WILLIAMS — The Williams Post Office was damaged in a vehicle accident earlier today. Witnesses at the scene indicate the driver cited brake failure. There was no report of injuries.
The accident caused structural damage to the stamp selling area, but the mail drop off and boxes remained open. It is unclear what impact the accident will have on mail delivery.
WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will offer firewood cutting permits for the 2016 fuelwood season beginning April 15 for the Williams and Tusayan districts and May 2 for the North Kaibab district.
The minimum cost for a personal use fuelwood permit is $20, which is good for four cords of wood. Firewood cutting permits can be purchased at the following locations and during the specified hours Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays:
The 2016 firewood cutting season runs from April 15 to Dec. 31 for the Williams and Tusayan districts and from May 2 to Nov. 30 for the North Kaibab district.
Free-use permits may also be available for specific areas on the forest. Individuals seeking such permits should check with the appropriate ranger district office for availability, locations and other information.
All permits issued will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest.
The removal of fuelwood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the district for which the permit is issued. Fuelwood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands.
Fuelwood cutters should be aware that chainsaws can throw sparks and ignite grasses and brush. Always carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher or water in case of a fire start. Additionally, all chainsaws must be equipped with a stainless steel spark arrestor screen. Cutters should check with forest offices periodically for information about the implementation of fire restrictions.
Detailed firewood cutting information and maps for each ranger district are available on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/fuelwood.
No question: Dogtown Reservoir south of Williams is one of Arizona’s trout fishing hot spots. A shred of evidence: Joshua Rose on Saturday caught this gorgeous 23 ¾-inch, 4.3-pound brown trout out of Dogtown.
Rose caught the fish on corn PowerBait.
This 50-acre lake in the Kaibab National Forest is being stocked consistently and is one of the best bets for a high country Arizona trout fishing adventure. Some experienced anglers are catching plump winter holdovers.
Effective baits have been PowerBait, small spinners, and wet flies such as bead-headed prince nymphs and zug bugs. Make sure the spinners are small — no heavier than 1/8 of an ounce. Some anglers are having success slow-trolling spinners.
A couple weeks ago, 10-year-old Matthew R. duped this 3 pound-pound that measured 19.5 inches.
Where to trout fish in Flagstaff/Williams area
Stocking trucks from Page Springs Hatchery have been loading up trout into Flagstaff/Williams regional waters the past few weeks .
Here is AZGFD Region 2 Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager Scott Rogers’ top 5 spots to fish near Flagstaff and Williams (all are being stocked with trout).
A high chance of rain is predicted for Flagstaff and Williams Friday and Sunday (trout sometimes bite great just before a storm), and these waters should be great options throughout April.
Grab your gear and your fishing license and get ready for a pine-scented weekend! Temporary fishing permits available at some Williams merchants.
The road to Dogtown has some beautiful trees including Aspens and Oaks. It is a great drive in fall.
WILLIAMS — The front desk of the Kaibab National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Williams will be closed from April 11 through April 29 due to short staffing. Members of the public seeking passes or permits, information or other visitor services during that time are asked to go directly to the Williams Ranger District office, also located in Williams.
The Williams Ranger District office is located at 742 S. Clover Road in Williams and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Williams Ranger District office offers all the same resources as the Supervisor’s Office, so visitors shouldn’t experience any disruption of service.
The Kaibab National Forest Supervisor’s Office will reopen to the public with its full offering of resources and services on May 2.
The Williams Ranger District office can be reached by telephone at (928) 635-5600.
Jorge Zavala and Leavi Mitchell conduct community service project at Williams Recreation Center.
Though some expressed suspicion at the date of the event, April 1, it was no joke. We noticed him setting up the barbecue pit and caught his Facebook post later in the day in the Williams Classified Facebook page.
[His teacher] “…asked that me and two others set up an event that would help the community. So I decided to get some hot dogs and get them out to whoever is walking by.”
Leavi and his assistant, Jorge Zavala live in the Parks area.
