Category Archives: News

Special event requires brief closures of US 60 and US 93 in Wickenburg

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Due to a special event, the junction of US 60 and US 93 at the south roundabout in downtown Wickenburg will close briefly from 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday, April 13 and again from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 17.

The closures will allow more than 200 horses and riders participating in the 69th annual Desert Caballeros trail ride to cross US 60 the highway safely.

What to expect during the closures:

  • Eastbound US 60 will be closed at milepost 110 prior to Tegner Street.
  • Westbound US 60 will be closed at milepost 110 prior to the Hassayampa River Bridge.
  • Traffic destined for northbound US 93 will be stopped at the westbound US 60 closure.
  • Southbound US 93 will be closed at the south roundabout prior to milepost 200.
  • The Wickenburg Police Department will enforce the closures and provide traffic control.
  • Drivers will need to wait for horses to pass through, no alternate routes suggested

Governor Doug Ducey Issues a Proclamation to Commemorate Prisoners of War Remembrance Day

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PHOENIX — In honor of Prisoners of War Remembrance Day – held annually on April 9 – Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation today calling upon all Arizonans to pay respect and gratitude to all of the men and women of our nation’s armed forces who have suffered captivity in foreign countries during active service.

“Today, we pause to recognize the brave members of our armed forces who, throughout history, have been taken captive by an enemy nation while fighting to protect us at home.

We are eternally indebted to these men and women. Day after day, American heroes put on the uniform and answer the call to service – selflessly relinquishing their personal freedom to preserve ours. To those who have not returned home, they are in our thoughts, prayers and hearts. We forever honor them, and we continue to pray for their safe return.

I ask that all Arizonans join me in paying respect to our nation’s Prisoners of War, their families and all who serve and sacrifice in the name of our national and personal security. God Bless them all.”

Road construction starting on US 180 west of St. Johns

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin an improvement project on Wednesday, April 22 to resurface eight miles of US 180 west of St. Johns (milepost 338-347).

The $3.6 million project will include removing and replacing the existing asphalt, removing and replacing the approach slabs at the Little Colorado Bridge and other related work. The work is anticipated to be completed by October.

Work hours will be from sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used to guide vehicles through the work zone and drivers should anticipate delays of up to 30 minutes. A traffic signal will also be used to regulate traffic across the bridge in alternating directions. There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone.

Drivers are asked to use caution and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Today is POW remembrance day

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OPINION
pow-mia-banner-2ARIZONA — In accordance with Arizona Revised Statute 1-307, today is Prisoners of war remembrance day.

Subsection B. of the law requires:

The governor shall make proclamation of prisoners of war remembrance day to commemorate the sacrifices of men and women who suffered captivity in foreign lands while in the service of our country. The governor shall recommend that teachers and students of the schools of this state observe this day with appropriate exercises and shall encourage citizens to contemplate the plight of Americans who have been held captive of an enemy nation.

We searched the official web site of the Governor of the Great State of Arizona and his Facebook page. We found no proclamation nor any information on “…the plight of Americans who have been held captive of an enemy nation.”

Looking over the web site of the Arizona Legislature, we found that Senator Lesko handed out 60 dictionaries, but no word on Prisoners of War.

This is an absolute disgrace. Thus, it falls on us to tell you the plight of POWs.

Vietnam POWs cheer as their flight takes off from Hanoi.

Vietnam POWs cheer as their flight takes off from Hanoi.

First we honor those faithfully served our nation during a most difficult time in their lives. We pray for your continued health.

The most disgraceful treatment of returning prisoners of war by the United States government has to be the treatment of those returning from the Vietnam war. Many do not know, nor seem to care, that those veterans are denied access to the records of their own debriefing. They are still held classified after 40-years!

You would think that former POW John McCain would be on the front lines defending the rights of other POWs in this matter. Unfortunately this is not the case. He is one of the loudest voices in keeping these records secret and withheld from the patriots who served their country when future presidents and actors ran to foreign lands.

It is still the wee-hours of the morn. Perhaps statements are forthcoming. If they are, we hope that they will include remonstrances to the national government to allow Vietnam POWs access to their records.

Special event requires brief closures of US 60 at Vulture Mine Road on Saturday

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WICKENBURG — Due to a special event, the intersection of US 60 and Vulture Mine Road in Wickenburg will be restricted intermittently between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11 to allow marathon runners to safely cross the roadway.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

Traffic shifted tomorrow on SR 87 north of Sunflower

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PHOENIX — Drivers traveling between Phoenix and Payson this month on State Route 87 north of Sunflower will be shifted onto the northbound lanes starting Thursday, April 9 between mileposts 223 and 229. Delays of up to 25 minutes are possible.

Traffic in both directions will use the northbound lanes which will become a two-lane roadway through the work zone and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place through April 24.

For the past few weeks, crews have been working 24-hour days, six days a week (Monday through Saturday) to ensure the project will be done before the Memorial Day weekend.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destinations and proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage.

The $6.2 million safety improvement project, which began in October, approximately seven miles south of the State Route 188 junction, includes the reconstruction of an existing curve at milepost 227, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228.

Keeping our Promises to Veterans Act of 2015 moves to Subcommittee on Health

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300tom-emmerWASHINGTON — The Keeping our Promises to Veterans Act of 2015, H.R. 1532, was introduced by Tom Emmer [R-MN-6] on March 23 and has moved through the House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs to the Subcommittee on Health yesterday. The bill would expand the ability of veterans to get access under the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act passed last year.

The Veterans Access Act (38 U.S.C. 1701, PDF) allows veterans to seek outside VA assistance if they live a certain distance from a VA facility. The act did not account for those who might not have or have difficulty in transportation.

This brief bill would reduce the 40-mile radius requirement to 20-miles and require access to the closest medical facility that could treat the need of the veteran. The bill reduces the wait time goal from 30-days to 15. It also requires VA to set up prompt payment system to non-VA facilities which provide care to veterans.

H.R. 1603 submitted by Andy Barr [R-KY-6] would improve treatment for victims of military sexual assault under the Veterans Access Act.

Another bill in Congress, H.R. 1302 would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that VA Form 9 appeals are resolved within one year of submission. The bill was introduced by Ohio Representative Robert Latta [R-OH-5].

Representative Ron Kind [D-WI-3] has submitted H.R. 1628, the Veterans Pain Management Improvement Act which would require VA facilities to set up a Pain Management Board for veteran victims of chronic pain whether out- or in-patient.

The board would provide treatment recommendations for patients with complex clinical pain who are being treated at a medical facility of the Department located in the Veterans Integrated Service Network covered by the Board.

The membership in the board would require a certan number of medical pain specialists, clinical patients or the family members of clinical patients.

Northern Arizona Authors association meets this Saturday

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The next NAAA will hold a meeting this Saturday at the Wild West Junction in Williams on April 11 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Don’t forget to register at Old Trails

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WILLIAMS — Don’t forget that you have to register by the 8th for the free craft project for Kids at Old Trails True Value hardware store.
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How to tell when it is spring in Williams

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640-15040701WILLIAMS — You may wonder how we in Williams determine when spring arrives. Is the flowers blossoming in the Kaibab? Perhaps the leaves appearing on the Aspens. Or when the eyes of those with hay fever start to turn red.

Actually we usually realize it is spring when the classic cars begin their trek down the longest existing stretch of route 66 through Arizona. Today we got a visit from a ’57 Chevy from California.
640-15040702Seems it is still a “right-of-passage” to travel route 66 through Williams and Flagstaff.