Category Archives: News

UPDATE on Final paving of SR 89 in Prescott

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The final layer of pavement will be placed on State Route 89 (White Spar Road) in Prescott on Monday and Tuesday, June 16 and 17 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day.

This paving work did not occur earlier this month as originally publicized.

Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes during paving activity. Once paving work is done, the project will be substantially complete with the exception of the final striping which will occur 30 days from now.

The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph through the work zone. ADOT advises drivers and bicyclists to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Paving work on I-17 near Black Canyon City resumes tomorrow night

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adot-logo3The Arizona Department of Transportation will resume work on a paving project on northbound Interstate 17 near Black Canyon City (between mileposts 245 and 250) tomorrow night, June 11.

Overnight work hours are 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and drivers can expect I-17 narrowed to one lane, as well as the closure of the off- and on-ramps at the Bumble Bee/Crown King traffic interchange (milepost 248).

Crews will apply the final layer of pavement overnight next week starting on Sunday, June 15 through Thursday, June 19. Drivers can expect alternating lane restrictions on northbound I-17 through the project work area and the overnight closure of the Bumble Bee/Crown King exit during work hours. Minimal delays are expected.

The $2.3 million project began last summer and included the removal of a layer of existing pavement, shoulder maintenance and slope improvements to rock walls but warm temperatures did not exist once the work was completed and must be for the final (rubberized) asphalt.

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.

Pavement work in median on SR 69 in Humboldt this week

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adot-logo3HUMBOLT – The Arizona Department of Transportation will be working on the pavement in the median and left turn lanes on State Route 69 in Humboldt (milepost 279) on Thursday and Friday, June 12 and 13 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Drivers can expect the left turn lanes to be closed through the work zones. A clearly marked detour will be in place. ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. Minimal delays are expected.

ADOT launches ‘Safe Phone Zones’ at 14 highway rest area locations

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PHOENIX – Travelers who stop to take a break at one of Arizona’s 14 highway rest area locations will now notice new signs designating the rest areas as “Safe Phone Zones,” which is part of a nationwide effort to encourage drivers to pull into a safe location to use their phones for calling, texting and accessing mobile apps.

Today, the Arizona Department of Transportation unveiled the new Safe Phone Zone signs as part of a partnership with GEICO. The signs feature the GEICO Gecko image and can be seen along the highways leading to the rest areas and within the rest areas themselves.

This sponsorship program is part of ADOT’s rest area public-private partnership, which began last October and is the department’s first fully implemented public-private partnership. Under this five-year agreement, Infrastructure Corporation of America, a private company, manages the daily maintenance and operations of the rest areas, and has implemented a sponsorship and advertising program to generate revenue for reinvestment in the rest areas. The GEICO sponsorship is the first one to move forward. ADOT still owns all 14 rest areas.

“ADOT’s top priority is safety and we are committed to educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “These Safe Phone Zones provide travelers with the opportunity to pull into a rest area where they can use their phones safely and responsibly. We are able to move this project forward because of the legislation enacted to generate public-private partnerships in Arizona — partnerships that have proven to be an innovative approach to funding transportation projects with non-traditional funding sources.”

This morning, Halikowski was joined by representatives from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, GEICO and Infrastructure Corporation of America to unveil the new Safe Phone Zone signs at ADOT’s offices in Phoenix. The signs have already been installed in the rest areas and along the highways throughout Arizona.

“Distracted driving is a major concern for motorists in Arizona and across the country. Each year, there is a growing number of injuries and fatal accidents directly related to this issue,” said Martha Furnas, GEICO regional vice president. “GEICO is proud to partner with the Arizona Department of Transportation to create Safe Phone Zones throughout the state, where motorists can answer texts and make phone calls, all in a safe and convenient environment.”

The Safe Phone Zone signs will be installed and maintained by Infrastructure Corporation of America, as part of the public-private partnership with ADOT. The company plans to generate other sponsorships to add more amenities within the rest areas to provide a better experience for travelers.

“Every state is facing a tremendous challenge to do more with less in order to keep their infrastructure preserved and maintained,” said Butch Eley, CEO of Infrastructure Corporation of America. “ICA is proud to be Arizona’s partner in an innovative project that will ensure rest areas are well-maintained, that they generate new revenues to support high-quality maintenance, and through GEICO’s participation and expansion of the Safe Phone Zones, will make the highways safer. We are thrilled the Arizona Department of Transportation is taking a nationally leading role in advancing this innovative, public-private partnership model for the people of Arizona.”

ADOT is one of several state departments of transportation to implement public-private partnerships to move public transportation projects forward with private investment. For more information about ADOT’s public-private partnership program, go to azdot.gov/P3.

Save Meant-to-Rescue shelter sited.

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SMTR-140517WILLIAMS – The Save Meant-to-Rescue organization (Facebook) has been working to build a holding shelter and is closer to its goal. A site on Frank Way has been selected for the new shelter.

