Category Archives: News

Arrest in Page for Trespass on Houseboat

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PAGE – On August 3, 2014 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a report of trespassers on a houseboat in Antelope Point Marina on Lake Powell. Antelope Point Security Staff reported over 12 people on a docked houseboat who appeared to be using the 65 foot privately owned vessel for illegal activity.

National Park Service Rangers and a Coconino County Deputy responded and identified several subjects on the houseboat and were able to determine that no permission was given for them to be there.

A 38 year old male subject from Page was arrested for trespassing and booked into the Coconino County Jail Page Facility as a result of the investigation.

The investigation into the incident is currently under investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

Man Arrested on Four Counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a 69 year-old man of Doney Park on four counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor involving his granddaughter.

On Thursday, July 31, 2014 a Doney Park resident walked into the Sheriff’s Office to turn himself in for engaging in sexual conduct between the years 2006-2011 with his then eight year old granddaughter.

During a subsequent interview with Detectives the suspect made statements implicating himself in the crime of continual sexual conduct with a minor. The suspect was arrested on four counts of sexual conduct with a minor and was booked into to the Coconino County Detention Facility located in Flagstaff.

The suspect’s name and booking photo are being withheld in an effort to protect the victim’s identity.

Arguments ‘For’ and ‘Against’ Coconino County Ballot Tax Question Sought for November 4, 2014 Election

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FLAGSTAFF – On November 4, 2014, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors will hold an election asking the voters of Coconino County to vote on a ballot question that would authorize a County Sales (Transaction Privilege) Tax for maintaining and preserving the conditions of Coconino County maintained roads.

Specifically, voters will be asked:

Shall Coconino County be authorized to levy and collect a three-tenths of a cent ($0.003) sales tax, for a period of twenty (20) years, beginning January 1, 2015, to fund the maintenance and preservation of roads maintained by Coconino County and fund those costs related to, but not limited to, snowplowing, dirt road grading, road surface chip sealing, road maintenance and other road-related expenses?

The proposed three-tenths of a cent ($0.003) sales tax is equal to thirty cents on each one hundred dollars of taxable sales within Coconino County.

Coconino County will prepare an informational pamphlet for the election. The pamphlet will be mailed to all households of registered voters in the county. Arguments “For” and “Against” the ballot question are being requested by the County for inclusion in the informational pamphlet.

Anyone who would like to submit a “For” or “Against” statement regarding the election can mail or hand deliver their statement to Coconino County Elections, 110 E Cherry Ave, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001.

The statement may not exceed 300 words and must include the original signature of the submitting party. If the argument is sponsored by an organization, it must be signed by two of the organization’s executive officers. If the argument is submitted by a political committee, it must be signed by the committee’s chairman or treasurer. The person(s) signing the argument must provide their mailing address and phone number (this information will not be printed in the pamphlet).

The cost to file an argument is $100 per argument filed on paper. If the argument is submitted electronically (on a cd or USB drive), the cost is $75 but, in order to meet the requirement for an original signature, it must be accompanied by a paper copy.

Arguments must be received by 5 p.m., August 11, 2014 in the Coconino County Elections Office at 110 E Cherry Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

For more information regarding the statements, call 928-679-7860
.

Northern Arizona Gazette predicts winners in city council race

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Mayor John Moore may be re-elected

Mayor John Moore may be re-elected

WILLIAMS – Using the latest polling and scientific methods, the Northern Arizona Gazette feels confident in predicting the outcome of the city council race in the City of Williams.

With the results of the early balloting not yet in, we believe that Don Dent, Lee Payne and even Bernie Hiemenz will retain their council seats.

It also appears that Mayor John Moore should receive a majority of the votes provided no dogs, horses or other animals or livestock are written in.

On a serious note, Proposition 402 appears to be not consistent with Arizona voting practice. In the past, courts have stopped Propositions which asks voters to approve two different items in one proposal.

This Proposition calls for voters to approve the extension of the alternative expenditure limitation, or the so-called Home Rule. Otherwise the city would have to comply with the expenditure limits imposed by the State of Arizona. This proposal would allow Home Rule in Williams through 2019.

It also allows the candidates for office to be declared the winners in the primary election without having to appear on the ballot for the General Election on November 4. This would prevent any person desiring to be a write-in candidate for the General Election from running.

Steve Stockman of Texas introduces bill to address border crisis

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House Photo

House Photo

WASHINGTON D.C. – A bill was introduced by Texas House Republican Steve Stockman on July 31 to address the border crisis. It includes dealing with MS-13 gang members who brag to Border Patrol agents about the murders they committed in Central America.

According to the Stockman House web site, the bill would, “…would end the current border crisis by building a full double fence along the US/Mexican border, deploying additional law enforcement to the border, detaining gang members, punishing countries that refuse to accept repatriated illegals and banning welfare benefits for amnestied illegals.”

