COLORADO – While Williams waits for the riders of Run for the Wall, a video of an unusual Vietnam memorial in Colorado is making the rounds of the Blogosphere.
The video of the Vietnam memorial is located in deep woods off of Highway 50 near Gunnison, Colorado along the Continental Divide. Gemini Journey, a blogger, wrote about it and posted a video on YouTube.
There is no information on who built the secret Vietnam memorial.
MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A narrowly divided Supreme Court upheld decidedly Christian prayers at the start of local council meetings on Monday, declaring them in line with long national traditions though the country has grown more religiously diverse.
The content of the prayers is not significant as long as they do not denigrate non-Christians or try to win converts, the court said in a 5-4 decision backed by its conservative majority.
Though the decision split the court along ideological lines, the Obama administration backed the winning side, the town of Greece, N.Y., outside of Rochester.
The outcome relied heavily on a 1983 decision in which the court upheld an opening prayer in the Nebraska Legislature and said prayer is part of the nation’s fabric, not a violation of the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of religion.
Read more at WTOP 103.5 FM, Washington
PHOENIX – Coming soon to your wallet or handbag: a newly designed Arizona driver license – and a new process to get it.
Beginning June 16, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is expanding central credential issuance to all offices statewide, meaning that customers visiting a Motor Vehicle Division office to obtain a new driver license or identification card will leave with a temporary credential. The permanent license or identification card will be mailed to the customer, and received within 15 days.
Coupled with that, ADOT is launching a new, high-security credential format. Both changes are designed to protect against identity theft.
“As part of the new central credential issuance process, a redesigned driver license and identification card is being introduced,” said Stacey Stanton, director of ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division. “The redesigned credential contains enhanced security features to safeguard personal information and help prevent identity theft. The complexity of the new credential, and the security features and processes in place, don’t make it feasible to produce the permanent credential in offices for same-day issuance.”
Even with the new license design, there is no need to rush out to an office. A current driver license or identification card will still be valid until its expiration date – or at least until the 12-year mark when the photo needs to be refreshed. The price of a duplicate credential remains unchanged at $12 for many customers.
Customers at ADOT Motor Vehicle Division offices will no longer immediately be issued a new permanent driver license or identification card at the end of the application process. The credential will instead be mailed to the address on the resident’s application. It is important to ensure the correct mailing address has been provided in order to receive the credential.
“With the new central issuance process it is critical that customers keep their address updated with MVD,” Stanton said. State law requires that residents notify the Motor Vehicle Division of an address change within 10 days, although the purchase of a new credential isn’t required. Address changes can be made online at ServiceArizona.com.
This process has already been in place in 14 of ADOT’s offices in communities in Greater Arizona and in the Authorized Third Party offices that process driver licenses. This change will expand it to all offices statewide.
The temporary driver license or identification card will contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the actual credential. As in other states that have moved to this process, the decision to accept the temporary credential as proof of identity exists solely with the organization requesting to see the license or identification card.
The process of central credential issuance is used by most states around the country and is a growing trend as states transition to higher-security credentials.
For at least 12 years, there will be more than one valid Arizona credential format.
Security features of this new credential include:
A larger primary portrait with a smaller redundant ghost portrait ensuring customer appearance is clearly reflected.
A high-security design comprised of unique Arizona geological features in the background created by using many different patterns, lines and images. This provides the overall look of the credential.
A laser perforation in the shape of Arizona, which when held up to the light is used to quickly authenticate the credential.
Tactile date of birth field to assist in authenticating the credential using the sense of touch. The date in this field will have a raised feel to it.
Tri-color Optically Variable Device consisting of the state outline, the state name “Arizona,” the state seal, a saguaro cactus and a star. This laminate overlay provides the final layer of the credential and provides one more feature for authentication.
The ringtail, the state mammal, is illustrated on the front of the new credential.
Motorists traveling overnight on Interstate 17 next week, between Cordes Junction and Camp Verde, need to plan ahead due to two projects south of the State Route 169 junction.
The overnight work will be from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly. The work takes place as follows:
Sunday, May 4 through Thursday, May 8 SR 169 narrowed to one lane over I-17. Drivers will be guided through work zone by flaggers.
Tuesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 7 Southbound I-17 will be closed at SR 169 interchange. DETOUR: All vehicles will use the off and on-ramps at SR 169.
