Young hunters wanted for Pintail Slough Youth Waterfowl Camp

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KINGMAN — Young hunters who want to learn all about waterfowl hunting are invited to attend the annual Pintail Slough Junior Waterfowl Camp, sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.

The camp will take place Jan. 5-7, 2024 (hunters check in Jan. 5) at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. The deadline to register is Nov. 10. The event is limited to 18 hunters between ages 12 and 17 (each must be accompanied by an adult). No prior experience is necessary.

All young hunters will learn how to identify, hunt and field-dress waterfowl before putting those skills to use in the Pintail Slough duck blinds.

“If you aren’t getting out, you’re missing out,” said Cody Johnston, wildlife manager supervisor. “This is a great opportunity for parents to get outside with their kids and enjoy the outdoors.”

To request an application, contact Jessica Stephens at jstephens@azgfd.gov, or call AZGFD’s regional office in Kingman at 928-692-7700. A refundable $40 registration fee is required. All participants will be chosen through a random draw and notified by email or telephone.

AZGFD seeks public comment on Notice of Supplemental Proposed Rulemaking

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is seeking to amend the previously published Notice of Proposed Rulemaking within Articles 1, 2, 3, and 6.

The intent of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was to enact amendments developed during the latest Five-year Review Report. After receiving feedback from stakeholders and members of the public, the Commission is removing proposed changes to the use and sale of live baitfish. Amendments to R12-4-314 (Possession, Transportation, or Importation of Aquatic Wildlife) and R12-4-411 (Live Bait Dealers License) are removed from this Notice of Supplemental Proposed Rulemaking.

In addition, the rulemaking clarifies that the use of a pneumatic weapon using bolts or arrows during an archery-only hunting season is limited to persons who possess both a crossbow permit issued under R12-4-216 and a Challenged Access/Mobility Permit (CHAMP) issued under R12-4-217.

The remaining proposed amendments are not affected from the previous comment period. Those amendments are designed to clarify current rule language; protect public health and safety and private property rights; facilitate job growth and economic development; support Fair Chase principles and the tenets of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation; enable the Department to provide better customer service; and reduce regulatory and administrative burdens wherever possible.

Visit www.azgfd.com/about-arizona-game-fish/commission-public-information/rulemaking/, or https://azsos.gov/rules/arizona-administrative-register, to view the Notice of Supplemental Proposed Rulemaking.

Public comments will be accepted through Nov. 6, 2023 by:

Email: rulemaking@azgfd.gov, or msumner@azgfd.gov.
U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Celeste Cook, Rules and Policy Manager, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
Telephone: Michael Sumner, Regional Supervisor (Yuma), 928-341-4040.

The public can submit comments through the Department’s AZGFD Rulemaking Contact Form, as well. The Commission also will be available to receive public input at its Jan. 19 meeting at Department headquarters in Phoenix.

Deputies Fired Upon After While Investigating Domestic Violence with Weapon

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VALLE — On September 14, 2023 at approximately 6:51 am, Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies from the William Substation responded to Valle, for the report of a domestic violence incident involving a weapon.

Deputies responding to the scene found the victim had been assaulted throughout the evening. After Deputies and a Trooper from the Department of Public Safety arrived on scene, they were advised the suspect had fled and was possibly armed.

While searching and securing an associated residence, Deputies were fired upon from a ridge line by an unknown subject with a gun. At this point Deputies pulled back and a perimeter was set up. The Northern Arizona Tactical Team was deployed to the area along with an Arizona Department of Public Safety Helicopter.

Units on scene continue to search the area for the suspect of the initial domestic violence incident. He was identified as Aaron Rose, a 51 year old white male from Valle. He was last seen wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans. Aaron is approximately 5’10” and 170 lbs. He has blonde hair and blue eyes.

Deputies, Officers, Troopers, and Detectives from several Northern Arizona Law Enforcement agencies continued to search for Aaron Rose throughout the day on Thursday. Later that evening, at approximately 10:00 PM, CCSO received a call from a resident in the Valle area advising they had Aaron Rose held at gunpoint at their property. Deputies immediately responded and were able to take Mr. Rose into custody without incident.

