Category Archives: City

Coconino County Health meeting in Williams October 2

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marijuana3n-2-webWILLIAMS – The Coconino County Public Health Service is seeking to revise Chapter 8 of the Environmental Services Ordinance. There will be a public meeting in Williams this Thursday, October 2 from 9 am to 10:30 in the City Hall Council Chambers on 1st street.

The topic of discussion for the current series of public meeting is on Chapter 8, Food Establishments and Medical Marijuana Edible Est. (PDF)

Two other meetings will be held in Flagstaff on this topic. One on Thursday October 9 from 10:30 am to noon at the Board of Supervisors meeting room on Cherry Street and Wednesday October 29 from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Ponderosa Room at 2625 N. King Street.

“Suspicious” person in Flagstaff identified

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coco-sheriff-300pxFLAGSTAFF – On September 24, 2014 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office issued a request to the public for assistance in locating and identifying a Native American adult female who was described as being heavy-set or overweight driving a maroon or red older model SUV possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe.

On September 12, 2014 the woman and vehicle were seen in the area of the school bus stop located at the intersection of Townsend Winona Road and Bluefield Road. A nine year old child reported the woman following her home and attempting to enter her house.

The Sheriff’s office received a call from one of the parents of the child involved who identified the person as the landlord of their home. No foul play was intended.

Suspicious Activity Involving a Child

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies are requesting assistance in identifying and locating a Native American female who offered a nine year-old child a ride as the child exited a school bus at the bus stop in her neighborhood. It is believed the driver of a maroon or red older SUV possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe followed the child to her home and attempted to make contact with occupants inside the house.

On Friday, September 12, 2014 at about 1:22 pm a Sheriff’s Dispatcher received a call of a trespass in progress with a child inside the home and an adult Native American female attempting to get inside. A deputy was met with the girl and her father at their Doney Park residence.

According to the child she exited the school bus at the stop located at the intersection of Townsend Winona Road and Bluefield Road. She noticed a red SUV parked by the exit door of the bus. As she walked by the vehicle a Native American woman in the driver’s seat asked the child if she wanted a ride home to which she replied no.

As the child proceeded to walk home she noticed that the red SUV was following her. The child then dropped her water bottle and ran home crossing several residential yards in the process. Once at her home the child saw the SUV drive up in front of her house and stop.

According to the child the woman exited her vehicle, approached the front door and knocked on it. The woman asked in a voice loud enough for the child to hear if anyone was at home. The child was so frightened by the woman’s actions that she hid in a room located within the home. Eventually the woman left the area.

The suspect is described as a heavyset adult Native American female. The vehicle is described as a red or maroon SUV, possibly an older model and possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe. Anyone with information regarding this incident or with information regarding the identity of the Native American female is asked to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or toll free at 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at (928)774-6111.

New specialty license plates now available

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new-vanity-platePHOENIX – Three new specialty license plates to help personalize and customize your vehicle are now available for purchase from the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.

The new plates include a Girls Youth Organization plate to support the Girl Scouts; an Arizona Motorsports Commemorative plate for Phoenix International Raceway; and a redesigned Phoenix Suns plate.

Like many of Arizona’s specialty license plates, these three support specific charities. Funds raised by the Girls Youth Organization license plate will provide enriching experiences in Arizona’s Girl Scouts program, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects and cultural exchanges.

“We are thrilled to have a Girl Scout license plate. It’s a great way for parents and alumnae to show their support and $17 of the proceeds goes directly back to local Girl Scouts. Each license plate is actually an investment in Arizona girls and our future,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council.

Funds raised by the Phoenix International Raceway license plate will go to Motorsports Charities to provide resources and charitable support for children through education, medical treatment, dream experiences and volunteerism.

“We are thrilled to be able to help race fans show their NASCAR pride with this license plate and to support a great cause in the process,” said PIR President Bryan R. Sperber. “The idea for a custom plate was spurred by fan requests, so we are proud to make this available to them. The plates also create a wonderful legacy from our 50th Anniversary that will last well beyond this year.”

The redesigned Phoenix Suns plate will continue to support Phoenix Suns Charities for youth education and development, college scholarship programs and community development.

