WILLIAMS — In the wake of September 11, 2001, it seems to slip the minds of most people that we were injured in a surprise attack before. An attack that President Roosevelt labeled, “…a date which will live in infamy.” On December 7, 1941, the island nation of Japan attacked the Naval base at Pearl Harbor and the aircraft at Hickam Field, Hawaii. The attack came mostly from the sky, but some Japanese two-man submarines were also suspected. Over 2,000 service men and civilians lost their lives in the attack with several thousand more injured. The war with Japan came to an abrupt end with the bombing of two of their cities with newly-developed atomic bombs on August 9, 1945.
The symbol of the attack on Pearl Harbor is the U.S.S. Arizona over which a memorial has been built. A piece of that historic vessel was shipped to Williams and placed in Williams Memorial park on the west end of town.
Since the attack, December 7th has become Pearl Harbor Rememberence day. With a statue of Bill Williams and a World War II soldier looking on, a group of residents attended the memorial service of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 in Williams. After speeches and a prayer, the residents were invited to a Mexican buffet at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 on Grant Street at 4 p.m.
Tag Archives: Williams
Bearizona Kicks Off Wild Wonderland Holiday Celebration
Bearizona photo
Bearizona, a popular drive- and walk-thru wildlife park devoted to providing homes to wild animals in need, kicked off the annual Wild Wonderland celebration last night. Visitors are allowed to enter the glowing Fort Bearizona after normal operating hours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December to experience this night-time extravaganza.
Wild Wonderland is a family-friendly event that immerses guests in the Christmas spirit as they stroll among 400,000 lights illuminating the towering ponderosa pine trees. The lights are synchronized with traditional Christmas music every half hour, providing a dynamic multimedia show of colors and sounds. Additionally, several of the park’s resident critters, such as jaguars, otters, bobcats, raccoons, badgers and foxes, will be staying up late to open their early Christmas presents for the viewing pleasuring of park guests.
Guests will also be given the opportunity to spend time with Mrs. Claus during a nightly story time reading in the gift shop, stay warm by the outdoor fire pit where they can purchase s’mores to roast, and enjoy the seasonal libations and holiday treats available for purchase at Canyonlands Restaurant. After story time, kids of all ages can take photos with Mrs. Claus.
The full nightly schedule for Wild Wonderland is below:
- 6 pm – Front gates open
- 6:30 pm – Jaguars and otters open presents
- First light show takes place, repeating every 30 minutes until 8:30 pm
- Craft room opens in gift shop
- 7 pm – Story time with Mrs. Claus
- 7:30 pm – Bobcats and raccoons open presents
- 8 pm – Story time with Mrs. Claus
- 8:15 pm – Last admittance
- 8:30 pm – Badgers and foxes open presents
- 9 pm – Park closes
“Our Wild Wonderland has always been a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and get into the spirit of the holidays,” said owner Sean Casey. “We are proud to continue providing this experience for the thousands of park visitors who have let us become a part of their family traditions.”
Tickets for Wild Wonderland are available online at http://www.bearizona.com/ for $13 (using promo code bzwild19) or $20 at the gate, and children under the age of 3 are free. Admission to this event is a separate charge from general park admission. Wild Wonderland takes place in the Fort Bearizona walk-thru portion of the park only; the drive-thru portion of the park is closed. Wild Wonderland will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Two Suspects in Custody on Williams Area Burglaries
WILLIAMS – On December 6, 2019 detectives with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office executed two search warrants in the Williams District of Coconino County and within the City of Williams. These search warrants stemmed from several burglaries that had been reported in the Red Lake and Valle neighborhoods north of Williams between May and November of 2019. During the investigation, Detectives were able to identify suspects in the case. During the execution of the search warrants, several items were located and recovered that had been reported stolen from the burglaries.
Christopher Tow, age 27 of Williams and Clyde Dunwoody, age 36 of Red Lake were arrested and booked into the Coconino County Jail for 2nd Degree Burglary, Theft, Trafficking in Stolen Property, and 1st Degree Criminal Trespass. The case remains active and under investigation, which may result in additional charges.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Williams Police Department with their assistance in this case.
Winter Storm warning issued for weather through Saturday
WILLIAMS — NOAA has issued a weather storm warning through November 30 and a wind advisory for November 27. Heavy snow above 4500-feet through Saturday will make holiday travel difficult and possibly dangerous. Localized amounts up to 40 inches over the highest peaks are possible.
The main brunt of the storm is expected to hit Thanksgiving Day leaving a possible 21-inches overnight in Williams. Friday there is a possibility of an additonal 8-inches of snow. There is a slight chance of snow Saturday morning. Weather is expected to clear starting Saturday after 11 a.m.
