Daily Archives: March 16, 2018

Recent Inclement Weather Good Reminder to be Prepared for Outdoor Recreation

Posted on by

On Thursday, March 15, 2018 at approximately 5:45 PM, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received three calls for service for Search and Rescue events: one involving an overdue hiker in Sedona, another involving an injured hiker with a broken ankle also in Sedona, and the third was for stranded motorists on Forest Service Road #535 south of Flagstaff.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the overdue hiker with personnel from the Search and Rescue Unit. The Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue responded to assist with the search. Simultaneously, additional Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue personnel responded to the West Fork Trail with Sedona Fire District personnel to rescue the injured hiker, and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to assist the stranded motorists on Forest Service Road #535.

At approximately 7:00 PM, the overdue hiker was spotted on the trail returning to her vehicle. Deputies learned the overdue hiker became temporarily lost due to inclement weather and she did not require medical attention.

At approximately 08:45 PM, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the stranded motorists in good condition. They transported the family of four, including two small children, to a local hotel in Flagstaff.

At approximately 9:30 PM, Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue personnel assisted Sedona Fire in transporting the person reported as an injured hiker approximately three miles back to the trailhead. The injured hiker was subsequently transported to the Verde Valley Medical Center in Sedona for an ankle injury

The Sheriff’s Office thanks all of the agencies that were involved in these search and rescue efforts.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public of outdoor recreation safety messages. The sudden change in weather was a factor in these incidents. Northern Arizona is expecting additional inclement this weekend. Remember to check the forecast for the surrounding areas before you venture on your recreational activities. Don’t rely on your cell phone alone for emergency situations.

Remember the “Ten Essentials”

  • Extra water
  • Extra food
  • Extra clothing for the conditions
  • Navigation equipment (map, compass, GPS)
  • Headlamp/Flashlight
  • First Aid Kit
  • Shelter material (such as space blanket or large leaf bag)
  • Fire starting kit (when fire danger is high be extremely careful with fire)
  • Pocket knife / multi-tool
  • Signaling tools (whistle/signal mirror)

Coconino County Sheriff warns against phone scams in the area

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – Every few months, scammers re-try their tactics within a community they’ve already hit. Recent reports to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office include receiving a phone call from what the caller ID shows as a local phone number. The person initiating the call fraudulently represents themselves as from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. The most recent scam the caller says you need to personally appear at the Sheriff’s Office. Don’t fall victim. Do some research and follow up directly with the agency the scammer claims to represent—do not call back the phone number the suspicious phone call came from.

In most cases, the caller eventually uses scare tactics to compel the person to make a payment for a ticket or warrant that does not exist. The caller may request that you use green dot or a similar a pre-paid card, wire transfer or other means. Sometimes scammers ask for a monetary donation (such as for a fraternal order or police). Others scams include people fraudulently representing themselves as utility companies threatening to shut off services if you do not make immediate payment through a green dot card or some other nontraditional utility payment.

These scammers also make you believe they are legitimate because they have personal information about you. Remember that there are many websites and publicly available databases that unfortunately make your personal information easily accessible to anyone.

Please be aware that scammers can spoof phone numbers and caller ID information to make their scam appear to be from a legitimate source. They may even pretend to be someone who actually works for our agency by using a legitimate employee’s name. If you suspect a call is fraudulent, hang up and call our office. The most recent scam phone number reported is 928-318-8755 and a person with a southern accent calling.

ADEQ Public Comment period for proposed plan for municipal Solid Waste Landfills.

Posted on by

The Air Quality Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) welcomes comments on the proposed Clean Air Act Section 111(d) plan and amendments to the Arizona Administrative Code, R18-2-731 and R18-2-901, pertaining to municipal solid waste landfills.

Arizona proposes to submit the proposed plan and rules to the Environmental Protection Agency to establish standards of performance for landfills located within ADEQ’s jurisdiction. The proposed amendments to R18-2-731 and R18-2-901 incorporate by reference new federal rules (codified at 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart Cf and 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart XXX).

Interested parties can find ADEQ documents here.

Public Comment Period:
March 16, 2018 to April 16, 2018

Public Hearing:
Monday, April 16, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
1110 W. Washington St., Rm. 3100A
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Comments may be submitted as follows:
Email: toon.elias@azdeq.gov
Fax: (602)-771-2299
Mail: (Must be postmarked or received by April 16, 2018)

ADEQ
Attn: Elias Toon
Air Quality Division, Air Quality Improvement Planning Section
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Public Health Officials identify precautions to protect against rabies

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) officials are reminding individuals to take precautions to protect against rabies. Spring brings warmer weather and a rise in outdoor recreational activity, increasing the potential of exposure to wildlife.

CCPSHD urges people to follow the following precautions to protect from rabies:

  • Avoid wildlife, especially those exhibiting unusual behaviors, such as showing no fear of humans, aggressive behavior, staggering and/or acting sickly, and nocturnal mammals active during daytime.
  • Keep all pets current on vaccinations and obey leash laws.
  • Always keep pets away from wild animals.
  • Never pick up, touch or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, even if they do not appear sick or aggressive.
  • Report any wild animal exhibiting erratic or aggressive behavior.

CCPHSD advises individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they are bitten or have contact with a wild animal.

Pet owners should seek medical care from their veterinarian and call the appropriate authorities if their pet is bitten by wildlife:

  • Wildlife emergency: 911
  • Coconino County Public Health Services District Animal Management: 928-679-8756
  • City of Flagstaff Animal Control/Flagstaff Police Department: 928-774-1414
  • To report unusual wildlife sightings or behavior call the Coconino County Public Health Services District Animal Management Program at 928-679-8756

For more information on rabies visit www.azhealth.gov/rabies.

Applications accepted to adopt a desert tortoise

Posted on by

PHOENIX – Approximately 50 desert tortoises will soon awaken from their winter slumber and the Arizona Game and Fish Tortoise Adoption program will be once again be looking for good adoptive homes. There is no charge to adopt a tortoise.

The desert tortoises up for adoption are a wide range of ages and sizes. AZGFD is accepting applications for those willing to provide a special home. Adoption application packets and general information can be found at www.azgfd.gov/tortoise.

Adopters need to have a securely enclosed yard or separate enclosure in their yard, free from potential hazards such as a dog, fire pit or unfenced pool. The enclosed area must include an appropriate shelter for the tortoise to escape Arizona’s extreme summer and winter temperatures.

All of the desert tortoises eligible for adoption will be given health checkups before going to their new homes. Tortoises are only available for adoption to residents living within the species’ native range, which includes the Phoenix, Bullhead City, Kingman, Prescott, Lake Havasu, Tucson and Yuma areas.

Desert tortoises offer a unique alternative to more traditional family pets and can teach many of the same life lessons to children, including responsibility, compassion and commitment. Contrary to many assumptions, desert tortoises can be interactive and provide companionship without as many demands as a cat or dog.

Game and Fish Commission proposes to amend rules for taking, handling of wildlife

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission proposes to amend rules within Article 3, “Taking and Handling of Wildlife,” to enact amendments developed during the preceding Five-year Review Report.

All public comments about the proposed rulemaking will be accepted through April 15:

E-mail: rulemaking@azgfd.gov, or jcook@azgfd.gov.
U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Jay Cook, Regional Supervisor FOR6, 7200 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85207.
Telephone: Jay Cook, Regional Supervisor FOR6, (480) 324-3540.

The final rule will be presented to the five-member commission at its May 4 meeting at the Mohave County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 700 W. Beale St., Kingman.

To track the progress of this rule, view the regulatory agenda and all previous Five-year Review Reports, and to learn about any other agency rulemaking matters, visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/.