Category Archives: News

Sedona Village Lodge pet friendly hotel

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800-OakCreek-15-10-22 047SEDONA — I do not get a chance to travel much. Because, well, Prince likes his comforts.
800-15-10-21 001So I have to find hotels with dog friendly rooms. I recently had the necessity to travel to the Village of Oak Creek where I stayed at the Sedona Village Lodge. My room was large enough for my purposes but the bathroom was large. John and the cleaning staff were friendly and took care of all of my cleaning needs. The room did have a cover missing on one of the outlets (which I forgot to report. Sorry John). But there are plenty of other outlets to use. The room has an older television, but plenty of channels in case you need to catch that football game. The purpose of my visit did not allot a lot of television time and I do not usually affix my gaze to a television when there is so much more to do in this area.

The room was great for my purposes and the big plus is the pet friendly atmosphere and clean, comfortable room. And the price. There are rooms upstairs which provide a great view of the red rocks. Mine did not have a great view, but I was out of the room most of the time.

The Lodge also provides free Wi-Fi which I needed. There was a little slowing from time-to-time, but that could be for a number of reasons. One of which is that the hotel had almost no vacancies while I was there so I was probably trying to log in when everyone else was.

The Sedona Village Lodge is located at 105 Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek about five-miles from Sedona proper. It is in a good location and much of your needs are within a couple of miles from the hotel.
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There are a few restaurants in the plaza. I did not have a coffee pot, but right across the street is a Circle K where I usually go to buy coffee anyway. Right down the street is Bell Rock with a great trail system for biking or hiking. Or walking the dog.

Another reason for the great location is there are several other important facilities located in the Plaza. The Sedona library has a facility there which I had occasion to use. They have Internet-linked computers and I was able to print out some important documents I needed.

There is also a veterinary clinic located in the Plaza. I also had the pleasure of finding two thrift stores which are loaded with great, reasonably-priced new and used items for pets and people. The Red Rose Thriftique (Facebook) had a movie I have been looking for and it only cost me $2. They have another location in Cottonwood and their store supports animal rescue projects.

Located next to the Plaza is the Paw Prints Thrift Shop (Facebook) which supports the Humane Society. They are larger and had more in the way of electronics and furniture.

Overall this is a great place to stay and plenty to do. Remember if you need emergency pet services on the road, there is a veterinary clinic at this same location.

Pet Boutique has new games

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WILLIAMS — The Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique and Supplies in Williams keeps adding stock.

Recently they have added dog backpacks for large and medium dogs. These are great for hiking for the day so they can carry their water, bowls and some extra food. The packs are also good for carrying a dog, and/or human, first aid kit.
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If you are looking for activities for the kids over the holiday season, they have added games and paint sets. We presume the Puppy Pursuit Games is for humans because if Prince ever got hold of one of the plush toys it would be game over.PetBoutique-15-10-20-001They also added some costumes for the season for pets and people.

In addition to their complete line of Science Diet foods and treats, they have stocked up on Bubba Rose Dog biscuits. They have added to their collars, beds and other items for the pet cat or dog.

There’s still time to comment on ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study

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PHOENIX — A long-discussed plan for a proposed passenger rail system linking Tucson and Phoenix has many more hurdles to clear, starting with where the money would come from. An important first step, however, is sharing your opinion on it.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on an environmental report detailing three alternatives for passenger rail, including a recommended route.

The deadline for comments is Friday, Oct. 30.

The Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, which ADOT developed in partnership with the

Federal Railroad Administration, considers two possible routes to identify the most appropriate rail corridor between Tucson and Phoenix. It also assesses the option of not building passenger rail.
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The recommended route, the Yellow Alternative, would pass through the East Valley and central Pinal County. It could, where appropriate, share right of way with the Union Pacific Railroad north of Eloy.

An Orange Alternative would pass through the East Valley and share part of its alignment with the planned North-South Freeway Corridor in Pinal County.

Both routes would run primarily within the I-10 corridor between Eloy and Tucson.

A No-Build Alternative assumes that all proposed highway projects currently funded within the study corridor would be built.

