Category Archives: Phoenix

Arizona Highways magazine celebrates 90 years with anniversary issue

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300-azhighwayPHOENIX — How do you capture the past 90 years in words and pictures? It’s not an easy task to encapsulate the best of the best in a single issue of a magazine.

April marks 90 years of publication for Arizona Highways magazine. As a tribute, Arizona Highways has taken a walk through history. The editorial staff dug through roughly 1,100 issues to assemble a collection of words, photos, ads, maps, art and other memorabilia that proved to be some of the most popular items ever published by the magazine. The content is divided up over nine decades, each decade highlighting the favorites among readers.

“We’ve come a long way since 1925, when we ran ads for road graders and published stories about bridge construction,” said Arizona Highways Editor Robert Stieve. “Things got a lot more interesting in 1938, when Editor Raymond Carlson and Art Director George Avey came along. They’re the founding fathers of a magazine that would go on to make publishing history in 1946 with the world’s first all-color publication, get banned in the Soviet Union in 1965 because it was viewed as propaganda, and share the beauty of Arizona with readers in all 50 states and more than 120 countries around the world.”

Arizona Highways’ 90th anniversary issue features so many highlights from years past, that the number of pages was nearly doubled for this issue. Everything from famous photographs by Ansel Adams, colorful paintings by Ted DeGrazia, and breathtaking scenery from every corner of Arizona is included in this special collector’s issue.

There are some treats in store with this 90th anniversary issue for both longtime subscribers and new readers. The April issue features custom front and back covers. The original work of art on the front cover was created by world-renowned painter and Arizona native Ed Mell. It combines some of the many elements of the Arizona landscape, along with a highway featured prominently. Signed, limited-edition prints of this fine art will be available for sale at $49.99. Proceeds will benefit Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona.

The iconic map on the back cover was originally created in 1940 by George Avey. This will also be available as a limited-edition print for $19.99. Both prints will be available for purchase at shoparizonahighways.com or by calling 1-800-543-5432.

Finally, for one day only, a digital 12-month subscription to Arizona Highways will be available on April 1 at the cost of just one dollar, the same price for a subscription to the magazine in 1925, the year it launched. The sale will begin at 8 a.m. on April 1 and last until midnight at arizonahighways.com. The special price for the digital subscription is limited to the first 10,000 customers on April 1.

A one-year subscription to the print version of Arizona Highways magazine (12 issues) is $24 in the United States. For more information on Arizona Highways magazine, or to sign up for a subscription, visit arizonahighways.com.

HB 2320 and HB 2431 Stalled in House

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axcdl_logoContact House Leadership!
Commentary by Arizona Citizens Defense League

PHOENIX — The House Leadership has sidelined two AzCDL-requested bills, HB 2320 and HB 2431. If they cannot meet the March 20 deadline to be heard in Senate committees, they are effectively dead for the session.

HB 2320, which would exempt CCW permit holders from being disarmed when entering state and local government property unless every person entering is screened for weapons, only needs a Third Read floor vote to proceed to the Senate.

HB 2431, which would establish an interstate compact that restricts member states from enacting firearms transfer requirements greater than existing federal law, needs both a House Committee of the Whole (COW) hearing, currently scheduled for March 9, and a Third Read vote to proceed.

It’s time to urge the House Leadership to schedule HB 2320 and HB 2431 for Third Read votes before it’s too late.

Daylight Savings time begins Sunday

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famous-daylight-savings-time-quotes-and-sayings-2PHOENIX — Daylight savings time will begin tomorrow. Across the country clocks will “spring ahead” one hour.

Except in Arizona.

For years, Arizona has enjoyed the luxury of not having to reset their clocks. They may, however, have to reset the recording times on their VCR (if you know what those are) to ensure they can capture the latest Lady Gaga performance.

300-Native-AmericanThis distressing situation may change, however, if Republican Phil Lovas has his way.
Arizona legislature Phil Lovas (R-22) has introduced HB 2014 to make Arizona compliant with daylight savings time. He is joined by John Allen (R-15) and Paul Boyer (R-20).

HB 2014 would amend Section 1-242 of the Arizona Revised Statute to make Arizona residents change their clocks with the rest of the nation. The bill even deletes section D. of the current statute which reads:

The rejection of daylight saving time as provided for in this section may be changed by future legislative action.

Presumably this is intended to ensure that no one has to change their recording times so that they can always and forever catch the latest escapades of the Kardashians.

Fortunately there appears to have been no movement on this bill of Kawliforna influence.

60-day ramp closures start Mar. 9 at the Loop 101/Thomas Road interchange

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PHOENIX — As part of the Loop 101 Improvement Project in the East Valley, additional on- and off-ramps will be closed for approximately two months starting Monday (March 9), according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The northbound Loop 101 on- and off-ramps at Thomas Road are scheduled to close by early Monday morning. Crews will reconstruct the ramps so they fit into the path of the wider freeway. The ramps are due to reopen by mid-May.

Drivers are encouraged to use ramps at other nearby interchanges along Loop 101 while the ramps at Thomas Road are closed.