Leavi explained that in the past students from Flagstaff High have participated in a number of projects. The welding students have built park benches and donated them to the city. Others have painted parking spots. He decided on Friday in Williams because kids have no school on Friday. It is a working day for the parents and this event would help out by providing the kids something to eat at the recreation center.
“I wanted to teach kids,” Leavi said. “So it’s easier to run something when you really have heart into something. What I originally planned was to set up a basketball skills event at Flagstaff at the rec center next to Coconino High School, but that didn’t work out for time.
“I was going to put out fliers to the youth basketball groups, I had to do my research and find out some good drills for that age group. I really ran out of time doing other school events—football, basketball, track.”
Would he like to teach kids in the future? “I wanted to be a councilor—like a psychologist. I’m still debating on that or welding.” He is interested in both subjects.
It’s always smart to keep your options open.
WILLIAMS — Fire managers for the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are planning to ignite prescribed fires at various locations across the district through the end of April. Operations may start as soon as Saturday. The specific prescribed fire units to be ignited will be chosen based on weather and fuel conditions.
Areas that could be treated are as follows:
Kendrick Prescribed Fire: Ten burn units northeast of Williams, approximately 3,400 acres
McCracken East Prescribed Fire: Three burn units southeast of Williams, approximately 840 acres
McCracken West Prescribed Fire: Four burn units southeast of Williams, approximately 1,700 acres
“Fuel moistures and weather conditions in the springtime are at prescriptive levels to meet objectives for fuels reduction projects,” said James Pettit, fire management officer for the Williams Ranger District.
During prescribed fire operations, community members and visitors may see fire personnel and vehicles in the vicinity. Smoke may also be present and may result in short-duration impacts to populated areas.
All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and appropriate weather conditions. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorized on any given day, please visit http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html.
Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4112/; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.
Zip line will likely be closed through Wednesday.
Clouds over Route 66 in Williams.
In the Williams area, there is a slight chance of rain this afternoon raising to 30% overnight. A 30% chance of snow is expected for Tuesday through Wednesday dropping to 20% Wednesday night. It is expected to clear Thursday with temperatures rising to 63-degrees over the weekend. The forecast for Flagstaff is about the same with a 10% higher chance of rain and snow tonight and tomorrow.
WILLIAMS — Williams held its annual Good Friday Procession of the Cross down Route 66 starting about 6 p.m. to kick off the Easter weekend festivities. Members of several churches joined together to carry the cross. The Williams Police Department made the traffic directions look routine to ensure the safety of the event.
The event started with a prayer of safety by Father Killian of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. He followed with the announcement that, since this is a leap year, the ladies would have to carry the cross down the near two-mile stretch. The procession started at the Mustang store on the east end of town and traveled west the length of Route 66.
The crowd lifts the cross in preparation for its journey down Route 66
WILLIAMS — If you are a thrift shopper, visit the Williams Charity Store location in the mall at 117 W. Route 66.
For about a year, now, Patty has run the thrift book store to benefit the efforts of the R&R Horse Rescue mission near Williams. Recently she has expanded the thrift store into another suite to benefit other charities in Williams.
While the book store still benefits the R&R Horse Rescue, the other section of the thrift store benefits various charities in Williams each month. For example one month might benefit the Senior Graduation night effort and the next month another Williams charity.
For more information you can check with Patty Williams at the Williams Western Wear and Buck’s Place located at the first suite to the right as you enter the mall. While you are there you can ask Buck to test your quick draw.
FLAGSTAFF — A moderate fish kill occurred at Lower Lake Mary in Flagstaff on Thursday, and water quality testing by the Arizona Game and Fish Department has discovered areas of low dissolved oxygen that remained from the past winter.
Lower Lake Mary was stocked with trout Wednesday and Thursday. Although fishing will slow temporarily, be on the lookout for when fish become active on the surface.
The Department will be monitoring the water quality at Lower Lake Mary and will stock more fish once it has improved.
Meanwhile, fishing at Dogtown Lake south of Williams or Frances Short Pond in Flagstaff will be good alternatives.