Category Archives: Flagstaff

Possible thunderstorms for Run for the Wall

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run-for-the-wallroute01WILLIAMS — On Wednesday, the motorcycle rally, Run For the Wall begins their travel to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington to arrive on Memorial Day. Their traditional first overnight stop is Williams and Flagstaff. We have greeted them with sun and snow. This year it appears that we will greet them with thunderstorms.

Run For the Wall started out in 1989 as a small group of motorcycle riders led by James Gregory and Bill Evans. Since then they have grown to hundreds of motorcycle riders who travel each year to promote healing among Vietnam veterans and call for a full accounting of those missing in action.

Sadly, however, many of the veterans can are passing or getting too old to make the trip. There are others—family members, new veterans and even active military—who are picking up the gauntlet and keeping the movement alive.


The valiant riders do not seem deterred by any weather northern Arizona can throw at them. In 2011 they rode into a snow storm. They even have a patch commemorating the event. They group sets up a trailer to sell souvenirs each year, so people can support the mission by purchasing patches, shirts, hats and other memorabilia of the event. The trailer is set up at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 at 425 Grant Avenue in Williams.

NOAA predicts thunderstorms tomorrow through Wednesday night. There is a slight chance Thursday clearing Thursday night. We can expect clear, though breezy, weather through the weekend.

Flagstaff to host third public hearing for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Program

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FLAGSTAFF — Now is the time to comment on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s recommended plan for the next five years of construction projects.

ADOT is getting ready to hold its third and final public hearing next week on the 2017-2021 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. Everyone is welcome to submit comments online as well through May 30.

This comment period helps ADOT and the State Transportation Board, which reviews and approves the program update, learn which highway projects are most important to members of the public and communities statewide.

The third public hearing for the Tentative Five-Year Program is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, May 20, at the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave. in Flagstaff. The monthly State Transportation Board meeting will follow the public hearing.

The Tentative Five-Year Program lays out proposed projects and improvements to the state highway system over the next five years. The program is updated annually and designates how much local, state and federal funding is allocated for projects for highways, bridges, transit and aviation.

For the 2017-2021 Tentative Five-Year Program, ADOT was able to recommend a few more expansion projects for Greater Arizona because of additional funding through the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, as well as a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. These projects, aimed at enhancing key freight corridors in Arizona, otherwise would have remained in ADOT’s Development Program as projects not starting until six to 10 years out.

Among ADOT’s suggestions to move forward on a quicker timeline are two Interstate 10 widening projects in Pinal County (segments at State Route 87 to Picacho Peak and Earley Road to Interstate 8), two widening projects along US 93 and the State Route 347 railroad overpass project in the city of Maricopa. The SR 347 project received a $15 million TIGER grant and a $15 million local contribution to add to ADOT’s $19 million commitment.

ADOT also remains focused on preserving the existing state highway system, which is valued at more than $20 billion. ADOT’s proposal meets its goal of $260 million per year dedicated to preservation work, such as bridges in need of upgrades and pavement in need of repair.

The 2017-2021 Tentative Program is available for public review and comment at azdot.gov/fiveyearplan, where a “how to read it” guide is available. ADOT welcomes feedback through an online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/CJY36HY, email at fiveyearconstructionprogram@azdot.gov and by calling 1-855-712-8530.

 

Restriction required on Milton Road (SR 89A) for work on overhead message sign

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FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Department of Transportation crews will be working on the overhead message sign on Milton Road (SR 89A) between University Drive and Forest Meadows Street in Flagstaff. This work will require a restriction for southbound travel on Milton Road (SR 89A) from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday (May 16).

Please observe reduced speeds and exercise caution while traveling through the work zone.

Overhead message signs span ADOT roadways and are used to help keep drivers informed of traffic, road and weather conditions.

Coconino Sheriff seeks missing teen

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shaylee-phillips-1NAME: Shaylee Sue Faith PHillips
RACE: Black
GENDER: Female
AGE: 15
HEIGHT: 5’ 4”
WEIGHT: 140 pounds
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Black, curly hair
TATOOS: face with owl on right forearm

Shaylee Phillips was last seen at her residence in Doney Park on May 10, 2016 and is believed to have left her residence that night. She may be in the Flagstaff or Phoenix areas.

If anyone has seen or has information about Shaylee Phillips please contact Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 928-774-4523 or 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness 928-774-6111

ADOT, Flagstaff team to improve traffic flow on US 180 downtown

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FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff residents and visitors will be able to spend more time enjoying the attractions of northern Arizona and less time getting there thanks to an upcoming Arizona Department of Transportation project designed to reduce congestion in the heart of that city.

ADOT and the city of Flagstaff are teaming to add turn lanes where North Humphreys Street (US 180) meets Historic Route 66, with the city contributing land for right of way. That intersection is where area residents, Grand Canyon visitors and those who play in the snow turn onto and off of US 180.

Using $1.9 million in federal funding, ADOT will add a second right-turn lane from southbound Humphreys Street onto Route 66. The project also will add a single right-turn lane from northbound Humphreys Street onto West Aspen Avenue, the first intersection north of Route 66 and a common route to downtown businesses. That lane eventually will become part of dual northbound lanes through the area.

The project involves land next to Flagstaff City Hall but won’t take any land from Wheeler Park north of Aspen Avenue, according to Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s Northcentral District, who added that the city’s contribution of land in the right of way made it possible to move ahead quickly.

“When we have partners contributing to these projects ‒ in this case, opportunities for rights of way ‒ it provides the needed value for these projects to be really successful,” Merrick said.

