Flash flood warning issued for Grand Canyon area

Rain15-06-05-03A flash flood watch for portions of northc central and west central Arizona has been issued to end at 5 p.m today. People with weather radios should monitor for warnings and prepare to take appropriate action.

The weather affects the Coconino Plateau and western Mogollon Rim including the ciites of Grand Canyon Village, Supai, North Rim, Valley, Flagstaff, Williams and Munds Park.

Thunderstorms capable of very heavy rainfall are moving eastward across the area through late this afternoon. Normally dry washes and streams could begin to flow with the possiblity of heavier rainfall. Flooding on some roadways are possible.

Flooding could still occur after the warning is lifted.

US 180 narrowed to one lane north of Flagstaff beginning Monday

US 180 will be narrowed to one lane between Flagstaff and Valle (milepost 250 to 265) starting on Monday (Aug. 3) through Thursday (Aug. 6) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The restriction is required to allow Arizona Department of Transportation crews to perform maintenance work on the roadway.

During maintenance operations, heavy delays can be anticipated. A pilot car will allow for alternating travel through the work zone. Please allow for extra time for travel time and exercise caution while moving through the area. Drivers should consider using I-40 and SR 64 as alternate route for travel.

Flagstaff Police Department investigating two assaults

The Flagstaff Police Department is currently investigating two different incidents of assault involving a suspect described as either a Hispanic or Native male, 16-20 years old.

During the first incident which occurred in the 800 block of N. Leroux, on July 21, 2015 at approximately 5:30 pm, the suspect was wearing a white t-shirt and khaki colored pants. The victim stated she was followed by the suspect as he rode a gray or silver colored bike. When she got off her bike and began walking up the stairs to her apartment he parked his bike and ran up behind her and grabbed her buttocks and then rode away.

The second incident was reported on July 25, 2015 at approximately 1pm on the urban trail which parallels Beulah just south of the University Heights subdivision. The second victim described the suspect as a Hispanic or Native male, approximately 16-20 years old, with curly dark hair and a “lazy eye.” The suspect was wearing a navy hoody, black shirt and blue jeans. The victim described the suspect’s bike as a dark in color mountain bike.

The victim was running south on the urban trail when the suspect passed her north bound on his bike then turned around and came up behind her. When he got close enough he reached out and grabbed her buttocks and then rode away.

If you have any information regarding these incidents please call Detective Knott at 928 679-4085. If you have any information regarding any FELONY crime and do not want to leave your name please contact SILENT WITNESS at 928 774-6111.

Spring fire grows slowly

800-spring-2015-07-25-03WILLIAMS — The residents of Williams, Parks, Sherwood Forest and the areas in between should receive a break from smoke over the next few days. The fire has grown almost 2700-acres, but because of the rains the progress of the Spring fire has slowed.

Today the firefighters continued work on reinforcing the perimeter road boundaries to prevent the fire from spreading beyond when the fire flares up as conditions become drier. They are also lining archaeological sites, private property and other fire-sensitive resources near the fire area.

Smoke is expected to be light and mostly visible in the area of the fire along County Road 73. Summit Mountain Trail 68 is temporarily closed due to the fire activity.

Deputies Attempt to Locate Suspicious Subject in Kachina Village

FLAGSTAFF/KACHINA VILLAGE — On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at about 7:00 am a 15 year-old female was walking on Ancient Trail which is a paved road in Kachina Village. She was aware that a male who was wearing a colored hooded sweat shirt with the hood pulled over his head was walking approximately 25 yards behind her. The subject was walking two small to medium sized white dogs.

As she approached the Kachina Utilities building she took the Pump House Wash dirt trail. The subject continued walking on Ancient and passed the trail head for Pump House Wash. Further down the trail the female realized the subject was now behind her again at about 25 yards.

She followed the trail to Kona which is a paved road in the area of Highlands Fire Department Station 21. She continued East on Kona and at one point turned around to see the subject standing behind a white SUV and peeking at her. She took a video of the suspect with her cell phone. [Video nor photo attached with press release.]

The female continued East on Kona and the male walked West on Kona towards Kletha. Deputies are seeking to identify and locate this individual in an attempt to determine what his intentions were.

Anyone who has had a similar experience or believes they may have information about this incident is urged to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at the numbers listed below or Silent Witness of Coconino County at (928) 774-6111. We need your information not your name.

