Category Archives: Flagstaff

Are you ready to get your Amateur Radio License?

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UPDATED 20160423 9:38 a.m.
800-UV-2501-16-01-08-3If you have been studying to get your Amateur Radio license, you have two chances coming up in May.

The Coconinco County Amateur Radio club is planning an exam for all classes of license on May 14 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. The examination will be held at the North County Health Care classroom. The North County Health Care center is at 2920 N 4th Street in Flagstaff. Visit their web site for information on what you are required to bring for the exam.

In Yavapai county you have an opportunity to become licensed by the Yavapai Amateur Radio club. They require you to obtain an Federal Registration Number (FRN). The requirements can be found on their web site. Their next exam is also scheduled for May 14 and you can take a practice exam on Tuesday May 10. You must pre-register online. The exam will be held in the Jeep Posse Building 1200 Commerce Drive in Pioneer Park behind the outdoor hockey rink (MAP).

The fee for the examination at either location is $15. You can take all three levels of exam unless you fail one along the way. You must pay another fee to continue or you can choose to take what you get and go home to study.

You are not required to know Morse code for any of the exams. That requirement has been stricken. However you can go on to learn Morse code for fun later.

Amateur radio is becoming more popular since lower priced hand held radios have been dumped on the market. They give you more range than those cheap Family Radio Service (FRS) and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios you purchase in department stores. It also gives you access to more frequencies and propagation modes using amateur satellites and even bouncing a signal off of the moon.

There are many other aspects to Amateur Radio including emergency communications during disasters.

Fifty-Nine Year-Old Lost Hiker Rescued from Humphries Peak

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FLAGSTAFF — On April 21st at approximately 8:30 AM the Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue responded to a report of a lost hiker on Humphrey’s Peak. The 59 year old male hiker was determined to be off trail at approximately 11,700 foot elevation in an area known as Temptation Gully. The hiker was reported to be cold, tired, disoriented, with some underlying medical conditions.

Search and Rescue personnel hiked into the area and located the hiker at 12:43 AM. After assessing his condition it was determined that the safest route was to hike to the Humphrey’s Saddle and then evaluate the options for evacuation. A second search team hiked to the Humphreys Saddle and prepared to receive the hiker and provide warm drinks, food, and dry clothing.

Due to the hikers fatigue and symptoms of acute mountain sickness an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Air Rescue helicopter from Phoenix was requested to evaluate landing at the saddle to pick up the hiker. DPS Air Rescue arrived in the area of the saddle at 3:30 AM and attempted to land but was unable to due to high winds. The decision was made to camp just off the saddle and out of the wind until daylight allowing the hiker time to rest and regain normal body temperature. The daylight would also offer increased visibility. At 4:15 AM a third search team equipped with a litter and ropes began hiking to the saddle and was prepared to assist the hiker if he became unable to hike out on his own due his symptoms of acute mountain sickness and fatigue.

At approximately 6:00 AM the hiker and the search teams began to hike down the Humphreys Trail. An Arizona Snowbowl Snowcat was dispatched to an area near the ski area boundary at the base of the Pluto ski run. The Search and Rescue Teams assisted the hiker to that location where he was loaded into the snowcat and transported to the Agassiz Lodge to be reunited with a family member. The Search and Rescue personnel hiked down the mountain and completed the mission by 11:30 A.M.

This incident was another example of the close working relationship between the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, DPS Air Rescue, and the Arizona Snowbowl to resolve an emergency. Even in the spring, winter like conditions can still exist on the San Francisco Peaks. Hikers on the peaks trails should research the conditions and be prepared to turn around if the conditions become hazardous or the trail becomes difficult to navigate. Hikers should also be personally and physically prepared for the hike including carrying the appropriate equipment and clothing and leaving a detailed trip plan with a trusted person.

Woman Returns Home to Find Burglar Exiting her House

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On Thursday, April 14, 2016 at about 3:39 pm 911 dispatchers received a call from a woman who reported a burglary in progress at her home located off of Mount Elden Lookout Road. Upon their arrival responding Deputies made contact with the caller and checked her for injuries. They learned that the victim was not assaulted by the suspect and she was uninjured.

According to the victim she returned home exited her vehicle and observed an adult male as he was leaving her house. She confronted the individual and asked him what he was doing. The suspect who was carrying food items and bottled alcohol apologized and said his car had broken down and asked if he could take one of her vehicles to which the victim said no. The suspect left the area on foot to the west of the residence into a wooded area.

