Tag Archives: Williams

Will open camping bring more trash?

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WILLIAMS – You might remember in January when people came to enjoy the snow. They left the area in the same condition that they would not allow at home and even report to their local police. To be fair, some of this trash is even be from locals.

The lake camp sites are starting to open later this month, but people have already started camping and trashing camp sites open along the roads.Early in April, we found this tent at a camp site we visited. It is an Ozark Trail 4 person Instant Dome Tent. The tent was actually usable except of the fiberglass rods that held the tent up. One of the rods was broken. The unfortunate design of the tent did not allow the replacement of the rod, so the happy camper just left it and the carrying case laying at the camp site.

Later in the month we found several trash bags laying at a camp site deeper in the forest. We continually find beer bottles, cans, dog bowls and other trash laying around camp sites and on trails and in the forest.

Another problem we have seen is RVs parking in parking lots designed for trails or parking to block open roads.

We welcome visitors to Williams and enjoy seeing people from all over the world. We like hunters who come to use our facilities. We ask, however, that you observe the common courtesy you expect others to show you.

  • Do not park in roadways so that you block others from using the camping sites.
  • If you hike our trails, don’t drop your water and beer bottles and cans and other trash on the ground. Pack it out.
  • Anglers please do not leave your fishing material and trash behind. Some of the lakes have tubes in which you can put fishing line. They all have trash cans. Please pick up after yourselves.
  • Do not leave your trash behind. Williams provides receptacles you can use for trash.
  • While driving, do not throw trash and cigarettes out of the window.
  • If you are having a party anywhere, do NOT release balloons into the air. They not only trash the forest, a balloon knocked out power in Bellemont when it hit a power transformer.

We ask that you keep our home clean.

Vandalism damages recreational facilities on Williams Ranger District

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WILLIAMS – A recent trend of vandalism occurring at numerous Kaibab National Forest recreation sites on the Williams Ranger District has prompted a public service announcement in an attempt to curtail these unlawful activities.

Unsightly graffiti paint, physical structure damage, and theft are among the latest offenses identified at several recreational locations that are about to open for the summer season.

“This kind of unruly activity makes it difficult to prepare our facilities for opening by the scheduled dates.” said Recreation Specialist Dutch Maatman. “Not only does it take extra time to make these repairs, but it can be very costly detracting from our limited budget allocations. It negatively impacts both our visitors and our program.”

Forest officials are encouraging all members of the public to speak up if you witness any activity that disturbs, defaces or damages any property being managed by your national forest. If you see something, say something.

As with any crime you may be witness to, contacting your local law enforcement authority is always the safest action to take. You can also call the local district offices directly to report a crime or any other suspicious activity that may be occurring. Contact your local office at these locations:

• Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (928) 635-5600
• Tusayan Ranger District, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Tusayan; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; (928) 638-2443
• North Kaibab Ranger District, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; (928) 643-7395

The mission of the United States Forest Service is “To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.” Its motto is “Caring for the land and serving people.”

Kaibab National Forest Officials would like to invite everyone to take a vested interest in helping with the success of the mission by participating in the protection and conservation of your national forest resources.

For more information about the Kaibab National Forest, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

Counterfeit bills showing up in Williams

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WILLIAMS – Counterfeit bills have been showing up recently in Williams. It is reported that they are in $20 and $100 denominations.

The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe is the latest business to get hit with one of the fake twenties. The persons passing the bill are known to them and they routinely travel through Williams and the Grand Canyon. It is possible that they received it not knowing it was counterfeit.This particular bill is not a particularly good replication. The watermark face on the back side is actually drawn on. Just holding it to the light would shows the face, but not very clearly. On the front, the seal is dull where on a real bill it is shiny. The “20” on the lower right corner of a real bill has little lines through it. On this fake bill is is printed without lines. Another clue is to feel the face on the bill. It should be rough. If it is smooth, you should suspect the bill. The actual paper of the bill may feel real, but most bills are printed on regular ink jet printers.Businesses, no matter how busy, should start to take time to check bills carefully. Citizens should check bills they receive in change. Another option is to purchase a counterfeit bill If you receive a fake bill, you are stuck with it.