Snow forecast from 6 AM Thursday to midnight Saturday:
Chino Valley 4 to 6 inches
Doney Park 13 to 19 inches
Flagstaff 21 to 27 inches
Forest Lakes 28 to 36 inches
Fredonia 4 to 6 inches
Grand Canyon 14 to 20 inches
Heber-Overgaard 9 to 15 inches
Jacob Lake 15 to 21 inches
North Rim 22 to 30 inches
Prescott 8 to 12 inches
Prescott Valley 4 to 8 inches
Sedona 4 to 6 inches
Seligman 5 to 9 inches
Valle 9 to 13 inches
Williams 20 to 26 inches
Bearizona Welcomes Vernon the Bald Eagle on Veterans Day
WILLIAMS — Bearizona, a popular drive- and walk-through wildlife park devoted to providing homes to wild animals in need, is introducing its first bald eagle on Veterans Day. He was named Vernon by the winner of the company’s recent naming contest that reached over 30,000 animal lovers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and was shared 124 times in just 24 hours.
The contest called for all Bearizona fans and supporters to submit a name appropriate for such an incredible animal that represents the strength and freedom of America ahead of the national Veterans Day holiday. The winning name was chosen out of 850 fan entries and honors George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Vernon is especially fitting since the first president of the United States and Bearizona’s first bald eagle were both from the great state of Virginia.
After he was seen fighting with another eagle in what was likely a territorial dispute and suffered injuries affecting his ability to fly, Vernon was rescued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department and made his way to multiple facilities over the last decade before finding his forever home at the Bearizona Wildlife Park, where he will have the space and care he needs to thrive.
“He’s very shy, but he loosens up after a few fish,” said Susan Davidson, founder of High Country Raptors. “The staff continues to learn more about him and his likes and dislikes every day, and we are doing our very best to keep Vernon feeling as comfortable and safe as possible in his new home.”
Visitors will be able to visit Vernon for the first time, along with the rest of the Bearizona residents, on Veterans Day, this Monday, Nov. 11. Free admission will be offered to all individuals currently serving in or who have honorably served in the U.S. military.
“Eagles are becoming more common here in Virginia and I see them a couple of times a month. My heart still jumps in excitement when I see one,” says contest winner, Laurinda Bowling of Bland, Virginia. According to Savannah Carleton, a second contest winner who chose the name Vernon, “Since the bald eagle is from Virginia, it seemed perfect for his name to be Vernon. But when I saw someone else had suggested it, I just decided to ‘second’ their vote. It’s always fun to participate and vote when an Arizona park gets a new member and the community gets a voice in the process.”
Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project to Continue This Week Near Williams
WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest fire managers plan to continue prescribed fire treatments on additional units of the Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project north of Williams beginning Tuesday of this week. 2050 acres have been successfully treated to date with approximately 5350 acres remaining.
Operations may continue throughout the week as weather conditions permit. Daily ignitions will only occur when environmental factors align with the required prescription that will achieve desired results and meet land management objectives.
The 7400 acre prescribed burn area is located just north of the City of Williams and Interstate 40, east of Forest Road 124, and west of Airport Road and Highway 64. Goals of the prescribed fire treatment include decreasing the threat of unnatural severe wildfire by reducing accumulated fuels, improving forest health, and reintroducing fire to the landscape that aligns with the desired historical condition.
The project will be broken into smaller units that will be scheduled to be burned on days that will help to allow smoke to disperse away from developed areas and ventilate quicker reducing the impacts to local communities.
Area residents can expect to see and hear a helicopter in the area, as aerial ignitions will occur on portions of the burn. Smoke will be highly visible from the City of Williams and from roadways and recreation areas in the general vicinity of this project. Specific areas from which smoke is likely to be noticeable include H.A. Clark Memorial Field airport, Kaibab Lake, portions of State Route 64, Valle, the City of Williams, and Interstate 40. Smoke is expected to lift during the day and travel northeast toward Red Lake Valley. However, cooler overnight temperatures may cause smoke to settle into low-lying areas surrounding the burn location.
Fire managers are aware that community members may be sensitive to the smoke produced, and they make every effort to limit the amount and duration of production. Prescribed fires with short-term impacts to air quality can help prevent future severe unplanned wildfires under unpredictable conditions with smoke that may pose significant risks to public health and safety.
To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
No road or trail closures are planned as part of this project however motorists are reminded to watch for traffic control personnel on Interstate 40 and the Highway 64 corridor and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active project areas.
