ADOT management of state vehicle fleet saves taxpayers $6 million

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has saved taxpayers more than $6 million since taking over the management of fleet vehicles for more than 60 state agencies beginning in 2021.

The concept was first championed by Senator T.J. Shope (R-LD 8) and included in the overall state budget package approved by Governor Doug Ducey at the close of the 2021 legislative session. It gave ADOT the authority to consolidate the fleet and the agency began implementing standardized best management practices that reduce duplication, cut costs and improve processes. These practices align with the Arizona Management System introduced by the Governor in 2015.

With this consolidation, the state fleet operations follow the same uniform guidelines, including purchasing and preventative maintenance.

“The fleet consolidation effort is a win-win for taxpayers and the state,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “We are already witnessing savings by reducing the size of the state’s fleet, ordering in bulk and selling vehicles online. We are creating uniform guidelines and processes that will maximize resources and provide improved service to customers.”

To date, this effort has achieved a number of specific results:

  • Reduced underutilized assets including sedans, minivans, half-ton pickups and SUVs, saving more than $6 million.
  • Implemented a standardized vehicle replacement system.
  • Moved preventative maintenance schedules from 6,000 miles to 8,000 miles while following manufacturers’ guidelines.
  • Implemented a cost-savings statewide fleet tire policy.
  • Sold more than 1,000 vehicles for other state agencies since March 2020 and received on average 15% above Blue Book value.
  • Maximized vehicle replacement savings by leveraging the state’s vehicle order size.

For more information: azdot.gov

Fire managers to begin prescribed fire near Williams

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WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest fire managers are planning to conduct a prescribed fire near the Williams starting Wednesday, April 20 and continuing through the week, pending favorable weather conditions. The Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project is located just north of Interstate 40, the City of Williams, and Kaibab Lake Campground, west of State Route 64.

Crews are aiming to treat up to 2500 acres total, burning 400 to 1000-acre units at a time. They will start at the northeast end of the project area between Forest Road 796 (Pipeline Rd) and Kaibab Lake, working their way west and south. Area residents can expect to see and hear a helicopter in the area, as fire managers plan to conduct aerial ignitions on portions of the burn.

By planning this project now, fire managers can take advantage of the forecast for cooler temperatures, higher humidity and favorable winds. In advance of operations, crews identified and prepared various features that they’ll utilize during their burn such as existing roads, dozer lines, and open spaces and natural breaks surrounding and throughout the units. Ignitions are scheduled to begin early in the day to allow most of the smoke to disperse before nightfall. Firefighters will remain on site through the night monitoring fire and smoke behavior.

Smoke will be highly noticeable from Interstate 40, State Route 64, H.A. Clark Memorial Field airport, Kaibab Lake, Valle, Parks, and the City of Williams. During the day, smoke will disperse northeast away from the city, and the continued breezes overnight will help minimize the amount of residual smoke that settles in low-lying areas around the community.

No closures are planned as part of this project. However, motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened awareness when in the vicinity of active project areas.

Prescribed fires like the Three Sisters Project are part of the Forest Service’s comprehensive 10-year strategy for protecting communities and improving resilience in America’s forests. The intent of the Wildfire Management Strategy is to increase fuels treatments that help firefighters respond safely to incidents, restore and maintain resilient landscapes, and create fire-adapted communities. The plan calls for treating up to an additional 20 million acres of National Forest System lands, and up to an additional 30 million acres of other federal, state, tribal and private lands.

Police investigate homicide in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF –- On March 20th, 2022, at approximately 1:00 AM, Police responded to 2 N. Leroux, Collins Irish Bar for a report of a large crowd physically fighting which turned into a shooting.

When they arrived, officers located a subject in the street who had been shot. The victim was later identified as 26-year-old Frankie James Jackson, of Flagstaff.

The shooter was taken into custody and identified as 26-year-old Treysean Michael Anthony Ware of Flagstaff. Witnesses indicated that an altercation between Treysean and Frankie took place outside of Collin’s where Treysean pulled a gun on Frankie and shot him twice. Frankie was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Treysean has been arrested on charges of 2nd Degree Homicide, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon and drug charges. This investigation is ongoing; however we are not actively seeking any additional suspects. There were no additional injuries reported in this altercation.

Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — On March 17, 2022, at approximately 11:01 p.m., Flagstaff Police responded to the 3400 block of E. Route 66 regarding a collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian. Upon arrival officers located a male in the roadway with serious head injuries and began providing emergency medical aid until medical personnel arrived. The male was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for continuing emergency care and was pronounced deceased. The decedent is identified as Riley Belone, 45, of Flagstaff.

