Category Archives: News

MVD partnership lets drivers get replacement Social Security cards online

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PHOENIX — A driver license verification program used by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division now makes it possible to request Social Security card replacements online through the Social Security website and simplifies the already-existing process of getting a person’s identifying information verified when making a major purchase or obtaining a loan.

“We are always looking for ways to better serve our customers, get them out of line and on the road safely, and this is one more tool that helps us reach that goal,” Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen said. “This is a real game-changer for making essential services more accessible and adds another element for protecting sensitive ID information.”

MVD has aligned with the nonprofit American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to offer the Driver License Data Verification service. This electronic system verifies a person’s driver license or ID card attributes such as name, address, birthdate, license expiration date and eye color, then confirms their validity to whichever entity is making the request.

With this program in place, Arizona is among 15 states and the District of Columbia offering online Social Security card replacement service through the Social Security Administration website at ssa.gov/ssnumber. Arizona driver license holders can create an account on this site and follow the procedure to get a replacement card, avoiding a trip to a Social Security Administration office.

The secure data-verification process also streamlines the current process used by banks, retailers and government agencies for verifying a person’s identity. When someone applies for a bank loan or makes a major purchase, this electronic system eliminates paperwork that may takes days to process by moving that secure process online.

This is done in real time, which means information can be verified more rapidly and while the customer is present. Once the procedure is complete, the participating entity will be told if the ID attributes match or if there is a problem. The data is held only for the amount of time needed to process the verification.

It’s another example of MVD helping customers conduct more transactions online. Through ServiceArizona.com, Arizonans can conduct offer more than 20 motor vehicle transactions such as vehicle registration renewal and ordering replacement driver licenses and specialty license plates, with more to come.

ADOT participates in transportation innovation exchange

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TEMPE — The latest ideas and innovations for the future of transportation will be on display as transportation officials gather Tuesday, Oct. 4, for the 2016 Innovation Exchange Campaign, hosted by the Arizona Council for Transportation Innovation.

The annual event brings together the Arizona Department of Transportation and other professionals in the transportation industry to share and learn about the latest technology advancements and innovations in transportation.

This year’s event, held at the Rio Salado Conference Center in Tempe, features exhibitors, an innovation showcase and speakers.

Topics include reinventing vehicles in Arizona, the use of laser technology to produce high-resolution mapping from a moving vehicle and innovations that will enhance project design and delivery.

Formed in 2012, the Arizona Council for Transportation Innovation supports innovative technology and techniques among transportation professionals to ensure smart, efficient investment in Arizona’s highways and other transportation infrastructure.

The council is made up of officials from ADOT, the Federal Highway Administration, Maricopa and Pima counties, and engineering professionals.

For more information, visit azdot.gov and enter “Innovation Exchange Campaign” in the search box.

Kaibab National Forest Supervisor’s Office front desk to be closed next week

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WILLIAMS — The front desk of the Kaibab National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Williams will be closed next week from Oct. 10 through Oct. 14 due to the Columbus Day holiday on Monday and short staffing through the remainder of the week. Members of the public seeking passes or permits, information or other visitor services during that time are asked to go directly to the Williams Ranger District office, also located in Williams.

The Williams Ranger District office is located at 742 S. Clover Road in Williams and will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, through Friday, Oct. 14, next week but closed on Monday, Oct. 10, in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. The Williams Ranger District office offers all the same resources as the Supervisor’s Office, so visitors shouldn’t experience any disruption of service.

The Kaibab National Forest Supervisor’s Office will reopen to the public with its full offering of resources and services on Oct. 17.

The Williams Ranger District office can be reached by telephone at (928) 635-5600.

ADEQ Reimbursement Programs for Leaking Underground Storage Tanks

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adeq-1PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) now offers two new programs to reimburse eligible underground storage tank (UST) owners, operators, and others who incurred environmental cleanup costs for leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs).

UST Time-Barred Claims Program – Application Deadline is 12/31/2016

If you were “time-barred” from submitting costs for reimbursement after the sunset of the former state assurance fund (SAF) on June 30, 2010, you now can seek repayment of up to 90 percent of approved cleanup costs incurred after June 30, 2010. Submit your “time-barred” claim application now.

Deadline for Time-Barred Claim Applications is 12/31/2016

Learn more about the UST Time-Barred Program: www.azdeq.gov/ust/time-barred.

UST Preapproval Program – Accepting Applications

UST owners, operators or landowners may also be eligible for ADEQ’s UST Preapproval Program, which provides financial assistance for corrective action costs not covered by a financial assurance mechanism. ADEQ will work closely with applicants to develop a cleanup plan and path to closure for their USTs.

Learn more about the UST Preapproval Program: http://azdeq.gov/ust/preapproval.

Comments Summary and Response for the Draft 2016 Clean Water Act Assessment

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) received public comments for the
Draft 2016 Clean Water Act Assessment during the public comment period that began June 13, 2016 and ended July 28, 2016.

View the ADEQ Public Notice for the Comments Summary and Response for the Draft 2016 Clean Water Act Assessment

ADEQ’s response to comments has been issued in the Arizona Administrative Register and may be viewed at http://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/register/2016/40/22_public_information.pdf

ADEQ appreciates your interest and participation in improving Arizona’s surface water quality.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Aiko Condon
Water Quality Division
P: (602) 771-4448
E: condon.aiko@azdeq.gov

Silver Creek seasonal trout fishery opens today

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silver-creekSHOW LOW — The seasonal catch-and-release fishery at Silver Creek opens Saturday, October 1.

