Category Archives: News

Lane restrictions on I-17 this week for pavement work

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will be performing routine pavement maintenance on a five-mile segment of Interstate 17 between the Sunset Point Rest Area and Cordes Junction tomorrow and Wednesday, May 13 and 14 between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The work will occur daily between mileposts 256 and 262 and will require alternating lane restrictions in both directions. There will also be intermittent shoulder closures during work hours to provide a safe work zone for maintenance crews. Minimal delays are expected.

The speed limit through the work zones will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours. Fines for speeding through a construction zone are doubled.

Blue Ridge Neighborhood Watch Meeting Wednesday

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neighborhoodwatchBLUE RIDGE – The next Neighborhood Watch Meeting for the Blue Ridge and Happy Jack areas will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 beginning at 6:00 pm at the Blue Ridge Fire Station located at 5023 Enchanted Lane.

Deputy Rick Shouse and Gerry Blair of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to give an update for the Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Shouse will speak about activity in the neighborhood that has occurred during the last month. District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger will be at the meeting to give an update on the operation of Coconino County Government and to share information. Marc Della Rocca who is the Public Relations Manager for the Coconino County Public Works Department will give an update on County Roads. Fire District Chief John Banning will give an update on the Blue Ridge Fire Department.

Jeb Koons who is the Fire Management Officer for the Coconino National Forest and Robert Auza who is the assistant Fire Manager will give a current Outlook for the 2014 Wild Land Fire Season. They will also speak about the “Ash Barrel” project.

Zach Ellinger who is a Fire Prevention Technician for the United States Forest Service will speak about the “One Less Spark-One Less Wildfire” program. Fire danger in Arizona is above normal levels. Significantly dry conditions are present due to historically low precipitation and high temperatures. Everyone has the responsibility to prevent human-caused wildfires. “One Less Spark-One Less Wildfire” is a public information campaign designed to inform the motoring public on how to prevent vehicle or equipment caused wildfires. The campaign is in part the product of research conducted by The Forest Service Research Station and the Centers for Disease Control. According to their research, vehicle or equipment caused fires are a major source of wildfires and are among the most costly and damaging fires because they begin near busy roadways and often, interrupt traffic, negatively impact roadside scenery and threaten settled areas.

The goal of the One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire Campaign is to use an all lands, all voices coordinated approach to guide interagency efforts for wildfire prevention to reduce human-caused wildfires in the Southwest.

Weather good for weekend events until Saturday

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soar

Photo – City of Flagstaff web site.

FLAGSTAFF, WILLIAMS – The National Weather Service long-range forecast shows mostly clear skies with cool temperatures for the heavenly viewing at the Glassburn Natural area across from the laundry and Rod’s Steak House on Railroad avenue. Everyone is welcome to come and take a peek through the telescopes set up by the Coconino Astronomical Society. The viewing starts at 7:30 and will end around 9:30.

Saturday there is a 10% chance of showers, but that is after 11 pm. Plenty of time to take the Art Walk sponsored by The Gallery in the Grand Canyon Hotel in downtown Williams. The walk along route 66 will begin at 6 pm and end at 9. Contact Kris or Tom Williams 928-635-3006 for more information.

The riders of the Queencreek Junior Rodeo might find it a bit wet on Sunday with a 20% chance of showers, but Saturday should be fine for the two day event. Saturday and Sunday the gates open at 8 am at the Bob Dean Rodeo grounds across the street from the Old Trails hardware store on Rodeo Road. The Queencreek Junior Rodeo Association is dedicated to providing a family environment in which children can obtain and develop basic rodeo skills. For more information contact Kelly Martin 928-899-2943 or visit www.qcjra.org

The chance of rain in Flagstaff on Sunday is 10% higher. The big event in Flagstaff, however, is their 12th annual Soar into Spring Kite Festival on Saturday. The event is free and open to the public from 11 am to 3 pm. The event is held at Foxglenn Park, 4200 Butler Avenue in Flagstaff. Most events are free, but there is a $3 wristband for certain rides, laser tag and other events.

