Category Archives: News

Flagstaff police seek help in hit and run collision

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FLAGSTAFF – On the 23rd of August, 2022, at approximately 8:30 PM, a truck was involved in a hit and run collision with a motorcycle, near the intersection of S Milton Rd and Mikes Pike Street in Flagstaff. The motorcyclist sustained injuries from the collision and was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment.

The truck is described as a white in color, 2 door Toyota Tacoma with a camper shell on the back. The vehicle was last scene turning West onto Tucson Avenue and into the Plaza Vieja neighborhood of Flagstaff.

Please contact Detective Joseph Gilbert by phone at (928) 679-4120 or by email at jdgilbert@flagstaffaz.gov with any information related to the truck or this collision.

Politicized photo released by DOJ

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Across the Internet, the rabid anti-Trump media are touting this photo released by the “Department of Justice” of the Mar-a-Lago raid. This photo is not available on the DOJ or FBI web site. Thus it was release directly to anti-Trump outlets that would do exactly what the FBI knew they would do. None of these outlets, of course, noted the problems with this photo.

The first thing is that anyone who has had even a passing acquaintance with service in the National Government knows that cover sheets, themselves, are unclassified. The President-elect Trump could take tons of those home and wall paper his bathroom with them. I would, of course, blast him for using tax payer paid paper for such a purpose. Since he gave his salary to charity, however, I suppose we could forgive even this. Even the rabid media had to grudgingly admit that Donald Trump was the ONLY President in history that left the office with less wealth than when he went in.

Second, they show alleged documents laying out with other papers laying over them. Kind of like the transparent affidavit released. The title of these “documents” cannot be read, thus we do not know what they are. They could be the laundry lists of Melania Trump. If these were “nuclear secrets,” they would not be single-paged documents as shown in the photo.

Third, if they are “nuclear secrets,” or pretty much any other secrets, they are almost certainly need-to-know documents. Any agent opening those documents and looking at them as well as the photographer taking the photos are in violation of the law and guilty of a felony.

The most important thing that the media did not point out about the photo is that it is another attempt of the Biden administration to stop any MAGA candidate from winning offices across the country. It is also an attempt to divert attention from the Hunter Biden laptop.

The FBI, further, says it will “with hold” any charges until after mid-term elections. This is the same reason they told Facebook to stop posts about the Hunter Biden laptop because it would influence the election. If they released the fact that they HAVE NO charges against Donald Trump, can you imagine the repercussions? They can.

Tom O’Hallern comments on Drake Cement

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WILLIAMS — On Tuesday, August 23, Tom O’Halleran from the 1st District of Arizona held a town hall meeting at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 on Grant Street. He spoke unfavorably of the location of the pozzolan mining operation by the Peruvian-owned company Drake Cement.

Local residents are concerned that mining operations in the Bill Williams Mountain watershed area could pose problems for the limited water resources of Williams. There are also concerns over why the foreign-owned Drake Cement has claimed over 800-acres of area used by a variety of wild life. The area is also a hunting area and a popular hiking and camping area.


The Forest Service’s Role in Minerals Management
According to the Kaibab Forest web site, the Forest Service’s role in minerals management is twofold: 1) to make minerals from National Forest lands available to the national economy and, at the same time, 2) to minimize the adverse impacts of mining activities on National Forest System surface resources.

  • United States mining laws, principally the Mining Law of 1872, confer a statutory right to search for minerals on public lands. The law provides US citizens the right to explore for and discover valuable mineral deposits on federal lands that are open to mineral entry.
  • Unless an area is withdrawn by the Secretary of Interior or excluded by an act of Congress, National Forest System lands are open to mining claims. The FS does not have the authority to withdraw lands from mining.
  • The Forest Service must consider all reasonable proposals for mineral operations on areas that are open to entry and complete the environmental review within a reasonable timeframe.
  • The Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 228(a) – Locatable Minerals) sets forth rules and procedures for operating on National Forest System lands so as to minimize adverse environmental impacts on surface resources.

Drake Cement is owned by Peruvian company Cementos Lima through a company called Skanon Investment, Inc. Enrique Rozas is the CEO for Drake Cement and has been the agent for Skanon Investments, inc. since July 21, 2016, according to Internet sources.

Hunters can apply for limited-entry permit-tag seasons beginning at 8 a.m. (Arizona time) Monday, August 8

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will accept applications for limited-entry permit-tag seasons beginning at 8 a.m. (Arizona time) Monday, Aug. 8.

These new big game hunting opportunities give hunters a chance to draw an additional elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and Gould’s turkey permit-tag, while generating revenue to help support wildlife conservation efforts across the state.

