Category Archives: City

Roundabout work on US 93 at Wickenburg Ranch scheduled for next three months

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adot-logo3PRESCOTT – For the next three months crews will be constructing a new roundabout on US 93 at milepost 194 near Wickenburg (approximately three-quarters of a mile southeast of the SR 89/US 93 junction) as part of the Wickenburg Ranch development.

Work is scheduled to begin this week with placement of temporary construction signage and concrete barrier installation that will require a shoulder closure through the work zone. Crews will be working seven days a week during the day between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. with some intermittent night work possible Sunday to Thursday nights between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Initially, drivers will not be affected with work scheduled behind the concrete barrier however drivers could be limited to one lane through the work zone with minimal delays within the next two weeks. A 12-foot width restriction and a shoulder closure will be in effect as soon as concrete barrier is installed.

Flaggers will direct traffic in alternating directions using the single lane that is open. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph.

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.

This project is under permit with the Arizona Department of Transportation and is scheduled to be complete by the middle of January 2015.

Two big events on Wednesday

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supermoonWILLIAMS – This Wednesday, October 8 two events happen in Williams.

Sky and Telescope reports:

We’re approaching the second of four total lunar eclipses that come at half-year intervals in 2014 and 2015: a lunar-eclipse tetrad. All four can be seen from at least parts of North America.

You can wake up at about 1:15 a.m. to witness the total lunar eclipse. The penumbral eclipse begins about 1:17. During this phase, you will dark shadow move across the moon. The total eclipse, in which the moon changes color, begins about 2:18 with the maximum eclipse occurring at 3:55.
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At 7 p.m. the Community United Methodist Church on Sherman Avenue and Second Street in Williams will sponsor an inspirational concert by The Steel Magnolias of San Marcos, Texas.

Downtown street repairs not the only improvements

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cataract-creekWILLIAMS – You may have heard the saying that when the media reports something, you should look at what they are not reporting. That recently happened in Williams.

While you may have been watching the repairs occurring downtown to Second and Third Streets, you might have missed that crews of the City of Williams also placed a new stretch of sidewalk around Cataract Creek on Fifth and Hancock.

Male suspect dies while in detention center

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October 2, 2014 at 11:00 pm, a subject identified as Michael Daryle Rose (a white male, age 49), contacted the Flagstaff police and fire dispatch via 911 and requested to be transported to the hospital because he was not feeling well.

Upon arrival Guardian Medical and Flagstaff Fire personnel were not able to get Michael to allow them to care for him nor would he get into the ambulance.

Michael stated he had a history of paranoia and hypertension. Medical personnel requested Flagstaff Police responded to assist in helping Michael find a bag he had lost. Fire and medical personnel had worked with Michael for approximately 45 minutes attempting to get him into the ambulance to go to the hospital to get checked out medically. Police officers assisted with getting Michael his bag from a hotel room.

As Police and fire attempted to coax Michael into the ambulance, he became agitated and tried to kick fire personnel. Michael was taken to the ground by the officer and fire personnel helped secure him as the officer called for back up. During the struggle the officer was punched in the face by Michael. The officer repeatedly requested Michael to stop resisting and threatened to use his Taser. When Michael did not stop resisting, the officer put his Taser against Michael’s calf area. Michael was given two intermittent pulses of energy (each approximately a second in duration) from the Taser by the officer.

Additional officers arrived and helped secure Michael in handcuffs. Michael was responsive while speaking with officers and was advised he was under arrest for aggravated assault and escorted to a patrol vehicle. At that point Michael repeated he would be willing to go into the ambulance, but he was advised he would be transported to the jail and seen by the nurse there. Medical personnel on scene treated him for some abrasions he received while struggling. Michael refused to get into the vehicle and after approximately nine minutes of unsuccessful persuasion, officers secured his legs around his ankles and lifted him into the patrol vehicle. He was transported to the Coconino Detention Facility.

While being booked in, he was non-compliant with detention officers who were performing a standard search. He was escorted to a holding cell. In the holding cell officers placed him on the floor to conduct the search. Michael became more compliant, but within minutes detention officers realized he was no longer breathing and had no pulse.

They began resuscitation efforts and called for an ambulance to respond. Despite the efforts of the officers and responding medical personnel, efforts to resuscitate Michael were unsuccessful and ultimately he was pronounced deceased at 58 minutes past midnight.

Involved agencies have requested an outside agency conduct an investigation into this incident.

