Category Archives: City

Arizona Game and Fish’s sandhill crane cam now streaming

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crane-camSandhill cranes have returned to southeastern Arizona and the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s live-streaming camera is again trained on their wintering grounds at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area.

“Now is the perfect time to watch these magnificent birds as they winter in Arizona,” said Randy Babb, watchable wildlife program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “This live-steaming camera allows the public to have an unfiltered view of our state’s wildlife. It also allows the department to connect the public with wildlife.”

The live stream is one of two in the country that offers viewers a glimpse into crane wintering habits. Each year, sandhill cranes coming as far away as Siberia travel thousands of miles to winter in southern Arizona.

Streaming sandhill cranes
The best time to view the birds is a half-hour before and up to a half-hour after sunrise, just before they leave the roost to feed for the morning. Cranes also return to Whitewater Draw sometime in the late morning, generally before noon and remain at the wildlife area for the remainder of the day.

While the department will do its best to keep the camera focused on the cranes and other interesting wildlife subjects, there will be times it isn’t possible due to the unpredictability of wildlife. Viewers that don’t see activity when they try the camera are encouraged to routinely check back. This is especially true in the early winter, when the newly arrived birds are establishing a routine.

The live stream is offered from early November when cranes first start to arrive at Whitewater Draw, through March or early April when the birds leave to migrate to northern nesting grounds.

For those that find the live stream viewing fascinating, the department encourages a trip to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area for a full sensory viewing experience. The sight of up to 10,000 birds is impressive.

2016 Wildlife Photo Contest winners announced

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photo-contestPHOENIX — “I was watching this coyote flipping mice, early one morning at Gilbert Water Ranch,” says Bryan Keil of Scottsdale, describing the instant he took the winning shot in this year’s wildlife photo contest. Keil didn’t just stumble across the scene: The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch has a devoted following among wildlife photographers, and many people knew coyotes were hunting there. Keil was there, putting in the hours required to capture a special shot.

To this opportunity, he brought the tools of his trade: a good eye, time, concentration … and a long lens. He took quite a few photos as the coyote hunted, but didn’t check his camera until after it left. He knew right away: “I was excited about this one.” Keil, who also earned four honorable mentions in this year’s contest for his masterful bird images, studies wildlife behavior to improve his photography. “That way, you’re ready when the moment comes.”

More than 180 photographers entered this wildlife photo competition, which is co-sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Arizona Highways. Thirteen winning images are published in a full-size 2017 wildlife calendar in the November–December 2016 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine, on sale now. Arizona Highways magazine will publish the best-in-show photo in 2017.

In addition to Keil, the other 12 winning photographers are:

Craig Miller, Payson: bald eagle
Kathleen LaRose, Tucson: bobcat
Archie Tucker, Goodyear: bison
Yasmina Parker, Mesa: least bittern
Guy Schmickle, Sedona: black-chinned hummingbird
Tim Van Den Berg, Tucson: northern rough-winged swallow
Jole Guthery, Flagstaff: golden-mantled ground squirrel
Thomas Hansen, Phoenix: Western diamond-backed rattlesnake
Peggy Kniffin, Chandler: snowy egret
Kenneth Wayne Don, Tucson: pallid bat
Bruce Sitko, Lakeside: Gould’s turkey
Tam Ryan, Mesa: pyrrhuloxia

Given the strength and diversity of this year’s 1,900-plus entries, the judges singled out 38 more images from 27 talented photographers for honorable mention. These are also featured in Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. The names of honorable mention photographers are posted on the photo contest’s Web page, www.azgfd.gov/photocontest. News about next year’s contest will also be posted there when it becomes available.

Arizona Game and Fish welcomes new subscribers to Arizona’s award-winning magazine about wildlife and outdoor recreation. The regular price is $8.50 for six issues (one year), but through Dec. 31, subscriptions are on sale at $7 for seven issues. They can be purchased at www.azgfd.gov/magazine.

