Monthly Archives: February 2020

Coconino SAR rescues injured skier on Fremont Peak

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FLAGSTAFF – On February 16th at approximately 6:10 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an injured skier on the north side of Fremont Peak on a path known as Telemark. The 25-year-old male from Flagstaff had been skiing down the path and fell causing a shoulder injury which made impossible for him to continue to ski down. The group that he was with requested rescue and began to assist him down to the toe of the path where the terrain was less steep.

CCSO SAR rescue injured skier on north side of Fremont peak. – CCSO Photo

An Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter was requested to assist with the rescue, however due to the winds in the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks and the location of the injured party, they were not able to land to conduct the rescue. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team responded to the area and were assisted by an ambulance crew from Guardian Medical Transport. The SAR team and the Guardian Medical crew drove the Sheriff’s Office snowcat to the Lockett Meadow campground in the Interior Valley.

The injured skier and his party were able to make it to the Inner Basin snow study cabins and waited there for rescuers. Due to the snow conditions in the area, the snowcat was not able to make it to the cabins, so a SAR team with the Guardian Medical crew hiked from the Lockett Meadow Campground to the cabins, which were approximately one and a half miles away. Upon arrival at the cabins at approximately 1:30 AM patient care was initiated by Guardian Medical and the SAR team prepared the patient for transport in a litter using a “hypothermia wrap” system to keep him warm and dry during the litter carry to the snowcat. The patient was loaded into the snowcat at approximately 3:30 AM and then transported down to the base of Lockett Meadow Road to be transferred to the ambulance for transport to the Flagstaff Medical Center.

This mission was another example of the close coordination and relationships between Northern Arizona emergency responders. The patient and his party were also well prepared and experienced in backcountry travel which allowed them to adequately manage the emergency until rescuers could arrive. Emergencies that occur in the wilderness areas require that the parties involved be able to manage the situation for an extended period of time as access is often difficult or time consuming. Being prepared for emergencies in the winter backcountry requires the proper clothing and equipment as well as experience using that equipment.

Summer ramada reservations available for County parks

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Parks and Recreation will begin accepting summer ramada reservations on February 18, 2020. There are 11 ramadas at four County parks available for rent.

Ramadas can be used to host parties, reunions get-togethers and other events. They are available for rent seven days a week, for half or full days throughout the year, including holidays. Reserving a ramada for a party or special occasion will guarantee space and ensure utilities are active.

Customers may reserve a ramada online by going to Coconino.az.gov/Parks/Ramadas or by going to the Parks and Recreation Administration Office located at Fort Tuthill County Park, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, AZ. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Prices range from $46-$114 for ramada rentals. Staff will follow up with a confirmation within one business day. For reservations less than 24 hours in advance, or for additional questions, please call the Administration office at (928) 679-8000.

Joanne Keene named Deputy County Manager

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Manager James Jayne has announced the appointment of Joanne Keene as Deputy County Manager. The Board of Supervisors are expected to approve the appointment at a regular board meeting in March.

Keene has almost twenty-five years of experience in local, state and federal government. Most recently, Keene has served for five years as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff to Northern Arizona University. Prior to her work at NAU, Keene served as the Government Relations Director for Coconino County from 2007 – 2015 and for eight years in various roles in Arizona and in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We’re thrilled to welcome back Joanne to the County team,” said County Manager James Jayne. “Several highly qualified candidates were interviewed for this position and Joanne’s experience and dedication to this County made her the clear choice. Joanne has remained an essential and trusted voice in our community and has been a fantastic partner in her role with NAU. She is known for her leadership, professionalism and devotion to public service and we look forward to her joining the County Management team as she provides vital leadership to key departments.”

As Deputy County Manager, Keene’s focus will be on fulfilling the goals and further developing the missions of internal service departments. As part of the County’s Organizational Renewal initiative, the Deputy County Manager will promote organizational culture to achieve success and partnership in Information Technology, Human Resources and Facilities Management.

“Coconino County is a special place and I’m excited to rejoin such a committed organization,” said incoming Deputy Manager Keene. “I strongly believe that local governments, and the people working in them, make an incredible difference in people’s lives. I look forward to working with the Board, people, elected officials, the County Management team and the internal service departments to continue the work the County does to provide excellent service.”

