Category Archives: Flagstaff

SR 89A reduced to one lane through switchbacks

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Drivers can expect minimal delays as crews finish striping SR 89A through the switchbacks from Pine Flats Campground to the Vista Point Overlook. One lane will be closed during operations, with flaggers allowing alternating access for traffic. Striping is expected to be completed by Friday, and will be underway daily from 6 am to 6pm during operations.

Traffic delays may occur during construction with traffic reduced to one lane. There will be directional signage and flaggers present during construction. ADOT advises motorists to be alert for construction equipment and personnel, and to proceed through the work zone with caution.

I-40 Rockfall underway west of Parks Rest Area

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adot-logo-03aPARKS – Drivers traveling westbound on I-40 at milepost 180 to 181 just west of the Parks rest area can expect up to 30 minutes waiting times as part of a rolling closure to allow ADOT maintenance to clear the roadway during rockfall containment operations. This operation is part of a $1.6M rockfall containment project which includes rock excavation and scaling, installing rock-fall netting and constructing a wider rock ditch.

This westbound closure will be intermittent during rockfall excavation and scaling operations currently underway Monday through Friday from 5 am to 5 pm, and is expected to continue until the first week of August.

Drivers are advised to allow for extra travel time to allow for periodic closures. DPS and flaggers will be present to alert travelers when the closures are in effect, and communicate to drivers once the roadway has been reopened. Both westbound travel lanes will be open during the traffic clearing process following the temporary closure. Once the roadway is fully cleared and traffic can allow for another rockfall treatment, the road will temporarily be closed again to continue operations. Drivers should anticipate potential temporary closures at times during hours of operation.

Rain probable through Tuesday

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20140524 136WILLIAMS – The monsoons appear to be building up strength, again, according to the long range weather forecast. The outlook for both Flagstaff and Williams are virtually the same.

Tomorrow the chance for precipitation and lightning is 50% rising to 60% on Monday. The chance drops back to 50% Monday night and Tuesday. Winds will be nominal about 3- to 8-mph throughout the same period.

The weather service warns of moderate to heavy rainfall.

Fire restrictions lifted in Coconino and Kaibab

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640px-Kaibab-140709-02FLAGSTAFF – Due to significant and widespread rain and rapidly decreasing fire danger, the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests in northern Arizona will lift all fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8.

640px-Kaibab-140709-01Managers typically lift fire restrictions when at least a half inch of precipitation has been received over more than two-thirds of the forests. To date, many areas of both forests have received double that amount of precipitation, with an inch or more of rain being reported in many locations. Fire danger has decreased dramatically from “extreme” last week to “moderate” today.

Besides lifting all fire restrictions, the Kaibab National Forest will also reopen the Bill Williams Mountain Watershed on the Williams Ranger District tomorrow morning, which had been closed to public entry due to wildfire risk. The Coconino National Forest is evaluating conditions in Fossil Creek and will make a determination later this week about the appropriate time to reopen the area.

“With the onset of the monsoon season, the low number of human-caused fire starts, and the availability of many firefighting resources, we are comfortable that it is the appropriate time to lift fire restrictions,” said Holly Kleindienst, deputy fire staff officer for the Kaibab National Forest. “Fire restrictions were extremely effective this year in reducing the number of fires caused by people. We are thankful to our visitors for their help in preventing fires by complying with the restrictions that were in effect.”

800px-bee-01The two forests initially implemented campfire and smoking restrictions on April 18. This was relatively early but was necessary due to a dry winter and impacts of long-term drought on the forests. Additional fire restrictions and area closures were implemented as the forests faced increasing levels of fire danger through the spring and summer.

While all fire restrictions will be lifted as of tomorrow, forest visitors are always expected to use caution with campfires and other potential ignition sources. For information on preventing human-caused fires.

#fsFIRE Official Update to yesterdays house fire in Flagstaff

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Photo courtesy of Flagstaff Fire Dept.

Photo courtesy of Flagstaff Fire Dept.

FLAGSTAFF – OFFICIAL UPDATE FROM FFD.

At 18:00 on Monday evening the Flagstaff Fire Department responded all 7 units and a Battalion Chief to a residential house fire in the 5800 block of Abbey road. First arriving units reported heavy fire from the residence. An initial exterior attack was immediately initiated with heavy application of water and foam.

