Tag Archives: Flagstaff

Lane restrictions beginning this week on Milton Road in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF – Flagstaff drivers should plan for restrictions on a short stretch of Milton Road during daytime hours beginning next week as the Arizona Department of Transportation has permitted work in the right of way.

This permit work is scheduled to occur on northbound Milton Road between Phoenix Avenue and Mike’s Pike Street Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning December 4 through Friday, December 15. The following restrictions will be in place:

The northbound travel lanes will be shifted and traffic control devices will guide motorists through the work zone.
Left turns will be prohibited in the work zone and the speed limit will be reduced to 30 mph.
Restrictions will be lifted during overnight hours.

Drivers should expect delays and consider alternate routes.

Work on Milton Road in Flagstaff to be rescheduled

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FLAGSTAFF – Work that was scheduled to occur on northbound Milton Road this week and next between Phoenix Avenue and Mike’s Pike Street has been canceled because of weather-related concerns. Crews had been scheduled to replace a water line and construct new curbs, gutters and sidewalks on the east side of the roadway.

No dates for when the work will be rescheduled have been announced.

Reward offered in North Rim deer poaching

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering up to $8,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of yet another suspected poacher.

The latest case involves a mule deer buck that was found dead near Mount Logan on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The deer was recovered in game management unit 13A off County Road 5 and is suspected to have been killed sometime between November 17 and 19.

A lawful deer hunt started November 17 in unit 13A, but evidence at the scene suggests that the mule deer buck was possibly poached and edible portions of the animal were left to waste.

“This crime was obviously not the behavior of ethical, responsible hunters,” said AZGFD Wildlife Officer Luke Thompson. “We’re asking anyone who may have been in the area or has knowledge of the crime to come forward with information on this case. Poaching is a crime against all Arizonans and will not be tolerated. One tip could be all that’s needed to bring a poacher to justice.”

Anyone with information about the case can call the Department’s Operation Game Thief Hotline toll-free at (800) 352-0700 and provide case number 17-004571 or use the online form at www.azgfd.gov/ogt. Callers identities will be kept confidential and people can report anonymously if needed.

Valerie Wyant elected President of the Clerk’s Association

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FLAGSTAFF — Clerk of the Superior Court, Valerie Wyant has been named the President-Elect of the Arizona Association of Superior Court Clerks (AASCC). The President works as the liaison between the AASCC, the Arizona Supreme Court’s Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), the Arizona Association of Counties (AACo), state legislators and various other agencies.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to represent the Clerk’s Association in the leadership role of President,” said Association President-Elect Valerie Wyant. “In the role of President, I will have the amazing opportunity to participate in and work with a number of statewide and national committees and associations. It is truly an honor to represent the fine women and men who serve as Clerks of the Court in Arizona.”

Wyant worked in the office of the Navajo County Clerk of Superior Court for 13 years, and one year as the Clerk of Superior Court in 2010. Wyant was appointed Chief Deputy Clerk of Superior Court, Coconino County in January 2011. In 2014, she was elected Clerk of Superior Court for Coconino County.

The Clerk of the Superior Court’s Office was established by the Arizona Constitution as one of several elected offices with specific and special duties, serves as the official record keepers and financial officers for the Superior Court. The Clerk of the Superior Court services more than 500 state statutes and court rules.

Wyant will assume the role of President effective January 2018.

Cow elk poaching case being investigated near Strawberry

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating the poaching of a cow elk, which occurred on November 10 or 11 in southern Game Management Unit 5A about 10 miles north of Strawberry.

The elk was found near U.S. Forest Service Road 308H, which is a closed road near USFS Road 308. Evidence found at the scene indicates the poachers were likely camped off the closed road and they also illegally killed an unidentified non-game bird in the same location. There was no elk season going on at the time the poaching occurred.

Investigating officers also discovered bloody fingerprints on litter found at the scene and possible DNA evidence was recovered as well.

