Light snow fall for waking Williams

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SantaFe15-12-25-1WILLIAMS — Williams woke up to a light coat of snow which did not prevent the fire department from making the rounds with Santa. The sun burnt off much of the snow before noon and the day remained mostly sunny.
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At Benham trail, youth took advantage of the day off to make some sled runs. On Dogtown road there is still a good pack of snow, but it melts and freezes overnight leaving interesting patches.
Dogtown15-12-24-02Santa Fe is a rare mix of water and a thin coat of ice which captured the morning snow. Some even took time to create some artwork in the snow.SantaFe15-12-25-2All-in-all it was a beautiful day in Williams. That may change overnight, however, as there is a 40% chance of snow today with 20% in the morning and into Saturday night. High winds are predicted with wind chill values of -14-degrees.

Sun is predicted Sunday with snow returning Monday through Tuesday. Currently the weather is predicted to return to sunny Wednesday and beyond.

Love’s can’t get any lower

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800-20151223-loveWILLIAMS — Just when you thought they couldn’t get any lower, Love’s does. They dropped gas prices to $1.99 (and 9 tenths) at 9 a.m. this morning.

Actually I guess they could go lower if they want to. I won’t stop them.

This is welcome news for the Christmas season for visitors to the Grand Canyon, Bearizona, Polar Express and the city dwellers. As of now they appear to be the best price in town.

That’s one great Christmas present, Love’s.

Chance for a White Christmas for Williams

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800weather-rain-01WILLIAMS — The weather this morning was a strange mix of mist, fog and sun. Much of the snow has melted off, but the water is mixing with remaining snow causing slippery conditions. High winds are causing the temperature to remain cooler, but was not cold.

A rainbow even appeared over Williams to the north.
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On South Road, residents experienced a little more rain than in town. Ice formed on the pines along South Road creating a picturesque winter wonderland photo op.
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The weather prediction for this afternoon is 80% chance of snow turning to 60% chance of rain tonight. Wednesday the chance of snow is 40%with a 30% chance overnight. Thursday morning there is a 30% chance of snow through out the day with a 60% overnight.

If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones you used to know, there is a 60% chance fo that on Christmas day Friday. Friday night and Saturday there is a slight chance of snow clearing Sunday through Monday.

New snow accumulation possible over the period is about 3-inches by Thursday with another half-inch on Christmas day.
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Detectives, technology helping ADOT protect customers’ information

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PHOENIX — When the Phoenix Police Department suspected that a man in custody for drug and weapons violations had assumed someone else’s identity, it sought assistance from the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General.

ADOT detectives determined that man’s correct identity, confirmed he’d stolen the identities of two others and found that he was a sex offender who failed to register as required by state law for the past two years. He now faces additional charges of forgery and identity theft as well as having weapons charges upgraded to prohibited-possessor status.

Another recent case involving the Office of the Inspector General started when an application for credentials from ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division raised suspicions. Detectives determined the applicant had fraudulently applied through the use of a stolen identity and also was being investigated by the U.S. State Department for fraudulently obtaining a U.S. passport.

The key in both cases: ADOT investigators, supported by technology such as facial-recognition software, detected identity theft as part of their mission of protected Arizonans’ privacy and information.

“The outstanding investigative skills of the Office of the Inspector General are recognized nationally and internationally,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “The implementation of various technologies like facial recognition and the investigative processes that uncover fraud have furthered the capability of the agency to protect the privacy and personal information of Arizona credential holders.”

These efforts complement those of ADOT Motor Vehicle Division customer service representatives, who are trained to detect forgery and fraud and perform the first checks for discrepancies in application packets. The recent adoption of facial-recognition technology enhances the screening process by allowing checks against customer records in the state’s driver license database, preventing fraudulent attempts to obtain a driver license or identification card.

As Arizona’s main agency issuing a driver license or identification cards, ADOT often is called on to aid local, state and federal law enforcement agencies dealing with cases that may involve forged identification documents and identity theft.

“Detectives with the Office of the Inspector General are highly skilled in conducting cases relating to identification documents, and we’re proud that those skills help agencies beyond ADOT protect Arizonans’ information,” Halikowski said.

ADOT’s Office of the Inspector General conducts investigations into fraudulent activities involving driver license/identification card applications, vehicles sales by licensed/unlicensed dealers, vehicle title/registration and providing investigative support to state, local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Mars Chocolate recalls DOVE® Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes

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Dove-3Mars Chocolate North America Issues Allergy Alert Voluntary Recall on Undeclared Peanuts, Wheat and Egg Ingredient for DOVE® Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes, 24.0 oz. Bag, Sold Only at One Major Retailer with Stores Across the U.S.

Today, Mars Chocolate North America announced a voluntary recall of its DOVE® Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes, 24.0 oz. bag – this is a seasonal item only sold at one major retailer with stores across the U.S.

Item# 10139802 – UPC# 400050521
LOT CODE: 537CG4PA30, 537DG4PA30, 538AG4PA30, 538AM4PA30, 541AG4PA20, 542EM4PA20

This item is a purple 24 oz. bag clearly marked with DOVE® Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes branding on the front of packaging. The code dates and UPC code are located on the back of the packaging on the lower right side.

Approximately 6,700 cases of this item may contain some SNICKERS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX® pieces that contain peanuts, wheat and/or eggs, but these ingredients are not listed on the outer package ingredient label. People who have allergies to peanuts, wheat and/or eggs have the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. No adverse reactions have been reported to date.

