Emails: Michigan county’s veterans services director sought cash, gifts from veterans

imageA county’s Veterans Affairs director in Michigan resigned Monday after emails were published in which he is shown to be demanding payment or other favors of veterans whom he had been helping with their health benefits.

In emails obtained by media outlets, former Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Office Director Scott Losey asked for “a few dead presidents,” “Christmas presents” and other gifts from those seeking the department’s help.

In one of the emails, dated Oct. 20, 2011, Losey wrote about the hard work he’d done at his own home for one veteran.

“We will discuss a gentleman’s agreement to compensate for my personal time,” Losey wrote. “I have worked cases for veterans who reside outside Calhoun County over the past couple of years with the same kind of agreement. I will not gouge you like your Social Security lawyer. Perhaps 7 to 10 percent is typically the agreement. I have had veterans screw me over big time as well. Does this sound cool?”

Read more at Stars and Stripes

See Also: Report: Top officials briefed on Phoenix VA woes before scandal erupted

Rain/Snow over the weekend

640-141203-08WILLIAMS – The forecast for the weekend starts with rain 20% possible after 11 pm tonight through Saturday. This will change to rain and snow Sunday with the possibility of up to three-inches of snow accumulation over Sunday night. Monday there could be another one-inch of new snow. Snow and rain is expected to continue through Tuesday clearing up by Wednesday.

Temperatures will range from the mid-40s during the day to mid-20s at night. The highest winds expected are up to 13-mph on Sunday.

Flagstaff can expect about the same weather pattern with a couple of inches more of snow.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Emergency Management Present Community Emergency Response Team Training

coco-sheriff-300pxThe Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Emergency Management Division will present a (three) day Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class at the High Country Fire-Rescue Station located at 6593 High Country Lane off of Highway 64. More than fifty CERT classes have been delivered to urban, rural and reservation communities throughout Coconino County.

The class will be held at the High Country Fire-Rescue Station beginning Friday, January 23, 2015 from 6 pm to 9 pm, Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday January 25, 2015 from 8 am to 5 pm. This training session is offered to all community members free of charge.

CERT Classes are offered by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and upon successful completion each participant will receive a Community Emergency Response Basic Certification and a back pack containing basic community emergency first responder gear to include Reflective Vest, Hard Hat, Eye Protection, Gloves, A four in One Tool and a CERT Field Response Guide.

Successful participants who wish to serve their community will be invited to join a team in Coconino County and will receive additional in-service training and will assist their local First Responders during Emergency and Non-Emergency events. CERT Team members in Flagstaff meet monthly for additional training. CERT Volunteers have been utilized during responses to Wild Land Fires, Flooding, Tornados, Heavy Snow Storms and many other natural disasters. CERT Volunteers have served in a variety of capacities to include staffing road blocks, assisting with neighborhood evacuation notification, staffing joint information call centers, assisting with Incident Command Centers, distributing neighborhood safety information and in many other areas. Community members who would like additional information or who wish to register for the basic training that will be conducted at the High Country Fire-Rescue Station are encouraged to call the Community Programs Office of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.
Continue reading

Mesa Man Arrested on Multiple Counts of Burglary in the Blue Ridge and Forest Lakes Communities

dillon Flagstaff – On Thursday, January 1, 2014 Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 57 year old Douglas Doyle Dillon of Mesa, Arizona in connection with multiple residential burglaries in the Blue Ridge and Forest Lakes communities. Between the months of March through December 2014 over 20 burglaries were reported in or near these communities.

Investigation revealed the burglaries occurred during the winter months when the targeted seasonal homes were unoccupied. Outbuildings such as garages, storage sheds and workshops were the primary target, and the majority of items taken during these burglaries were contractor type tools to include air compressors, power tools, saws, drills, and chainsaws.

While investigating the burglaries in the Forest Lakes area, images of a suspect were retrieved from cameras installed at the victimized residences. The deputy also collected blood samples at one scene where there was broken glass from the forced entry. This evidence was submitted to the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Lab for analysis. The crime lab was able to obtain a DNA profile from the blood sample and submitted it to the FBI CODIS system, which houses DNA profiles contributed by federal, state, and local forensic laboratories.

Analysis of the blood sample matched a DNA sample from Dillon. Detectives submitted investigative reports to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office for review and charging. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Douglas Doyle Dillon.

Although there was a warrant for arrest, Dillon was difficult to locate as Detectives believed he was living transient. During the month of December several more residential burglaries were reported in Blue Ridge and Forest Lakes, and deputies continued to attempt to locate Douglas Dillon.

On January 1, 2015 the community deputy for the Forest Lakes area located Dillon as he was attempting to free his vehicle from a snow bank. Dillon was arrested on the outstanding warrant and was transported to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility located in Flagstaff where he currently remains in custody on one count of First Degree Burglary, two counts of Third Degree Burglary and one count of Possession of Stolen Property. Detectives and AZ DPS Crime Lab are continuing this investigation and additional burglary charges are anticipated.

The 12 Days of Williams: August 2014

Williams started August with rain and hail so heavy that it caused traffic to slow to the speed limit.

The weather caused some beautiful displays in Williams.