Keene is a graduate of NAU with a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelors in English and Broadcast Journalism. She is also a Certified Public Manager through Arizona State University and a Flinn-Brown Fellow. Keene currently serves on several local boards including High Country Humane and Mountain Line. On the statewide level, Keene services on the Board of Directors for Arizona Forward and is a Governor’s appointee to the Arizona State Fair and Exposition Board and the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Governor’s Office and County collaborate to promote child passenger safety

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Injury Prevention Program received a grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety of $15,913 this fiscal year. From the grant, $14,138 will be spent on child passenger safety/occupant protection and $1,775 will go towards pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The CCHHS Injury Prevention Program has promoted child passenger safety and driver awareness with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety since 2003.

The CCHS Injury Prevention Program will use the funding to provide under-served areas in Coconino County with car seat safety education and to participate in events that enhance the existing child safety program, materials and supplies.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages two to 14. Research shows that as children age, they are less likely to be in the appropriate child safety seat for their age and weight. Correctly used child safety seats are extremely effective and reduce the risk of injury and death approximately 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Children ages 4-8 using belt-positioning booster seats are 45% less likely to sustain injuries than those only using seat belts.

Child Passenger Safety is at the heart of the CCHHS Injury Prevention Program and teaches families how to safely transport their children. Certified child passenger safety technicians and instructors inspect child safety seats at several community events throughout the year and educate parents and caregivers.

For more information on the CCHHS Injury Prevention program, call 928-679-7262 or visit www.coconino.az.gov/health.

Public comment period for County Fair fee changes open

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FLAGSTAFF — The public can comment on proposed County Fair fee changes until April 6. The 60-day comment period on the proposed fees affects vendors, open livestock entries and 4-H wristbands. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors reviewed the fee changes, which have not increased since 2006, at the regular meeting on Jan. 28

The Board may consider any increase or change up to the amount proposed by the department but not anything higher. The Board could approve the fees any time after the 60-day comment period ending April 6, 2020

Coconino County Parks & Recreation (CCPR) manages the Coconino County Fair. CCPR suggested the fee changes to recover costs due to increased prices for goods and services, to align with industry best practices and to moderately increase revenue without impacting the cost to fairgoers. Fees also help offset damages to the Fairgrounds at historic Fort Tuthill Quad, which had a $4.1 million renovation in 2017.

The following is a summary of the proposed fee changes:

Coconino County Fair Vendors

  • Food Vendor fees change from a square footage fee to a minimum guarantee based on frontage against a percentage of gross revenue.
  • Amusement Vendor fees change from a percentage to a square footage fee.
  • Commercial & Non-Profit Vendors will see a nominal increase in cost per square foot of space rental.
  • A refundable deposit will now be required to account for damages, staff time outside of scheduled hours and violating rules set forth in the contract.

Open Livestock Entry

  • Open Poultry and Rabbit & Cavies fees increase from $50 to $1 per entry to offset a portion of the cost of feed and bedding supplied by the Fair.
  • Open Horse fees increase from $3 to $5 per entry to offset a portion of the cost of supplies associated with the Fair Horse Show.

4-H Wristbands (applicable to 4-H youth and parents only)

  • 4-H Adult Admission Wristband (includes unlimited days and parking) fee increases from $20 to $25.
  • 4-H Child Admission Wristband (includes unlimited days and parking) fee increases from $12 to $15.

For more information on the proposed fee changes and to provide comments, visit Coconino.AZ.Gov/Parks.

Impeachment and removal from office the only course of action

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OPINION

I find it difficult to believe that we are letting this golden opportunity slip by. It is my considered opinion that this thing should have been impeached prior to his installation in office. Let us examine the facts.

This year it is said that the so-called “Punxsutawney Phil” saw his shadow predicting an early spring. Did you see his State of the Weather? He’s obviously putting on a political rally this election year pandering to the sun tan crowd completely ignoring skiers.

And who put this Punxsutawney Phil into office? We have strong evidence that the squirrels interfered with the 2016 elections.

They have been celebrating this Ground Hog day “officially” since 1887. In 133 years there has never been a groundhog with a name other than Punxsutawney Phil. I don’t even think that is his real name. Has anyone checked his birth certificate?

This year on February 2nd, this Punxsutawney Phil supposedly saw his shadow signalling an early spring. I want to make clear that this is NOT my ground hog. We cannot wait for an election to have people who love this ground hog re-elect him. We need officials to impeach and remove this groundhog from office so our candidate, Geico Gecko has a chance to win the election this year.

{In case you are wondering, this is satire.}