SMTR will lease the property from the city. The facility will hold rescued and found animals until the animals receive a home. The shelter will only release animals to homes with well-fenced in yards after the animals are spade or neutered. They may add chipping at a future date.

Robynn Eckel said that the shelter building is stalled currently due to the water restrictions. They also lack about 1/8 of the funds required so donations are still being gratefully accepted. Donations can be made at various locations in Williams such as Addicted to Route 66 Deals and the Camp Civitan Thrift Store. Donations can also be made through their web site.

eight-dogs-playing-cardsYou can help add their required piece of eight this Friday. You can change your luck and the life of a dog on Friday the 13th by attending the annual Casino Night fundraiser at the Sultana from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Entry is $20. For the cost of entry you receive $500 worth of chips to play black jack, craps, Texas Hold ‘Em and more. There will be live country entertainment by Half Hitch. You can participate in a silent auction for prizes such as jewelry and a helicopter ride for two over the Grand Canyon. At the end of the night you can buy raffle tickets with your chips for other prizes.

Save Meant-to-Rescue is a non-profit organization and, as such, will continue to need donations after the shelter is built. You will be able to participate in fund raising activities throughout the year, such as their golf tournament.

Missing teen returns home safely

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FLAGSTAFF – It was reported by the Coconino County Sheriff’s office that 17-year-old Kimberly Dawn Anderson has returned home to Flagstaff safely.

Drivers reminded to ‘Pull Aside, Stay Alive’ during monsoon season

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adot-logo3PHOENIX – Pull Aside, Stay Alive.

That’s the familiar message to drivers from the Arizona Department of Transportation as another summer monsoon season approaches.

For the third year, ADOT continues its efforts to educate drivers about the threat of dust storms as monsoon season officially begins in Arizona on June 15. ADOT and its partners – the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the National Weather Service – show motorists the real meaning of “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” with new television and radio public-education announcements that focus on the devastating outcomes for drivers who try to drive through dust storms.

The new public-education announcement focuses on a recent dust-related fatal crash along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. The “911 Call” announcement illustrates what can happen to drivers who do not heed the “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” message. Audio of 911 calls from the crash are heard against visuals of emergency personnel moving among crushed vehicles and semi-trucks surrounded by blowing dust.

ADOT’s mission is to provide valuable information to drivers before they get caught in a low-visibility dust storm. The agency’s top recommendation is to avoid driving into a wall of dust at all costs.

“Driving into a dust storm is very dangerous, but the key is that oftentimes it can be avoided,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “Drivers must be ready to alter their plans if there is a threat of a dust storm. It’s better to change plans than try to power through dangerous conditions. But if you’re on the road and a dust storm suddenly appears near you, pull off the highway as quickly and safely as possible. Never drive through a dust storm. It’s not a risk worth taking.”

Because dust storms can develop very quickly, particularly along the Interstate 10 corridor between Phoenix and Tucson, ADOT uses several methods to get information to drivers. These include electronic highway message boards, social and traditional media, communication with ADOT staff and law enforcement officers in the field, television and radio advertising, and close coordination with partnering agencies.

Throughout this week, which is Arizona Monsoon Awareness Week, ADOT will be using social media to engage Arizonans in spreading the word to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.” There will be posts on the ADOT Blog (azdot.gov/blog), Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) and Twitter account (twitter.com/ArizonaDOT).

Please visit PullAsideStayAlive.org for the new public-education video along with videos from past years. The website also includes a tip sheet, which ADOT encourages drivers to print and keep handy in their vehicle.

Tips for drivers who encounter a dust storm:

  1. Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
  2. If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
  3. Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
  4. Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
  5. Stop the vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and away from where other vehicles may travel.
  6. Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
  7. Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
  8. Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
  9. Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.
  10. A driver’s alertness and safe driving ability are always the top factors in preventing crashes.

‘Brady Bunch’ housekeeper Ann B. Davis dies in San Antonio

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0601_ann_b_davisby LORENA BLAS, Posted on June 1, 2014 at 7:36 PM

Ann B. Davis, who played beloved housekeeper Alice on TV’s The Brady Bunch, has died in San Antonio, according to multiple reports.

Davis, who played Alice Nelson during the show’s run from 1969-74, turned 88 on May 3.

She fell and hit her head in her bathroom Saturday morning, according to reports. Close friend Bishop William Frey tells CNN that she suffered a subdural hematoma and never regained consciousness.

Read more at KENS5 San Antonion

Your car is a giant computer – and it can be hacked

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“Auto manufacturers are not up to speed,” said Ed Adams, a researcher at Security Innovation, a company that tests the safety of automobiles. “They’re just behind the times. Car software is not built to the same standards as, say, a bank application. Or software coming out of Microsoft.”

By Jose Pagliery, June 2, 2014: 3:33 PM ET

Imagine driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour, when suddenly the wheel turns hard right. You crash. And it was because someone hacked your car.