ADOT will do the work because Historic Route 66 and US 180 are state highways.

Design work is set to begin in fiscal year 2017, and construction is expected to start in fiscal year 2019.

Two boys found apparently unharmed in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona Gazette received an email that two boys approximately eight-years old were lost, today, in the woods near Woody Mountain Road in Flagstaff. Search teams were dispatched and the boys were found apparently unharmed. The boys were returned to their parents.

Missing Person Debra Schwartz – Found Deceased

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FLAGSTAFF — Today at approximately 11:10 am the body of missing hiker Debra Schwartz was located in an unnamed slot canyon below the rim of Oak Creek Canyon. A three member technical rescue team that was tasked with checking the slot canyons located her.

On this third day of this intensive search for the missing ASU Professor, rescuers were in the field and under way by daylight. Today the search resources consisted of:

· One Team of five searchers mounted on horseback
· Three teams of off-road vehicles
· Six teams of ground searchers with five people in each team
· One dog team consisting of 3 dogs and six handlers
· Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Air Rescue Helicopter and crew
· Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter and crew based in Flagstaff
· The Yavapai County Jeep Posse
· Three technical rescue teams with three technicians in each team

Several slot canyons that run from the rim to the canyon floor were partially searched yesterday however steep inclines, very rough terrain and thick underbrush made conditions unsafe for conventional ground searchers. The three technical rescue teams that were deployed today were assigned to thoroughly check the slot canyons in the area. At approximately 11:10 am today a technical rescue team that was searching an unnamed slot canyon from the rim down discovered Debra Schwartz’s body.

It should be noted the this technical rescue team completed two rope rappels to make their way into the canyon to a spot where they were able to see the body and then a third rappel to actually reach the body. She was located approximately ½ mile from her campsite. The body will be transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives will work with personnel from the medical examiner’s office in an attempt to determine the cause and manner of death.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Unit for providing ground searchers, dog search teams, mounted searchers, the Yavapai County Jeep Posse, their Air Rescue Helicopter and their technical rescue teams. We would also like to thank the Arizona Department of Public Safety for the assistance of their air rescue helicopters and crews based in Flagstaff and in Kingman.

We are also grateful for the investigative assistance given by the ASU Police Department. Finally we cannot express the extent of our continuing gratitude to all of the tireless men and women of the Coconino County Search and Rescue Unit.

Sheriff’s department asking assistance in locating missing person

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image004NAME: Debra Schwartz
RACE: White
GENDER: Female
AGE: 59
HEIGHT: 5’4”
WEIGHT: 160
EYES: Green
HAIR: Brown

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking any information about the location and welfare of Debra Schwartz. She was last seen on the morning of May 4, 2016 at Pine Flat Campground in Oak Creek Canyon. Debra did not check out of the campground as expected and there is concern for her welfare. If anyone has information about Debra Schwartz please call 1-800-338-7888. It is unknown what clothing she was wearing at her disappearance.

Sheriff’s Office presents two Community Emergency Response Team Trainings for the Flagstaff area and Surrounding Communities

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Emergency Management Division will present two (three) day Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training classes at the Law Enforcement Administration Facility located at 911 E. Sawmill Road. More than 100 CERT classes have been delivered to urban, rural and reservation communities throughout Coconino County.

The first class will be begin Tuesday, May 10,2016 from 8:00 am to 5:00 prn, Wednesday, May 11 from 8 am to 5 pm and Thursday, May 12 8 am to noon.

The second class will begin on Friday, May 13,2016 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturday, May 14 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, May 15, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. These training sessions are offered to all community members free of charge.

Basic CERT Training addresses the following areas:

Session I, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Addresses hazards to which people are vulnerable in their community. Materials cover actions that participants and their families take before, during, and after a disaster.

Session II, DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION: Briefly covers fire chemistry, hazardous materials, fire hazards, and fire suppression strategies. However, the thrust of this session is the safe use of fire extinguishers. sizing up the situation, controlling utilities, and extinguishing a small fire.

Session III, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART I: Participants practice diagnosing and treating airway obstruction, bleeding, and shock by using simple triage and rapid treatment techniques.

Session IV, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS, PART II: Covers evaluating patients by doing a head to toe assessment, establishing a medical treatment area, performing basic first aid, and practicing in a safe and sanitary manner.

Session V, LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS: Participants learn about search and rescue planning, size-up, search techniques, rescue techniques, and most important, rescuer safety.

Session VI, DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION: Covers signs and symptoms that might be experienced by the disaster victim and worker. It addresses CERT organization and management principles and the need for documentation.

Session VII, COURSE REVIEW AND DISASTER SL\1ULATlON: Participants review their answers from a take home examination. Finally, they practice the skills that they have learned during the previous six sessions in disaster activity.

Community members who would like additional information or who wish to register for one of the basic training sessions are encouraged to call the Community Programs Office of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.

Northern Arizona cannot seem to shake winter

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800-BillWilliams-16-05-01 001WILLIAMS — Flagstaff and Williams cannot seem to shake the winter doldrums despite a mild mid-winter. Last week was filled with light snow and some heavy rains which continued through this weekend.

This morning Williams and Flagstaff received cold weather and snow causing some icy road conditions. Less than a half-inch of snow may fall this afternoon turning to rain throughout the night.
800-Weather16-04-28-07
50% chance of thunderstorms are expected tomorrow dropping to 20% chance of rain over Monday night. Tuesday through Thursday will be clear with temperatures in the 60s.
800-Weather16-04-28-19
The chance of rain and cooler weather will return next weekend.