Martin Milner dies at age 83

milner_nMartin Milner best known for the roles of Corvette owner Tod Stiles in the television series Route 66 and stone-faced police veteran Pete Malloy in Adam-12 passed away at the age of 83. The communication office of the LA Police Department issued an Instagram which stated, “Pete Malloy, you are end of watch.”
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Milner started his career with a 1947 appearance in Life With Father. He went on to do roles in many World War II movies, such as Sands of Iwo Jima, Halls of Monezuma, Fighting Coast Guard and other television shows and movies. He even stood out in his minor role as a southern shore patrol officer in Mister Roberts.

I remember him for his movie The Private Lives of Adam and Eve. He also stared in the Irwin Allen production of Swiss Family Robinson and the short-lived television series of the same name.

It was his role of Tod Stiles in the 1960 to ’64 Route 66 that brought him the most fame during this period. My father told me that when he was working on the Glen Canyon Dam, the show was filming somewhere in Arizona. He and a friend passed by and the friend said something that the producer liked and paid his friend $50 to allow him to use it in the show. My father said that he wished he had said something—anything—at the same time.

He played the role of Stephen Banner in the Dragnet series of 1951 to 1959. He returned to his association with Jack Webb in the Dragnet which ran from 1967 to 1970. He played to role of officer Pete Malloy. That character did not rest, however, appearing in The D.A. series and the television series Emergency! while the television series Adam-12 was running from 1968 to 1975.

His last role was Detective Halloran in the mystery television series Diagnosis Murder staring Dick Van Dyke. But he continued to draw fans and autograph seekers as this YouTube video at an event in Chicago in 1996 shows.

ADEQ: Lake Powell safe for all uses

PHOENIX — As the Labor Day holiday weekend approaches, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today that their analysis of water entering Lake Powell shows that the lake is safe for normal uses.

“ADEQ wants Arizona residents and visitors to know that Lake Powell is safe for Labor Day recreational activities including swimming and boating,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore. “ADEQ and the multiple cooperating agencies are reviewing and analyzing new information as it becomes available as part of our everyday work to protect Arizona’s waters,” he added.

Scientists and specialists from several Arizona agencies have been and are continuing to monitor and assess data related to the mine spill. Arizona’s cooperating agencies agree that Lake Powell and the downstream Colorado River are safe for all uses including recreation and agriculture as well as a drinking water source for public water systems.

To establish baseline water quality, ADEQ conducted water quality sampling on August 12, 2015. Test results of these samples are consistent with historic water quality data from Lee’s Ferry (downstream of Glen Canyon Dam). These results, along with ADEQ’s data analysis of water entering Lake Powell (San Juan River test data collected by Utah) are available for review on the Arizona cooperating agencies’ Gold King Mine spill information website: https://ein.az.gov/gold-king-mine-spill-response, located on the Arizona Emergency Information Network (AZEIN) website.

As part of the ongoing water quality monitoring and assessment work, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is collecting and testing fish tissue and water quality samples from the Arizona portion of Lake Powell. As new test results become available, ADEQ will compare them with Arizona surface water quality standards and historical data to support water quality protection efforts and continue to share updated information on the AZEIN website.

Announcing a New Search Management Training Video

SAR-Video-1FLAGSTAFF — A new training video which was a year in the making titled “Introduction to Search Management Best Practices” has been released to aid in training search managers. The video project was a joint effort between the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit, a Mountain Rescue Association member team, and the National Park Service Branch of Search and Rescue. To maximize its benefit to the search and rescue community, the video is being distributed free of charge via the internet. The video is intended to be used in conjunction with a comprehensive search management course or as a review of search management concepts for seasoned search managers.

Search management involves a combination of art and science to analyze the situation and then organize responders to efficiently and effectively cover the search area in an effort to find lost or missing persons. The National Park Service has a long tradition of excellence in search management and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has played an active role in search and rescue management training in Arizona for many years and continues that role with the release of this video.

