Category Archives: News

South Zone fire managers to conduct pile burns after wet weather

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WILLIAMS — Fire managers on both the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts will be completing pile burns across the two southern districts of the Kaibab National Forest. Recent weather conditions have not proven to be conducive for larger-scale prescribed fire treatments, but are appropriate for piles located across the forest. The pile burns remove fuel sources from the forest, to reduce the impact and intensity of future wildfires.

Tusayan Ranger District: Fire crews will treat 226 acres throughout the week just to the west of the Grand Canyon Airport, south of Forest Road 2617, and on both the east and west sides of Forest Road 2607. Smoke impact to Tusayan are expected to be minimal.

Williams Ranger District: Fire crews will be treating small groups of piles across the district over the week. Due to the limited number of piles that are expected to be treated, there are no predicted smoke impacts to Williams.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and appropriate weather conditions. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorized on any given day, please visit http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html.

Additional information, photos and maps are available through the following resources: InciWeb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4112/ and http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4113/; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.

Two arrested in Flagstaff for crime spree

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Flag151020-1FLAGSTAFF — On October 17, 2015 at approximately 1300 hrs., Jonathan J. Curley (44yrs) and Tico C. Teller (23yres) were arrested in connection with a crime spree which included theft of a credit card, auto burglaries, and theft of a vehicle.

Officers had been called to a series of auto burglaries in the 2000 block of N. Center, the 1800 block of N. West, and the 2100 block of N. East. One victim reported a weapon being taken from their vehicle. During this investigation another victim contacted the police department describing his stolen credit card being used fraudulently at 2650 E. Rt. 66.

When officers arrived at the hotel located at 2650 E. Rt. 66, they were advised by the motel staff the room had been rented using the victim’s credit card. Officers contacted the subjects in the room, identifying them as Jonathan J. Curley and Tico Cody Teller. Curley was in possession of a hand gun which was identified as property taken from one of the vehicle burglaries as well as other evidence implicating him in the series of thefts. Tico Cody Teller was arrested on a felony probation warrant.

Curley was arrested and transported to the Coconino County jail and charged with burglary, theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card and a prohibited possessor. Teller was charged with a probation violation. This investigation is continuing and further charges may be forthcoming.

If you have any information regarding these crimes please contact Detective Slayton at 928 679-4104. If you have any information on any felony crime and do not want to leave your name, please contact SILENT WITNESS at 928 774-6111.

Public Comment for West Pinal Moderate PM10 nonattainment

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) opens a 30-day public comment period with the publication of this notice on October 19, 2015, for the proposed 2015 West Pinal Moderate PM10 Nonattainment Area State Implementation Plan. The plan demonstrates that the West Pinal PM10 planning area will meet the 1987 health and welfare based 24-hour PM10 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) by December 2018.

A public hearing on the proposed attainment plan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2015, at the Maricopa Agricultural Center Multipurpose Room, 37860 W. Smith-Enke Rd., Maricopa, AZ 85138. All interested parties will be given an opportunity at the public hearing to submit verbal and written comments. To request an auxiliary aid or service for accessible communication, contact Alicia Pollard, Human Resources Assistant, at (602) 771-4791 or aap@azdeq.gov, or dial 7-1-1 for TTY/TTD Services.

Copies of the proposal are available for review Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the ADEQ Records Center, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007, (602) 771-4712. A copy of the proposal can also be viewed at the Pinal County Air Quality Department, 31 N. Pinal Street, Bldg. F, Florence, AZ 85132, (520) 866-6929, or online at http://www.azdeq.gov/ by selecting Public Notices, Meetings, and Hearings.

Written comments may be mailed to Catherine Lucke-McDowell, Air Quality Division, State Implementation Plan Section, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007, faxed to (602) 771-2366, or e-mailed to Lucke-McDowell.Catherine@azdeq.gov. Mailed comments must state the name and mailing address of the person; be signed by the person, their agent, or attorney; and clearly set forth reasons why this proposed attainment plan should or should not be finalized. Grounds for comment are limited to whether or not this proposed attainment plan meets the criteria spelled out in federal air pollution control laws and/or rules.