To apply, visit https://limitedhuntentry.azgfd.com/. The deadline is 4:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Friday, Aug. 12.

These opportunities should not be confused with the annual draws that are conducted by the department in February, June and October. A limited-entry permit-tag application does not preclude a hunter from applying for any other hunts throughout the year or impact bonus points. Animals harvested during limited-entry permit-tag seasons are excluded from annual bag limits.

Applicants must have a Customer ID to submit an application. There are four ways to locate a Customer ID: 1) Log into your AZGFD portal account, and click on “View Details” under “My AZGFD Dashboard;” 2) Check your hunting or combination hunt and fish license, if it was purchased online; 3) A Customer ID number can be retrieved by visiting https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/. If the account is located, AZGFD will send the Customer ID number to that email address; 4) Call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Don’t have a Customer ID? Visit https://accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register to sign up for a free AZGFD portal account. For those applicants who believe they have a portal account but are unable to locate their Customer ID by using the Customer ID Retrieval Tool, call the department at 602-942-3000 to avoid creating a duplicate account.

Applicants who draw a limited-entry permit-tag will be contacted by the department during the week of Aug. 15, at which time payment will be required before the permit-tag can be mailed. It is the responsibility of each applicant to provide accurate contact information to avoid missing an opportunity to receive the permit-tag for which they were drawn.

In addition:

  • This is discretionary. The objective is to generate revenue in order to maintain current operations and limit or eliminate the need to increase license and hunt permit-tag fees.
  • The issuance of a specific number of limited-entry permit-tags will not adversely affect management objectives for a species or area. These hunts will not impact the number of permit-tags made available for the annual draws. The related harvest will have an insignificant impact on wildlife populations.
  • A valid Arizona hunting (or combination hunt and fish) license is not needed at the time of application; it is required if a customer has been drawn for a limited-entry permit-tag.
  • Applicants can select up to 12 limited-entry permit-tag hunts on one application. Multiple applications will not be accepted.
  • At the time of application, a customer shall submit the required nonrefundable application fee ($13 for Arizona residents, $15 for nonresidents) for each selected hunt number.
  • Each customer must apply individually. Applicants cannot apply as a group, unlike the annual draws.
  • If a customer enters inaccurate information during the application process, or attempts to enter the draw for a hunt more than once, all applications will be deemed invalid.
  • After an application has been saved, a customer cannot begin a new one. A customer may return to their application to make changes as long as the draw is open, however. When an application is completed and final payment is accepted, a customer can no longer make changes or apply for additional hunts.

A total of 12 limited-entry permit-tags will be available for the following hunting opportunities:

  • Elk (any elk): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 1 and 27.
  • Elk (any elk): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 9 and 10.
  • Elk (any elk): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 21, 22 and 23.

 

  • Mule deer (antlered): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 16A, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, and 20A.
  • Mule deer (antlered): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 39, 40A, 40B, 41, 42, 43A, 43B, 44A, 44B, 45A, 45B, and 45C.
  • Mule deer (antlered): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 28, 31, 32, 37A, and 37B.
  • Mule deer (antlered): Dec. 15, 2022-Feb. 15, 2023. Open areas: Units 20B, 20C, 21, 22, and 23.

 

  • White-tailed deer (antlered): Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2023. Open areas: Units 27 and 28.
    White-tailed deer (antlered): Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2023. Open areas: Units 4A, 5A, 6A, 6B, and 8.
  • White-tailed deer (antlered): Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2023. Open areas: Units 29, 30A, 30B, 31, 32, 33, 34A, 34B, 35A, 35B, 36A, 36B, and 36C.
  • White-tailed deer (antlered): Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2023. Open areas: Units 21, 22, 23, 24A, and 24B.

 

  • Gould’s turkey (bearded): Apr. 1, 2023-May 31, 2023. Open areas: Units 29, 30A, 31, 32, 33 (north and west of Redington Road), 34A, 35A, and 35B.

The elk and deer hunts are general season hunts. Legal methods of take: any firearm, pre-charged pneumatic weapon, crossbow, or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304.

The turkey hunt is a limited weapon-shotgun shooting shot season hunt. Legal methods of take: Any shotgun shooting shot as prescribed in R12-4-318, or crossbow or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304.

Plan for westbound I-40 lane restrictions near Williams August 9-12

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WILLIAMS – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises motorists to plan for daytime lane restrictions on westbound Interstate 40 near Williams from Tuesday, August 9, through Friday, August 12, as work begins on a pavement life extension project.
Drivers should slow down, proceed through the work zone with caution and watch for construction personnel while the following restrictions are in place daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

  • Westbound I-40 will be narrowed to one lane of traffic between mileposts 157 – 155.
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph in the work zone.

