Endangered Mount Graham red squirrel shows promising rebound

Posted on by

PHOENIX — Three years after their habitat was nearly wiped out by the 2017 Frye Fire in the Pinaleño Mountains of southeastern Arizona, an annual survey of the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel shows an exciting and notable increase in their population.

The annual survey, conducted jointly by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), Coronado National Forest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Arizona Center for Nature Conservation – Phoenix Zoo, and the University of Arizona, resulted in a minimum estimate of 109 squirrels. This is the first time the population has returned to the triple digits since they were severely impacted by the Frye Fire.

In 2016, there were an estimated 252 squirrels. Immediately following the Frye Fire estimates dropped to a mere 33 individuals. Typical ranges since 2000 fall between 200 and 300 squirrels.

“Mount Graham red squirrels have faced some significant, daunting challenges since their habitat was severely damaged by the Frye Fire,” said Tim Snow, AZGFD terrestrial wildlife specialist. “The data suggests that while the fire was devastating to red squirrel habitat and their overall population, this is truly a resilient species.

“Even though much work still must be done to help conserve and protect this squirrel to ensure its continued recovery, seeing this growth is extremely promising and a signal that our conservation efforts are working.”

This annual red squirrel survey consisted of visiting all known middens, which are areas where red squirrels store or cache their cones. Activity at these middens is used to estimate the population size.

“The squirrels are teaching us about their resiliency and how they respond to altered and even devastated habitat,” said Jeff Humphrey, USFWS Arizona Ecological Services field supervisor. “The survey results are a ray of hope in our partnership efforts to address their post-fire habitat needs.”

The subspecies was listed as endangered in 1987. Mount Graham red squirrels live only in the upper elevation conifer forests of the Pinaleño Mountains and feed primarily on conifer seeds. This subspecies is highly territorial and has lower reproductive rates than red squirrels in other locations.

“The Safford Ranger District is pleased to see an upward trend in numbers for the Mount Graham red squirrel,” said George Garcia, Safford District Ranger for the Coronado National Forest. “This is very encouraging as we move forward in working with our partners and community in ensuring the long-term health and resiliency of the squirrel. We work together to actively manage and restore forest conditions for the benefit of all the species on Mount Graham.”

Long-term impacts to Mount Graham red squirrels and their habitat include high-intensity wildfires and associated insect infestations, possible competition with Abert’s squirrels and poor cone crops caused by drought, all of which influence population size. Biologists continue to explore new methods to conserve and protect the species, including continued squirrel research, developing long-term forest management strategies across the fire-impacted landscape such as re-seeding and planting coniferous trees, and a managed care breeding program.

Wet weather does not dampen voting

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — The drizzly weather did not seem to dampen the voting spirit in Williams as those who did not vote early went to the polls to cast their ballots. Isolated showers are expected to continue throughout the day.

Tomorrow and Thursday it is expected to be sunny with highs to the low 70s. Friday it will be breezy and cooler with snow expected over the weekend.

Today will end a particularly contentious election season. In addition Arizona will vote on whether or not to make recreational marijuana legal and to raise taxes for schools. Recreational marijuana was defeated last election and will probably be defeated this time around.

Coconino NF to sell limited number of Christmas tree permits

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest began selling a limited number of Christmas tree permits online on October 15, and permit owners will be allowed to begin cutting Nov. 16 through December 24.

A total of 1,050 permits will be available for purchase on the Coconino NF Christmas Tree Recreation.gov webpage, which also lists details about designated cutting areas, maps, dates, and types of trees that may be cut.

Two hundred permits will be designated for the cutting areas within the Flagstaff Ranger District, while 850 permits will be designated for the cutting areas within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. A small amount of over-the-counter permits may be available in late November, but are not available currently since all permits are being sold online starting tomorrow.

When purchasing a permit online, it is important to carefully read the overview and need-to-know information prior to purchasing. Visitors will also need to set up or login to a Recreation.gov account to complete the transaction. Permits will be issued one per household on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out.

Many other national forests are also selling Christmas tree permits online for their forests. To find out if online Christmas tree permits are available in your neck of the woods, visit www.recreation.gov and search for “Christmas Tree Permits” to pull up a list of all the national forests that are participating.

Horse Fire in Bradshaw Mountains near Crown King started Thursday.

Posted on by

PRESCOTT — The Horse Fire, 7-miles NW of Crown King and 18 miles south of Prescott in the Prescott National Forest grew 3,500 acres over this evening. The fire started Thursday and the cause is under investigation.

Airtankers and helicopters were essential in slowing the spread of the fire as firefighters gained access. The fire is in a remote section of the forest with steep, rugged terrain. The strategy for the Horse fire is full suppression as crews continue to use aircraft to slow the rate of spread and scout for holding features to use as containment lines.

Goodwin, Senator Highway at Palace Station, and County Road 59 from Cleator have been closed.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Code Red ‘Go’ for the communities of Crown King, Minnehaha, Horsethief Cabins and any private inholdings in and around the fire area. There are evacuations currently in effect. For information on the Code Red alerts issued you can visit the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for updates or call (928) 771-3321 or to sign up for Code Red notifications visit Yavapai County Code Red Notification.

