Tag Archives: Williams

Clouds threatening rain overnight

Posted on by

clouds-072015-00WILLIAMS — Clouds roll in for another day keeping the temperatures in Williams down and bringing moisture. The nice thing is that it has kept the forests open for hiking and camping.

There is a 50% chance of rain and thunder this afternoon dropping to 30% overnight. Tomorrow there is a 10% chance after 11 a.m. clearing up to mostly cloudy over Tuesday night. Wednesday through Saturday night it is expected to be clear and warm with some cloudiness.

In Flagstaff, a slight chance of rain is predicted over Tuesday night and Wednesday. The weather in Flagstaff will clear up Thursday through Saturday night.

The chance of rain begins to develop again Sunday.

Nation of Patriots motorcycle ride comes to Williams

Posted on by

800-NationofPatriots-15-07-19-07

WILLIAMS — In the shadow of the Bill Williams statue, the group Nation of Patriots rolled into Williams today. A ceremony was held at the Williams Own Veterans Memorial at the Memorial Park on the west end of town. Williams Mayor John Moore was on hand to give and receive a proclamation for the event.

640-NationofPatriots-15-07-19-11The group carries an American flag starting in Wisconsin on Memorial Day through the continental United States with local flag bearers in each of the 48 States. It returns to the Wisconsin Harley Davidson in on Labor Day. The proceeds of the ride are intended to benefit veterans.

Bob Sherer reads a proclamation from Nation of Patriots to the City of Williams.

Bob Sherer reads a proclamation from Nation of Patriots to the City of Williams.

Dan Smith, flag bearer for the State of Arizona, introduced Bill Sherer, the founder of the group ride. Sherer and Mayor Moore exchanged proclamations. The proclamation of the City of Williams declared July 19 as Nation of Patriots day. The proclamation claimed that 100% of the proceeds of the ride go to help benefits.
640-NationofPatriots-15-07-19-16After the exchange, taps was played with a gun salute.

I-40 restrictions between Williams and Ashfork begin Monday

Posted on by

Westbound Interstate 40 will be narrowed to one lane at Exit 149 (County Line) milepost 148 for bridge work.

The lane restriction will begin Monday (July 20) to Thurs (July 23) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Please allow for extra travel time while in construction area and exercise caution while driving in the work zone.

Williams and Tusayan Ranger District fire reports.

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — Managers of the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest have decided to manage the 98-acre Springs Fire to meet resource objectives but suppress the 17-acre Key Hole Fire.

The Springs Fire is located about 9 miles south of the City of Williams east of Davenport Knoll and 2 miles south of Summit Mountain on the east side of County Road 73. The lightning-caused wildfire has been growing over the last few days due to drier weather conditions and is burning in an area managers consider to be in need of treatment with fire.

Based on the location of the Springs Fire and its continued growth despite intermittent monsoonal activity, fire managers have decided to manage it over the coming days and possibly weeks in order to improve forest health, allow fire to play its natural role as a disturbance factor in the ecosystem, enhance wildlife habitat, and reduce the potential for future high-intensity fires.

Smoke from the Springs Fire has been visible at various times from County Road 73 and from Interstate 40 in the Parks area west to Williams. This morning, light smoke from the Springs Fire was noticeable in Williams for a brief period before lifting as temperatures increased. Light smoke may also be present from as far east as Garland Prairie west to Williams. There are no closures in effect related to the Springs Fire.

Fire crews are conducting work in preparation for the Springs Fire’s likely growth. Prep work includes lining range fences, aspen enclosures, and other potentially fire-sensitive resources in the area. This important work ensures that as the fire spreads naturally, fire managers will be able to allow it to grow without the risk of negatively impacting these other values in the area.

While the Springs Fire has proven to be a good candidate for management to achieve resource objectives, the Key Hole Fire, which is located just north of Key Hole Sink near Duck Lake north of Interstate 40, has not. Fire crews are suppressing the Key Hole Fire because it has remained relatively inactive due to receiving significant precipitation over the last week or more. When deciding whether to manage or suppress a wildfire, forest managers not only consider the location of the fire but also its current and anticipated level of activity and growth, as well as the effects it is having on forest resources.

