Category Archives: City

Weather good for weekend events until Saturday

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Photo – City of Flagstaff web site.

FLAGSTAFF, WILLIAMS – The National Weather Service long-range forecast shows mostly clear skies with cool temperatures for the heavenly viewing at the Glassburn Natural area across from the laundry and Rod’s Steak House on Railroad avenue. Everyone is welcome to come and take a peek through the telescopes set up by the Coconino Astronomical Society. The viewing starts at 7:30 and will end around 9:30.

Saturday there is a 10% chance of showers, but that is after 11 pm. Plenty of time to take the Art Walk sponsored by The Gallery in the Grand Canyon Hotel in downtown Williams. The walk along route 66 will begin at 6 pm and end at 9. Contact Kris or Tom Williams 928-635-3006 for more information.

The riders of the Queencreek Junior Rodeo might find it a bit wet on Sunday with a 20% chance of showers, but Saturday should be fine for the two day event. Saturday and Sunday the gates open at 8 am at the Bob Dean Rodeo grounds across the street from the Old Trails hardware store on Rodeo Road. The Queencreek Junior Rodeo Association is dedicated to providing a family environment in which children can obtain and develop basic rodeo skills. For more information contact Kelly Martin 928-899-2943 or visit www.qcjra.org

The chance of rain in Flagstaff on Sunday is 10% higher. The big event in Flagstaff, however, is their 12th annual Soar into Spring Kite Festival on Saturday. The event is free and open to the public from 11 am to 3 pm. The event is held at Foxglenn Park, 4200 Butler Avenue in Flagstaff. Most events are free, but there is a $3 wristband for certain rides, laser tag and other events.

There is always Marvelous Marv’s Private Grand Canyon Tour and the Bearizona Wildlife drive through park.

The forests are still open so hiking is available, but NO SMOKING is allowed in the forest due to dry conditions. In fact no smoking is technically allowed (except inside vehicles) at the Buckskinner park reservoir which is still open for fishing.

Also do not forget Sunday is Mother’s day. There are plenty of presents right here in Williams to get her. The Briar Patch provides flowers and gifts and the Route 66 Boutique just opened next door. Treats and Treasures has an assortment of candies and gifts, including coins for coin collectors, and features homemade ice cream. The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe, which just received an award from the Arizona Highways, will be open Sunday for breakfast and lunch. Pine Country and Rod’s Steak House will be open for Mother’s Day and on the east end of town is Twisters and Goldie’s Route 66 Diner.

Mayor Moore seeks third term

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UPDATED: May 8, 11:35
Moore-20140507-02WILLIAMS – Mayor John Moore of Williams is gathering signatures for a third term as mayor of the historic route 66 town.

“I felt there were issues, such as the water issue, that required continuity in leadership,” Mayor Moore said.

Mayor Moore, with the cooperation of the City Council, has overseen many improvements in the community. They worked together with Sean Casey to bring the drive-through wildlife park Bearizona to the community.

Mayor Moore is veteran friendly welcoming the motorcycle riders of Run for the Wall to Williams every year. During his watch, Williams completed the Williams Own memorial dedicated to all veterans at Williams Memorial park on the west end of town across from Safeway.

Justice of the Peace Robert Krombeen has also gathered signatures for re-election to that office. Although a county position, Judge Krombeen has a contract with the City of Williams to act as City Magistrate. He has instituted some cost-saving measures in the staff at the Williams Justice Center and installed a kiosk where people can access legal information.

There is currently no information on any other candidates.

To vote in the primary election on August 26, you must be registered by July 31. For the November 4 mid-term elections, you must be registered by October 6.

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Bridge rehabilitation project on I-40 near Ash Fork is underway

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ASH FORK – Motorists traveling along Interstate 40 near Ash Fork should be prepared for lane restrictions now through early October for a bridge rehabilitation project.

The work includes rehabilitating 10 bridge decks between the West Ash Fork traffic interchange and the East Ash Fork traffic interchange, which is between mileposts 143 and 148). This week crews have begun installing temporary traffic control barriers. The crew is also installing detour crossovers prior to working on the eastbound bridges.

Working hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 7 a.m. to noon. One lane will remain open in each direction, the speed limit will be reduced and drivers should be alert for construction vehicles and flaggers. A 12-ft. width restriction is also in place.

This fall crews are scheduled to be completed with work on the eastbound bridges. The $5 million project will then go in to a winter shutdown until spring 2015, and then warmer weather will allow for work to continue on the westbound bridges.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.

Flagstaff to host third public hearing for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Construction Program

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation will hold its third and final public hearing for the 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program next week in Flagstaff in order to gather comments from the public and communities on the direction of the program over the next five years.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 9 in the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave. in Flagstaff. The monthly State Transportation Board meeting will follow the public hearing.

