FLAGSTAFF — After consulting with families of the three victims of the lightning strike yesterday, the Coconino County Sheriff has released the names of two of the teenagers involved.
The 18-year-old who was injured is David Lyons from Tempe. The deceased 17-year-old was identified as Wade Young of Tempe. The other 17-year-old that was injured has not been identified.
The three youths were hiking near the summit of Humphreys Peak when the tragic lightning strike occurred.
Williams experienced severe lightning starting around noon.
Due to severe and continuous lightning on the peaks, emergency responders are staged at Agassiz Lodge and coordinating with the hikers to get them to safety.
At about 8 p.m., one male age 17 was confirmed deceased after being struck by lightning. Two other males ages 17 and 18 were transported to Flagstaff Medical Center with injuries that were likely received due to their proximity to the lightning strike.
The two injured hikers were conscious and walking when emergency responders reached them. The three hikers are from the Tempe, AZ area.
FLAGSTAFF — Travelers heading on State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff should allow for extra time for travel as one-lane restrictions will be in effect beginning Tuesday (July 19) at milepost 394, just north of the Vista Point Overlook to accommodate construction on SR 89A between the Vista Point Overlook and JW Powell Boulevard intersection.
The one-lane restriction will be in effect weekdays between 7 am and 4 pm until early October as crews clear trees and perform other work as part of the roadway improvement project. Flaggers will be in place to control travel through the area and a pilot car may be in use to allow for alternating north- and southbound travel through the work zone.
Delays can be anticipated during construction. ADOT advises travelers to allow for extra time for travel in the area, and to watch for crews and equipment in the work zone.
The SR 89A improvement project will widen and rehabilitate approximately 8.4 miles of SR 89A between Vista Point Overlook and the JW Powell Boulevard intersection. For more information on the project, please visit the project website at: www.azdot.gov\89A
FLAGSTAFF — The master plan study process for the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, owned and operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation, continues with a public information workshop July 20 in Flagstaff.
The public will be able to review data collected by the study team regarding aviation forecasts and how it relates to current airport facility capabilities. Members of the community will also be able to provide comments and input on the study.
The open house forum will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at Flagstaff City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave.
Airport master plans are required by the Federal Aviation Administration. The update for Grand Canyon National Park Airport will evaluate the facility’s capabilities and role, forecast future aviation demand and plan facility improvements to meet that demand over the next 20 years.
In addition to public meetings, comments and questions can be provided to the study team online at azdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan, by phone at 800.574.6334 or by mail to Grand Canyon Airport Master Plan Study, c/o Coffman Associates, 4835 E. Cactus Road, Ste. 235, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.
For more information on the Grand Canyon Airport and the master plan study, please visit azdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan.
PHOENIX — Edward “Pat” Madden of Flagstaff became the Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s newest chair on July 1. He will lead the five-member commission for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
Madden replaces Kurt R. Davis, who will continue to serve on the commission until his successor is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Each commissioner serves a five-year term that is staggered and customarily serves as chairman during their final year.
Madden, who joined the commission in 2013, has an extensive law enforcement background. He spent more than three decades working for the Flagstaff Police Department – beginning his career in 1966 as a patrolman and retiring as chief of police in 1999 – and also worked for the Arizona Department of Gaming before fully retiring in 2015.
Chairman Madden has been an active member of the Flagstaff community and has served on multiple boards and committees, including: Flagstaff Big Brothers; Flagstaff Route 66 Rotary Club; Northern Arizona Fallen Officers Memorial Committee; Flagstaff Leadership; and Citizens Against Substance Abuse. He has received numerous awards and commendations for his work and community service, including the Officer of the Year award from the Flagstaff Police Department, Outstanding Service Award from Big Brothers Flagstaff, and the Paul Harris Foundation Award from Rotary International.
“I look forward to my chairmanship and a continued productive working relationship between the commission, department and public to ensure that Arizona’s wildlife is protected, preserved, enhanced and managed,” said Madden.
He received his Master of Science degree in criminal justice and his Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern Traffic Institute in Evanston, Ill., and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
The commission oversees the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The commission establishes rules and regulations for the managing and conserving of wildlife and fisheries resources, and for safe and regulated watercraft and off-highway vehicle (OHV) operations for the benefit of Arizona residents.
FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) crews will be applying Recessed Pavement Markers and other pavement markings on the recently re-surfaced six mile stretch of northbound Interstate 17, from the Kachina Bvd/Mountainaire road exit (milepost 333) to the Lake Mary road exit south of the I-40 Junction (milepost 339). Work will occur on Thursday (July 14) and Friday (July 15) during daylight hours.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zone. Delays can be expected during construction; please allow for extra time for travel in the area. ADOT advises travelers to observe reduced speeds in the area, and to watch for crews and equipment in the work zone.
ADOT works to inform the public about planned roadway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Waste Programs staff will conduct a Waste Compliance Workshop where attendees will learn about Solid and Hazardous Waste Regulations and ADEQ’s Pollution Prevention Program. ADEQ encourages community members, businesses and government agencies to attend this no-cost workshop.