The on-duty Patrol Sergeant began to search the area for the suspect and spoke with several hikers and bikers in the area. Several of the subjects the Sergeant spoke with said they saw a man matching the suspect’s description in a vehicle that was stopped on Schultz Pass Road. The Sergeant went to that area and observed a vehicle alongside the road. He made contact with the driver who was identified as 26 year-old Arthur Zampini originally from Glendale, AZ but currently homeless and transient. Mr. Zampini was similar in appearance to the description of the suspect provided by the victim. Upon questioning Zampini admitted to the burglary and also admitted to driving two of the victim’s vehicles away from the residence only to return them. When asked why he drove the vehicles he replied because they were cool.

After inventorying her home the victim reported that cash, miscellaneous food items and bottled alcohol were missing. Arthur Zampini was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility for one count of second degree burglary, one count of first degree trespass, two counts of unauthorized use of motor vehicle, and one count of cultivation of marijuana.

Intermittent northbound I-17 closures start April 17 for overnight work near McGuireville

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PHOENIX — A project to reduce the potential for rockfall in a quarter-mile section of northbound Interstate 17 between Camp Verde and Flagstaff will require closures of up to 30 minutes overnight starting Sunday, April 17, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers using this route between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. should plan ahead and budget extra time on the following dates, when intermittent closures will occur northbound near milepost 292 approaching McGuireville:

• Starting at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 17, and ending at 6 a.m. Friday, April 22.
• Starting at 8 p.m. Sunday, April 24, and ending at 6 a.m. Friday, April 29.

The project area is between Middle Verde Road (Exit 289) and the Rimrock/Lake Montezuma/Cornville exit at milepost 293.

Southbound I-17 traffic will be unaffected.

The project will remove rockfall debris and scale slopes to reduce the potential for rock to fall, among other work.

From April 17 through April 29, northbound oversize loads wider than 12 feet will be required to detour around the project area between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The detour for oversize loads is State Route 260 to Cottonwood, State Route 89A to Sedona and State Route 179 to I-17.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information System at az511.gov or call 511.

Flagstaff/Williams fishing: hit Dogtown before dog days of summer

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150608-01-dogtown
dogtownbrownNo question: Dogtown Reservoir south of Williams is one of Arizona’s trout fishing hot spots. A shred of evidence: Joshua Rose on Saturday caught this gorgeous 23 ¾-inch, 4.3-pound brown trout out of Dogtown.
Rose caught the fish on corn PowerBait.

This 50-acre lake in the Kaibab National Forest is being stocked consistently and is one of the best bets for a high country Arizona trout fishing adventure. Some experienced anglers are catching plump winter holdovers.
browntroutdogtown_1-1
Effective baits have been PowerBait, small spinners, and wet flies such as bead-headed prince nymphs and zug bugs. Make sure the spinners are small — no heavier than 1/8 of an ounce. Some anglers are having success slow-trolling spinners.

A couple weeks ago, 10-year-old Matthew R. duped this 3 pound-pound that measured 19.5 inches.

Where to trout fish in Flagstaff/Williams area
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Stocking trucks from Page Springs Hatchery have been loading up trout into Flagstaff/Williams regional waters the past few weeks .

Here is AZGFD Region 2 Aquatic Wildlife Program Manager Scott Rogers’ top 5 spots to fish near Flagstaff and Williams (all are being stocked with trout).

  1. Dogtown Lake
  2. Ashurst Lake
  3. Cataract Lake
  4. Frances Short Pond
  5. City Reservoir (Santa Fe Dam)

A high chance of rain is predicted for Flagstaff and Williams Friday and Sunday (trout sometimes bite great just before a storm), and these waters should be great options throughout April.

Grab your gear and your fishing license and get ready for a pine-scented weekend! Temporary fishing permits available at some Williams merchants.

The road to Dogtown has some beautiful trees including Aspens and Oaks. It is a great drive in fall.

The road to Dogtown has some beautiful trees including Aspens and Oaks. It is a great drive in fall.

Nightime restrictions needed on Milton Road (SR 89A) to test new overhead sign

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FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Department of Transportation crews will be testing the newly installed overhead electronic message signs on Milton Road (SR 89A), between University and Forest Meadows in Flagstaff. This work will require restrictions for southbound travel on Milton (SR 89A) during nighttime hours, Wednesday (April 6) from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

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

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

Flagstaff High Senior conducts class community service project at Recreation Center.

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Jorge Zavala and Leavi Mitchell conduct community service project at Williams Recreation Center.

Jorge Zavala and Leavi Mitchell conduct community service project at Williams Recreation Center.

