New lighting problems observed

640-Lights-5032301WILLIAMS — New solar light have been installed around Williams since January. They were initially installed on the east end of town along historic Route 66. Since then about 200 lights have been placed all along Route 66 and Grand Canyon Boulevard.

While some commented that it looked like an airport runway, most comments overheard were positive.

300-Lights-150323-02Yet some problems have been observed. Residents have noticed missing lights and some of the new lights not working.

Mayor John Moore of Williams—Who has said the lights are being donated by a private citizen—confirmed that at least three lights have been knocked down by vehicles parking in the downtown area. Like the older lights in Williams, they have been placed along the sidewalks to provide the most access to pedestrians. Thus they are closer to the street.

Other repairs being observed, he said, were because of faulty lights which the company is replacing at no charge.

Even with the problems noted, the lights seem to be a popular addition to the streets of Williams.

This weekend last chance for guided tour of Keyhole Sink

keyhole-sinkWILLIAMS — Arizona Archaeology month is nearing the end. This weekend will be the last opportunity for the guided tour of the Keyhole Sink site east of Williams. The site is four-miles west of Parks.

Traveling from Flagstaff, exit at Parks road and follow historic route 66 west. The tour starts at 2 p.m. Neil Weintraub reports on Facebook that you might expect to get wet from the water fall. There is no cost.

The Keyhole Sink is open to the public year around, but this is one of the few chances to get a guided tour.

New Old Smokey’s opens tomorrow

640-Smokeys-07WILLIAMS — One of the historic Route 66 restaurants in Williams re-opens tomorrow. Almost like the Phoenix, Old Smokey’s restaurant is rising from the flood to move onto Route 66.

The restaurant opens tomorrow at 125 W. Route 66 at 6 a.m. They plan to open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., initially, adjusting the hours as necessary. The old Old Smokey’s only served breakfast and lunch, but the owners have added a dinner menu at the new location.

Owner Dan Barnes explained that they had a lease at the old building—located across the street from Dairy Queen—with an option to buy. The building fell into disrepair and there was some difficulty getting repairs causing the restaurant to be closed for several years. Mr. Barnes had acquired the rights to the name and the Old Smokey image and kept the LLC open. The image of Old Smokey is the same, albeit a little flashier.

The restaurant boasts a better menu with hamburgers and a chicken sandwich you can build to your taste from the menu. They recommend checking out the pretzel and corn meal dusted sandwich buns. They also recommend trying out their chicken, pork or beef barbeque. They still offer the old familiar breakfast favorites that made old Old Smokey’s famous.

Three new bear cubs join Bearizona Wildlife Park

Bearizona Photo

Bearizona Photo

WILLIAMS — Bearizona Wildlife Park is excited to announce the arrival of three un”bear”ably cute North American bear cubs, which were born in early January at the Williams, Arizona Wildlife Park. The bear cubs will be viewable in a special care area of the park until May, when they will then be big enough to go out into their own enclosure within the walk through portion of the park.

Black Bears commonly have two to four cubs per litter, and can nurse up to six cubs. Despite high birthrates, only four out of ten cubs will reach their first year of life. The sixty percent of cub mortality is a result of starvation and depredation by male bears are other large carnivores.

Arizona has a stable wild population of black bear in the wild, however the elusive animals are rarely seen. Visitors to Bearizona Wildlife Park are able to get a close encounter with captive black bears, while learning about their habits and history.

“The connections people make between our animal residents and the habitats in which they reside are key to understanding and conserving wildlife,” explains COO and Curator Vanessa Stoffel. “We have a unique opportunity to educate the public about what it means to live with and recreate among black bears, and these little ambassador cubs are where it all begins.”

Bearizona is a wildlife park in which guests experience a scenic three-mile drive in their own vehicle or coach witnessing North American animals in their natural environment.

Visitors can then leisurely stroll through the forest along winding walkways to get an up-close look at the antics of baby and smaller animals in Fort Bearizona. Guests are encouraged to catch their complimentary Birds of Prey free flight show where they will come face to face with hawks, owls and other raptors.

Bearizona’s mission is to promote conservation through memorable and educational encounters with North American wildlife in a natural environment.

Pastor brings prayer walk down Route 66 in Flagstaff and Williams

640-McGill-01WILLIAMS — Williams was visited, yesterday, by a man carrying an United States flag and saluting passersby. Pastor Walter “Chick” McGill is traveling cross country with several goals.

The flag is a tribute to veterans. Pastor McGill is a Vietnam veteran who went through a difficult time upon returning—as did many veterans. He credits the natural healing of God for his recovery. Although he still suffers from a disease which makes his walk difficult, he wants to plant the flag in Santa Monica after carrying it from “sea to shining sea.”

That leads to another purpose of his journey. To spread the good news—aka the Gospel of Jesus. His walk is also a prayer walk in which he prays with and for communities through which he passes.

He also wants to inspire communities to restore God into those communities and schools. He wants to promote the ideal of the laws of God being the basis of our Constitution and other documents as the founders intended.

His journey began in Kills Devil, North Carolina 197 days ago on his anniversary with wife Barbara who travels in the following car. He traveled along U.S. Route 64 connecting with U.S. Route 66 in Arizona. He hopes to end his journey in Santa Monica in April of this year.
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He noted that he was happy to pass through Williams as he found the most friendly people in the area since leaving Oklahoma.

A few days ago he spoke with NAZ Today in Flagstaff.

(NAZ Today video)

100% chance of snow in Williams today

6400223-01WILLIAMS – The long-range weather forecast shows a 100% chance of snow today. Of course a cursory look outside the window notified the residents of that.

The forecast shows 2-4 inches through the day with another possible 1-3 inches tonight. Tomorrow morning there is a 40% chance of snow with little new snow accumulation. The snow is expected to clear up Tuesday night. Wednesday and Thursday is expected to be sunny but cool.

A slight chance of rain and snow begins again Friday and through the weekend.
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More lights being installed

lites-17WILLIAMS – Workers installed more of the new solar lights along Railroad Avenue east yesterday.

The lights seem to be a popular addition to Route 66 in Williams according to comments in the street and on Facebook. The only negative comment has been the number of them.

Something tells us, though, that the Mayor might need an extra job.
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Williams City Council votes to donate to the Senior Graduation party

WILLIAMS – At the Williams City Council meeting on January 22, the Williams City Council voted to donate $1500 to the Senior Graduation Night party to be held at the Williams Recreation Center. A presentation was made by Senior Miranda Velasco in which she reminded the council of the death of five graduates due to alcohol in 2007. Since then the organization Parents Who Care started the alternate party to keep graduating seniors safe.

The council then voted unanimously to build a new substation with APS.

Mayor John Moore gave a report on the new lights being installed in the city. So far 50 have been installed on east Route 66. The plan is to install them on west Route 66 and Grand Canyon Boulevard.

Lights are on.

lites-0121-42WILLIAMS – The new light posts along Route 66 from First Street east are installed and on. At least on the Bill Williams Avenue side.

The lights were installed yesterday and now light up at night.

Other lights are being installed on Railroad avenue. They are also being installed from Third Avenue west toward Safeway.
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Williams adding to Route 66

sl150116-01WILLIAMS – You might have noticed the construction along the east end of Historic Route 66 in Williams. Williams has been repairing roads and sidewalks and generally trying to make the city more attractive to visitors.

We become somewhat concerned, however, when we saw the following:
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Innovations can be exciting, but some could be a bit much. We were trying to envision where they would put the Roman baths next.

Mayor John Moore explained that the construction are bases for new street lights shown below. The lights are being installed from 1st Street east all the way to the Mustang station.
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