Tag Archives: Arizona

Moving Wall in place

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WILLIAMS — After almost a year of delay, the Moving Wall is finally set up in Williams. About 25 volunteers assisted in getting the wall set up which took about four-hours. Mayor John Moore came out to look at the Wall. He said that after ten-years of trying to get the wall here, it was difficult to believe that it was actually here.

About 25 volunteers assisted in the contruction of the Moving Wall.


The Moving Wall is a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. which–until recent events–is visited each year on Memorial Day by veterans of Run For The Wall and Rolling Thunder. This memorial means a great deal to the remaining heroes of the Vietnam Era, so we ask that you take your dogs somewhere else to take care of their natural business while the Moving Wall is in place. If your dog has an accident, we ask that you clean it up immediately.

The last piece of the wall being put into place by volunteers.


There will be a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow and there will be displays of military equipment and other military service organizations.

Each slab of the Moving Wall was carefully carried and put into place by volunteers.

Each slab of the Moving Wall was carefully carried and put into place by volunteers.

Each slab of the Moving Wall was carefully carried and put into place by volunteers.

The components of the wall were not allowed to touch ground. Volunteers, here, hold it up on their feet until it was put into place.

Mayor John Moore of Williams toured the Moving Wall.

Visitors started touring the wall before completion.

Panels of the wall being cleaned of any fingerprints left by volunteers.

I-40 lane restrictions at Leupp Road starting June 2

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FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for travel restrictions on Interstate 40 at Leupp Road starting Wednesday, June 2, as rehabilitation work is performed on the Leupp Bridge.

Drivers should slow down, proceed through the work zone with caution and watch for construction personnel while the following restrictions are in place from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2; Thursday, June 3; Monday, June 7; and Tuesday, June 8:

  • East- and westbound I-40 will be narrowed to one lane of travel in each direction.
  • A vehicle width limit of 15 feet will be in place. Wider loads can be accommodated with advance notice.
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph.

The Leupp Bridge is located about 50 miles east of Flagstaff. The bridge project is part of a $275 million investment ADOT has made to the I-40 corridor over the last five years. This includes improvements to 90 miles of roadway and 35 bridges.

Plan for overnight lane restrictions on Interstate 40 in Flagstaff June 1 – 4

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FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers who travel Interstate 40 in Flagstaff to plan for overnight lane restrictions while ADOT crews continue pavement preservation work.

The following restrictions will occur nightly from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, to the morning of Friday, June 4:

  • Eastbound I-40 will be narrowed to one lane in work areas between the junction with I-17 (milepost 195) and Country Club Drive (milepost 201).
  • Law enforcement may be on site to assist with traffic control.
  • A 16-foot vehicle-width restriction will be in place.

For more information, visit the project webpage: azdot.gov/I40WalnutCanyonRd

ADOT advises drivers to slow down and use caution around personnel and equipment while pavement repairs are underway.

Since 2016, ADOT has replaced about 90 miles of pavement and repaired, upgraded or replaced 35 bridges along I-40.

ADOT: Drivers should focus on safety for Memorial Day road trips

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PHOENIX – Drivers who are planning road trips over the Memorial Day weekend should prepare ahead of time for hot weather in areas, stay alert and bring along essential items in case of an unscheduled stop in traffic.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is not scheduling any full construction or maintenance closures along state highways from Friday afternoon, May 28, through Monday night, May 31, to limit impacts on holiday weekend travel.

Drivers should allow extra time, especially during peak travel periods, and be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to crashes, disabled vehicles or other incidents such as wildfires.

While no full construction closures are scheduled over the three-day weekend, drivers should prepare to slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through existing work zones.

Motorists also should pack extra drinking water and other items including blankets, a first aid kit, flashlight, extra batteries, a fully charged cell phone and charger, healthy snacks, baby diapers if necessary and a small tool kit.

Since travel delays are possible, don’t forget an adequate amount of prescription medicines. A hat, sunglasses and umbrella – to help with rain or shade – also are good items to remember.

Be prepared for changing weather conditions, including blowing dust. ADOT’s holiday weekend safe driving recommendations include:

  • Never drive while impaired. Buckle up and obey speed limits
  • Arrange for a designated driver or ride service if necessary
  • Check your vehicle, including tire pressure
  • Get some rest before traveling. Fatigue is a serious safety risk
  • Avoid distractions. Don’t text while driving
  • Don’t park in areas with grasses and brush. Hot vehicle components could start a fire

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov. ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a highway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

Plan for overnight lane restrictions on Interstate 40 in Flagstaff May 27-28

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers who travel Interstate 40 in Flagstaff to plan for overnight lane restrictions while ADOT crews begin pavement preservation work.

The following restrictions will occur from 8 p.m. Thursday, May 27, to 5 a.m. Friday, May 28:

  • Eastbound I-40 will be narrowed to one lane at the junction with I-17 between mileposts 195 and 196.
  • Law enforcement may be on site to assist with traffic control.
  • A 16-foot vehicle-width restriction will be in place.

ADOT advises drivers to slow down and use caution around personnel and equipment while pavement repairs are underway.

Since 2016, ADOT has replaced about 90 miles of pavement and repaired, upgraded or replaced 35 bridges along I-40.

Help stop the spread of harmful invasive species

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PHOENIX — Did you know that invasive quagga mussels cause millions of dollars in damage to boat motors, docks and water intake systems? 

Or that unwanted turtles, tortoises, and other pets illegally released into the wild can hurt our native species by introducing disease or outcompeting them for habitat and food?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is participating in National Invasive Species Awareness Week, which runs through Saturday. The nationwide event aims to educate the public about the harmful impact of invasive animals, plants and other organisms. During the week, AZGFD will post information highlighting some of the invasive species in Arizona, and how people can help slow their spread.

