Category Archives: City

National Public Safety Dispatcher Appreciation Week

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640-911-Flag-Police-PhotoFLAGSTAFF — For the past several years Public Safety Agencies nationwide have recognized the pivotal role played by the telecommunicators, dispatchers, communication operators, and radio and control personnel.

All the women and men of the communication center at the Flagstaff Police Department/Coconino County Sheriff’s Office who utilize telephones, radios, computers and technical skills to provide support to Law Enforcement, Fire Services, Emergency Medical Services and other governmental field personnel are being celebrated the week of April 12-18th. Our dispatcher’s work 24/7, 365 days a week to assure that officers have the information they need as first responders.

Each year, the second week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as Public Safety Telecommunicators. In 1991, Congress proclaimed it as a national recognized week of recognition.

The Flagstaff Police Department will celebrate this year’s Telecommunicators Week – April 12-18 in honor of their dedicated dispatchers who handle several thousand wireless 9-1-1 calls each month within Northern Arizona. The week will be filled with various activities including Mayor Nabors making a proclamation on Tuesday, 4-14-2015.

When you dial 9-1-1 on your cellular phone in Northern Arizona a dispatcher answers the call. Please know where you are and stay on the line so they can help get the assistance you need.

Facts about the Flagstaff 9-1-1 Communications Center:

  • Number of employees: currently 22 civilian dispatchers (Emergency Communication Specialists)
  • Supervisors: 6 with 1 serving as the 9-1-1 Coordinator
  • Call Taker: 2
  • Consoles: 10 (telephone/radio)
  • Entry level Emergency Communications Specialist pay per month: $3019.20
  • Entry level Call Taker pay per month: $$2257.00
  • Telephone calls received in March 2015:
  • 4,229 cellular/wireless 911 calls
  • 12,865 on non-emergency and other land lines

EMPLOYMENT
Are you searching for an exciting and rewarding career? 9-1-1 Dispatchers serve as a vital link in the public safety response chain. Some have provided life-saving CPR instruction and others have brought babies into the world. This is your chance to make a difference in your community. Be a part of our team; a valuable and rewarding career – apply today!

Local weather shows chance of snow and rain

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WILLIAMS — Weather today is warm with a high of 65 expected and southwest winds from 25 to 28 mph with gusts up to 44. Tomorrow a high of 53 is expected with 14 to 20 mph winds from the north with gusts up to 26.

There is a chance of snow tomorrow after midnight and Thursday morning with rain showers at night and Friday morning. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

Flagstaff weather is about the same with more chance of precipitation through Friday morning.

For the free weekend at the Grand Canyon, Saturday and Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny with highs around 65 and lows around the mid-30s.

Paving work on US 93 at Wickenburg Ranch scheduled this week

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WICKENBURG — Final paving on US 93 north of Wickenburg will begin today, April 14 through Friday, April 17 on the new roundabout at the Wickenburg Ranch entrance. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, April 14 through 16 and 6 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 17.

Drivers can expect intermittent single-lane restrictions on US 93 and delays of up to 15 minutes during work hours. Flaggers will direct traffic in alternating directions using the single lane that is open.

Southbound drivers on State Route 89 at the US 93 junction need to be aware of stopped traffic as a result of the scheduled paving work.

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, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Red Flag Warning in effect today for North Kaibab and Tusayan Districts

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TUSAYAN — The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for today from noon to 8 p.m. that covers the North Kaibab and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest, as well as other areas of northern Arizona, due to strong winds and low relative humidity.

Visitors to the North Kaibab and Tusayan districts of the Kaibab National Forest are advised to refrain from having a campfire when Red Flag Warning conditions exist. This advisory covers all campfires across the districts, including in developed campgrounds.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected and that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create an increased potential for large fire growth. The campfire advisory remains in effect until the Red Flag Warning ends.

The Kaibab National Forest is committed to educating visitors about their role in helping prevent unwanted, human-caused fires. Avoiding having campfires on windy days is one way they can do that.

Grand Canyon open for free this weekend

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grand-canyon-640-0119-37GRAND CANYON – The Grand Canyon will be be offering fee-free weekend on Saturday April 18 and Sunday April 19 in honor of the start of National Parks Week. All national parks are offering free entry this weekend.

Grand Canyon’s South Rim sits at approximately 7,000 feet. As a result, visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, and should be aware that road closures and temporary suspension of shuttle service may occur with little or no notice if winter weather passes through the area.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Special Council meeting tomorrow to discuss rate increases

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640-city-hall-williamsWILLIAMS — The Williams City Council will meet in a special meeting in the council chambers on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. to discuss a utility rate increase for Fiscal Year 2016. The council will review possible scenarios for the rate increase and will direct the staff on which increase to pursue.