Mason Fire

On the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, the Mason Fire grew to 3,056 acres yesterday as it backed out of an area dominated by ponderosa pine into pinyon-juniper woodlands. The fire, which has been managed as part of the Jar Complex to benefit forest resources over the last couple of weeks, is expected to continue slowly backing into these sparser fuels and eventually go out on its own. Fire managers anticipate relatively light smoke production over the coming days and reduced fire activity due to sparser fuels and predicted monsoons in the area later this week.

Deer a plenty in Williams

Posted on by

Deer15-07-13-2640WILLIAMS — We are located in the high country where the deer and antelope play. Currently there are a lot of deer and elk foraging the forests around Williams and Flagstaff and all points in-between.

We remind visitors that the deer are very active around Country Club Road which is near the entrance/exit on the west end of town. They are also very active south on Perskinsville Road which leads past the Santa Fe dam. You need to keep an eye out on Highway 64 to the Grand Canyon, as well.

They are generally most active in the early morning, evening and night time hours and they can cross the road or freeway without warning. Please keep an eye on the sides of the roads and watch for them or you could have a very costly accident.

If you are camping, deer may seem tame enough to feed or pet. You might have even pet them at the Deer Farm Petting Zoo just east of Williams. In the wild, however, it is a different story. They can spook easily and attack without warning. Please watch your children while camping in the woods and do not let them explore alone.

You can generally get good photos from your vehicle or from a safe distance. Use your zoom.

Springs Fire picks up in activity while Key Hole Fire continues to smolder

Posted on by
KeyholeSink15-03-28-51

Key Hole Sink east of Williams.

WILLIAMS — The Springs Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest picked up in activity yesterday due to drier conditions and higher winds, growing to about 80 acres in size. Meanwhile, the Key Hole Fire remained at 17 acres in size, smoldering and creeping slowly through pine needles and other forest debris.

Fire managers are considering allowing both lightning-caused wildfires to continue growing in order to meet ecological and other resource and community protection objectives. The Springs Fire is located just east of Davenport Knoll about 2 miles south of Summit Mountain east of County Road 73. The Key Hole Fire is located just north of Key Hole Sink near Duck Lake north of Interstate 40.

Yesterday, the Springs Fire put up smoke visible from County Road 73 and from Interstate 40 in the Parks area west to Williams. Due to its increased growth, fire managers used management ignitions along perimeter roads in order to reinforce boundaries established for the fire. Specifically, fire crews used drip torches to burn fuels along forest roads 57 and 354 in order to help define a northeastern perimeter for the growth of the Springs Fire. Smoke may still be present on the 57 and 354 roads in the area, so motorists are asked to use caution when traveling there over the next couple of days.

Today, firefighters will begin additional work in preparation for the Springs Fire’s likely growth. Prep work will include lining range fences, aspen enclosures, and other potentially fire-sensitive resources in the area. This important work ensures that as the fire spreads naturally, fire managers will be able to allow it to grow and treat acres without the risk of negatively impacting these other values in the area. Fire crews will also be monitoring the Key Hole Fire, but growth is less likely due to its location and level of activity over the last several days.

There are no closures in effect related to the Springs or Key Hole fires. Smoke will likely continue to be visible from the Springs Fire. Kaibab National Forest managers want to assure members of the public who may see this smoke that the fire is being monitored and staffed by firefighting personnel and that it is a good candidate for management to achieve resource objectives such as fuels reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, and community protection because of its location and the fuels in which it is burning.

Build-a-burger at Old Smokey’s

Posted on by

300-smokeys013WILLIAMS — Over the Independence weekend, some friends and I went to Old Smokey’s restaurant at 125 on historic Route 66 in Williams under the guise of a birthday party.

(Well, since it was my birthday and Lu Carle invited me. Thanks, Lu)

It was my chance to learn about the new Old Smokey’s from the inside. I have heard ravings about their morning fare of biscuits and gravy. What I was interested in is if 300-smokeys012they were part of the build-a-burger group. I found out that, yes, they are. I went in and built-a-burger myself.

