Category Archives: City

Jumpup cabin rental now available on North Kaibab Ranger District

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540x360FREDONIA — The North Kaibab Ranger District has added a new cabin to the Kaibab National Forest’s cabin rental offerings, which will be available for public use starting today as part of Arizona’s “Rooms with a View” cabin rental program, a program that provides visitors with unique recreational opportunities to experience an overnight stay in a historic Forest Service cabin.

Built in 1906 and situated at the mouth of Jumpup Canyon, the historic Jumpup cabin offers a panoramic view of Kanab Creek Wilderness, sitting within the southwestern portion of the Kaibab Plateau near the trailhead for Ranger Trail #41.

The rustic log structure is divided into two distinct areas. The first is a main living and cooking area that has a table and chairs and a small kitchenette with a wash tub. The second is a bunk room with two sets of double over double bunk beds. There is no electricity, running water, or propane, but there is a wood burning stove, which is the sole source of heat, and lanterns and cooking supplies are provided. Cabin renters need to bring their own water, food, firewood, sleeping bags, pillows, towels and personal accessories.

Outside there is an open-air composting toilet, a fire ring, and picnic table. Guests are reminded that this is a Pack It In, Pack It Out site and are asked to practice Leave No Trace Ethics in order to keep the cabin area nice for other users. Additional information may be found at the Jumpup Cabin webpage.
The rental rate is $60 per night from Nov. 23 to Nov. 30, 2015, and May 1 to Nov. 30, 2016, and reservations for the rustic two-room cabin can be made at Recreation.gov.

North Kaibab Ranger District Christmas tree permit update

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FREDONIA — As a reminder, the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest is currently selling over-the-counter Christmas tree tags at both the district office in Fredonia and the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center in Jacob Lake, and all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit as part of the Every Kid in a Park (eKIP) initiative.

Specific dates and times for getting a Christmas tree permit for the North Kaibab Ranger District are as follows:

The Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 13 for tag sales. The visitor center is located at the intersection of highways 89 and 67 in Jacob Lake and can be reached at (928) 643-7298.

The North Kaibab District office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays, and on two Saturdays, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tag sales. The office is located at 430 S. Main St. in Fredonia and can be reached at 928-643-7395.

To be eligible for a free Christmas tree permit from the North Kaibab Ranger District, all fourth graders must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present their fourth grade pass. Additional information about the initiative and how to obtain a pass may be found at the official eKIP website.

For those not eligible for the fourth grade initiative, a $15 permit may be purchased.

All Christmas tree permit holders will be provided with a map showing their designated cutting area along with additional Christmas tree cutting instructions. North Kaibab Ranger District tag holders are authorized to cut a tree of any species that is less than 10 feet in height and within the designated cutting areas on the map provided. All sales are final, and no refunds will be made.
The Williams and Tusayan districts of the Kaibab National Forest also have Christmas tree tags available. For detailed information on those tags as well as additional information on North Kaibab Ranger District tags, visit the Kaibab National Forest website.

US 60 east of Superior to close briefly for blasting operations Nov. 24

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PHOENIX — Motorists traveling along US 60 between Phoenix and Globe next week need to plan ahead or allow extra time as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues blasting work as part of an improvement project to build a new passing lane and widen roadway shoulders east of Superior, approximately 65 miles east of downtown Phoenix.

The construction of the two-mile-long climbing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233) will require two full closures of US 60 for up to 90 minutes on Tuesday, Nov. 24:

> The first closure is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
> The second closure is from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Traffic on eastbound US 60 will be stopped east of Superior (milepost 227) and westbound US 60 will be stopped at the Top of the World, west of Miami (milepost 235) until the blasting work is completed and the roadway is reopened after all debris is cleared. Law enforcement officers will be stationed at each closure to assist with traffic control.

Approximately 30 minutes prior to each blast, motorists should be prepared for possible delays and lane closures as crews set concrete barrier prior to each scheduled closure.

Motorists seeking an alternate route can consider state routes 77 and 177, which is approximately 68 miles long. Motorists headed to the White Mountains region, including Show Low and Springerville, can also take State Route 87 through Payson and travel east on State Route 260 as an alternative.

