Category Archives: City

GateWay in Phoenix is the first higher-education institution to fly an ADEQ Air Quality Flag

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PHOENIX – A GateWay Community College student’s personal experience led to the college being the first higher-education institution to join the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) Air Quality Flag Program. Brightly colored flags will hang on campus to raise awareness of air quality conditions within the community.

“After my grandfather was hospitalized for respiratory complications, I was looking for a way to help inform my classmates and people in the community about air quality and how we can work together to make it better,” said Britain Guliford, Respiratory Care Program student at Gateway Community College. “My grandfather is out of the hospital now, but hanging these flags is my first step in helping him and others stay out of the hospital in the future.”

By staying informed about air quality, people can make choices to protect themselves and their families from the impacts of air pollution. As part of a Service Learning project, students in the Respiratory Care Program will display two flags on the main campus located at 108 North 40th Street in Phoenix. One flag can be seen from the Valley Metro lightrail on Washington Street, also informing commuters and people traveling to and from the Phoenix International Airport. In addition, the daily air quality forecast will be visible on monitors in common areas and an outdoor marquee.

“GateWay Community College is honored to be a part of this milestone for the Flag Program in Arizona,” said Dr. Steven Gonzales, President of Gateway Community College. “Service learning is part of our curricula, but the students here have shown leadership above and beyond what is required by launching this awareness campaign that will benefit not only students and instructors on campus, but the people that live, work and travel in our community.”

Each school day, students will hang a flag matching the colors of the Air Quality Index (AQI). For Phoenix, ADEQ issues a daily AQI forecast that shows concentrations of PM-10 (dust) or ozone. By comparing the colored flags to the AQI, residents will know what actions to take to protect their health. Green signals good air quality, yellow is moderate, orange means unhealthy for sensitive groups (such as children and people with asthma) and red signals unhealthy air for everyone and outdoor exertion should be limited.

Online applications for 2019 pronghorn, elk hunts due soon

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds hunters that time is running out to apply online for 2019 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for pronghorn and elk.

All online applications must be received by AZGFD no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019.

To apply online, visit www.azgfd.gov and click on “Apply for a Draw.” For an overview of the online application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 10 of the “2019 Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet. Printed booklets are available at all department offices and license dealers statewide.

A benefit of the online application process is the opportunity to purchase PointGuard, which provides hunters with peace of mind in knowing they can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason without losing their coveted bonus points. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/pointguard.

AZGFD encourages all applicants to sign up for a free portal account when they apply online. The portal allows customers to create a secure account where they can manage and view their draw applications, license history, bonus points, gain access to their Conservation Membership package and more in the “My AZGFD Dashboard” section. A portal account also provides convenient access to the online license purchase and draw application systems. Draw results will be posted to portal accounts.

It’s easy to create an account. Just click on “My Account” in the upper right-hand corner of the www.azgfd.gov home page and then select the “Register” option, filling in the requested information. A portal account is mobile-friendly, so customers can view their information on their smartphones.

AZGFD is dedicated to assisting applicants with the online process. All department offices are equipped with customer computers that can be accessed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Customer service representatives can be reached by calling (602) 942-3000.
 

Mexican wolf survey begins February 7

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PINETOP — Residents of Alpine, Arizona, Reserve, NM and surrounding areas may notice a low-flying helicopter in the region between February 7 and February 20 as biologists conduct their annual Mexican wolf population survey and capture.

Arizona Game and Fish photo

The flights are part of the Mexican wolf Reintroduction Project, a multi-agency cooperative effort among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Service Inspection Service – Wildlife Services and the White Mountain Apache Tribe.Survey flights will occur — weather permitting — on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation; the Apache-Sitgreaves, Gila and Cibola National Forests in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico; and possibly some locations immediately outside forest boundaries.

“Each year this survey is done in the wintertime to provide a snapshot of the Mexican wolf population, by collecting critical data to help partner agencies make sound management decisions in the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program,” said Paul Greer, AZGFD Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team leader. “Additionally, data collected helps us know how these animals are using habitat in Arizona and New Mexico.”

As part of the operation, biologists will attempt to capture selected wolves born in 2018 that have not yet been fitted with a radio telemetry collar, in addition to those with collars that need a battery replacement or any wolf appearing to be sick or injured. Wolves are captured after being darted with an anesthetizing drug from a helicopter containing trained personnel.

After being immobilized, the wolf is then brought by air to a staging area for processing and any necessary veterinary care. The wolf is then returned to the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) and released on public land.

The field team is contacting private landowners to gain permission to property to capture a wolf, if necessary, and will be coordinating with land management agencies and county sheriff offices on survey operation details.