Though I must confess, I didn’t build that. Actually, I ordered what I wanted and the cook actually built it.

The meal was great. I had the burger with jalapeno peppers 300-smokeys014cooked to perfection. The hamburger and came with more than enough fries to satisfy the average diner. TIP: Might want to ask for a few extra napkins.

Lu had the Ruben with fruit and Brenda had the mini-burgers with fries. I actually found myself eying the Ruben, one of my favorite sandwiches. Have to try it next chance I get.

300-smokeys017

They even brought me birthday cake.

Of course, the big test is the service. Not knowing what an extremely important person I was (to my Mom anyway), I was able to see how they would treat the average Joe off of the street. They were very pleasant. They continually asked if I needed a refill even though I brought my own drink with me. I noticed that they also went around and made sure other customers were attended to, so I knew my birthday disguise was working.

They even waited until my mouth was full before they asked if everything was all right just like every waitress I have ever encountered in the United States. (Do they have some secret school?)

As you can see, I had a little fun with this article. Seriously I have to say that Old Smokey’s is a great place to eat. The restaurant is clean, the staff is courteous, and the food is good. The prices are on par with other restaurants in Williams. Old Smokey’s is a great addition to the storefront of Williams.
______________
A little history. Old Smokey’s was one of the favorite breakfast and lunch spots in Williams for years. The original Old Smokey’s was located along historic Route 66 across the street from Dairy Queen. In recent times, however, the old restaurant fell into disrepair and the owners moved to their current location. The Old Smokey’s logo in the window is an actual recreation of the original Old Smokey’s logo that was in the window of the original Old Smokey’s, albeit colorized.

Lions Club prepares for Mountain Man run

Posted on by

upload-lion-run-1aWILLIAMS — The Williams Lions Club is looking forward to the Mountain Man Run and fun walk on Labor Day September 7. The run features a 10-k and 5-k run or fun walk along historic Route 66.

The proceeds benefit community vision and hearing programs. Participants may register here.

The Lions Club has been serving Williams for over 70-years. They meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:45 am. They meet at Anna’s Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe at 137 W. Railroad Avenue in the Red Garter Inn. They are always looking for new members.

Larry Norfolk passes away

Posted on by

800-Rose-15-06-0504WILLIAMS — Williams is mourning the loss of a well-know street person, Larry Norfolk. Larry passed away sometime last night at the laundry on Route 66 from apparent natural causes.

Larry was a homeless person in Williams who received help from a number of members of the community. It was reported that he refused help finding a home, but was given shelter by several members of the community. Despite his circumstances, Larry was know throughout the community for his friendliness.

Currently it is unclear what memorial services will be arranged.

Williams youths open new business over Independence weekend

Posted on by

Trevor Cookston, Andrew Hughes (pictured) join Mawell Williams as newest business owner.

Trevor Cookston, Andrew Hughes (pictured) join Mawell Williams as newest business owner.

WILLIAMS — Three Williams youths opened up a new video game store and arcade in the mall. Andrew Hughes, Trevor Cookston and Mawell Williams pooled their stock of Atari games through a selection of the latest PS4 games to start the business. The business is located in Suite 109 of the mall at 117 Route 66 (Next to the American Legion).

Trevor pointed out that the distance to Flagstaff and the price of some of the games keep video games out of the reach of some Williams gamers. They hope to keep the prices of games reasonable.

Currently they have a good selection of older video games for the PS and X-Box machines as well as a small selection of the games machines. They will consider trading video games and purchasing working game machines.

In the back room they have installed an arcade with some of the classic video game machines. Andrew said that they plan to trade them out on occasion to keep the selection fresh. He said that when circumstances permit, they hope to have a full arcade on Route 66.

Their current hours are from 10 am to 8 pm daily except Sunday when they close at 6 p.m.

640D-Pad15-07-09-07640D-Pad15-07-09-02