Tag Archives: Flagstaff

Coconino County Offices closed Veterans Day

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FLAGSTAFF — All Coconino County offices will be closed Friday, November 10 in observance of Veterans Day.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed, Dispatch, Patrol and Detention will conduct business as usual. Records will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency Dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.

Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2017. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 to leave a message and an officer will return the call. Please call 9-1-1 for any emergencies.

Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open during the holiday, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. The Fort Tuthill Bike Park is open. Drinking water has been turned off at all parks, but bathrooms are still available at Raymond, Peaks View and Sawmill County Parks. Water and bathrooms are available at Louise Yellowman County Park, located in Tuba City.

Unexploded Ordnance Discovered and Removed

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FLAGSTAFF – On October 31, 2017 at approximately 5:20 pm Coconino County Deputies responded to Fort Tuthill after a citizen reported finding what he believed to be unexploded military ordinance. Upon arrival Deputies determined that an item likely unearthed during recent excavation did in fact appear to be military ordinance.

The Flagstaff Bomb Squad was requested and after determining the item may be a viable explosive requested assistance from an Explosive Bomb Disposal Unit (EOD Unit) assigned to Luke Air Force Base. The EOD Unit agreed to respond during daylight hours. To insure public safety Sheriff’s deputies remained on site throughout the night to prevent inadvertent access to the location.

On November 1, 2017 at approximately 12:45 pm the discovered device was detonated in place by the Bomb Disposal Unit.

Fort Tuthill prior to its current use by Coconino County has served many roles. One of these was as a training site for the 158th Infantry regiment who called the location home from 1929 through December of 1948.

Adult Probation Department issues Naloxone for opioid emergencies

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Adult Probation Department recently issued Naloxone to all probation officers. Naloxone (sold under the brand name Narcan) is an opioid reversal drug used in suspected opioid overdoses.

The department trained all officers to recognize suspected opioid overdoses and how to correctly administer naloxone in the field. While numbers of reported overdoses are low in Coconino County, officers are now equipped to address them.

“Our probation officers routinely conduct home and field contacts with our clients, many of whom suffer from substance use disorders,” said Chief Probation Officer Sarah Douthit. “We wish to ensure that our officers are equipped to deal with crisis overdose situations with the hopes that we never have to deploy these resources. We believe in treatment and recovery and work with our clients to develop treatment plans to overcome addiction. This is one more tool to help in the community in which we live and work.”

In June 2017, Governor Doug Ducey issued a Declaration of Emergency to address the State’s ongoing fight against opioid abuse. Working with the legislature and the Department of Health Services (DHS), the Opioid Action Plan was created. Part of this plan created a DHS program to train and equip first responders with life-saving doses of naloxone at no cost to qualifying agencies.

Subaru donates delivery vehicle for Meals on Wheels

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FLAGSTAFF – Subaru of America, Inc. donated a 2018 Subaru Outback to Coconino County Community Services Department in partnership with Meals on Wheels America. Keeping with its commitment to support local communities nationwide, Subaru of America and Flagstaff Subaru will present the vehicle to Coconino County during a special ceremony on November 6.

Each month, Coconino County Community Services drives an average of 2,515 miles to deliver meals, and the donated 2018 Subaru Outback will be rotated between all routes helping staff and volunteers to reach a total of 64 seniors and serve 1344 meals each month. The donated 2018 Subaru Outback is wrapped with Meals on Wheels America and ‘Subaru Loves to Help’ co-branding.

The public is invited to the ceremony at Flagstaff Subaru, 4910 E. Marketplace Drive.

Interstate 40 ramp restrictions at A-1 Mountain this week

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FLAGSTAFF – Northern Arizona drivers accessing exit at A-1 Mountain (milepost 191) from Interstate 40 will need an alternate route during the following closures scheduled because of guardrail work. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to allow extra travel time as the nearest interchange—at Bellemont—is 5 miles to the west.

The A-1 Mountain off-ramp from westbound I-40 will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30.
The A-1 Mountain on-ramp to westbound I-40 will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.
The A-1 Mountain off-ramp from eastbound I-40 will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Wednesday, Nov. 1 and Thursday, Nov. 2.

Detour signs will be in place to direct drivers westbound I-40 to Bellemont (milepost 185) and turn around at the Bellemont traffic interchange to access eastbound I-40.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Sheriff Driscoll selects Bret Axlund as Chief Deputy

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Photo Courtesy Coconino County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Jim Driscoll is pleased to announce his selection of Bret Axlund to fill the position of Chief Deputy for the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

Bret has been with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) since January 1996. Bret graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Criminal Justice / Business Administration degree and is a graduate of the Arizona Leadership Program (formerly known as Leadership in Police Organizations). He most recently has been serving as the Page Lieutenant managing Page District Patrol Operations as well as the Page Detention facility. Bret brings with him multi-faceted and versatile experience in Patrol, Investigations, Search and Rescue, Detention, Community Relations, Administration, and Organizational Leadership.

While Bret has been serving as the Lieutenant of the Page Patrol District and Detention Facility since 2013, he also served as a Detention Officer at our Flagstaff facility and worked for the San Diego Sheriff’s Department prior to working for Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. Bret was a senior boat patrol officer for the Page Boat Patrol Program for over ten years. He was instrumental in implementing the CCSO Dive Team and serves as the current Dive Team Coordinator. He is very active in community outreach and education programs such as boating safety classes, Drug Impairment Training for Education Professionals (DITEP), Freshman Focus classes, and Citizen Response to Active Shooter. He is a certified Arizona POST General Instructor, DRE/HGN Instructor, DITEP Instructor, Marine Theft Instructor, Boating Education Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He has helped manage grants for the Boat Patrol Program and for Governor’s Office DUI/OUI Programs. He received the 2010 Veterans of Foreign Wars Officer of the Year Award.

