Category Archives: Counties

County Board of Supervisors Approves Ordinance Regulating Use of Devices While Driving

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text-msgFLAGSTAFF — Culminating multiple years of research and several months of deliberations, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that aims to curb distracted driving within the County.

On Tuesday, the Board unanimously passed County Ordinance 2014-03: Regulation of Portable Communication Devices and Texting While Operating a Motor Vehicle. During the meeting, members of the public who addressed the Board spoke favorably of the ordinance and urged its passage to increase public safety.

“Our board feels strongly that this is a public health and safety issue that needs to be addressed. Countless studies have shown that distracted drivers are far more likely to be involved in a crash than those who are focused on what’s going on around them,” said Board Chairman Matt Ryan. “On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I thank the Public Health District Advisory Board, our public health staff and Sheriff’s Office for helping address this critical issue.”

For years, County officials postponed passing its own ordinance, hoping that Arizona lawmakers would enact a statewide law placing restrictions on the use of cellphones and other devices while driving, Supervisor Ryan said.

While many bills have been introduced in the Arizona Legislature in that time, none have become law. Arizona is one of three states without any form of regulation on the use of cellphones and other devices while driving.

“It was important for the safety of our residents that we implement these safety measures in our area,” Supervisor Ryan said. “However, we still urge our lawmakers to consider a similar measure at the state level.”

The ordinance passed Tuesday goes into effect in 30 days on May 22. The ordinance states that “a person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a portable communications device to engage in a call unless that device is configured to allow hand-free listening and talking, and is used exclusively in that manner while driving. Texting and typing are banned while operating a motor vehicle.”
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Coconino County Supervisors Ban Use, Sale of Fireworks

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution today that prohibits the sale and use of consumer fireworks in unincorporated areas of the County.

The action taken Friday immediately bans the sale and use of consumer fireworks on unincorporated areas of the County and is in effect until the U.S. Forest Service lifts Stage 1 fire restrictions.

“The Board has heard from countless residents who are concerned about what is likely to be an active fire season,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Ryan. “Our residents are all too familiar with the devastating impact wildfires have on our forests, property and economy. By approving this resolution banning the use of fireworks, the Board hopes to thwart the next wildfire.”

The Board approved the resolution under a new law signed Tuesday by Gov. Jan Brewer that grants counties under 500,000 people the authority to regulate the sale and use of fireworks when area forests enter into Stage 1 fire restrictions. Until signing the current law, counties could only regulate the use of consumer fireworks during a reasonable risk of wildfire.
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Reminder for the Citizen Prosecutor Academy

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CASEALGoldBlueReduced2Tami Suchowiejko of the Coconino County Attorney’s office reminds Coconino County residents of the Citizen Prosecutor Academy scheduled for Friday May 2nd. The one-day course runs from 8:30 am to 5 pm and is conducted by various law enforcement agencies in the county.

Visit the website at www.coconino.az.gov/CountyAttorney to download an application form. Completed forms can be faxed to (928) 679-8201, or mailed to Coconino County Attorney’s Office, 110 E. Cherry Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 or contact Tami Suchowiejko at (928) 679-8229 or Email.

Overnight work on I-17 south of Camp Verde scheduled tonight

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CAMP VERDE – The Arizona Department of Transportation will move concrete barrier on southbound Interstate 17 tonight, April 17 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. south of Camp Verde as part of the climbing lane project. 

 

Southbound drivers can expect a single lane restriction and northbound traffic will be guided through the project work zone with flaggers and a pilot car. 

 

Starting Monday, April 21 crews will begin the milling and paving work on I-17 through the project.  For the next two weeks, overnight work will require a single lane restriction in both directions and drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel times to reach their destination.     

 

Work hours are from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and drivers can expect minimal delays. 

 

During construction, bicyclists are not permitted through the project work zone as the shoulders along I-17 are closed.   

 

This project is expected to be complete by the summer 2014. 

 

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. 

 

For more information, email projects@azdot.gov or call the ADOT project information line at 1.855.712.8530. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 511.

Detention Officer Arrested for Unlawful Sexual Conduct in a Correctional Facility

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FLAGSTAFF – On Tuesday, April 8, 2014 a staff member of the Coconino County Detention Facility spoke with an adult female inmate who told him that a detention officer was engaging in inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature with her. This information was given to the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation division and an internal affairs investigation was initiated. Sheriff’s Office staff contacted the Flagstaff Police Department and requested they conduct the criminal investigation of the offense.

As a result of the investigation by Flagstaff Police Detectives, 50 year-old Pete C. Gomez of Flagstaff, a Detention Officer II with the agency, was arrested for the offense of one count of Arizona Revised Statute 13-1419A (Unlawful Sexual Conduct in a Correctional Facility).

Gomez’s has been employed at the detention facility for five years. Gomez is on administrative leave as the internal investigation is continued by Sheriff’s Office Detectives. Flagstaff Police Detectives are continuing the criminal investigation.

Citizen Prosecutor Academy scheduled for May 2d.

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CASEALGoldBlueReduced2FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Attorney office will conduct another Citizen Prosecutor Academy on Friday May 2d from 8:30 to 5 pm.

The day-long academy is taught by various experts from the Coconino County Attorney’s Office as well as other professionals from the criminal justice system. Attendees will learn how criminal cases are handled from intake/grand jury through trial to appeal. They can also expect a lecture presented by the Medical Examiner and a presentation about the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab. Participants will gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of real-world prosecution and law enforcement. You can see a sample of lectures from their previous agenda.