Those who subscribe by Dec. 31 will be sure to receive the calendar issue showing this year’s winners and honorable mentions. The calendar issue is also sold at all Game and Fish offices for $3 starting in mid-November.

2016 Unofficial Coconino County results

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FLAGSTAFF — With all precincts reported as of about 10:30 p.m. last night, it appears that there were a few upsets in Coconino County.

It is not surprising that Coconino went for the Clinton-Kaine and Ann Kirkpatrick tickets, but it was not enough to carry a victory in Arizona. Democrat Tom O’Halleran won the Congressional District 1 seat vacated by Ann Kirkpatrick with a margin of 60.07% to Paul Babeu’s 33.19%.

Nikki Check Bagley unseated Republican Sylvia Tenney Allen 59.68% to 40.15%. It appears that Democrat Alex Martinez will take the representative seat for District 6 from Brenda Barton. Martinez took 41.09% of the vote, Bob Thorpe took 30.18% and Brenda Barton finished with 28.26%.

Democrats won across the Board of Supervisors with only one apparent Republican win in District 4. Jim Parks beat Janis Crossman with a slim margin of 50.10% to 49.75%. Matt Ryan defeated Republican challenger Christine Gannon by about a 5% margin. Democrat Jim Driscoll won the race for Sheriff of Coconino county beating Independent challenger Danny Thomas 67.58% to 32.13% of the vote.

In Flagstaff, Coral J. Evans beat Republican Jerry Nabours by about 14% of the vote. The results for Flagstaff council member candidates in order of number of votes were Jamie Whelan, Jim McCarthy, Charlie Odegaard, Adam Shimoni, Karla Brewster and Jeff Orvits.

In Williams, George Otero was defeated in a runoff for a council seat by Dawn Trapp 51.29% to 46.77%. In the Town of Tusayan, the council member race in order of votes was Al Montoya, Rebecca Wirth, Robert Gossard with Anavon Harris and David Chavez in a tie with 14.78%.

Proposition 205 to make marijuana legal passed in Coconino county, but was defeated State-wide. 206 passed in both County and State. Propositions 408 through 414 passed with the exception of 410 to raise taxes for Coconino Community College.

Canyon Pet Hospital available for emergency services

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800px-20161107-21FLAGSTAFF — I was in the unfortunate circumstance of having to find late night veterinary service for my dog recently. The local veterinarian in Williams was closed. I had to drive to Flagstaff to visit the AAHA accredited Canyon Pet hospital on Old Canyon Court.

The hospital has appointments available from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight. Urgent care is available 7 days during the same hours. You can walk-in on a first come-first served basis during these hours. You can check out their services and download forms at their web site.

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One of the pictures on the wall of Canyon Pet Hospital.

Emergency care is available from midnight until 8 a.m. every day for an extra charge. A doctor is on call, so you should call ahead so they can alert the doctor that you are coming. Their phone number is 928-774-5197.

Canyon Pet Hospital is not easy to find, especially in the dark. To get to the hospital, you have to go along Butler avenue as if you are going to Warner’s Nursery. If you are coming from the direction of Sam’s Club, start looking to the left when you pass Warner’s Nursery. You need to find River Run Road—the next road past the nursery—and turn left. Drive down River Run Road in it leads to Old Canyon Court. You cannot miss the hospital. There are two veterinary services on Butler Avenue. They are not associated with the Canyon Pet Hospital.

When you arrive, remember to check the doors. Dogs are to be taken in through the door on the left and cats through the door on the right.

I went in late at night before midnight when a doctor was at the hospital. The service turned out to be quite reasonable for the service. I felt comfortable with the treatment my dog received except for the fact that I was not allowed in to the treatment area with him. They set up a follow-up appointment for a few days later. The nurse called the next day to see how Prince was doing.

If you have a late-night emergency, I can recommend the Canyon Pet Hospital with a follow-up with your regular veterinarian if required.