ADOT will work to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work.

There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide-load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used at different times throughout the project.

Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for construction equipment and personnel, and allow extra time for your commute.

For more information on the project, please visit azdot.gov/us60oakflat.

Widening project on US 93 north of Wickenburg nears completion

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The widening project on US 93, north of Wickenburg, is almost complete and crews will switch northbound traffic back onto the northbound lanes between mileposts 185 and 190, tomorrow (Nov. 20) as part of a $12 million widening project.

Crews are scheduled to fully open the southbound lanes on Monday (Nov. 23) in the late afternoon. Drivers may be stopped intermittently for up to 15 minutes during the traffic switch to provide a safe work zone for construction personnel.

ADOT began this expansion project in February to widen US 93 between State Route 71 and State Route 89 which included the reconstruction of the highway into four lanes and will be fully completed by the spring of 2016 when crews return for final paving operations.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations, and to proceed through the work zone with caution and comply with the reduced speed limit.

Route 66 is really slick

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Ice is present along Route 66

Ice is present along Route 66

PARKS — If you are planning to travel Route 66 after a snow, please take care. While traveling the Mother Road is always slick, ice patches make it extremely slick.
Portion of Route 66 a mile east of Parks General Store.

Portion of Route 66 a mile east of Parks General Store.

The snow cover makes Route 66 very photogenic. A mile east of Parks you can stop and see the old portions of the road that were bypassed when Route 66 was realigned. There are several places to stop along the way, but one is missing.

The historic rest stop on the south side (left if you are traveling from Flagstaff) has been closed. You can still get in there, but the toilet facilities are gone. So are the tables, in fact.

You do not have to hold it until Williams, though. The Parks General Store is open daily in Parks along with the gas station.

Oak Hill Snow Play area is open and snowy. Restroom facilities available.

Oak Hill Snow Play area is open and snowy. Restroom facilities available.

About three miles past Parks on the south side is the Oak Hill Snow Play area. The nice thing about the Oak Hill Snow Play area after a snow is that there is… Well… Snow. Our slope report is that there is still a light covering of snow on the hill. Probably enough to get a few good runs.

Across Route 66 from the snow play area is the trail to Keyhole Sink. It is still open, but the trail, of course, has patches of snow and mud where it has melted. The Keyhole Sink trail is about a mile long to the Keyhole Sink.

First piece of historic Route 66 pie sold today

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Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe photo.

Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe photo.

WILLIAMS — Anna’s Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe has a $66 piece of apple pie which benefits the Route 66 Association to assist in preservation projects for the historic highway. The first piece was sold today to Michael Rioux who is currently moving to Virginia.

Michael said that he wanted to help the community in someway. So he purchased the first piece of pie.

Pie-15-11-19-02He has, however, done much more for the community. Michael is a veteran of Afghanistan and served as the Service officer of the Matthew J. Broehm VFW post in Williams. In that capacity he has assisted veterans and their families in getting paperwork and benefits due them. He has assisted a number of homeless veterans.

His concern for the homeless does not extend to just veterans. He founded Hope For The World ministries in the mall in downtown Williams. He, and his German Shepard Bear, took in donations of food and clothing to hand out to those in need.

Walmart bomb scare results in arrest

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On Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 10:52 a.m., Officers were called to the parking lot of Walmart at 2750 Woodlands in regards to what appeared to be some type of explosive device. When Officers arrived they located several propane tanks, an extension cord, and a battery charger.

A witness was contacted and he described two subjects in a white colored Ford Mustang who had taken the tanks out of the car. The passenger then left the parking lot and the driver left the tanks in the parking lot and drove out of the area.

Officers cordoned off the area, and requested the Bomb Squad to respond as a safety precaution. The Bomb Squad arrived and inspected the tanks and determined they were not being used as any type of explosive devices. After speaking with the witness and reviewing parking lot video, an attempt to locate was sent to surrounding officers for contact with the white Mustang.

An Officer located the Mustang and attempted to pull it over and driver did not comply. Other Officers in the area in unmarked vehicles located the car and described it as driving on the grass and driving in a reckless manner. The vehicle was monitored and was followed as it moved towards the Brannen homes area, and came to a stop after driving off the roadway and into the wooded area near the 1000 block of Dogwood. The driver ran from the vehicle and was quickly apprehended by Officers in the area.