“We are excited to continue our academy which brings the community into the office to share information, exchange ideas, and facilitate a better understanding of how the County Attorney’s Office serves the public. It’s also a lot of fun,” County Attorney Rozema stated in the press release.

The class sizes are limited so interested parties should apply as soon as possible. You can download an application by clicking here.

Bridge work starting on I-40 in Winslow

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Drivers should expect narrowed lanes and reduced speed limits on I-40 through Winslow

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation begins a project on Monday, March 31 to reconstruct Interstate 40 bridges at Ruby Wash, Maple Street and Transcon Lane in Winslow.

The east- and westbound bridges at each location, six total, will be improved during the $3.8 million dollar project. Work includes replacing the bridge decks, new asphalt and some guardrail and drainage improvements.

All six bridges will be under construction simultaneously and I-40 will be narrowed to one lane between mileposts 254 and 257 through fall 2014, when the project is anticipated to be completed. There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone.

In addition to the interstate restrictions, there are local restrictions as well. Maple Street, which runs underneath I-40, will be closed for six months. Detour signs will be posted for alternate routes during its closure. Also, Transcon Lane, which also runs under I-40, will have intermittent lane closures, but will remain open to traffic. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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

Community Meeting on Awareness & Prevention of Serious Injury and Fatality Collisions on Camp Townsend/Winona Road

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is facilitating a meeting to discuss motor vehicle collisions resulting in injuries and fatalities that have occurred on Camp Townsend/Winona Road. The meeting will be held at the Summit Fire District Station Number 31 located at 6425 N. Cosnino Road in Flagstaff on Thursday, March 27, 2014 beginning at 6:00 pm.

During the years of 2008 to February 4, 2014 Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives have investigated 49 motor vehicle collisions resulting in injuries and five collisions that have resulted in fatalities on Camp Townsend/Winona Road. Investigations have revealed that a large number of the collisions are the result of driver error with the most predominant violations of “Speed in Excess Of the Posted Limit” and “Failure to Control Motor Vehicle.”

Representatives of the Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Public Works Engineering Department will present information to the community and discuss possible solution to include increased enforcement of traffic violations on Camp/Townsend Winona Road with emphasis on violations that may result in serious injury and fatality collisions. Representatives of the Public Works Department will discuss the possibility of additional signage.

The Sheriff’s Office is seeking information and suggestions from the public that create a collaborative effort to reduce collisions in the area. We cordially invite you to join the Sheriff’s Office in a partnership of trust and shared responsibility with the ultimate objective of increasing motoring-safety on Camp Townsend Winona Road and throughout our community.

Two neighborhood watch programs scheduled for Flagstaff.

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neighborhoodwatchFLAGSTAFF – Two neighborhood watch meetings are scheduled for the first week of March in the Flagstaff area. The first is at Timberline/Fernwood on March 4. The second will be in Doney Park on March 6.

The Timberline/Fernwood meeting will be from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at Summit Fire Station #33 located at 6050 Firehouse Lane, off of North Highway 89. Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll of the Coconino County Sheriff’s office and County Supervisor Liz Archuleta will be in attendance. Members of the Sheriff’s Office staff will be at the meeting to share information and encourage continued neighborhood participation.

At the request of participants who attended the February meeting a Master Gardener from Coconino County will speak to the group about seasonal gardening and plant species that thrive in Coconino County. The speaker will also identify types of noxious weeds and plants found in Coconino County.

Deputy Driscoll and County Supervisor Mandy Metzger will be at the Doney Park Neighborhood Watch Meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Summit Fire District Station 32 and Administrative Offices located at 8905 Koch Field Road Flagstaff, AZ.

Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll will be at the meeting to encourage continued neighborhood participation and to share information. Doney Park Community Deputies will be available to answer questions and provide support to this partnership between law abiding citizens, law enforcement and county government.

At the request of participants during the February meeting, Ruthanne Penn who is the Assistant to the Coconino County Emergency Manager will give a presentation on Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Emergencies. Ms. Penn will give instructions on how to build a “Go Bag” which contains items required for an evacuation out of the residence lasting up to 72 hours. Participants will also be given instructions how to build a “Home Emergency Kit” that will sustain a family for up to 72 hours in the event they are required to “Shelter in Place.”

Neighborhood Watch is similar to the Block Watch program commonly conducted in urban areas and goes back to the concept of “neighbors looking out for neighbors” that many people remember from 30 years ago. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent and deter criminal activity, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of our children and the elderly, and to alleviate fear and isolation. Residents learn how to observe and report suspicious activity and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.

Timberline/Fernwood Neighborhood Watch Meeting

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neighborhoodwatchFlagstaff––Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta would like to invite residents of the Timberline and Fernwood communities to the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2014. The meeting will be held from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Summit Fire Station 33, located at 6050 Firehouse Lane, off of North Highway 89. Members of the Sheriff’s Office staff will be at the meeting to share information and encourage continued neighborhood participation.

Paul Currivan who is a Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Volunteer and participant of the Timberline Neighborhood Watch program will give a presentation on Driving Safety Tips during Inclement Weather. Community Deputy Robert Smith will give a presentation on Preparedness for and Survival of Severe Winter Weather.

Neighborhood Watch is similar to the Block Watch program commonly conducted in urban areas and goes back to the concept of “neighbors looking out for neighbors” that many people remember from 30 years ago. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent and deter criminal activity, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of our children and the elderly, and to alleviate fear and isolation. Residents learn how to observe and report suspicious activity and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.