Congressional Democrats were so busy complaining about obstruction by the Republicans that they forgot to pass over 350 bills which languished on the desk of Harry Reid. Steve Stockman of Texas introduced a bill to address the border crisis. Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas submitted her own proposal. This probably helped Independent voter registration to rise in Arizona.

The Panama Canal saw its 100th anniversary.

Senate Web Site photo

Senate Web Site photo

Deputy County Attorney Ammon Barker received Prosecutor of the Year Award.

Arizona State Senator Chester Crandell passed away in August. Former State Senator Sylvia Allen was chosen to replace him on the ballot in November.

Using sophisticated statistical analysis, the Northern Arizona Gazette predicted the outcome of the city council race in Williams. Primary 2014 had few surprises.

kz640-140808-07
Cool Country Cruise-In returned to Williams. (See Also)

Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center held a pool party.
640-140605eagleft
The annual Thunder Over Coconino event was held in Valle.

A 38-year-old male was arrested for trespassing on a houseboat on Lake Powell and apparently holding a party. A man turned himself in for sexual misconduct with a minor. A Flagstaff man was arrested for sexual assault.

Coconino County Sheriff Photo

Coconino County Sheriff Photo

Coconino County Deputies were called to investigate a man struck by lightning and participated in an armed intruder response exercise.

The Coconino County Sheriff and Flagstaff Police warned against phone scams.

A serious accident occurred on I-40 near Bellemont.

labor-day-02

Williams held its annual Labor Day weekend celebration.
labor-day-03

Deaths
Arizona State Senator Chester Crandell

The 12 Days of Williams: July 2014

independence day02

let-freedom-ringSheriff Julian Whittington of Bossier Parish, Louisiana vowed that the ACLU would not stop the second annual “In God We Trust” rally. One editorial noted that it “…followed the best of our traditions.” He took the line from the Supreme Court decision of Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 in which they stated:

We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being. We guarantee the freedom to worship as one chooses. We make room for as wide a variety of beliefs and creeds as the spiritual needs of man deem necessary. We sponsor an attitude on the part of government that shows no partiality to any one group and that lets each flourish according to the zeal of its adherents and the appeal of its dogma. When the state encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions. For it then respects the religious nature of our people and accommodates the public service to their spiritual needs.

James_MadisonIn preparation for the Independence Day holiday, we presented a good read from the “Father of the Constitution,” James Madison. His paper, known as Property or On Property, is one of his unpublished papers reflecting his thoughts on what property is. Here is another thought by our fourth President. You might be interested in some thoughts on the Tenth Amendment. Here is a quote from Thomas Jefferson.

A newspaper owned by Benjamin Franklin which became available at an auction contained a simple report of a significant event in American history. It confirms that Independence was actually declared on July 2.

In the midst of celebrating our Independence, the administration allegedly celebrated by suing an American company for requiring their workers to speak English. In Mississippi a disgruntled former employee entered Keith’s Superstore and stabbed the manager eight times. A concealed carry permit holder chased the criminal down and held him for police. The manager then posted no guns signs.

Arizona was accused in court of denying drivers licenses to immigrants. This, of course, is a lie. Arizona denied licenses to illegal aliens. Recently the courts ordered Arizona to start issuing licenses to illegal aliens. Arizona was accused of batching an execution because Joseph Rudolph Wood III snored before he died. Unlike his victims who died in pain.

KOREAJuly 27 is a day to honor Korean War veterans in Arizona.

After the devastating Slide Rock fire, State Route 89A and Oak Creek Canyon businesses started opening.

The forest near Williams suffered some lightning caused fires. 32-year old Rocky Deibler of Williams lost his life in a one vehicle accident near Williams. An inmate committed suicide at the Coconino County Detention Facility.

Bearizona held its annual Backwoods BBQ.

Kaibab National Forest Seasonal Fire Positions Announced

FREDONIA, Ariz. – The Forest Service is seeking individuals to fill the following fire positions on the North Kaibab Ranger District: fire lookouts, forestry technician/engines, and materials handler.

Apply at https://www.usajobs.gov/, and search by duty station location (Jacob Lake, Ariz.) to apply for these positions. Applications deadlines are Jan. 12, 2015.

For information about Forest Service employment, please visit http://go.usa.gov/taPk. For more information about the positions outlined above, please contact Dave Gesser at (928) 643-8151.

Maintenance work tomorrow on SR 169 near the Interstate 17 traffic interchange

Maintenance work along a segment of State Route 169 near the Interstate 17 traffic interchange (mileposts 14-15) tomorrow between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. will require a lane closure, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Traffic will be narrowed to one lane through the work zone for approximately one mile = and traffic will be directed through the work zone in alternating directions. Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Lane restrictions on Interstate 17 next week for routine maintenance work

The Arizona Department of Transportation has scheduled routine maintenance work on Interstate 17 next week, in both directions, from Table Mesa Road to just south of State Route 169.

Work hours are Monday, Jan. 12 through Wednesday, Jan. 14 between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Crews will work in three-mile segments between mileposts 235 and 277 that will require alternating lane restrictions in both directions and intermittent shoulder closures during work hours to provide a safe work zone for maintenance crews. No delays are expected.

The speed limit through the work zones will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours. Arizona Revised Statute provides for double-fines for speeding through a highway construction zone.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. 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.