Category Archives: News

Invasive Plant Grant program for the Arizona State Forestry Department

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Arizona State Forestry with funding provided by the USDA Forest Service is soliciting proposals from $10,000 to $20,000 to treat invasive and noxious plant invasions that threaten forested or woodland areas.

  • Funds are awarded on a cost matching-basis, and this program requires 50% (1:1) match from a non-federal source.
  • Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate partnerships (especially with a Cooperative Weed Management Area) and projects adjacent to National Forest System (NFS) lands or that will compliment NFS projects.
  • Applications are due November 13, 2015.

Attached for your information, use and distribution are the grant Information and Guidelines, Q&A sheet and Application Form. The documents have also been posted on our website at https://azsf.az.gov/grants/forest-health/ipg.

This program is directed to units of local government, non-profit organizations 501(c)3, and public educational institutions. Individuals working in partnership with their neighborhood association may also apply if they work with one of the previously stated groups.

For questions regarding this grant program, please contact John Richardson at 602-771-1420.

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program – 2016 Request for Proposals is Open

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On November 3, 2015 the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced an RFP for this public-private partnership, funded in part by EPA’s Wetlands and Urban Waters Programs and the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and in conjunction with the Urban Waters Federal Partnership.

Approximately $2.1 million in combined total funding will be available to support projects such as stormwater management, addressing water scarcity, source water protection as well as wetlands, riparian, forest and water quality protection and restoration projects in local communities especially underserved communities across the country. In 2016, the Urban Waters Federal Partnership will give special consideration to projects which directly advance priorities of the 19 Urban Water Federal Partnership designated locations. For more information the priorities of the 19 designated locations, go to: http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners/news-about-urban-waters#projectbackgrounds.

The geographic boundaries of the designated locations can be found in the RFP on the NFWF website.

NFWF will host a webinar for potential applicants on November 18, 2015. This RFP closes February 3, 2016.

For more information go to www.nfwf.org/fivestar.

Flagstaff Police seek information on Circle K Robbery

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The Flagstaff Police Department is asking for the public’s help Identifying the subjects in the pictures above

The Flagstaff Police Department is asking for the public’s help Identifying the subjects in the pictures above

FLAGSTAFF — On November 4, 2015 at approximately 10:47 p.m., Officers were called to a suspected beer theft at the Circle K at 2718 N. Steves. When officers arrived they recognized the clerk had been threatened with a knife and ordered to lie on the ground, (note first picture), while the robbers took various items from the store.

A third suspect entered the store and walked by the robbery in progress and walked over to the alcohol area and stole a 12 pack of beer, leaving the store without paying. It appeared from the video surveillance the three were working together. All three subjects fled the area in a northern direction.

The first suspect to enter the store was described as a white or Hispanic male between the ages of 20-30. He was wearing a red/black flannel shirt, grey jeans and white shoes.

The second suspect was described as either white or Hispanic between the ages of 20-30, wearing a grey flannel shirt over a blue hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Both suspects were wearing gloves. The first suspect entered the store and then pulled his beanie (ski mask) down over his face.

The third subject is described as wearing a large winter jacket and wearing a ski mask type beanie cap which was pulled down over his face.

If you have any information regarding the identity of these suspects please contact Detective Rucker at 928 679 4099. If you have any information and do not want to leave your name call SILENT WITNESS at 928 774-6111. You may be eligible for up to 2000.00 dollars if your information results in a felony arrest.

Icy roads and walkways order of the day

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640-15-11-05-04WILLIAMS — While people like to picture a winter wonderland as depicted in the photo above after a winter storm, they forget about the icy roads and walkways.

We would like to remind everyone to take care while driving and walking in our picturesque, snowy setting. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about freezing temperatures overnight. Ice could be a problem tomorrow, as well.

Bill Williams socked in by fog this morning.

Bill Williams socked in by fog this morning.

It is predicted to be sunny, today, with a high of about 40 climbing to around 50 by Monday.64015-11-04 003

Grand Canyon open Free for Veterans Day

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640-grand-canyon-veterans-1GRAND CANYON – On Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, the Grand Canyon will be open on a free-entry basis.

Grand Canyon’s South Rim sits at approximately 7,000 feet. As a result, visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, and should be aware that road closures and temporary suspension of shuttle service may occur with little or no notice if winter weather passes through the area.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Williams gets 3-inches of snow

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64015-11-04 005WILLIAMS — According to the weather report from Channel 3 news in Phoenix, Williams received three-inches of snow with Flagstaff receiving 4.5-inches.

