Category Archives: Williams

The three new additions at Bearizona now on display

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Laura Leinaar, Animal Care specialists, give kids a close-up look at the cubs.

Laura Leinaar, Animal Care specialists, gives guests a close-up look at the cubs.

WILLIAMS — Last Friday we got to visit Bearizona Wildlife Park (Facebook) in Williams Arizona to see the newest addition. Three bear cubs born around 7 weeks ago in January. The cubs are Klondike, Blue and Captain.

Laura Leinarr, Animal Care specialist at Bearizona, explained that they are separated from their mothers because male bears will attempt to kill the cubs in an attempt to make the mothers go into heat.

In the wild, mother bears can hide their cubs, but this is not an option at Bearizona. They are also very protective of their cubs in the wild. That is why you should use extreme caution if you encounter a cub or bear in the wild. Immediately begin to slowly back up the way you came until you are well clear.
Bearizona-15-03-20-3Laura explained that they are currently being kept in the enclosure in the Mine Shaft so they can remain under constant observation to ensure their best chance of survival. While they are under constant observation by gleeful children, we think she meant professional observation.

The bear cubs will remain in the enclosure until about May. They will then be transferred to an enclosure near the new gift shop that is currently being constructed. If that is not finished, they will be located at the normal cub enclosure at the walk-through area.
Bearizona-15-03-20-4Like any newborns, the cubs are still developing eyesight and learning to walk. Yet they have a highly developed sense of smell that they rely on to identify their mothers. In this case, they know Laura’s smell and get excited hoping that it is feeding time. If you get a chance to see the cubs around feeding time, Laura might even give you a close-up look.

Bearizona is a drive-through wildlife park and the animals ARE considered wild. Laura explained that it is extremely important to keep windows rolled up and doors locked while in the drive-through section. Bears are intelligent and if they smell something interesting in your vehicle, they can actually operate your door latch. That includes the latch to the back door in many SUVs.

If you do not enjoy the option of shooting pictures through window glass, you can opt to take the windowless bus. You can catch the bus at the entrance to the walk-through area.
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New Old Smokey’s opens tomorrow

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640-Smokeys-07WILLIAMS — One of the historic Route 66 restaurants in Williams re-opens tomorrow. Almost like the Phoenix, Old Smokey’s restaurant is rising from the flood to move onto Route 66.

The restaurant opens tomorrow at 125 W. Route 66 at 6 a.m. They plan to open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., initially, adjusting the hours as necessary. The old Old Smokey’s only served breakfast and lunch, but the owners have added a dinner menu at the new location.

Owner Dan Barnes explained that they had a lease at the old building—located across the street from Dairy Queen—with an option to buy. The building fell into disrepair and there was some difficulty getting repairs causing the restaurant to be closed for several years. Mr. Barnes had acquired the rights to the name and the Old Smokey image and kept the LLC open. The image of Old Smokey is the same, albeit a little flashier.

The restaurant boasts a better menu with hamburgers and a chicken sandwich you can build to your taste from the menu. They recommend checking out the pretzel and corn meal dusted sandwich buns. They also recommend trying out their chicken, pork or beef barbeque. They still offer the old familiar breakfast favorites that made old Old Smokey’s famous.

Santa Fe stops rising

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640-15-03-19-3WILLIAMS — The rise in the water level at Santa Fe dam seems to have ceased. That’s the bad news. The good news is the wildlife is starting to return. If they start stocking the dam with trout, visitors may be treated by a visit by the bald eagles.

Williams received a little rain last night and could receive a dousing tonight. The rain is expected to clear up by tomorrow night. Next week it should be sunny with some cloudiness and temperatures in the 60s.
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Bison Lake in Bearizona full

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Buff-Lake15-03-18-5white-buffalo-01WILLIAMS — Bison Lake at the Bearizona Wildlife Park seems to have filled up due to snow melt.

Actually it is not really a lake. The plain area where the Bison usually love to lay in the snow has filled with water creating a marsh which is difficult, at best, to drive through.

Not to worry, however. The Bison are still hanging around the road for viewing.

Next week visitors will be treated to viewing the newest residents to the park. Three bear cubs were born this spring and will be placed into the walk-through area.
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Bridge work starting on I-40 west of Holbrook

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NOTE: We noted a lot of bridge work happening between Williams and Flagstaff on I-40. Please remember that ARS provides for double-fines for speeding through a highway construction zone.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin a project on Monday, March 23 to make improvements to the Leroux Wash Bridges on Interstate 40 just west of Holbrook.

The $1.2 million dollar project will include removing and replacing both bridges approach slabs and repairing both bridge decks. The project is anticipated to be completed this fall.

Work hours will be 7 a.m.to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Work crews will be working on both the eastbound and westbound bridges at the same time. One of the two lanes in each direction will be closed leaving one lane open for traffic. The speed limit will be reduced through the construction zone and there will be width restrictions.