The text and information about the bill—which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and other committees—is not yet posted on the Thomas.gov web site. H.R. 5316 is entitled The SECURITY Act (Safely Exacting Cautious Useful Rules for Immigration This Year).

The nine sections of the bill provide for several things including prohibiting criminal gang members from receiving asylum, National Guard deployment and fencing and punishing countries refusing to repatriate refugees. The President of Guatemala is attempting to extort $2 billion to stop the flow of illegal aliens.

The measures of the bill are:

Section 2. Metrics
• Establishes metrics to evaluate the security of the border by defining operational control.
• Penalizes the budget of the DHS Undersecretary for Management for failure to achieve operational control.

Section 3. Fencing
• Requires completion of double-layered fencing along the entire Southern border.
• Requires initial plan and periodic progress reports on status of construction.
• Penalizes the DHS Secretary’s budget for failure to submit plan and progress reports.

Section 4. Border Patrol
• Requires House and Senate Committees to be notified if there are closures of Border Patrol stations and the reasons for the closure and plans for redistribution of personnel.

Section 5. National Guard
• Deploys additional members of the National Guard to support Border Patrol.
• Provides federal assistance for state border control activities.

Section 6. Detention
• Allows detention of dangerous criminal aliens beyond 6 months.

Section 7. Gangs
• Prohibits foreign criminal gang members from receiving asylee or refugee status.

Section 8. Judges
• Requires the Attorney General to submit annual requests to Congress for immigration judges.

Section 9. Facilities
• Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit annual requests to Congress for detention facilities.

Section 10. Incentives
• Closes the additional child tax credit loophole.
• Prohibits an alien deemed to have lawful presence via executive order or policy directive from being defined as a qualified alien for purposes of public benefits.

Stockman complains that the border invasion of illegal aliens began as a result of Obama’s push for a DREAM act amnesty for illegal aliens. The problem is that the DREAM act is only supposed to apply to illegals already in America who grew up here and have no ties to foreign countries.

The gang members are a big problem.

“Gang members with face tattoos openly tell Border Patrol agents about the murders they committed in Central America. Immigration laws prevent agents from detaining these bragging killers,” said Stockman. “Under Obama’s amnesty scheme these killer gang members are set loose in the United States to later get amnesty. Obama doesn’t care. The SECURITY Act puts a stop to that by detaining gang members and stopping Obama’s plan to give them amnesty.”

“These illegals say they are coming because Obama promised them welfare benefits. The invasion stops once Congress passes this bill, which cuts off welfare benefits to these illegals even if Obama issues an Executive Order giving them amnesty,” said Stockman.

(Corrected 10:05 AM)

Dems cry ‘obstructionists’ while House passed over 350 bills that sit on Harry Reid’s desk

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stuck-in-senateThe U.S. House of Representatives has passed 356 bills that are languishing in the Senate, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. said Friday.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has ignored the legislation, even though much of it passed the House with key support from Democrats The Blaze reported.

“We are calling on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to get off his self-constructed throne, roll up his sleeves and get back to work.” Blackburn said in a post she co-wrote Thursday with U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., for HerBlog. “Real lives, a real economy, and a true American recovery hang in the balance.”

Read more at BIZPAC Review

Using communication devices while driving illegal in Coconino County

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(APRIL 2014)

COCONINO COUNTY – In April of this year Coconino County passed an ordinance regulating the use of portable communications devices while driving. Included are all manner of devices such as PDAs, laptops, pagers and other electronic communications devices. That ordinance was amended by the passage of Ordinance No. 2014-09 (PDF).

Although installed and handheld two-way radio devices are not included in the definitions, they are covered in the exemptions to the ordinance. A technical reading of the ordinance would make the use of family radio service (FRS) devices illegal as they do not require a license for use.

The only devices allowed to be used are hands-free mobile phones and GPS units programmed prior to driving. Texting while driving is completely banned.

The ordinance reads:

A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a portable communications device to engage in a call unless that device is configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used exclusively in that manner while driving. Texting and typing while operating a motor vehicle are banned.

Exemptions include:

  • When the driver uses a hands-free mobile device.
  • When the purpose of the call is to communicate an emergency to a police or fire department, a hospital or physician’s office, or an ambulance corps.
  • When operating an authorized law enforcement or emergency vehicle in the performance of official duties.
  • When a driver holds a valid amateur radio operator license issued or any license issued by the Federal Communications Commission or the driver uses a two-way radio, including radios used in the Citizens Band (CB) service.
  • When a person is driving a school bus or transit vehicle that is subject to Arizona Revised Statutes or United State Department of Transportation regulations.
  • When a person is driving a motor vehicle on private property.
  • When a driver has pulled off of the traveled portion of the roadway in a safe and legal location and placed the vehicle in park in order to operate a handheld portable communications device.