The U.S. Secret Service has produced a PDF explaining how to spot counterfeit bills. The New York Post reported in November of 2016 about a counterfeit ring in Peru that produced excellent quality counterfeits of bills from around the world.

Third Annual Route 66 Good Friday Procession draws churches together

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WILLIAMS – The Third Annual Route 66 Good Friday Procession traveled down Railroad Avenue without a problem. The Williams Police Department escorted the procession to ensure the safety of participants. Traffic was lighter than usual which made the procession easier this year.The members of the community began gathering at 6:30 this year; later than previous years. Father Killian, of Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church who led the procession, explained that the procession wanted to reach the Family Harvest Church at sunset.Member of the community and churches of Williams gathered about 6:30 to carry a cross to Fourth Street. The procession crossed Bill Williams Avenue to Grant Street where they turned on Grant to reach the Family Harvest Church.The community churches joined together at the Family Harvest Church for a community worship service and a reading of the Stations of the Cross.

The Procession ushers in the Easter weekend holiday. Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held at the Williams Recreation Center on Railroad Avenue across the street from Circle K.
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Moonset Pit to re-open in May with limited use

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest, in cooperation with the communities of Parks and Sherwood Forest Estates, will reopen the Moonset Pit on May 13 of this year to local residents to dispose of herbaceous materials from private property. Dates will be limited for use this year as scheduled renovations to expand the site an additional 5 acres are expected to begin by July. The pit will be open on the following four Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; May 13, May 27, June 10, and June 24.

The Moonset pit serves the local area providing a location for the disposal of natural forest debris. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this facility in order to make their private property more defensible against the threat of wildland fire. No garbage, household trash, building materials, lumber or other items will be allowed. Materials should not be bagged.

“Opening up the space within the pit will allow for separation between the cinder operations and the woody debris piles which will provide for a much safer environment for all users” said Lands and Minerals Staff Officer Deirdre McLaughlin. “This will also provide a larger capacity and accommodate more users for this popular site in the future”.

Officials are planning to close the pit as monsoonal rains arrive which typically occur in July. This will allow fire crews to burn and consume the remaining materials accumulated from previous months with current disposals to prepare for the site expansion. Residents are strongly encouraged to get to the pit early this year due to the limited schedule for use this season. Once the pit is closed, it will not re-open until 2018.

The success of this community provision is largely attributed to the volunteers of the Parks Area Connection and Sherwood Forest Fire Department who staff the pit on Saturdays during the open hours of operation. This annual service is also supported by the Kaibab National Forest and the Rural Communities Fuels Management Partnership.

Moonset Pit is located just west of the Parks community on a dirt road east of Spitz Springs on the north side of old Route 66. For more information or to volunteer to staff Moonset Pit on open dates, contact Anne Dudley at (928) 635-0417 or Joanie Raetzel at (928) 635-0059.

For additional information on creating defensible space, visit www.firewise.org or www.fireadapted.org.

Route 66 Good Friday procession this Friday

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WILLIAMS – This Friday the churches of Williams gather to carry a cross down Route 66 (Railroad Avenue) in the annual Route 66 Good Friday Procession. The group will gather at the Mustang on the east end of town and travel west to Memorial Park.The churches start gathering about 5 p.m. with the procession beginning at 6:45 p.m. The Stations of the Cross will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Family Harvest Church on Grant and 7th Avenue across the street from Safeway.

The Williams PD ensures the safety of the procession each year.

The procession is sponsored by the Williams Churches, but anyone is invited to join in on the event that leads up to Easter. The churches of Williams also hold a combined worship service in the evening of the last Sunday of the month.

High wind advisory continues through 11 tonight

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WILLIAMS – Strong winds started this morning and continued throughout the day blowing in dark clouds and possible snow tonight. There is a possibility of some lightning. There is a 60% chance of snow tonight dropping as snow continues through Saturday morning. Overall there is a possibility of about one-inch throughout the period. The weather should clear and start to warm up through next week with the exception of a slight chance of snow on Monday. Snow may continue in Flagstaff through Saturday.

Kaibab National Forest works to create young citizen scientists

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Kaibab National Forest employees demonstrate how to use iNaturalist to upload photos of plants and animals to the 2017 citizen science project.-Kaibab Forest photo

WILLIAMS – Several Kaibab National Forest employees spent a day at Williams Elementary-Middle School, last week, teaching all 140 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades how to make discoveries about plants and animals near their homes and on their public lands, thereby creating a small army of young citizen scientists who can assist land managers in understanding the biodiversity of the area.

