Category Archives: Page

Woman drowned in flash flood

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PAGE – On Saturday, July 31st at 6:00 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service (NPS) responded to Labyrinth Canyon on Lake Powell after receiving information of a possible flash flood drowning. Deputies responding to the Labyrinth Canyon area were advised that a female hiking with her family had drowned as a result of flooding in the popular slot canyon.
The Victim, Heather S. Rutledge a 43-year-old female out of Louisville, Ky was hiking the Labyrinth Canyon with her husband and 3 sons at approximately 2 pm when she and her family were caught in a flash flood that ultimately drowned Mrs. Rutledge. The husband and children were ultimately able to locate Heather and performed CPR but were unsuccessful. Family members unable to move Heather, had to make their way back to the boat they had rented and get help.

Once back at the Rental Boat they discovered it had been damaged by the flash flood and was undrivable. A boater in the area was able to tow the boat out to the mouth of Labyrinth Canyon where contact was made with an NPS Boat. NPS transported the Victims family back to Antelope Point Marina where rescuers were preparing to locate and recover Heather. Due to weather conditions, darkness, and the potential of another flash flood, recovery operations were put off until the next Morning, on Sunday August 1.

On the morning of August 1st, at 6:00 am Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Rangers from NPS drove by boat, to the area in Labyrinth Canyon that the victim and her family had stopped at. Due to flood debris, rescuers could not use the kayaks to get up the rest of the canyon and had to swim through heavy canyon debris, to locate the deceased. Once located, she was removed back to the boat and transported to Wahweap Marina where the Coconino County Medical Examiner took custody of the victim and transported back to Flagstaff.

Special thanks for the invaluable assistance from the National Parks Service in this matter. Further investigation into this incident is being conducted by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. No further information is available currently.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office recommends knowing the forecast in an around the area when you are participating in recreational activities in canyon country. Flash Floods can start many miles up canyon from where you are recreating.

More information can be found at the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/mob/Severe_Flood.

Expect traffic delays on State Route 98

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The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists to plan for daytime delays along a 10-mile stretch of State Route 98 about 40 miles southeast of Page as crews perform maintenance to the roadway.

The daytime restrictions, which started today, are scheduled to end in mid-April.

Drivers should slow down, proceed through the work zone with caution and watch for construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday:

  • SR 98 will be narrowed to one lane of alternating east- and westbound travel from milepost 340 to 350.
  • Flaggers and a pilot car will help control the flow of traffic through the work zone.
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph.

Page Police Announce An Internet Transaction Zone for Community Use

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PAGE — The Page Police Department is proud to announce that an “Internet Transaction Zone” (ITZ) has been created for use by community members. The ITZ is located in the public parking area of the Page Public Safety Building located at 808 Coppermine Road.

The purpose of the ITZ is to provide a safe, neutral location where community members may meet to complete transactions arranged via the Internet. Residents are encouraged to use the zone to conduct transactions instead of their own residence.

The ITZ is covered by cameras that will record each transaction in order to enhance the level of safety for all involved. Residents are encouraged to pull their vehicle into the stall facing the ITZ sign so the camera will be able to easily capture license plate information for later use should a crime occur.

This is also a safe location to conduct child exchanges as needed. This is a free service provided by the City of Page and the Page Police Department.

City of Page evaluating fireworks display

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PAGE — Governor Ducey has signed a new executive order (2020-43) entitled Pausing of Arizona’s Reopening Slowing the Spread of COVID-19. The Executive Order closes Bars, Gyms, Movie Theaters, Waterparks, Tubing and delays the start of schools.

The Executive Order orders the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to cease issuing series 15, Special Event licenses and series 16 and Festival/Fair licenses for the period of June 29, 2020 through July 27, 2020. The EO will be reviewed every two-weeks after July 27.

At this time, a decision has not yet been made whether to continue the July 4th fireworks display planned by the City of Page. More information on this topic is expected and will be shared with the community when available.

Page Police, FBI Make Arrest in Threats Case

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PAGE — Page Police Department in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation have arrested a local man in connection with online threats to burn government buildings in the City of Page. Because federal charges are pending, no further information can be released at this time.

New COVID-19 Guidance Material Available

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PAGE – The Centers for Disease Control and the Arizona Department of Health Services announce that they have published new guidance materials that address businesses, workplaces, summer camps, schools, institutes of higher learning, restaurants, and more. These new guidance documents focus on promoting behaviors to reduce the spread, maintaining healthy environments and operations, as well as preparing for when someone gets sick. This guidance information and more may be found at https://www.coconino.az.gov/2374/Guidance.

Lone Rock Beach Closed for Memorial Weekend

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PAGE — While Glen Canyon National Recreation Area continues to increase recreational access to Lake Powell, the National Park Service (NPS) announced that Lone Rock Beach will be closed for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. In coordination with Kane County, NPS determined that they would be unable to open the primitive beach area saying, “The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount.” A complete list of what is open is available at https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/05192020.htm.

County Announces Free Wireless Hotspot in Page

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PAGE — Coconino County has installed a Wi-Fi hotspot allowing residents of Page and the surrounding areas to access internet without charge.

The hotspot is located between the Coconino County Health and Human Services Northern Region Office and Page Magistrate Court buildings at 467 Vista Avenue. A map is attached. Internet access is available throughout the entire parking lot and residents are encouraged to stay in their cars and practice social distancing. The network does not require a password and is named County WIFI.

“Broadband and internet connectivity are crucial to connect residents to work and school,” said Coconino County Supervisor Lena Fowler. “Many parts of our county do not have quality access to a broadband connection. Providing available and free internet access will allow the residents of Page and tribal communities to connect with job-seeking resources and focus on schoolwork during this difficult time.”

Northern Arizona University has also installed Wi-Fi hotspots for students to use throughout the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation. For more information on Northern Arizona University’s Wi-Fi hotspots please visit www.nau.edu/access.

Page City Officials Planning, Preparing for Reopening

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PAGE – City of Page officials are formulating plans in preparation for re-opening our government and community while adhering to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Governor Ducey’s office.

Retail vendors were permitted to begin curbside service on May 4th. Yesterday, Governor Ducey provided additional guidance on re-opening businesses in Arizona. On May 8th, salons and barbershops can reopen with limited occupancy and following other guidelines from the CDC.

On May 11th, dine-in restaurants will be allowed to re-open, again following guidelines from the CDC. City government offices are preparing for staff to move back to the workplace on a metered basis over the next few weeks that will allow adherence to social distancing guidelines in order to ensure employee wellness.

More information is available at: https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2020/05/governor-ducey-adhs-release-guidelines-retail-businesses-and-customers.

Further information from the CDC on Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html.

City of Page urges citizens to adhere to COVID guidelines

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PAGE – The City government continues to monitor the COVID outbreak in Coconino County. Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) is still the lead government agency addressing the epidemic in our county, and the City of Page recommends that community members continue to closely adhere to recommended prevention guidelines.

According to the latest statistics, Coconino has had 242 postive cases and 876 test negative. There have been 21 deaths from the Chinese virus COVID-19 in Coconino County. Flagstaff and Page both have 45 cases. The Tribal communities have been hit hard with 150 cases.

Testing will be available in Tusayan on Thursday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1 Chlinic Road, Grand Canyon. In Williams, the next testing session will be held at the clinic on Friday, April 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Only those with symptoms and in high-risk categories should be tested.

Additional resources, including a data search by ZIP code may be found at: www.azdhs.gov and https://tinyurl.com/wc8af3e.