Category Archives: National

Springfield lists XD-S at new low price with Essentials kit

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xd-9mm-4-inchSpringfield Armory is now offering the XD-S single-stack subcompact concealed-carry pistols in 9mm and .45 ACP at a lower price with the Essentials kit.

Like previous Essentials kits offered with the standard XD series, the XD-S Essentials package doesn’t come with as many accessories in order to deliver a lower price point. This is a smart move on Springfield’s part as many customers will take the savings over a couple of basic holsters any day.

The Essentials kits include a pistol, one flush-fitting magazine and one extended mag, two sizes of backstraps and grip extensions, a cable lock, a bore brush and a locking hard case. The minimum to keep and maintain the gun not including ammo or lube.

The changes are expected to knock as much as $100 off the sticker making the XD-S series even more appealing for concealed-carry. Springfield is offering the complete XD-S series with Essentials kits including 3.3-inch and 4-inch models in both calibers and finishes.

In 9mm these kits come with Springfield’s new “Mid-Mag” extended eight-round magazine instead of the original nine-round extended mag that should prove a little easier to conceal. And more options are always welcome with seven-, eight- and nine-round mags now on table for the 9mm pistols.

The .45 ACP magazines are still the same with five-round flush mags and six-round extended mags. As far as the guns themselves are concerned Springfield isn’t rolling out any changes to the XD-S sold with Essentials kits.

Read more at Gun.com

The 12 Days of Williams: June 2014

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Duck population increases

Duck population increases

The national government confirmed that they posted a contract call for “escort services for unaccompanied alien children” long before the illegal siege of the border.

Does handwriting really matter? Results of Seattle minimum wage hike started to show.

The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus hit the U.S.

Marine Hostage Sergeant Amir Hekmati—held in Iran—sent a letter to Secretary Of State John Kerry telling him not to trade terrorists for his release. Hekmati is a former Marine born in Flagstaff, Arizona.

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The Massachusetts ACLU claimed that the Boston police have found a loop hole in Massachusetts law. The SWAT teams claim that they are “private corporations” and are not subject to the open records law. Thus they can keep their militarization private.

The conviction of Bruce Abramski, Jr. was upheld by the Supreme Court.

adot-2013-5It was reported that motor vehicle fatalities increased in 2013 state-wide. ADOT reminds drivers to pull aside, stay alive during sand and dust storms. ADOT also set up 14 “safe phone” zone rest stops. They also held a public and virtual meeting concerning Interstate 11. The new drivers license process is now in effect.

Photo courtesy of the Coconino County Sheriff
A plane crash in a remote area of the Navajo Nation claimed two lives.

Coconino County Community Services announced program to assist in paying bills.

With KZBX radio now online, we explored radio history in Williams. The Arizona Survivalist/Prepper Expo was held in Prescott Valley on May 31. The Expo featured lectures and demonstrations from vendors across the country.

Slide Fire Information Facebook photo

Slide Fire Information Facebook photo

Save Meant-to-Rescue set up an area to build a shelter. It would be months before the city and Save Meant-to-Rescue would come up with a final agreement.

The Slide Fire continued to be a problem.

Despite the lack of water, life started to spring up in Williams.

A jewelry store clerk thwarted a robbery by being armed.

Deaths
Ann B. Davis – Best known as the housekeeper on The Brady Bunch

Little Jimmy Dickens, beloved ‘Opry’ star, dies at 94

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jimmy-dickensCountry Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Dickens, the Grand Ole Opry’s most beloved and diminutive ambassador, died Friday at a Nashville area hospital. He was 94.

Mr. Dickens starred for decades on the “Opry,” where he was a vital part of the scene both onstage and backstage. His dressing room was an essential stop for performers on the show, and it was there that he held court for a variety of artists, some of whom came to the Opry more than a half century after Mr. Dickens’ 1948 debut.

He remained a vital performer throughout his life, last playing the “Opry” on Dec. 20, a day after his 94th birthday and five days before he would be admitted to the hospital after suffering a stroke on Christmas Day. He died of cardiac arrest on Friday.

Read more at The Tennessean

‘Beverly Hillbillies’ star Donna Douglas dead at 81

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Donna Douglas and Elvis in Frankie and Johnny.

Donna Douglas and Elvis in Frankie and Johnny.

Donna Douglas, the actress who won over TV viewers as Elly May Clampett on “The Beverly Hillbillies,” has died. She was 81.

The star’s granddaughter told TMZ Douglas died in her Louisiana home surrounded by friends and family.

The cause of death was pancreatic cancer, her niece told The Associated Press.

Douglas appeared “The Beverly Hillbillies,” a comedy about a backwoods Tennessee family who moved to Beverly Hills after striking it rich from oil on their land. for all nine seasons of the show and reprised her role in a TV movie reboot of the series in 1981.

As Elly May, she seemed blissfully unaware of her status as a bumpkin blond bombshell. Typically she was clad in a snug flannel shirt and tight jeans cinched with a rope belt, and she seemed to prefer her critters to any beau.

Chosen from more than 500 other actresses, Douglas said she felt at ease playing the role because, like her character, she grew up a poor Southern tomboy. Her childhood in Pride, Louisiana, came in handy when she was asked during her audition to milk a goat.

