Tag Archives: Williams

Forest Service and neighboring communities set Moonset Pit dates

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Williams, Ariz., Mar. 11, 2016—For Immediate Release. The Kaibab National Forest, together with the communities of both Parks and Sherwood Forest Estates will provide the general public access to Moonset Pit, a cinder pit on Forest Service land, to assist residents in creating a defensible space around their homes and property.  The pit will be open on the following Saturdays starting in May through September, to dispose of natural forest debris such as pine needles and branches:

  • May 14, 28
  • June 11, 25
  • July 9, 23
  • Aug 13, 27
  • 10, 24

Moonset Pit is located just west of Parks, off a dirt road, east of Spitz Springs and to the north of old Route 66. The pit will be open starting at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for non-bagged, natural forest debris.

“By creating defensible space around our homes, we can help reduce wildfire risk not only to our individual property but to our entire community as a whole” said Danelle D. Harrison, District Ranger for the Williams Ranger District. “Working together with our partners, to offer this community service each year, shows the importance in preparing both ourselves and our neighborhoods for the upcoming wildfire season. Our community’s safety is of the utmost importance.”

Debris such as garbage, building materials, lumber or other non-natural items will not be accepted.

Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District, Ponderosa Fire District and the Kaibab National Forest are all also part of the 14-member Wildland Fire Advisory Board (WFAB), serving western Coconino and northern Yavapai counties, which seeks opportunities to treat vegetation within their respective communities.

For more information or to volunteer to staff Moonset Pit, please contact Anne Dudley at (928) 635-0417 or Joanie Raetzel at (928) 635-0059.

Additional information on how to create a defensible space can be found at www.firewise.org or www.fireadapted.org.

March comes in with a whimper

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Sno160307-01WILLIAMS — Half-frozen puddles, a couple of chunks of ice and a dusting of snow is the remnant of the storm last night. There is a chance of snow overnight and rain on Tuesday clearing the rest of the week. The snow so far this winter could be a danger sign for a poor summer ahead.
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Today there is a slight chance of snow raising to 30% before midnight clearing after that. Winds of 9- to 17-mph are predicted today through Tuesday with gusts of 25-mph possible. A 20% chance of showers exists Tuesday afternoon clearing to sunny skies on Wednesday. The rest of the week sunny skies are predicted with temperatures starting out in the low 60s and dropping to the mid 50s through Sunday. Overnight lows will be just below freezing.

Northern Arizona traditionally gets much of its snow in March and April even getting snow into May a few years. It is impossible to predict just how winter will turn out and the result on water levels and tourist activities over the summer.

Information wanted regarding Clover fire on Williams Ranger District

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Clover Fire at 3:43 p.m. February 28

WILLIAMS — Fire managers from the Williams Ranger District responded to a suspicious human-caused fire on Sunday, Feb. 28, just west of Buckskinner Park after receiving a call from the Williams Police Department. The Clover fire, which was reported just after 1 p.m., was suppressed by fire personnel and will continue to be monitored.

Forest visitors are reminded to use extreme caution when camping with recent warm temperatures, lack of precipitation, and low humidity as it can create a situation for rapid fire growth. Visitors can help in reducing the number of preventable, human-caused fires by completely extinguishing campfires before leaving their camp site.

No fire restrictions are in effect on the Kaibab National Forest, though fire managers continuously monitor conditions and could increase fire danger levels at any time, as necessary. Regardless of whether or not restrictions are in place, abandoning a campfire is illegal.

The Clover fire is currently under investigation by Forest Service Law Enforcement and anyone who may have information regarding the cause of the fire, or observed anyone suspicious in the area near the time of the fire is encouraged to contact Kaibab National Forest Dispatch at 928-635-2601 or Fire Information at 928-635-5653.

More information on the Kaibab National Forest can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/Kaibab. Information on fire restrictions across the state can be viewed at http://firerestrictions.us/az/.

Hopi Tribe and Kaibab National Forest recognized for partnership on springs restoration work

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hopi-1WILLIAMS — The Hopi Tribe and Kaibab National Forest were recently honored with a national-level Forest Service award for their partnership on important springs restoration work on the North Kaibab Ranger District.

The recipients of the 2015 “Rise to the Future” awards for excellence and leadership in fisheries, hydrology, soil science and air programs were announced this month and included recognition of the Hopi Tribe and Kaibab National Forest for “Tribal Accomplishment” related to the Big Springs and Castle Springs Restoration Project, which highlighted the ecological importance of natural springs as well as their cultural significance to tribes.

“I feel humbled and grateful that the partnership would be recognized for its merits and acknowledge that it is but a starting point for continued collaborative efforts in the future,” said Everett Gomez, Reed/Bamboo Clan, Paaqavi Village, and a case manager for the Hopi Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program.

