The Arizona Department of Transportation will install new pavement markers at the Sunset Point rest area on Saturday, September 26. Drivers can expect minimal delays and restrictions to the on and off-ramps at Sunset Point on southbound Interstate 17 between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The speed limit through the work zones will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours.
WILLIAMS — The Williams Vikings held their annual Homecoming parade blocking off portions (all of) historic Route 66 this afternoon. The parade was a prelude to their bonfire tonight in preparation for their ignominious stomping of their rival from Mayer tomorrow at 7 p.m.
FLAGSTAFF — The search for missing persons 23 year old Ashley Darby and 35 year old Jeriah Hildwine came to a close on the afternoon of September 23 when they were located deceased approximately 1/3 mile from the parking lot of the Abineau/Bear Jaw Trailhead in a wooded area. Both appeared to have died from gunshot wounds; both appeared to have been deceased for several days.
Ashley Darby was reported missing by her father on September 3. Jeriah Hildwine was reported missing by his mother on September 8. They were reported to have been seen together at a lawyer’s office in Flagstaff, AZ on September 2. Friends and family were interviewed and attempt to locate information was given to area law enforcement agencies. Ashley and Jeriah as well as their vehicles were entered into the National Crime Information Center database as missing.
On September 19, 2015 Forest Service Fire Prevention Personnel located Ashley Darby’s vehicle in the parking lot of the Abineau/Bear Jaw Trailhead. Investigators found a note inside the vehicle indicating that the two intended to commit suicide. Search and Rescue personnel searched the parking lot and surrounding area that afternoon but were unable to locate either person or any further clues as to their whereabouts. Missing person fliers also were circulated as detectives continued to seek information to help locate them. Family members continued their own search in the Abineau/Bear Jaw area on September 22.
On September 23, Detectives and Search and Rescue teams, including two dog teams, returned to the Abineau/Bear Jaw area to continue search efforts. The bodies of both Ashley Darby and Jeriah Hildwine were located deceased in less than two hours of searching.
Further details are pending additional investigation and Medical Examiner review. Jeriah Hildwine also had been the subject of a recent sexual assault investigation.
WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest recently released for public review the final environmental impact statement and draft record of decision for the Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project, which will treat approximately 15,200 acres on and surrounding the mountain near Williams, Ariz., in order to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health and watershed conditions.
The documents, background information, maps and other associated materials are available on the forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=34690. People who previously submitted comments on the project can file objections through Oct. 30.
The draft record of decision selects an alternative that includes the following:
After the objection period, which goes through Oct. 30, a final record of decision will be issued. Implementation of the project is expected to begin in 2016.
“Treating Bill Williams Mountain is a high priority for me and for the other managers of Kaibab National Forest,” said Williams District Ranger Danelle D. Harrison. “We are anxious to begin this important work that will provide protection to the Williams community and its watershed.”
WILLIAMS — Fire managers for the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are announcing locations where they plan to complete prescribed fire projects starting in October and continuing through much of next year. Up to about 12,500 acres could be treated across the district during that time as long as weather and fuel conditions allow.
Areas that could be treated are as follows:
During prescribed fires, community members and visitors may see fire personnel and vehicles in the vicinity. Smoke may also be present and may result in short-duration impacts to populated areas.
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.
Prior to any given prescribed fire, additional information will be released regarding location, timing and anticipated smoke impacts. Kaibab National Forest fire information is also available through the following resources: InciWeb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4112/; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.
WILLIAMS — Campgrounds on the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest will soon be closing for the winter season.
Williams Ranger District
The last night to camp at Dogtown Lake Campground and White Horse Lake Campground on the Williams Ranger District will be Sept. 30. Campsites may be reserved at www.recreation.gov through Sept. 22. After Sept. 22, all campsites at the two campgrounds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The last night to camp in the group sites and the upper loops of Kaibab Lake Campground will be Sept. 30. The lower loops (loops A and B) will remain open until Oct. 17, with the campsites being available on a first-come, first-served basis. The day-use area and the boat ramp will remain open.
Spring Valley Cabin north of Parks, Ariz., does not close seasonally. It will remain open throughout the winter months and can be reserved at www.recreation.gov.