Read more at FOX News

The 12 Days of Williams: May 2014

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43acb_4a26The national government jumped on the Arizona State Hospital after only one death while it was alleged that VA hospitals were allowing veterans to die. Daniel M. Dellinger, Commander of the American Legion, called for the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. Sergeant Major barrasMartin R. Barreras, an Army Ranger from Tuscon, died from wounds received in Afghanistan. He was one of the men who rescued Jessica Lynch.

A seventeen-year-old girl unseated a Democrat to become the youngest legistator in the history of West Virginia.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Christian prayers at the start of city council meetings.

A professor at UC Santa Barbara allegedly threatened to to kill “Ted Cruz-Teabaggers.” High school text books found re-writing the Bill of Rights.

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The human-caused Slide Rock fire began about a mile north of Slide Rock State Park began. It would ultimately consume thousands of acres. The fire threatened evacuations from areas of Flagstaff and even Williams felt the effects of the fire. But there was one bright spot.

ADOT launched a new drivers license process and design. It was recently defeated by a Federal Judge who ordered Arizona to give licenses to illegal aliens.

The State Library of Arizona was nationally recognized as the Library of the Year.

Using distracting electronic devices while driving was made illegal by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors. They also banned the sale and use of consumer fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Coconino County. The Coconino Community College district raised property taxes.

A single vehicle accident seriously injured a person on Snowbowl Road. Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies investigated the murder of David Allen Christine.

kzbz-92-radioIn Williams, KZBX radio FM 92.1 continued to grow. You can listen online. The cars started coming through. First the Route 66 Fun Run.

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Staff Sgt. Lee

Williams began preparing to receive the annual participants of Run For The Wall. Run For The Wall arrived May 14. In the group was active-duty Army Staff Sergeant David Lee.

At the same time, a video of a secret Vietnam War Memorial went viral on the Internet.

The election season began with Mayor John Moore seeking a third term.

Bearizona Wildlife Drive Through park held a job fair to hire for the summer. They apparently required the extra help because bears have started using it as a hotel.

In crime news, the Cataract Creek Gang was spotted around Williams. The famous gang tends to arrive around spring and cause trouble throughout the summer.

The 12 Days of Williams: April 2014

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20140426-01The frigate USS Vandegrift was sent to rescue a child who fell ill from an unknown fever onboard the Rebel Heart. An armed Detroit nurse saved the life of a man who was being beaten by an angry mob. The Bureau of Land Management sent in armed troops to rescue the desert tortoise at the Bundy Ranch near Las Vegas. Militia men responded. The western States, in response, started forming together to fight by taking State lands back. The National Guard had Apache helicopters taken from them by the Army.

Terrorists in Oregon turned a ranch into a training camp. American Pastor Saeed Abedini, still jailed in Iran, sent an Easter message.

The Veteran hospital in Phoenix was implicated in the VA let them die program.

Google bought drone maker Titan Aerospace.
Opening Of The Center For The Intrepid
John McCain hosted “his friend” Hillary Clinton in Sedona.

Williams was surprised when a case of fireworks was set ablaze. The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe received an award as one of the best restaurants in Arizona for 2014. Williams held its annual Community Easter Egg Hunt. A last minute winter storm dampened some weekend events, but was not enough to damper Level 4 water restrictions.

Anna, Aquilla Larson and Maria Jacobs display the plate awarded by Arizona Highways magazine.

Anna, Aquilla Larson and Maria Jacobs display the plate awarded by Arizona Highways magazine.


Flag Military Surplus announced a Battlefield 4 tournament. Symmetree Marketplace flea market opened in Flagstaff.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s department investigated a fire which damaged a residence and two travel trailers near Parks. Pete C. Gomez, a detention officer, was arrested for unlawful sexual conduct with an inmate. Page held a Tip-a-Cop event for Special Olympics.

Deaths
Mickey Rooney, 93 – well-known childhood actor.

The 12 Days of Williams: March 2014

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Dr. Andy McDaniel of the FBC dedicates the center with a prayer.

Dr. Andy McDaniel of the FBC dedicates the center with a prayer.

Hope for the World ministry opened in Williams. Director Mike Rioux collects food, clothing and other items for homeless and maintains tracts and Bibles in various languages. The dedication was held by Pastor Andy McDaniel of the First Baptist Church.

While the Democrats were hosting a demand that something be done about the fantasy of climate change, Representative Cory Booker claimed he drove from his home in New Jersey to Hawaii. In the flap that followed, Democrats released a video which proved conclusively that Representative Booker could make the drive to Hawaii. Speaking of cars, Subaru of Wichita was shamed by the local carpenter’s union.
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S.B. 1310 would have prohibited the Arizona State Board of Education from implementing the Common Core Standards and require Arizona to withdraw from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). It failed a vote in the legislature. While in Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a bill removing Common Core from their State.

rt-66-diner-1Construction began to widen State Route 89 to a four-lane highway between Prescott and Chino Valley.

An inmate was found dead in the Coconino County Detention center from possible suicide.

A lot of old businesses began opening in March after the winter and others started up.