There were a minimum of 114 wolves in the wild in Arizona and New Mexico at the end of 2017, according to a survey by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team. The survey found that there were 63 wolves in Arizona and 51 in New Mexico.

Results of the survey will be made available to the public in March. For more information on the Mexican wolf reintroduction program, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/wolf or https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/.

CCSO Search and Rescue respond to report of overdue skier

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FLAGSTAFF – On February 3, 2019 at approximately 5:00 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit responded to a report of an overdue skier who had left the ski area boundary at Arizona Snowbowl and entered the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. The skier, a 16-year-old male from Flagstaff, became separated from his group and the rest of the group returned to the Arizona Snowbowl where they made the report to the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Patrol. The skier was reported to be equipped with only his skis and cell phone and no other survival equipment. At the time the report was made, it appeared that the skier’s cell phone had been powered off or had run out of battery.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit along with the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Patrol initiated an investigation and search for the skier. At approximately 5:45 PM the Sheriff’s Office located the skier on Snowbowl Road at approximately milepost 3. The skier was uninjured and was provided a ride to the Agassiz Lodge to be reunited with his family and friends. While this situation turned out well, it had the potential to be a dangerous situation for the skier.

This incident was the third lost out of bounds skier / snowboarder call received by either the Sheriff’s Office or the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Patrol on Sunday. With the recent snowfall and the expected heavy snow through mid-week, it is expected that more skiers and snowboarders may elect to ski out of bounds. Skiing or snowboarding outside of the ski area boundary carries with it some risk. The area outside of the Arizona Snowbowl boundary is not patrolled and avalanche mitigation is not conducted in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. Most skiers and snowboarders who leave the ski area boundary intend to return to the ski area, but terrain tends to force them to the south and away from the ski area.

WHAT YOU SHOULD CARRY

Those who recreate outside of the Arizona Snowbowl boundary should carry the following equipment; extra food and water, extra warm clothing, navigation equipment (map, compass, and GPS), headlamp, first aid kit, shelter material (large leaf bag or space blanket), fire starting kit or backpacking stove, pocket knife/multi-tool, whistle, avalanche beacon, avalanche probe, backcountry shovel, and a cell phone with a back-up battery pack.

Amateur radio repeaters are also located on Mount Elden. If you have an amateur radio, you can program 146.980 with a 162.2 CTCSS and negative offset and 147.140 with a 162.2 CTCSS with a positive offset. In the Williams area, the Bill Williams repeater is 146.780 with a 91.5 CTCSS and negative offset.

Wilderness users should also avoid traveling alone. Education about the winter backcountry hazards including avalanche should be sought out. Avalanches often occur within 24 hours of a storm and heavy snowfall amounts over a short period of time, high winds which deposit snow in starting zones, or signs of instability in the snowpack warrant concern in the backcountry.

The Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center offers weekly snowpack summaries that highlight the hazards in the snowpack as well as offer educational classes about avalanche. More information about the snowpack summary and courses available can be found at www.kachinapeaks.org.

A free Kachina Peaks Winter Backcountry Permit is required for backcountry travel in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness when accessing the Wilderness from Arizona Snowbowl and along the Snowbowl Road at Viet Spring and Friedlein Prairie Road. The permit can be obtained from the U.S. Forest Service and more information about the permit can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fseprd479744.

Regional transportation study public meeting to be held in Show Low

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PHOENIX – The regional transportation plan study process for the White Mountains area, administered by the Arizona Department of Transportation, continues with a public meeting to present study findings Thursday, February 7, in Show Low.

Those attending the meeting, to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Show Low City Hall, 180 N. Ninth Street, can review and comment on potential transportation improvement projects identified in the region. Public input will inform selection of projects that will be documented in the study’s final report.

ADOT is administering the transportation study for southern Navajo and Apache counties that will evaluate the current transportation infrastructure in the region and make project recommendations over the next 20 years. These projects may involve roads, bike lanes, transit routes, pedestrian trails or anything that would improve residents and visitor’s mobility within the region.

The public can also view and provide comments on the Southern Navajo and Apache County Work Plan by visiting the project webpage at azdot.com/SNAC. Click the “comment form” link to provide feedback.

The southern Navajo and Apache County region began this regional transportation plan update due to population growth and economic development that are placing a burden on the existing infrastructure.

The study region includes Snowflake, Taylor, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and unincorporated areas of southern Navajo and Apache counties, including the communities of Concho and Vernon.

Visit azdot.gov/SNAC for more information on the study.

AZGFD reduces size of Glassford Hill pronghorn herd

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A helicopter helps drive the pronghorn into a holding pen during the capture.