This item was shipped and distributed to only one retailer and sold at retail food stores starting September 19, 2015 through December 1, 2015 to the following locations: AZ, GA, MA, MS, OH, VA, CA, IA, MD, NH, OK, VT, CO, IL, ME, NJ, OR, WA, CT, IN, MI, NM, PA, WI, DE, KS, MN, NV, RI, WY, FL, KY, MO, NY and TX.

The issue was identified after a consumer notified Mars Chocolate North America of finding a SNICKERS® piece in this Dove Chocolate Assortment Snowflakes, 24.0 oz. bag.

Mars Chocolate is working with the impacted retailer to ensure that the recalled product is removed from sale. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased this item and have allergy concerns, they should return this product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Consumers with questions or concerns may call our toll-free number at 1-800-551-0907.

Light snow this morning

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SnowLite15-12-20-03WILLIAMS — Williams received a light dusting of snow this morning matching the NOAA forecast of snow before 11 a.m. By 10 a.m. the sun was out making for a fairly warm morning.

The forecast is for the weather to clear off today through Monday night. Tuesday through Thursday the forecast shows snow and rain which brings the possibility of slick sidewalks and icy roads.

There is a chance of a white Christmas with the chance of snow returning on the 25th.

US 60 east of Superior to close briefly for blasting operations Dec. 22

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PHOENIX — Motorists traveling along US 60 between Phoenix and Globe next week need to plan ahead or allow extra time as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues blasting work as part of an improvement project to build a new passing lane and widen roadway shoulders east of Superior, approximately 65 miles east of downtown Phoenix.

The construction of the two-mile-long climbing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233) will require two full closures of US 60 for up to 90 minutes from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22.

There will be no blasting closures scheduled from Christmas Eve through the New Year’s Day holiday weekend. Blasting will resume the week of January 4-8 and traffic alert will be issued at a later date.

Crews will also be working Monday through Wednesday night (Dec. 21-23) from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Pilot cars will be used to guide vehicles through the work zone while crews remove blasting debris. Motorists should plan on up to thirty minute delays.

Traffic on eastbound US 60 will be stopped east of Superior (milepost 227) and traffic on westbound US 60 will be stopped at the Top of the World, west of Miami (milepost 235), until the blasting work is completed and the roadway is reopened after all debris is cleared. Law enforcement officers will be stationed at each closure to assist with traffic control.

Approximately 30 minutes prior to each blast, motorists should be prepared for possible delays and lane closures as crews set concrete barrier prior to each scheduled closure.

Motorists seeking an alternate route can consider state routes 77 and 177, which is approximately 68 miles long. Motorists headed to the White Mountains region, including Show Low and Springerville, can also take State Route 87 through Payson and travel east on State Route 260 as an alternative.

ADOT will work to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work.

There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide-load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used at different times throughout the project.

Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for construction equipment and personnel, and allow extra time for your commute.

Member of Williams Christmas Carol in the cold

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Carole15-12-17-11WILLIAMS — Last night about twenty citizens of the Williams community braved the cold to spread Christmas carols. If they had waited just one more day, it would have been a much warmer night.Carole15-12-17-09Kids and adults still seemed in good spirits as they headed off to share the joy of the season in song.Carole15-12-17-12

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Coconino County Sheriff’s Office to Provide Emergency Preparedness and Response Training to Teens in the Williams, Tusayan and Parks Areas

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coco-sheriff-300pxFLAGSTAFF — The Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Emergency Management will conduct 20 hours of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training for teen-aged citizens who live in or near the above listed areas. The training is offered free of charge and will be held on three Saturdays in January at the Williams Justice Court/Coconino County Sheriff’s Office located at 700 West Railroad Avenue, Williams, Arizona.

The training dates and times are

  1. Saturday, January 9, 2016 8 am to 5 pm
  2. Saturday, January 16, 2016 8 am to 5 pm
  3. Saturday January 23, 2016 8 am to 12 noon

CERT, Community Emergency Response Team grew out of the natural desire to help others during and after a natural disaster. The first people on most scenes after a disaster are survivors who want to help.

The primary objective of Teen CERT is to teach young citizens how to keep themselves, their family members and their fellow students safe before and during a disaster and how to assist them during the aftermath of a disaster. Teens will learn how to best prepare for a disaster and how to assess the scene after a disaster. They will also learn how to conduct a search and rescue operation and how to suppress small fires.

Participants will receive 6 hours of training in disaster medical operations and learn how to conduct injured victim triage. They will learn the Incident Command System and how to communicate with professional emergency responders in the most efficient way possible. Following the training successful participants will be prepared to help when disaster strikes until professional responders arrive.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Jim Driscoll believes teens in Coconino County are an untapped resource and by offering this training the Sheriff’s Office is joining a fast growing national trend to train teens as the next generation of citizens who are prepared for emergencies and natural disasters.

After the training, teens that successfully completed the course will be encouraged to join one of the many CERT Teams that exist in Coconino County. In doing so they will receive additional training and be given the opportunity to assist first responders during emergencies and non-emergencies. Successful participants will be given a CERT backpack with some basic emergency response equipment.

Interested teens who would like more information or who wish to register for this training are asked to call Sergeant James Steng at (928) 679-8735 or (928) 607-6470.