The project will improve the condition of an 11-mile stretch of I-40 between the East Ash Fork interchange and Devil Dog Road. Final completion is anticipated in late fall of 2022.

Arguments Sought “For” and “Against” Coconino County Jail District Tax Extension

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County’s jail system is administered and operated through a Jail District (District) by the Coconino County Sheriff, who is delegated by Arizona Revised Statutes as keeper of the jail. The District is currently funded by a half-cent excise tax, which expires in 2027. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors serves as the Jail District Board of Directors.

On the upcoming General Election ballot, the District Board of Directors will ask Coconino County voters to extend the existing Jail District tax for maintaining and operating Coconino County jails for 25 years until 2052.

Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statues, Title 19, Section 124, Coconino County will prepare an informational pamphlet that will be mailed to all registered voters in the county prior to the General Election on November 8.

Coconino County requests arguments “For” and “Against” the ballot question for inclusion in the pamphlet. Each argument may not exceed 300 words and must include the original signature of the submitting party. If an argument is sponsored by an organization, it must be signed by two of the organization’s executive officers. If the argument is submitted by a political action committee (PAC), it must be signed by the committee’s chairman or treasurer. The person(s) signing the argument must provide their mailing address and phone number. This information will not be printed in the pamphlet.

Arguments may be submitted in writing and delivered by mail or in person to the Clerk of the Board’s Office, or digitally on a compact disc or USB drive. To meet the requirement for an original signature, digital submissions must be accompanied by a paper copy. Arguments may not be submitted via email or file transfer program. There is no fee to submit an argument.

To be considered for inclusion in the informational pamphlet, all arguments must be received by 5 p.m. (MST), Wednesday, August 10, 2022, in the Coconino County Clerk of the Board’s Office at 219 E Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Interested parties with questions may call (928) 679-2145.

AZGFD’s countdown to dove season

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If you’re a dove hunter who’s counting down the days (28) until the Sept. 1 opener, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be rolling out a different video each week that is sure to whet your wing-shooting appetite.

Just keep checking your email each week, and enjoy what our professionals in the audio-visual department have produced about hunting doves, Arizona-style.
This week: Yuma: A Dove Hunter’s Paradise

Pedestrian killed in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF – On August 3rd at about 9:30 PM, a fatal collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian occurred in the 2000 block of east Butler Avenue near the Motel 6. 56 year old Kee Begay of Flagstaff was attempting to cross the street and was struck by a vehicle. Police medical personnel arrived on scene. Responding officers called for Detectives as well as the Accident Reconstruction Team. Kee was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash.

The driver remained on scene until police arrived. He then performed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, and there were no apparent signs of impairment. Speed does not appear to have been a factor in this collision.

Overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A (Milton Road) in Flagstaff August 7-12

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists to plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A (known locally as Milton Road) in Flagstaff during the final stages of work on a pavement rehabilitation project.

Drivers should slow down, proceed through the work zones with caution and watch for construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place daily from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting Sunday night, August 7, and ending Friday morning, August 12:

  • Portions of north- and southbound SR 89A will be narrowed intermittently to one lane in each direction between Forest Meadows Street and Phoenix Avenue.
  • A vehicle width limit of 16 feet will be in place.
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph.


The restrictions are needed as crews continue working on sidewalks, driveways and curb ramps. Crews have completed the most significant work on the project, which was to remove the existing pavement and replace it with new asphalt. For more information, visit the project web page.

Overnight full closures of State Route 89A Near Pumphouse Bridge

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OAK CREEK CANYON – The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising drivers and area residents and businesses to plan for overnight full closures of State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon weekdays from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Mondays through Fridays on Aug. 15-19 and Aug. 22-26.

Closures will begin each evening at 9 p.m. starting on Monday, Aug. 15, and the roadway will reopen each morning at 6 a.m.
SR 89A will be closed to all traffic traveling north from Sedona beginning at the Cave Springs Campground (milepost 386).
DETOUR: Drivers on SR 89A traveling north to Flagstaff will use State Route 179 to Interstate 17.
SR 89A will be closed to all traffic traveling south from Flagstaff beginning at the Oak Creek Vista Overlook (milepost 390).
DETOUR: Drivers on SR 89A traveling south to Sedona will use I-17 to SR 179.
8-foot vehicle width and 30-foot length restrictions remain in place 24/7 for the duration of the project.

The overnight closures are needed so crews can safely continue working on the SR 89A Oak Creek Canyon Improvements project, which includes rockfall mitigation, erosion control and bridge rehabilitation. When full closures are lifted the roadway will continue to be narrowed to one lane only through the work zone(s) with alternating north- and southbound travel.