Category Archives: News

Springs Fire travels south into Wild Horse Canyon

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640-2015_08_17-09.40.26.272-CDTWILLIAMS — The Spring Fire—which has grown over 6,000 acres despite monsoon conditions—has spread into Wild Horse Canyon and is expected to burn itself out there. The Summit Mountain Trail (#68) continues to be closed until Sept. 30 or until Closure Order 07-15-01-F is rescinded. The trail was closed on July 30 due to the Springs Fire activity.

Yesterday fire personnel continued to monitor the Springs Fire after fire activity increased, due to drier conditions, following a week of monsoon weather. Crews reinforced Forest Road 746, a designated perimeter road, with burn out operations. Fire managers expect the lightning-caused wildfire to reach its pre-established southeastern boundary within the next several days.

Today they will continue to monitor and reinforce Forest Road 57A and Forest Road 746, as the fire activity moves slowly towards the south around Wild Horse Canyon. As the wildfire reaches these designated perimeter roads, it is expected to burn out on its own, as fire managers have been planning since the discovery of the naturally-ignited Springs Fire in early July.

Smoke impacts to both Wild Horse and Sycamore canyons and father south are possible as the Springs Fire continues to slowly back through the area.

The Parks and Bellemont communities may also notice smoke over the next several days, as the wildfire burns through the remaining portion of the planning area established for its natural spread. As the wildfire reaches pre-determined perimeter roads in the coming days, fire activity and smoke production are expected to decrease significantly.

ADEQ: Update on Colorado Gold King Mine Spill

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animas-river-before-and-after-epa-toxic-waste-spillPHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today it has examined data provided by states upstream of Lake Powell and closer to the Gold King Mine spill. ADEQ’s analysis of data released by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality of samples collected about 100 miles from Lake Powell (closest Utah sample) shows that water quality conditions in the San Juan River upstream of Lake Powell are generally consistent with pre-spill conditions. “Based on what we’re seeing with the water flowing into Lake Powell, we don’t expect there to be noticeable change in water quality in Arizona,” ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera said.

“To put this spill into perspective, the three million gallon estimated volume of the spill represents a miniscule fraction of a percent (0.000071 percent) of the total volume of water in Lake Powell (more than four trillion gallons as of July 29, 2015) Cabrera said, adding that ADEQ does not expect this spill to have short- or long-term negative impacts to Lake Powell and the downstream Colorado River.”

ADEQ has been and will continue coordinating with public health and environmental agencies in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, as well as with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Navajo Nation officials to gather, analyze and share water quality data with each other and the public as it becomes available. Beginning August 14, these officials began lifting water use restrictions for the Animas and San Juan Rivers, because water quality conditions are returning to pre-spill conditions.

Last week ADEQ completed sampling to characterize baseline water quality in Lake Powell and the Colorado River at Lee’s Ferry and submitted these samples for analysis with the fastest possible turnaround time. ADEQ expects to receive lab results later today, Monday, August 17, which it will compare with Arizona surface water quality standards and historical data.

Bake and Yard sale at First Baptist Church Saturday

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WILLIAMS — There will be a bake sale and a yard sale at the First Baptist Church in Williams to support the Women’s Ministry. The sale will start at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The church is located across the street from Safeway.

This fund helps to pay for scholarships for women to attend retreats, conferences and other events throughout the year. It is also used to pay for support of Handmaidens Ministry outreach, to the community, through lunch bags, Hope Cottage, blankets and the Dec scarf and mitten distribution.

US 60 east of Superior to close briefly for blasting operations Aug. 19

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Motorists traveling along US 60 between Phoenix and Globe on Wednesday morning, Aug. 19, 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.

The construction of the two-mile-long climbing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233) will require a full closure of US 60 for up to 90 minutes from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 19.

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.

ADOT anticipates the highway will be closed at least once per week for blasting for up to three months. As blasting continues there will be a lesser impact on traffic and delays will be reduced.

The $8.8 million safety improvement project will make it easier for motorists to pass large trucks and slow-moving vehicles whose speed drops because of the sustained grades along this stretch of highway from Devil’s Canyon to the Oak Flat area.

The project will include the following:

Construction of a new westbound passing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233)
Widening shoulders in the Devil’s Canyon area (milepost 233-234)
Improvements to the Waterfall Canyon bridge (milepost 229)
Box culvert drainage improvements (milepost 242 just west of Miami)

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.

Cook Medical Issues Global Recall Of Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheter Products

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On July 2, 2015, Cook Medical initiated a lot-specific voluntary recall of 2,239 lots of Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters. Globally, 95,167 devices are subject to this recall. The products include specific versions and lot numbers of the Torcon NB® Advantage Beacon® Tip Catheters (Catalog Prefix HNBR5.0), Royal Flush® Plus Beacon® Tip High-Flow Catheters (Catalog Prefix HNR4.0), and Slip-Cath® Beacon® Tip Catheters (Catalog Prefix SCBR5.0).

The Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters have been found to exhibit tip splitting or separation, which has resulted in adverse events. Cook has received 26 complaints of catheter-tip splitting and/or separation. There have been 14 Medical Device Reports to date in which a tip split or separation occurred.

Tip splitting has the potential to lead to loss of device function. Tip separation may require medical intervention to retrieve a separated segment or may occlude blood flow to end organs.

The Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters in this recall were distributed between June 2013 and June 2015. Product can be identified by the part number and lot number provided on the outer package product label. The lot numbers for products that are subject to this recall can be found on the following pages.

Cook Medical has notified its customers and distributors by recall notification letters. The letters requested that all customers and distributors quarantine and discontinue use of all potentially affected units and return the affected product to the company as soon as possible for credit.

FDA and other regulatory agencies around the world have been notified of this action.

The full list of recalled products can be found at the FDA web site.

ADEQ Hosts Free Environmental Roadshow in Winslow

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Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and partners, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Adopt a Highway Volunteer Programs and Keep Arizona Beautiful (KAZB), will conduct an “Environmental Resources Roadshow” in Navajo County on Tuesday, August 25, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Winslow Council Chambers, 115 E. Second St., Winslow.

ADEQ encourages community members, business people, public officials, and school representatives in Winslow, and the surrounding area to attend this free two-hour event. Following brief presentations, attendees can engage in open dialogue and a question and answer session.
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Oath Keepers meeting this Saturday

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a22de8_7e7df60d14a74d7d8368f167f9729975.jpg_srz_p_271_271_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srzWILLIAMS — There will be an meeting of Oath Keepers this Saturday at the Wild West Junction at 10 a.m. They invite those who wish to join Oath Keepers to attend the meeting.

There will also be discussion on the organization of Community Preparedness Teams. These teams are being formed from the community to consist of people with skills necessary to react to natural or man-made disasters. You do not have to be a member of the Oath Keeper organization to participate.

The CPT system is open to anyone in Coconino County—not just Williams. Anyone from Coconino County can attend the meeting to learn what the CPT program is about.

The Gila Watershed Partnership seeks Executive Director

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ADEQ logo resizedThe Gila Watershed Partnership, a non-profit Arizona corporation, seeks an experienced Executive Director. The ED serves as the chief executive for the organization, and provides leadership and direction to the staff. The ED reports to the GWP Board of Directors, and is responsible for assisting and implementing the organization’s strategic plan. The goals of GWP are to help conserve and enhance the natural resources and the environment of the watershed for all users, to help increase and improve water quantity and quality and to help plan and act to avoid and minimize damage from large storms, floods, and other natural disasters.
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2015 Fall Session of the Northern Arizona Citizen’s Police Academy Open for Enrollment

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flagstaff-policeFLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Police Department, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Northern Arizona University Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety are pleased to announce that the 2015 Fall Session of the Northern Arizona Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) will begin on Wednesday, September, 2015 at 6:00 pm.

CPA is a multi-agency program designed to promote awareness and understanding thus fostering a partnership of trust and shared responsibility between interested law abiding citizens and law enforcement. This 10 week 13 class program meets on Wednesday nights and couple of Saturday’s beginning September 9, 2015. Wednesday night classes are held at the Brent Cooper memorial auditorium located at 911 E. Sawmill Road, Flagstaff Arizona from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Participation in this program is free of charge and open to all law abiding community members.

Topics that are covered include:
1. Tour of the Coconino County Detention Facility
2. Overview of Felony Crimes and Criminal Investigations
3. Tour of the AZ Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory
4. Demonstration of the drug interdiction K9 unit from the Department of Public Safety.
5. Overview of Traffic Enforcement and Highway Safety Programs

For more information or to register for this program please call Sgt Margaret Bentzen of the Flagstaff Police Department at (928) 556-2300 or Community Programs Planner, Gerry Blair of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928)226-5089. Applications will be posted on both the County and City websites.

Registration or applications will be accepted at this time and up until August 28, 2015.

Elvis, Melvis: Music with a-peel on KZBX

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300px-MelvisWILLIAMS — While vacationing in Laughlin, we thought we found the perfect gift for Maggie who manages the Camp Civitan Shop in downtown Williams.

Maggie Peel started her broadcasting career at KZBX 92.1 FM in Williams by broadcasting Elvis tunes for her show Elvis With A-Peel. She even got in early today to purchase her issue of the latest Elvis stamps available at the post office. Thus we got her the Elvis glasses to help get her in character.

Alas, she has changed her format. She still plays Elvis, but added country and contemporary music in the mix. So now her show is just Music With A-Peel. You can hear her show from 4-6 p.m. on KZBX or listen to the show on their web site.

During the day you can meet the mega-radio personality at her day job, and possibly pick up some deals, at the Camp Civitan Thrift Store in downtown Williams next to Old Smokey’s restaurant. Camp Civitan Thrift Shop is currently open from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.