In addition to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the National Park Service, other agencies that participated in the video project included the Arizona Department of Public Safety Aviation Bureau and Guardian Medical Transport.

A premiere showing for public safety agencies will take place at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Building on July 15th at 7:00 pm. The video can be found at the following link. https://vimeo.com/CCSOSAR/Search-Management

Northern Arizona Gazette editor takes the Iron Apparel challenge

WILLIAMS — Glen Davis, editor of Northern Arizona Gazette, learned of the Iron Apparel 22 post traumatic stress disorder video challenge in late June. As a Navy veteran, he decided to accept the challenge.

The original intent was to hike the two miles from Williams to Benham trail. There he would camp and conduct other challenges. The weather changed, however, and he had to get a ride home.

“I want to stress that I did not do it alone,” Glen said. “I hiked with my well-known companion Prince. I also had a friend check on my progress. Because I had planned to camp, I had another friend bring extra supplies and things I forgot. When the weather turned, my friend had to give me a ride home.”

He would have stayed, but he was camped among tall pines and was concerned about pending lightning. There was a recent death from a lighting strike in Flagstaff not too long ago.

Still, he did make the hike and the video follows:

Post Traumatic Stress disorder is a severe problem with returning veterans from the current conflicts. It is estimated that 22 Veterans take their lives each day. The video challenge by Iron Apparel is to bring awareness to the public about the problem and to raise money for the PTSD Foundation. The rules of the challenge are in this video:

“My message to veterans suffering from PTSD, depression or anything is you do not have to take your life. Just don’t do it. Your life matters to veterans and your families. There is too much help for you to take that route,” Glen said.

Glen also ordered the 22 PTSD t-shirt, but shipping is two to three weeks because of the demand. As we reported earlier, there are other sources of assistance.

There are other resources that people with PTSD may not have thought about. For example Run for the Wall is a ten-day motorcycle ride by Vietnam veterans who arrive at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Washington on Memorial Day. On the east coast, Rolling Thunder conducts a similar ride. The ride not only brings the plight of POWs to the attention of the public, but is also used as therapy for those suffering from PTSD.

If you are a motorcycle rider, or would like to be, you can contact these organizations. They might be able to link you up with a Vietnam veteran who has gone through what you are experiencing. They can help you train for the ride. The ride does take training because you ride several hundred miles a day. Since Vietnam veterans are passing away or getting too old to ride, you can even take up the gauntlet.

You can also obtain assistance from your local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans or other veteran service organization.

Glen would like to challenge his friend and talented musician and artist, Gianluca Zanna. “Luca is a true Arizonan who puts out some great music,” Glen said. “He knows more about the Constitution than many Americans I know.”

He also challenges a few of his favorite actors. Texas Ranger Chuck Norris, for one, for the good work of 22 Until None. Kevin Sorbo of the Hercules series and the recent hit movie God’s Not Dead. His final challenge is Brisco County Junior, Bruce Campbell.

“Bruce Campbell has a great sense of humor. I just want to see the video,” Glen said.

If any Williams business or organization desires to accept the challenge, you can use our contact page if you need assistance or desire us to video it for you.

Fire strikes home in Williams

Fire nearly out at 131 Sherman in Williams.

Fire nearly out at 131 Sherman in Williams.

WILLIAMS — For units of the Williams Fire Department and a Lifeline Ambulance responded to a fire at 131 Sherman Avenue in Williams in the late morning hours of Sunday. Details of the fire are unknown.

The Lifeline Ambulance stood about two-blocks from the fire so it appears that there were no injuries.

The fourth fire truck arrived at about 11 a.m. and it appeared that the fire was nearly out by that time.

For the hail of it

64015-07-01-5WILLIAMS — Williams received a quick dose of rain, hail and lightning this afternoon as a prelude for the rest of the week.

The chance of thunderstorms rises to 50% tomorrow lowering to 30% through Independence Day. Highs will remain in the 80’s through the week with lows around 55. Winds are expected to remain fairly calm at about 5- to 8-mph. 64015-07-01-7

Williams gets a gusher

640-15-04-20-5WILLIAMS — There is a quote attributed to W.C. Fields concerning why he does not drink water. The various versions are really not appropriate here. Suffice it is to say that W.C. Fields will not be drinking water in Williams.