The seminar will be held in Flagstaff at the Arizona Game and Fish office at 3500 Lake Mary Road. The seminar will be Tuesday, July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Topics include
Solid Waste:
Hazardous Waste:
Hazardous Waste Manifest and Reporting:
Pollution Prevention:
Underground Storage Tanks:
Tired of getting two different stories regarding your USTs? Get the facts in this informative 1 hour session on UST rule updates and requirements for keeping your UST systems in compliance.
FLAGSTAFF — Two people are in custody and one person in stable condition after two citizens shot at a suspected DUI driver on SR87 near milepost 278.
On Monday June 27, 2016 around 2:30 pm the Sheriff’s Office received a report from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) of a shooting that occurred on SR87 near milepost 278. The DPS Troopers had two male subjects detained who were involved in the shooting. Medics were tending to a male victim who had received a gunshot wound to the chest. A Sheriff’s Office Detective responded from our Flagstaff office to investigate the incident.
38-year-old Shane A Tebo and 28-year-old Brandon M. Vongthongthip (both of Phoenix, AZ) were traveling north on SR87 when they observed what they believed to be a DUI driver traveling behind them who they reported was swerving in and out of his lane. They called 911 to report the driver, and an attempt to locate was dispatched to DPS Troopers in the area. Mr. Tebo was driving at the time, and attempted to slow or block the suspected DUI driver. At one point, the suspect DUI driver drove off the road into a ditch. At that time, Mr. Tebo drove his vehicle up next to the vehicle in the ditch to block the driver from returning to the road.
Mr. Tebo and Mr. Vongthongthip both were openly carrying Glock firearms and ammunition on their belts. Mr. Tebo exited his vehicle and attempted to take the keys from the suspected DUI driver whose vehicle was still running, but he could not get between the vehicles.
The vehicle being driven by the suspected DUI driver, 31-year-old Jesse G. Olsson (of Payson, AZ), apparently moved forward. At that time, Mr. Tebo shot several rounds into the engine block of the car trying to stop the car and the driver. The vehicle moved forward again at which time Mr. Vongthongthip fired several shots from his passenger seat at the suspected DUI driver. The driver of the DUI vehicle suffered a gunshot wound to his chest.
Around this time, an Arizona Department of Transportation vehicle and crew had observed the two vehicles in the ditch and had turned around to offer assistance. They observed the weapons and a person on the ground. They radioed their dispatch who contacted DPS. DPS Troopers responded, secured the scene and detained the two shooters.
Medical personnel from Pine-Strawberry Fire and Medics continued to treat the victim who was then airlifted by DPS Air Rescue to John C. Lincoln hospital. The victim Mr. Olsson is in stable condition but has not been able to give a statement to investigators. Detectives continue the investigation into the possible role of DUI in this incident.
Shane A Tebo and Brandon M. Vongthongthip were booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility in Flagstaff, AZ. Mr. Tebo was booked on Aggravated Assault, Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon, and Disorderly Conduct. Mr. Vongthongthip was booked on Second Degree (Attempted) Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon and Disorderly Conduct.
Deer graze along Perkinsville Road, also called South Road, out of Williams.
Did you know you can help conserve wildlife? Of course there are many groups working to do this in various ways. You can help without lifting a finger. And you can get paid—in a sense—to do it.
Many visit Flagstaff, Williams, Ash Fork and other northern Arizona Route 66 sites. They come up for camping, fishing and to visit the Grand Canyon in hopes of finding comfort in our cooler weather. The problem is that many come dragging their fifth-wheels exceeding the posted speed limits on Perkinsville Road to get to a camp site in the Kaibab. They exceed the posted speed limits to get to the Grand Canyon so they can take a half-hour to take photos and leave. They do not realize that the speed limits posted are posted for a reason.
Deer and elk also wander around our parks such as these at Buckskinner Park.
The answer is simply to observe the posted speed limits and even slow down a bit. Especially when you note animals feeding along the roadway.
So how does this pay you? There is an adage which states A penny saved is a penny earned. Consider that if you hit an animal damaging your vehicle, your insurance rates are likely to rise. Not to mention any payment for injuries to occupants that might occur. If the police or Sheriff’s deputy investigating the accident determine that you were speeding, you might receive a costly citation as well. If it is determined by the insurance company that you were at fault, they may not even pay out meaning that you will be responsible to pay for all damages.
Another thing to remember is that some wildlife may seem cute and tame. It may be tempting to feed them or pet them. Either action is dangerous. They are wild and may attack at any time. Feeding them will attract them to camping areas. It may even attract more dangerous animals such as mountain lions and bears.
Flagstaff, Williams, Ash Fork, Valle and all points north welcome visitors who wish to explore the many exciting activities we have to offer. We thank you to slow down and take care to protect our wildlife and our residents from death and injury.
FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) crews will be replacing the traffic signal control cabinet at US 180 (Humphreys Street) and Birch Avenue in downtown Flagstaff from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 28.
The signal will be down during replacement and no left turns will be permitted at the intersection; access will be maintained for through traffic on US 180, and for right turns at US 180 and Birch Avenue.
Drivers are asked to adjust their travel route if needed, and use caution while electrical work is performed in this area. Please reduce speeds, and be observant of crews and equipment in the intersection.