Tusayan Ranger District
The last night to camp in the group sites at Ten-X Campground on the Tusayan Ranger District will be Sept. 30. The single-family campsites will remain open until Oct. 4. The single-family campsites may be reserved at www.recreation.gov through Sept. 25. After Sept. 25, they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hull Cabin is scheduled to close for the winter season Sept. 30. It will reopen in April 2016 and can be reserved at www.recreation.gov.
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division won an award at the recent American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators International Conference for its expanded offering of driver license services at Authorized Third Party businesses across the state.
The Motor Vehicle Division received a Customer Convenience Award for giving customers more options to obtain a driver license or identification card by expanding the number of Authorized Third Party businesses that offer those credentials.
“One of MVD’s goals is to give communities across Arizona more access to our services,” said Third Party Program Administrator Juan Beltran. “Earlier this year, we rolled out a phased expansion program, and have added three to four businesses in each phase to expand the number of Third Party businesses that offer driver licenses and identification cards.”
There are currently 19 Authorized Third Party businesses around the state that offer driver license services in addition to title and registration services.
ADOT’s goal is to have 23 Authorized Third Party businesses offering driver license and identification card services around the state by next January.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s office is trying to locate two persons who may be suicidal.
Ashley DARBY is a 23-year-old white female, 5’6″, 175 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. She has been known to change hair color. She has Bass Cleft musical nots on each shoulder blade and a ppierced nose and piercing below the lower lip.
Jeriah HILDWINE is a 35-year-old white male, 6’5″, 270 pounds with blue eyes and blonde hair. His tatoos include Nordic crows on either side of head, dinosaur on back, “hobo alphabet” symbols on both forearms, dinosaur skeleton on chest, blue puzzle piece upper left chest, map on left thigh, dinosaur skull on right thigh. He has pierced ears and nose.
They were both last seen on September 2 at about 3 p.m. at a lawyer’s office in Flagstaff. Darby was reported missing by her father September 3 and Hildwine by his mother September 8. A vehicle known to be used by Darby was located in the Bear Jaw-Abineau trail head parking lot on September 19, along with a note indicating HILDWINE and DARBY intend to commit suicide.
Under this announcement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants for projects that will advance EPA’s water quality and environmental justice goals. Proposed projects will address urban runoff pollution through diverse partnerships that produce multiple community benefits, with emphasis on underserved communities. Note that proposed project activities must take place entirely within one of the Eligible Geographic Areas, as illustrated on the interactive map provided on the Urban Waters Small Grants mapping website at http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants-mapping
The complexity and widespread impact of urban runoff pollution requires various levels of government and local stakeholders (e.g., community residents, local businesses, etc.) to work together in developing effective and long-term solutions with multiple benefits. EPA supports and empowers communities, especially underserved communities, that are working on solutions to address multiple community needs, and fostering successful collaborative partnerships. Projects should address local water quality issues related to urban runoff pollution; provide additional community benefits; actively engage underserved communities; and foster partnership.
The total estimated funding available for awards under this competition is approximately $1.6 million. EPA expects each award to range from $40,000 to $60,000. EPA Regional Offices will award the cooperative agreements resulting from this announcement. It is anticipated that each EPA Regional Office will award approximately two to three cooperative agreements. Funding is contingent upon Agency funding levels, the quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations.
Visit the Urban Waters Small Grants website to learn more about the program and how to submit a proposal at http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants.
Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov. Please be sure to allow 3 weeks for your organization information to be updated in Grants.gov.
The Arizona Department of Transportation will be starting another improvement project on US 60 in the Superior area on Monday Sept. 28. The project will involve removal of loose rock from the embankments around the entrances to the Queen Creek tunnel.
Two other construction projects are currently going on in the Superior area, including the passing lane project at Oak Flat and the Silver King/Superior Streets widening project.
There are currently weekly delays for blasting for the passing lane project, but no major delays for Silver King/Superior Streets project.
Work hours for the Queen Creek tunnel rock removal will be Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should plan for intermittent 20-minute delays during this time as crews remove loose rock from the embankment and clear the road.
Some of these delays will be done during the scheduled closures for the Oak Flat passing lane blasting. (Blasting schedules for the Oak Flat Passing Lane project may be found at azdot.gov/us60oakflat).
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 is working to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work. The project is scheduled to be completed in three weeks.
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.