Category Archives: News

CCSO Seeking Public’s Help in Identifying Persons of Interest in Burglaries

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Stoneman Lake, AZ – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two persons of interest in connection with recent residential burglaries in the Stoneman Lake area.

Credit cards stolen during the burglaries were used at a casino on June 15, 2018. The Sheriff’s Office is releasing a video showing two males who were seen at the casino during the time frame that the stolen credit cards were used. The persons of interest are the two men seen walking past the camera. Snapshots from the video also are included.

If anyone has information regarding the identity of these individuals or about these crimes, please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

Kaibab National Forest implements forest restoration projects near Parks

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WILLIAMS/PARKS — The Kaibab National Forest is conducting preparatory work in anticipation of implementing timber sales in five project areas east of Williams near the community of Parks on the Williams Ranger District. These forest restoration efforts have resulted in increased activity that may be noticeable to residents and visitors in the area.

Preparatory work including tree marking and boundary layout operations are underway in each of the five project areas, which stretch from Brannigan Park near Bellemont west to Pittman Valley on the north side of Interstate 40. Once this work is completed, the Kaibab National Forest will be seeking to offer timber sales to local contractors and others who may be able to support the forest restoration effort. The tree marking and boundary layout work will ultimately serve as visual guidance to assist these contractors in ensuring Forest Service expectations for treatment are met.

As activity on these projects increases over the next few months, residents, land owners and visitors will likely notice more Forest Service personnel and vehicles in the area. Once timber sale contracts have been awarded, forest restoration work including timber removal and log hauling operations will also be noticeable to members of the public.

The ultimate goal of both the preparatory work and the eventual timber sales is to improve forest health and reduce the potential for high-intensity wildfires that could threaten lives, property and natural resources. These projects are planned for long-term implementation and may be ongoing for the next several years on an intermittent basis depending on weather and other conditions.

“We are pleased to be making progress on this important work, and we hope local residents continue to support our efforts in improving forest health and public safety,” said Josh Giles, silviculturist with the Kaibab National Forest. “Projects like this are critical to the long-term sustainability of our forests, watersheds and communities.”

The five projects, known as 49er, Saddle, Moonset, Parks West, and Sitgreaves, are all part of the overarching restoration work associated with the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, which is intended to treat more than 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forest across northern Arizona.

One goal of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative is to increase resilience in the fire-adapted ponderosa pine forest by reducing tree stand densities to a more historic level, which eventually reduces the potential for uncharacteristic wildfire. This work also offers greater protection for residents living in and adjacent to the wildland-urban interface, where developments and forested areas merge together.

Goals of treatments in the Four Forest Restoration Initiative footprint include:

  • Restoring pine forests across northern Arizona using mechanical harvesting and fire to thin dense stands of smaller trees and leave larger, mature trees.
  • Improving streams, springs, and wildlife habitat.
  • Reducing wildfire threats and impacts to communities, watersheds, and recreation areas.
  • As more forest is restored, allowing wildfires to be part of a suite of forest management efforts.
  • Engaging private industry to conduct treatments and provide jobs to rural communities.
  • Monitoring treatments to ensure a healthy forest for future generations.

For more specific information about these and other current restoration projects on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, contact Josh Giles at (928) 635-5616.

Information is also available through the following sources:

Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Four Forest Restoration Initiative Website: www.fs.usda.gov/4fri
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

New Lightning Caused Bald Fire on Sitgreaves Mountain to be Monitored

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WILLIAMS — A new lightning caused wildfire has ignited on the Williams Ranger district on the south side of Sitgreaves Mountain. It is currently burning in steep terrain within the 2014 Sitgreaves wildfire burn scar.

The Bald fire is currently burning in ponderosa pine and does have the potential to expand over the next several days as monsoon moisture is forecasted to temporarily subside. An engine crew was on scene the day of discovery on July 22 and will continue to monitor fire behavior daily taking appropriate actions as necessary.

The decision to monitor this fire will not only benefit forest resources, but will also ensure the safety of firefighters by limiting exposure of people working on steep slopes. Due to the location in a pre-burned area, this fire is not considered to pose a threat to adjacent developed areas at this time.

Smoke will be visible from a wide area and could occasionally impact the communities surrounding Sitgreaves Mountain and the Interstate 40 corridor. Motorists are asked to be aware of fire personnel and vehicles and use caution when ever driving near the vicinity of a fire.