Flagstaff Police Collision Reconstruction investigators were called to the scene for investigative and evidence collection purposes. Investigators learned the vehicle was traveling eastbound on E Route 66 behind an uninvolved vehicle in the curb lane when they observed the vehicle in the curb lane take evasive action to avoid an obstruction in the roadway, which was determined to be Mr. Belone. The driver involved in the crash reported changing lanes to the left lane and was unable to avoid striking Mr. Belone as he was in the left lane. Information provided on scene indicates Mr. Belone was crossing E. Route 66 from the south sidewalk just east of the N Park Drive intersection when he was struck in the left travel lane. The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash remained on scene and was cooperative during the initial investigation.

This fatal collision is currently under investigation as investigators work to determine if speed or any other factors contributed to the cause of the collision.

US 93 widening, SR 89A improvements among northern Arizona highway projects starting this year

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FLAGSTAFF – Expect additional highway improvements in northern Arizona this year as the Arizona Department of Transportation prepares to kick off projects along northern Arizona highways in 2022.

Among the most significant projects is the widening of US 93 just north of Wickenburg. The project will widen US 93 to a four-lane divided highway between Tegner Street and Wickenburg Ranch Way. This project is anticipated to be advertised this spring with construction anticipated to start before the end of the year. This continues ADOT’s decades-long effort to convert the entire stretch of US 93 from Wickenburg to the Nevada state line to a divided highway, improving safety.

Starting this year, ADOT will improve safety along SR 89A in Oak Creek Canyon by combining three projects into one in order to better coordinate traffic impacts. These projects include rockfall mitigation, erosion control and rehabilitating the Pumphouse Wash Bridge. Drivers can expect restrictions and closures over the life of the project. ADOT will keep stakeholders informed of upcoming restrictions as we work to improve SR 89A.

In the spring, ADOT will start a bridge improvement project on the Interstate 40 A-1 Mountain interchange in Flagstaff. Crews will replace the bridge thereby extending the life of the interchange for the local community. A 40-day closure of A-1 Mountain Road over I-40 is scheduled for later this year as part of the project. ADOT will maintain access to the north of I-40 through detours and send notification in advance along with detour route information.

Later this year, ADOT will administer a long-awaited local project to build a traffic interchange at I-40 and Rancho Santa Fe Parkway in Kingman. The interchange will provide local access, accommodate current and future growth in east Kingman and alleviate congestion at the Andy Devine Avenue exit.

Southbound I-17 south of Flagstaff will receive new pavement this year undoing years of damage from winter weather. The project to replace pavement will stretch from Flagstaff south to milepost 312 at the Coconino County line. This same section of highway in the northbound direction was repaved a few years ago.

Also, crews will return to complete the following projects that started last year:

  • The replacement of I-40 bridges over Business 40 in west Flagstaff
  • Paving of 10 miles on I-40 between I-17 and Walnut Canyon Road in east Flagstaff
  • Paving of 11 miles of US 60 and SR 260 in Show Low
  • The replacement of I-40 bridges at Pineveta Draw near Ash Fork

Crews will also continue installing fiber optic conduit along I-17 south of Flagstaff to bring broadband internet to rural Arizona communities. A new project placing conduit from the McGuireville Rest Area south to the community of Anthem will begin this year.

Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested

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FLAGSTAFF – On January 26, 2022, at approximately 1:20 PM, an armed robbery occurred at the Mobile gas Station at 2484 E Butler Avenue. A woman, later identified as Hertecia Anderson of Cottonwood, AZ, entered the store and donned a black ski mask. She demanded the clerk’s money from the register while brandishing a handgun towards the clerks. One of the clerks was complying with the demands, and another clerk tackled her. They attempted to detain her, but she broke free and ran across the street. When police arrived, she was located and arrested at the Sinclair Truck Stop (Little America).

Upon further investigation, the handgun was later determined to be a BB gun, which had a realistic appearance. Out of concern for her safety she was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for evaluation of a prior medical condition. The Flagstaff Police Department Criminal Investigation Division is not seeking any additional suspects at this time.

Free-use fuelwood available near Schultz Pass

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest is currently offering free-use fuelwood in an area near Schultz Pass, as part of the leftover slash and woody material from previous timber operations.
The fuelwood piles consist of various lengths and sizes of wood, so caution is greatly advised when collecting. The staging areas consists of loosely packed dirt and may become muddy and rutted with precipitation, so high clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended.

Free-use permits can be obtained by calling the Flagstaff Ranger Station at 928-526-0866. The free permits allow the cutting of up to five cords of down and dead wood in specified areas for no charge. A maximum of five cords per household per year is allowed under free use.

The Coconino National Forest provides firewood for personal use both on a free-use permit and paid permit basis. Both cases require a permit acquired by anyone harvesting firewood on the National Forest.

The free-use area map displays the location, which is in the Schultz Pass area on Forest Service Road 420 near the junction of FR 420 and 556.