The 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program is available for public review at azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram. Comments can be submitted until May 20 online or by email at fiveyearprogram@azdot.gov.

The Five-Year Program is updated every year and serves as a blueprint that details where, when and how regional, state and federal funding will be spent for projects over the next five years to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. This includes highways, bridges, transit and aviation.

Much like the current Five-Year Program, the 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program reflects a major focus on preserving the existing state highway system to keep it in good repair, while moving some programmed projects forward. ADOT must prioritize projects due to stagnant revenue from the gas and vehicle license taxes and from decreased federal funding — all of which support the Five-Year Program. Last year, ADOT cut $350 million from the 2014-2018 Five-Year Program because of substantially decreased revenue dedicated to transportation. No additional funding cuts are forecast for the 2015-2019 Five-Year Program; however, overall state and federal transportation funding continues to be flat.

The 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program includes a three percent increase in preservation spending over the 2014-2018 Program, with a steady increase in preservation funding over the next 10 years. Preserving the system means protecting our investment of $18.4 billion, the estimated value of the state highway system. The funding for the 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program looks like this:

  • Greater Arizona: $1.8 billion over five years (60 percent for preservation, 11 percent for expansion and 29 percent for modernization)
  • Maricopa County region: $1.7 billion over five years
  • Pima County region: $349 million over five years
  • Aviation: $1.1 billion over five years

Both the Maricopa and Pima county regions have independent revenue streams established through voter-approved sales tax increases.

The State Transportation Board will consider all public comments received by May 20. The board is expected to adopt the final 2015-2019 Five-Year Program at the June 13 meeting in Willcox. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. in the City of Willcox Council Chambers, 300 W. Rex Allen Drive in Willcox.

Garland Prairie Road “Bootlegger” railroad crossing to be closed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County was notified today by the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) that the “Bootlegger” railway crossing located on Garland Prairie Road about four miles east of Williams will be closed in both directions from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 8.

This closure is necessary for BNSF crews to repair and replace crossing planks and conduct rail maintenance work along several hundred feet of eastbound and westbound track.

Located between Parks and Williams and south of Interstate 40, the Bootlegger railway crossing provides access along Garland Prairie Road/Forest Service Road 146 between the Woods residential subdivision to the south and I-40.

During this closure, commuters between I-40 and the Woods subdivision will need to detour along Garland Prairie Road for approximately 19 miles. Please see the attached map for more information on this detour route.

Although this closure is exclusively related to a BNSF project, Coconino County Public Works is working with BNSF to notify local schools and first responders. Also, BNSF is placing a message board to alert motorists about this closure.

If you have any questions or require additional information about this project, then please contact Joe Pointer with BNSF at 928-241-0669.

Candidate Filing Opens For Aug. 26 Primary Election

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FLAGSTAFF – The 2014 election season has begun with 10 county elected offices up for grabs within Coconino County. Those offices include:

•Clerk to the Superior Court
•Constable – Flagstaff
•Superintendent of Schools (two-year term)
•Justice of the Peace – Flagstaff, Fredonia, Page and Williams
•Superior Court Judge- Divisions I, II and IV

The candidate filing period is now open. The deadline to file nomination petitions and paperwork to be a candidate is 5 p.m. May 28.

Declared partisan candidates will be listed on the August 26 Primary Election ballot. Primary winners and those running unopposed will then have their names placed on the November 4 General Election ballot.

Candidates running as an Arizona Revised Statute 16-341 candidate (nominated other than by primary) will only appear on the November 4 General Election ballot.

Non-partisan offices, such as school district governing boards, fire, water, sanitary and other special district board member seats will only appear on the November 4 ballot. These candidates have a different filing period.

For information about running for a seat on a school or community college governing board, contact the County Superintendent of Schools Office at 928-679-8070.

Those interested in becoming a candidate for an elected office within the County should visit the Coconino County Elections Office at 110 East Cherry Avenue in Flagstaff or call 928-679-7860 or 800-793-6181. Information is also available online at www.coconino.az.gov/elections. Click on “2014 Candidate Filing Information.”

ADOT to launch new driver license process, design

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new-driver-license-designPHOENIX – Coming soon to your wallet or handbag: a newly designed Arizona driver license – and a new process to get it.

Beginning June 16, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is expanding central credential issuance to all offices statewide, meaning that customers visiting a Motor Vehicle Division office to obtain a new driver license or identification card will leave with a temporary credential. The permanent license or identification card will be mailed to the customer, and received within 15 days.

Coupled with that, ADOT is launching a new, high-security credential format. Both changes are designed to protect against identity theft.

“As part of the new central credential issuance process, a redesigned driver license and identification card is being introduced,” said Stacey Stanton, director of ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division. “The redesigned credential contains enhanced security features to safeguard personal information and help prevent identity theft. The complexity of the new credential, and the security features and processes in place, don’t make it feasible to produce the permanent credential in offices for same-day issuance.”