For additional information the following sources are available:

InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6006/
Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: twitter.com/kaibabnf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF/
Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311.

First Baptist Church dedicates Dream Acres

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WILLIAMS — Several members of the community joined the First Baptist Church of Williams in dedicating their Dream Acres park after services Sunday. The focus was the opening of the Edith Pouquette Prayer Garden. The Garden was dedicated to a member of the First Baptist Church in honor of her long service to God. Dream Acres is a park built by the First Baptist Church and open to the public. Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Edith Pouquette cuts the ribbon to the Prayer Garden dedicated to her long service to God.


A crowd gathered to watch Edith Pouquette cut the ribbon to the Prayer Garden. Pastor Joe Oswald held a prayer service afterward to complete the dedication of the Garden.

Dream Acres has a Gospel Golf disc course. There is a hiking trail with stations along the way where hikers can participate in sports activities.

The First Baptist Church holds services on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday morning at 10:30 p.m. They hold Bible studies earlier on Sunday, a Men’s Bible Study on Monday at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday at 7 p.m. They also host the Spanish Bible Study on Monday. The Church is located at 629 W Grant Ave in Williams across the street from Safeway. You can call the Church at (928) 635-4692 to find out more about Dream Acres and the other activities they sponsor.

A crowd from the community gather to help dedicate the Edith Pouquette Prayer Garden.

Pastor Joe Oswald and the crowd wait for Edith Pouquette to cut the ribbon.

Along the hiking trail are stations where people can participate in sports activity.

Yet another season is upon us

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Buckskinner Trail in Williams.

WILLIAMS — As we hiked the Buckskinner trail from Buckskinner park in Williams, we heard a buzz that reminded us that we are moving into a new season. As the monsoon rains subside, we move into mosquito season. In the morning and evening hours, you can expect to note the rise in the mosquito population around Williams.

The monsoon rains have filled tanks and holes around the forested areas and, no doubt, buckets and pots around your homes. There is not a lot you can do about the water in the forest and in drainage areas, you can take steps around your home. Empty out tires, pots and other vessels that collect water around your yard. If you are growing a garden, you can empty them out there.

TRAVEL ALERT: Closure scheduled on eastbound Interstate 40 at Interstate 17 early Saturday, July 21

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Flagstaff drivers should plan for delays on eastbound Interstate 40 at Interstate 17 on Saturday, July 21, between 5 and 10 a.m. while crews complete emergency pothole repairs. Eastbound I-40 will be closed at I-17 while repair work is underway. Drivers will be detoured onto southbound I-17 to J.W. Powell Boulevard to exit and re-enter northbound I-17 to eastbound I-40.

Construction crews are currently repairing and replacing bridge decks on four I-40 bridges that carry traffic over I-17 and Beulah Boulevard with a lane closure through the work zone. The potholes developed in the open lane, due in part to recent heavy rains, and require the interstate closure to make the necessary repairs.

AZGFD to address water quality issues at Luna Lake​​​​​​​

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is collaborating with the White Mountain Lakes Foundation and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to address chronic and long-term water-quality issues at Luna Lake near Alpine.

The ongoing project could eventually include other lakes located on the national forest: Carnero Lake, Lee Valley Lake and Crescent Lake.

– AZGF Photo

AZGFD plans to install the first aeration system at Luna Lake during the spring of 2019. If the concept and approach prove successful at Luna, funding for installation of aerators at the other three lakes will be pursued.

“Once started, installation of the aeration system at Luna should be finished in only a few months,” said Dave Weedman, AZGFD Aquatic Habitat Program Manager. “Luna Lake is the most cost-effective option because it is more easily accessible during the winter for maintenance than the other three lakes, and we have numerous partners in the area that will assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the facility.”

Successful project implementation will require collaboration between the AZGFD and Alpine Ranger District on the environmental compliance (NEPA) for beginning construction on the infrastructure. Both agencies have committed to begin the NEPA process immediately.

AZGFD biologists are monitoring water quality at all four lakes in an attempt to identify the causes for the water quality problems. Each of these lakes has periodically suffered from winter or summer fish die-offs as a result of poor water quality, low dissolved oxygen (DO) in the winter or excessively high pH in the summer. AZGFD has already solicited plans for installation of aerators to address low oxygen during the winters, and is pursuing the needed environmental clearances to pave the way for installation and operation of the equipment.