The driver has been identified as 53 year old Berel David Stolworth of Durango Colorado. Stolworth was taken into custody and charged with Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Transport, Possession of Narcotic Drugs for Sale, Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale and Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement. This investigation is currently still under investigation, and further information will be forthcoming.

Williams gets ready for the tree

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640-1116-treeWILLIAMS — While snow fell, the City of Williams prepared for the reception of the annual Christmas tree on Second Street next to The Gallery in Williams. Williams received light snow throughout the day starting at about 9 a.m. while Flagstaff had already received a significant snowfall of at least 4″ overnight.

There were some reports of vehicles sliding on I-40, but no injury accidents.

The weather forecast shows snow before 8 p.m. tonight clearing up to mostly sunny tomorrow. The temperature will rise through the week to the upper 50s by Friday and lowering to mid-50s over the weekend. The temperatures in Flagstaff are expected to be about the same.

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety grants boost ADOT crash data efforts

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PHOENIX — Grants from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety are enabling the Arizona Department of Transportation to improve collection of crash data from law enforcement agencies around the state.

Grants of $508,600 for federal fiscal year 2015 and $106,000 for federal fiscal year 2016 continue to address what had been a cumbersome process of manually reviewing volumes of documents received and then entering them in a database. ADOT is responsible under state law for compiling crash data and creating comprehensive reports from it that government agencies, nonprofit groups and other entities statewide use to improve traffic safety.

The grant funding is allowing ADOT to help more agencies make use of an online system for submitting crash data.

“The grant awards received from the GOHS supports ADOT’s initiative to improve the process of collecting crash data,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “ADOT is proud to be at the forefront through the use of technology to process the crash data received from reporting law enforcement agencies and create vital reports that become the source for making Arizona streets and highways safer.”

The first grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety directly supports work performed by the ADOT Traffic Records Unit to develop reports from the crash data. The second further supports the agency’s electronic reporting efforts.

“Being partners with ADOT and other agencies in state government produces results that can be used to coordinate highway safety programs throughout Arizona and is a model of cooperation in this administration,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is the focal point for highway safety issues in Arizona. The cabinet agency provides leadership by developing, promoting and coordinating programs; influencing public and private policy; and increasing public awareness of highway safety.

US 60 east of Superior to close briefly for blasting operations Nov. 17 and 19

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PHOENIX — Motorists traveling along US 60 between Phoenix and Globe next week need to plan ahead or allow extra time as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues blasting work as part of an improvement project to build a new passing lane and widen roadway shoulders east of Superior, approximately 65 miles east of downtown Phoenix.

The construction of the two-mile-long climbing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233) will require four separate full closures of US 60 for up to 90 minutes:

  • Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 19, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Traffic on eastbound US 60 will be stopped east of Superior (milepost 227) and westbound US 60 will be stopped at the Top of the World, west of Miami (milepost 235) until the blasting work is completed and the roadway is reopened after all debris is cleared. Law enforcement officers will be stationed at each closure to assist with traffic control.

Approximately 30 minutes prior to each blast, motorists should be prepared for possible delays and lane closures as crews set concrete barrier prior to each scheduled closure.

Motorists seeking an alternate route can consider state routes 77 and 177, which is approximately 68 miles long. Motorists headed to the White Mountains region, including Show Low and Springerville, can also take State Route 87 through Payson and travel east on State Route 260 as an alternative.

The $8.8 million safety improvement project will make it easier for motorists to pass large trucks and slow-moving vehicles whose speed drops because of the sustained grades along this stretch of highway from Devil’s Canyon to the Oak Flat area.

The project will include the following:

  • Construction of a new westbound passing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233)
  • Widening shoulders in the Devil’s Canyon area (mileposts 233-234)
  • Improvements to the Waterfall Canyon bridge (milepost 229)
  • Box culvert drainage improvements (milepost 242 just west of Miami)

ADOT will work to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work.

There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide-load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used at different times throughout the project.

Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for construction equipment and personnel, and allow extra time for your commute.