Category Archives: Flagstaff

State Route 89A improvement project beginning soon

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FLAGSTAFF — Contractor crews began surveying on SR 89A today (March 23) in preparation for improvements to SR 89A between the Vista Point Overlook and the JW Powell Boulevard intersection (PDF).

The Central Federal Lands Highway Division of the Federal Highway Administration, in cooperation with ADOT and the United States Forest Service, will widen and rehabilitate SR 89A in the project area, increasing shoulder width, adding new passing lanes and enhancing clear zones to improve safety and traffic operations.

Access through SR 89A will not be restricted during surveying, however drivers are asked to slow down and watch for workers in the area. Project-related traffic restrictions may be anticipated later in the Spring and Summer months as construction progresses. Please stay tuned for future updates on the SR 89A widening project.

Coconino Amateur Radio Club holding classes for upcoming exam

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Update 3/19/2016 8:28 p.m.: Classes begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday and run until the class is complete.
final logoFLAGSTAFF — The Coconino Amateur Radio Club of Flagstaff is currently holding classes for the technician class license. The classes are free and open to anyone of any age. The classes are held every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm. They are held at the North Country Health Care facility at 2920 N 4th Street in Flagstaff.

The technician class license is the first FCC license a person can obtain to operate amateur radio equipment. You must get 26 questions correct on a 35 question examination. The examination fee is $15 and the next test is on April 16. Although anyone can come to the exam and classes, the Coconino Amateur Radio Club requests that you go to their web site and let them know that you are coming so they can provide enough material.

If you pass the examination for a Technician license, you can take the test for the General Class license. This allows you access to more frequencies and privileges. If you pass that exam, you can try for the top license; Amateur Extra. If you fail any exam along the way, you will be required to pay another $15 to retake the examination.

The courses are based on The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual. The manual is available through the Amateur Radio Relay League and other online retailers for around $25. Some may be on hand at the class.

The rest of the course schedule is as follows:

  • March 19 – Chapter 3 – Electronic components, Types of Radio Circuits
  • April 2 – Chapter 4 – Radio Wave Propagation, Antennas and Feed Lines, Practical Antenna Systems
  • April 9 – Chapter 5 – Basic Amateur Radio Equipment, Power Sources and Interference
  • April 16 – Chapter 6 – Communicating with Other Hams
  • April 23 – Chapter 7 & 8 – License Regulations and License Privileges, Call Signs and Operating Regulations (Part 1)
  • April 30 – Chapter 8 & 9 – Call Signs and Operating Regulations (Part 2), Safety and Amateur Radio

In order to take the test, you must bring a picture identification and your social security number. If you do not desire to give your social security number, you can file for an FCC Registration Number (FRN) at the FCC Universal Licensing web site. If you provide your SSN, you will be issued an FRN and listed on the ULS anyway. The benefit of signing up for an FRN before the examination is that you may get your license quicker.

If you pass any level of examination, the Volunteer Examiners take all necessary steps to file for your license. You can download your license as soon as it appears in the FCC database and start operating on Ham frequencies.

Fish kill temporarily hampers angling at Lower Lake Mary in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — A moderate fish kill occurred at Lower Lake Mary in Flagstaff on Thursday, and water quality testing by the Arizona Game and Fish Department has discovered areas of low dissolved oxygen that remained from the past winter.

Lower Lake Mary was stocked with trout Wednesday and Thursday. Although fishing will slow temporarily, be on the lookout for when fish become active on the surface.

The Department will be monitoring the water quality at Lower Lake Mary and will stock more fish once it has improved.

Meanwhile, fishing at Dogtown Lake south of Williams or Frances Short Pond in Flagstaff will be good alternatives.

