Category Archives: Flagstaff

County Board appoints James Jayne County Manager

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FLAGSTAFF -– The Coconino County Board of Supervisors selected James (Jimmy) Jayne as County Manager. Jayne has served as Interim County Manager since January 2018.

“Jimmy has shown tremendous leadership ability over the last six months as Interim County Manager,” said Chairman of the Board Matt Ryan. “His extensive experience and vast network of connections throughout the state will advance the County’s initiatives on behalf of our citizens. The Board trusts and believes that Jimmy is the right person to deliver the quality services our citizens have come to expect.”

District 1 Supervisor and Vice Chairman Art Babbott added, “We’re excited by the creativity and innovation that Jimmy will bring to Coconino County to better serve our citizens, build our organization and engender productive local, state, tribal and federal partnerships. We are enthusiastic about his leadership and ensuring the County grows as a forward thinking, supportive and high-performing organization.”

Jayne’s breadth of experience serving in state and county leadership roles positions him to support the County’s mission to build strong and resilient communities across the vastness of Coconino County.

“I’ve been really impressed with the work ethic and dedication to public service Jimmy has shown over his tenure with the County,” said District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler. “He’s traveled to every corner of the County and worked to establish relationships in all of our diverse communities. I look forward to working with him as we continue to meet our many challenges.”

Jayne joined the Coconino County team in August 2017 serving as the Director of Special Initiatives, responsible for Public Affairs and Community Relations, Public Works and various special projects.

“I am honored to be selected by the Board to serve the people of Coconino County,” said Jayne. “My life has been dedicated to building community – I pledge to bring energy, creativity and a strong commitment to collaborating with our communities. I am also privileged to work with one of finest service organizations in the country, a team that is strongly dedicated to serving the public.”

Prior to coming to Coconino County, Jayne served as the Navajo County Manager since 2003. He also served as Executive Secretary for the Arizona Corporation Commission, the Chief of Staff in the Arizona House of Representatives, worked at the Arizona Water Banking Authority and served as staff in the U.S. Congress. Jayne earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University and his Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University. Recently he was inducted into the Northern Arizona University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Hall of Fame for his outstanding public service career.

The Board will officially appoint Jayne as County manager during a special session on July 11.

Suspect Taken Into Custody after Armed Stand Off

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FLAGSTAFF –- An armed suspect in a domestic violence incident was arrested after a five and half hour standoff with police.

On Tuesday morning June 26, 2018, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic violence incident that allegedly occurred inside a home in the 2600 block of Kona Trail in the Kachina Village subdivision south of Flagstaff. The reporting party was the Coconino County Adult Probation Department. Probation had received a call from the female victim and her father, alleging the female’s boyfriend had become aggressive with the father, and later physically assaulted the female when she found a bag of suspected methamphetamines in the suspects personal possessions. The female also reported the suspect had a handgun on his person during the physical assault, but did not threaten or use the weapon. The suspect had allegedly told the female that he would not open the door for police or surrender.

The suspect is identified as 26-year-old Spencer William Bird. Bird is currently on probation for attempted sexual assault. Bird does not live in the home, but had asked to stay at the home and was asking for help stating he had a drug problem. He had been a guest in the home for two days.

The female and her father left the home and reported to the incident to the Adult Probation. The suspect was on probation out of Maricopa County and under courtesy supervision by Coconino County Adult Probation.

Sheriff’s deputies and probation officers worked together to get Bird to come out of the home under the pretense that Probation needed to visit with him. The suspect failed to show up to the meeting. Maricopa County Probation issued an arrest warrant based on information from this incident. Probation officers then attempted to locate the suspect at the home. The suspect would not answer the door or respond to officers. The Probation Officer and Sheriff Deputies tried for several hours to contact Bird, but he refused to answer his phone.

Surrounding neighbors were evacuated and two streets were closed during the incident. The Flagstaff Police Departments Joint Tactical Operations Team responded at the request of the Sheriff’s Office. Negotiators spent several hours attempting to contact Bird, but he refused to communicate with negotiators and the female victim.

A chemical irritant was introduced into the bathroom of the home, and Bird exited within minutes and surrendered to officers. Bird was treated on scene for the irritant, then transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for evaluation. Bird was later released from medical care. He was booked into the Coconino County Jail on the felony warrant issued out of Maricopa County with possible additional charges pending the investigation of this incident.

