avoid water. Avoid the high ground. Avoid open spaces. Avoid all metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, power tools, etc. Unsafe places include underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees. Where possible, find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle such as a car, truck or a van with the windows completely shut. If lightning is striking nearby when you are outside, you should:

Crouch down. Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder.

Avoid proximity (minimum of 15 ft.) to other people.

IF INDOORS… Avoid water. Stay away from doors and windows. Do not use the telephone. Take off headsets. Turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools, & TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior electric and phone lines, inducing shocks to inside equipment.

SUSPEND ACTIVITIES for 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.

INJURED PERSONS do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Apply First Aid procedures to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call 911 or send for help immediately.

KNOW YOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS.

Man Arrested after Firing Multiple Shotgun Rounds in a Residence he Burglarized

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Damage caused by suspect - Photo courtesy of Coconino County Sheriff's Department

Damage caused by suspect – Photo courtesy of Coconino County Sheriff’s Department

Blue Ridge, AZ—Thirty one year-old Justin Kincaid of Kincaid, JustinMaricopa, Arizona was arrested on Friday, July 19, 2013 at about midnight after breaking into an unoccupied home located in the Blue Ridge area. Kincaid is believed to have illegally occupied the residential structure for several days before he caused significant damage to the contents and structure of the home. He allegedly armed himself with a shotgun he found inside the residence and fired it many times breaking some of the windows. It is believed he broke out the rest of the windows by other means. When deputies and other assisting law enforcement officers arrived Kincaid continued to discharge the shotgun inside the structure.

On Friday at about 5:15 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received six 911 calls from neighbors who reported hearing multiple gunshots in close proximity to their homes. The callers could not see the suspect, but described the shots as being fired continuously. Neighbors congregated at one of the homes in the immediate area. Deputies arrived, began to search the area on foot and were able to hear multiple gunshots being fired. Deputies identified the home where the gunshots were originating from and established a perimeter and watched the structure from a position of safety. The suspect was playing loud music and could be seen pacing back and forth inside the house.

A Sheriff’s Lieutenant who was at the scene contacted the Flagstaff Police Department and requested that the FPD/CCSO SWAT team respond. Once the SWAT team was on scene they approached the residence in an armored vehicle and used an external speaker system to communicate with the suspect and convinced him to walk out of the residence unarmed. SWAT team members arrested Justin Kincaid without further incident.

After entering and searching the home deputies learned that vandalism to the interior of the structure was extensive and estimated cost of repairs and replacement to be as much as $100,000. It appeared that Kincaid targeted most everything breakable, to include shooting out or otherwise shattering every window (about 35, some very large), all mirrors, multiple high-end kitchen appliances and a large crystal and china collection. During their search deputies found 54 expended shotgun shells.

During an interview with Kincaid, detectives learned that he left the residence of a relative on July 14 and drove to Blue Ridge with the intentions of camping in the forest. He drove around Starlight Pines, claiming to be looking for forest access. According to the suspect he found a residence with an open garage door instead. Kincaid said he stayed in the garage until it was obvious that no one would be returning in the near future. At some point while the suspect was in the residence he became frustrated with his circumstances and did the previously described damage. Justin Kincaid is being held in the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility on charges of Second Degree Burglary, Felony Criminal Damage and Possession of a Firearm while committing a felony.