Artwork and Poetry from Inmates of Coconino Jail to be Showcased at Local Coffee House

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500-Art2FLAGSTAFF — More than thirty artistic drawings and sketches created by individuals while they were in-custody at the Coconino County Jail will be on display at Firecreek Coffee located at 22 East Route 66, Flagstaff, Arizona. The event will take place on Friday, March 25, 2016 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and is open to the public free of charge. This event also will highlight a compilation of poems and literary pieces completed by inmates titled “My Self Portrait.”

The art and poetry are from inmates enrolled in the Coconino County Detention Facility Exodus program which is an in-custody substance abuse treatment program for men and women detained within the jail. Goals of the Exodus Program include:

• Reduce the impact substance abuse has on our community.
• Provide therapeutic and educational services to assist addicted inmates in making the decision to avoid future alcohol or drug consumption.
• Enhance inmates’ ability to make positive changes in their lives.
• Strengthen families, reduce recidivism and provide a proactive response to alcohol and substance abuse related crimes.
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The Exodus Program incorporates parenting classes, health education, creative writing, expressive art classes, stress management training and other life skills lessons that are provided by staff and outside agencies. Our on-staff art and creative writing teacher recognized the extraordinary artistic talent possessed by many of the men and women who participate in the Exodus Program. The Sheriff’s Office hopes this art display will enlighten community members as to the value and abilities of many of our inmates.

We would like to thank Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, Hidden Light Framing and Firecreek Coffee for their vision to see the value of this project and for their support and contributions.

Please visit the Coconino Sheriff Facebook page to get a preview of some of the art that will be showcased.

Improvements to I-40 Canyon Diablo bridges east of Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — The $1.4 million Arizona Department of Transportation project began earlier this month. Crews will maintain a single-lane on eastbound I-40 across the bridge through fall of 2016. Westbound I-40 also will utilize one lane intermittently throughout the project while the westbound bridge surface is being improved. Access across the bridge will be maintained at all times, with loads restricted to a 12’ maximum width for the duration of the project.

Crews will generally work weekdays during daylight hours, though occasional night and weekend work may be required.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, obey posted speed limits and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that 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 Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

County Presents New SAR All-Terrain Transport Vehicle / Snowcat

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P800FLAGSTAFF — Yesterday the Coconino County Board of Supervisors and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office recognized the community service of Search and Rescue (SAR) during the presentation of a new snowcat, all-terrain transport vehicle for the Sheriff’s Office.

The new snowcat will provide Sheriff’s Office SAR with a reliable vehicle to respond to a variety of snow and all-terrain emergencies. It is a multi-functional all-terrain vehicle that can be used on mud, snow or ice. The new PistenBully Scout from Kassbohrer All-Terrain Vehicles, Inc. was purchased for $180,150. The current snowcat is a 1984 DeLorean Snowcat which is over 30 years old and has reached the limits of its serviceability, often being out of service because parts are unavailable.

“It was in the best interest of public safety, health, and welfare to obtain a new snowcat to address potential snow and mud related emergencies. The time to act is before the storm, and we feel this piece of equipment is a substantial asset to responding to these kinds of events throughout Northern Arizona,” said Sheriff Bill Pribil. “We greatly appreciate the generosity of the County Manager’s Office and Board of Supervisors in supporting the funding of this important piece of public safety equipment.”

Coconino County Public Works Fleet Management also assisted by researching equipment on the market and identifying a replacement snowcat that would best serve community given the weather and terrain conditions in Coconino County.

“This was an excellent example of county departments collaborating to find the best solution for the public safety needs of our community,” Pribil said.

The PistenBully Scout is powered by a John Deere diesel engine meeting the most current Tier 4 emission standards established by the EPA, which means less noise and less fuel consumption. While most machines are single-seated ski resort groomers and some are multi-passenger machines, the Scout has seating for an operator, front seat passenger, and 8-12 passengers. It also can be configured to carry approximately 9 passengers and a litter carrier for injured persons.

