Category Archives: News

Heather Provencio selected as new Kaibab National Forest Supervisor

Posted on by

300pxHeatherProvencioWILLIAMS — Southwestern Regional Forester Cal Joyner recently announced that the new forest supervisor of the Kaibab National Forest will be Heather Provencio, who currently serves as the deputy forest supervisor on the White River National Forest in Colorado.

“We’re excited to have Heather return to the Southwestern Region. She has a people-centered view of the environment that I believe is the proper focus for finding a creative balance that meets the needs of the forest, the surrounding communities and tribes, as well as employees,” Joyner said. “Heather’s strong grounding in northern Arizona will allow her to quickly gather momentum and move ahead on implementing the new Kaibab Forest Plan, Four Forest Restoration Initiative and fire management programs.”

Provencio is no stranger to northern Arizona and its landscape, people, challenges and opportunities, having worked in various jobs on the Coconino National Forest adjacent to the Kaibab from 2001 until 2013, including as the district ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District headquartered in Sedona, Ariz.

“I am excited by the idea of getting back to northern Arizona, which I consider home,” Provencio said. “I am also excited by the challenges that I know await me on the Kaibab and the learning and professional growth that those will bring. I am very much looking forward to being part of and leading a cohesive and exceptional team of employees who take on difficult issues and still find time to do critically important work like connecting the public with their National Forests.”

Provencio was born and raised in southern Illinois and grew up in a Forest Service family. She moved to Arizona in 1982 to attend Northern Arizona University and pursue a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with an emphasis in archaeology. Her first job with the Forest Service was in 1985 as a firefighter on the Chevelon Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, after with she held a variety of positions in archaeology, recreation and business administration until returning to school to pursue her master’s degree in anthropology. She then held positions as an archaeologist and tribal liaison before becoming a district ranger and, subsequently, a deputy forest supervisor. Provencio is scheduled to begin her role as forest supervisor of the Kaibab National Forest Oct. 5.

“I will strive to be an excellent leader for the employees of the Kaibab and our communities and partners. They deserve nothing less, so I will continually work on improving my skills as a leader,” Provencio said. “I hope to create strong connections between our employees, the Forest Service lands we manage, and the public.”

New wildfire on Tusayan Ranger District growing due to dry conditions

Posted on by

TUSYAN — A lightning-caused wildfire on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National is burning actively and growing in size due to dry weather conditions.

The 50-acre Rock Fire is located near Rock Lake Pothole just south of the Coconino Rim about 15 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan. The wildfire, which was started by lightning July 31 and discovered by fire managers Aug. 1, is burning at a low-to-moderate level of intensity through an area dominated by ponderosa pine trees. Fire managers plan to allow the wildfire to take its natural course within predefined boundaries in order to help restore ecological balance across the landscape so that the area is more resilient to threats, such as future high-intensity wildfires.

Today firefighters will prepare for the wildfire’s anticipated future growth by lining archaeological sites, range fences, trick tanks, and any other potentially fire-sensitive resources near the fire area. This important work ensures that as the Rock Fire grows, fire managers will be able to allow it to take its natural course without the risk of negatively impacting other values in the area.

Given dry conditions in the forecast for the next few days, the Rock Fire is expected to burn actively, grow significantly in size, and produce smoke that is visible from Cameron, Tuba City, Valle and Highway 64. Smoke may sink overnight into Tappan Wash and potentially move toward Cameron and then rise and dissipate in the morning hours as temperatures increase.

Do You Believe? screening at Methodist Church

Posted on by

believeWILLIAMS — The United Methodist Church at 127 W Sherman Ave in Williams will host a screening of Do You Believe? this Friday.

The film stars Sean Astin who gained recognition for the inspirational 1993 movie Rudy based on he life of Notre Dame football player Daniel E. ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger. Most recently he stared in The Lord of the Rings movie series.

The movie also features Delroy Lindo who is one of those actors you instantly recognize, but probably do not remember the name. He started in the 1971 television series Police Surgeon and since has played in a host of roles such as in the movie Malcom X, a colonel in Broken Arrow (promoted to General in The Last Castle). He’s played cops and criminals and most recently had a recurring role as Sheriff Tip Harrison in the television series Blood and Oil. He’s even played a Supreme Court Justice on TV (Justice Clarence Thomas). Quite frankly he is one of those actors that deserve better roles.

The movie, from the creators of God’s Not Dead, is also currently in theaters.

Injured Hiker Rescued In Cathedral Canyon

Posted on by

Coconino County Sheriff photo

Coconino County Sheriff photo

PAGE — On Friday, July 31st at approximately 7:50 am the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call advising that a hiker was injured with a possible broken leg in Cathedral Wash near Lee’s Ferry in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Deputies from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Page Substation responded with National Park Service Rangers from Lees Ferry. The victim, a 22 year old male from Oregon was located in the canyon between Lees Ferry Road and the Colorado River.

He had sustained a dislocated knee during a short fall in the wash and was experiencing severe pain. Due to the seriousness of the injury, National Park Service Rangers and Sheriff’s Deputies carried the victim to the Colorado River where they were met by medical staff of Classic Lifeguard Air Medical Services. The victim was flown out of the canyon and transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for his injuries.

U.S. DOT announces Fiat Chrysler enforcement action.

Posted on by

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced today that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has acknowledged violations of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act’s requirements to repair vehicles with safety defects and will submit to rigorous federal oversight, buy back some defective vehicles from owners, and agreed to a $105 million civil penalty, the largest ever imposed by the Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Chrysler FAQ (PDF)

The enforcement action comes after a July 2 public hearing at which NHTSA officials outlined problems with Fiat Chrysler’s execution of 23 vehicle safety recalls covering more than 11 million defective vehicles. Fiat Chrysler has since admitted to violating the Safety Act in three areas: effective and timely recall remedies, notification to vehicle owners and dealers and notifications to NHTSA.