WILLIAMS — Flagstaff High School senior Leavi Mitchell was required to set up a community service event by one of his teachers. With his busy schedule, he decided on providing hot dogs at the Youth and Recreation Center in Williams. He even took to Facebook to advertise. The hot dogs were provided by another teacher at Flagstaff High, Sheri Bain.

Though some expressed suspicion at the date of the event, April 1, it was no joke. We noticed him setting up the barbecue pit and caught his Facebook post later in the day in the Williams Classified Facebook page.

[His teacher] “…asked that me and two others set up an event that would help the community. So I decided to get some hot dogs and get them out to whoever is walking by.”

Leavi and his assistant, Jorge Zavala live in the Parks area.

Leavi explained that in the past students from Flagstaff High have participated in a number of projects. The welding students have built park benches and donated them to the city. Others have painted parking spots. He decided on Friday in Williams because kids have no school on Friday. It is a working day for the parents and this event would help out by providing the kids something to eat at the recreation center.

“I wanted to teach kids,” Leavi said. “So it’s easier to run something when you really have heart into something. What I originally planned was to set up a basketball skills event at Flagstaff at the rec center next to Coconino High School, but that didn’t work out for time.

“I was going to put out fliers to the youth basketball groups, I had to do my research and find out some good drills for that age group. I really ran out of time doing other school events—football, basketball, track.”

Would he like to teach kids in the future? “I wanted to be a councilor—like a psychologist. I’m still debating on that or welding.” He is interested in both subjects.

It’s always smart to keep your options open.

Person Arrested in Home Invasion

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FLAGSTAFF/DONEY PARK — On Monday, March 28, 2016 at about 4:49 pm an adult female who resides at a residence located on Winchester Drive in Doney Park reported a suspicious person. According to the caller a male approached her in her garage saying he needed help. He told her that people were after him and then he ran away from the property. Due to his physical appearance and his actions the believed the subject was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

At about 4:52 pm a second adult female who lives in the same area as the first caller reported someone was trying to break through the backdoor of her home. She observed the subject at the back door hitting the door and yelling “people were trying to get him”. She said the subject went to another backdoor, she then locked herself in her bedroom and called 911.

The subject broke through the second door entering the home yelling “people are after me”, he then grabbed a kitchen knife and exited the front door.

The second caller’s husband, returned home and parked his vehicle in the driveway, when the subject exited the home and approached him. According to the victim’s husband the subject held a knife walking toward him saying “people are after me”. He said the subject appeared to be paranoid as he was continuously looking over his shoulder. As the husband stepped out of his vehicle the suspect who was approximately 15 feet away from him dropped the knife. The suspect then crouched in front of the vehicle in an attempt to conceal himself. The husband stepped on the knife and Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer arrived and arrested the suspect.

The subject was identified as 18 year old Sanjahsee Begay and was transported to the Coconino County Detention Facility where he was incarcerated on one count of First Degree Trespass (Felony), one count of Felony Criminal Damage, one count of Second Degree Burglary (Felony), and one count of Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor).

Toddler Dies from Injuries Sustained when Hit by Vehicle in Driveway

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FLAGSTAFF — On Thursday, March 31, 2016 around 9:48 am the Flagstaff Police/Coconino Sheriff 911 Dispatch Center received an emergency call from a distraught man in route to the Flagstaff Medical Center with his approximately two-year old son. The man told dispatch that the child had been struck by his truck as he was leaving his driveway.

Officers in the field were notified and Flagstaff Police Department located the vehicle in route and escorted it to the hospital. The child was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

According to the father/driver, he was unaware the child had followed him outside. He further stated he was not able to see the child over the hood of the vehicle. The incident occurred at a resident off of Fort Valley Road.

The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office are continuing investigation of the incident.

The thoughts of the Sheriff’s Office and Northern Arizona Gazette are with the family, friends and community impacted by this tragedy.

Fierce winds and cold follows a nice Resurrection weekend

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Zip line will likely be closed through Wednesday.

Zip line will likely be closed through Wednesday.

Clouds over Route 66 in Williams.

Clouds over Route 66 in Williams.

WILLIAMS — Fierce and cold winds are expected in Williams and Flagstaff through tomorrow night. Clouds rolled in this morning in Williams and a sprinkling of rain fell in Williams and Parks around 1 p.m.

In the Williams area, there is a slight chance of rain this afternoon raising to 30% overnight. A 30% chance of snow is expected for Tuesday through Wednesday dropping to 20% Wednesday night. It is expected to clear Thursday with temperatures rising to 63-degrees over the weekend. The forecast for Flagstaff is about the same with a 10% higher chance of rain and snow tonight and tomorrow.