Nightime restrictions on Milton Road (SR 89A) for overhead sign work next week

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FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Department of Transportation crews will continue installation work on new overhead electronic message signs on Milton Road (SR 89A), between University Drive and Forest Meadows and on I-40 Westbound at MP 197 near Butler Avenue in Flagstaff.

Tuesday through Wednesday, southbound travel on Milton (SR 89A) (between University Dr and Forest Meadows) will be restricted to one lane to accommodate crews working on the west side of the roadway. Work will take place during evening hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Thursday (March 10), travel on I-40 Westbound (near Butler Avenue) will have short temporary closures to accommodate installation of the overhead message sign; work will take place from 10 p.m. to 4. a.m.

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

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

Cost for local attorneys to advertise services in Detention Facility reduced

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FLAGSTAFF — In 2015 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office developed a unique program by which attorneys are given the opportunity to advertise their services at the Coconino County Detention Facility.  Attorneys who chose to invest in this advertising were able to reach out to individuals who were in need of legal services. At the same time, the advertising purchase assisted in funding important programs in the Coconino County Detention Facility to include the Inmate Welfare Fund.

The cost of having legal service advertisement displayed in a 14” x 11” space in our detention lobby at the onset of this program was $5,000 per year, but we are reducing that annual fee to $2,500.  This works out to a little more than $200 per month.  The cost includes printing a color poster with a legal advertisement and the acrylic display frame with a holder for business cards.

The advertisements in the lobby can assist individuals coming into the jail lobby in connecting with legal assistance. All moneys generated from renting an advertisement space will go to the Inmate Welfare Fund which supports important programs such as Exodus (our in-custody drug and alcohol treatment program), re-entry programs, and other services that directly benefit our inmate population.

We believe that this will be a win-win for participating attorneys and the inmates in the detention facility.  Interested attorneys may contact Kathleen Levinson at 928-226-5074 or klevinson@coconino.az.gov for details on this program.

Sheriff’s Office Offers Citizen’s Situational Awareness/Active Shooter Survival Training

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The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is providing a two-hour class that will provide participants tools to assist them in surviving Crisis Situations such as Active Shooter Incidents.  This training is offered free of charge and is open to all community members ages 18 and older. 

The first portion of the class will address techniques to improve personal safety through Situational Awareness. The second half of the class will provide a three-step plan known as “Avoid, Deny, Defend” which can be applied to crises such as an Active Shooter Event. 

This two-hour class will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Auditorium of the Law Enforcement Administration Facility located at 911 E. Sawmill Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

In light of the recent life threatening crisis situations that have been forefront in the news, and the difficulty to predict where such incidents will take place, we believe this training is valuable for all community members. Sheriff’s Deputies and staff have been presenting a similar training to a wide variety of audience including classes for Coconino County employees, and we have received much positive feedback.

The class on March 22 will be taught by Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and Lieutenant Jim Coffey. There is no fee, but pre-registration is required. The class includes some video and audio recordings of actual and simulated crises events that some people may find disturbing. Because of the possibly disturbing audio and video content, attendees must be 18 years of age or older to attend.

Because seating is limited, you are asked to pre-register online at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office webpage: http://www.coconino.az.gov/sheriff.aspx.  There is a link for online registration in the left menu bar and on the homepage of the Sheriff’s Office under our mission statement.  You also can register by calling (928) 226-5012 and providing your contact information.  We will contact you to confirm your registration. 

In the event this class fills to capacity, we will establish a waiting list and schedule future training.

Doney Park Neighborhood Watch Meeting Thursday

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger would like to invite residents of the Doney Park community to attend the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Thursday, March 3, 2016. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Summit Fire District Station 32 and Administrative Offices located at 8905 Koch Field Road Flagstaff, AZ.

Supervisor Mandy Metzger will be available to answer questions and provide support to this partnership between law abiding citizens, law enforcement and county government.

Janet Dean who is the Community Affairs Manager for Arizona Public Service (APS) will present an update of APS Operations in Northern Arizona and will be available to answer any questions.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.