Daily Archives: April 2, 2017

JLUS Policy Committee awarded Department of Defense Joint Land Use Study Grant

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FLAGSTAFF – The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment has awarded a $532,700 grant to Coconino County for a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS), which provides recommendations for land uses that are compatible with the missions of military installations while also supporting economic development and community values.

In June 2016, Coconino County convened a JLUS Policy Committee, chaired by Flagstaff City Councilmember Celia Barotz, with stakeholders from the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, State of Arizona Departments, U.S. Forest Service, Arizona Army National Guard Camp Navajo, U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Northern Arizona University, Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA), Lowell Observatory, developers, and local businesses and civic associations. The Policy Committee met several times to determine the scope of study for the grant application.

“I extend my sincere thanks to Coconino County for taking the lead on this important planning effort; the stakeholders who are members of the Policy Committee for engaging in this effort thus far; and the DoD Office of Economic Adjustment for awarding the grant for the study. As the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County grow, it’s essential that we plan now to try and minimize future land use conflicts around our local military installations,” said JLUS Policy Committee Chair Flagstaff City Councilmember Celia Barotz.

“We appreciate that the DoD Office of Economic Adjustment saw the value in this project and awarded this grant,” said Supervisor Ryan. “This grant will allow the Policy Committee to study the best uses for this land and determine what is in the best interest of our community while fulfilling the missions of our military installations.”

The grant will be used to hire a consultant who will conduct the study that will identify land uses that are compatible with United States Naval Observatory, Flagstaff Station and the Arizona National Guard Camp Navajo in Bellemont. Additional objectives of the study include increasing public awareness of the military missions and improving communications between the military and community stakeholders.

“This is a fine example of many partners coming together to work on a joint project. I thank my colleagues Supervisors Art Ryan and Art Babbott, and all the staff for their effort on this project. Their hard work and determination in assembling the JLUS Policy Committee and drafting the application made this grant possible,” stated Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “I look forward to the process unfolding and the final recommendations.”

Conagra Brands Recalls Hunt’s Chili Kits

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Conagra Brands, Inc., announced today it is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Hunt’s Chili Kits due to the potential presence of Salmonella in the chili seasoning packet contained in the kit. The chili seasoning used in the packet originated from a supplier who informed the company of the potential presence of Salmonella in a raw material used in the chili seasoning. Although no Salmonella was found in the finished product supplied to Conagra Brands, the company has decided out of an abundance of caution to recall the product.

There have been no reports of adverse reactions or injuries due to consumption of this product to date. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most individuals recover without treatment. In some cases, diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

The product covered by this recall was distributed in retail stores, military commissaries and online nationwide in the U.S.; the specific product information is listed below. The product code information is stated on the bottom of the kit below the barcode. No other Hunt’s products or Conagra Brands’ products are impacted by this recall.

Item Description UPC MFG/Lot Code Best By Date
HUNT’S CHILI KIT 44.8OZ 20-0-27000-42063-2 3534619500 Apr 04, 2018
HUNT’S CHILI KIT 44.8OZ 20-0-27000-42063-2 3534622200 May 01, 2018
HUNT’S CHILI KIT 44.8OZ 20-0-27000-42063-2 3534619600 Apr 05, 2018

Consumers who have purchased this item are advised not to consume it and return it to the store where originally purchased. Conagra Brands is cooperating with the FDA on this recall and is working with customers to ensure the packages are removed from store shelves and are no longer distributed. Consumers with questions should call our Consumer Affairs hotline at 1-800-921-7404, open 9 am through 5 pm CDT, Monday through Friday.

2017 Outdoor Expo one for record books

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PHOENIX — For the second straight year, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Outdoor Expo – the state’s largest free outdoor expo – has set an all-time attendance record.

The event, presented by Shikar Safari Club International, drew 46,600 visitors over the March 25-26 weekend at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. That shattered the previous two-day weekend record of 41,100, set in 2016.

A “Youth Day” experience also was offered March 24 that attracted 1,800 students, teachers and chaperones, bringing this year’s three-day total to a record 48,400. The previous record was 48,000 in 2015.

“We’re not aware of any other event of this scale that combines conservation, recreation and industry into such a welcoming environment for the public,” said Scott Lavin, the department’s wildlife recreation branch chief. “This is where people can find plenty of hands-on activities, test and purchase the latest equipment and products, and connect with social organizations that can provide countless ‘next step’ experiences to support their outdoor passions.”

The expo features everything from wildlife exhibits and family fishing tanks, to kayaking at the 90,000-gallon “Lake Paddlemore” and trying out firearms in a safe, controlled environment on the range. There also are many opportunities for visitors to check out more than 150 exhibitors, including sportsmen and conservation organizations, recreational shooting groups, government agencies and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services.

Since 2007, the expo traditionally has been scheduled for the last weekend in March (but not to conflict with Easter weekend). This year marked the 10th anniversary of the “Outdoor Expo.” The event previously was known as the “Hunting and Shooting Showcase” from 2004 to 2006.

For the third straight year, Shikar Safari Club International was the presenting sponsor. Gold sponsors were OneAZ Credit Union and Shooter’s World/Daniel Defense. Silver sponsors were Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, Sportsman’s Warehouse, FN America, Cabela’s and Target Factory. Bronze sponsors were the Mule Deer Foundation and Lincoln Property Company.

“We are grateful to our sponsors and 155 exhibitors who support this event and provide us with an opportunity to introduce ourselves as a department and share our mission with the public at no charge,” Lavin said.

Next year’s expo is scheduled for March 24-25, 2018, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. Visit www.azgfd.gov/expo for more information.

ADOT catching up with pavement repair in Flagstaff area

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews remain busy with pavement repairs along northern Arizona highways following an active winter storm season.

During the week of April 3-7, crews are scheduled to add a new layer of asphalt to smooth rough sections I-40 in the Parks area between Flagstaff and Williams.

Asphalt overlays also will continue on State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon.

Potholes in the pavement can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt. In northern Arizona, the situation is often exasperated by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Under the pounding of heavy traffic, the stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT also has two projects scheduled later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams to add a new layer of pavement in both directions.

“Shot Heard ‘Round the World Day” is April 19

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PHOENIX — The world-class Ben Avery Shooting Facility will be the place to be Wednesday, April 19, a day when recreational shooters can join together to symbolize the first shot fired in 1775 to mark the beginning of the American Revolution, while enjoying a fun shooting event.

It will be 242 years to the day when the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” was fired in the pre-dawn light in Lexington, Mass., between the colonial militia and British army, regarded as the start of the American Revolutionary War.

The inaugural event, being promoted at public shooting ranges across the nation, also will provide an opportunity to increase participation and boost the economic benefits that shooting sports provide. As recreational shooters check in and visit BASF’s small bore range from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., they will be connected to recreational shooting mentor groups and shooting industry manufacturers and retailers inside the nearby indoor air gun and archery building.

Whether or not a recreational shooter actively participates in hunting or angling, he or she contributes to the main source of funding for state wildlife conservation efforts through an excise tax placed on the purchase of shooting sports equipment and ammunition, as legislated by the Pittman-Robertson Act. Those funds also are spent on shooting sports projects, including the building of shooting ranges, and programs.

For more information about “Shot Heard ‘Round the World Day,” visit www.shotheardroundtheworldday.com.

For more information about the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, visit https://www.azgfd.com/Shooting/BASF/.