Category Archives: News

Overnight paving work on Interstate 17 south of SR 169 continues

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Paving continues on northbound Interstate 17 near the State Route 169 junction (mileposts 275 to 279) tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 6 through Thursday, Aug. 7 between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. each night.

During work hours, drivers can expect a single lane restriction on northbound I-17 through the work zone.

In addition to paving work, final striping on southbound I-17 at the climbing lane (mileposts 280 to 286) just north of the SR 169 junction is scheduled Wednesday and Thursday nights, Aug. 6 – 7, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Drivers can expect a single lane restriction during work hours, no delays expected.

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.

Chester Crandell still on the ballot

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Arizona-electsPHOENIX – With the recent fatal accident of Senator Chester Crandell, many have wondered what comes next. There is a system that was put in place following the death of Senator Jose Garcia in 2011 outlined in 16-343(F). Secretary of State Ken Bennett held a press conference and sent a letter to the election officials of Coconino, Gila, Navajo and Yavapai counties addressing the proper course of action.

Kim Crawford of the office of the Secretary of State explained that early ballots have already been issued and other ballots will appear with Senator Chester Crandell as candidate. Therefore, he will automatically win the primary election. He is in the unique category of running unopposed, even by a write-in candidate.

Because of his automatic selection, Republican Committee persons from Legislative District 6 will vote on a person to fill the void left by the late Senator.

No write-in candidates are allowed during this process. However write-in candidates are allowed in the general election provided their application is received by September 25.

There has been an outpouring of sympathy and condolences to the family of the Senator. Governor Jan Brewer issued the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened today to learn of the tragic and sudden passing of State Senator Chester Crandell. A fifth-generation native of Arizona, avid rancher, legislator and–above all – a gentleman with a tangible love for Arizona and those he served, Chester will be greatly missed.

“My thoughts and prayers – along with those of the entire state – are with Chester’s dear wife, Alice, and their family during this difficult time. In honor of Senator Crandell – and the service he gave to Arizona – I have ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff from sunrise tomorrow, August 5, 2014 until sunset August 11, 2014.”

Bill Roe, Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, released a statement saying:

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Chester Crandell. Our deepest condolences and sympathy go out to his entire family for their tragic loss.”

Arizona House Minority Leader Chad Campbell issued a statement saying:

“I am shocked and saddened by the news of Sen. Crandell’s passing. We didn’t always see eye to eye on things, but I have absolutely no doubt that Sen. Crandell worked on the issues he did because he believed they would improve Arizona. He served his constituents with honor and class. This is a great loss for our state and I offer my condolences to his family and his friends.”

All statements were issued on Monday following the announcement of the passing of the State Senator.

State Representative Brenda Barton, also an LD6 candidate, posted on her Facebook page August 4:

My friend and colleague passed away today doing what he loved; boots on in the saddle pushing cattle. I know the range he rides tonight, and I know he’s watching; but I miss him terribly.

(Updated August 8, 8:47)

Good-bye Cowboy… Good-Bye Sir!

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Senate Web Site photo

Senate Web Site photo

By Lyle J. Rapacki

This Saturday, August 9th, 2014, I will have to say, “Good-bye” to a friend who just happened to be a real-life cowboy, as well as a real-life Arizona State Senator. When the sun sets this coming Saturday our Arizona State Flag will not shine as bright; the red and yellow rays which represent the original thirteen colonies in our Republic and also represent the beautiful sunsets for which Arizona is known will be a little duller, a little less vibrant. One of Arizona’s Favorite Sons has died, and with the last rays of the beautiful Arizona sun sinking in the west so will the last drops of tears be sliding down the cheeks of those who knew the cowboy and the senator – Chester Crandell.