Ian Tabeling checks the pH and temperature of the water before releasing crop into the water.

Ian Tabeling checks the pH and temperature of the water before releasing crop into the water.


Well, not just because he has been dead for many years now. It is also because the Arizona Game & Fish truck arrived from the Peach Springs hatchery to restock the local lakes.

Ian Tabeling told me he stocked Santa Fe and was there to stock the Buckskinner reservoir—to the delight of the anglers waiting for a bite. His partner was stocking White Horse, he said.

This is welcome news for anglers who have been trying with no success since the reservoirs were lowered because of recent drought conditions.

(Sorry. Forgot to ask his partners name or if they were stocking Dogtown or Kaibab.)

Official briefing at Big Spring sheds light on Jade Helm

UPDATED: 4/20; 8:19 p.m.

BIG SPRING, Tx — An official briefing of the City Council of Big Spring surfaced on YouTube that sheds new light on the upcoming operation called Jade Helm 15. The briefing was conducted by Tom Mead, a contractor working for the United States Special Operations Command and planner and exercise designer for the Jade Helm Project. Mead explained that the purpose of the meeting was to obtain permission from the city officials. The video is edited greatly, but the portions remaining raise many questions.

Big Spring is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Texas, United States, at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 87 and Interstate 20. With a population of 27,282 at the 2010 census, it is the largest city between Midland to the west, Abilene to the east, Lubbock to the north, and San Angelo to the south. Big Spring was established as the county seat of Howard County in 1882; it is the largest community in the county. (Wikipedia)

We are seeking written invitation and approval from local officials to conduct a realistic military training exercise within the jurisdiction of the City of Big Spring.

We’re not training for Afghanistan and Iraq—the things that we’ve done in the last fifteen years. We’re looking forward and we want to make sure these guys are trained properly.

He explained that the operation would be ongoing for five- to five-and-a-half weeks. The eight week time period would include time to prepare for the exercise in Florida and Mississippi. He also said that Texas would see the bulk of the exercise.

Mead explained that they would be asking for civilian participation.

We look for people who are willing to transport our guys, because they have to move around in a clandestine manner. For example, in the back of a horse trailer in the middle of the night so nobody can see them. These are ways they have to operate in foreign countries when they’re not supposed to be in those countries.

The video shows questions from council members.

Council man: Mr. Mead, how often do you do a operation like this? Is this done annually, or…
Mead: Yes, Sir, so, um, the Jade Helm project is a new project that has come along from General Cleveland, uh, from his staff at United States Army Special Operations Command. … Um, this operation is planned to be conducted yearly.
We conduct an exercise that’s similar to this. I say similar because the scope and the breadth of the exercise is nowhere comparable to what we do here. But they conduct that exercise six times a year in North Carolina.

COUNCILMAN: I just have to ask, how does FBI and DEA work with the military on an operation like this?
MEAD: Well, generally speaking, Sir, the FBI and DEA provide us liaison officers up at our command level, depending on how the scenarios written. One of the ways the FBI and DEA are working with us, here, is in Arizona they will actually do some questioning for us at one of the airports in Arizona.

COUNCILMAN: Do y’all use any personnel from NATO, UN, or…
MEAD: No, no, Sir. Currenly for Jade Helm it is US only. We… That has been one of the discussions that, I’m not sure if it has occurred yet, but… [Edited]

The operation that he refers to in North Carolina is probably Robin Sage. [Wikipedia] Robin Sage, however, is a confined exercise giving special forces groups specific scenarios, such as rescuing downed pilots. It does not include rounding up people and carting them off.

From the video, we derive that the operation is a new design to train troops to go into countries where they are not supposed to be. They are training to get rides from the local populace in the back of wagons. They will drive around in civilian vehicles without being noticed even though they are supposed to be wearing arm bands during the operation.
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