The work is part of the $73 million project to add new right lanes along Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). The entire project is scheduled for completion next year.

The northbound Loop 101 on-ramp and southbound off-ramp at McKellips Road were closed to traffic last week. They are scheduled to reopen by early May.

Project schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather.

Fiber line cut near Carefree causes massive Internet and phone outage in Northern Arizona

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PHOENIX – Northern Arizona lost phone, Internet and television due to a fiber line that was cut near Carefree, Arizona. The outage affected from Page to Williams.

Channel 3 in Phoenix reported that Century Link officials confirmed that a fiber line that was deliberately cut caused the outage. The cut line caused outage of communications from about 11:30 a.m. until about 6 p.m. Other Internet and service providers using the line were also affected.

911 calls were immediately re-routed through another line.

Officials are still investigating the incident.

Baggiore Selected Director of ADEQ’s Water Quality Division

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PHOENIX – Trevor Baggiore has been selected as the new director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s Water Quality Division, ADEQ Director Henry Darwin announced today.

Baggiore had served as the division’s deputy director since September 2014 and had been deputy director of the ADEQ Air Quality Division for four years before making the move to the Water Quality Division. Baggiore replaces Mike Fulton, who resigned last week to become deputy director of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.

Baggiore received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Arizona State University in 2001, the same year he joined ADEQ as an intern. He received his master’s degree in business administration from ASU in 2006 and is a registered professional engineer in Arizona.

“Trevor brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm to his leadership role along with a proven track record of planning and executing complex projects,” Darwin said. “I’m extremely excited by the prospects of his promotion not only for Trevor but for the Water Quality Division and the entire agency.”

Before being selected deputy director of the Air Quality Division, Baggiore had been both a unit manager and section manager in the division for six years.

ADOT continues efforts to upgrade US 93 corridor

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation launched a new project this week to widen US 93, the primary travel route for Phoenix drivers headed to Las Vegas, and efforts continue on another ongoing widening project to further a decades-long commitment to convert the rural two-lane roadway to a modern, four-lane divided highway in northwest Arizona.

Just north of Wickenburg, ADOT started this week on the expansion of US 93 between State Route 71 and State Route 89 (mileposts 185-190). The $12.5 million project, reconstructing the highway into four lanes, is expected to be completed in 2016.

This project will be funded through the Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Improvement Program.

Along this section of highway, ADOT previously installed a centerline rumble strip, which is a pattern of small cuts in the pavement, in an effort to alert drivers whose vehicles cross the centerline of the two-lane, two-way roadway. Signs were also added to remind drivers that US 93 has two-way traffic and ADOT made it a requirement that drivers use their headlights during daylight hours.

“Safety has been the drive force behind our series of projects to convert US 93 into a divided four-lane highway,” said ADOT State Engineer Dallas Hammit. “ADOT’s long-term goal is to have a modern, four-lane divided highway between Phoenix and Las Vegas and we’ll continue to get closer to that goal as funding becomes available.”

Approximately 80 miles north of the project near Wickenburg, ADOT is continuing work on widening the Antelope Wash segment of US 93 (mileposts 101-104), roughly 20 miles north of Wikieup.

The $20 million improvement project began last summer and crews are currently reconstructing the future northbound lanes of US 93, which are adjacent to the existing US 93 alignment. The widening project, which is nearly 70 percent completed, is slated to be finished this summer.

ADOT urges drivers to proceed through the work zones with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Since 1998, ADOT has invested approximately $350 million in projects to upgrade the US 93 corridor, which stretches from Kingman to the Nevada state line and Wickenburg to Interstate 40 (a 23-mile segment of I-40 east of Kingman connects the north and south sections of US 93).

Currently, all but 49 miles of the 200-mile drive (more than 75 percent) from Wickenburg to the Nevada state line has been upgraded to a four-lane divided highway in an effort to improve traffic flow, support the movement of freight and enhance safety through this heavily-traveled area. The entire northern segment of US 93 from Kingman to the Nevada state line (mileposts 1-68) is now a four-lane divided highway following the completion of a $71 million project in 2010.

When the SR 71 to SR 89 and Antelope Wash sections are completed, ADOT will have widened an additional eight miles of the 109-mile stretch of US 93 from Wickenburg to I-40.

Ultimately, US 93 could become part of the proposed Interstate 11 corridor that, once fully constructed, would connect Nogales and Las Vegas, extending north through Nevada, potentially reaching as far as Canada.

Last October, ADOT and the Nevada Department of Transportation completed the I-11 and Intermountain West Corridor Concept Report, the final element in the initial two-year feasibility study, this document can be found at www.i11study.com.

“US 93 has been designated as a potential alignment for the proposed Interstate 11 corridor,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “With the continued growth in the southwest, it’s essential that we have the transportation infrastructure in place to accommodate the efficient movement of goods and motorists in Arizona, and to support the movement of freight beyond our borders.”

