Five ADOT projects start April 20

ARIZONA — ADOT reminds travelers that five projects are scheduled to start Monday, April 20 around our area.

1. Maintenance work on Milton Road (SR 89A) under Santa Fe Railroad Bridge in Flagstaff April 20

Travelers heading through Flagstaff need to allow for extra travel time Monday, April 20, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as ADOT crews perform maintenance operations under the Santa Fe Railroad Bridge on Milton Road (SR 89A). One lane of travel will be closed in each direction during the scheduled work. Drivers are asked to allow for extra travel time to reach their destinations and use caution while maintenance is performed in the area.

2. Overnight dirt haul on SR 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley continues

Traffic on State Route 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley (mileposts 320 to 325) will be required to stop intermittently, weather permitting, for the next three weeks to allow trucks to safely cross the highway.

The hauling operation will resume on Monday, April 20 and continue through Friday, May 8.

Overnight work hours are Monday through Friday between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night and intermittent closures are expected for dirt hauling. Drivers can expect overnight delays of up to 10 minutes for the next three weeks .

Upon completion of the $17 million project, ADOT will expand the two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway along a five-mile segment of SR 89 (mileposts 320-325) between Road 4 South in Chino Valley and Deep Well Ranch Road in Prescott, just north of the SR 89/SR 89A junction. The project is expected to be complete by August.

3. Lane restrictions overnight on Interstate 17 for bridge work

Work will begin on Monday, April 20 at the McGuireville traffic interchange

PRESCOTT: Overnight bridge work will begin on a two-mile segment of Interstate 17 at the McGuireville traffic interchange (mileposts 292 to 294) on Monday, April 20 and continue through Friday, May 29.

Crews are working on the McGuireville underpass overnight and drivers can expect alternating lane restrictions in both directions and a 12-foot width restriction during work hours of 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day.

This $210,000 project consists of bridge work on the McGuireville underpass.

4. Work continues on I-17 near the McGuireville Rest Area

Work will continue next week at the McGuireville rest area on Interstate 17 approximately two miles south of the State Route 179 junction (mileposts 294 to 299).

Drivers can expect a single lane restriction in both directions Monday, April 20 through Thursday, April 23 between 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Minimal delays expected.

5. Paving work continues next week on US 93 at Wickenburg Ranch

Motorists traveling along US 93 north of Wickenburg should allow extra travel time next week as crews continue with final paving on the new roundabout at the Wickenburg Ranch entrance.

Work hours are Monday, April 20 through Wednesday, April 22 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

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.

Smith’s Food and Drug Stores recall In-store Bakery Carrot Cake

smith-food-drugNATIONAL — Smith’s Food and Drug Stores said today it is recalling select Smith’s Bakery Fresh Carrot Cake sold in 7 states because the product contains walnuts that may not be listed on the label.

Item Description:
Smith’s Bakery Fresh Carrot Cake, 1/4 sheet filled.  Packaged on or before April 1, 2015.  UPC Code: 41573-07058
Smith’s Bakery Fresh Carrot Cake Slice, 5 oz.  Packaged on or before April 1, 2015. UPC Code: 750903-91714
Smith’s Bakery Fresh Carrot Cake, 1/8 Sheet.  Packaged on or before April 1, 2015. UPC Code: 770118-22460

carrot-cakeCustomers should return the product to stores for a full refund.

People who are allergic to walnuts could have a serious or life-threatening reaction if they consume this product. For consumers who are not allergic to walnuts, there is no safety issue with the product.

No customer illnesses have been reported to date.

Store Locations:
Smith’s stores in the following states are included in this recall: Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming

Smith’s removed items from store shelves and initiated a customer recall notification system that alerts customers who may have purchased recalled Class 1 products through register receipt tape messages and phone calls.

Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Smith’s Customer Connect toll-free at 800-576-4377. For more information, please visit www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/recall_alertsdisclaimer icon

Governor Ducey vetoes justice of peace residency bill

williams-justice-courtPHOENIX — On Tuesday, Governor Doug Ducey vetoed H.B. 2592 which would have required a candidate for Justice of the Peace to be a resident of the precinct they are to represent at the time they file papers and would have to have been a resident for one-year at the time of the general election date.

