Daily Archives: May 1, 2017

Hundreds of permit-tags remain for 2017 “low-density” elk hunt

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PHOENIX — More than 600 hunt permit-tags are available for the 2017 minimal occurrence zone/low-density elk hunt in game management units 12A, 12B, 13A and 13B.

These four units combined have an extremely low-density elk population – an estimated 40 to 50 total animals. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is specifically managing these units for wildlife values other than elk, and an established population is not desirable. The intent of this particular hunt (Hunt No. 3799) is to eliminate this elk population.

Those who purchase one of these hunt permit-tags should be aware that because of extremely low densities, hunt success likely will be less than 5 percent. Only those who did not receive an elk hunt permit-tag in the recent random draw may buy one of these hunt permit-tags. Bonus points are not affected when purchasing a hunt permit-tag through the first-come, first-served process.

As of Friday, 616 hunt permit-tags were available for purchase as follows:

By mail: Paper applications must be addressed to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Note: There is no “mini” draw. Allow 10 to 15 business days to receive a hunt permit-tag by mail.
In person: Leftover hunt permit-tags will be available for purchase beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, May 1 at any of the seven department offices statewide.

The cost of a hunt permit-tag fee is $48, which includes a $13 non-refundable application fee. A non-resident hunt permit-tag is $50, which includes a $15 non-refundable application fee. The hunt dates are May 1-Oct. 12, and Oct. 27-Dec. 31, 2017. A bull or cow elk may be harvested.

For more information, view the “2017 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information” PDF booklet online, or call (602) 942-3000.

Stranded hiker rescued near Page

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BITTER SPRINGS – Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and DPS Air Rescue helicopter rescued a lone stranded female hiker from cliffs east of Bitter Springs.

On Sunday April 30th, at approximately 4:30 pm Coconino county Sheriff’s Office received a request for a rescue in the Bitter Springs Area. The hiker, an adult Female from Page, Arizona had been hiking alone on a back-country route of Echo Peak when she went off trail and became stuck on a cliff.

The Stranded Female called in to the National Park Service requesting help. The area was outside of the National Park, so Park Service contacted the Sheriff’s office. Sheriff’s Deputies from Page, AZ responded to the area. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue responded from Flagstaff. The Sheriff’ s office also requested assistance from Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter from Flagstaff.

The DPS helicopter and a Search and Rescue Short Haul Technician, were able to successfully rescue the female from the cliff face shortly before dark. the female did not require any medical attention and was transported back to her vehicle by Sheriff’s Deputies.

FDA Designates Medtronic Worldwide Voluntary Field Action on HVAD(TM) System Controllers and DC Adapters as Class I Recall

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Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the company’s recently initiated voluntary field action related to its HVAD(TM) System Controllers (serial numbers lower than CON300000) and DC Adapters (all serial numbers for product code 1435) as a Class I recall.

Medtronic began notifying clinicians outside of the United States in March 2017 about updated HVAD System Controllers and DC Adapters that were developed following two previously communicated Field Safety Notices that occurred in April 2015 and April 2016. The FDA approved the updated controller on April 7, 2017, and Medtronic began notifying U.S. clinicians about the updated HVAD Controllers and DC Adapters on April 14, 2017.

The updated controller includes enhancements designed to address the potential safety issues identified in the previously communicated notices, including:

  • strengthened power and serial port alignment guides intended to reduce the incidence of wear that could lead to damaged connector pins;
  • functionality designed to monitor internal battery performance and sound an alert when the internal battery is nearing depletion; and
  • redesigned connectors and housing intended to prevent the risk of connectors loosening or becoming more vulnerable to damage from exposure to water and other fluids.

In addition, the updated controller introduces upgraded internal circuitry designed to improve overall device reliability.

In April 2015 and April 2016, Medtronic notified clinicians about potential safety issues with the current HVAD System Controller that could lead to possible injury and death due to worn alignment guides, internal “double disconnect (no power) alarm” battery failure, and loose power and data connectors.

With the introduction of the updated controller, Medtronic has begun to remove current HVAD Controllers (product codes 1400,1401US and 1407US) in select geographies, including the U.S. Medtronic also has begun to remove the related adapters (product code 1435), Instructions for Use, Patient Manuals and Emergency Responder Guides.

As part of these activities, Medtronic has provided the following recommendations to physicians:

  • Before the updated controller will be distributed to hospitals, clinicians must complete required training on the updated controller and updated product labeling, including the Instructions for Use and Patient Manual.
  • Following training and the receipt of the updated controllers in hospital inventory, clinicians are requested to quarantine and replace patients’ primary and backup HVAD Controllers and DC adapters under clinical supervision and at a hospital where patient support equipment is available.
  • While Medtronic recommends that HVAD Controllers be exchanged, clinicians should weigh the benefits of the updated controller against the risks of a controller exchange procedure.
  • When clinicians determine a controller exchange is appropriate, they will notify patients who should promptly schedule a controller exchange as soon as the updated controllers are available.
  • Trained hospital staff must educate patients on using the updated controller.

Patients with questions about this announcement should contact their physicians or ventricular assist device (VAD) coordinator at their hospital center.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this device may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax:

For information or to report a problem, please contact the 24-hour Clinical Support line at +1-888-494-6365 or email FSCA@medtronic.com.

Struggling Small Water Systems Get Financial Boost from House Bill 2094

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials thank Governor Ducey today for signing House Bill 2094 into law, which expands grant eligibility to help small public water systems in need of water quality upgrades and infrastructure repairs. Sponsored by Representative Russell Bowers, R-25, HB 2094 makes the small water systems fund available to assist many of the 60 small water systems currently delivering water with contaminant levels exceeding federal safe drinking water standards.

Representative Bowers said today, “Unlike many state and federal environmental agencies, I am grateful to see our ADEQ become a proactive force for resolving problems, rather than heavy-handed enforcement. Providing this relief for many of our small water folks is very satisfying.”

In partnership with the Arizona Corporation Commission and the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority, ADEQ now has authority to provide grants for small water companies to maintain healthy and reliable water for their customers.

ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore said, “ADEQ’s goal is to ensure that every water system in Arizona delivers healthy drinking water to its community. These changes to HB 2094 are an important step in meeting that goal and we look forward to putting them to effective use with the ACC and WIFA.”

Significant benefits of HB 2094 include:

  • Expands eligibility for small systems, serving 10,000 or fewer people (previously limited to 500 or fewer connections), which often are the sole water provider in a rural area and lack the customer base and revenue required for costly upgrades.
  • Allows grants to be issued directly to owners (previously only interim operators or managers), like small municipalities and some rural schools, to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades to comply with safe drinking water standards.
  • Protects the interests of Arizona’s smaller, rural communities and the State through its structure, which requires consultation between ADEQ and ACC in recommending systems to receive grant funding. In addition, ADEQ’s Director must demonstrate and certify the direct public benefit of each grant.

HB 2094 further allows ADEQ’s Director, in consultation with the ACC, to swiftly address water emergencies when necessary, outside the state procurement code.

“We have an infrastructure crisis in Arizona, especially in rural areas,” said ACC Commissioner Andy Tobin, who has been a champion in addressing water service emergencies and chairs the Commission’s Water Committee. “The customers can’t wait for long-term solutions to water problems. The signing of HB2094 is the next step in solving these problems and lets us, along with ADEQ and WIFA, act immediately.”

“Managing this program for the state allows WIFA to help even more water systems with important water projects to protect the environment and safeguard the well-being of Arizona families,” said WIFA Executive Director, Trish Incognito.