Kaibab National Forest resource specialists demonstrated to the eager students a new way to interact with the forest and its flora and fauna using their smart phones and the free online platform iNaturalist.org. At the beginning of 2017, the Kaibab began a citizen science project to identify and document the biodiversity of the forest by encouraging visitors to take photos of plants and animals and post them to the project page using the free iNaturalist app.

Williams Middle School students use their smart phones to participate in the Kaibab National Forest’s citizen science project and contribute to species information in the Williams area. – Kaibab Forest photo

“The students loved the iNaturalist day. The number of Forest Service employees in my classroom was phenomenal. Students were able to learn about a bunch of different parts of the Forest Service, and the adult-to-student ratio allowed for small groups while working outside,” said Isabel Caldwell, Williams Middle School science teacher. “Students were also able to learn how they can contribute to science in their own home, and they were given a tool to help them do that. The students were incredibly excited and thankful to have community members come into the classroom and work with them.”

Involving students in the fun but also scientifically valuable project is just one way Kaibab National Forest employees hope to connect members of the public with their public lands. By the end of just one day, the Williams students had collected more than 200 observations, and that number keeps increasing as students continue their citizen science work outside of the classroom. Students without smart phones are still able to participate by using the school’s laptops to upload photos of their scientific finds.

“It’s days like the one we had with the students that remind me why we do what we do,” said Mark Christiano, geographic information systems coordinator for the Kaibab National Forest and the planner of the citizen science project with the school. “Getting out to a school and connecting with kids is so important. Not only did we teach them a whole new way to interact with the forest, but we also connected them with a global community of citizen scientists.”

Once participants post photos of plants or animals to the “Kaibab NF 2017 Citizen Science Project,” they receive expert feedback from the iNaturalist community on their discoveries. Kaibab National Forest biologists also help identify or confirm findings, providing a connection to local scientists who are interested in knowing more about and tracking the abundance and distribution of species on the forest.

“I hope our students learn to stop and smell the roses. Sometimes, they move so fast that they miss the beauty in their own backyard,” said Maya Caldwell, director of student services for the Williams Unified School District. “Williams is a beautiful town, and I hope this program helps them see how special our area is and how much Northern Arizona has to offer them. I also hope we have a few future scientists that bloom because of these experiences.”

Williams Middle School students use their smart phones to participate in the Kaibab National Forest’s citizen science project and contribute to species information in the Williams area. – Kaibab Forest photo[/caption]The Kaibab National Forest created the year-long citizen science project with a couple goals in mind. First, biologists and planners hope to increase knowledge of plant and animal species, especially unusual or rare ones, and to inform the overall species list for the forest as well as management approach. Second, forest managers see the project as a way to build relationships with local communities and visitors, creating an opportunity for shared stewardship and turning visitors into scientists and champions of public lands and the resources they offer.

“By connecting people with natural and cultural resources, we hopefully help them understand the importance of public lands and the need to keep them public for our grandchildren and their children,” said Heather Provencio, forest supervisor for the Kaibab National Forest. “The Kaibab has so many special places and opportunities for everyone, and I’m excited this project is helping inspire young people to experience those things.”

Teaching the Williams Middle School students about citizen science and how to get involved through iNaturalist was just the first step. The Kaibab National Forest is planning a day-long field trip May 4 for all 140 students to visit the forest and collect observations side-by-side with wildlife biologists, botanists, silviculturists, archaeologists and other resource specialists. In the interim, students have been collecting observations around their homes or while out with their families camping, hiking, fishing, hunting or participating in other outdoor adventures.

“I am hoping that students take more time to observe their surroundings. Growing up in this time, it is easy for students to be completely absorbed in their technology and forget about the world around them,” said Isabel Caldwell. “I think one of the strengths of the iNaturalist program is that it allows students to use their technology to access the natural world. The more connected students feel to their surroundings and community the more likely they are to protect it, and iNaturalist provides students with a vehicle that fosters this connection.”

To participate with the Kaibab National Forest in its citizen science project, visit Kaibab NF 2017 Citizen Science Project on iNaturalist.org.