The exception would have been a justice of the peace who had been appointed. A.R.S. § 16-230 allows the governor to fill vacancies in the Justice of the Peace office with a person of the same party.

The Governor stated in his veto letter:

I do not believe it is appropriate to create a separate residency standard for one specific elected office.

The Governor also vetoed S.B. 1171 concerning filing of late campaign reports. The bill would have required that the specific amount of daily late penalties and how and when daily late penalties start and stop accruing be added to notices sent to campaigns who file late campaign reports.

Governor Ducey said in his veto letter that this matter could be handled administratively in the office of the Secretary of State.

According to current law, all penalties for late filing must be paid prior to filing the late report.

ADOT expands Authorized Third Party locations for driver services

PHOENIX — During the past several weeks, four Authorized Third Party offices have expanded their operations to offer driver license services in addition to title and registration services, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The offering of driver license services by these four sites completes the second phase of a program by the Motor Vehicle Division to help make driver services more accessible. The next two phases of this program are anticipated to be complete by the end of the year with the fifth phase completed by next January.

Once this initial expansion program is complete, customers will have 23 Authorized Third Party locations statewide they can visit for driver license, title and registration services. There are now 14 locations that offer driver license services.

“This expansion of driver license services to Authorized Third Parties is part of MVD’s commitment to make driver and vehicle services more accessible to communities across the state,” said Juan Beltran, third-party program director. “By empowering the private sector, we can give the public more options when it comes to MVD services.”

ADOT oversees the businesses to ensure that stringent operational requirements are being followed. The Motor Vehicle Division also provides Authorized Third Party employees with extensive training to ensure they can process transactions accurately.

In order to qualify to offer driver license services, an Authorized Third Party business must satisfy a list of qualifications, including road test requirements such as space in the parking lot for parallel parking or three-point turn tests as well as a proper test route.

The business must also have a designated area in the office for the written test and approved equipment to take driver license photos.

The four new locations now offering driver license services are:

GG & D Motor Vehicle Services LLC
7207 S. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85042
Office: 602-889-7096
Driver License Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Power Tags Titles and More, LLC
3125 W. Hunt Hwy., Ste. 104
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Office: 480-677-3132
Driver License Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

R L Jones Insurance Services, Inc.
800 N. Main St.
San Luis, AZ 85349
Office: 928-627-7404
Driver License Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Southwest Motor Vehicle Center
7930 E. Speedway Blvd., Ste. 100
Tucson, AZ 85710
Office: 520-722-2006
Driver License Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Governor Ducey appoints new member to State Transportation Board

Photo by Chris Mooney; From Picor.com

Photo by Chris Mooney; From Picor.com

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey has appointed Michael S. Hammond to the State Transportation Board, representing the Pima County region in the planning and development of Arizona’s transportation network.

The seven members of the State Transportation Board serve six-year terms while representing local communities throughout Arizona to prioritize transportation needs, projects and funding.

“As someone who has lived in Southern Arizona for 39 years and traveled extensively throughout our state and the state of Sonora, Mexico, both for pleasure and business, I have a keen appreciation of our transportation infrastructure and its importance in adding to our quality of life, not to mention driving economic development and job growth,” Hammond said. “It is a privilege and an honor to have a voice in the future infrastructure investments made by the state of Arizona.”

His appointment requires confirmation by the Arizona State Senate. Hammond is expected to attend his first board meeting April 17 in Phoenix.

Hammond has been in commercial real estate since 1978 and is president, founder and managing shareholder of Cushman & Wakefield|PICOR, an independent commercial real estate brokerage and management firm based in Southern Arizona. In 2002, with his background in industrial real estate and interest in regional economic development, he began focusing on the border region and, more specifically, the state of Sonora, Mexico.

Hammond received “Tucson Man of the Year” honors from Greater Tucson Leadership in 2013. He is a member of various local, regional and national organizations, including the Arizona District Export Council, the Business Development Finance Corporation, Southern Arizona Leadership Council and Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities. He is a full member of the Urban Land Institute, and serves on the Urban Land Institute State of Arizona Steering Committee.