There is always Marvelous Marv’s Private Grand Canyon Tour and the Bearizona Wildlife drive through park.

The forests are still open so hiking is available, but NO SMOKING is allowed in the forest due to dry conditions. In fact no smoking is technically allowed (except inside vehicles) at the Buckskinner park reservoir which is still open for fishing.

Also do not forget Sunday is Mother’s day. There are plenty of presents right here in Williams to get her. The Briar Patch provides flowers and gifts and the Route 66 Boutique just opened next door. Treats and Treasures has an assortment of candies and gifts, including coins for coin collectors, and features homemade ice cream. The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe, which just received an award from the Arizona Highways, will be open Sunday for breakfast and lunch. Pine Country and Rod’s Steak House will be open for Mother’s Day and on the east end of town is Twisters and Goldie’s Route 66 Diner.

Obama Urges “Wrongheaded” Americans to Trust Government More

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The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the states are independent as to everything within themselves, and united as to everything respecting foreign nations. Let the general government be reduced to foreign concerns only, and let our affairs be disentangled from those of all other nations, except as to commerce, which the merchants will manage the better the more they are left free to manage for themselves, and our general government may be reduced to a very simple organization, and a very unexpensive one–a few plain duties to be performed by a few servants.—Thomas Jefferson

120905_barack_obama_ap_605Paul Joseph Watson, Infowars.com, May 9, 2014

During a speech at a fundraiser for congressional Democrats in La Jolla, California yesterday, President Barack Obama urged “wrongheaded” Americans to place more trust in the government.

Obama stated that a perception on behalf of middle class families that people in Washington did not care about them has reinforced “apathy or a lack of confidence in our government,” before he went on to blame Republicans for making Americans think, “they’re on their own and government doesn’t have an appropriate role to play.”

Obama said the Democrats’ goal in the midterms was to “break that grip” and reverse the “wrongheaded vision” that big government is not the answer.

Read more at Infowars.com

Student: Prof Warns Ted Cruz-Teabaggers To Leave Class Or Go Home In Body Bag

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AliceGilbert-500x290by Austin Yack – UC Santa Barbara on May 5, 2014

SANTA BARBARA – Alice Gilbert can vividly recall her first day of class last fall in a black studies course called “The Obama Phenomenon” offered by Professor Otis Madison at UC Santa Barbara.

That’s because before his introductory lecture was over, the scholar “warned Ted Cruz-supporting ‘teabaggers’ to get the hell out of his classroom before he sent them home to their mother in a body bag,” Gilbert said in an email interview with The College Fix.

“The comment is from memory, however there were other students with me in the class who can attest to them,” Gilbert said. “When Professor Madison made his comments in the very first lecture, I was taken aback and offended.”

Gilbert said as a conservative student, she enrolled in the course to broaden her horizons and learn about the president from a perspective other than what she is normally exposed to, but dropped it after Madison’s remarks.

She never complained to administrators.

Read more at The College Fix

Mayor Moore seeks third term

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UPDATED: May 8, 11:35
Moore-20140507-02WILLIAMS – Mayor John Moore of Williams is gathering signatures for a third term as mayor of the historic route 66 town.

“I felt there were issues, such as the water issue, that required continuity in leadership,” Mayor Moore said.

Mayor Moore, with the cooperation of the City Council, has overseen many improvements in the community. They worked together with Sean Casey to bring the drive-through wildlife park Bearizona to the community.

Mayor Moore is veteran friendly welcoming the motorcycle riders of Run for the Wall to Williams every year. During his watch, Williams completed the Williams Own memorial dedicated to all veterans at Williams Memorial park on the west end of town across from Safeway.

Justice of the Peace Robert Krombeen has also gathered signatures for re-election to that office. Although a county position, Judge Krombeen has a contract with the City of Williams to act as City Magistrate. He has instituted some cost-saving measures in the staff at the Williams Justice Center and installed a kiosk where people can access legal information.

There is currently no information on any other candidates.