I-15 bridge improvement work progresses along Virgin River Gorge

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virginriverbridgePHOENIX — As progress continues on the reconstruction of Virgin River Bridge No. 6, the Arizona Department of Transportation is urging motorists traveling on Interstate 15 between Mesquite, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, to plan ahead for construction delays up to 20 minutes next week.

Beginning on Monday, Feb. 23, crews will install the girders on the new southbound bridge structure.

This work, which will continue through the end of March, will require intermittent rolling lane closures to allow for the safety of both construction crews and the traveling public. Work hours will be Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to noon.

For more information on the intermittent traffic breaks that will occur, watch the following ADOT YouTube video: http://youtu.be/FyUcqpQCfig.

While one travel lane will remain open in each direction, motorists are reminded to slow down and drive carefully through the work zone and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

The $27 million rehabilitation of Virgin River Bridge No. 6 (milepost 16) began in March 2014, and is anticipated to be complete in 2016. This significant project includes the replacement of the bridge’s superstructure (girders, deck and railings), as well as widening the roadway through the narrow passage of the Virgin River Gorge.

Drivers should allow for up to 15 minutes extra travel time during regular construction activities occurring on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional delay time may occur on weekends due to heavier traffic volume and special events.

The busiest travel time through the Gorge is Friday through Sunday. With limited alternate routes due to the remote location of the I-15 Virgin River Gorge corridor, ADOT urges drivers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions. Unscheduled restrictions or closures may occur. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or call 5-1-1; outside Arizona, dial 1-888-411-ROAD (7623).

For more information about the I-15 Virgin River Gorge projects, please visit azdot.gov/I15virginriver.

March is Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month

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PHOENIX – March has been designated as Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness month since 1983. The Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission is a part of the Arizona State Parks system.

Arcaeology awareness was started in 1983 by the State Historic Preservation Office and an ad hoc Archaeology Advisory Group for the Governor. This group morphed into the Arizona Archaeology Advisory Commission. The duties of the Commission are specified in Arizona Revised Statue. The commission will end July 1, 2017.

March was designated Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month and this statewide celebration has grown into a major public education effort involving over 60 different federal, state, municipal, tribal and private organizations. Proclaimed by the Governor each year, this celebration annually features over 100 events including prehistoric site tours, exhibits, open houses, lectures, demonstrations and other activities throughout Arizona.

Starting in 1989, an annual Archaeology Expo was added to the Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month events. The Archaeology Expo is a pivotal event in the month-long celebration of AAAM and provides an opportunity for organizations involved in archaeology to provide exhibits, demonstrations of prehistoric crafts and archaeological techniques, and hands-on activities for both children and adults. Other activities at the Expo include: guided site tours, Native American arts and crafts, demonstrations, and living history re-enactments.

These activities give visitors new insights into Arizona’s many prehistoric and historic cultures. This successful public education event reaches out to thousands of people each year in an effort to instill a stewardship ethic toward our state’s archaeological and historical resources. The annual Archaeology Expo is held in a different region of the state to benefit people throughout Arizona.

A free listing of events is available by contacting Arizona State Parks at (602) 542-4174. Events available in your area are listed on the Arizona State Parks web site.

Proposed Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (Azpdes) Renewal Permit

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ADEQ-2Pursuant to the Clean Water Act and in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R18-9-A907, the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) proposes to issue an Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Permit to discharge pollutants to Waters of the United States to the following applicant, subject to certain effluent limitations and special conditions:

Public Notice No. 15-41
Published on February 17, 2015
Published in the Northern Arizona Gazette

AZPDES Permit No. AZ0021245

Arizona Game and Fish Department
Page Springs Fish Hatchery (PSFH)
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086

The Arizona Game and Fish Department applied for a renewal AZPDES permit for the proposed discharge of up to 22.8 million gallons per day (mgd) of hatchery process water from PSFH to the

Oak Creek in the Verde River Basin in Township 16 N, Range 4 E, Section 23, in Yavapai County, Arizona. The PSFH consists of two flow-through fish hatcheries (Bubbling Ponds and PSFH). Water for the two production operations (cold water species and warm water species) is obtained from two natural springs, is not comingled through the hatchery processes, and is discharged to two different locations on Oak Creek. Biosolids requirements are not applicable because fish wastes are not considered biosolids under the 40 CFR 503 provisions.

The permit and fact sheet may be viewed online at http://www.azdeq.gov/cgi-bin/vertical.pl by typing the permit number in the box left of “Search Event”. The public notice and related documentation also are available for public review, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the ADEQ Records Center, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona, 85007. In Phoenix, please call (602) 771-4380 or e-mail recordscenter@azdeq.gov 24 hours in advance to schedule an appointment to review the file.

Persons may submit comments or request a public hearing on the proposed action in writing, to Jacqueline Maye, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, 1110 W. Washington St., 5415B-3, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. All written comments received by ADEQ by the close of business on the date 30 days after publication of this notice will be considered in the final permit decision. A public hearing request must be in writing and must include the reasons for such request. If there is a significant degree of public interest, the Director will hold a hearing in accordance with A.A.C. R18-9-A908(B).