This was a joint operation involving several agencies. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Flagstaff Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Highlands Fire Department, Flagstaff Fire Department, Coconino County Adult Probation, and Guardian Ambulance. We also thank the residents in the area for their cooperation during the incident and evacuation.

Siren system test in Oak Creek Canyon

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Emergency Management, Yavapai County Emergency
Management, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Sedona Fire District will test the
emergency siren system in Oak Creek Canyon at approximately 10 a.m. Thursday, June 28.
This system is designed to notify Oak Creek Canyon and Uptown Sedona residents of severe
emergencies that require evacuation.

The sirens will be used when the U.S. National Weather Service issues a Flash Flood Warning for Oak
Creek Canyon. If the sirens sound, anyone in the canyon is asked to stop what they are doing,
immediately get to high ground and tune their radio to KAFF 930 AM or 92.9 FM for specific
directions.

Area residents are also encouraged to register for emergency notifications at
www.coconino.az.gov/ready. It is important to register all phone numbers to be contacted in an
emergency.

For additional information call 928.679.8311 or go to www.coconino.az.gov/ready.

Truth in Taxation hearing set

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Coconino County is publishing the Truth in Taxation notice, as required by Arizona state law, explaining potential changes in the amount of property taxes collected.

Interested citizens are invited to attend the public hearing which is at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 26, in the County Administrative Building Board Chambers, 219 East Cherry, Flagstaff, Ariz.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors is notifying its property taxpayers of Coconino County’s intention to raise its primary property taxes over last year’s level. Coconino County is proposing an increase in primary property taxes of $187,911 or 2 percent.

For example, the proposed tax increase will cause Coconino County’s primary property taxes on a $100,000 home to increase from $54.79 (total taxes that would be owed without the proposed tax increase) to $55.89 (total proposed taxes including the tax increase).

Truth in Taxation hearings for the Library, Health and Flood Control Districts will also take place at 6 p.m. June 26 in the County Board Chambers on 219 E. Cherry Ave.

The Coconino County Library District is proposing an increase in secondary property taxes of $152,037 or 3.61 percent, the Coconino County Public Health Services District is proposing an increase in secondary property taxes of $148,620 or 3.61 percent and the Coconino County Flood Control District is proposing an increase in secondary property taxes of $74,228 or 2.85 percent.

Eric Peterson selected County Public Affairs Director

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FLAGSTAFF — Interim County Manager James Jayne has announced the selection of Eric Peterson as the County Public Affairs Director. The Board of Supervisors approved the selection during their regular meeting June 19.

The Public Affairs Director is responsible for the supervision of all governmental and community relations functions, including communications and legislative issues. The Director leads a team that implements initiatives and projects and advocates for legislation that benefits Coconino County residents. The Public Affairs Director is a part of the Coconino County Leadership Team and reports directly to the County Manager.

“We look forward to Eric joining our team and bringing his wealth of experience to Coconino County,” said Interim County Manager James Jayne. “He has represented diverse communities, fostered relationships and led teams to accomplish many legislative goals. The Public Affairs Department, under Eric’s guidance, will continue building relationships with community partners throughout the County and work with local, state and federal officials to better serve Coconino County residents.”

Prior to joining Coconino County, Peterson most recently served as the Government Affairs Liaison for Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele. He was also the Chief of Staff to Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor (D-4) for 7 years. Peterson studied Agricultural Marketing at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Peterson will start as director on July 9, 2018.

70-Year-Old Scottsdale Woman Arrested on 2nd Degree Homicide Charges in the Death of Her 94-Year-Old Husband

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COCONINO COUNTY -– On May 20, 2018, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a deceased elderly male in the Forest Lakes, AZ area. The deceased man had severe trauma and was found on the side of the road in the area of Forest Service Road 512 (Young Road) and SR 260. The deceased was identified as 94-year-old William Max Rudd of Scottsdale, Arizona, and the death was investigated as a homicide.

Subsequent investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office led to the identification of 70-year-old Marie Carmen Rudd, the spouse of the deceased, as a suspect in the homicide.

On June 13, 2018, Marie Carmen Rudd was arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on the charge of 2nd Degree Murder. She is currently being held on $500,000 cash bond.

No further details are available at this time.

Multi-Agency Response to Rescue Injured Climber in Sycamore Canyon Area

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COCONINO COUNTY — On Sunday, June 10th, at 11:00am the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a climbing accident in Sycamore Canyon at the climbing area known as Paradise Forks. The caller stated that a 22-year-old female climber had fallen, was injured, and was in need of rescue. The Sheriff’s Office coordinated the response which included responders from the Sheriff’s Office, the Coconino Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit, Williams Fire Department, Lifeline Ambulance, Arizona Department of Public Safety Northern Air Rescue, and the US Forest Service.