Bret’s professionalism and leadership skills are well recognized throughout the region. He is dedicated to creating and strengthening local, state, federal and tribal partnerships and ensuring effective communications. He has a strong historical understanding of our agency and the ability to seek new and innovative solutions as we advance into a new era of policing. His successes throughout his career have been founded on building and maintaining public trust and confidence. Bret has been a mentor to many and is committed to an organizational culture that supports the growth and development of our employees and our mission of Service to Community.

Please help us welcome Chief Deputy Bret Axlund in his new role. His official start date in this capacity will be November 6, 2017.

Westbound Interstate 40 off-ramps at A-1 Mountain restricted early Wednesday

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FLAGSTAFF – Northern Arizona drivers exiting westbound I-40 at A-1 Mountain (milepost 191) will need an alternate route during early hours on Wednesday because of guardrail work. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to allow extra travel time as the nearest interchange–‒at Bellemont–‒is 5 miles to the west.

The A-1 Mountain off-ramp to westbound I-40 will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Drivers will use westbound I-40 to Bellemont (milepost 185) and turn around at the Bellemont traffic interchange to access eastbound I-40.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Northern Arizona federal land managers invite public to community conversation event

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FLAGSTAFF — Federal land managers with the Forest Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management invite the public to attend a community conversation next week as part of an ongoing effort to connect with the public and hear first-hand what people value about their public lands.

In partnership with the Museum of Northern Arizona, this event will be held in Flagstaff in the Branigar Hall at the Museum of Northern Arizona from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Seating is limited to 60-70 people at this free community event, so please register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/NAZ-Fed-Land-Conversation or calling (928) 774-5213.

The following federal land managers will be in attendance and look forward to interacting with the public:

– Coconino National Forest Supervisor Laura Jo West,
– Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Heather Provencio,
– Flagstaff Area National Monuments Superintendent Kayci Cook Collins,
– Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Chris Lehnertz, and
– BLM Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas.

The Land Managers will provide updates –

· What has happened since the first Community Conversation in May 2017?
· Land Managers and Project Specialists will provide information and take your comments on federal land management projects in Northern Arizona
· Participants Open Mic – What do you want your federal land managers to know? – Please plan on one minute per speaker to allow time for manager responses. Comment cards will be available for those not wishing to speak.

This is a chance for the public to meet face-to-face with the leaders of organizations that manage federal lands in northern Arizona. The public is invited to attend this special event and share their thoughts on what they value about public lands now and into the future.

Innovative job training program launches this month

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Career Center is launching an innovative job-training program this month to reach individuals ages 16 to 24 who are not in school and not working. StartHere offers these individuals training, resources, mentors, internships and jobs with community businesses.

The initiative kicks off at 2 p.m., October 19, in Bushmaster Park with a public celebration with food, T-shirt giveaways, pickup basketball and a hands-on spray chalk gallery.

“The County is reaching out to individuals who are not in school and not working, and providing a supportive environment for them,” said Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors Liz Archuleta. “We will facilitate a training program to connect the youth with local businesses so they can get job experience and learn new skills. This will empower these individuals to grow into an integral part of our community.”

The Career Center is building a network of community support for the program to help individuals gain work experience and exposure to career paths. StartHere has identified six career pathways in growing fields to train program participants in: manufacturing, property maintenance, health care, commercial driving, computer information technology and an exploratory option for undecided individuals.

“There is a shortage in skilled labor across the U.S., and Flagstaff is no different,” said Nestlé Purina Human Resources Manager Jeff Springborn. “As our long-time employees begin to retire, there is a high demand for new skilled workers in manufacturing. Because of this, we recognize that promoting and providing opportunities for training and career development is vital for the sustainable growth of our business and the manufacturing industry.”

Workforce Development Board Member, and Flagstaff Mayor, Coral Evans has been a champion for disconnected youth through her work with the County in the past and is a strong advocate for the new initiative. “I’m really excited about it, it’s long overdue. We live in a world where we expect everyone to graduate from high school and go to college. A lot of us don’t take that direct route. I didn’t. StartHere allows those individuals who don’t fit into a neat box of expectations to grow and take a direct hand in who they are going to be.”

StartHere will be funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) established by the federal government in 2014 to serve disconnected youth who are 16 to 24 years old, are not in school and not working.

“We are implementing a unique public awareness campaign to reach these young people where they are,” said Coconino County Career Center Director Carol Curtis.

For more information, call 928.525.4642 or visit StartHere.jobs.

Two Search and Rescue Missions on San Francisco Peaks Wednesday

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies and its Search and Rescue Unit conducted two search and rescue missions on the San Francisco Peaks Wednesday

About 3:00 p.m. Wednesday October 11, 2017 the Flagstaff 911 Center received a call from a woman who reported she was lost after starting a hike the Peaks. The woman and her three children—ages 2-to-11—from the Phoenix area had parked on the Snowbowl Road and started off on a hike. The woman reported she was currently on a trail, but was confused and did not know the way to return to her vehicle.

Deputies were able to get her location from her call to 911 and had her start walking out. A deputy responded to the area, who walked in on the trail, meeting the woman and assisting her back to her parked car.

About 6:35 p.m. the Flagstaff 911 Center received another call for a rescue on the Peaks. A 19-year old male and his girlfriend from the Phoenix area were hiking the Humphreys Trail when the male injured his ankle and reported a possible fracture.

The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit responded and prepared for a liter carry of the injured hiker. The hiker had been able to make his way partial down the trail. Searchers made their way up the trail and made contact with the hiker and assisted him off the mountain. The hiker refused medical treatment.