Oath Keeper meeting tomorrow

WILLIAMS — Our apologies. Our article on the Oath Keeper CPT meeting was incomplete. The meeting is at the American Legion in Williams at 10 a.m. You do not have to be a member of Oath Keepers to participate in this project and it is open to anyone in Coconino County; not just Williams. Veterans, active-duty military and civilian first responders are welcome to attend.

Arizona Friends of NRA want to give you fifty guns

Updated July 31, 4:28 p.m.


300-GCFNRA-logoPHOENIX — The Arizona Friends of the NRA have announce a fifty gun (or fifty-fifty) raffle. Tickets are $50 each in a winner take all raffle for fifty guns. If a minimum of 600 tickets are not sold, the raffle will turn into a fifty-fifty split of the amount taken in by the raffle.

I mean, are you not going to sell 600 tickets for a possibility of fifty guns in the number 1 gun friendly State in the union two-years running?

But you don’t have to be in Arizona in order to win. Anyone eligible to own guns in their State can purchase tickets online. Again you would have to be eligible to own the same weapons that you can own in Arizona. Before entering, you should check with a local FFL in your area.

The winner, of course, must be eligible to own guns in accordance with State and national law. The winner may also opt for a $4,999.00 payout and may have to fill out a 1099 tax form. The winner is also responsible for all fees for the transfer of the weapons, such as the background check. If the winner is found ineligible to own firearms, they will be required to take the cash payout.

The drawing is to be held at Bear Arms in Scottsdale on October 25. Bear Arms is an FFL dealer working with the Friends of the NRA on this promotion. They are located at 10321 N. Scottsdale Road. Bear Arms is the largest family-owned firearms store in the Great State of Arizona. The hold CCW classes, have a good assortment of knives and even deal in Class III weapons.

You can contact Winston Pendleton for questions or to purchase tickets. Phone 602-565-8916 or you can purchase tickets online. Bear Arms can be reached at 480-998-2727.

Blasting closure scheduled on US 60 between Superior and Miami for mid-August

The first closure for blasting on the Oak Flat passing lane project on US 60 (milepost 231-233) between Superior and Miami has been scheduled between Aug. 12 and Aug. 20. The exact date will be decided late next week when drilling crews have been able to finalize their progress.

Blasting will be done during a weekday and will start at 9 a.m. Motorists traveling on US 60 between Superior and Miami should plan on the highway being closed for up to 90 minutes. There will be a seven-day notice prior to the exact blasting date and that information will be distributed to the media, digital message boards around Superior and Globe/Miami, project web page updates, ADOT social media sites and contact emails.

Spring fire smoke reaches Williams area

WILLIAMS — The smoke in Williams, Garland Prairie, Sherwood Forest and Parks area is originating from the 2554-acre Spring Fire centered about 9 miles south east of Williams. The fire started on July 2 and was converted to a managed fire to burn off excess fire fuels.

On Tuesday the fire could be seen burning atop Davenport Knoll. The smoke is heavy, at times, along County Road 73, also known as South Road or Perkinsville Road. At night, when the temperatures drop, the smoke travels lower to the ground and may become heavy in Williams and the surrounding area.

There is a 60% chance of thundershowers this afternoon and 30-to 40% throughout the weekend. If rains come it could cause problems for fire managers who are trying to keep the fire burning. If the storms bring mostly lightning, we could see more fires starting.

In either case, campers are reminded to take care with their campfires and make sure they are completely out when leaving. Fire managers set boundaries which they hope to keep the fire from crossing. Fires started outside those boundaries cause problems with management efforts.

Oath Keepers meeting at American Legion Saturday

Updated 7/31
WILLIAMS — There will be a meeting of the Oath Keeper organization to discuss the formation of Community Preparedness Teams (CPT) to be available for emergency situations.

The meeting will be held at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 at 425 W. Grant Street in Williams. The meeting is Saturday at 10 a.m.

Oath Keepers started out as an organization to encourage military and first responders to adhere to their oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States both foreign and domestic. Today anyone who believes in the Constitution may be permitted to join. You do not have to join Oath Keepers to participate in the CPT program.

The program is not just open to Williams residents, but anyone in Coconino County. Teams suggested by the Oath Keeper organization are emergency medical, communications and engineering, Security Teams and General Preparedness. Coconino County would, ultimately, develop teams required for their unique situation.