Category Archives: News

Bridge work starting on I-40 west of Holbrook

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NOTE: We noted a lot of bridge work happening between Williams and Flagstaff on I-40. Please remember that ARS provides for double-fines for speeding through a highway construction zone.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin a project on Monday, March 23 to make improvements to the Leroux Wash Bridges on Interstate 40 just west of Holbrook.

The $1.2 million dollar project will include removing and replacing both bridges approach slabs and repairing both bridge decks. The project is anticipated to be completed this fall.

Work hours will be 7 a.m.to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Work crews will be working on both the eastbound and westbound bridges at the same time. One of the two lanes in each direction will be closed leaving one lane open for traffic. The speed limit will be reduced through the construction zone and there will be width restrictions.

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

Kraft Foods Group Voluntarily Recalls Select Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinners Due to Possible Metal Pieces

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ucm438726NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods Group is voluntarily recalling approximately 242,000 cases of select code dates and manufacturing codes of the Original flavor of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner – due to the possibility that some boxes may contain small pieces of metal. The recalled product is limited to the 7.25-oz. size of the Original flavor of boxed dinner with the “Best When Used By” dates of September 18, 2015 through October 11, 2015, with the code “C2” directly below the date on each individual box. The “C2” refers to a specific production line on which the affected product was made.

Some of these products have also been packed in multi-pack units that have a range of different code dates and manufacturing codes on the external packaging (box or shrink-wrap), depending on the package configuration (see table below).

Recalled product was shipped to customers in the U.S. and several other countries, excluding Canada. The affected dates of this product were sold in only these four configurations:

  • 7.25 oz. box, Original flavor
  • 3-pack box of those 7.25 oz. boxes, Original flavor
  • 4-pack shrink-wrap of those 7.25 oz. boxes, Original flavor
  • 5-pack shrink-wrap of those 7.25 oz. boxes, Original flavor

The following is being recalled:

Product Size Name of Product Sell Unit Best When Used By Code Date & Mfr. Code Individual Box Best When Used By Code Date & Mfr. Code Individual Box UPC Multi-Pack Unit UPC
7.25 oz. each Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinner
Original Flavor		 NA 18 SEP 2015 C2
through
11 OCT 2015 C2		 0 21000 65883 1 NA
3-Pack Box
(Three 7.25 oz. Boxes)
Net Wt. 21.75 oz.		 3-Pack Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinner
Original Flavor		 09 SEP 2015 XDG
27 SEP 2015 XDG
01 OCT 2015 XDG
02 OCT 2015 XDG
03 OCT 2015 XDG
20 NOV 2015 XDG		 18 SEP 2015 C2
through
11 OCT 2015 C2		 0 21000 65883 1 0 21000 05076 5
4-Pack
Shrink–wrap
(Four 7.25 oz. Boxes)
Net Wt. 29 oz.		 4-Pack Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinner
Original Flavor		 18 SEP 2015 C2
19 SEP 2015 C2
08 OCT 2015 C2		 18 SEP 2015 C2
through
11 OCT 2015 C2		 0 21000 65883 1 0 21000 72540 3
5-Pack
Shrink-wrap
(Five 7.25 oz. Boxes)
Net Wt. 36.25 oz.		 5-Pack Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Dinner
Original Flavor		 18 SEP 2015
through
11 OCT 2015
XAR or C2		 18 SEP 2015 C2
through
11 OCT 2015 C2		 0 21000 65883 1 0 21000 77436 4

No other sizes, varieties or pasta shapes and no other packaging configurations are included in this recall. And no products with manufacturing codes other than “C2” below the code date on the individual box are included in this recall.

Kraft has received eight consumer contacts about this product from the impacted line within this range of code dates and no injuries have been reported. We deeply regret this situation and apologize to any consumers we have disappointed.

The recalled product was shipped by Kraft to customers nationwide in the U.S. The product was also distributed to Puerto Rico and some Caribbean and South American countries — but not to Canada.

Consumers who purchased this product should not eat it. They should return it to the store where purchased for an exchange or full refund. Consumers also can contact Kraft Foods Consumer Relations at 1-800-816-9432 between 9 am and 6 pm (Eastern) for a full refund.