Deaths
robert-shallComedian David Brenner died at 78
Glenn McDuffie, 86 – Sailor in iconic WWII war end photo
Robert H. Schall Jr., 63 – Rodeo Hall of Famer.
Jeremiah A. Denton Jr. – a real Vietnam POW and real U.S. Senator.
glenn-mcduffie-600

McCain’s big purge

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John McCain
By Alex Isenstadt

In an interview, Schwartz blamed his ouster squarely on McCain, whom he said had singled him out. “It’s very clear what’s going on,” he said. “Look, John McCain has prominence and money and influence and because of that he thinks he can ramrod us.”

Nearly a year ago, tea party agitators in Arizona managed to get John McCain censured by his own state party. Now, he’s getting his revenge.

As the longtime Republican senator lays the groundwork for a likely 2016 reelection bid, his political team is engaging in an aggressive and systematic campaign to reshape the state GOP apparatus by ridding it of conservative firebrands and replacing them with steadfast allies.

The ambitious effort — detailed to POLITICO by nearly a dozen McCain operatives, donors, and friends — has stretched from office buildings in Alexandria, Virginia, where strategists plotted and fundraisers collected cash for a super PAC, to Vietnamese-American communities across Arizona, where recruiters sought out supporters eager to help the incumbent defeat the tea party.

Team McCain’s goal? Unseat conservative activists who hold obscure, but influential, local party offices.

Read more at Politico

Why There Shouldn’t Be a Minimum Wage

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Ethan-GloverGuest Editorial By Ethan Glover
Writer at Anarchant and creator/admin for Liberty Resource Directory.

theytookourjobsIn 2015, this week, 21 states will be raising the minimum wage. New wages will range from $8 to $9.15 as compared to the federal minimum of $7.25. This made me wonder where the movement for $15/hr went, I haven’t heard from them in a while.

Turns out, Seattle implemented a $15 minimum wage early this year. What were the effects?

Managers started to take on more responsibility as opposed to hiring.
Large companies laid off employees and canceled plans to hire.
Small businesses are moving or closing.
Many products added “living-wage surcharges,” including parking.
Companies cut employee benefits and overtime.

On the positive side, despite no one hiring, there has been a huge increase in job applications.

The Real Cost of Minimum Wage

The argument against minimum wage is simple. It might not be profitable for a company to hire someone at a higher wage, so they don’t hire. If someone can’t produce $7.25/hr, you’re condemning him or her to a wage of $0.

One argument says that the minimum wage raises the standard of living for all. Lowering it would hurt everyone.

This is ridiculous considering that most jobs pay above the minimum due to competition and profits. Lowering the minimum does nothing but lower the barrier to entry.

Minimum wage isn’t for adults looking for a particular “standard of living.” Jobs like food preparation and retail floor sales isn’t the kind of thing you should be doing as a middle-aged parent.

Those jobs are for young people who need to earn experience and learn skills. Minimum wage jobs need little to no skill and operate in a low risk environment. (Missing a day of work at McDonald’s isn’t going to hurt anyone.)

Read more at Anarchant

The 12 Days of Williams: February 2014

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The USS Forrestal was scrapped for a penny. The Forrestal is most famous for the fire that occurred on board. The Air Force promised to take “appropriate action” against an Airman who posed for a disgusting POW/MIA photo.

After the discovery of record mishaps and ID card problems at the VA, it was revealed that Veterans were left to die because of health care delays.
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The secret location of King David’s Castle was to be revealed.

A Goodwill worker returned $43,000 he found in donated clothes.

ADOT was busy with the Virgin River Gorge bridges and a project to ease traffic at Camp Verde. Arizona and Nevada DOTs received feedback on Interstate 11.

PETA wanted to honor a chicken.

A judge blocked the efforts of the Arizona State Department of Education from withholding funds from charter schools.

An attempt to block unconstitutional NSA spying in Arizona failed. Essentially it failed the same way the Arizona State Guard bill was killed by Andy Tobin. It was killed in committee. It was flowing until an “environmental” amendment was added which had nothing to do with the environment. It went to the Committee on Government and Environment in the Senate where it languished. Governor Jan Brewer vetoed S.B. 1062, which would have protected the rights of religious groups (Christians) from targeted law suits for not catering to homosexual affairs.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Department held a Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics. A man was arrested on multiple charges and three were arrested for weapons misconduct.

The proposed renewal of the contract for the Zip Line ride caused quite a stir. Level 4 water restrictions were put into effect in Williams.

A life was lost in a two vehicle collision on Townsend/Winona Road in Flagstaff.

The Matthew J. Broehm VFW sold See’s candy as a fundraiser and may do the same this year. Check with Mike Rioux at the Hope for the World ministry, the VFW post or Al Dunaway at the American Legion office all in the mini-mall on route 66 next to the Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe.

Deaths
Art_HubbardArthur Hubbard, Sr., 102, Native American Code Talker and the first Native American Arizona Senator.
Shirley Temple Black, 85, Iconic child film star, U.S. ambassador to the West African nation of Ghana and later served as White House chief of protocol for President Ford. She also was an ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992, a “substantive job” that was the best she ever held