“We are hoping the public may remember seeing a camp on the closed road during this particular weekend and can provide some vehicle or suspect descriptions,” Game and Fish Wildlife Officer Garrett Fabian said. “Getting some information now means we won’t have to wait a long time for lab results to come back to identify the suspects.”

Anyone with information about the case can call the Department’s Operation Game Thief Hotline toll-free at (800) 352-0700 or use the online form at www.azgfd.gov/ogt. Callers should provide case number 17-004469, information obtained will remain confidential and callers may remain anonymous upon request.

A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered in this case for information leading to the arrest of the violator(s).

To learn more about Operation Game Thief, visit www.azgfd.gov/ogt.

Public Situational Awareness Class November 29, 2017

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a public class on Situational Awareness and Response to Active Shooter on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Flagstaff. There is no fee, but pre-registration is required. If you have any questions, please call 928-226-5012.

The purpose of this class is to help citizens understand what they can do to improve their safety during a crisis situation. This is a three-hour class. The first half of the class focuses on how to increase your every day safety through Situational Awareness. The second half of the class teaches a three-step plan known as “Avoid, Deny and Defend” which can be applied to crises such as Active Shooter events. The class includes some video and audio recordings of actual and simulated crises that some may find disturbing. Because of the possibly disturbing audio and video content, attendees must be 18 years of age or older.

For more information, go to http://coconino.az.gov/1571/Citizens-AwarenessActive-Shooter-Class#.

Hantavirus confirmed in recent traveler to northern Arizona

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) officials have announced a confirmed case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in a recent traveler to the County from outside Arizona. The individual traveled to multiple areas in northern Arizona and it is unknown where the current case contracted the virus.

The disease is transmitted to people who come into contact or breathe infected urine, droppings and/or saliva of wild mice (primarily deer mice). People who come into contact with rodents that carry hantavirus are at risk of contracting the disease. The illness has not been found to spread from person to person.

HPS is not limited to one geographic location. It can be present in many areas in the southwestern region of the United States where there is rodent activity, even if mice are never seen.

This is the first confirmed HPS case in Coconino County this year and the sixth case of HPS in Coconino County since 2007. Two cases resulted in death from complications caused by the illness. Symptoms of the illness could include fever, headache and muscle aches progressing rapidly to severe difficulty in breathing. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should see their physician immediately and mention their potential rodent exposure.

To prevent HPS, public health officials recommend the following clean-up methods for areas that may have rodent activity:

  1. Prior to starting cleanup, open all door and windows, especially in areas that have been closed for an extended period such as a garage, storage shed or second homes that are not used year-round. Leave open for 30 minutes before cleaning and if possible, allow direct sunlight on the area.
  2. Do not stir up dust in the infested area by vacuuming, sweeping, or any other means. This will allow virus particles to go into the air, where they can be breathed in, and potentially causing infection.
  3. When rodent droppings or nests are found in and around the home, spray them liberally with a household disinfectant (such as one-part bleach to nine parts water) and allow them to soak for at least 15 minutes. Any rodent droppings and rodent nests should be sprayed with a pesticide to kill fleas before disinfecting or disposing the carcasses.
  4. After disinfecting, wear rubber gloves and clean up the droppings with disposable materials such as paper towels, rags or disposable mop heads.
  5. Seal all materials, droppings or nests in double plastic bags and dispose of them in the trash.

Rodent-proof your home:

  1. Prevent rodents from entering the home by plugging or sealing all holes and gaps to the outside greater than 1/4-inch in diameter. Use steel wool, thick wire screen, metal flashing or cement to seal holes.
  2. Eliminate or reduce rodent shelter around the home by removing outdoor junk and clutter, and by moving woodpiles, lumber, hay bales etc., as far away from the house as possible.
  3. Do not make food easily available to rodents. Do not leave pet food in dishes and dispose of garbage in trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
  4. Prevent mice infestation inside your home with the use of traps and proper removal.

