WILLIAMS — Habitat for Humanity is hosting a Dedication and Wall Raising on Saturday, August 15th at 8:30 a.m. for the Windham family house. The site is 910 Hereford Drive in Williams.
Attendees can congratulate the family and leave a “Forever Message” on the newly raised wall. Anyone wishing to help further can stay and help paint the siding and trim until 3:30. Lunch will be served.
GRATZ, Pa. – Featuring chart-topping singer-songwriters Jason Derulo and Rachel Platten, the MI Charitable Foundation’s sixth annual summer concert will be streamed online Saturday, August 15, from 8-10 pm EST.
This is a free event with opportunities for viewers to donate if they choose. All funds raised will benefit the MI Foundation’s local, regional, and national beneficiaries. Additionally, MI Windows and Doors will be matching all donations dollar-for-dollar up to the first $100,000.
“We are elated to have Jason Derulo and Rachel Platten performing this year,” MI Windows CEO Matt DeSoto said. “They’re both fantastic singers and great performers.”
A Florida native, Derulo has 11 platinum singles to his credit, including “Whatcha Say,” a 2009 hit that reached No. 1 in the U.S. During his decade-long career, he has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, and many other pop music superstars.
Platten, whose 2015 hit, “Fight Song,” reached No. 6 on the American charts, won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2016 for her live performance on “Good Morning America.” She has also appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The X Factor,” and “American Idol.”
“Smooth Like Clyde,” a popular group out of Harrisburg, Pa., that has been called the top cover band in Central Pennsylvania by multiple outlets, is also going to perform. Additionally, the concert will feature inspirational videos from some of the MI Foundation’s beneficiaries, including Homes for Our Troops, Four Diamonds, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
“When we first started planning the 2020 summer concert, we had no idea that we wouldn’t be meeting in person,” DeSoto says. “But I think we’ve put together a fantastic program – one that will give our team members, customers, suppliers, and friends from around the country a chance to learn about the many wonderful causes the MI Foundation supports. And we think it will be a lot of fun, too.”
FLAGSTAFF – Next of kin notification has been confirmed by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. The inmate, who died on July 31, is 32-year-old David Depoe whose last address is unknown. The autopsy and cause of death results are still pending by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Mr. Depue was arrested by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and was being held in-custody on a $50,000 bond for 4-Counts of Felony Theft, Felony Criminal Trespass, Felony Burglary, Misdemeanor Driving with Suspended License and Misdemeanor Fictitious Plate.
Initially it was reported that Mr. Depue had refused to answer any medical related questions asked by our Officers while at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Temporary Holding Facility in Page, Arizona. Upon review and further clarification Mr. Depue did answer questions related to COVID-19 contact and the Officer Initiated Medical Pre-Screening form. Mr. Depue did not disclose any medical or health related issues. When Officers noticed the cut on his finger, Mr. Depue stated he was aware of the cut, did not want any treatment for it, believed it to be infected and stated he treats his own wounds.
As stated in a prior media release, medical staff refused the acceptance of Mr. Depue into the holding facility until he was medically cleared for the cut on his finger by a medical facility. It has been confirmed that Mr. Depue did refuse to be treated while at the Page Hospital and when ultimately accepted into the holding facility, Mr. Depue continued to refuse to allow Officers to check vital signs or answer questions when our Officers attempted to get further health history. On July 30, Mr. Depue advised our Officers that he was not feeling well during two different times while they had contact with him. When our Officers asked him, what was wrong and tried to check his vitals he refused to answer and refused the vital check and said he was fine.
On July 31, while on the transport from Page to the Flagstaff Detention Facility, our transport Officer’s noticed that Mr. Depue may have been experiencing anxiety or panic like behavior and advised Mr. Depue to take deep breaths and try to relax. Shortly after that, Mr. Depue was not visible by the Officers so they pulled over and notified dispatch and asked for medics to respond. When one of the Officers went around to open the door to where Mr. Depue was sitting, the Officer said it appeared that Mr. Depue was having a seizure. While the Officer was trying to assess Mr. Depue and communicate with him, Mr. Depue went unresponsive and appeared to no longer be breathing. While the Officer was attempting to find a pulse, medics arrived on scene and the Officer advised that Mr. Depue was not breathing. Medics took Mr. Depue out of the van and began life saving measures to include CPR. Mr. Depue was then transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) by medics.
The prior media release stated a deputy at FMC advised that Mr. Depue had undergone surgery. Upon further clarification by the Officer and FMC medical staff, Mr. Depue did not have surgery. When medics arrived at FMC, Mr. Depue was moved immediately into a room where medical staff continued life saving measures for approximately one hour.
Due to FMC COVID-19 protocols non-essential individuals and Officers are not allowed to be in the room with the patient. The Officer had to stand outside of the room but could keep a visual of Mr. Depue through the clear curtain in the room. From what the Officer could see, it appeared that Mr. Depue was undergoing surgery, so he relayed that back to staff at the Flagstaff Detention Facility.