The license plates have an annual fee of $25 for a non-personalized plate and $50 for a personalized plate, with $17 going to support the charities. Vehicle owners can purchase the new plates at any MVD or Authorized Third Party office location or online at ServiceArizona.com.

Because the Phoenix Suns license plate is a new design, anyone with the current plate design can request the new plate design for a $5 replacement fee. However, the redesigned plate has six characters instead of the seven that are on the current Suns plate. So those with a personalized Suns plate with seven characters would not be able to transfer their personalization to the new design. They can reapply for the new design, but would have to start the application process from the beginning.

The older, original Phoenix Suns license plate design is still valid for use.

There are no special requirements to get the license plates. The plates are also available with a disability symbol.

Forest Service Officer Involved Shooting Update

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CLINT WELLS, AZ – The Forest Service Officer involved shooting that occurred on Friday, September 19, 2014 in the Blue ridge area which resulted in the death of the individual who attacked the officer is ongoing.

The deceased man has been identified as sixty-six year old Courtney James VanRiper—also spelled Van Ripper—with a last known address in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is also believed that at some point Mr. VanRiper resided in an unknown city or town in Wyoming. Coconino County Sheriff’s detectives have not been able to identify or contact any of his next of kin. Mr. VanRiper’s name is being released at this point in the investigation with the hope that someone who knows him can assist investigators in identifying and contacting his family members.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the external portion of this investigation. The Forest Service Officer who conducted the contact with Mr. VanRiper has been identified as thirty-four year old Douglas A. Pederson. Officer Pederson has been employed with the Forest for 15 years in several capacities. Douglas Pederson has been a United States Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer for 2 years.

On Friday, September 19, 2014 at 1:46 pm Officer Pederson contacted a Sheriff’s Office dispatcher by radio to advise he was contacting an individual who was camping in the area of the junction of Highway 260 and State Route 87 off of Forest Service road 616. It should be noted that the Sheriff’s Office provides dispatch and radio communication services to Forest Service Officers who work within Coconino County. During subsequent transmissions Officer Pederson advised dispatch that shots had been fired, requested emergency medical services immediately and gave his location.

Emergency medical personnel of the Pine/Strawberry Fire Department treated Mr. VanRiper at the scene and transported him to the Payson Regional Medical Center. Mr. VanRiper was pronounced deceased on Friday, September 19, 2014. Officers with the United States Forest Service, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations also responded to the location of the shooting.

At this point in the investigation detectives have learned that Officer Pederson observed a vehicle parked in an unimproved area of the forest at a temporary campsite. According to the officer he approached the camp and made contact with Mr. VanRiper. According to Officer Pederson Mr. VanRiper had the DVD player in the vehicle on so loud that communication was difficult. The officer asked him to turn the DVD player down.

While in the vehicle Mr. VanRiper spent a considerable amount of time sorting through items and the officer told him several times to come out of the vehicle. Once Mr. VanRiper exited his vehicle he had a large can of bear repellant/pepper spray which he used to spray at the officer striking him in his face.

Officer Pederson who was partially incapacitated and with impaired vision fired multiple rounds at the suspect striking VanRiper twice. Officer Pederson administered first aid to Mr. VanRiper until he was relieved by emergency medical personnel.

Detectives learned that Mr. VanRiper was the subject of an outstanding felony warrant for probation violation issued out of the Yavapai County Superior Court. The vehicle Mr. VanRiper was in possession of was reported as stolen out of Flagstaff, Arizona. Mr. VanRiper was also in possession of a stolen handgun.

Health Fair and Open House this weekend at clinic

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250nchc-logo-3WILLIAMS – The North Country Health Care clinic will be holding a Health Fair and Open House this Saturday the 27th from 8 am to 12 pm. The clinic is located at 301 S. 7th Street. For full information you can call 928-635-4441.

Services at the Health Fair include:

  • Cholesterol Screening for the First 125 Visitors
    (please do not eat or drink anything other than water 10 hours prior to test)
  • Blood Pressure Checks
  • Blood Glucose Screening
  • Rapid HIV Testing
  • Oxygen Saturation Measurements
  • Mammograms by Assured Imaging
    call for an appointment: 1-888-233-6121
  • FIT at Fifty and Well Woman Health Check Programs
  • Maternal and Child Health Program
  • Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program
  • Prescription Drug Take Back Program
  • Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance 8: Info
    (Marketplace & AHCCCS)
  • Raffle Prizes and Much More!