Monday, May 5 through Thursday, May 8 Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane at milepost 276 (approximately two miles south of the SR 169 bridge) for guardrail installation.
ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.
PHOENIX – Drivers with travel plans through the Phoenix area this weekend (May 10-11) are urged to avoid a closure of Interstate 10 in the downtown area due to an Arizona Public Service Co. power line project.
Westbound I-10 will be closed between the I-17 ‘Split’ near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Seventh Avenue while eastbound I-10 will be closed between the I-17 ‘Stack’ interchange and the Loop 202/State Route 51 interchange from 2 a.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday (May 11).
The westbound Loop 202 and southbound SR 51 ramps to westbound I-10 also will be closed.
Drivers, including those with travel plans in or out of Sky Harbor Airport, can expect heavy traffic congestion in areas approaching the I-10 closure. The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends drivers plan ahead, allow plenty of extra travel time and use alternate routes if at all possible.
I-10 traffic will be detoured to Interstate 17 south and west of the downtown area, but heavy delays can be expected.
The I-10 closure is required to allow crews working on the APS project to safely remove three older power lines and replace them with six new power lines in the area of the Seventh Street overpass. According to APS, the work will add a second circuit to the Seventh Street power-line system to meet higher electrical demands and ensure greater reliability in the Phoenix area.
The weekend of May 10-11 was selected for the closure to allow APS to get the necessary work done before much-hotter summer weather arrives and before electric power demand climbs this summer. The weekend was also chosen for the closure because the Arizona Diamondbacks will be playing out of town in Chicago.
While the APS power-line work is underway, ADOT also will have crews conducting maintenance work in and near the I-10 Deck Park Tunnel.
WILLIAMS – Despite the water shortage, the Williams Aquatic Center will open at the end of the month with a free swim.
The Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center will hold a Hawaiian party to celebrate the opening of the pool just after the Memorial Day parade. The Friends hold golf tournaments and other activities throughout the year to help keep the pool open and provide activities, such as swimming lessons, once it is opened.
The City of Williams generally provides free swim days when the pool is open, such as on Independence Day. The pool is located at 320 Railroad Avenue next to the Recreation Center.
WILLIAMS – The Williams Kiwanis Club will be holding the Gateway to the Grand Canyon Arts and Craft Fair at the Rodeo Barn, 501 East Rodeo Road across from Old Trails Hardware.
The Fair will consist of over 45 vendors selling hand made crafts and art work. Kiwanis will hold a Chinese and Silent auction during the event which benefits their community activities throughout the year.
The Fair will be held May 16th from 11 am to 5 pm and on Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm. Lunch will be available Friday and Saturday from 11am to 2 pm and a pancake breakfast from 8am to 11 on Saturday. A dessert bar and beverages will be available all day Friday and Saturday.
WILLIAMS – While most Americans feel that Memorial Day is to mark the beginning of summer and barbeque season, there are those who actively participate in what Memorial Day was actually meant to be. The day is meant to honor the approximate 7% of those Americans who have actually served and are serving to keep this country free from tyranny.
In about a week, the motorcycle riders of Run for the Wall will arrive in Williams once again. The Run for the Wall mission actually consists of three routes with the Central route making its first stop in Williams at the Cordova Post American Legion Hall.
Run For The Wall (RFTW) was started in 1989 by Vietnam veterans James Gregory and Bill Evans. The mission is to promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends and to call for an accounting of all still listed as prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA).
Sergeant Bowe R. Bergdahl of Idaho is still a prisoner of war in Afghanistan.
The ride consists mostly of Vietnam veterans, but younger veterans are invited and are starting to answer the call. Some riders are not veterans, but are friends, relatives and others who want to honor those who gave all.
The run begins on the 14th, this year, and the riders usually begin arriving between 4 and 5 pm. The American Legion Cordova Post #13 in Williams hosts a barbeque for the group between 7 and 8 pm. The riders then rest up for the continuation of their ride through New Mexico. The three routes converge in Washington, D.C. at the Vietnam Veteran’s Wall memorial for the Memorial weekend.
The group Rolling Thunder, founded about the same time, makes a Memorial Day run to Washington, D.C. as well. Their mission to bring attention the POW/MIAs is the same as Run for the Wall.
Their motto—We ride for those who can’t—indicates the fact that they ride in honor of those fallen heroes killed in action and those serving in the active duty military, as well as the POW/MIAs.
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