Senator Chester Crandell was a fifth-generation rancher who loved the dirt of Arizona, as much as the people and the state itself! I enjoyed the privilege of working with him quietly and behind the scenes these past three years on a number of issues related to the safety and sovereignty of our Great State of Arizona, and her people. Many hours of private meetings, private telephone conversations, meals, and even traveling somewhere alone in a vehicle…you get to know a person well after hundreds of hours over three years! Chester Crandell never took himself seriously, but studied hard and took his position as a legislator seriously. He faced the mounting challenges coming to our state with the same determination as he did herding his cows (and herding is not for the faint-of-heart). Many times on his way to the senate floor or to Chair the Senate Committee on Public Safety, where serious issues awaited, he would grin at me and say, “I’m just a country boy.” He was a country boy, and a cowboy who loved riding the range bringing in his herd. I spent the day with him just a couple of months ago on his ranch as another State Senator snapped the photo above of Chester bringing in his herd for branding; he even had me the “City Slicker” being a real cowboy! He was a man who vigorously studied and then defended the rights and traditions of rural Arizona private property owners, ranchers, businesses, industry, the beauty of forests and high deserts, the rocks and mountains, and all that contributes to make Arizona still a rugged and beautiful place in which to live, much like other Favorite Sons of Arizona: Barry Goldwater, Carl Hayden, Sam Steiger, Bruce Babbitt, Mo Udall; they all had in common a respect for the land, and the nurturance of the same along with the enjoyment of all that God gave us through natural resources.

Chester Crandell believed he was a servant of the people, someone honored to have passing time at the State Capitol in which to leave a legacy, to make a difference for the good of Arizona, not be there to build a resume or maneuver for self-interest. “Service above Self” is the motto of a famous civic organization, but that statement also reflected the values in this man’s heart, captured in his daily attitude and telegraphed for all to hear in his public speeches. The senator gave up time with his family, he withstood the long 5-hour trips back and forth from the capitol, surrendered privacy we as citizens take for granted, missed community activities and traditions for official meetings in Phoenix, and the list goes on but I never heard him complain. He saw a moment in time that he could make a positive difference, and he went for it! So very many of us are still shocked that his moment was over far much sooner than any of us would have liked. I know his truly lovely, funny, and gracious wife, Alice, along with his wonderfully kind nine children have feelings that flow much deeper than any of us who shared the public side of this man with them.

Senator Chester Crandell saw himself as a simple country boy, and in ways he was just that. But he was also so very much more. Arizona truly lost a highly educated man who stood to defend our wonderful state from those who would just as soon rob us of our heritage as a sovereign western state. Senator Crandell could be called a cowboy in the truest and dearest terms of the west. But he also earned the privilege of being called, “Sir.” After a very long, hot, and dirty day working cattle with him on his ranch, Chester Crandell grinned when I called him a fellow cowboy. I also called him “Sir…Mr. Chairman…Senator.” I shall deeply miss this cowboy. I shall deeply miss this senator and true servant of the People of Arizona. Good-bye, Sir!

Lyle J. Rapacki, Ph.D. is an Intelligence and Threat Assessment Specialist. Since June of 2010, Dr. Rapacki has provided selected members of the Arizona State Legislature Intelligence Briefings on Border Security and related threats to Arizona State sovereignty. Lyle analyzes and disseminates critical intelligence and policy information from and to law enforcement, intelligence and governmental communities in Arizona and nationally, as well as to selected clients in industry and the private-sector.

List of vehicles for the ‘Clean Air Blue Skies’ plates expanded

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energy-efficient-license-platePHOENIX — On May 20, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division created another opportunity for specific hybrid vehicle owners to obtain one of the “Clean Air – Blue Skies” Energy Efficient license plates. At the time of the release of the latest series of plates, there were six initial vehicles on the qualifying list and now three additional vehicles have since been added.

The federal program, which began in 2007 as a pilot, is designed to test the impact of allowing 10,000 hybrid vehicles to have access to the HOV lanes in Arizona during peak travel times without occupancy restrictions. The maximum limit of 10,000 plates is still part of program stipulations; there are 1,800 of the special plates now available as a result of non-renewed or canceled registrations.

Until Sept. 30, 2017, states may allow low emission vehicles, and those certified and labeled as low emission and energy-efficient vehicles (including alternative fuel vehicles) that do not meet the established occupancy requirements to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes so long as the state establishes procedures to enforce the restrictions on the use by these vehicles.

