Category Archives: News

Coconino Co. Applauds Initiative Aimed at N. AZ Forest Health

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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.—Coconino County officials applaud an announcement today by the U.S. Forest Service and Gov. Jan Brewer that a contract has been awarded to restore the health of four overgrown National Forests and reduce the risk of devastating wildfires.

Coconino County and several northern Arizona organizations have been integral in helping shape the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI). The initiative aims to restore forest ecosystems on portions of the Coconino, Kaibab, Apache-Sitgraves and Tonto National Forests.

“This initiative is a once-in-a-life-time project that has the potential to enhance forest health and our rural lifestyle with outcomes that will resonate on a national level,” said County Supervisor Mandy Metzger. “I applaud this long-awaited announcement to restore our forests across northern Arizona. The significance of the 20-year contract is key as it guarantees a steady wood supply and ensures lasting benefits for Coconino County.”

The 4FRI project was selected for funding under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP), which was established in 2009 to foster collaborative, science-based restoration on priority forest landscapes around the country.

The aim of the program was to establish job stability, achieve a reliable wood supply and restore the forests to good health, which would reduce the costs and risk of devastating wildfires. Metzger added that the project would also work to clean and protect surface and groundwater supplies across Arizona and provide for increased habitat for wildlife.

“I’m really excited to see that this contract has been awarded,” said County Supervisor Matt Ryan, whose district rests in Kaibab and Coconino National Forests. “There has been a lot of work done regionally by multiple stakeholders. We have all been working toward this end and look forward to beginning these healthy treatments to our forests.”

Those stakeholders include conservations, scientists, local governments and industry leaders and others who have worked for years on 4FRI.

July 28th is National Day of the Cowboy in Arizona

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Who hasn’t wished they were or played cowboy as a kid? The cowboy has always been a fixture in the collective memory of Americans. Cowboys have actually existed in several countries, but the American cowboy through movies continues to be the image that sparks the imagination. Many small communities, such as Williams, has a cowboy show that attracts tourists from around the world. Now you will be able to release that fantasy one day this year.

Arizona Senate Resolution 1006 voted on unanimously supports National Day of the Cowboy on Saturday July 28th.

The resolution recognizes the pioneering and patriotic spirit of the cowboy. The Cowboy, the resolution states, embodies honesty, integrity, courage, compassion and determination.

Rodeos draw 30,000,000 fans from around the world. The first is said to have been held in Prescott, Arizona in 1888 when a group of cowboys got together to display their talents.

Northern Arizona Authors book signing

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FLAGSTAFF—The Northern Arizona Authors will hold a book signing at Bookman’s in Flagstaff at 2 p.m. on Saturday May 26th.

Williams Aquatic Center opens May 26

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WILLIAMS—The Williams Aquatic Center will open May 26 with a free swim. The pool will be open on a regular schedule until school begins and then weekends until September 1.

The Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center will sponsor $2000 worth of swim lessons for 66 children and adults. Parents or legal guardians must obtain a voucher from FWAC prior to registering for lessons.

The Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center will sponsor their third annual Golf Tournament on Sunday June 3. the tournament is a two man scramble with several prizes including a $10,000 hole in one contest. Businesses and persons can sponsor holes and donate prizes.

There will also be a deep pit barbeque open to the public at the Elephant Rocks Golf Course at $15 per person, $10 for golfer’s spouse, $25 per couple and $8 per child five to eight years of age. The menu includes pork and beef, corn on the cob, Cole slaw, garlic bread and a variety of desserts. Tickets will be available from the Chamber of Commerce or online at the Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center web site and should be purchased by May 28.

Run for the Wall stops at the American Legion for supper

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WILLIAMS—The American Legion in Williams set up a dinner for the riders of Run for the Wall event. Mayor John Moore as usual welcomed the riders and thanked them for their service.

Run for the Wall is an annual event since 1989 in which veterans of all services ride to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. to arrive by Memorial Day. They ride to bring attention to the still missing in action and prisoners of war from all wars and to honor those who were killed in action. Their motto is “We ride for those who can’t.”

The policy of the federal government until recently has always been to not leave men behind in a war.

Mayor John Moore welcomes the veterans.