Additional environmental work and site-specific studies would be required before a rail system could be constructed. It will be up to the public, stakeholders and policymakers to decide whether the project should move forward and, if so, how to pay for it.

The Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement is available for download at azdot.gov/passengerrail (use the DEIS tab). A video summarizing the studies is at youtu.be/rI8j6e2-CB0. Printed copies are available for review at these locations:

  • ADOT, Research Center Library; 206 S. 17th Ave., Phoenix, 85007
  • Phoenix Public Library, Burton Barr; 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004
  • Chandler Public Library, Downtown Branch; 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, 85225
  • Gilbert Maricopa County Library District, Southeast Regional Library; 775 N. Greenfield Road, Gilbert, 85234
  • Pima Community College, Northwest Campus Library; 7600 N. Shannon Road, Tucson, 85709
  • Central Arizona College, Signal Peak Campus Library; 8470 N. Overfield Road, Coolidge, 85128

Comments also may be submitted via the ADOT website at azdot.gov/passengerrail, emailed to projects@azdot.gov, or mailed or faxed to:

ADOT Passenger Rail Study Team
c/o Central Creative
24 W. Camelback Rd., Ste. 479
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Fax: (602) 368-9645

For more information about ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study, visit azdot.gov/passengerrail.

Halloween in Williams

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800-15-10-24 008WILLIAMS — Halloween events have already started around Williams with the decorations. That, however, is not the end of it. You still have a chance to go to one of the businesses in Williams and pick up a contest form. Go to each business on the list and check out their scarecrow. While you are there, get a signature. Turn the form into the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce for a chance to win the Grand Prize.

There are many other events that occur that visitors might want to know about. On Halloween, most of the businesses along Route 66 hand out candy.

On October 28 at 6:30 p.m., the Young Life Lost Canyon camp will host a bonfire, hot dog roast and movies for High School youth and middle school youth (6th – 8th Grade). You can call Bob 928-380-4346 or the First Baptist Church office 635-4692.

Speaking of the First Baptist Church, they will be hosting their annual Fall Festival on Halloween night. There are games and prizes and, of course, candy. This is a safe alternative to trick-or-treat. Across the street at the Family Harvest Church they also hold a Fall Festival.

Another great alternative is the Trunk-or-Treat at the United Methodist Church on South Second Street. Church members park their cars and hand out candy. There are also games and food for the adults.

Most of these events begin around 6:30 p.m.

Of course all of our restaurants will be open for those adults without kids. They probably would not mind if you dress up. Some may even offer a Fall fare to try out. For example the Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe in the Red Garter Inn, which just happens to be open until 9 p.m. on Saturday, offers an Autumn Breakfast Sandwich. It consists of sausage and eggs in between two pumpkin spice pancakes.

300-PetBoutique15-10-20-005If you have not had a chance to get a costume, the Pet Boutique on the east end of Route 66 has pug masks, t-shirts and t-shirts you might enjoy. Plus some costume for your pets. If you are on a budget, you can check out the thrift stores at the Williams Senior Center by Safeway or the Camp Civitan Thrift store on Route 66. Of course they have other new and used products you can purchase. You will also be helping out a great cause.

Don’t be afraid to check out the fun and decorations at the Grand Canyon Railway and Bearizona just east of Williams. You might want to check out the Deer Farm petting zoo on Deer Farm Road. You can get directions to all of the events at the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce in the visitor center.

The key is to make Halloween a safe time for kids and parents. We have not had any reported incidents in Williams as far as candy and cookies that are handed out. However there is a lot of traffic. So make sure you carry a flashlight. You can purchase glow-lites and necklaces at Safeway, Family Dollar and Dollar General to light up your kids.

ADEQ Public Hearing Reminder for haze rule

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 1:30PM in the ADEQ Building, Conference Room 3100B, 1110 Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007. All interested parties will be given an opportunity to submit their comments, data, and views both verbally and in writing.

Copies of the proposal are available for review at the ADEQ Records Center, First Floor, 1110 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007, (602) 771-4712. The proposal can also be viewed online at https://www.azdeq.gov/calendar/sip_regional_haze.pdf. For additional information regarding the hearing, please contact Justine E. Miller, ADEQ, Air Quality Division, at (602)771-6723 or Miller.Justine@azdeq.gov.