The program requirements for qualifying vehicles remain the same as announced on May 20, limited to only plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the federal authority that establishes the certification and labeling requirements for low emission and energy-efficient vehicles. When vehicles are added to the qualifying list, ADOT will immediately update Arizona’s qualifying list.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may be driven for a longer period of time on solely electric power, reducing both the amount of fuel consumed and tailpipe emissions released compared to normal hybrid vehicles. Reduced vehicle pollution supports the purpose of the “Clean Air – Blue Skies” program by encouraging the use of low-emission vehicles to improve the air quality in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

To qualify for the Energy Efficient plate, a customer must own one of the following plug-in hybrid electric vehicles from specific model years, which must be currently registered at the time of application: Chevrolet Volt (2011-2014), Fisker Automotive Karma (2012), Ford C-MAX Energi (2013-2014), Ford Fusion Energi (2013-2014), Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid (2014), and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2012-2014). The following vehicles have been added to the qualifying list: BMW i3 Range Extender (2014), Cadillac ELR (2014) and the Porsche Panamera S E Hybrid (2014).

If qualified, the vehicle owner must complete the online Energy Efficient plate application process located only on ServiceArizona.com and submit a payment of $8 (initial application fee) plus postage and handling. Plates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Energy Efficient plates will not be distributed at Motor Vehicle Division or Authorized Third-Party offices. The standard Arizona vehicle license tax applies to all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Those with a temporary registration paper plate or permit are not eligible until the owner actually receives an issued license plate.

After completing the Energy-Efficient license plate application and the customer chooses to have the disability emblem added, the customer must complete a Disability-Hearing Impaired Plate/Placard Application found at the MVD forms library. The completed application form must be mailed to: Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division-Special Plates Unit; P.O. Box 2100-Mail Drop 801Z; Phoenix 85001-2100.

Customers with a vehicle that qualified under the previous program (Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight and non-plug-in Toyota Prius) and is currently registered with an Energy Efficient plate will be allowed to continue to use their plate on that vehicle and drive in the HOV lane until they sell/transfer the vehicle. The Energy Efficient issued plate may only be transferred to a qualifying plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that is owned or leased by the same registered owner.

Drivers are reminded that this is a federal- and state-approved program that could be changed or ended at any time. For more information on the Energy Efficient Plate Program, application process and qualifying vehicles, please visit the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division website at azdot.gov/mvd.

Delays on US 89 north of Cameron as paving continues

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adot-logo-03aThe Arizona Department of Transportation is currently paving an eight-mile section of US 89 near US 160, between mileposts 477 and 485, about 15 miles north of Cameron.

Drivers can expect heavy delays during the paving operation, which must take place during the day because the asphalt must be applied within in certain temperature range that cannot be reached overnight.

Flaggers will guide vehicles through the construction zone during work hours. Paving takes place from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Wednesday, Aug. 6 and Thursday, Aug. 7 this week and Monday, Aug. 11 and Tuesday, Aug. 12 next week. During work hours, delays could range between 45 minutes to one hour.

PJ’s Pajama Party

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Phoenix Suns player P.J. Tucker - Photo from FOX videoOPINION by Glen Davis

PHOENIX – Finally. Arizona is complying with the Eighth Amendment. Sort of.

You might recall last month when Arizona executed Joseph Wood while he slept. This has apparently had a significant impact on Arizona jurisprudence.

PJ Tucker will not have to spend time in icky old tent city in Phoenix for his extreme DUI conviction. He’s been sentenced to three days in Kawliforna.

While being sentenced to spend time in California might be a violation of the Eighth Amendment, he will have to spend his time in sunny, California in an air conditioned cell separated from the other icky inmates. And he will have to pay a whole $200 a day to do it!

In addition he will be grounded for eleven days when he returns home and have to have an ignition interlock device installed.

You or I would probably be held to the standard of Arizona Revised Statute 29-1382, Section D. 2:

A person who is convicted of a violation of subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section [Blood alcohol content of more than 0.20] shall be sentenced to serve not less than forty-five consecutive days in jail and is not eligible for probation or suspension of execution of sentence unless the entire sentence is served.

There are possible extenuating circumstances surrounding any case of which we may be unaware. Maybe his apology had something to do with it. If you are ever arrested for extreme DUI, do not forget to apologize.

The lesson here is DO NOT drink and drive. Unless you have a significant bank account.

To be fair to Mr. Tucker, he may have been actually remorseful and may never do it again. Only time will tell.