Even with the new license design, there is no need to rush out to an office. A current driver license or identification card will still be valid until its expiration date – or at least until the 12-year mark when the photo needs to be refreshed. The price of a duplicate credential remains unchanged at $12 for many customers.

Customers at ADOT Motor Vehicle Division offices will no longer immediately be issued a new permanent driver license or identification card at the end of the application process. The credential will instead be mailed to the address on the resident’s application. It is important to ensure the correct mailing address has been provided in order to receive the credential.

“With the new central issuance process it is critical that customers keep their address updated with MVD,” Stanton said. State law requires that residents notify the Motor Vehicle Division of an address change within 10 days, although the purchase of a new credential isn’t required. Address changes can be made online at ServiceArizona.com.

This process has already been in place in 14 of ADOT’s offices in communities in Greater Arizona and in the Authorized Third Party offices that process driver licenses. This change will expand it to all offices statewide.

The temporary driver license or identification card will contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the actual credential. As in other states that have moved to this process, the decision to accept the temporary credential as proof of identity exists solely with the organization requesting to see the license or identification card.

The process of central credential issuance is used by most states around the country and is a growing trend as states transition to higher-security credentials.

For at least 12 years, there will be more than one valid Arizona credential format.

Security features of this new credential include:

A larger primary portrait with a smaller redundant ghost portrait ensuring customer appearance is clearly reflected.
A high-security design comprised of unique Arizona geological features in the background created by using many different patterns, lines and images. This provides the overall look of the credential.
A laser perforation in the shape of Arizona, which when held up to the light is used to quickly authenticate the credential.
Tactile date of birth field to assist in authenticating the credential using the sense of touch. The date in this field will have a raised feel to it.
Tri-color Optically Variable Device consisting of the state outline, the state name “Arizona,” the state seal, a saguaro cactus and a star. This laminate overlay provides the final layer of the credential and provides one more feature for authentication.
The ringtail, the state mammal, is illustrated on the front of the new credential.

I-10 closed near downtown Phoenix this weekend for APS power line project

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i10-pho-ber2PHOENIX – Drivers with travel plans through the Phoenix area this weekend (May 10-11) are urged to avoid a closure of Interstate 10 in the downtown area due to an Arizona Public Service Co. power line project.

Westbound I-10 will be closed between the I-17 ‘Split’ near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Seventh Avenue while eastbound I-10 will be closed between the I-17 ‘Stack’ interchange and the Loop 202/State Route 51 interchange from 2 a.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday (May 11).

The westbound Loop 202 and southbound SR 51 ramps to westbound I-10 also will be closed.

Drivers, including those with travel plans in or out of Sky Harbor Airport, can expect heavy traffic congestion in areas approaching the I-10 closure. The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends drivers plan ahead, allow plenty of extra travel time and use alternate routes if at all possible.

I-10 traffic will be detoured to Interstate 17 south and west of the downtown area, but heavy delays can be expected.

The I-10 closure is required to allow crews working on the APS project to safely remove three older power lines and replace them with six new power lines in the area of the Seventh Street overpass. According to APS, the work will add a second circuit to the Seventh Street power-line system to meet higher electrical demands and ensure greater reliability in the Phoenix area.

The weekend of May 10-11 was selected for the closure to allow APS to get the necessary work done before much-hotter summer weather arrives and before electric power demand climbs this summer. The weekend was also chosen for the closure because the Arizona Diamondbacks will be playing out of town in Chicago.

While the APS power-line work is underway, ADOT also will have crews conducting maintenance work in and near the I-10 Deck Park Tunnel.

Williams Aquatic Center opens Memorial weekend

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wac-01WILLIAMS – Despite the water shortage, the Williams Aquatic Center will open at the end of the month with a free swim.

The Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center will hold a Hawaiian party to celebrate the opening of the pool just after the Memorial Day parade. The Friends hold golf tournaments and other activities throughout the year to help keep the pool open and provide activities, such as swimming lessons, once it is opened.

The City of Williams generally provides free swim days when the pool is open, such as on Independence Day. The pool is located at 320 Railroad Avenue next to the Recreation Center.

Kiwanis Club art event at the Rodeo Barn

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300px-kiovalWILLIAMS – The Williams Kiwanis Club will be holding the Gateway to the Grand Canyon Arts and Craft Fair at the Rodeo Barn, 501 East Rodeo Road across from Old Trails Hardware.

The Fair will consist of over 45 vendors selling hand made crafts and art work. Kiwanis will hold a Chinese and Silent auction during the event which benefits their community activities throughout the year.

The Fair will be held May 16th from 11 am to 5 pm and on Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm. Lunch will be available Friday and Saturday from 11am to 2 pm and a pancake breakfast from 8am to 11 on Saturday. A dessert bar and beverages will be available all day Friday and Saturday.