Persons with a disability may request reasonable accommodations by contacting Alicia Pollard at (602)771-4791 or aap@azdeq.gov.

Multiple Search and Rescue Responses during the Past Weekend

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FLAGSTAFF — On October 16th at approximately 6:00 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue responded to a report of an overdue hunter in the Cataract Canyon area off of Espee Road. The adult male hunter from Surprise, AZ was last seen by the rest of his party at 3:00 PM and became separated when a strong thunderstorm moved in to the area reducing visibility. The hunting party conducted their own search until about 6:00 PM when they decided to call for help.

The missing hunter had a medical condition and a lack of clothing and equipment that raised the level of concern for the Sheriff’s Office. A ground search was initiated with deputies, officers from Arizona Game and Fish, and Search and Rescue. In the morning hours of October 17th the weather improved enough to allow for air search operations with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit from Kingman.

At approximately 7:30 AM a deputy conducting a containment patrol on Espee Road located the hunter in good condition and transported him to the incident command post where he was interviewed and then reunited with his hunting party.

While the search on Espee Road was getting underway Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue also responded to a report of a lost hiker on the Humphrey’s Peak Trail. The adult female subject from Kentucky called 911 indicating that she was lost and got off trail while descending the trail. A deputy and a US Forest Service Officer hiked up the trail and made voice contact and then physical contact with the subject at 8:10 PM. SAR personnel responded to the area and drove a UTV up one of the Arizona Snowbowl catwalks to get close to the trail. The subject and the rescuers then met and all were transported down to the trailhead.

During both operations the weather was poor with rain, thunderstorms, and cool conditions. It is important that outdoor recreationists pay attention to the weather forecast and carry appropriate equipment for the conditions.

At a minimum those recreating in the outdoors should carry the Ten Essentials which include: water, food, extra warm clothing, navigation equipment (map, compass, GPS), headlamp/flashlight (and extra batteries), first aid kit, shelter material (space blanket/large leaf bag), fire starting kit or backpacking stove, pocket knife/multi-tool, and whistle/signal mirror.

A cell phone is also a very helpful emergency tool but should not be totally relied upon. These items will help keep individuals comfortable during an emergency and also aid rescuers in locating them.

Sheriff’s office to hold Community Emergency Response Team Training

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Sheriff-Patch005FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s office will be hosting Community Emergency Response Team Training in Flagstaff at the Search and Rescue Training Facility, 911 E. Sawmill Road. This free of charge and open to all citizens.

The course will run from Tuesday October 27 to Thursday October 29. On Tuesday and Wednesday the course will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. concluding Thursday at noon.

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for these services. Factors as number of victims, communication failures, and road blockages will prevent people from accessing emergency services they have come to expect at a moment’s notice through 911. People will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate lifesaving and life sustaining needs. Classes include:

  • Session I, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
  • Session II, DISASTER FIRE SUPPRESSION
  • Session III, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART I
  • Session IV, DISASTER MEDICAL OPERATIONS PART II
  • Session V, LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS
  • Session VI, DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY AND TEAM ORGANIZATION
  • Session VII, COURSE REVIEW AND DISASTER SIMULATION

Citizens desiring more information or to register for the class can call Deputy Gerry Blair at 928-266-5089

Sponsored by:
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Bill Pribil, Sheriff
Coconino County Emergency Management

Sheriff’s Deputies Respond to Multiple Parties in Wooded Areas

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies have seen an increase in the occurrence of “secret” underage alcohol parties occurring in unimproved wooded areas throughout Coconino County. These “Woods Parties” as they are often referred to by the participants can be very hazardous and at times life threatening to underage party goers.

Deputies have seen numerous underage subjects who are intoxicated to the level they can no longer make rational decisions and are not able to protect themselves from predatory adults who also frequent these events. Deputies have also seen a significant increase in the number of individuals present who are in possession of firearms.