Bridge work resumes on SR 260 east of Payson next week

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adot-logo-03aAfter upgrading five eastbound bridge approaches on State Route 260 last fall, the Arizona Department of Transportation is returning this month to replace and repave the approaches to three westbound bridges between mileposts 272-277, approximately 20 miles east of Payson.

Motorists traveling along SR 260 should allow extra travel time and be aware that westbound traffic will be shifted to the eastbound lanes, which will become a two-way roadway through the five-mile work zone, beginning on Tuesday, March 24. A 10-foot width restriction will be in place throughout construction and drivers should be aware of heavy traffic during peak travel times.

The $2.9 million improvement project, which is expected to be completed in August, includes the removal of the existing bridge approaches and departure slabs, repaving the roadway at the bridge approaches, guardrail reconstruction and the replacement of existing pavement markings.

National Park Service Sitting On Half-A-Billion Dollars Of Concessions Obligations

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640-gc-eltovarAcross the National Park System, there is an estimated half-a-billion-dollars of obligations owed concessionaires who run lodges, restaurants, and even some activities, for the National Park Service.

It’s a sum that, while Park Service officials say is manageable, has seemingly stifled concessions competition in some parks and led the agency to divert tens of millions of dollars from some parks to others to reduce the debts.

At Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, the outstanding amount is more than $57 million. At Glacier National Park in Montana, it’s $22 million. At Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, it’s nearly $100 million. At Yellowstone National Park, the sum is $21.5 million.

Read more at National Parks Traveler

Methodist church celebrates St. Patrick’s day

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640-StPatrick15-03-17-4WILLIAMS — the annual Saint Patrick’s day corned beef and cabbage dinner at the United Community Methodist church of Williams seem to be a big success last night. The church is led by pastor Billy Martin.

Church volunteers cook and serve food straight from the kitchen.

Church volunteers cook and serve food straight from the kitchen.


The volunteers from the congregation spent a day cooking a great meal of corned beef and cabbage, potatoes and carrots, and baking soda bread. Some volunteers donated cupcakes, cookies, brownies and desserts.
640-StPatrick15-03-17-5
They even cleaned up afterwards.

The united Methodist church conducts this event each year in addition to their other community service. The church holds normal Sunday Services as well as Bible studies on Wednesdays. They also have a weekly dinner prior to the Bible study on Wednesday.

Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique will hold vaccine clinic

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928-635-2172/517 E. Route 66, Williams

WILLIAMS — Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique at 517 E. Route 66 will host a vaccine clinic by the Williams Veterinary Clinic. The clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and the terms are cash only. No credit cards please.

The canine vaccines available will be DA2PPV (distemper and parvo) for $20, rabies $18, bordetella $18.

Feline vaccines will include FVRCP (upper respiratory) for $20, $18 for rabies and $22 for FELV.

For more information you can call 928-635-5392.

Frontier Co-op Initiates Voluntary Class 1 Recall Due to Possible Health Risk from Organic Garlic Powder

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recall-3Frontier Co-op is voluntarily recalling several of its products manufactured with organic garlic powder that were sold under its Frontier and Simply Organic brands, and one product sold under the Whole Foods Market brand due to potential Salmonella contamination. To date, no illnesses have been associated with these products.

The product in question was raw material received by Frontier, which tested positive for Salmonella during a test by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Given that Salmonella may be present, Frontier is immediately initiating this recall.

Frontier Co-op is immediately initiating added precautions to the safety of the supply chain and instituting additional product testing, beyond FDA guidelines, to mitigate any future occurrence.

Consumption of products containing Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditic and arthritis.

Recalled products were sold in all 50 states and in some parts of Canada to distributors, retailers and consumers. Below the release is a list of products containing the organic garlic powder. Images of the affected products can be viewed at the following link: http://www.frontiercoop.com/recalldisclaimer icon.

On foil bulk packages, the four-digit lot code will be found on the front label directly above the UPC code. On bottled items, the four-digit lot code can be found on the bottom of the bottle. On seasoning mixes, the four-digit lot code is embossed on the right side of the packet.

Consumers should not consume these products and should either throw away any remaining products or return to the point of purchase for a refund.

Please contact Frontier Co-op with any questions or to inquire about replacement or reimbursement at 1- 800-669-3275 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time.
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Buckskinner reservoir dam o’r flows

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800-15-03-16-02WILLIAMS — Buckskinner dam and the old Williams dam are overflowing and Williams is expecting a wet week.