Freeman no longer a free man

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WILLIAMS – All three suspects who fled police this morning are now in custody.

At approximately 10:45 AM, a Yavapai County Sheriff K9 attempted to stop a maroon 4 door sedan for a traffic violation east I-40 in the Ash Fork area. As the vehicle failed to yield, a male passenger appeared to be thrown from the vehicle and was detained.
The k9 unit pursued the vehicle at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The vehicle apparently became disabled and pulled off at milepost 165 near the Bearizona attraction and crashed into a culvert.

One of the remaining two suspects was apprehended almost immediately at the ADOT yard on Route 66 near the Bearizona Wild Life park. The suspect identified as John Dale Freeman fired shots at deputies and fled beginning a six-hour manhunt with units of the Yavapai County and Coconino County Sheriff’s Departments, the Williams Police Department and the Department of Public Safety including the DPS helicopter. The Arizona Department of Transportation also assisted and Kaibab Forest Rangers may have also participated. None of the search party were injured in the event.

Arizona DPS helicopter flies over Williams searching for suspect.


Schools in Williams were locked down as was Bearizona. Guests of Bearizona were gathered in the Gift Shop and Restaurant area for a couple of hours. They were eventually allowed to evacuate the park. Parents of Williams were required to pick up their kids from schools early and kids in outlying areas were bused home at the regular time.

Freeman in custody.


Various reports of sightings of Freeman occurred in Williams with none being confirmed. The search continued in the forested areas around Bearizona until about 3:30 p.m. when Freeman was reported captured outside of Bearizona. The other two suspects have not yet been identified.

Freeman turns from camera while in police vehicle.


Citizens around Williams reported recognizing Freeman as frequenting the Williams area. Others in Flagstaff reported on the Facebook page of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department that they recognized him around Flagstaff. Freeman may have lived in Williams according to some accounts. Our research shows that Freeman may have a criminal past.

Campgrounds scheduled to open for season on Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts

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WILLIAMS – With summer recreation season rapidly approaching, Kaibab National Forest recreation facilities on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts will soon be opening to the public for a variety of outside activities.

Williams Ranger District

Kaibab Lake – Kaibab Forest Service Photo

Kaibab Lake Campground –The lower loop will open on April 22 and sites will be available on a first come first served basis. The entire facility will be open on April 28.

Dogtown Lake – NAG Photo

Dogtown Lake Campground – Fully open April 28.
Whitehorse Lake Campground – Fully open April 28.
Cataract Lake Day Use Area – Effective April 15, this site will have a host and a schedule of hours open to vehicle access. The entrance gate will open daily at 7 a.m. and be closed at sunset each evening. Foot travel into the site is allowed.
Spring Valley Cabin – does not close seasonally and remains open throughout the year. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov.

Tusayan Ranger District

Ten-X Campground – Fully open May 26. The late opening is due to current improvements being made to the facilities and infrastructure. Two large group sites and a portion of single-family campsites are available by reservation at www.recreation.gov. Campers are encouraged to arrive early in the day for first come first served sites as this campground fills up quickly.

Russell Tank Day Use Area – Has been stocked with rainbow trout for the first time in many years providing excellent fishing opportunities this summer.

Hull Cabin – will open May 1 and is available by reservation only at www.recreation.gov.

General Information

Forest visitors are invited to camp year round at dispersed sites across the entire Kaibab National Forest, however motorized vehicle use is restricted in some areas, so visitors should be prepared by knowing the regulations.

Motorized Visitor Use Maps are available for free at any of the district offices or can be downloaded from www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd490027

Additionally, camping corridors on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps have expanded to allow motor vehicles up to 100 feet off the center of designated roads for dispersed camping.

“Among many of the improvements you may see this summer is the reconstruction of the amphitheater at Kaibab Lake campground. New seating will replace the current benches,” said Recreation Program Staff Officer Lisa Jones. “Water levels are at a historic high this year which has made piers accessible, greatly enhancing boating and fishing activities at many of our locations.”

To obtain more information about recreational programs on the Kaibab National Forest contact Lisa Jones at (928) 635-5619 or Dutch Maatman at (928) 635-5661

For additional information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or call (928) 635-8200.