The Big Springs and Castle Springs Restoration Project was the first tribal-Forest Service collaborative project to be implemented after the 2014 publication of the new Land and Resources Management Plan for the Kaibab National Forest. This was significant because the project put into action two important goals of the newly revised forest plan.

First, it implemented desired conditions for seeps and springs that had been developed collaboratively and identified in the plan. Second, it provided a setting for exchanging information between tribal elders and youth about land stewardship and offered an opportunity for the sharing of traditional ecological knowledge between the tribe and forest, which will contribute to future management actions on seeps and springs.

Over the course of a week in 2014, Hopi elders and cultural advisors [Hopi Cultural Resource Advisory Task Team] worked with 18 tribal youth from the Hopi Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program, Hopi cultural and natural resources staff, Kaibab National Forest leadership, and representatives from a variety of other organizations and programs to conduct key restoration actions at two natural springs sites on the North Kaibab Ranger District. Since then, additional phased restoration work has been accomplished, and annual projects are planned for the coming years.

Partners have removed graffiti at Castle Springs and eliminated a decaying corral, rusted barbed wire fence and trash in the area. They have also removed invasive vegetation encroaching in an adjacent meadow, constructed water catchments using traditional techniques for both wildlife and cattle, and built a fence to protect the spring. At Big Springs, a more visible path has been constructed in order to deter visitors from making their own paths, alleviating the spider web effect of footpaths that was damaging fragile soils. And, throughout the project area, Hopi ancestral sites have been restored and protected against potential impacts from recreation and public use.

“This work is important in many ways such as bringing our youth and elders together to promote teaching and understanding; cultural identity and survival; preserving our environment encompassing land, air and water; strong partnerships and sharing of resources between the entities involved; education and employment pathways for our youth; and, understanding better the importance of the spiritual value surrounding all these things,” Gomez said.

Prior to the implementation of the restoration treatments, technical specialists from the Kaibab National Forest, Hopi Tribe and Springs Stewardship Institute collected baseline data at both springs locations. They plan to conduct long-term monitoring at the sites to assess the potential ecological benefits of incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and techniques into other restoration efforts on the forest.

“The Hopi Tribe and the Kaibab National Forest have been working together for over 20 years, but I feel the work that’s taking place through this partnership sets a new precedent for collaborative management of the forest,” said Mike Lyndon, tribal liaison for the Kaibab. “These projects are greatly increasing the exchange of technical and traditional knowledge between the forest and the tribe while accomplishing critical restoration projects in places that are culturally important to native people. This has been, and continues to be, a valuable learning process for all of us.”

Representatives of the Hopi Tribe and Kaibab National Forest will be presented with their “Rise to the Future” award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May.

View project photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/kaibabnationalforest/albums/72157648171820197. The Kaibab National Forest and Hopi Tribe worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Communications to collaboratively produce a short video about the project, which will soon be released.

Temperatures could drop over Washington’s Birthday

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DogtownRoad16-02-13-1WILLIAMS — Those who have grown used to the 60-degree, spring-like weather in Williams may find themselves chilled over Washington’s Birthday on Monday. Temperatures could dip as low as 58-degrees. Temperatures are expected to rise to the mid 60’s again on Tuesday.

Night time temperatures will run from the mid-20’s to around 30-degrees through Tuesday. There will be a slight chance of showers Thursday.

New amateur radio operators seek to re-establish Williams Group

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stationWILLIAMS — A few ham radio licensees in Williams are trying to re-establish the Bill Williams Mountain Radio Group. They are looking for former members who would like to re-establish the group as well as anyone who would like to obtain and amateur radio license.

Glen Davis, who recently obtained an amateur radio license, is one of those making the attempt. He tried to contact some of the former members through the web site, but received no response.

“A strong amateur radio group is important,” Davis explained. “It gives the opportunity for new amateur radio operators to learn from experienced operators. Most people do not know that a person of any age that can past the test can get a license.”

Amateur radio has been around since radio began. People interested in obtaining a HAM radio license no longer have to worry about Morse code.

“In fact you do not even need a radio, anymore,” Davis said. “With programs such as Echolink you can make contacts around the world on your computer or smart phone.”

Amateur radio also serves the community with emergency communication. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—also known as the National Weather Service—has established the Skywarn system that trains weather spotters to report hazardous or unusual weather conditions during a storm. The Federal Communications Commission has established the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). In some areas, such as Coconino County, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has established the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). These services provides emergency communications when other forms of communication fail.

Another advantage of a local group is that experienced amateur radio operators can help those interested in obtaining a license pass the examination. Communications even with a simple Technician license can be expansive through the use of repeaters. Mobile units no bigger than your hand can keep you in communication on the highways even where cell phone service fails.