At Approximately 1:35 pm. FMC medical staff did advise the Officer that Mr. Depue did appear to be stabilized and would be moved to the Intensive Care Unit. It is confirmed that at 2:11 pm, Mr. Depue was pronounced deceased by FMC medical staff. The death is still under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
AZGF Photo
Created in 1993, the ECO includes Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee and Navajo counties. The ECO counties have developed a leading role in natural resources and public lands management issues in eastern Arizona, including forest and watershed restoration, travel management and public land access, threatened and endangered species management, rural economic development, and recreation issues.
“The Arizona Game and Fish Department and its conservation partners are grateful to the ECO for their support of the Range Rider Program,” said Jim deVos, AZGFD assistant director for wildlife management. “One of the key activities the department is engaged in is reducing depredations on livestock in the wolf recovery area. This monetary contribution will go a long way toward increasing staff availability to livestock producers and the IFT to haze wolves from areas with active depredation activities.”
A range rider is a person who spends time in areas where wolves and cattle are in proximity and chases wolves from the area. It is a way of proactively deterring conflict between wolves and livestock. The range rider will work in much of eastern Arizona and will be directed to areas where high levels of depredations are occurring.
“ECO is pleased to provide this funding to AZGFD and the IFT,” said Jason Whiting, ECO chair. “Over the past two years, the number of depredations has increased as the wolf population increased, and this is impacting the region’s ranchers. Wolf depredations usually peak in early summer and continue into the fall, so this funding for the Range Rider Program will be put on the ground now.”
Richard Lunt, ECO vice chair, has been actively involved in wolf depredation prevention management. “Finding tools to reduce wolf impacts is important, and I am hopeful that the Range Rider Program proves to be a mechanism that works for a wolf recovery strategy that is compatible with livestock stability,” he said.
AZGFD’s deVos notes that Mexican wolf recovery has seen growth over the last decade, with the 2019 wolf count being 163, nearly a 24% increase from the prior year.
“As the wolf population continues to grow, reducing conflict over depredations is essential and something that the IFT works on daily,” he said. “This financial assistance from ECO will be put directly on the ground.”
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is soliciting nominations for the 2020 Commission Awards. The deadline for submission is September 4, 2020. The purpose of these awards is to recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the conservation of the state’s wildlife, its outdoor heritage, and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Nominations may include individuals, organizations, clubs, foundations or government agencies. Arizona Game and Fish Department employees are not eligible for nomination. To nominate someone, download a form (visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/commission/awards/) and follow the instructions on the form.
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will select the 2020 Commission Award recipients at its September 25-26, 2020 meeting. The awards will be presented at the annual Arizona Game and Fish Commission Awards Banquet scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2021, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020.
2020 AWARD CATEGORIES
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:
Any individual, group, organization, club, foundation, or agency that has excelled in efforts to benefit wildlife, wildlife habitats, or programs of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
YOUTH CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR:
Any individual, 18 years of age or younger, who has excelled in efforts to benefit wildlife and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
MEDIA OF THE YEAR:
Any media source (radio, television, magazine, newsletter, or periodical) that has published articles or materials beneficial to public interest about wildlife or wildlife related topics and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR:
Any organization, group, foundation, or agency that has excelled in efforts to enhance the welfare of wildlife, wildlife related recreation, and the mission of the Game and Fish Department.
CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR:
Any individual, not associated with a professional agency, which has excelled in efforts to enhance, conserve, and manage wildlife or their habitats.
NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR:
Any individual who through a professional agency affiliation has excelled in efforts to enhance, conserve, and manage wildlife or their habitats.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:
Any individual who, as a registered volunteer with the Department, has excelled in efforts to support and benefit the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR:
Any individual whose educational activities have advanced and supported the welfare of wildlife, wildlife related recreation, or the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
MENTOR OF THE YEAR:
Any individual who has acted in the role of a mentor and whose efforts have resulted in the promotion and support of future wildlife conservation efforts and the development of future wildlife conservation leaders in Arizona.
ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR (Two Nominations):
Any individual that has engaged in political advocacy for the betterment of wildlife conservation and in the support of the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR:
Any business partner that actively promotes Game and Fish through innovative approaches, community involvement and a customer service focus that benefits the citizens of Arizona and supports the Game and Fish’s mission of wildlife conservation.
BUCK APPLEBY HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Any hunter education instructor who actively participates in hunter education activities and demonstrates the highest level of customer service, dedication and professionalism during these activities. Award category recently approved by the AZGFD Commission in honor of Buck Appleby, a long time hunter education instructor who passed away in 2010.
FLAGSTAFF, WILLIAMS –— Due to lack of monsoon precipitation and key criteria being met for restrictions, the Coconino and Kaibab national forests will enter Stage 1 campfire and smoking restrictions Friday, August 14 at 8 a.m. The goal of the fire restrictions is to protect public health by reducing the number of preventable human-caused wildfires.
Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site. Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands.
Fire officials acknowledge it is rare for restrictions to be applied twice in the same year, however these decisions are based on a combination of factors that are carefully measured. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, a variety of science-based indices, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources.
Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. With no significant moisture predicted in the long term forecast, additional restrictions may be applied at any time conditions warrant which could include Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and additional closure areas as needed. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.
An explanation of the different stages of fire restrictions and what is typically prohibited during those stages can be found online at www.tinyurl.com/firestagesexplained.
The Kaibab National Forest will also temporarily close the Bill Williams Mountain watershed just southwest of the City of Williams due to the area’s susceptibility to uncharacteristically severe wildfire and post-wildfire flooding that could result.
There will be a modified boundary of this closure area on the south side of the mountain reducing the southern closure boundary from FR108 north to FR122.
Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the national forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that can carry a mandatory appearance in federal court. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during fire season.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County applauds todays enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act which establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to address over $507 million deferred maintenance needs in Arizona. This landmark legislation also permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a critical funding tool for Coconino County.
“The Board of Supervisors has tirelessly advocated for many years for the improvement of federal lands within our county and funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” said Coconino County Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “The Great American Outdoors Act will help to revitalize the infrastructure of federal lands and provide more public open space for recreation, a vital component to increasing the economic value of tourism. Thank you to all those in the Arizona delegation that voted for this monumental piece of legislation.”
Coconino County is the second-largest county in the continental United States encompassing more than 18,000 square miles. Coconino County is home to national treasures, including Wupatki National Monument, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon National Monument and, most notably, the Grand Canyon National Park. The Great American Outdoors Act will provide deferred maintenance funding for these institutions.
Historically, LWCF funds have supported 33 projects in Coconino County totaling $1,955,704. These 33 diverse projects, some dating back to 1966, range from work at Fort Tuthill County
Park and Fort Tuthill Bike Park, to the ballfield at Thorpe Park in the City of Flagstaff. LWCF projects in Coconino County provide a way for people to connect to their environment and with each other, and ensure recreational access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.
The Great American Outdoors Act was supported by Arizona Senators Sinema and McSally and Representatives O’Halleran, Grijalva, Kirkpatrick, Gallego, Stanton and Schweikert.
President Trump signed the legislation into law on August 4. Coconino County is grateful to all those who supported this legislation to protect our natural resources.
FLAGSTAFF — The 2020 Coconino County Fair will move forward this year as an online event with virtual 4-H shows, pictures of entry winners, streaming entertainment, and a virtual vendor marketplace. A “community connections” portion encourages community members to share favorite recipes, gardening tips and tricks, flower growing advice, and to vote for people’s choice awards in fine arts for photography and other art mediums. While the annual Coconino County Fair will look different this year, the public is encouraged to participate and make it a community-wide celebration.
The Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department and 4-H Cooperative Extension Office decided to move forward virtually, including livestock shows and Clubwork exhibits after over eight weeks of information gathering, planning, and meetings with partners such as Coconino County Health and Human Services, Fair Superintendents, and the Northern Arizona Junior Livestock Association.
The Fair Books, one for 4-H and one for community members, are also online. Community entries are due by Friday, August 21. The County Fair is featuring a select number of entry categories per department, and people will submit a photo of their entry online for judging. Winners will receive cash prizes, provided by sponsors Friends of Coconino County Park, and the Cromer and Heflin families.
Coconino County Parks and Recreation is currently accepting virtual vendor applications for the virtual vendor marketplace that will provide a way for community members to enjoy the County Fair from the comfort of their own home. Food, commercial, and nonprofit vendors are encouraged to apply to be part of the 2020 Vendor Marketplace at CoconinoCountyFair.com. The Fair asks that vendors provide a special item or promotion to be available at least during Labor Day Weekend, September 4 through September 7, 2020.
The Fair Books and vendor application are available on the Coconino County Fair website at CoconinoCountyFair.com.
TUSAYAN – The Halfway Fire which was ignited by a lightning strike on the Tusayan Ranger District over the weekend grew to 97 acres on Monday, however a combination of initial attack resources including aircraft, hand crews, engines and a dozer working steadily throughout the day and were able to stop forward progress of the fire by early that evening.
Additional resources arrived on Tuesday which reinforced efforts as crews worked to fortify lines and knock down hot spots preventing any further spread. Approximately 80 personnel have been assigned to the incident at this time. The fire is 3 miles east of Tusayan and is now 20% contained. Crews will continue working the next several days improving and securing constructed fire lines, holding the perimeters, and begin mopping up.
Smoke may continue to be visible from the town of Tusayan, Grand Canyon Airport, highway 64, and from areas inside the Grand Canyon National Park. Overnight inversion may cause haze and smoke to drift into the town on Tusayan in the early morning hours over the next few days but is expected to lift and ventilate out rapidly as surfaces warm.
A small portion of the Arizona Trail was affected by the fire, however it remains open. Hikers are asked to follow temporary detour signs encountered on the trail near the burned area. Motorists and visitors are asked to be aware of apparatus and fire personnel when travelling through the area and to avoid driving in the immediate vicinity of the fire where active operations are occurring.