All prescribed burns are subject to approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/
Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:
• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311
Double Murder victims identified
WILLIAMS – The Coconino County Sheriff’s has arrested a Williams man for the murder of his wife and her sister at a home north of Williams.
The victims have been identified as 70 year old Elaine Fann and her 65 year old sister, Vivian Scheuerman. Both victims lived at Fann’s home on Pine Road in the Red Lake area. Both victims had
been shot and appeared to have died as a result of those injuries. Autopsies will be performed by the Coconino County Medical Examiners Office.
The suspect is identified as 60 year old Gustavo Espino. Espino also lived on the property and is believed to be the boyfriend and business partner or employee of Elaine. Espino was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility on two counts of murder and being held on $2 million bond. Detectives are continuing the investigation into both deaths.
Double Murder Suspect in Custody
WILLIAMS – The Coconino County Sheriff’s has arrested a Williams, AZ man for the murder of his wife and her sister at a home north of Williams.
Around 8:37 PM Sunday October 27th the Sheriff’s Office received a call from a Department of Public Safety trooper advising he had been driving on a county road in the Red Lake area when he was flagged down or stopped by the driver of a vehicle. The man approached the trooper and reported something to the effect that he couldn’t take it anymore and had killed his wife and her sister at their home. The Trooper detained the man and called the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the home address of the man and his wife and upon entering the home, found two females deceased inside the home. The man was transported to Flagstaff by Sheriff’s deputies. The suspect was interviewed by detectives where he made statements about his involvement in the deaths.
The case is being investigated as a homicide. The Sheriff’s Office is not releasing the names of the suspect or victims at this time pending notification of next of kin.
Elk / Lee Prescribed Fire Project Completed on Williams Ranger District
WILLIAMS — Fire crews have successfully treated 8152 acres of forested landscape over the past 4 days bringing the Elk / Lee Prescribed Fire Project to full completion.
Located 10 miles south of Williams on the northwest side of Sycamore Canyon, this project was identified by local fire managers as a high priority area in need of fuels reduction on the Williams Ranger District.
“Critical watersheds that supply water to several of the communities to the south in the Verde Valley will now be better protected from the threat of a destructive wildfire” said Fuels Program Manager Mike Uebel. “This type of burning not only helps protect these resources but also restores these landscapes to a more sustainable healthier condition”.
Officials recognize the inconvenience that smoke has caused for many residents who experienced impacts from this burn. Smoke is an unfortunate and unavoidable byproduct of this work. One of the goals is to limit the number of days that smoke is in the air as opposed to an uncontrolled wildfire where smoke can be much denser and linger for prolonged periods of time.
Kaibab National Forest officials are grateful for the patience and support of all members of the public from the surrounding communities who were affected by this project. To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness
All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. (ADEQ) To view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website go to:
Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:
Helicopter Logging Begins on Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project
WILLIAMS — The first stage of the 300 acre steep slope fuels reduction efforts on the Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project is underway on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. A helicopter will begin the technical work of hauling material off the mountain from the elevated areas that are inaccessible by ground or other conventional methods.
Sawyers from Markit! Forestry Management have been on the mountainside cutting and bundling woody material in preparation for the removal of hazardous fuels from the most difficult terrain on the highest slopes of the mountain. A long cable suspended below the helicopter is attached to the bundled material which is then flown to a lower site where processing and loading will take place before the material is eventually transported off the mountain by trucks. There will be a noticeable increase in traffic within city limits as hauling vehicles begin transporting material out of Williams.
Helicopters will be noticeable to residents and businesses in and around the City of Williams both audibly and visually. Aerial logging will be occurring seven days a week during daylight hours providing weather conditions are conducive for safe operations.
Due to the hazardous nature of the technical work involving aircraft, a Temporary Area Closure Order (http://bit.ly/BillWmMtn-TempClosure) has been put in effect on a portion of Bill Williams Mountain. Forest users and members of the public are asked to avoid travelling through or entering into the closure area until the order is rescinded. Specific information about trails, roads and areas within the closure can be found by going to the link above.
Project managers are hopeful to complete this first stage of fuels removal by late December of this year. There are approximately 900 additional acres on the steep slopes that will be targeted for treatment as the next phases of this project move forward.
Officials from the National Forest Foundation (NFF), Coconino County, and the Kaibab National Forest have been working together to implement the restoration project. The NFF brought together funds from multiple contributors that include $1,800,000 from the Kaibab National Forest, $800,000 from Coconino County, private funds from the Sperling Foundation, and a state grant from the Arizona Department of Water Resources to provide better protection and long term sustainability of critical resources that are vital to the City of Williams.