Canyon Pet Hospital
928-774-5197
1054 E. Old Court
Flagstaff 86001

Removing mystery from commercial vehicle inspections at international ports

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DOUGLAS — Before trucks hauling Mexican products into the United States can leave the port of entry at the border, officers from the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Enforcement and Compliance Division make sure those commercial vehicles are safe to travel on Arizona roads. Inspectors check drivers’ credentials and look for obvious safety issues. Some of the trucks are weighed and undergo 37-point safety inspections. Before that, agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conduct their own inspections.

The faster those trucks are processed, the faster they can get on their way and boost Arizona’s economy with goods ranging from decorative rock to mini-blinds. And the better trucking companies and their drivers understand the various port of entry processes, the sooner their trucks can head north on US 191 or State Route 80.

That’s why ADOT, its federal partners and the Arizona Department of Public Safety will hold an educational event next week in Douglas. The goal: helping trucking companies understand what each agency’s inspectors are looking for and what the companies can do to avoid unnecessary delays.

Trade with Mexico is vital to Arizona. In 2015, $30 billion in both imports and exports moved through the state’s border ports, supporting 100,000 Arizona jobs.

“Events like this one in Douglas will help ensure that we continue to operate efficiently, effectively and safely at all of our border ports of entry,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “We will continue working to improve how we work at the border and on our roadways to take full advantage of our trade opportunities with Mexico.”

The event will be 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the port of entry.

ADOT enforcement officers will explain state and federal safety guidelines and regulations. They also will demonstrate inspection procedures and answer questions from trucking representatives.

“We want them to understand the process from start to finish,” said Lt. Christina Parrish with ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division. “Everything we do is based on our agency’s mission: ‘To ensure the safe and efficient movement of people, goods and services throughout Arizona while promoting compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.’”

About 35,000 trucks come through the Douglas port every year, carrying about $4 billion in seat belts, medical garments, copper from Mexican mines and other goods. It’s Arizona’s second-busiest commercial border crossing behind the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales.

The event, like others held at Arizona’s international ports, is just one way ADOT works to continuously improve the movement of international trade.

ADOT inspectors already have taken steps to reduce wait times for commercial vehicles at all ports. For example, officers have been equipped with laptop computers to enter data during an inspection rather than writing information down by hand and then entering it on the computer later.

Officers will be checking carriers’ past safety ratings while looking for obvious safety problems. They will also try to reduce wait times with two-person inspections set to begin in January, with one officer inspecting the vehicle and the other entering results into the computer.

Experience makes the best inspectors, said Parrish, a Douglas native who has worked at the port for more than 15 years.

“Once you’ve been around trucks quite a bit you learn to recognize the things that could be wrong,” she said. “You know how they’re supposed to look and sound. It becomes easier to observe a flat tire or a load that’s not secured properly.”

Grand Canyon hosts Native American celebration and waives fees on Veterans Day

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640-grand-canyon-veterans-1GRAND CANYON — On Wednesday, November 9, Grand Canyon National Park will host a Native American Indian Heritage Celebration with special presentations and demonstrations. Grand Canyon visitors and residents are invited to participate in this special day to recognize and celebrate the many accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices made by First Americans.

From 10 am to 3 pm at Shrine of the Ages, visitors can see cultural demonstrations and buy direct from artists. The celebration continues at 7:30 pm at Shrine of the Ages with presentation of colors by the Cameron Veterans Color Guard, a traditional Hopi prayer, the Dupkia Hopi Dancers, the Dishchii’bikoh Apache Crown Dancers, and the Havasupai Guardians of the Grand Canyon Ram Dancers. To end the evening, enjoy Dine Nation’s Milton Tso playing traditional flute music. All Native American Indian Heritage celebration events are free and open to the public.

Later in the week, and in honor of those that serve and have served in the United States military, Grand Canyon National Park will offer everyone free entrance on Veterans Day Friday, November 11.

Fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, reservations, tours, or use of concessions. Park entrance stations will have the Interagency Senior and Annual passes available for those who wish to purchase them. Visitors who plan to spend time in the park beyond November 11 will need to pay the regular entrance fee the remainder of their stay.

This is the last fee-free day of 2016. Fee-free days for 2017 have not been announced yet. Once those dates are announced, they will be posted here: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

Emergency drill will close northbound I-17 McGuireville Rest Area morning of Tuesday, Nov. 8

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PHOENIX – The northbound McGuireville Rest Area along Interstate 17 will be closed to travelers the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 8, to allow Copper Canyon Fire and Medical Authority to conduct a mass-casualty incident drill, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The northbound facility, located at milepost 297, will close at 8:30 a.m. for approximately an hour and a half. The southbound rest area will remain open.

Drivers headed toward the high country can use the Sunset Point Rest Area at milepost 262 or services in Camp Verde and other communities.

Plan for restrictions on SR 69 in Prescott Valley starting on Nov. 7

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PRESCOTT VALLEY — Drivers traveling on State Route 69 next week should allow extra travel time for striping work. Lane striping is scheduled daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, through Wednesday, Nov. 9, from State Route 169 to Mendecino Drive in Prescott Valley. Alternating lane restrictions are expected during work hours.

Crews will restripe a six-mile segment of newly repaved roadway in preparation of the winter months. The final layer of rubberized asphalt will be completed when warmer temperatures return in the spring of 2017.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but it’s possible that unscheduled closures or restrictions might occur because of weather or other factors. For the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 511, except while driving.

New license a boost to Arizona military families

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Doug_Ducey_-_Arizona_State_TreasurerPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Arizona that they, and their spouses, may purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses.

The current law stipulates that an active duty member permanently or temporarily stationed in Arizona may purchase a resident license permitting the taking of wildlife. That privilege recently has been extended to their spouses, as well.

Gov. Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2324, sponsored by state Rep. Frank Pratt (LD-8, Casa Grande), in May. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted unanimously in January to support this expression of gratitude for those who serve. The law became effective Aug. 6.

“Through the years, the department and commission have been proud to provide opportunities for our active military members and veterans,” said Pat Madden, commission chairman. “We’re grateful for their sacrifice and service, and we’re honored to be able to extend this privilege to their spouses.”

A valid license is required for the taking of wildlife, including fish, in Arizona. A resident can purchase a combination license (hunting and fishing), valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, for only $57.

Licenses can be purchased at all department offices and more than 300 license dealers statewide, as well as online by visiting https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml. If a license is purchased online, it must be printed from a home computer. The department will not mail any license purchased online.

The license also will allow the spouse of an active duty member to apply for big game hunt permit-tags as a resident.

For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

Gov. Ducey: Washington needs to listen to Arizonans before declaring monument

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PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey is calling on Washington, D.C. officials to listen to the growing number of Arizonans who oppose plans by the White House and in Congress to designate 1.7 million acres of Northern Arizona land as a new national monument.

The governor recently reiterated to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources the need for the federal government to listen to Arizonans on this issue. Those opposed to the plan include rural small businesses owners, community leaders, farmers and ranchers.

“Ranchers, farmers, hunters, the Arizona Chamber, local leaders and I have been raising concerns since early this year about proposals made by Congress and the White House to designate a new Grand Canyon Watershed Monument in Northern Arizona,” said Governor Ducey. “We have continued to warn Washington officials about the unintended consequences of designating a national monument, which will unfairly restrict access to 1.7 million acres of lands in Arizona currently used for forest restoration, water management, recreation, tourism, cattle grazing and natural resource development.

“Despite our collective concerns, there has never been a responsible effort to publicly vet the monument proposal or discuss the outdated authority that Washington is exploiting. This flies in the face of accountability and undermines sound principles of governance. It is absolutely essential that the administration listen to our state’s concerns before moving forward with this unilateral action.”

Governor Ducey’s Statement For The Record (PDF)