Source: Combined law enforcement press release

Payson man does not yet show symptoms of Ebola virus

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PAYSON – The Mann family of Payson, Arizona are members are missionaries with CrossWay International. They work to share the Gospel of Grace and serve the Body of Christ.

According to the Payson Roundup, Allen Mann recently returned to Payson from missionary work in rural Liberia, one of several African countries beset by the Ebola epidemic.

He was contacted about his trip by the Roundup and found that he had simply voluntarily quarantined himself as a precaution, as reported by Channel 3.

Currently he displays no symptoms of the disease. According to the Roundup:

Mann was asked what he and his doctor felt were the odds he’d been exposed to Ebola on a scale of one to 10 scale. “A ‘one,’” Mann said.

The terrible effects of the disease may have already been felt in Arizona however. That of unreasoning fear.

Because of this incident, fear-mongering web sites have already spread the news that Ebola is now in Arizona. None of them report that the only way to contract the disease is by direct contact of an infected person or the fluids of the infected person. Is is not a disease contracted through the air. Ebola is not always fatal and patients generally make a full recovery.

This is one of the few areas in which Franklin Delano Roosevelt could be considered correct. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Downtown street construction nearing completion

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Yesterday blacktop was applied to Second and Third streets.

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Today workers apply finishing touches.

WILLIAMS – The downtown street repairs are nearing completion and Second and Third street should open soon. Yesterday workers applied the asphalt. Today they applied the finishing touches on Second Street between Pancho’s and Pine Country and Third street by the National Bank.

Coconino Astronomical Society star party tomorrow

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You will not see this.WILLIAMS – The monthly Star Party sponsored by the Coconino Astronomical Society will be held tomorrow. The star gazing event will run from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the natural area across the street from Rod’s Steak House and the Laundry. Telescopes will be set up for everyone to enjoy, but you are welcome to bring your own and/or binoculars. They recommend a folding chair or blanket, as well.

Autumn leaves are turning

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800-140930-05WILLIAMS – The end of summer does not mean the end of activities in the Flagstaff and Williams area. The leaves on the trees are just starting to turn which makes for some pleasant drives, hikes and photography.

Of course it also means the beginning of the hunting season. Make sure you wear some bright colors and you might consider an orange vest for any animals that you take with you.

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The road to Bill Williams lookout is a beautiful, but rough, drive. Make sure your vehicle is up to the task.

The roads to Dogtown lake and White Horse lake are in good condition. Both are lined with aspens and oaks. On the road to Dogtown lake there is a grove of aspens that make for some great photos.

The road up to Bill Williams Lookout is rough. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition for the trip. You might also consider parking and hiking the Benham Trail to the top of Bill Williams. The journey is about nine-miles, so make sure you take plenty of water.

Take care where you drive or hike. You are likely to see deer and elk about.

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Seasonal and storm repairs on SR 89A through Oak Creek underway

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adot-logo-03aMotorists travelling on SR 89A through Oak Creek Canyon may experience delays as maintenance crews clear debris and repair drainage facilities as part of ADOT storm response operations. Cleanup work will occur from the Midgley Bridge just north of Sedona and continue through the area switchbacks.

While work is underway please prepare for delays and plan accordingly. Operations will be underway weekly from 7 a.m. To 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and is anticipated to be completed by Oct. 16.

Doney Park Neighborhood Watch Meeting Thursday

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neighborhoodwatchFLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger would like to invite residents of the Doney Park community to attend the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2014. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Summit Fire District Station 32 and Administrative Offices located at 8905 Koch Field Road Flagstaff, AZ.

Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll will be at the meeting to encourage continued neighborhood participation and to share information. Chuck Jones who is retired from the position of Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and is currently a Cold Case Investigator for the Sheriff’s Office will speak about investigating older unsolved homicide cases.

In 2005, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office developed a Cold Case Squad to review cases that have not been solved. There are over 28 unsolved homicide cases that occurred in Coconino County and which are being reviewed by the Cold Case Squad. Some of these cases date back to 1955 when many forensic tools were unavailable for investigations. All members of the squad are volunteers. Their background and experience range from forensic nursing, to crime lab analyses.

The goal of the Cold Case Squad is to be able to state with confidence that everything that could be done to try to solve a case either is being done or has been done. Whenever possible, evidence from these cases is re-examined using the newest scientific methods. For a list of our Cold Cases, please visit http://www.coconino.az.gov/index.aspx?NID=684.

Jeff Taylor who is a teacher at Flagstaff High School and who was chosen as the 2014 Coconino County Teacher of the year will speak about his career and his passion for education.