Hammond is a graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle.
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I-17 southbound ramp to be closed at JW Powell Boulevard with detours in place

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.

Need a part-time surveillance job?

Love your country, but never trust its government.—Robert A. Heinlein; Author, WWII US Navy Veteran

Metro Phoenix? No. This is an operation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Metro Phoenix? No. This is an operation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Sierra Vista, AZ — Though you may be tired of the NSA snooping through your emails and checking out your nude photos on the cloud, you now have the opportunity to get paid for surveillance.

EKS Group, LLC out of Brandon, Florida—with an office in Sierra Vista, Airzona—is looking for part-time Surveillance Role Players for some operation in Phoenix?

EKS Group is owned by a disabled American veteran that was established in Sierra Vista in December 2006 and is a member in the Chamber of Commerce. They provide both counter intelligence and human intelligence services to the DoD.

The applicant must be 21-years of age, a U.S. Citizen and be able to maintain a secret DoD clearance. The applicant must complete a 40-hour Surveillance Operations Course.

The job is physically demanding and applicants must have the ability to walk up to 18-miles per day up to twelve consecutive days. The applicant must be able to drive or ride in a vehicle for up to twelve hours per day.

The work environment includes exposure to temperatures over 100-degrees to cold conditions below 32-degrees. The applicants are required to perform in both rural and urban environments. There are no rural or urban environments in Phoenix that reaches a low of 32-degrees in the summer.

Jade Helm, although publicly announced, is unusual in its scope. Recently discharged veterans have said they participated in operations of this sort, but not on this scale and usually on Federal facilities. National Guard units conduct operations off of bases. This raises little concern since they do conduct rescue and humanitarian operations during disasters.

Most main-stream media in Texas are running stories that this is perfectly all right and everyone should remain calm. The operation is centered around a fictional invasion of Texas. The Washington Post agrees.

A Texas sheriff deputy pointed out that the military are, “…going to set up cells of people and test how well they’re able to move around without getting too noticed in the community. They’re testing their abilities to basically blend in with the local environment and not stand out and blow their cover.”

The title of this job sounds like the “cells of people” they are going to move and they may act in that capacity. The text of the job, however, appears as though they are setting up informers and drivers to move the “cells” in the region of the operations.

The Army still seeks Internment/Resettlement specialists. A move which seems inconsistent with the closing of Gitmo by this administration.

In February of last year, Justice Antonin Scalia spoke at the University of Hawaii lamenting the decision of the Supreme Court in the 1944 case of Korematsu v. United States (323 U.S. 214). He is quoted as saying:

“Well of course Korematsu was wrong. And I think we have repudiated in a later case. But you are kidding yourself if you think the same thing will not happen again.”

These factors have caused liberty advocates to vocally question the so-called National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. The NDAA is revised to authorize an Army which must be authorized every two-years. The Navy, and by extension the Marines, are the only authorized military forces in the Constitution unless the Congress declares every two-years that an Army is necessary.

The NDAA of 2012, signed by President Obama on December 31 of 2011, contained so-called “indefinite detention” clauses allowing the military to detain anyone at anytime for any reason without trial according to some claims.

According to Russia Today, the Congress re-affirmed indefinite detention this year. According to reports, Justice Scalia seems to have been correct.

In signing the 2012 NDAA, President Obama wrote:

“I want to clarify that my Administration will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens. Indeed, I believe that doing so would break with our most important traditions and values as a Nation.”

There is no such assurance when he signed the recent NDAA with indefinite detention authority.

Meanwhile, more videos of concern are surfacing on the Internet. A YouTube video from DAHBOO777 showed a marshal-law type exercise in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He apparently received another video, recently, purported to be from Canada showing trains moving military equipment toward the west coast. Canada and the United States signed an agreement to assist one another in times of civil disobedience. According to the video, Facebook has been taking it down from Canadian sites.

So if a clean-shaven soldier in a well-pressed uniform approaches you and politely asks you to step into the back of a van with no threat of force, he is not mental. He’s Canadian.

Surprise MVD office to temporarily close for interior renovation

PHOENIX — Tomorrow the Surprise Motor Vehicle Division office will close for interior renovation, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The remodeling project will almost triple the customer waiting area capacity, offering customers more efficient and comfortable service at the office.