Each of these lakes is different and will require a multi-faceted approach to address the water quality causes for the fish die-offs.

For example:

  • Crescent Lake receives an elevated level of nutrients from the watershed that contributes to excessive plant and algae growth. During the winter, as the lake ices over, transfer of oxygen from the air to the water is cut off, as is production of oxygen through photosynthesis by the plants and algae, while decomposing plant matter under the ice burns up all the oxygen, leaving none to keep fish alive. Aeration, in combination with nutrient control, may prove to resolve this issue.
  • Luna Lake suffers from a similar condition during the winter, as well as an elevated pH and low oxygen problem during the summer as excessive plant growth and blue-green algae absorb carbon dioxide, causing the pH to rise during the day. At night, when photosynthesis shuts down, the production of oxygen also shuts down. Respiration by zooplankton and decomposition by bacteria consume oxygen, causing a daily low DO condition that may stress and/or kill fish.

AZGFD thanks numerous partners for their local and vocal support: Sportsmen for Wildlife, Alpine Alliance, Trout Unlimited, Arizona Flycasters Club, The Desert Fly Casters of Chandler, White Mountain Fly Fishing Club, Friends of Luna Lake and the White Mountain Lakes Foundation.

Fire restrictions lifted north of the Grand Canyon

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County will lift fire restrictions above the North Rim of the Grand Canyon effective immediately. This region received significant moisture during the last week, decreasing fire risk.

Currently, there are no fire restrictions in any area of the County. However, several areas in the region may have received less precipitation, causing fire danger to be higher in some locations. Residents and visitors are asked to use caution when using equipment or items that can spark a fire. They are also asked to extinguish all campfires, operate ATVS and motorcycles with spark arrestors and to use caution when operating barbeque grills. Residents and visitors are reminded they can be legally responsible for causing wildfires.

A link to the full Wildfire Defense Ordinance can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/ready.

Heavy rainfall, flooding in Schultz Flood Area causes road closures

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County has activated an Emergency Operation Center (EOC) to coordinate emergency response operations due to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding this afternoon in the Schultz Flood area.

County Public Works crews closed Brandis Way due to significant water over the roadway. Debris obstructed one of the culverts, diverting water and debris onto the road and rendering it impassable. Public Works has crews on scene and has begun assessment of the damage and clean-up will commence as soon as it’s safe to enter.

Residents of Brandis Way will not be able to access their homes. The American Red Cross has set-up an evacuation center at Cromer Elementary at 7150 Silver Saddle Rd, Flagstaff.

Several other roads north of Copeland Lane have received flood damage and the County is monitoring that area as well. There is also a report of water in at least one home.

Public Works has a crew on scene and will begin assessment and clean-up of debris as soon as it is safe to enter.

A call center has been opened for people impacted by these closures and in the area to call with questions (928)213-2990.

Multi-Agency Rescue of Injured Hiker at Grand Falls

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FLAGSTAFF — On Monday, July 16 at approximately 7:00 pm multiple agencies responded to rescue an injured hiker at Grand Falls. The 18-year-old female hiker from Flagstaff had descended a route on the west side of Grand Falls with a group. While scrambling out, a hand hold that she was using broke loose causing her to fall approximately 30 feet. The hiker sustained non-life-threatening injuries but was unable to climb out of the area on her own.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office-Search and Rescue Unit, Summit Fire District, Flagstaff Fire Department, Navajo Nation Fire Department, Navajo Nation Police Department, and Arizona Department of Public Safety Northern Air Rescue responded. A Heli-Rescue Technician from the Flagstaff Fire Department boarded the Arizona DPS Air Rescue helicopter and flew to the accident site. The helicopter performed a one-skid landing to allow the crew to access the hiker. The crew carried her back to the helicopter for transport to the parking area. DPS Air Rescue with an additional paramedic from Summit Fire District on board flew the hiker to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind visitors to the Grand Falls area that there may be elevated flows due to the monsoon rains that can make hiking to the base of the falls hazardous. Hikers should be prepared for the conditions and be prepared to change their plans if the conditions do not seem conducive to the activity they planned.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all of the agencies that responded to this incident. The team work and relationships between the public safety agencies contributed to the successful outcome of this call.