Free tax preparation in Williams.

WILLIAMS—A free tax preparation experience at the Episcopal Church in Williams for people with incomes less that $51,000. The St. John’s Episcopal Church is located at 202 W. Grant street; on the corner of Second Street and Grant. The tax preparation meetings will be Thursday, January 31 from 10 am to noon and 1 pm to 3 pm. There will be two more opportunities on Thursday, February 28th and March 21 from 5 to 8 pm on each day.

There will also be tax preparation services at the Grand Canyon Recreation Center at 2 Mohave Street, Williams. The dates are Friday, February 8 from 5-8 pm and Mondays, February 11 & 25 and March 4 & 11 from 10 am to 1 pm.

You will need to bring (1) a picture ID for taxpayer and spouse, Social Security or ITIN cards for all household members, (2) all tax papers, such as W2 and 1099 forms and other proof of income, (3) name, address and tax ID of child care provider; Amount of money paid to child care provider last year, (4) account and routing numbers for direct deposit. If filing jointly, both spouses must be present to sign the return. A copy of last year’s tax returns are helpful.

In Flagstaff, tax preparation will be available at the Coconino High School, 2801 Izabel Street on Saturdays from January 19 to April 13 from 9 am to 4 pm. Used the south entrance. Also at the Lura Kinsey Elementary at 1601 S. Lone Tree Road on Wednesday, April 3 and Thursdays January 31, February 14, February 28 and March 14. The time is 4:30 to 7:30 pm each day.

A third location is St. Pius at 2237 E. Cedar Avenue on Tuesdays, February 5 & 19, March 5 & 26 and April 9 from 4 to 7 pm. They will host one more on April 15 from 9 am to 4 pm.

There will also be sessions at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church basement at 224 S. Kendrick Street. The times are from 1 pm to 4 pm on Thursdays February 7 & 21, March 7 & 28, and April 11.

The Family Resource Center at 4000 N. Cummings Street will host tax preparation volunteers on Fridays, February 1 & 15, March 1 & 15 and April 5 from 4-7 pm.

Goodwill, 2225 N Steves Blvd Tuesday: February 12 & Wednesday 27 9:00am-1:00pm

Interested parties can call 888-635-0545 or visit the United Way of Northern Arizona for more information. New locations may be added.

Tuba City Man Arrested for Multiple Counts of Aggravated Assault

Flagstaff, AZ – Thirty-one year old Clinton Tsinnie of Tuba City, Arizona was arrested by Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies on Sunday, January 13, 2013 for three counts of aggravated assault stemming from an incident that occurred on Friday evening.

Investigators believe that Mr. Tsinnie and the thirty-two year old male victim who know each other hitchhiked from Tuba City to Flagstaff for the purpose of taking care of some business. According to information gathered by detectives from a witness and the suspect, the suspect and the victim consumed a significant amount of alcohol after completing their business. While the two were in the area of North Highway 89 and Townsend/Wynona Road attempting to hitchhike back to Tuba City, they got into a verbal disagreement that evolved into a physical altercation. Judging from statements made by the suspect, statements made by a passing motorist witness, and from physical evidence, Detectives believe the suspect knocked the victim to the ground and kicked him in the head and face multiple times inflicting serious facial and head injuries.

Detectives believe that while the suspect was kicking the victim, the victim lost consciousness and the suspect continued to kick him. The suspect was arrested for three counts of aggravated assault involving the circumstances of the infliction of serious physical injury, the infliction of serious disfiguring injuries, and assault of the victim while he was incapacitated. The victim remains in the Flagstaff Medical Center where he is being treated for his injuries.

Overdue Hiker Rescued from San Francisco Peaks

Flagstaff, AZ – On Saturday, January 12 at about 9:30 pm the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an overdue hiker on the San Francisco Peaks. The hiker, a 53 year old male from Scottsdale, was reported overdue from a one day hike by his family. The initial information indicated that he was planning to hike into the Inner Basin and Lockett Meadow areas.