For more information regarding HPS, call the Coconino County Public Health Services District at 928-679-8750, toll-free at 877-679-7272 or visit www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps.

Supervisors update Winter Parking Ordinance

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FLAGSTAFF — The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve Winter Parking Ordinance 2017-11 during a public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 7. The new ordinance requires parking restrictions from County maintained rights-of-way during snow season and for the enforcement of parking restrictions either by citation or towing.

Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute § 11-251, the County Board of Supervisors may manage public roads within the County, as well as, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute § 11-251.05, adopt all ordinances necessary or proper to carry into effect such powers.

“This ordinance will allow the County to better manage issues associated with winter recreation,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Matt Ryan. “This is another tool the County can use to help navigate winter challenges.”

The Board of Supervisors has amended the ordinance to state that between Nov. 1 – April 1 of each year, motor vehicles must be kept clear of County maintained rights of way. Any vehicle parked in such prohibited areas reserves the right to be cited or towed at the owner’s expense (not less than $200.00) due to the possibility of threatening the health or welfare of County residents. Penalties are applicable where violations take place and where signed.

Winter recreation in Coconino County has resulted in increased parking and traffic congestion, littering and other dangerous hazards that negatively impact the health, safety and welfare of residents of the County who live and/or own property adjacent to County highways and roads. Over 80 signs will be disbursed to identified roadways to reinforce the new ordinance.

“I want to thank the community for addressing the challenges of peak winter recreation events in Coconino County,” said District 1 Supervisor Art Babbott. “This new ordinance provides a legal foundation to better serve and protect our neighborhoods and communities. Moving this forward was an important objective of the Community Winter Recreation Task Force to improve safety along County maintained roads and complements the new ADOT no parking signage on the Highway 180 corridor.”

It is a primary responsibility of the County to keep County owned, or maintained, rights -of-way reasonably clear of snow and provide major access for emergency vehicles. Most motor vehicles left parked in the streets become a hazard, both to the County snow removal equipment and to the owner of the vehicle.

Free firewood giveaway at Fort Tuthill County Park

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Parks & Recreation is offering a free firewood giveaway to the public at 8 a.m. Saturday, November 18, at Fort Tuthill County Park near the archery range. The firewood giveaway is a result of recent forest thinning efforts to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires.

Approximately 25 cords of pine will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The wood will not be ready to burn this winter because it was cut this fall and is green. The wood is cut to firewood length (approximately 18” or less), but not split.

Future firewood giveaways will be in conjunction with local service organizations and chapter houses and will occur after November 18.

For more information on Coconino County Parks and Recreation: http://www.coconino.az.gov/parks.

District 3 County Supervisor Matt Ryan named Board Chair

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors named District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan as the next chair of the Board. He replaces District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta.

Ryan said he was looking forward to finishing out the 2017 as chair and serving the people of Coconino County.

“I’m enthusiastic about taking on this role for the County and feel privileged to have the support of my fellow supervisors,” said Supervisor Ryan, “I want to thank Supervisor Archuleta for providing such great leadership over the past 11 months. As a board, we will work to better the lives of our constituents. I look forward to continuing discussions on zoning and subdivision ordinances, ensuring resource conservation and continuing to focus on improving the County’s infrastructure. We will work to provide overall safety and ensure access to services for Coconino County citizens.”

The Board also named District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler as vice-chair. Ryan and Fowler began their leadership roles November 7.

“It was truly an honor to serve as Chairwoman of the Board and being able to share the excellent work of the County,” said outgoing Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “I’m proud of what we accomplished as a board over the past year as we improved service delivery, focused on customer service and enacted several justice reform initiatives. I am most proud of the County’s adoption of the Fair Chance Initiative, Ban the Box. This will give people who struggle to find work after incarceration an opportunity to apply for work with Coconino County without the negative stigma immediately associated with checking the criminal history box.”