Due to the complexity of the fire and the potential for fire spread into the adjacent urban interface, other partnering agencies were called for assistance. The US Forest Service responded to the scene to assist in extinguishing small spot fires, caused from burning embers, in the wooded area near the home.

Read more at FLAGscanner

Jewelry store clerk saves store goods and maybe life with a firearm.

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jim-andersonFLAGSTAFF – On June 24, 2014 at approximately 1115 hrs., two black male subjects entered the Jim Anderson’s Jewelry store at 2300 N. Fourth. The two subjects brandished handguns and attempted to rob the store.

The clerk was armed and responded by shooting towards the assailants. Neither of the assailants were injured and they left the store in a blue impala rental vehicle. The vehicle was located in the neighborhood area on Skyline. A ground search is being conducted at this time.

The two subjects were described as (1) B/M 6-2-6’3 wearing a white shirt and jeans, the second suspect (2) was described as a B/M 5’8-5’9. Both subjects should be considered armed and dangerous and if any observed or contact call the Flagstaff Police Department at 774-1414.

The Flagstaff Police Department is asking for public assistance in locating these two suspects and or any other information which will assist in the investigation of this crime. If you have any information regarding these two suspects or this crime please consider calling Silent Witness at 928 774 6111.

(Source: FLAGscanner.com)

Brenda Barton to hold town hall meetings in Williams and Flagstaff

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BARTONArizona State Representative Brenda Barton and crew will be holding town hall meetings in Williams and Flagstaff today and tomorrow. They will be in Williams at the City Hall on First Street from 11:30 to 1:30 pm today and in Flagstaff at 4:30 tomorrow at the Fourth Street Professional Building, 2501 N. 4th Street.

From there, they will continue to Sedona and the Arizona Cottonwood Chamber, ending at her home in Payson, Arizona

Marine Vet Held by Iran to Kerry: Don’t Set Bad Precedent by Trading for My Release

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From Free Amir Facebook Page.

From Free Amir Facebook Page.

The news cycle is currently focused on the swap to release Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl — five Taliban commanders for the Idaho native — but many Americans still remain held abroad by nefarious regimes or terrorists.

One of those, a Marine veteran who served with distinction in Iraq, specifically said last fall that, even though his unlawful imprisonment in Iran was taking a horrible toll, he would not want his release to come from any sort of swap with Iran.

From our Yellow Ribbon Project story on Flagstaff, Ariz., native Sgt. Amir Hekmati:

Amir took his case directly to Kerry in a letter smuggled out of prison and obtained by the Guardian in September. After thanking Kerry for lobbying on his behalf, Amir stressed that the confessions on false charges were “obtained by force, threats, miserable prison conditions, and prolonged periods of solitary confinement.”

“This is part of a propaganda and hostage taking effort by Iranian intelligence to secure the release of Iranians abroad being held on security-related charges. Iranian intelligence has suggested through my court-appointed lawyer Mr. Hussein Yazdi Samadi that I be released in exchange for 2 Iranians being held abroad,” Amir wrote in the letter confirmed authentic by his family. “I had nothing to do with their arrest, committed no crime, and see no reason why the U.S. Government should entertain such a ridiculous proposition. I do not wish to set a precedent for others that may be unlawfully (obtained) for political gain in the future.”

Read more at PJ Media

Free Amir Web Site (Facebook)

Missing teen returns home safely

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FLAGSTAFF – It was reported by the Coconino County Sheriff’s office that 17-year-old Kimberly Dawn Anderson has returned home to Flagstaff safely.

Coconino County Sheriff seeking information on missing juvenile

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kimberly-anderson
COCONINO COUNTY – The Coconino County Sheriff’s department is seeking information on a possible runaway whose father believes may be in the Phoenix area.

Kimberly Dawn Anderson is a 17-year-old white female with blonde hair and blue eyes. She is 5-foot tall and weighs 95-pounds.

The Sheriff’s department describes her as a possible runaway who was last seen on Wednesday at approximately 6 pm. She was last seen wearing a green fleece jacket and blue jeans. It is reported that she has run away in the past, but returned the next day.

Anyone with possible leads may call the Coconino County Sheriff’s office (928)774-4523 or use Silent Witness by calling (928)774-6111