Comments must be received by ADEQ no later than November 19, 2015, by 5:00 p.m. or submitted at the public hearing. This proposed attainment plan will be submitted to the U.S. EPA following consideration of all comments received during the public comment period and hearing.

Trinity Tactical offers rifle course

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firearms-trainingPHOENIX — Trinity Tactical Applications is hosting a Tactical Carbine Fundamentals firearm course on November 11 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. The course will be held at the Game and Fish Ben Avery Shooting Facility located at 4044 W. Black Canyon Boulevard.

The $80 course requires no prerequisite training, but does, of course, require your own ammunition and weapon.

According to the flier:

This course will improve your proficiency utilizing your rifle in practical applications; whether it be on duty, in the general public, or defending your home. We will cover shooting fundamentals, threat engagement, firing from realistic positions one can expect to encounter, reloading, clearing malfunctions, and engaging while moving, along with other real-world considerations. Taught by certified rifle instructors with real world experience employing a carbine in hostile environments, this course will expose students to the realities of utilizing a rifle in a variety of situations.

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Missing man may be in Flagstaff

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Untitled-1FLAGSTAFF — On October 8, 2015, 72 year old David Chester Scanlin was reported missing by his daughter (Erin Thein) who lives in Oregon. She said that David is possible in the Flagstaff area with a female named Cynthia Lee. David may display signs of early dementia. Erin last spoke with David on Cynthia’s phone in mid-September 2015 where David said that he and Cynthia were in the Flagstaff Area and were looking to purchase an older RV to live in.

The couple may be in a 1991 Blue or Green 1991 Chevy Corsica with AZ ALA8506. This vehicle is registered to Cynthia. Cynthia also is registered to a 1972 RV. The make is “FROLI” and has an Arizona license plate of AZ 06565C.

David has been entered into NCIC (nationwide data base) as a missing person. If you have any information regarding this person please contact Detective Carlson at 928 679-4060. If you have any information regarding a felony crime and do not want to leave your name, please contact SILENT WITNESS at 928 774-6111.

US 60 east of Superior to close briefly for blasting operations Oct. 20-22

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SUPERIOR — Motorists traveling along US 60 between Phoenix and Globe next week need to plan ahead or allow extra time as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues blasting work as part of an improvement project to build a new passing lane and widen roadway shoulders east of Superior, approximately 65 miles east of downtown Phoenix.

The construction of the two-mile-long climbing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233) will require four separate full closures of US 60 for up to 90 minutes:

> Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
> Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
> Thursday, Oct. 22, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Traffic on eastbound US 60 will be stopped east of Superior (milepost 227) and westbound US 60 will be stopped at the Top of the World, west of Miami (milepost 235) until the blasting work is completed and the roadway is reopened after all debris is cleared. Law enforcement officers will be stationed at each closure to assist with traffic control.

Approximately 30 minutes prior to each blast, motorists should be prepared for possible delays and lane closures as crews set concrete barrier prior to each scheduled closure. ADOT anticipates highway closures for blasting into December.

Motorists seeking an alternate route can consider state routes 77 and 177, which is approximately 68 miles long. Motorists headed to the White Mountains region, including Show Low and Springerville, can also take State Route 87 through Payson and travel east on State Route 260 as an alternative.

ADOT will work to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work.

There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide-load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used at different times throughout the project.

Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for construction equipment and personnel, and allow extra time for your commute.

State Route 89 reduced to one lane at Hell Canyon tomorrow for bridge inspection

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State Route 89 north of Prescott at Hell Canyon (mileposts 345) will be narrowed to a single lane from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16 as crews perform bridge work.

The lane closure will provide a safe work zone for ADOT crews, who will conduct a routine bridge inspection on the bridge. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph and brief delays are expected.

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

FPD report yet another fatal pedestrian accident

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FLAGSTAFF — At approximately 6:30 a.m., Officers with the Flagstaff Police Department were called to the intersection of S. Woodlands Village, and W. University Avenue in regards to a vehicle pedestrian collision.

A 68 year old male pedestrian was attempting to cross the intersection and was struck by a vehicle traveling south on S. Woodlands Village. The driver was driving with a green light, and the pedestrian was not walking in the crosswalk or in a designated pedestrian walk way.