Search and Rescue arrived at the scene at approximately 1:15pm and established a technical rope system to lower a rescuer over the edge to evaluate the patient and prepare for a rope rescue. The patient was in the bottom of Sycamore Canyon approximately 80 feet below the rim of the canyon. Due to the nature of the injury and complexity of the environment, it was determined that a short haul rescue involving the DPS Air Rescue helicopter would be the best option for the patient.

A search and rescue coordinator who is a member of the Northern Arizona Interagency Heli-Rescue Team rappelled to the patient and assisted the first search and rescue member on scene with splinting the injury and preparing the patient for extrication. At 4:25pm the patient and heli-rescue technician were short-hauled out of the canyon suspended below the helicopter to a landing zone a short distance away where an ambulance was waiting to transport the patient to the hospital. The patient was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center where she was admitted for treatment of her injuries.

The fall victim was from the Apache Junction area and was climbing with another person. She appeared to have sustained a serious leg injury.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all of the public safety organizations that responded to this incident as well as the other climbers in the area who volunteered to assist with care for the injured climber while we were responding.

Juneteenth Celebration

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County African American Advisory Council and the Southside Community Association present the annual Juneteenth celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

The family friendly celebration with special entertainment and food trucks will be held at the Murdoch Community Center at 203 W. Brannen in Flagstaff.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended. Freed Americans of African descent were living and working as slaves for close to three years before they were told the news of their freedom. Supporters of civil rights celebrate African American freedom and the subsequent achievements within the culture while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. To learn more about this moment in America’s history visit http://juneteenth.com.

WHO: Free and open to members of the public – family friendly
WHAT: Juneteenth Celebration
WHERE: Murdoch Community Center, 203 W. Brannen, Flagstaff, AZ
WHEN: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, June 16.

For more information, please contact Susie Garretson (sgarretson@coconino.az.gov) or 928-679-7147.

Interstate 40 ramp closures in place between Parks and Williams in northern Arizona

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Drivers in northern Arizona are advised to plan for travel delays on Interstate 40 because of traffic realignment and ramp closures at Parks, Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads. Crews are repairing 17 miles of pavement on I-40 between Parks and Williams. The project also includes making bridge deck repairs at Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads.

Beginning Monday, June 4, I-40 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between mileposts 178 and 179, near the Parks exit, while crews begin to reconstruct the travel lanes. The Parks exit will remain open throughout this work.

Through July, the westbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads will be closed and traffic is being detoured to the Parks and Williams exits. In mid-July, the westbound on- and off-ramps at Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads will reopen and the westbound on- and off-ramp and eastbound on-ramp at the Parks exit will be close with traffic detoured to Pittman Valley Road through early August. Drivers must follow signed detour routes.

Crews are completing work on westbound I-40 between Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads first, then moving to eastbound I-40 in the same area in early summer.  Construction will pause for the winter season and is scheduled to resume in spring 2019 for additional paving, bridge and intersection work. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2019.

What to expect

  • Crews are scheduled to work Mondays through Fridays from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Lane closures and restrictions will be required
  • Ramp closures at Parks, Garland Prairie Road and Pittman Valley Road will be required
  • Drivers are advised to plan for slow traffic, follow the reduced speed limits and allow extra travel time
  • One lane will remain open in each direction throughout construction

Coconino County Offices closed in honor of Memorial Day

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FLAGSTAFF — All Coconino County administrative offices will be closed May 28, 2018 in honor of Memorial Day.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed, Dispatch, Patrol and Detention will be open. Records will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28. Please dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency Dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.

Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open Monday, May 28, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill County Park will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. The Harrenburg Wash trailhead that accesses Pumphouse County Natural Area will be closed.

All of Coconino County parks and natural areas remain under fire restrictions. Smoking outdoors is not allowed; smoking is allowed only in designated areas during events, or in enclosed vehicles. Campfires and charcoal fire/grills are not allowed; visitors may use liquid gas stoves only on improved surfaces. Coconino County parks and natural areas’ trails, ramadas, picnic areas, and watchable wildlife sites/viewing platforms are open. Fort Tuthill Campground, Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course and Pepsi Amphitheater remain open.

Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 28. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 and leave a message and an officer will respond. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Coconino Stage Three Fire Restrictions are in effect below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and Stage One above the North Rim.