ADOT to ensure roadway safety as another storm moves into state

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640-140915-17PHOENIX – Following last week’s record rainfall in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Arizona Department of Transportation is preparing for another tropical storm this week that is expected to bring more heavy rain and possible localized flooding to several regions of the state.

The National Weather Service is forecasting significant moisture in the state this week as a result of Hurricane Odile, which is making its way north into the Baja California, Mexico region.

Maintenance crews in the Phoenix and Tucson areas and statewide will be prepared to address road safety issues if flooding, mudslides or rockslides occur. Crews will be monitoring weather conditions and be ready to respond quickly to clear the roads and maintain safe driving conditions for motorists when Mother Nature wreaks havoc on our state.

ADOT is also working in close coordination with cities and the Department of Public Safety to be as prepared as possible when heavy rain is in the forecast.

“Our goal has been – and will continue to be – to focus on public safety and protecting our community members,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “ADOT will strive to ensure that all people, systems and equipment are operating efficiently to accomplish this goal.”

ADOT is also asking drivers to slow down on wet pavement and to avoid driving into areas if flooding occurs. No motorist should ever drive through a flooded wash.

It’s important that drivers take it slow and drive safely in heavy rain and low visibility conditions. ADOT, along with the Department of Public Safety, offer the following safety tips for motorists:

  • First and foremost, SLOW DOWN. The posted speed limit may not be a safe speed to travel in bad weather. On wet roads your vehicle will have less traction than on a dry road. Slower travel speeds allow for safer stopping distances.
  • Be sure to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you and be aware of the vehicles around you in other travel lanes. Braking will be affected by wet and slippery roadway surfaces.
  • Do not enter an area where the roadway has been closed by barricades due to flooding. You risk your life and face being cited under the state’s “Stupid Motorist” law.
  • Storm runoff can loosen boulders and rocks on slopes above highways. Stay alert in rockfall-prone areas.
  • Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling. One to two feet of water will float most vehicles and can cause them to be swept away.
  • If traffic lights are out, treat an intersection just like a four-way stop.

White Buffalo Business Building Destroyed by Fire

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FLAGSTAFF – On Friday, September 12, 2014 at 3:59 am Deputies from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a structure fire that was reported at the White Buffalo Trading Post in Kendrick Park on Highway 180 at mile post 256 north of Flagstaff.

The fire was initially reported by hunters in the area. Upon arrival, Deputies found the structure fully engulfed.

Summit Fire Department and Flagstaff Fire Department responded to the scene to extinguish the fire. At this point in the investigation, the cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation.

This building has been unoccupied for several years. No citizens or firefighters were injured during the suppression efforts. Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives and investigators with the Summit Fire Department are conducting a joint investigation. There is extensive damage to the structure.

Paving work on Interstate 17 south of SR 169 scheduled next week

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adot-logo3Motorists traveling next week between Phoenix and Flagstaff need to plan ahead, be alert for work zones and allow extra travel time due to a pavement improvement project that is entering its final stages along Interstate 17, midway between Cordes Junction and Camp Verde.

Work hours have primarily been overnight, but starting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, crews will begin applying the new top layer of rubberized asphalt, which is temperature sensitive and needs to be completed during daytime hours.

Drivers can expect I-17 to be narrowed to one lane in each direction between the Dugas Road/Orme Road exit and the State Route 169 junction (mileposts 269-279) from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. during weekdays (Monday through Thursday) through the end of this month.

In addition, the I-17 on- and off-ramps at the SR 169 interchange will be closed intermittently beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14 through 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15. Delays of up to 30 minutes are possible.

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.

Signal pole replacement on SR 89 in Prescott at Mac Curdy scheduled Monday night

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PRESCOTT – The Arizona Department of Transportation will replace a damaged signal pole on the northeast corner of State Route 89 at Mac Curdy Drive in Prescott on Monday night, Sept. 15 starting at 9 p.m. through Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 5 a.m.

Traffic will be guided through the work zone with flaggers and intermittent closures are possible. Minimal delays are expected. A width restriction of 12 feet will be in place during work hours through the work zone.

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.