Mr. Rose was transported to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office where he was interviewed by Detectives. Mr. Rose was later booked into the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility in Flagstaff for Aggravated Assault (with a deadly weapon/dangerous instrument) and Burglary.

2023 SET Exercise to Test Skills and Emergency Preparedness for Amateur radio

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The SET is ARRL’s annual national emergency exercise designed to assess the skills and preparedness of Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) volunteers, as well as those affiliated with other organizations involved in emergency and disaster responses. The SET is open to all radio amateurs and partner organizations, in addition to national, state, and local officials. Besides ARES volunteers, those active in the National Traffic System (NTS), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), National Weather Service’s SKYWARN® Storm Spotter program, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and a variety of other allied groups and public service-oriented radio amateurs are needed to fulfill important roles in this nationwide exercise.

During the exercise, volunteers can assess equipment, modes, and skills under simulated emergency conditions and scenarios. Individuals can use the time to update a go-kit for use during deployments and to ensure their home station’s operational capability during an emergency or disaster.

SET guidelines can be found here. To get involved, contact your local ARRL Emergency Coordinator or Net Manager.

Delays on SR 87 for pavement work September 21

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for lane restrictions on State Route 87 from just south of the State Route 260 junction to Clints Well (Lake Mary Road) beginning Thursday, September 21, through the end of October.

Drivers should allow extra travel time while the following daytime restrictions are in place from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 6 a.m. to noon on Fridays:

  • SR 87 will be narrowed to one lane only with alternating north- and southbound travel between mileposts 277 – 291.
  • On-site flaggers and a pilot car will guide drivers through the work zone.
  • Expect delays entering and exiting from forest roads.
  • A 10-foot vehicle width restriction will be in place Mondays through Thursdays. Wide loads can be accommodated on Fridays.
  • The speed limit will be reduced in the work zone.

Crews will return in spring 2024 to complete final, permanent striping of the roadway.

This project is part of a $90.5 million dollar allocation for highway pavement repairs initiated after a record amount of snow and rain this past winter that created ideal conditions for worn sections of pavement and potholes to form.

For additional information, contact Community Relations Project Manager Jason Stephens at jstephens@azdot.gov or 480.751.7104.

ADOT conducting public survey about I-17 speed limit in Phoenix

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has launched a public survey to gather input about the speed limit along a stretch of Interstate 17 in Phoenix, in accordance with a new state law.

ADOT has commissioned an independent study to determine an appropriate speed limit for I-17 between the I-10 “Split” interchange near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Peoria Avenue. The speed limit for that part of I-17 is currently 55 mph.

You can take part in the online survey from now through Saturday, Sept. 30, at https://tinyurl.com/I-17speedlimits; by email at projects@azdot.gov); and by phone at 1.855.712.8530. Comments also can be mailed to: I-17 Speed Limit Study, ADOT Community Relations, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007.

The speed study follows passage of legislation (SB 1102) that calls for a minimum speed limit of 65 mph on any interstate highway in counties with a population of 3 million or more people.

SB 1102 also stipulates that a lower speed limit can be set if certain conditions are met, including:

  • A lower limit is deemed necessary based on an independent engineering study or roadway assessment.
  • The overall system capacity and mobility along the freeway will not be reduced.
  • An opportunity for public input is provided.

The I-17 speed limit study is scheduled for completion in mid-October.

Public Input Sought for Amendments to County Dark Sky Ordinance

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors is asking for the public’s input into proposed amendments to the County’s Outdoor Lighting Standards Zoning Ordinance, commonly known as the Dark Sky Ordinance. These amendments were recommended by the County’s Community Development staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission after recent studies suggested the Ordinance be brought up to date with current lighting technology, and to mirror standards already implemented by the City of Flagstaff.
The significant amendments to the Ordinance include:

  • Reducing the three current lighting zones around observatories to two zones.
  • Changing the preferred lighting source from outdated low-pressure sodium bulbs to Narrow-Spectrum Amber LED’s.
  • While any previously permitted lighting remains valid, any 25% increase in use, new development, or lumens on existing residential property will require compliance with the new standards.