To vote in the primary election on August 26, you must be registered by July 31. For the November 4 mid-term elections, you must be registered by October 6.

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Bridge rehabilitation project on I-40 near Ash Fork is underway

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ASH FORK – Motorists traveling along Interstate 40 near Ash Fork should be prepared for lane restrictions now through early October for a bridge rehabilitation project.

The work includes rehabilitating 10 bridge decks between the West Ash Fork traffic interchange and the East Ash Fork traffic interchange, which is between mileposts 143 and 148). This week crews have begun installing temporary traffic control barriers. The crew is also installing detour crossovers prior to working on the eastbound bridges.

Working hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 7 a.m. to noon. One lane will remain open in each direction, the speed limit will be reduced and drivers should be alert for construction vehicles and flaggers. A 12-ft. width restriction is also in place.

This fall crews are scheduled to be completed with work on the eastbound bridges. The $5 million project will then go in to a winter shutdown until spring 2015, and then warmer weather will allow for work to continue on the westbound bridges.

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.

Flagstaff to host third public hearing for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Construction Program

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation will hold its third and final public hearing for the 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program next week in Flagstaff in order to gather comments from the public and communities on the direction of the program over the next five years.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 9 in the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave. in Flagstaff. The monthly State Transportation Board meeting will follow the public hearing.

The 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program is available for public review at azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram. Comments can be submitted until May 20 online or by email at fiveyearprogram@azdot.gov.

The Five-Year Program is updated every year and serves as a blueprint that details where, when and how regional, state and federal funding will be spent for projects over the next five years to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. This includes highways, bridges, transit and aviation.

Much like the current Five-Year Program, the 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program reflects a major focus on preserving the existing state highway system to keep it in good repair, while moving some programmed projects forward. ADOT must prioritize projects due to stagnant revenue from the gas and vehicle license taxes and from decreased federal funding — all of which support the Five-Year Program. Last year, ADOT cut $350 million from the 2014-2018 Five-Year Program because of substantially decreased revenue dedicated to transportation. No additional funding cuts are forecast for the 2015-2019 Five-Year Program; however, overall state and federal transportation funding continues to be flat.

The 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program includes a three percent increase in preservation spending over the 2014-2018 Program, with a steady increase in preservation funding over the next 10 years. Preserving the system means protecting our investment of $18.4 billion, the estimated value of the state highway system. The funding for the 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program looks like this:

  • Greater Arizona: $1.8 billion over five years (60 percent for preservation, 11 percent for expansion and 29 percent for modernization)
  • Maricopa County region: $1.7 billion over five years
  • Pima County region: $349 million over five years
  • Aviation: $1.1 billion over five years

Both the Maricopa and Pima county regions have independent revenue streams established through voter-approved sales tax increases.

The State Transportation Board will consider all public comments received by May 20. The board is expected to adopt the final 2015-2019 Five-Year Program at the June 13 meeting in Willcox. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. in the City of Willcox Council Chambers, 300 W. Rex Allen Drive in Willcox.

Garland Prairie Road “Bootlegger” railroad crossing to be closed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County was notified today by the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) that the “Bootlegger” railway crossing located on Garland Prairie Road about four miles east of Williams will be closed in both directions from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 8.

This closure is necessary for BNSF crews to repair and replace crossing planks and conduct rail maintenance work along several hundred feet of eastbound and westbound track.

Located between Parks and Williams and south of Interstate 40, the Bootlegger railway crossing provides access along Garland Prairie Road/Forest Service Road 146 between the Woods residential subdivision to the south and I-40.

During this closure, commuters between I-40 and the Woods subdivision will need to detour along Garland Prairie Road for approximately 19 miles. Please see the attached map for more information on this detour route.

Although this closure is exclusively related to a BNSF project, Coconino County Public Works is working with BNSF to notify local schools and first responders. Also, BNSF is placing a message board to alert motorists about this closure.

If you have any questions or require additional information about this project, then please contact Joe Pointer with BNSF at 928-241-0669.