Motorists should be prepared for additional delays on Interstate 15 through Virgin River Gorge

Construction on a major Interstate 15 reconstruction project on Virgin River Bridge No. 6 (milepost 16) is more than halfway complete. After finishing the northbound section of the bridge this summer, crews are now working to construct the new southbound bridge.

While the roadway will continue to be narrowed to one lane in each direction at this work zone, motorists should be prepared for additional travel delays up to 20 minutes while crews remove loose rocks near the southbound side of the bridge structure from Monday, Oct. 12 through mid-November.

Intermittent traffic breaks will be necessary during work hours, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. For more information on how ADOT uses traffic breaks, please visit the ADOT YouTube webpage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyUcqpQCfig.

This $27 million improvement project includes the replacement of the bridge’s superstructure (girders, deck and railings), as well as widening the roadway through the narrow passage of the gorge. The project is scheduled for completion in 2016.

With limited alternate routes due to the remote location of the I-15 Virgin River Gorge corridor, ADOT urges drivers to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down and drive carefully through the work zone, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Annual Habitat Grand Opry Night Friday

WILLIAMS — The annual Grand Opry Night to benefit Habitat for Humanity will be this Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. Music will be by the Williams Opry Band. The event will be at the Williams Rodeo Barn across the street from Old Trails True Value Hardware store on Rodeo Road.

Events include dancing, live and silent Auctions, raffles, door prizes, and cake walk.

Tickets are available at the door are Adults $6.00, Students & Seniors $3.00 or $15 for a Family (4 or more). Hotdogs will be available for $2.50 and Water & Soda for $1.00.

Williams Alpine Harvest Festival in full swing

Folks enjoy a scare at Scarizona.

Folks enjoy a scare at Scarizona.

Williams Wear always has the scariest scarecrow. GMO Scarecorn.

Williams Wear always has the scariest scarecrow. GMO Scarecorn.

WILLIAMS — The Grand Canyon Railway Pumpkin Patch Train is running every weekend Friday through Sunday. At Bearizona they have a scary haunted house and decorations for their Howly Growly Owly festival.

After enjoying the aforementioned events, you can enter for a chance to win a Scarecrow Contest Prize Basket to be drawn for on November 1.

The scarecrows are fun, but not all of the businesses decorated, this year, are on the list. Some are just decorated with great fall decorations. The Open Road Cowboy on Route 66 made me go into video mode.

Pick up a form at one of the listed businesses or the Williams Visitor Center. Get signatures from at least 10 of the 15 businesses for signatures.
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Take the completed form to the Williams Visitor Center on Railroad Avenue across the street from Circle K to enter the contest.

Decorations at Allstate Insurance not complete, yet. Check them out in a couple of days.

Decorations at Allstate Insurance not complete, yet. Check them out in a couple of days.

This scarecrow at the Williams Library a bigger problem than too little time. How about too little eyes?

This scarecrow at the Williams Library a bigger problem than too little time. How about too little eyes?

Our competition even decorated. We were going to post a scarecrow of our editor at deadline. But that would be too much competition for the amateurs.

Our competition even decorated. We were going to post a scarecrow of our editor at deadline. But that would be too much competition for the amateurs.

Responders caught in flash flood while recovering body

FLAGSTAFF — Yesterday around 4:30 p.m., approximately 16 Sheriff’s Deputies, Search and Rescue and US Forest Service responders were forced to higher ground during a flash flood in Oak Creek Canyon.

The responders were conducting a body recovery for a suicide that occurred off Midgely Bridge. Due to a storm cell over the area that produced heavy rain, hail and lightning, rescuers had to delay removal of the body.

After the storm subsided, rescuers entered the canyon for the body recovery. While conducting the recovery, Sheriff’s Office personnel reported a flash flood in Oak Creek Canyon from the heavy rainfall over Wilson Mountain.

Rescuers were in the process of hoisting the body to the bridge when the flash flood occurred. The body was already above flood waters; however, responders below the bridge had to retreat quickly uphill away from rising waters. With several feet of fast moving water going through the canyon, three of the responders became briefly stranded on one side of the canyon.

They were not in danger and waited just under an hour to ensure storm cells had cleared and the water receded before they re-crossed.

Williams City Council meeting Thursday at 7

640-city-hall-williamsWILLIAMS — The Williams City Council will meet Thursday, October 8 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers on 1st Street.

After public participation period, the council:

  • May recommend approval of issuance of a #12 restaurant liqour license to Olivia Rodriquez for Fiesata Mexican Grill located at 122 W. Route 66.
  • Will review and make an appointment to planning and Zoning Commission.
  • Will consider and may approve a lease with Route 66 Zipline.

Council may not act on items during public participation, but may ask city staff to put the item on a future agenda. People wishing to participate in the public portion should go to the meeting early and fill out the appropriate form.

