The weather will be beautiful through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Sunday turns to a 20% chance of rain turning to snow Sunday night. The week-long forecast shows that the chance of snow will persist on Monday, the day we celebrate the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Travelers are urged to consider that snow during the night could mean icy road conditions and take the appropriate precautions.
The Arizona Senate has introduced S.B. 1083 to form the Arizona State Guard after the authorization passed last year. Senate President Pro Tempore Sylvia Allen, and republicans Steve Smith, Gail Griffin, Lori Klein, Al Melvin, Rick Murphy introduced the bill. Republican representative David Gowan and Terri Proud added their names to the legislation.
Title 26-174 subsection A of the Arizona Revise Statute—originally amended to authorize a guard—would be replaced with Subsections A and B to read:
A. An armed force, known as the Arizona state guard, is established for the purpose of securing the safety and protection of the lives and property of the citizens of this state. The intent of the Arizona state guard is to provide a mission-ready volunteer military force for use by this state in homeland security and community service activities as a supplement to the national guard of Arizona and state and local law enforcement agencies. The Arizona state guard exists as part of the militia under article XVI, section 2, Constitution of Arizona, and a defense force under 32 United States Code section 109.
B. The mission of the state guard is:
1. To support this state in securing the border with Mexico and supplement the efforts of law enforcement and state agencies.
2. Augment the national guard.
3. Support county and municipal leaders in combating international criminal activity.
4. Respond to natural and manmade disasters.
5. Search and rescue efforts.
6. Support community activities.
7. Other missions directed by the governor.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Coconino County residents waiting until the New Year to reserve picnic ramadas at County parks can make their reservations beginning March 1.
Traditionally, visitors to parks managed by the County Parks and Recreation Department could reserve ramadas beginning Jan. 1, but the County is in the process of switching over to a new recreation-management system to assist in managing the parks.
When up and running within the coming months, the Internet-based system will allow visitors to reserve campsites for the summer season at Fort Tuthill Park between May 1 and Sept. 30. The public can receive information on the entire County Park system at www.coconino.az.gov/parks.
Ramada reservations will begin March 1 and can be done Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ramadas can only be reserved by calling the County Parks and Recreation Department at (928) 679-8000 or in person at Fort Tuthill County Park at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop.
PARKS, Ariz. – Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Robert Kelty is seeking applications to fill a vacancy on the Maine Consolidated Unified School District Governing Board.
A vacancy was left after Board Member Scott Pomeroy resigned with one year left on his term. In an effort to meet the needs of the community and the District, Kelty is seeking applications for those interested in serving the remainder of the term, which runs from January to Dec.31, 2012.
To be eligible to serve on a school district governing board:
• A candidate must be a registered voter of the State of Arizona;
• A candidate must be a resident of the school district for at least one year prior to the appointment;
• A candidate or their spouse may not be an employee of the district.
Those interested in serving on the MCUSD Governing Board should mail a letter of interest to Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Robert Kelty at 2384 N. Steves Blvd., Flagstaff, AZ 86004; e-mail at Email; or fax to 928-679-8077.
The candidate’s email, telephone number and home address must be included in the letter. Once a letter of interest is received, an application for appointment will be sent to the candidate. All letters of interest and applications should be received no later than 4:00 p.m. Jan. 12.
An advisory committee consisting of district residents and a current board member will be assembled to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Kelty on the appointment.
The seven-day forecast predicts clear weather through Tuesday and a rise in temperatures to 50-degrees.
Tonight northeast winds of 14 mph with gusts up to twenty will create a wind-chill making the 13-degree temperature feel like -1. Winds will calm, over the week, making the night time temperature 23-degrees. Christmas day temperature is expected to be about 47.
At night, ice can be expected as a travel hazard.
Williams—The candidates for offices for the City of Williams are set.
Candidates for the March 13th Primary Election for the office of Mayor are former Mayor Ken Edes and incumbent John W. Moore seeking a third term.
Council members, Frank W. McNelly and James Wurgler will face Craig A. Fritsinger and Bobby Patricca who are seeking their first terms in office.
GRAND CANYON—The National Parks Traveler is reporting that National Parks Service director Jarvis is allowing parks to ban plastic water bottles after allegations that Coca-Cola company pressured a reversal of the decision for the Grand Canyon.
Coca-Cola manufactures the Dasani® water product. The Dasani® water web site begins with a commercial on their eco-friendly bottle.
The decision to ban water bottles at the Grand Canyon and subsequent reversal seems to have caused such a flurry that it led to this new decision. The new decision allows park superintendents to ban water bottles after severe considerations.
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by George Knapp
Forty years ago this week, the American people spoke with one voice on an issue that clearly touched the heart of the nation. The Wild Horse and Burro Act was signed into law, over the objections of the powerful cattle industry. Congress was flooded with more letters and telegrams about wild mustangs than for any other issue save the Vietnam War. They insisted that wild horses must be preserved on public lands. That demand became law.
But it is doubtful horse lovers are popping champagne corks to celebrate. The law, or what’s left of it, is a hollow farce, a piss-poor replica of what we thought we were getting, about as authentic as a gift-shop Jackalope.
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Williams, December 15—It was cold outside. With almost a foot-and-a-half of snow on the ground the wind made it nearly intolerable. That is what made our hunt from within the confines of the Jeep Cherokee so desirable. Our desire was to find whatever animals we could and shoot them. We even had the blessings of the authorities in charge.
We entered into the wilderness on the dirt road provided. The snow had been plowed away, so almost any car would have sufficed. They even provided us with a GPS device that told us the exact spot where we would find the animals on our hunting extravaganza. We passed right by the American burros without incident. We did not need a ride and who wants to shoot a burro? I have on previous hunts, but that is not what I was after this time.
It was not long before we spotted our prey. An Arctic Wolf right in the middle of the road. It was almost too easy. My dog ran frantically throughout the vehicle from one window to the next to point out the animal. They were all around us. It could be, also, that he just wanted to play with them. I took careful aim and shot right through the windshield. Another approached to stand beside the first, and I shot them both. I did not even have to roll down the window. In fact, the authority in charge asks that you do not roll down your window. That day I had a chance to shoot a white buffalo, some ravens and squirrels, and even a couple of bears.
Of course this is all easy when you are shooting with a camera and the “authority in charge” is Bearizona in Williams Arizona.
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