300-15-03-15-14Spring is apparently closing in on Williams with warm weather, birds chirping and bees buzzing.

The snow melt is causing the water to rise and Cataract Creek to flow through town. The old dam is overflowing, but keeping the duck pond full. Although the Buckskinner reservoir dam is now overflowing, Cataract Creek is not flowing as well as days gone by. It is good, however, to see water in the Creek once again. The rise of water at Santa Fe seems to have slowed.
OldDam-15-03-15-31
Tomorrow the temperatures are expected to drop slightly tomorrow and through the week remaining in the mid-50s to low-60s. There is a 10% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow raising to 50% after 11 a.m. on Wednesday through Thursday morning. The chance of thunderstorms drops to 30% Thursday night.

There is a slight chance of rain continuing thereafter through Sunday.

Multi-Agency Response to Backcountry Fatality on San Francisco Peaks

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sf-peaksFLAGSTAFF — On Saturday, March 14th, at approximately 12:50 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Coordinator was notified by the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Patrol of a fatality in the backcountry near Doyle Saddle at approximately 11,400 feet elevation.

The victim, identified as Dan Huebner a 53 year old Flagstaff resident, had been on a backcountry ski tour with a friend. At approximately 10:45 AM Huebner collapsed below Agassiz Peak and just west of Doyle Saddle. Huebner’s skiing partner performed CPR for approximately 45 minutes with no change in Huebner’s condition. At that time he skied to the Arizona Snowbowl and reported the incident to Ski Patrol personnel.

The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit, Sheriff’s detectives, the United States Forest Service, and Arizona Snowbowl coordinated a response to the scene and the recovery of Huebner.

It was determined that the best course of action would be to ski and snowshoe to the victim’s location, conduct the investigation and prepare Huebner for extraction via a long line with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter. Ski Patrol, Search and Rescue, and a detective arrived at the scene at approximately 4:30 PM.

The DPS Air Rescue helicopter from Kingman responded to the Fort Valley Lodge and prepared for long line extrication. Huebner’s body was flown from the scene to the Lodge at approximately 5:45 PM where custody was transferred to the Coconino County Office of the Medical Examiner.

Huebner and his ski partner were very experienced and well prepared for the activity that they were engaged in. Backcountry winter travel has some unique hazards including the possibility of avalanche. Huebner and his partner were carrying the “Ten Essentials” and were additionally equipped with avalanche beacons, probes, and shovels. Both men had experience and training in the winter backcountry environment and are well respected in the backcountry skiing community.

Sheriff’s detectives and the medical examiner are continuing this investigation. At this point there are no signs of foul play and there is a possibility that the victim died as the result of a preexisting medical condition.

Three new bear cubs join Bearizona Wildlife Park

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Bearizona Photo

Bearizona Photo

WILLIAMS — Bearizona Wildlife Park is excited to announce the arrival of three un”bear”ably cute North American bear cubs, which were born in early January at the Williams, Arizona Wildlife Park. The bear cubs will be viewable in a special care area of the park until May, when they will then be big enough to go out into their own enclosure within the walk through portion of the park.

Black Bears commonly have two to four cubs per litter, and can nurse up to six cubs. Despite high birthrates, only four out of ten cubs will reach their first year of life. The sixty percent of cub mortality is a result of starvation and depredation by male bears are other large carnivores.

Arizona has a stable wild population of black bear in the wild, however the elusive animals are rarely seen. Visitors to Bearizona Wildlife Park are able to get a close encounter with captive black bears, while learning about their habits and history.

“The connections people make between our animal residents and the habitats in which they reside are key to understanding and conserving wildlife,” explains COO and Curator Vanessa Stoffel. “We have a unique opportunity to educate the public about what it means to live with and recreate among black bears, and these little ambassador cubs are where it all begins.”

Bearizona is a wildlife park in which guests experience a scenic three-mile drive in their own vehicle or coach witnessing North American animals in their natural environment.

Visitors can then leisurely stroll through the forest along winding walkways to get an up-close look at the antics of baby and smaller animals in Fort Bearizona. Guests are encouraged to catch their complimentary Birds of Prey free flight show where they will come face to face with hawks, owls and other raptors.

Bearizona’s mission is to promote conservation through memorable and educational encounters with North American wildlife in a natural environment.