Currently, because of maximum occupancy guidelines, only 68 customers can be inside at one time, leaving many who visit the Surprise office to wait outside before receiving a number. After the renovation is finished, the office will hold a maximum of 188 customers.

“This renovation is an example of the Motor Vehicle Division’s ongoing commitment to efficient customer service,” said Motor Vehicle Division Operations Director Chuck Saillant. “Our updated offices, self-service kiosks, ServiceArizona website and Authorized Third Party providers provide customers with a variety of quality service options.”

The project is scheduled to last a few months, with the office anticipated to reopen sometime this summer.

Besides increasing the capacity of the customer waiting area, the project will include expanding the number of customer service windows, upgrading the air conditioning system, upgrading the restrooms and enhancing the look of the customer waiting area.

“We are very excited for this remodeling project,” said Surprise MVD Office Manager Tricia Hervey. “The renovation will allow us to better serve our customers in the Surprise and Northwest Valley areas in an expanded, more modern facility.”

While the Surprise MVD office is closed, customers may visit either the Glendale MVD office at 16380 N. 59th Ave. (59th Avenue south of Bell Road) or the Phoenix-Northwest MVD office at 20626 N. 26th Ave. (north of Loop 101). Customers may also choose to visit one of MVD’s Authorized Third Party providers.

MVD is in the process of placing a ServiceArizona self-service kiosk at the Surprise City Court for public use. Customers can also access more than 20 MVD services online through ServiceArizona.com.

Governor Doug Ducey Issues a Proclamation to Commemorate Prisoners of War Remembrance Day

PHOENIX — In honor of Prisoners of War Remembrance Day – held annually on April 9 – Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation today calling upon all Arizonans to pay respect and gratitude to all of the men and women of our nation’s armed forces who have suffered captivity in foreign countries during active service.

“Today, we pause to recognize the brave members of our armed forces who, throughout history, have been taken captive by an enemy nation while fighting to protect us at home.

We are eternally indebted to these men and women. Day after day, American heroes put on the uniform and answer the call to service – selflessly relinquishing their personal freedom to preserve ours. To those who have not returned home, they are in our thoughts, prayers and hearts. We forever honor them, and we continue to pray for their safe return.

I ask that all Arizonans join me in paying respect to our nation’s Prisoners of War, their families and all who serve and sacrifice in the name of our national and personal security. God Bless them all.”

Today is POW remembrance day

OPINION
pow-mia-banner-2ARIZONA — In accordance with Arizona Revised Statute 1-307, today is Prisoners of war remembrance day.

Subsection B. of the law requires:

The governor shall make proclamation of prisoners of war remembrance day to commemorate the sacrifices of men and women who suffered captivity in foreign lands while in the service of our country. The governor shall recommend that teachers and students of the schools of this state observe this day with appropriate exercises and shall encourage citizens to contemplate the plight of Americans who have been held captive of an enemy nation.

We searched the official web site of the Governor of the Great State of Arizona and his Facebook page. We found no proclamation nor any information on “…the plight of Americans who have been held captive of an enemy nation.”

Looking over the web site of the Arizona Legislature, we found that Senator Lesko handed out 60 dictionaries, but no word on Prisoners of War.

This is an absolute disgrace. Thus, it falls on us to tell you the plight of POWs.

Vietnam POWs cheer as their flight takes off from Hanoi.

Vietnam POWs cheer as their flight takes off from Hanoi.

First we honor those faithfully served our nation during a most difficult time in their lives. We pray for your continued health.

The most disgraceful treatment of returning prisoners of war by the United States government has to be the treatment of those returning from the Vietnam war. Many do not know, nor seem to care, that those veterans are denied access to the records of their own debriefing. They are still held classified after 40-years!

You would think that former POW John McCain would be on the front lines defending the rights of other POWs in this matter. Unfortunately this is not the case. He is one of the loudest voices in keeping these records secret and withheld from the patriots who served their country when future presidents and actors ran to foreign lands.

It is still the wee-hours of the morn. Perhaps statements are forthcoming. If they are, we hope that they will include remonstrances to the national government to allow Vietnam POWs access to their records.