Directions to access free-use area
There are two routes possible:

  1. From U.S. Highway 180, head east on E. Mount Elden Lookout Road (Forest Road 557) and proceed up Schultz Pass Road (FR 420) for approximately 5 miles and continue past the junction of Elden Springs Road (FR 556). Just past the junction you will see a road veering off of FR 420 toward the large piles of wood. This is the area.
  2. From U.S. Highway 89, head west on Elden Springs Road (FR 556) for approximately 4.5 miles until you reach the junction of Schultz Pass Road (FR 420). Take a right on FR 420 and follow it for approximately 100 yards, where a road veers off of FR 420 toward the large piles of wood. This is the slash area.

Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Provencio moving on

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WILLIAMS — Forest Supervisor Heather Provencio’s time on the Kaibab National Forest has come to an end. However, her story with the Forest Service Southwestern Region will continue as Heather moves to her new role: Special Assistant to the Regional Forester. Her experience and skills in natural resource management, as well as her commitment to relationships and collaboration, make Heather the perfect fit for this position where she will be leading special efforts for the region such as Infrastructure Bill implementation and regional strategic planning.

Provencio joined the Kaibab in October 2015. She has since worked diligently to improve forest health and restore fire-adapted ecosystems through efforts such as the Bill Williams Mountain Project, Four Forest Restoration Initiative, and reintroducing fire on a landscape scale. Provencio’s first job with the Forest Service was in 1985 as a firefighter on the Chevelon Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, and she has since served in many leadership roles throughout the agency.

“Although my career has taken me to wonderful locations across the country, my heart belongs to the Southwest. I am thrilled that my next adventure allows me to continue serving the communities of Region 3,” says Provencio. “At the same time, it is with a heavy heart that I move on from the Kaibab. It has been my pleasure and honor to work with so many forest staff and partners who share my passion for public lands and managing this special landscape. Although I will miss the forest, I feel comforted knowing I’m leaving it in good hands.”

A permanent Forest Supervisor is expected to be on board in early 2022. In the interim, Diane Taliaferro will serve as the Acting Forest Supervisor. Taliaferro comes to the Kaibab from the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire where she is the Deputy Forest Supervisor. Diane is no stranger to the Southwestern Region and Kaibab National Forest. She spent 10 years in the region, working on the Santa Fe and Gila National Forests as well as at the Southwestern Regional Office, during which she frequented northern Arizona for both work and pleasure.

Provencio’s last day with the Kaibab is Friday November 5 and Taliaferro will begin as Acting Forest Supervisor Monday, November 8.

AZGFD to discontinue selling Community Fishing licenses beginning January 1

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has announced it will no longer offer Community Fishing licenses for sale beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

Over roughly the last eight years, the hugely popular Community Fishing Program (CFP) has expanded from 21 waters to 49 waters, which are located in 23 communities throughout the state. All CFP waters are stocked by AZGFD with trout, catfish, or a few other species, depending on time of year.

Anglers who want to fish CFP waters in 2022 will either need to have a General Fishing license or Combination Hunt/Fish license, or purchase one once their Community Fishing license expires in 2022.

“General Fishing and Combination Hunt/Fish licenses offer greater value than the Community Fishing license alone,” said Aquatic Wildlife Branch Chief Julie Carter. “Anglers not only get the increased opportunities of the expanded CFP, but also the opportunity to fish nearly 80 other public waters in Arizona that are regularly stocked by AZGFD as well as the other streams and lakes throughout the state with self-sustaining sport fish populations.”

Community Fishing licenses can still be purchased through Dec. 31, 2021 and are valid for one year from date of purchase at designated CFP waters.

Anglers who had typically purchased Community Fishing licenses have been moving over to General or Combo licenses in recent years. Since 2014, Community Fishing license sales have declined by over 80%.

Residents pay only $37 for a General Fishing license ($55 for nonresidents) as opposed to $24 for the Community Fishing license, and have fishing privileges at all public waters in Arizona, including CFP waters. Combination Hunt/Fish licenses are $57 for residents and $160 for nonresidents.

Fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors with family and friends and can also help reduce a family’s food costs, especially now that the prices for food and other goods have increased. A $37 fishing license that is valid for 365 days costs roughly the same as 5 pounds of store-bought catfish fillets ($7.49/lb), or 3.5 pounds of trout fillets ($10.99/lb). It could easily pay for itself with a single day of fishing.

For more information about the Community Fishing Program, visit https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/community/.

2022 spring hunt draw results now available

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has released the draw results for 2022 spring hunts for turkey, javelina, bison and bear, and raptor capture.

AZGFD portal accounts now are the sole source for finding out draw results and viewing bonus points. Customers can create a free portal account (family account features are now available) at accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register. Draw results no longer will be provided through the automated phone system.

A portal account allows customers to create a secure account where they can view and manage their contact information, as well as their licenses, draw results history and bonus points in their personal “My AZGFD Dashboard” section. For questions about creating a portal account, call the department at 602-942-3000 and press “7.”

By the numbers:

  • 31,789: The total number of hunt permit-tags issued.
  • 63,918: The total number of those who applied for hunts or bonus points.
  • 45,460: The total number of applications submitted.

All hunt permit-tags are expected to be mailed by December 3.