The 68 year old pedestrian was wearing dark clothes and transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased from his injuries. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

The driver was cooperative with the investigation and there were no indications of impairment at this time. The Flagstaff Police Departments Collision Reconstruction team was called to the scene for enhanced evidence collection and investigation.

Several calls for SAR help taken by Sheriff’s Department

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FLAGSTAFF — During Sunday through Tuesday of this week deputies and the dedicated men and women of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) unit responded to five calls for help during all hours of the day and night and at times under very hazardous conditions to help their fellow men and women.

On Sunday, October 11, 2015 at about 6:00 pm the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting that an adult male and his teenage daughter both of Flagstaff were stranded in the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. A Sheriff’s Office SAR coordinator requested assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Air Rescue Division. The DPS helicopter based in Phoenix responded and conducted an air search over the area where the two stranded hikers were believed to be. Crew members were able to determine that both subjects were uninjured and were well prepared with provisions and camping equipment to spend the night at their current location. At daybreak Monday morning the SAR Technical Rescue Team and the DPS helicopter based in Flagstaff responded to West Fork Canyon. Two rescuers hiked down to the hikers’ location and prepared them for transportation via the short haul method. During the first trip the teenage girl and a rescuer were suspended beneath the helicopter on a cable and flown to an area where they were safely lowered to the ground. During the second trip the adult male, the family dog and a rescuer were transported out of the canyon via the short haul Method. Neither of the hikers required any medical attention.

On Monday, October 12, 2015 at about 4:00 pm an Arizona Game and Fish officer called the Sheriff’s Office to advise of an overdue hunter in the Blue Ridge area located west of Lake Mary Road. An adult male and his granddaughter were hunting elk and one of the two subjects shot an elk. For an unknown reason the two subjects became separated at approximately 1:30 pm. The granddaughter used her cell phone to alert the Arizona Game and Fish. The Sheriff’s Office deputy stationed in Blue Ridge and Search and Rescue personnel responded to the area and met with the Game and Fish officer who reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office. They began a ground search and a Game and Fish officer located the missing hunter. The hunter did not require medical attention and was returned to his vehicle.

On Monday afternoon the Sheriff’s Office sergeant who serves as the SAR coordinator was in the process of assisting with logistics in the search for the missing cliff jumper in Lake Powell when he was made aware of a missing adult female and her 14 year old son who were hiking on the Kachina Trail of the San Francisco Peaks. It was believed that the two left the Arizona Snowbowl parking lot at about 1:30 pm for the purpose of taking a short hike. At sundown the two became disoriented and wandered off the trail by about a half of a mile. On duty deputies hiked the Kachina Trial and located the lost subjects and escorted them back to their vehicles.

During that same afternoon the SAR coordinator was contacted by Havasupai tribal officials and informed that a hiker in Supai Canyon injured her leg. Members of the Supai Rural CERT team were able to transport the injured hiker to Supai Village. Tribal Officials requested assistance in having an air rescue helicopter transport the injured hiker out of the canyon and to a medical center.

Body of Cliff Jumper Recovered by Multi-Agency Response

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Coconino County Sheriff Photo

Coconino County Sheriff Photo

PAGE — Today [Wednesday] at 9:37 a.m., the 6-day search for missing 29-year old Billy Burke of Jackson Hole, Wyoming concluded when his body was spotted at a depth of 153 feet in Lake Powell.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Lake Patrol Division discovered the body using an underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). Billy’s body was discovered at the base of a cliff in the Coconino County portion of Face Canyon where friends reported that he entered the water in the afternoon of Friday October 9 after attempting a cliff jump of approximately 90 feet.

The ROV deployed by Maricopa County is over 60% smaller and more agile for navigating the rugged underwater terrain in the search area than the ROV used on previous search days. This ROV was able to approach the cliff walls without stirring up as much sediment, which allowed for improved viewing of the area.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Acting Superintendent Lindy Mihata extends thanks to Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Utah State Parks for contributing to this successful search and underwater recovery effort.

The search was coordinated by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, while the investigation is being coordinated by Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives. At this point in the investigation, investigators do not believe that foul play was involved, and that this was an unfortunate accident.

Since the year 2000, six cliff jumping deaths have occurred in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.