PRESCOTT VALLEY — The fastest land animal in North America can make it seem so effortless, reaching a top speed of 55 mph, then being able to coast at 30 mph for miles. When they get their wheels rolling, there isn’t a predator that can keep up with them, let alone catch them.

There is one thing, however, that an estimated 100 pronghorn that have roamed the Glassford Hill area near Prescott Valley cannot outrun — development.

On January 24, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), in partnership with the Arizona Antelope Foundation (AAF) and local private landowners, reduced the size of the iconic herd by capturing 45 of the fleet-footed animals and transporting them to various release sites in southeast Arizona.“Our mission at Game and Fish is to conserve and protect all of Arizona’s wildlife,” said Erin Butler, terrestrial wildlife program manager for the department’s regional office in Kingman. “With a four-lane, divided highway to the north, an encroaching subdivision to the east, another housing community under construction to the west, and more development to the south, this particular herd needs our help.

Pronghorn are released at several sites in southern Arizona.

“As development in this area continues, and their habitat dwindles, these pronghorn will find it increasingly difficult to survive. Our goal is that translocating them will boost and add genetic diversity to existing populations in the southeast portion of the state.”

The one-day operation was conducted on private property south of Highway 89A. A helicopter was used to round up and funnel the pronghorn into a holding area, where wildlife biologists, veterinarians, and others evaluated the health of each pronghorn, attached an ear tag for identification and fitted them with GPS tracking collars.

The pronghorn then were transported almost 300 miles south to release sites near Bonita, Altar Valley and San Bernardino Valley, where they will bolster a small population numbering about 100. Extensive habitat improvement work has been done in these areas over the past 10 years in partnership with the Arizona Antelope Foundation and the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), both of which provided funding and volunteers. These improvements included clearing 22,000 acres of mesquite, modifying 35 miles of fencing to facilitate easier pronghorn movement, and the placement of 15 water troughs.

As for the remaining pronghorn near Glassford Hill, AZGFD expects the lower-elevation grassland habitat to be completely developed within the next five to 10 years, resulting in a decrease in the population through natural attrition.

Costs incurred for the operation were paid for through wildlife restoration funds (which are generated by sportsmen who support conservation through their purchase of hunting, fishing and other outdoor equipment), as well as support and volunteers from AAF and NRCS.

ADOT launches website focused on safe driving

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PHOENIX – Have you ever wondered what action to take when an overhead sign warns of an oncoming wrong-way driver? Curious about how to proceed when a dust storm appears on the horizon? Want to confirm the logistics of navigating a roundabout?

FocusOnDriving.com has answers to those questions and more.

This week, the Arizona Department of Transportation launched FocusOnDriving.com, a collection of safe-driving resources aimed to make motorists more informed about how to stay safe on Arizona’s roads. The site contains video public service announcements, information from current and past safety campaigns and general safe-driving tips.

“This website provides a wide variety of safe-driving information to drivers,” said ADOT director John Halikowski. “Informed drivers make better decisions and, in turn, that makes Arizona’s roads safer for all of us.”

Current safe-driving topics on the site include wrong-way drivers, dust storms, winter weather, child safety seats, Arizona’s “Move Over” law and more.

Thousands tune in as Lake Pleasant bald eagles welcome egg

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PHOENIX — Following a rollercoaster start, the next generation of bald eagles on Lake Pleasant could very well be on the way after a second egg was firmly laid in the nest.

The egg, which was laid around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, came one day after a first egg was eaten by a pair of opportunistic ravens that swooped into the nest while the unassuming bald eagle parents were away. Each event was watched in real-time by thousands streaming video of the nest on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s bald eagle nest camera.

“While this scenario occurs daily in nature, the department’s live-streaming camera allows us to bring this unfiltered nesting process to everyone with an internet connection,” said Jeff Meyers, AZGFD watchable wildlife program coordinator. “Viewers are repeatedly drawn into the daily drama of survival, tuning in to watch the eagles eat, fend off intruders — such as egg-eating ravens and a rival bald eagle — and finding time to take turns incubating the egg. All the while, viewers are learning about Arizona’s bald eagles and other native wildlife.”

While the department is hopeful the nest will produce young, biologists aren’t as optimistic based on activity they’ve seen so far.

The eggs are the first for this new bald eagle pair, after the previous male was bested by another bird early into the breeding season. The new male still has much to learn about his role in caring for and protecting vulnerable eggs.

“Egg laying is an important milestone, but the female can’t care for the egg alone,” said Kenneth “Tuk” Jacobson, AZGFD raptor management coordinator. “The male needs to provide relief and take his turn incubating the egg; bring food for the female; ward off potential intruders; and ensure there is a constant presence on the nest. Unfortunately, he hasn’t quite learned that and the nest is often left unoccupied for multiple stretches of the day.”