Texting while driving has been a known problem for years. Cell phone companies and State departments of transportation have produced ads warning of the dangers.

The fine for the offense is $100 increasing to $250 if you are involved in an accident. Not to mention that the offenders insurance rate may increase. It may, however, extend to a higher cost. A teen in Massachusetts was convicted of vehicular homicide in 2012. He was convicted to the maximum penalty of 2-1/2 years.


(JUNE 6, 2012)

Teens being distracted by other teens while driving may be as much of a problem. An attempt by Arizona to address this situation was defeated a few years ago. The State of Arizona has no current statewide ban on texting or the use of cell phones while driving.

According to the June 4 Williams News, the Williams Police Department has chosen not to enforce the ban because of the difficulty in enforcement.

Williams receives a weather respite

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Rain drops rippled puddles this morning.

Rain drops rippled puddles this morning.

WILLIAMS – The Zip Line ride in downtown Williams opened this afternoon as the city received a respite from the hailstorm of yesterday. The rain continued throughout the night and into this morning.

140803-18-hail

No. That green thing is a real softball.

The good news is that the ground is so saturated that puddles are forming throughout the town. This limits the fire danger considerably. This is particularly helpful since the Kaibab Forest service plans to continue managed burns. Patches of hail remain from the storm yesterday.

The forecast shows a 40% chance of thunderstorms throughout the night which has already started as of this writing. The low is expected to be about 54 with south southeast wind around 8 mph.

Here's mud in your face.

Here’s mud in your face.

Tomorrow there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. It will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. The wind will be south 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tomorrow night there is a 30 percent chance of thundershower activity with winds just slightly less.

Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be clear with a chance of thunderstorms beginning again on Thursday.

The weather for Flagstaff is essentially identical and the weather service has issued a warning about possible localized flooding for the area.

Williams experiences global cooling

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Williams drenched by rain and hail.

Williams drenched by rain and hail.

WILLIAMS – The City of Williams was deluged, today, by a short duration of rain and hail. It hailed so heavily that there appeared to be piles of snow on the ground and traffic slowed to the speed limit.

Williams was enjoying a warm day when the rain and hail hit about 1 pm. Electricity went out for about a minute. The ground was still so warm that in some areas steam began to rise creating a thin fog. The temperature dropped drastically and as of this writing is still cool.

White House Senior Adviser Daniel Pfeiffer blasts Republicans over lawsuit

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Daniel_PfeifferWhite House adviser Daniel Pfeiffer sent out an email blasting Republicans for filing a lawsuit over the illegal use of Executive Orders by the current administration.

Executive orders are not a Constitutional power granted to the President. They are not even mentioned in the Constitution. Executive orders were used first by President George Washington to instruct cabinet members on the manner in which they were to enforce laws passed by Congress. Neither he, nor his successors—until Woodrow Wilson—used executive orders to make laws.

The ability of executive order and bureaucracies to create law was ruled unconstitutional in the decision of Gibbons v. Ogden, 22 U.S. 1 (1824). In Paragraph 146 of the decision Chief Justice John Marshall wrote:

…for the power which is exclusively delegated to Congress, can only be exercised by Congress itself, and cannot be sub-delegated by it.

Pfeiffer’s email reads:

The House of Representatives just took a vote — and it wasn’t to raise the minimum wage, put in place equal pay, create jobs, or reform our broken immigration system.

Instead, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives just voted to sue the President for using his executive authority. This lawsuit will waste valuable time and potentially millions of
taxpayer dollars.

This is the least productive Congress in decades. And instead of doing their job, they are suing the
President for doing his.

The President is committed to making a difference for the millions of hardworking Americans trying to do right by their families and communities. While Republicans in Congress continue to waste taxpayer money, this President is going to keep doing his job.

If you’re doing your own job — and you support President Obama doing his — add your name.

President Obama remains ready and willing to work with Republicans in Congress if they decide to get serious and do something for the American people. But he is also committed to acting even as Congress won’t. You’ve seen that time and time again this year — from raising the federal minimum wage on new federal government contracts, to expanding apprenticeship opportunities and making student loan payments more affordable.

The President is not going to back away from his efforts to use his authority to solve problems and help American families. In fact, tomorrow, President Obama will announce his next executive action to crack down on federal contractors who put workers’ safety and hard-earned pay at risk. It’s just the next in a series of steps this Administration will be taking this year to make sure that American workers are getting a fair deal, and he has pledged to take executive action to deal with our broken immigration system in the months ahead.

That’s what this President is focused on. If you want to see it continue, and are sick and tired of stunts like the House Republicans’ lawsuit, then say so:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/doing-his-job