Please watch out for the deer

deer-15-05-30-38This picture of deer grazing by I-40 was taken this afternoon. We would like to remind travelers that deer can dart out in the road without warning. This is an invitation of damage to vehicles and possible loss of life. From Ash Fork to Flagstaff, please keep an eye out for animals and slow down if you see them.

Bill to allow automatic restoration of voting rights introduced

Frederica Wilson, D-FL24

Frederica Wilson, D-FL24

WASHINGTON — Representative Frederica Wilson of Florida introduced H.R. 1556 to allow non-violent felons to vote.

The bill would not allow the denial or abridgement of voting rights of U.S. citizens who commit non-violent criminal offenses once released. The bill excepts those currently incarcerated. The Attorney General would establish a list of felonies considered non-violent under federal and State laws.

If the individual is released on probation, their right to vote would begin at the end of probation if the probation is less than a year. If the person is on probation for more than a year, then their voting right would be automatically restored one year from the date probation began.

The law would establish notification requirements for prisons and jails. A State, local government or other person would not be allowed to receive federal funds to construct or improve, “…a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program under which each incarcerated individual is notified, upon release, of his or her rights under this Act.”

The bill only allows for voting in federal elections and does not affect State laws. Arizona Revised Statute 13-905 outlines the procedure for restoration of civil rights which begins at the end of any probation period after incarceration.

The bill, of course, does not go far enough. It does not allow the automatic restoration of Second Amendment rights for the same non-violent offenses.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Memorial Weekend 2015 Activity

coco-sheriff-300pxCoconino County, AZ — Historically holiday weekends attract large numbers of people to northern Arizona. Deputies responded to multiple calls for service and initiated many contacts with the public over the Memorial Day weekend Friday, May 22 (noon) – Monday, May 25 (midnight). They responded to approximately 270 citizen requests for assistance and conducted over 500 patrol activities (e.g., area patrols, business checks, traffic stops, etc.).

In efforts to enhance highway, roadway, and recreation safety throughout Coconino County, Deputies in the Flagstaff, Williams, Page Districts, officers conducted approximately 115 traffic stops resulting in: one Aggravated DUI arrest, 19 citations (including two for child restraint offenses, 3 seat belt offenses, several speed citations, and one Title 4 alcohol offense), 8 repair orders, 28 verbal warnings, and 21 written warnings.

Outdoor recreation being higher this time of year, we received over 25 emergency medical related calls, 18 fire related calls, and numerous other calls reporting shooting near public areas, disturbing the peace, large parties, and suspicious activity. Many of these calls were in campground areas or on public land. In an effort to help educate people about off-road, ATV, and boating safety, officers made contact with riders and boaters to ensure safety measures were being followed. We had four reports of off-road related injury accidents in the county.

There were 97 total bookings processed at the Flagstaff and Page Coconino County Detention Facility from May 22 (8:00 am) – May 25 (midnight). Bookings are processed for agencies including: Flagstaff Police Department, Page Police Department, Williams Police Department, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety as well as other law enforcement agencies in the county.
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