Tag Archives: Williams

Monsoons won’t quit, but fall is in the trees

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15-09-08-07WILLIAMS — Seems that the monsoon season won’t give up as Williams, Flagstaff and the surrounding areas continue to receive thunderstorms. The weather is expected to clear up Friday and Saturday for at least a portion of the Brown’s Carnival event in Williams on Railroad Avenue.

Rain hit hard Monday and this afternoon beginning about 1:30 p.m. and running for more than an hour. The chance of continued thunderstorms runs about 20% for Flagstaff and Williams through tomorrow. It is expected to clear Friday through Saturday during the day. The chance of thunderstorms picks up again Saturday night and on to the beginning of next week.

The last two storms brought more rain that the storm of last week, but much less thunder and lightning.

Trees in Williams, however, are starting to show the strains of fall which begins “officially” on September 23. The aspens and oaks along South Road, the road to Dogtown, FR-111 to Bill Williams Mountain and other areas of the forest will start turning soon providing great photo ops for fans of autumn.

Oak Hill and Keyhole Sink parking area to temporarily close

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640-keyhole-sink-038WILLIAMS — The parking area that provides access to the Oak Hill Snow Play Area and Keyhole Sink Trail on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest will be temporarily closed beginning Sept. 8 due to the presence of heavy equipment and construction materials.

Old toilet facilities are scheduled to be removed in the area and replaced with new ones. Forest managers expect the construction work and disturbance of the parking area, which is located off of old Route 66 just west of Parks, to last from Sept. 8 through Sept. 16. It is anticipated that the parking area and the new facilities will reopen to public use on Sept. 17.

Due to no other available parking nearby, there will be no motorized access to the Oak Hill and Keyhole Sink areas while the construction work is taking place. The Keyhole Sink Trail will remain open, but the trailhead will only be accessible via nonmotorized means.

“This construction work will result in an improved recreation experience for our visitors once it is complete,” said Lisa Jones, recreation staff officer for the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts. “We hope to have the parking area cleaned up and reopened for public use by Sept. 17. Until then, we ask our visitors to understand that the temporary inconvenience will result in better facilities in the long term.”

Coconino County Fair opens tomorrow

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fair-banner-1FLAGSTAFF — The 66th Annual Coconino County Fair opens tomorrow and runs through Labor Day. The County Fair features traditions like youth livestock shows and auction, carnival rides and games, fair food, exhibitions by community members, live entertainment (PDF Schedule), a demolition derby, pie-eating and watermelon-eating contests, and more. The cost of admission is from $5 to $8.

Williams schedule is also filled with events. Tomorrow is the Casino Night at the Sultana to benefit Save Meant to Rescue with happy hour from 6 to 7 p.m. and gambling from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Labor Day is the annual Route 66 Mountain Man run to benefit the activities of the Lions Club. The Kiwanis Route 66 Street Market will be open Friday morning through Monday for four-days of bargains.

Red Garter Bed and Bakery on Travel Channel tonight.

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Host Anthony Melchiorri evaluates Red Garter

Host Anthony Melchiorri evaluates Red Garter

WILLIAMS — On April 28, Anthony Melchiorri of the Travel Channel show Hotel Impossible visited Williams, Arizona to evaluate hotels in the area. One of those was the Red Garter Bed and Bakery with Anna’s Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe.

The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe moved to the Red Garter Bed and Bakery just two-months earlier in February.

To see if they made the grade, you can watch the show tonight at 6 p.m. local (10 p.m. eastern) on Dish (Channel 196) or DirectTV (Channel 277).
(Check the links for local listing in your time zone)

A visit to Old Trails

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640-15-08-28-01WILLIAMS — Old Trails True Value hardware has been serving the Williams community for hundreds of years. Okay. For a really long time. I am not a handyman because I do not have a lot of room for projects and I usually break my thumb changing a light bulb. Today I had the need of some tools and had a chance to visit at 616 Airport Road in Williams and see what was new. You can call them at 928-635-2591 (even from your smart phone) and see if they have what you need.

Loads of fishing and camping essentials.

Loads of fishing and camping essentials.


Old Trails allows well-behaved, friendly, vaccinated and leashed dogs, cats, parrots, etc., into the store so you do not have to leave your pet in the hot car.

I was able to find what I was looking for and some things I was not. If you cannot find your particular need, the friendly staff knows where it is.

Of course you can get the usual home repair necessities and project requirements. Old Trails is stocked with the basic pipes, ladders, lumber and wood products, tools and so forth. Everything you expect from a hardware store.
640-15-08-28-03They also have a line of RV essentials for our visitors coming through. Along with anti-freeze, washer fluid, oil and other general auto supplies.

