WILLIAMS – The weather service predicts rain and snow starting today through Friday with some snow accumulation possible. The same conditions exist for Flagstaff.
Scattered rain and snow showers are expected this afternoon with some thunder possible tonight in Flagstaff. There is a possibility of a half-inch of snow accumulation overnight.
The rain and snow conditions will continue through Friday during the day returning to sunny and warm by Saturday.
FLAGSTAFF – Two juvenile runaways kept Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies busy beginning Tuesday when it was reported that they were in possession of a firearm. Thirteen year old Gregorio Mocasque and eleven year old Troy Stallings who were reported as runaway juveniles and were last seen at approximately 11:00 pm on March 8 in the Doney Park area East of Flagstaff, AZ.
On the 11th at about 1:10 pm while searching for the missing subjects, Sheriff’s Deputies and Flagstaff Police Officers found the hand gun that they believed was in the possession of the missing juveniles. The gun was found abandoned in a forested area close to Turkey Hill and Foster Road in the Doney Park subdivision. Investigators were not aware of any other information that would indicate the two runaways are in possession of any other firearms.
At about 5 pm, the runaways were in custody by Sheriff’s deputies without incident after receiving a tip from a woman in Doney Park who had received a flier earlier. The boys were released to the custody of the Juvenile Detention Center.
“The men and women of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office consider themselves very fortunate to serve in a county where community members partner with law enforcement to report suspicious persons and activity and are vital in promoting neighborhood safety,” the press release said.
The Sheriffs department also thanked the Flagstaff Police department, United States Marshall’s Task force, the Sheriff’s Civilian Patrol Volunteers and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter crew for their assistance in the search.
ADOT Photograph
Delays of up to 15 minutes are expected between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Early next week traffic will be switched to the newly constructed (east side) of the Big Chino Bridge on State Route 89, north of Chino Valley.
Delays are expected of up to 15 minutes on Monday and Tuesday, March 17 and 18 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. as crews prepare to open the east side of the bridge and remove the temporary signal that has been in place since October 2013.
During the traffic switch vehicles will be guided through the work zone by flaggers and law enforcement. Once the traffic switch is completed, crews will begin to repair the west side of the bridge which is expected to be complete by the end of April.
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.
Daytime lane closures during work hours, minimal delays expected
The Arizona Department of Transportation will be working to seal pavement cracks on northbound State Route 69 between mileposts 263 and 267, just west of the Cordes Junction traffic interchange next week.
Drivers can expect a northbound left lane restriction from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 17 through Thursday, March 20.
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.
WILLIAMS – The Williams Historic Commission will meet tomorrow at the Williams City Hall chamber, 113 South First Street. The commission will review and may recommend approval of the new Williams sign ordinance revised February 26, 2014.
Director Mike Rioux stands amongst items already donated.
The goal is to reach out for Christ to locals and tourists who have problems with English. He currently has Bibles and circulars in about 30 different languages. He has already given out 4 in the Navajo language and 1 Chinese.
Preaching the gospel is not exactly the mission of the ministry. It is a place for research and Bible Study. People will be able to get Bibles and other Christian books in different languages for free. The reference library and videos will only be available at the mission.
He plans to set up a coffee pot and a place for people to come in, research, fellowship or just pray. The ministry will open at 10 am and run until 6 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. As more people are able to volunteer time, the center may open on other days. He invites anyone who is willing to volunteer to serve the ministry.
Dr. Andy McDaniel of the FBC dedicates the center with a prayer.
Ingrid Nist congratulates Mike. Ingrid is the assistant director of the center.
The ministry area will consist of Bibles and Christian books to hand out. He also wants to set up a reference library for study and has a couch on the way. He is in need of shelves, possibly a small desk and other furnishings.
Volunteer Judy Givens stamps circulars for the mission.
He hopes to expand the outreach to single mothers. The current plan is to evaluate their needs and to find the appropriate agency to help.
He is planning to invite members of the ministry Teen Challenge come in to speak to teens about drug abuse and suicide.
The Hope for the World mission is accepting donations, but is not a 501(c)3 for tax purposed. Mike is considering that option. He is seeking volunteers of any Christian faith to assist. Those with foreign language skills are especially welcome.
People gather to dedicate the Hope for the World mission.
WILLIAMS – There is another chance of rain for Williams starting tomorrow. It is doubtful if it will be a significant amount.
The latest prediction is a 10% chance of rain tomorrow night rising to 20% during the day Friday and 30% Friday night.
Wind gusts of 24 mph are possible tomorrow during the day. Winds will be 11-16 mph Thursday night with gusts up to 23. Winds over Friday are expected to be 8-13 mph during the day dropping at night.
The long-range forecast shows rain ceasing over the rest of next week with temperatures rising to the sixties.
WILLIAMS – The members of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church warmly invites everyone to their first Fish Fry-days starting this Friday.
Starting on March 7 the Catholic Church will hold a fish fry every Friday during the season of Lent following the 5 pm Mass in Crossan Hall. Adult plates are $5. Children’s grilled cheese or fish and tarter tot plates are $2. Drinks and deserts are included.
The Catholic Church is located at 900 West Grant Avenue in Williams.
WILLIAMS – Just after level 4 water restrictions were announced last week, the price of water at the local filter machines rose dramatically.
Although we received the expected moisture this week, the amount predicted did not come. We received only a dusting of snow instead of the 1-3 inches. Even the 1-3 inches would not have done much to stay the drought and the level 4 restrictions.
According to the NOAA weather predictions, we have a 30% chance of rain and snow the rest of the day dropping to 10% chance tonight. Starting Monday with temperatures rising to near sixties by Thursday. The long-range forecast shows that Friday there is a slight chance of moisture returning to sunny on Saturday.
ADOT Photo
PHOENIX – One of the most visible projects on Interstate 17 is moving onto the final phase of construction.
Since the January 2013 start of the $11.8 million safety improvement project south of Camp Verde, the Arizona Department of Transportation has moved approximately 350,000 tons of dirt and boulders from Copper Canyon to clear a path for the construction of the first-ever climbing lane (and third travel lane) on southbound I-17.
When complete, the additional southbound lane through the final two miles to the top of Copper Canyon will make it easier for motorists to pass large trucks and slow-moving vehicles whose speed drops because of the sustained grades along this stretch of highway (mileposts 280-282), which is the primary travel route linking Phoenix and Flagstaff.
Since early 2013, motorists traveling late at night on I-17 (primarily between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.) have had to plan ahead to avoid more than 70 planned one-hour closures required to safely remove the rock material from the mountainside of Copper Canyon. Those restrictions ended with the final overnight blasting closure on Feb. 18, but additional lane restrictions are anticipated in the future as crews move to pave the new lane.
Southbound I-17 climbing laneWith the blasting phase of the project completed on Copper Canyon and the project 80 percent finished, crews have already begun building the subgrade for the new pavement on the climbing lane, which will add a third travel lane for motorists to climb to the top of the steep Copper Canyon.
ADOT will start final paving operations for the project in early summer when temperatures are ideal for this type of work.
In addition to the climbing lane, ADOT is also building a two-mile-long merging lane between the State Route 260 junction and General Crook Trail traffic interchange (mileposts 285-287), which is located just before the approach to Copper Canyon. The merging lane will allow larger vehicles to gain speed before merging onto I-17 while also providing more room for passenger vehicles traveling past slower traffic.