Before the next work session or public hearing, the Board would like to hear comment from County residents regarding these proposed amendments. Members of the public can view the proposed changes to the ordinance and comment here: https://coconinocounty.konveio.com/draft-dark-sky-ordinance

“As we’ve seen, dark skies are a resource to Coconino County, not only for our observatories but also for recreation,” commented Chair Jeronimo Vasquez. “It’s great to see new amendments to our standards for lighting in the County and I look forward to our next public hearing.”

Since a cooperative land use planning effort between the County, City of Flagstaff, Naval Observatory, and Arizona Army National Guard Camp Navajo was implemented in 2019, each partner has been tasked with upgrading their respective outdoor lighting standards to ensure consistency, to move away from obsolete technologies, and modernize measurement of absolute lumens to account for increased use of LED lighting.

The County’s ordinance, in place since the early 1980’s, was originally developed to minimize what is known as “light trespass” across private property lines but has also been utilized to minimize light pollution that disrupts observations of the night sky. Coconino County is home to multiple observatory sites, including Lowell Observatory and the United States Naval Observatory, which rely on consistent dark sky conditions to conduct their observations.

Williams celebrates Loss of Essential Liberty day.

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Commentary by Glen Davis

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WILLIAMS — On September 3rd, the city of Williams celebrated communism with fireworks to beat the band. They are following that up by celebrating Loss of Essential Liberty day, known euphemistically as Patriots day, with a Patriots Day parade.

The communist that started labor unions back in the 1800s could not have imagined how successful their campaign would be. In 1913 comrade Woodrow Wilson signed in the holiday that the Communist had been working for for years. That holiday was Labor Day. You know, as in workers of the world unite.

Move to the Future in 2001. September 11th when the world trade center came tumbling down. Magically, mystically a plan of over 4,000 pages appeared in Congress in October. That’s the Patriot act was born under the Bush regime. A plan that created the Department of Homeland Security that cannot seem to control the border.

I have not received a schedule for September 17th, but I imagine that will be a blow out! It will probably start with churches holding prayer services, followed by a solemn ceremony at William’s Memorial Park.

After that, Buckskinner park will be the place to go for the huge barbecue event with games and prizes. Visit the carnival along Railroad Avenue. You can probably even visit the Grand Canyon for free on that day.

Just after dark, prepare yourselves for a fireworks display that will dwarf that on “Labor” day weekend. At least 45-minutes long but probably over an hour. Don’t forget to watch your animals and keep them safe! But before that will be a parade of lights for… For…

What? you ask. You are asking what September 17 is? You are kidding, right? Why, that is Constitution day. The day we celebrate the ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America. It is printed on your calendar, isn’t it? Mexican independence day is.

National Archives
National Constitution Center

Arizona’s Coal Combustion Residuals Rulemaking virtual meeting

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ADEQ is holding a virtual meeting for stakeholders of the Arizona Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rulemaking to discuss the draft rule. The presentation will focus on how the draft CCR rule addresses protection of groundwater, dam safety, permitting, and public participation.

Arizona’s CCR Program Rulemaking
Date: Sept. 19, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
Online | Register via GoToWebinar >

We are working on rules that will allow us to establish and operate a CCR permitting program for Arizona. This program will undergo approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency so that Arizona will be authorized to operate it in lieu of the federal program. To learn more, visit our Coal Combustion Residuals Rulemaking web page.

How to Submit Comments or Feedback

Submit comments online >

Questions?

Contact our Waste Programs Rulemaking team | Email >

Arizona Game and Fish Commission to meet September 8 in Greer

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The next public meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be Friday, September 8, at the Greer Community Center, 74 Main Street, in Greer, Ariz.

The meeting begins at 8 a.m.

A complete agenda and more information on viewing the meeting, or speaking to the commission, can be found at www.azgfd.com/commagenda.