Still, records show the bald eagle population at Lake Pleasant has grown since 1993 and 28 birds have since survived to take their first flight, known as fledging. In this nest, two eggs were laid with the previous male in early January 2018 and each hatched the following month. The two young successfully fledged in late April.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department Lake Pleasant bald eagle live-streaming camera is funded through Heritage and Pittman Robertson funds, and public donations. Those wishing to support the Watchable Wildlife program can click the “donate now” button after selecting which live camera feed to view at www.azgfd.gov/livecams.

To support the department’s effort to conserve and protect Arizona’s more than 800 native wildlife species, the public can purchase a Conservation Membership package at www.azwildlifehero.com and clicking on “support us” and “become a member.” Different membership levels come with special perks, from a beautiful set of wildlife notecards to an annual subscription to Arizona Wildlife Views Magazine.

The bald eagle cam is the fourth wildlife camera offered by the department, which also provides seasonal views of wintering sandhill cranes in southeastern Arizona, a bat roost at Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area and an underwater pupfish cam. All the live streams can be viewed at www.azgfd.gov/livecams.

Pile Burning on Williams Ranger District Recommencing

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WILLIAMS – Fuels reduction efforts on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest will begin on Friday of this week and continue into next week as weather conditions permit. Machine piles on two separate timber sale units on the district have been evaluated and are suitable for ignition at this time.

383 acres of piles in the Wright Timber Sale area located north of Parks on the south side of Government Hill will be ignited Friday, and an additional 200 acres will begin on Monday of next week on the Shiner Timber Sale project located just southwest of Dogtown Lake along forest road 140.

Fuels specialists will continue to assess conditions in the weeks ahead and plan to continue implementing prescribed fire activities as opportunities arise.

Crews will use tactics to minimize smoke production and reduce the potential for impacts to the surrounding roadways and adjacent communities.
During ignition operations, smoke will be visible from areas surrounding these units but is expected to be light in volume and short in duration.

These pile burns are just a couple of many ongoing forest restoration projects happening that are critical to improving forest health and increasing vital protection of forest resources and community values.
As with all prescribed burns, weather conditions will determine the day’s most suitable for ignitions that have the least amount of negative effects on air quality and the best possible ventilation.

The public can view approved prescribed fires for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/.
To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly throughout the year. Additional information can also be obtained through the following sources:

· Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
· Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
· Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
· InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Barricaded Armed Person in Williams Taken into Custody After Shooting Himself in the Leg

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Matthew Solan – CCSO

WILLIAMS – On January 30 around 12:18 in the afternoon, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and the Williams Police Department initiated a traffic stop on Matthew Solan who was wanted for questioning related to a report of aggravated assault and kidnapping. The traffic stop was made on eastbound Route 66 in Williams, AZ. During the traffic stop the driver and another passenger exited the vehicle, but Solan barricaded himself in the vehicle.

Earlier in the day, around 10:17 am, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of aggravated assault and kidnapping. The reporting party told deputies that Matthew Solan had used a gun to hold him against his will on the evening of January 28 in the Junipine Estates area north of Williams, AZ.

Sheriff’s Deputies and Williams Police Officers were attempting to locate Solan to interview him when Solan’s vehicle was seen at several businesses in the downtown Williams area. Solan was seen going to Footworks and then entered his vehicle along with two other individuals. At that time, Sheriff’s Deputies along with Williams PD Officers initiated a traffic stop and attempted to contact Solan.

The driver and other occupant exited the vehicle, but Solan refused to exit and barricaded himself in the vehicle. Officers began to set up a perimeter in the area. Barricades and stop sticks were placed to attempt to stop Solan from driving away or responding in a way that may possibly endanger others in the area. Schools and businesses in the nearby area were placed in lock down to further provide public safety. The Flagstaff Police Department’s Joint Northern Arizona Tactical Team and negotiator also responded to assist.

At approximately 6:30 pm, Solan placed the gun next to his leg and shot himself in the leg. Solan exited the vehicle and surrendered himself. Solan was treated by medics on scene. He was transported by Lifeline Medical to the Flagstaff Medical Center for further treatment.

Solan was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility on offenses including Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, Weapons Violations, Resisting Arrest, and Probation Violation.

Barricades and closures remained in effect during the follow up investigation and were lifted approximately 7 pm.

The investigation is on-going and no further information is available at this time.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office thanks the public and Williams community for their cooperation during this incident. It was vital to have the public’s cooperation and understanding of the life safety measures that were taken to keep the area clear while responders negotiated with the barricaded person. Thank you again for your cooperation.