This recall effects 1,771 2014-2015 model years Ram 4500 and 5500 manufactured August 20, 2013, to January 27, 2015, and equipped with 6.4L Hemi engines. Chrysler has also recalled 644,354 2011-2014 model years Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013 and 2011-2014 model years Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010, through September 8, 2013

“Today’s action holds Fiat Chrysler accountable for its past failures, pushes them to get unsafe vehicles repaired or off the roads and takes concrete steps to keep Americans safer going forward,” said Secretary Foxx. “This civil penalty puts manufacturers on notice that the Department will act when they do not take their obligations to repair safety defects seriously.”

In a consent order issued by NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler commits to take action to get defective vehicles off the roads or repaired. Owners of more than half a million vehicles with defective suspension parts that could cause the vehicle to lose control will have the opportunity to sell their vehicle back to Fiat Chrysler. Owners of more than a million Jeeps that are prone to deadly fires either will have the chance to trade their vehicle in for above its market value, or will receive a financial incentive to get their vehicle remedied.

The consent order requires FCA to notify vehicle owners eligible for buybacks and other financial incentives that these new options are available.

The automaker also agrees to unprecedented oversight for the next three years, which includes hiring an independent monitor approved by NHTSA to assess, track and report the company’s recall performance.

“Fiat Chrysler’s pattern of poor performance put millions of its customers, and the driving public, at risk,” NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said. “This action will provide relief to owners of defective vehicles, will help improve recall performance throughout the auto industry, and gives Fiat Chrysler the opportunity to embrace a proactive safety culture.”

The company must pay a $70 million cash penalty – equal to the record $70 million civil penalty the agency imposed on Honda in January. In addition, Fiat Chrysler must spend at least $20 million on meeting performance requirements included in the Consent Order. Another $15 million could come due if the independent monitor discovers additional violations of the Safety Act or the Consent Order.

Flash flood warning issued for Grand Canyon area

Posted on by

Rain15-06-05-03A flash flood watch for portions of northc central and west central Arizona has been issued to end at 5 p.m today. People with weather radios should monitor for warnings and prepare to take appropriate action.

The weather affects the Coconino Plateau and western Mogollon Rim including the ciites of Grand Canyon Village, Supai, North Rim, Valley, Flagstaff, Williams and Munds Park.

Thunderstorms capable of very heavy rainfall are moving eastward across the area through late this afternoon. Normally dry washes and streams could begin to flow with the possiblity of heavier rainfall. Flooding on some roadways are possible.

Flooding could still occur after the warning is lifted.

US 180 narrowed to one lane north of Flagstaff beginning Monday

Posted on by

US 180 will be narrowed to one lane between Flagstaff and Valle (milepost 250 to 265) starting on Monday (Aug. 3) through Thursday (Aug. 6) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The restriction is required to allow Arizona Department of Transportation crews to perform maintenance work on the roadway.

During maintenance operations, heavy delays can be anticipated. A pilot car will allow for alternating travel through the work zone. Please allow for extra time for travel time and exercise caution while moving through the area. Drivers should consider using I-40 and SR 64 as alternate route for travel.

US 89 narrowed to one lane south of SR 64 Junction Monday and Tuesday

Posted on by

US 89 will be narrowed to one lane south of the SR 64 Junction to Sunset Crater Rd (milepost 462 to 443) on Monday (Aug. 3) and Tuesday (Aug. 4) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pavement marker installation work will be a moving operation, utilizing a three-mile restriction. The restriction is required to allow Arizona Department of Transportation crews to install pavement markers on the roadway.

During installation, delays of up to 15 minutes can be anticipated. A pilot car will allow for alternating travel through the work zone. Please allow for extra travel time during construction and be alert while traveling through the work zone.

Flagstaff Police Department investigating two assaults

Posted on by

The Flagstaff Police Department is currently investigating two different incidents of assault involving a suspect described as either a Hispanic or Native male, 16-20 years old.

During the first incident which occurred in the 800 block of N. Leroux, on July 21, 2015 at approximately 5:30 pm, the suspect was wearing a white t-shirt and khaki colored pants. The victim stated she was followed by the suspect as he rode a gray or silver colored bike. When she got off her bike and began walking up the stairs to her apartment he parked his bike and ran up behind her and grabbed her buttocks and then rode away.

The second incident was reported on July 25, 2015 at approximately 1pm on the urban trail which parallels Beulah just south of the University Heights subdivision. The second victim described the suspect as a Hispanic or Native male, approximately 16-20 years old, with curly dark hair and a “lazy eye.” The suspect was wearing a navy hoody, black shirt and blue jeans. The victim described the suspect’s bike as a dark in color mountain bike.

The victim was running south on the urban trail when the suspect passed her north bound on his bike then turned around and came up behind her. When he got close enough he reached out and grabbed her buttocks and then rode away.

If you have any information regarding these incidents please call Detective Knott at 928 679-4085. If you have any information regarding any FELONY crime and do not want to leave your name please contact SILENT WITNESS at 928 774-6111.

Spring fire grows slowly

Posted on by

800-spring-2015-07-25-03WILLIAMS — The residents of Williams, Parks, Sherwood Forest and the areas in between should receive a break from smoke over the next few days. The fire has grown almost 2700-acres, but because of the rains the progress of the Spring fire has slowed.

Today the firefighters continued work on reinforcing the perimeter road boundaries to prevent the fire from spreading beyond when the fire flares up as conditions become drier. They are also lining archaeological sites, private property and other fire-sensitive resources near the fire area.

Smoke is expected to be light and mostly visible in the area of the fire along County Road 73. Summit Mountain Trail 68 is temporarily closed due to the fire activity.