It’s not far-fetched science fiction. It’s the near-term future today’s hackers are warning about.

Most people aren’t aware their cars are already high-tech computers. And now we’re networking them by giving them wireless connectivity. Yet there’s a danger to turning your car into a smartphone on wheels: It makes them a powerful target for hackers.

Interviews with automakers, suppliers and security advisers reveal a major problem with the new wave of “connected” cars: The inside of your car has ancient technology that presents a security risk.

Read more at CNN Money

Arizona Survivalist/Prepper Expo well worth the visit

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The Arizona Survivalist Prepper Expo at Tim’s Toyota Center. – Photo courtesy of Arizona Survivalist Prepper Expo.

600px-aspe-logo-1PRESCOTT VALLEY – The word “survival” generally evokes images of toothless rednecks sitting in a hole atop cases of ammo clinging to their AR-15 assault rifle chewing on canned beef jerky while awaiting government troops to arrive. That is if you believe the image projected by the media and Southern Enriched-by-taxpayer-dollar Law Center.

While the scenario of government troops played out at the Bundy Ranch, recently, survival does not necessarily mean an encounter with government troops. We do not even have to use our imaginations to come up with alternate scenarios. The people affected by Katrina thought the government would take care of them. The people of Bellemont probably did not wake up expecting a tornado to rip through their town. The people of Oak Creek were probably not expecting a camper—or group of campers—to carelessly light a camp fire when we have had the driest season in recent memory. The list goes on. Survival preparedness is useful for any natural or man-made disaster or accidents in the home requiring medical attention.

On a more mundane level, many of these same products can be used for camping and fishing trips. Family picnics or gatherings in the home. Or just general everyday use, such as water filters and medical supplies.

Northern Arizona Gazette visited the Arizona Survivalist/Prepper Expo (Facebook) at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley on the 31st. After being passed through the efficient security personnel at Tim’s (who weren’t alerted to my coming), I got to get a look inside. The exposition run by Lance and his wife Lisa and a minimal staff feature not only the vendors, but guest speakers as well. Their mission is to provide vendors and information to assist citizens of Arizona in preparing for natural or man-made survival situations.

The booths at the exposition were not all about survival. A couple of politicians had booths as well as Arizona organizations. The Arizona Citizens Defense League which fights for Second Amendment rights had a table to provide information and sign up new members. The Prescott Valley chapter of the Young Marines also had a booth to sell excess supplies and raffle tickets for an M-14. Their efforts benefit their organization as well as Wounded Warriors and Toys-For-Tots. As an aside, one of the adult supervisors of the group stressed that the Young Marines is not a recruiting effort. It is an educational effort that teaches team work and discipline among other useful skills.

The recent Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan highlights the danger of living near a nuclear power plant. Many speculate not only that the dangers of the initial disaster were minimized in the media, but that the effects of the release of nuclear matter by the disaster could be felt for years to come. Owner Mike Peters, employee Allison Truong and Customer Liaison Ezra Child were on hand to display the Ultimate Bunker which can be built with protection against any such disaster in the United States. Ezra explained that the same capability can be used for people living in a forested area. Northern Arizona recently experienced the Slide Rock Fire. The air filtering system can be used to eliminate smoke in the bunkers.

The Ultimate Bunker can be used as a home as much as a bunker. Some have built homes underground simply because the temperature is a constant all year. Hydroponics or aquaponics systems may also be added.

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Tim Ralston of Gear Up in Scottsdale. Featured on National Geographic Doomsday Preppers. – Photo courtesy of Arizona Survivalist Prepper Expo.

Tim Ralston of Gear Up has been featured on National Geographic Doomsday Preppers. We learned about him through an interview on Coast-to-Coast AM with George Noory. He was featuring his Crovel tool. Having seen one up close I can say that it is pretty impressive. Tonight I even saw one being used on the National Geographic show Diggers. They are solid tools built right here in Arizona. I would be glad to take a review model and put it through the paces here in the mountains of northern Arizona. Unfortunately time constraints did not permit an interview, but Tim is really a personable man and sat talking with people on a variety of topics. His counterpart at the booth was just as enjoyable to speak with.

There is also a local source of non-GMO seed in Chino Valley called Terroir Seed. As I understood it, they do not have a store, but you can order seed through their web site.

Another item which interested me was battlefield acupuncture. Dr. Michael Austin was at the expo from Tuscon to introduce the technique to northern Arizona. A variety of acupuncture techniques have been used by military physicians since 2001 to combat pain without drugs. The particular technique he is interested in teaching utilizes small needles in the ear which he considers safer than the traditional method with large needles in various parts of the body.

The bottom line is that if you want to see the latest in just about every survival possibility in one location, these expositions are well worth the $10 admission for the entire event. It is as much a learning experience as a buying one.