I-17 southbound ramp to be closed at JW Powell Boulevard with detours in place

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FLAGSTAFF — A one-day ramp closure and a detour to JW Powell Boulevard will be in place to prepare for and accommodate construction of a roundabout on the east end of the project area.

Access to the I-17 southbound off-ramp at Exit 337 (JW Powell Boulevard) will be closed on Wednesday, April 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to install a temporary concrete barrier in preparation for the next phase of roundabout construction. This work is part of the intersection improvement project currently underway which includes new roundabouts and realignment of SR 89A/Beulah Boulevard.

The recommended detour for southbound I-17 connections to the Flagstaff Airport and to SR 89A is to continue southbound on I-17 past Exit 337, then exit at Kachina Trail/Mountainaire Road (Exit 333). Detour signage will be in place to assist travel in the area.

Travel through to JW Powell Boulevard via the existing roundabout will be closed to accommodate the new roundabout construction. Access to JW Powell will be maintained for both north- and southbound traffic along SR 89A via a cross-over just south of the construction zone and directed by area signage. This detour is expected to be in place until the end of June and will allow crews to build the new roundabout at the east end of JW Powell Boulevard.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Love’s opens in Williams

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Love's opened Thursday.

Love’s opened Thursday.

WILLIAMS — After a struggle over signage, Love’s finally opened last Thursday in Williams. Love’s is a 24-hour truck stop with all of the truck stop paraphernalia. This includes the standard mobile phone and GPS electronics. They have tools, videos and books on tape. They have coffee available all day.

The exciting thing for many Williams residents seems to be the return of Subway. A 24-hour Subway at that. The addition of a Carl’s Jr. is the frosting on the cake, although it is not open 24-hours.

Loves-15-04-15
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Signal maintenance in Flagstaff to be performed at Milton Road (SR 89A) and Plaza Way intersection

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Travelers heading through south Flagstaff can expect heavy delays at the intersection of Milton Road (SR 89A) and Plaza Way on Tuesday, April 14, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., as ADOT electrical operations staff perform maintenance on the traffic signal at this location. A City of Flagstaff police officer will be on-site to maintain travel; however congestion may occur during maintenance operations.

Drivers are asked to allow for extra travel time to reach their destinations and use caution while electrical work is performed in this area.

Tusayan Ranger District fuelwood permits available in Cameron

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TUSAYAN — The Kaibab National Forest will issue free-use, paid personal-use and ceremonial fuelwood permits for the Tusayan Ranger District out of the Forest Service office in Cameron, which is located just south of the Cameron Chapter House, beginning this month. The fuelwood permits will be available out of the Cameron office from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. Daylight Savings Time on the following dates:

  • April 23
  • May 15
  • June 11
  • July 16
  • Aug. 13
  • Sept. 10
  • Oct. 8
  • Oct. 29
  • Nov. 12
  • Nov. 19
  • Dec. 10
  • Dec. 17

Permits are also available at the Tusayan Ranger District office, 176 Lincoln Log Loop in Tusayan, (928) 638-2443, during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Permits will be issued for dead and down (dead standing and downed trees) and green fuelwood cutting. Dead and down permits are sold for $5 per cord. Green permits are $10 per cord. There is a minimum purchase of $20 per permit. Cords will be sold in increments to meet the $20 minimum. Free-use permits will also be issued for the removal of downed wood within designated areas. A maximum of six cords (combined) of paid fuelwood may be purchased per household. An additional four cords of free-use fuelwood may also be issued.

The Kaibab National Forest has a policy for providing free forest products to Native Americans for traditional and cultural uses. A permit is required for the collection of fuelwood for ceremonial purposes. Detailed information about the policy is available on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/fuelwood or by contacting Mae Franklin at (928) 679-2037 or mfranklin@fs.fed.us. Ceremonial use permits are only available on the Kaibab National Forest during fuelwood season, so interested individuals should ensure they get them prior to the close of the season.

Visitors to the Kaibab National Forest are reminded to always be extremely careful with fire. Fuelwood cutters should be aware that chainsaws can throw sparks and ignite grasses and brush. Always carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher or water in case of a fire start. Additionally, all chainsaws must be equipped with a stainless steel spark arrestor screen. Cutters should check with forest offices periodically for information about the implementation of fire restrictions. For additional information on permits available out of the Forest Service office in Cameron, please contact Mae Franklin at (928) 679-2037 or mfranklin@fs.fed.us.