Drivers are asked to use caution and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Methodist church celebrates St. Patrick’s day

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640-StPatrick15-03-17-4WILLIAMS — the annual Saint Patrick’s day corned beef and cabbage dinner at the United Community Methodist church of Williams seem to be a big success last night. The church is led by pastor Billy Martin.

Church volunteers cook and serve food straight from the kitchen.

Church volunteers cook and serve food straight from the kitchen.


The volunteers from the congregation spent a day cooking a great meal of corned beef and cabbage, potatoes and carrots, and baking soda bread. Some volunteers donated cupcakes, cookies, brownies and desserts.
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They even cleaned up afterwards.

The united Methodist church conducts this event each year in addition to their other community service. The church holds normal Sunday Services as well as Bible studies on Wednesdays. They also have a weekly dinner prior to the Bible study on Wednesday.

Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique will hold vaccine clinic

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928-635-2172/517 E. Route 66, Williams

WILLIAMS — Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique at 517 E. Route 66 will host a vaccine clinic by the Williams Veterinary Clinic. The clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and the terms are cash only. No credit cards please.

The canine vaccines available will be DA2PPV (distemper and parvo) for $20, rabies $18, bordetella $18.

Feline vaccines will include FVRCP (upper respiratory) for $20, $18 for rabies and $22 for FELV.

For more information you can call 928-635-5392.

Buckskinner reservoir dam o’r flows

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800-15-03-16-02WILLIAMS — Buckskinner dam and the old Williams dam are overflowing and Williams is expecting a wet week.

300-15-03-15-14Spring is apparently closing in on Williams with warm weather, birds chirping and bees buzzing.

The snow melt is causing the water to rise and Cataract Creek to flow through town. The old dam is overflowing, but keeping the duck pond full. Although the Buckskinner reservoir dam is now overflowing, Cataract Creek is not flowing as well as days gone by. It is good, however, to see water in the Creek once again. The rise of water at Santa Fe seems to have slowed.
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Tomorrow the temperatures are expected to drop slightly tomorrow and through the week remaining in the mid-50s to low-60s. There is a 10% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow raising to 50% after 11 a.m. on Wednesday through Thursday morning. The chance of thunderstorms drops to 30% Thursday night.

There is a slight chance of rain continuing thereafter through Sunday.

Three new bear cubs join Bearizona Wildlife Park

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Bearizona Photo

Bearizona Photo

WILLIAMS — Bearizona Wildlife Park is excited to announce the arrival of three un”bear”ably cute North American bear cubs, which were born in early January at the Williams, Arizona Wildlife Park. The bear cubs will be viewable in a special care area of the park until May, when they will then be big enough to go out into their own enclosure within the walk through portion of the park.

Black Bears commonly have two to four cubs per litter, and can nurse up to six cubs. Despite high birthrates, only four out of ten cubs will reach their first year of life. The sixty percent of cub mortality is a result of starvation and depredation by male bears are other large carnivores.

Arizona has a stable wild population of black bear in the wild, however the elusive animals are rarely seen. Visitors to Bearizona Wildlife Park are able to get a close encounter with captive black bears, while learning about their habits and history.

“The connections people make between our animal residents and the habitats in which they reside are key to understanding and conserving wildlife,” explains COO and Curator Vanessa Stoffel. “We have a unique opportunity to educate the public about what it means to live with and recreate among black bears, and these little ambassador cubs are where it all begins.”

Bearizona is a wildlife park in which guests experience a scenic three-mile drive in their own vehicle or coach witnessing North American animals in their natural environment.

Visitors can then leisurely stroll through the forest along winding walkways to get an up-close look at the antics of baby and smaller animals in Fort Bearizona. Guests are encouraged to catch their complimentary Birds of Prey free flight show where they will come face to face with hawks, owls and other raptors.

Bearizona’s mission is to promote conservation through memorable and educational encounters with North American wildlife in a natural environment.

Local artist gets mentions in national magazines

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640-LookbookWILLIAMS — Local bear artist Brenda Carter is getting attention by national industry magazines. In January of this year, she received recognition for Miss Penelope in teddy bear & friends magazine. This month she is mentioned with others in Bear Beautiful magazine.

Brenda grew up in England during WWII amid air raids and bombs dropping. Many a day was spent in the basement of their home during a raid and amazingly the damage to her home consisted mainly of windows blown in and ceilings falling down while other homes on the street were destroyed.

Over fifty-years ago, she immigrated to the USA. Meeting her husband many years later. He served with the Sheriff’s Office in California for 26 years. After his passing she moved to Williams and opened a gift shop called Autumn Buffalo for about 12 years.

When she retired, she started a hobby of making dollhouses and furniture. Later her friend Lorrie a well known sculptor of art dolls (LorelieBlu Studio) taught her how to sculpt fantasy dolls.

Brenda started a Facebook page called Teddy Bears and Fantasy Dolls and quickly gathered many followers. The past couple years she started to think about how much her little teddy bear from the war gave her comfort which she still has and decided to start creating Teddy Bears for others to collect and make their own memories. This is when she moved into making Teddy Bears and became a Banner member of Artist Bears International where she posts her work for sale.