“Invasive species don’t respect boundaries, which makes them a continent-wide problem that starts at home,” said Sabra Tonn, heritage data management system supervisor. “The good news is that we can all play a part in helping stop their spread.”

AZGFD and the North American Invasive Species Management Association encourage people to help in the following ways:
  • Learn about invasive species, especially those found in this region. AZGFD’s website and the National Invasive Species Information Center are both resources.
  • Boaters and anglers should remember to clean, drain and dry your boat (and leave the plug out) before moving to another water. This helps stop the spread of quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species. It’s not just a good practice, it’s the law. www.azgfd.gov/AIS
  • Anglers should clean and dry their gear. Don’t forget to clean those wading boots. Never transport live fish from one body of water to another. StopAIS.org
  • Don’t release pets into the wild. It is illegal for pet owners who no longer wish to care for their exotic pets to release them into the wild, or dump their aquariums into bodies of water, potentially harming local ecosystems. DontLetItLoose.com
  • Land recreationists should clean their hiking boots, off-road vehicles and other gear to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location. PlayCleanGo.org
  • Campers should not move firewood. Instead, buy it where you’ll burn it, or gather on site when permitted. DontMoveFirewood.org
  • Slow the spread of invasive pests by taking extra care when traveling, gardening or moving recently killed plant material. Buy plants from a reputable source, and avoid using invasive plant species. HungryPests.com
  • Buy forage, hay, mulch and soil that are certified as “weed free.” 
  • Be a Citizen Scientist and report observations of invasive species at imapinvasives.natureserve.org.
“Everyone can do something to help prevent invasive species from impacting our natural environments,” Tonn said.

For more information about National Invasive Species Awareness Week, visit www.nisaw.org.

Kaibab National Forest considers new fiber optic line to support rural communities

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ASH FORK/PAULDEN — The Kaibab National Forest (KNF) is considering authorization of a new fiber optic line between Paulden and Ash Fork, Arizona. Arcadian Infracom 1, LLC has proposed the installation of a high-capacity fiber optic line to create new connectivity for Tribal and rural communities to major metropolitan areas, providing these communities with access to sufficient bandwidth to enable data intensive applications which will benefit public education, healthcare, and economic development.

The southern terminus of the fiber optic line would be located near Paulden and follow the east side of the Arizona Department of Transportation right-of-way for Highway 89 to the vicinity of the Ash Fork. Approximately 50,579 feet (9.58 miles) of the project is proposed to run through the Kaibab National Forest in the Williams Ranger District. The remainder of the line would be on the Prescott National Forest, as well as small sections of state and private lands. The total disturbance on the Kaibab National Forest would be a temporary right-of-way of 17.4 acres (15’ wide x 9.58 miles) for construction, with a permanent right-of-way totaling 11.6 acres (10’ wide x 9.58 miles).

Additional information about the project, including a map, can be found at http://bit.ly/PauldenAshforkFiberOpticPA.

Acting District Ranger Andy Kelher invites public comment about the proposed fiber optic line, and is considering use of this categorical exclusion to authorize the project on the national forest: Additional construction or reconstruction of existing telephone or utility lines in a designated corridor (36 CFR 220.6(e)(2)). If interested, please submit your written comments by June 9, 2021, by email to comments-southwestern-kaibab@usda.gov, mail to 800 South 6th Street, Williams, AZ 86046, or fax to 928-635-8208. For questions, contact Andy Kelher at andrew.kelher@usda.gov or 928-635-8230.

Man shot and killed near Flagstaff Walmart

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FLAGSTAFF — At about 2:06 this morning, Ashley Martin entered the Walmart on South Woodlands Village Boulevard and asked employees to call the Flagstaff Police. When police arrived, Ms. Martin informed them that she had shot someone.

According to the police report, she led officers to the nearby urban trail between Walmart and Beulah Blvd. The woman told police that she and the man had been involved in an altercation that ended with the fatal shooting of the man identified as Travis Nelson.

The woman was taken to the Flagstaff Police Department for questioning. Detectives responded to the scene to investigate. Ashley Martin was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions begin Friday at 8 a.m. on national forests

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FLAGSTAFF/WILLIAMS/PRESCOTT — On Friday May 14, 2021 at 8 a.m. the entire Kaibab, Coconino and Prescott National Forest will enter Stage 1 campfire and smoking restrictions in an effort to protect public health by reducing the number of preventable human-caused wildfires.

Under Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site.

Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands.

Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions.

Implementation of fire restrictions normally occurs based on a combination of factors that are carefully measured. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources.

Additional restrictions may be applied as conditions warrant. More information about the different stages of fire restrictions can be found on line at: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/fire/?cid=stelprd3802396

Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the forests receive significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded, and the public notified.

Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the national forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that can carry a mandatory appearance in federal court. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during fire season.

Know Before You Go! The public can obtain current state and federal fire restrictions information across Arizona on the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention and Information website, and at the Coconino County website at: www.coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions

AMERICAN RED CROSS OPENS EVACUATION CENTER IN MAYER

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PHOENIX — In response to the evacuation order in Yavapai County due to the Tussock Fire spreading southwest of Crown King, the American Red Cross has opened an Evacuation Center at Mayer High School, 1700 E. Mule Deer Dr, Mayer AZ, 86333. The evacuation center is a rest site for residents to gather and assess their needs. Individuals needing immediate assistance are asked to call Yavapai County Sherriff’s Office at (928) 771-3260 or 911.

GO Order for Evacuation has been issued for: Minnehaha, Fort Misery, and Horse Thief Basin. Crown King is now at SET and should begin preparing in the event an evacuation order is issued.

More information on READY-SET-GO: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go