Plane crash in Marble Canyon on Sunday

640-plane-151005-96MARBLE CANYON, Arizona — On Sunday, October 4th at 2:50 p.m. the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a plane crash near the Cliff Dwellers Airport in Marble Canyon, Arizona.

A resident in the Cliff Dwellers area reported hearing a plane engine before hearing a loud thud. She looked towards the airport and saw dust.

A 65 year old male and 62 year old female from North Vancouver, British Columbia were attempting to land at the Cliff Dwellers Airport. Upon approach to the landing strip, they experienced a wind gust which caused their experimental Super Bushmaster LS180S Aircraft to lose altitude coming into contact with the sandy terrain prior to reaching the runway.

The female passenger was transported by ambulance to the Page Hospital with minor injuries while the male pilot did not require medical assistance. The aircraft was extensively damaged.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Aviation Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board.

Weather conditions to be severe through Wednesday

640151005-04WILLIAMS — Severe thunderstorms are possible today and tomorrow easing up on Wednesday. Temperatures in Flagstaff and Williams should return to the lower 70s on Thursday.

Today there is a 100% chance of a severe thunderstorm dropping to 50% tomorrow during the day to 40% Tuesday night. On Wednesday the chance of rain drops to 10% clearing overnight on Wednesday. High winds are expected through Tuesday night.

The temperatures are expected to rise again to the lower 70s through the weekend in time for the Pumpkin Patch Train ride and the Owly, Howly, Growly fun at Bearizona.

ADEQ Awards City of Winslow $86,000 Brownfields Grant for Cleanup at Former LZ Budget Motel along Historic Route 66

Photo Mean Mister Mustard, Panoramio

Photo Mean Mister Mustard, Panoramio

PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today an $86,000 brownfields grant to the City of Winslow to remove asbestos and lead-based paint from the former LZ Budget Motel located along historic Route 66 at 1102 E. 2nd St., Winslow in Navajo County. ADEQ’s Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) will oversee this work.

Owned by the City of Winslow and located within the City’s redevelopment district in the heart of historic downtown, the approximate one-acre parcel former LZ Budget Motel site consists of four vacant structures in a severe state of deterioration due to previous fires, years of weathering and no maintenance. Unoccupied for years and the subject of frequent vandalism and vagrancy, this brownfields grant-funded environmental cleanup work is the next of several steps necessary to eliminate the blight and prepare the property for redevelopment that will emphasize the needs of the community and boost economic vitality.

“Recovering blighted properties by administering non-competitive grants through ADEQ’s brownfields program is just one way we accomplish environmentally responsible economic growth in our state,” ADEQ Waste Programs Division Director Laura Malone said. “Our staff works diligently with grant applicants to create customized solutions that maximize program benefits for each community’s unique needs.”

Brownfields are properties with active redevelopment potential hindered by known or perceived environmental contamination. Since it began in 2003, ADEQ’s brownfields grant program has funded more than 50 projects assisting local governments and nonprofits in completing environmental assessments and cleanup. Currently accepting applications, ADEQ’s brownfields grant program conducts projects through Arizona’s State Response Grant using funds provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

K-9 Kraving Dog Food Has Announced a Voluntary Recall of Their Chicken Patties Dog Food

k9-cravingBaltimore, MD — K-9 Kraving Dog Food has announced a voluntary recall of their Chicken Patties Dog Food shipped between July 13th – July 17th, 2015 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The affected product was distributed to retail stores only in Maryland. No other K-9 Kraving Dog Food products are affected.

No illnesses have been reported to date. Even though no illnesses have been reported, consumers should follow the Safe Handling Instructions printed on the K-9 Kraving Dog Food package when disposing of the affected product.

K-9 Kraving Dog Food became aware of a potential issue after receiving notification from the FDA that a routine surveillance sample of Chicken Patties tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

Consumers feeding the affected product should discontinue use and monitor their pet’s health, and contact their veterinarian if they have concerns. Consumers who purchased the product can obtain a full refund or exchange by either returning the product in its original packaging or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer.

Consumers with additional questions can call our Consumer Relations team at 1-800-675-1471 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, EST.

Robert Barrett, Chief Executive Officer of K-9 Kraving Dog Food, stated, “At K-9 Kraving Dog Food we take quality and safety very seriously. We believe that under all circumstances, health and safety comes first, and we are committed to providing the best possible nutrition for pets.”

Vegetation clearing on US 180 to begin tomorrow

FLAGSTAFF — Travelers heading on US 180 north of Flagstaff should allow for extra travel time while ADOT crews perform vegetation clearing operations for a one-mile stretch just north of Shultz Pass Road (mileposts 219 to 220). This operation will clear out damaged and unwanted trees and requires a lane closure and occasional 10-minute roadway shutdowns during removal activity. The work will take place Monday through Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and be in effect during the weeks of October 5th and October 12th.

Drivers are asked to allow for extra travel time to reach their destinations, use caution and observe reduced speeds while maintenance is being performed in the area.