With the roads closed into Lockett Meadow, patrol deputies checked the bottom of the Lockett Meadow road but did not located the subject’s vehicle. Deputies checked the trailheads at Arizona Snowbowl and located the subject’s vehicle near the Kachina Trailhead. They checked the immediate area of where the vehicle was parked and did not locate the subject. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit responded.

Concern for the subject’s safety was high due to the extremely cold temperatures. At the time of the search, the air temperature in the area was -1 degree Fahrenheit, with colder wind chill temperatures. It was believed that the subject did not have any winter hiking experience and may not have been properly equipped for hiking in cold and snowy conditions.

An Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter from Kingman, AZ responded and assisted with an aerial search. The helicopter crew used night vision goggles and a forward looking infrared camera. While the air search was being conducted, ground search teams were deployed in a Search and Rescue snow cat on Freidlein Prairie Road and on foot from the Kachina Trailhead as well as on an old jeep trail that leaves from the Arizona Snowbowl Mountain Shop.

At approximately 3:00 am a ground search team located the subject above the Kachina Trail approximately one half mile from the Kachina Trail parking area. The subject was lost and had wrapped himself in an emergency blanket and was preparing to spend the night. The subject was responsive but was very cold. Searchers assisted the subject in walking out to the trailhead where he was met by a Guardian Medical Transport ambulance for treatment and transport to the Flagstaff Medical Center.

Coconino Parks and Recreation meeting tomorrow

January 10, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ Mess Hall, Coconino County Fairgrounds, Fort Tuthi

The Coconino County Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, January 10th at 3:00 p.m. in the Mess Hall, Coconino County Fairgrounds, Fort Tuthill County Park. See meeting agenda (PDF link)

Agenda items include elections of 2013 officers, discussion and action on the desire to form an Open Space subcommittee, and fee changes.

Property Tax Assistance

The new application period begins on January 1, 2013 for the following programs:
Senior Value Protection
Disability Exemptions
Widow/Widower’s Exemptions
Religious/Non-Profit Exemptions

For Disability, Widow/Widower’s and Religious/Non-Profit Exemptions, applications must be received between January 1 and March 1 2013. Applications for the 2013 Senior Value protection program must be received between January 1 and September 1, 2013. Each program has qualifications you must meet in order to participate in the program. To find the qualifications and more information on each program, please go to the link Property Tax Assistance or call the Assessor’s office at 928-679-7962.

2013 Business Personal Property Statements

The Assessor’s office will be mailing the 2013 Business Personal Property statements on December 21, 2012. The completed forms and property lists must be signed and postmarked no later than April 1, 2013 to avoid penalties. Businesses are encouraged to EFile their asset lists in Excel Format.

The asset lists for both active and disposed assets are to include:
• Account number (if available)
• Company filing report
• Location Site Address, city and zip code
• Asset description
• Asset acquisition year (format: XXXX)
• Asset acquisition cost (only positive costs, no negative figures)
• Asset number (if applicable)

Email your electronic file to: businessstatements@coconino.az.gov

County Public Health Confirms Five Flu Cases

FLAGSTAFF —– The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) has confirmed five cases of influenza in the County this month.

The cases originated in the Flagstaff area and are the first of the 2012/2013 flu season. Those who contracted the illness ranged in age from infant to 30s.

The confirmed cases mark the beginning of the flu season in the County, as influenza activity within Arizona continues to increase with 20 cases reported statewide (including the County’s five cases).

“We have been anticipating our first flu cases in Coconino County,” said CCPHSD Interim Chief Health Officer Kimbal Babcock. “Since flu activity typically does not reach its peak until late January or February, and influenza activity can occur as late as May, this is still a good time to get a flu shot.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone older than 6 months old receive a yearly flu vaccination to protect themselves against flu viruses. A flu shot at a CCPHSD Clinic costs $25 for adults and $15 for children 18 years and younger.

As a courtesy, the CCPHSD will bill your insurance company, but those seeking a shot should check with their insurance provider to determine whether they are covered. No one will be denied service due to inability to pay.

In addition to getting a flu shot, practicing good habits will help people maintain proper health. These simple actions can stop the spread of germs and help protect you and others from getting sick:

• Wash your hands frequently during the flu season.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands afterwards. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
• Stay home when you are sick.