Old Trails has some things to think about for Fire Prevention month in October. They have a line of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers which are really important. They also have the batteries if yours are dead. You do not have to wait for October to participate. You can test your smoke or C02 detector and replace the batteries or units as necessary today. Then you can sit back during October and enjoy the Halloween decorations you can also get at Old Trails.

Fire extinguishers are important for home or auto.

Fire extinguishers are important for home or auto.


I twice had the occasion to actually use a fire extinguisher that was carried in my family vehicles. Once to stop a fire in my family kitchen and once in my own car. Both times limited severe damage so I recommend you get one for home and vehicle. These were smaller fires. If they had been larger I would not try to fight them alone, of course. I would call 911.
They also carry the Dickies line of work shirts, pants and shorts.

They also carry the Dickies line of work shirts, pants and shorts.

Don't forget to check out the back. Lots more stuff back there.

Don’t forget to check out the back. Lots more stuff back there.

If you are getting ready to winterize or need parts for projects or home repairs, check out Old Trails in Williams. In fact you might want to pick the brains of the staff now for ideas on what you might need for winter. Some are expecting a harsh winter season this year.

Here is a secret, ciphered message that only my Veteran brothers and sisters will understand:

Don’t forget to tell them you are a Veteran to receive your 10% discount.

(I’m sorry. Did that go out in the clear?)

Williams hit with a short but furious thunderstorm

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WILLIAMS — Williams was hit about 2:50 this afternoon with a furious storm that brought hail and lightning. The lightning subsided in about fifteen minutes, but the storm continued for about 25-minutes.

This is the heaviest rain Williams received so far since Sunday.

The chance of more thunderstorms drops to 40% tonight and through tomorrow during the day. There is a 30% chance Friday during the day clearing overnight. Saturday the chance drops to 20% with a slight chance during the night.

Storms could continue through Wednesday of next week.

Arizona State Railroad Museum on agenda Thursday

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asrm-mapWILLIAMS — The Williams City Council will meet in the chambers at City Hall on 1st Street beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday the 27th.

After public participation they will make a decision on Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation to approve an application for rezoning of 21 acres on Rodeo Road (APN 200-12-002F) for use by the Arizona State Railroad Museum.

They will also Ordinance No. 951 that amends the City’s Zoning Map.asrm-graphic

Oath Keepers meeting this Saturday to discuss CPT

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WILLIAMS — There will be an Oath Keepers meeting Saturday, August 29th at 10 a.m. at the Wild West Junction.

On the agenda is the continuing efforts to create the Community Preparedness Teams (CPT). We need volunteers in the following areas. Medical, Communications, Preparedness, and Engineering.

The CPTs are open to any member of the community. You do not have to be a member of Oath Keepers to participate. The teams are being designed to assist in natural or man-made disasters which might occur.

For more information, contact Michael (Interim leader of the CP Team) at: 760-840-1956 for any questions you need answered.

Swap meet still running

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640-SwapMeet-15-08-21-3 WILLIAMS — The Kiwanis Route 66 Street Market is still open and runs through Labor Day weekend. The Street Market is located on Route 66 on the west end of town across from the Williams Memorial Park. The proceeds from the event benefit the projects of the Kiwanis Club such as the scholarship program.

4FRI thinning project begins on Williams Ranger District

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WILLIAMS — Tree removal has begun on a 1,646-acre project on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest associated with the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI).

The Pomeroy Task Order area is located in the vicinity of KA Hill just south of Scholz Lake and about 5 miles south of Interstate 40. Pomeroy is part of the 4FRI Phase One Stewardship Contract held by Good Earth Power AZ LLC.

As thinning work is implemented, residents and visitors can expect to see heavy equipment and workers in the project area and along haul routes. Log trucks may begin hauling as early as this week. The haul route will be from Forest Road 13 west to FR 109, north on FR 109 to FR 141, and then along FR 141 through McDougal Flat until reaching the Good Earth Power mill located near Bootlegger Crossing.

Members of the public are urged to use extreme caution near timber removal and hauling operations. Besides the presence of heavy equipment and log trucks, there will also be trees being felled and stacked into log decks, which can be unstable. Visitors to the area should not camp near nor climb on them, as they often shift and have the possibility of collapse.

A portion of the Overland Trail passes through the project area. Although the trail will not be closed, users can expect to see signs posted along the trail advising them of the work being completed. Safety signs have also been posted on roads in the area to inform members of the public about the operations.

Forest managers said they hoped at least 500 acres of thinning could be completed within the 1,646-acre project area before any snow falls.

The objectives of the thinning operations in the Pomeroy Task Order area are to reduce fuel loading and the potential for future high-intensity wildfires and to improve wildlife habitat and overall forest health.

The goal of the 4FRI is to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration within 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona to increase resilience and proper functioning. Restoring this fire-adapted ecosystem is accomplished with a suite of restoration activities – from watershed maintenance and habitat improvements to prescribed burning and thinning.