This upper catch-and-release section of Silver Creek requires trout to be immediately released unharmed, and is artificial flies and lures only with single barbless hooks. This segment of Silver Creek is open for fishing from Oct. 1 through March 31 of each year.

See blog article of this announcement.

Respected Access in Arizona fundraiser is October 15

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utvPHOENIX — Tickets are still available for next month’s third annual “Respected Access in Arizona” fundraiser, hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Tread Lightly!

A fun-shoot, barbecue dinner, raffles and auction are planned for Oct. 15 at the OneAZ Credit Union Pavilion, located at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. The cost of the fun-shoot (which includes targets and two boxes of ammunition) and barbecue dinner, catered by Bobby Q, is $65. The cost of only the dinner, which includes beverages and a door-prize raffle ticket, is $40.

To purchase tickets for the fundraiser, visit https://www.treadlightly.org/respected-access-in-arizona-fundraiser/.

The highlight of the event will be a raffle for a customized 2016 Polaris Ranger EV, valued at more than $15,000, courtesy of RideNow Powersports. Proceeds from each $20 raffle ticket sold through Oct. 15 will benefit Tread Lightly!’s “Respected Access in Arizona” campaign, which aims to protect public access for off-highway vehicle use, recreational shooting and other outdoor pursuits through ethics education and stewardship programs.

Visit https://go.rallyup.com/3628f0/Campaign to purchase raffle tickets. For complete rules, visit www.respectedaccessarizona.org. The raffle only is available to Arizona residents.

For more information about the fundraiser, call (800) 966-9900, Ext. 14, or e-mail respectedaccess@treadlightly.org. For more information about the “Respected Access in Arizona” campaign, visit www.respectedaccessarizona.org.

Parents invited to a DVD seminar on parenting

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WILLIAMS — Calvary Chapel and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church will host a parenting seminar on DVD on October 8 and 15. The seminar will be held at the Williams Recreation Center at 300 W. Railroad Avenue.

The seminar, Essentials of Discipline with Dr. James Dobson, is a two-part seminar covering a variety of topics. Part 1 of the seminar will be held on October 8 and Part 2 will be held on October 15. Each session will begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon.

The topics are:
Part 1: Sessions 1-8 and Session 12
Session 1- Why Your Child Needs Disciple
Session 2- Irresponsibility vs. Defiance
Session 3- Anger vs. Action
Session 4- Finding Balance in Discipline
Session 5- To Spank or Not to Spank
Session 6- Compliant vs Defiant
Session 7- Changing Discipline as Your Child Grows, Part 1
Session 8- Changing Discipline as Your Child Grows, Part 2
Session 12- The Ultimate Priority

Part 2: Sessions 9-12
Session 9- Protecting the Spirit
Session 10- The Strong Willed Adolescent, Part 1
Session 11- The Strong Willed Adolescent, Part 2
Session 12- The Ultimate Priority

SWAT responds to report of an armed and suicidal man

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Flagstaff — Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Northern Arizona Multi-Agency SWAT team have responded to a call involving an armed, suicidal man at a home in the Munds Park area. The incident began about 10 a.m.

At about 11 a.m. the Sheriff’s Office issued a press release that the situation was “resolved safely” with no injuries. The man is in custody and may face aggravated assault and disorderly conduct with weapon charges.

There is no report on the motivation for the incident at this time.

Get Set for the SET

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During the Cascadia Rising earthquake exercise in the Pacific Northwest, Island County Amateur Radio Club members John Acton, K7ACT (seated, in yellow vest), types a Red Cross emergency message via a 2 meter packet link, while Bill Frederick, KF7BMK (standing, with handheld), monitors a VHF simplex voice net at a field triage and treatment facility on Whidbey Island. Red Cross volunteers Kendra O'Bryan (left) and Patty Cheek (right) help coordinate the message traffic flow. [Vince Bond, K7NA, photo]

During the Cascadia Rising earthquake exercise in the Pacific Northwest, Island County Amateur Radio Club members John Acton, K7ACT (seated, in yellow vest), types a Red Cross emergency message via a 2 meter packet link, while Bill Frederick, KF7BMK (standing, with handheld), monitors a VHF simplex voice net at a field triage and treatment facility on Whidbey Island. Red Cross volunteers Kendra O’Bryan (left) and Patty Cheek (right) help coordinate the message traffic flow. [Vince Bond, K7NA, photo]

The primary focal point of the 2016 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is just ahead — Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2. The national emergency exercise is aimed at testing the skills and preparedness of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and other organizations that are called into action in actual emergency situations.

“Every local ARES team and/or ARRL Section will come up with their own scenarios and work with served agencies and partner organizations during the SET,” ARRL Field Organization Team Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X, said, noting that not all SETs will take place on October 1 and 2.

“SETs can be scheduled at the local and Section levels and conducted throughout the fall to help maximize participation,” he said. “But ARRL Field Organization leaders have the option of conducting their SETs on another weekend, if October 1 and 2 is not convenient.”

ARRL Field Organization leaders are among those tasked with developing plans and scenarios for this year’s SET, Ewald explained.

“The SET invites all radio amateurs to become aware of emergency preparedness and available training,” Ewald said. “ARES, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), National Traffic System™, SKYWARN, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), and other allied groups and public service-oriented radio amateurs are encouraged to participate.”

The object of the annual nationwide exercise is to test training and skills and to try out new methods.

“It’s a time to work with partner organizations and served agencies to get to know them better and to determine their needs before an emergency or disaster strikes,” Ewald said. “Knowing who to contact within partner groups and knowing the planned procedures will help everyone to accomplish their goals and succeed in their missions.