While Williams received only a dusting overnight, snow began to fall at about 8:45 a.m. and has been falling steadily as of this writing.

Webcams around our area do show the impact of the storm that moved in Monday. The first image shows a view of the central campus. The camera view from the Weather Service in Bellmont shows a view of the San Francisco Peaks and the ADOT cam shows a view of I-40 around milepost 190. No significant snow fall appears at the Grand Canyon. These images are all from about 9 a.m. this morning.
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Travel from Williams to Flagstaff may be hampered by snow and ice. A winter storm warning has been issued until midnight tonight. This means, of course, ice and we advise taking your time on I-40 and around Flagstaff.

Williams receives some hail with the rain

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Hail-15-11-03-03WILLIAMS — Rain has been pretty constant since about 10:20 this morning and is expected to continue throughout the afternoon. The city also received a dose of hail and some thunder and lightning.

The rain is expected to give way to snow this afternoon and throughout Wednesday.

A high wind advisory has been issued through 6 p.m. tonight.

Tourism Cares visits Williams

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640tourism-cares-01WILLIAMS — As you wandered around Williams the past couple of days you might have noticed the “sprucing up” of City Hall and the Williams Visitor Center. Steve Dudley of Williams sent us this report.

Today, about 150 volunteers of Tourism Cares blew into Williams and spent the day painting the town. From City Hall and the Visitor Center to National Forest signs, the all volunteer group fanned out across the city and gave everything a fresh coat of paint. Tourism Cares’ mission is to preserve the travel experience for future generations. They protect the heart of travel by uniting the travel and tourism industry to tackle shared priorities with our collective might! Tourism Cares is the charitable arm of the travel and tourism industry. After a full day of hard work and a job well done the group had dinner at Wild West Junction.

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Our thanks to the group for making us look even better.

Amateur Radio Relay League sponsors National Parks on the Air

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NPOTABeginning on January 1 and running through December 31 of 2016, the Amateur Radio Relay League will sponsor the special event National Parks On the Air (Facebook). This event does not begin until January 1, so amateur radio operators have time to register.

Since the 100th anniversay of the ARRL ended in 2014, amateur radio operators have pushed for another year-long event . The ARRL responded to the requests with this year-long event coordinated with the National Parks Service to celebrate their 100th anniversary. There are several awards and certificates available for this event, but HAM operators must register through the ARRL special web site.

Ham operators conduct several events throughout the year to earn certificates and awards. One is called contesting where an operator attempts to contact as many other Ham radio operators around the world as they can in a specified time. Ham operators set up in remote locations and send special cards, called QSL cards, to Ham operators who contact them.

A recent example is the 2015 Route 66 On The Air event. They even made a stop and broadcast in Williams and Flagstaff.

Ham radio operators will “activate” radio units in various parks, such as the Grand Canyon. “Chasers” will try to contact these Activators all year long to collect certificates. Regular paper logs will not be accepted for the event. Amateur radio operators will have to register in the ARRL Log of the World

The history of amateur radio extends to the days when radio transmissions began. Most contacts were made through morse code (called CW or continous wave in Ham radio) transmissions. Today there are a plethora of different radios and contact methods. You are encouraged to learn and use CW, but it is no longer required to obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission.

Those “activators” will also demonstrate the capablity of Ham radio for uninitiated visitors to the park. They will answer questions and advise people on how they can become licensed Ham radio operators.

If you are interested in learning more about the Amateur Radio Service, how to obtain a license and participate in this event, you can check out the ARRL web site.

Spooky happenings in Williams

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Friday 2015-10-30 012WILLIAMS — Even before the ghosts and goblins began appearing on the streets for trick-or-treat, the Grand Canyon Railway made a scary transformation.

They decorated for Christmas.Friday 2015-10-30 013
Williams has put on its Polar Express face with the standard sleigh in the park and lights along the railway. They were even playing Christmas tunes.

The Polar Express begins running this Friday, November 6 on the weekends with some special runs over the Thanksgiving period. They will have several runs through December ending with a run on January 2nd and 3rd. This is the big event for the winter, in Williams, and tickets usually go fast. Make sure that you get your reservations made now.

The Grand Canyon Railway also asks families to submit photos for their annual photo contest. See their web site for details or ask before you board the train.