Davis also noted that there are several new forms of communication that people do not think about. “You can communicate with a 2-meter hand held radio via satellite. You can bounce signals off of the moon. You can do digital communications through a computer. There are contest where you try to make as many contacts as possible in a set time. And you can even learn and use good-old Morse code.”

Anyone who is interested in re-establishing the Bill Williams Mountain Radio Group can contact Glen at kg7ydj@kg7ydj.us.

How Williams weathered the storm

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2016-01-31-01WILLIAMS — Just as the results of the January storm melted away, northern Arizona was struck with yet another storm.

Rain began about 4 p.m. turning into snow by about 5:30. By about 6:40 there were already two rollover accidents reported. Through out the night, Department of Public Safety officers were kept busy with accidents and searching for lost vehicles.
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Williams residents may have found it necessary to reset clocks as power failed twice for about thirty-seconds starting at about 10:10 p.m. and fluxuations continued until about 10:40.

The storm lasting through Monday dumped about another 10-inches of snow. Fortunately the City of Williams returned to its formal snow removal pattern.
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Snow at Buckskinner and Ski Play road keeps piling up.

Snow at Buckskinner and Ski Play road keeps piling up.


A 10% chance of more snow is predicted for tomorrow before noon with wind chills dropping the temperature to -2 degrees. It is expected to clear up Friday through Tuesday next week with temperatures rising from 38 on Friday to mid 50’s by Tuesday.

Local talent produces great gospel CD

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It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with solemn sound. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. – Psalm 92:1-4

DanielAbbott-16-01-30-03WILLIAMS — I have been serenaded by karaoke nightly for some time. So when I hear a good voice in Williams, it comes as a shock to the senses. Such is the voice of Daniel Abbott. Daniel said that he comes from a musical family and he practices his art by singing at weddings and at his Church. He also donates his time to help Habitat for Humanity by singing at their annual Opry Night.

When I learned that Daniel worked at the Grand Canyon Railway, I thought he worked as one of the talented singers used to entertain during the summer. I was surprised to learn that he is the Risk Manager for Grand Canyon Railway. That in itself is not a mundane task taking on the responsibility to ensure the safety of guests and workers for the Railway.

daniel-abbot-hymnsHe took time from his work to travel to Nashville, Tennessee to produce the Hymns & Favorites Country Style CD through Daywind Recording Studios. He chose to start with a country gospel album because he likes to play music with a positive message. It is a mix of old time gospel and newer Christian gospel songs.

He had the advise of a music producer to refine his interpretation of the songs on this album. The CD contains old gospel favorites such as Just a Closer Walk with Thee, In the Sweet By and By and Since Jesus Came Into My Heart.

There are a few songs I have never heard before such as Long Black Train, a 2003 Christian song by Josh Turner. Daniel also performs If That Isn’t Love originally performed by Elvis Presley. Daniel retains the country gospel sound of these old hits. Anyone who enjoys country music should enjoy this CD.

The CD contains:

  1. Just a Closer Walk With Thee
  2. If That Isn’t Love
  3. Rise and Shine
  4. The Old Rugged Cross
  5. In the Sweet By and By
  6. Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
  7. When He Was On the Cross (I Was On His Mind)
  8. Are You Washed in the Blood/I’ll Fly Away
  9. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
  10. Long Black Train

Daniel started writing original songs about four years ago and has plans for a follow-up CD in March.

Hymns & Favorites is currently available at Buck’s Place and Williams Western Wear in the mall, Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe, The Outdoor Store and Pine Country

There is a storm brewing

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Tuesday snow 2016-01-05 003WILLIAMS — In case you had not noticed, there is an increase in cold wind as a storm front moves into the area. Flagstaff and Williams have about the same forecast with wind gusts of around 30-mph expected through Monday. Tonight there is a 20% chance of rain with 90% chance of snow Sunday through Sunday night. Winter storm warnings have been issued through Monday. Up to 13″ of snow is possible over Sunday night with 3 to 5″ more on Monday. Sunny skies are expected to return Tuesday through Friday.

Heritage Elementary invites residents to come and read to students

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WILLIAMS — Heritage Elementary School, here in Williams, is celebrating A love of reading week February 8 to 11. They are inviting people from the community to come and read to the students.

Choose from the following: Monday 2/8, Tuesday 2/9, and Thursday 2/11 from 9 am-11 am and 12:30 am-2 pm

If you are interested, please call the school and set up a time to read. Please choose a day, time, age group (K-8th grade) and name of a book you will bring to read (or the school will supply one)

Time slots run 15-20 minutes per class.

Residents wishing to participate may call 635-3998. The school is located at 790 E Rodeo Rd.