NAU Police release 911 recording

FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University Police released recordings of their 911 call from the shooting tragedy that took place on campus early morning yesterday.

Counseling Services have been set up today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The Office of Student Life and the Health and Learning Center also will open at 10 a.m. NAU students representing fraternity and sorority life are planning a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. on the North Quad of the Flagstaff campus.

NAU has an emergency text alert system, however human error caused the alerts to be initially sent at 2:52 a.m. to only 700 people. The residence hall director was one who received the text and took immediate steps to warn everyone in the hall.

An NAU statement read, “Redundancies in our communications led to the residence hall director securing the area where the immediate threat was identified.”

Pedestrian killed in Flagstaff early this morning

FLAGSTAFF — At approximately 02:57 a.m. this morning, officers were dispatched to a collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle at 1601 S. Milton which resulted in the death of the pedestrian.

Officer responding to the scene located a Native American male who had been hit as he crossed from the west side of Milton to the east side near the Target entrance.

The driver who struck the pedestrian had been traveling north in the curb lane.

The Native American male was wearing dark clothing and was not inside a crosswalk at the time of the collision. The pedestrian was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center and later succumbed to his injuries.

The driver cooperated completely with the investigation and there was no indication of impairment. This investigation is pending next of kin notification of the deceased as well as further follow up.

Williams Alpine Harvest Festival in full swing

Folks enjoy a scare at Scarizona.

Folks enjoy a scare at Scarizona.

Williams Wear always has the scariest scarecrow. GMO Scarecorn.

Williams Wear always has the scariest scarecrow. GMO Scarecorn.

WILLIAMS — The Grand Canyon Railway Pumpkin Patch Train is running every weekend Friday through Sunday. At Bearizona they have a scary haunted house and decorations for their Howly Growly Owly festival.

After enjoying the aforementioned events, you can enter for a chance to win a Scarecrow Contest Prize Basket to be drawn for on November 1.

The scarecrows are fun, but not all of the businesses decorated, this year, are on the list. Some are just decorated with great fall decorations. The Open Road Cowboy on Route 66 made me go into video mode.

Pick up a form at one of the listed businesses or the Williams Visitor Center. Get signatures from at least 10 of the 15 businesses for signatures.
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Take the completed form to the Williams Visitor Center on Railroad Avenue across the street from Circle K to enter the contest.

Decorations at Allstate Insurance not complete, yet. Check them out in a couple of days.

Decorations at Allstate Insurance not complete, yet. Check them out in a couple of days.

This scarecrow at the Williams Library a bigger problem than too little time. How about too little eyes?

This scarecrow at the Williams Library a bigger problem than too little time. How about too little eyes?

Our competition even decorated. We were going to post a scarecrow of our editor at deadline. But that would be too much competition for the amateurs.

Our competition even decorated. We were going to post a scarecrow of our editor at deadline. But that would be too much competition for the amateurs.

Responders caught in flash flood while recovering body

FLAGSTAFF — Yesterday around 4:30 p.m., approximately 16 Sheriff’s Deputies, Search and Rescue and US Forest Service responders were forced to higher ground during a flash flood in Oak Creek Canyon.

The responders were conducting a body recovery for a suicide that occurred off Midgely Bridge. Due to a storm cell over the area that produced heavy rain, hail and lightning, rescuers had to delay removal of the body.

After the storm subsided, rescuers entered the canyon for the body recovery. While conducting the recovery, Sheriff’s Office personnel reported a flash flood in Oak Creek Canyon from the heavy rainfall over Wilson Mountain.

Rescuers were in the process of hoisting the body to the bridge when the flash flood occurred. The body was already above flood waters; however, responders below the bridge had to retreat quickly uphill away from rising waters. With several feet of fast moving water going through the canyon, three of the responders became briefly stranded on one side of the canyon.

They were not in danger and waited just under an hour to ensure storm cells had cleared and the water receded before they re-crossed.

Williams City Council meeting Thursday at 7

640-city-hall-williamsWILLIAMS — The Williams City Council will meet Thursday, October 8 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers on 1st Street.

After public participation period, the council:

  • May recommend approval of issuance of a #12 restaurant liqour license to Olivia Rodriquez for Fiesata Mexican Grill located at 122 W. Route 66.
  • Will review and make an appointment to planning and Zoning Commission.
  • Will consider and may approve a lease with Route 66 Zipline.

Council may not act on items during public participation, but may ask city staff to put the item on a future agenda. People wishing to participate in the public portion should go to the meeting early and fill out the appropriate form.

Hoot & Howl Your Way through Bearizona during the Howly Growly Owly Festival

Howly-7280WILLIAMS — Bearizona is hosting Howly Growly Owly Festival weekends in October. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume and kids that do will get a “beary” special treat!

Festivities Include:

Howl-O-Ween Express: Hop on the windowless bus that takes visitors through the drive-through animal exhibits. This is about as close as you are going to get to our animals, so you don’t want to miss out. Patrons can howl with the wolves in the Alaskan Tundra & Arctic Wolf enclosure and watch the bison interact with a special Howl-O-Ween enrichment treat. Bus rides depart from the Fort Bearizona parking lot at 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. every Friday and 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October.

Growly Bear Cave: Check out our array of jack-o-lanterns that adorn the inside of the Kindergarten Bear Cave.

Scarizona at Bearizona Haunted House: Those who dare can walk through our super scary Haunted House (PG-13 Rated) open Friday 12:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Saturday ave Sunday 10:00a.m-5:00p.m.

Raptor Show: Guests should plan to catch an Owly Raptor Show at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m., after visiting Fort Bearizona’s baby and smaller animals.

Photo Ops: Several areas of the park are decorated in different themes so visitors can take photos with their families.

Scavenger Hunts: Both adults and children can get in on this fun activity. Check in at the front of Fort Bearizona Walk Through with the attendant and get your scavenger hunt form. After you complete the scavenger hunt make sure to turn in your card at the gift shop for a prize.


Bearizona’s mission is to promote conservation through memorable and educational encounters with North American wildlife in a natural environment.

The Pumpkin Patch Train event begins this weekend.

WILLIAMS — The Grand Canyon Railway rolls to the secret pumpkin patch starting this weekend and running every weekend through October. The event includes some spooky fun at the terminal on Grand Canyon Boulevard.

The long-range weather forecast currently shows sunny weather for the event on Friday and Saturday with a slight chance of thunderstorms on Sunday. Highs will range from 82 to the upper 70s throughout the week. Highs Saturday and Sunday are expected to be around 78.
There are only eight-days for the Pumpkin Patch Event through October. The dates are the 3, 4 (this weekend), 9, 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18. Departure times are 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets for the Pumpkin Patch train event are $23 for adults and $18 for children. Tickets can be purchased at the Grand Canyon Railway web site.

Workers put holes in the bridge

640-Boxcar150925-13WILLIAMS — City workers cut the holes in the boxcar bridge this morning. They said that they had no word on when the bridge would be complete. There is still some concrete work left to do.

Williams Vikings hold homecoming parade


vikings-3WILLIAMS — The Williams Vikings held their annual Homecoming parade blocking off portions (all of) historic Route 66 this afternoon. The parade was a prelude to their bonfire tonight in preparation for their ignominious stomping of their rival from Mayer tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Grand Canyon open free on Saturday

Grand Canyon open for free President's Day Weekend.

GRAND CANYON – The Grand Canyon will be open for free in honor of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 26.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times.