Deputy County Attorney receives Prosecutor of the Year Award

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce that one its felony prosecutors has received statewide recognition.

Deputy County Attorney Ammon Barker was awarded Prosecutor of the Year for Rural Counties by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council on July 31st at the annual conference in Tucson. Barker competed against numerous other worthy candidates from other County Attorney Offices, but prevailed as a result of his exceptional year in obtaining jury verdicts in several major criminal cases.

“Ammon had a stellar year in the courtroom and we are very proud of him”, said County Attorney David Rozema.

Barker arrived in Coconino County less than four years ago through the office’s recruitment program with dreams of trying the most violent offenders. During the last year, his dream became reality, as he successfully tried a first degree murder, two machete attack cases and a domestic violence murder. The first degree murder conviction was based largely on a tire print taken from the scene and other scene reconstruction. The other cases presented challenges as well, including evidentiary difficulties and hostile witnesses.

Additional APAAC award recipients from the County Attorney’s Office include Chief Deputy County Attorney Michael Lessler, who received the Prosecutor Lifetime Achievement award in 2006, and former Senior Trial Attorney Jonathan Mosher, who received the Prosecutor of the Year award in 2011.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Conducts OUI Checkpoint at Lake Powell

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boatPAGE – On Saturday, August 9th 2014 law enforcement agencies in Northern Coconino County will be conducting an Operating Under the Influence (OUI) and boating safety checkpoint at Lake Powell from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and drug involved boat collisions, OUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the waterways as well as to inform and educate the public of the dangers of impaired boating.

OUI checkpoints are a proven-effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office believes boaters can be deterred from operating watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, members of the boating community are encouraged to ensure their vessels are properly outfitted with required safety equipment to ensure a safe voyage.

Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vessels may be checked for safety equipment and operators who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering operating a watercraft after consuming alcohol or drugs-Boat Safe, Boat Smart, Boat Sober! Deputies of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office will partner with Officers of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Page Police Department. It is our desire that this two pronged approach of public awareness/education and strict enforcement will allow boating enthusiasts to have an enjoyable and safe recreational experience in Coconino County.

Safe boating recreation is a must, and everyone should take a minute and remember to check your boats, personal watercraft and all equipment before launching at your favorite lake or waterway. Make sure you have all required safety equipment, such as proper fitting life jackets and working fire extinguishers.

Early ballots mail for the Primary Election

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300px-to-polls-az2PHOENIX – Early ballots for the Primary Election have been mailed for voters affiliated with a recognized political parties. More than 1 million early ballots will mail statewide. Recognized political parties include Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or American’s Elect.

“Independent voters make up the largest group of voters in Arizona; and it is important for them to know they can vote in the Primary Election,” said Secretary of State Ken Bennett. “Both independent and partisan voters have the choice of voting by mail or at the poll on Election Day, August 26.”

To vote by mail, whether a partisan or independent voter, contact the County Recorder for the county of legal residence and request an early partisan ballot. If voting at an early voting location, an independent voter may make his or her party ballot selection at the poll. For early voting locations and availability, contact the County Recorder’s office.

The last day to request an early ballot for the Primary Election is August 15, 2014. Vote, sign, seal, and send the primary ballot no later than August 22, 2014. If you vote by mail, do not vote again in person. Also, for security reasons, only give your ballot to your postal worker. Should you miss the mailing deadline, you may drop your ballot at an early voting location or with your County Recorder. For locations and availability, contact the County Recorder’s office.

“If you wouldn’t trust a person with your money,” said Secretary Bennett, “I recommend not trusting him or her with your ballot.”

For those voters voting on Election Day, August 26, make sure you know your correct polling location, as voting locations may change from election to election. To know before you go, go online to www.azsos.gov, and click on the Voter View icon or call 1-877-THE VOTE or in the Phoenix Metro Area (602) 542-8683. The Voter View portion of the website is compatible with smartphones and tablets.

A most stunning admission

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An unfortunate video taken on July 28 and posted to YouTube August 3, 2013 displays a stunning admission by a future-former Border Patrol agent. It is unfortunate because the poster did not bother to cover the face of the agent whose statement shows the frustration of many in that service who are being paid to not do their job.