Richard Aguilar of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 organizes the event each year. With the help of his brother Eddie and Melvin Berry they organized volunteers to set up, cook and clean-up after the event.

Commander of the Post Horacio Ortiz said that the volunteers were having a great time this year and were in high spirits. He was extremely happy with all of the volunteers.

Veterans stop to say hello to local residents.

The efforts of the Legion are appreciated by the riders of Run for the Wall who make Williams their first stop each year.

The Prescott Veteran Center brought a van to the event with various gifts for the veterans. These included a pocket calendar, various health pamphlets and stress squeeze foam items. One of the most useful to Navy veterans involved in anti-submarine warfare is a foam squeeze submarine.

Local welcome dog Prince receives a new tag from Run for the Wall crew.

Draft Kaibab National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan public meeting in Williams

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WILLIAMS—The Kaibab National Forest service will hold a meeting on the Forest Land and Resources Management Plan public meeting in Williams. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 16th from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ranger District office at 742 S. Clover Road.

This plan is extremely important in guiding the management of the Kaibab National Forest over the next 10 to 15 years.

Williams Clean and Beautiful campaign

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Carol Glassburn, one of the Clean and Beautiful committee members, stops for a drink.


WILLIAMS—The Williams Clean and Beautiful campaign kicked off today with civic and local groups cleaning up Williams and along highway 64 to the Grand Canyon.

Each year Williams conducts a major clean-up allowing residents to dispose of hazardous material without a fee. Western Recyclers returned to pick up spent electronics. For the rest of the week, residents can contact the city to pick up one major appliance.

As usual, the veterans of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 in Williams did an excellent job of cooking and serving up hot dogs and hamburgers for participants and guests.

Embattled sheriff played probe tape for laughs at fundraiser

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PHOENIX — An audio recording has surfaced of an Arizona sheriff playing his refusal to cooperate in a racial profiling investigation for laughs at a fundraiser for an anti-illegal immigration group in Texas. He ridicules politicians who sought the probe and displayed contempt toward federal authorities who were — and are still — investigating him on two fronts.

The dismissive comments in 2009 by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio came as the U.S. Justice Department had already launched a civil rights probe of his trademark immigration patrols and the FBI already was examining abuse-of-power allegations for the sheriff’s investigations of political foes.

In the September 2009 speech in Houston, Arpaio boasted that he arrested hundreds of illegal immigrants after politicians and federal investigators started to pick apart his patrols. He said he wouldn’t cooperate with the inquiry, but said he would tone down the patrols — if he was proven wrong.

Read more at Desert News

Forecast includes clear for Clean and Beautiful

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WILLIAMS—The seven-day forecast shows an 80% chance of rain for Thursday night with a slight chance Friday. However it is predicted to clear for the Williams Clean and Beautiful campaign Saturday.

The clean-up event ends with a barbeque around noon after completion at the Recreation Center. Everyone is invited to join the event by showing up at the Recreation Center parking lot by the new community stage to get a bag for trash.

Williams, like other communities, still has a problem with plastic bag flags and aircraft blowing in the wind. The issue was taken up once, but the problem continues. Safeway was collecting bags returned to the store for recycling. They can, also, be used in some trash containers as alternative trash bags or used to clean up after your pets when walking them as required by city ordinance.

For smoking visitors or residence, the Williams Chamber located in the Williams Visitor Center offers pocket ash trays which can be used while walking through town. They are safer than dropping your cigarette butts into a trash can and can be disposed of later.

In addition residents can dispose of spent electronics at the dump located on Rodeo Road next to the Rodeo grounds. Residents have a week after to dump yard trash for free. They can also call the city to get rid of one used appliance.

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WILLIAMS—The elegant Winchester Ranch restaurant is open for the season beginning at 5 p.m. For reservations you can call 602-759-5772.

The $44 meal includes the entrée and a glass of wine or beer. The meal consists of your choice of top sirloin, chicken breast or salmon with Portabello mushrooms, garden salad, corn on the cob and more. It includes a homemade apple desert.

The Winchester Ranch Dinner Theater was originally the Pine Crest Dairy and Farm in 1952 and provided milk products for Williams and the surrounding area. Western Destinations turned the barn into a beautiful restaurant with a stage upstairs for entertainment.

Future plans for the property include an indoor shooting range.