Sheriff Bill Pribil would like to remind parents that it is imperative to know where your children are, what they are doing and who they are with. It is advisable for parents to talk to their children about underage parties and all the dangers associated with them. Crimes associated with underage parties include illegal consumption of alcohol, illegal possession and use of controlled substances and drugs, serious assaults, sexual assaults, DUI, serious motor vehicle collisions, and weapons misconduct.

On October 4, 2015 Sheriff’s dispatchers received an anonymous Crime Stop Call reporting a large underage “Woods Party” in the area of School House Draw with a large number of attendees. The caller also advised of multiple physical fights involving intoxicated party goers.

A Sheriff’s sergeant who was supervising the deputies assigned to the Flagstaff Patrol Division coordinated a response consisting of himself and two deputies. As the responding deputies approached the intersection of Forest Service roads 762 and 867 they observed a large bonfire with numerous vehicles parked around it. As the deputies approached a large gathering of people they saw numerous subjects run or stagger into a tree line located south east of the group’s location.

The sergeant went from vehicle to vehicle checking each one for occupants. He observed a maroon Chevrolet Suburban with the front passenger door wide open. He observed a male in the driver’s seat who was passed out and slumping over with his head resting on the steering wheel. The sergeant attempted to wake the subject and advised him to get out of the vehicle to which he responded by threatening to kill him and telling the sergeant he was going to die. The sergeant removed the subject from his vehicle.

While this occurred, another member of a group of approximately 25-30 people who had gathered to the watch the interaction, began to agitate the crowd with negative comments regarding this presence of the Sheriff’s Office. The sergeant was able to remove the subject from the vehicle, the subject resisted and a physical fight resulted. He forced the intoxicated subject to the ground and the struggle continued. At one point the sergeant observed a semi-automatic pistol stuffed in the subject’s waist band. He disarmed the subject and was eventually able to restrain him.

The sergeant yelled at the crowd for anyone else who was armed with a gun to separate themselves from the large group and walk to the north of where they were. Five other armed subjects complied by leaving the group and complied with being disarmed by other deputies on scene. In total six firearms were collected from various individuals in attendance at the party.

The subject who resisted the sergeant was arrested for Threatening and Intimidating, Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer and later the charge of Resisting Arrest was added by the County Attorney’s Office.

The other subject in the crowd that was agitating the large group was arrested and charged with Minor Consumption of Alcohol and an arrest warrant that was not related to the incident. Deputies also identified several minors, persons under the age of 18, and provided courtesy rides for them back to their parents/guardians residence to turn them back to their custody.

Utility work on State Route 89 in Prescott scheduled tomorrow morning

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CHINO VALLEY — State Route 89, at milepost 309, near Hidden Valley Road in Prescott will be restricted to one lane tomorrow, Oct. 21 between 8 a.m. 9:30 a.m. for utility work. Drivers can expect minimal delays during work hours.

The closures will provide a safe work zone as APS crew’s trim vegetation around power lines.

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. Law enforcement personnel will be present to enforce the closures as they occur.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage.

Another early morning pedestrian fatality in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — On October 20, 2015 at approximately 00:23 hrs., Officers were called to the area of the underpass, and Route 66 in regards to an intoxicated man walking in the middle of the roadway in the east bound lanes. While Officers were on their way to the area, another call came into dispatch indicating a collision had occurred with a driver and the same pedestrian at Leroux and Route 66.

When Officers arrived they located a subject wearing a gray sweater lying face up in the roadway, unresponsive. The pedestrian was approximately 15-20 feet behind the vehicle which struck him.

Several witnesses contacted at the scene described the pedestrian as walking in the east bound lanes, with his hands up from his sides. One witness stated he had been driving in the westbound lanes, and flashed his lights at the pedestrian and honked his horn at him, prior to the collision.

The driver of the vehicle indicated he never saw the pedestrian until he was directly in front of him. The driver of the vehicle cooperated completely with the investigation and no indications of impairment were noted at the time of contact. The Flagstaff Police Departments collision reconstruction team was called to the scene, to continue the investigation.

This investigation is pending identification and next of kin notification. Further information regarding the pedestrian’s identity will be forthcoming, as he did not have any ID on him and appears to be approximately 30 years old.