Christine Stamper Center for Help & Hope open with limited services October 23

Posted on by

Christine Stamper sleeping area.

BULLHEAD CITY — The 57-bed Legacy Foundation Christine Stamper Center for Help and Hope, a homeless and day resource center serving Bullhead City and the surrounding area, will open with limited services under strict health and safety protocols for individuals and families experiencing homelessness beginning Oct. 21.

At full operation, the 10,000-plus square foot facility will offer overnight rest, relief, basic necessities, case management and health services with the ability to shelter 57 individuals each night. Private rooms will be available for families and veterans.

“Catholic Charities has been monitoring state and local data and predictive models to ensure a safe and healthy opening with a phased approach, which has begun. The shelter will remain at limited capacity while COVID-19 still remains a risk,”said Cathy Peterson, Executive Director of the Northern Arizona Region of Catholic Charities. “In the meantime, we know how important it is to provide these critical services, resources and support to the community.”

A family has already moved into one of the three units designated for families. A second family is scheduled to move in the week of Oct. 21. “Because of the need for social distancing, we are keeping occupancy to two families at this time,” Peterson said.

Day services will be provided two days a week (Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) beginning October 23 and expanded to three days a week, including Mondays, on November 4. Day services include access to laundry facilities, showers, restrooms, lunches and meetings with case managers as needed.

Dinners will be served three nights a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4-5:30 p.m.) beginning November 11 and expanded to all five weeknights on November 23.

In December, staggered overnight stays will begin for veterans and individuals with appropriate distancing protocols.

Family Center and Play area.

STRICT SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE IN PLACE

“We have done a lot of work to ensure that this phased, limited opening will be as safe as possible. Homelessness is a growing issue in the community, and unfortunately, this pandemic is likely to be a long-term challenge,” Peterson said. “Our staff members have done a great job of pivoting to ensure they were still providing critical outreach while we worked to figure out this plan, and we look forward to serving the community to a greater extent.”

Masks and social distancing will be required for everyone and congregating in groups outside the shelter is strictly prohibited

Other protocols include:

• On arrival, all clients will be screened for potential COVID-19 symptoms, temperatures will be taken and needs will be assessed under a pop-up tent outside the building.
• Once screened, no more than 15 individuals will be allowed in the shelter at a time. Lingering will not be allowed. Once a client is screened and uses the services they need, they must exit the building.
• Only two volunteers will be allowed in the shelter at a time and they will be assigned to the kitchen to assist with meal preparation and delivery.
• Staff will conduct multiple deep cleaning and sanitizing throughout the day and after use by each client.
• Three ultra-violet (UV) light sanitation systems will be used each night.
• The facility also will use the open-air patio in the back of building as needed.

Outreach services, including delivering hygiene supplies, food, water and other resources will continue, Peterson said, adding that nearby North Country Health Care has agreed to provide COVID-19 testing as needed for both clients and staff members.

Additional donations for the Legacy Foundation Christine Stamper Center for Help & Hope in the 1500 block of Oatman Road can be made online at www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/donate-to-BHC. Additional information about shelter services, along with a video tour of the shelter, can be found at www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/bhc-shelter.

Commission supports expanded hunting opportunities on national wildlife refuges

Posted on by

AZGFD website details amended state regulations on four refuges

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently approved amendments in support of new federal guidelines that expand hunting opportunities on four national wildlife refuges in southern Arizona.

The amendments, unanimously passed by the Commission during a public meeting Sept. 25 in Greer, broaden opportunities to hunt several species of small game, migratory birds and predators/furbearers for the 2020-2021 seasons at the following wildlife refuges: Cabeza Prieta, Cibola, Buenos Aires and Leslie Canyon.

For complete details about the amended Arizona hunting regulations, visit:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently expanded hunting opportunities on national wildlife refuges for the 2020-2021 seasons. Hunting opportunities are authorized and provided on USFWS-managed lands in accordance with federal, state and tribal (where applicable) regulations and seasons.

Route 66 On-The-Air again

Posted on by

Route 66 is on the air.

FLAGSTAFF — Once again the amateur radio operators along Route 66 take to the air waves for the annual Route 66 On-The-Air event. Amateur radio operators, also known as “Hams,” will try to make contacts with other amateur operators from around the world. The event runs from 5 p.m. this Friday, September 11 until 3 p.m. Sunday, September 20 MST.

Glen Davis, KG7YDJ, on the air in Bellemont in 2019.

Amateur radio operators conduct contests and events throughout the year to test equipment by trying to make as many contacts as possible in a specified amount of time. Operators who make contact with all of the Route 66 stations can receive a “QSL” card from each. When they are put together, they make a map of Route 66.

Ron Gerlack and Andrew Gissel WA7DPS work Route 66 On-The-Air in Bellemont last year.

Some of the stations are stationary at the homes of various amateur radio operators and some are rovers that go to different places along Route 66. In the Flagstaff area, Ron Gerlack KG7OH of the Northern Arizona DX Association—the amateur radio club that works the event—takes the Coconino Amateur Radio Club trailer with various amateur radio equipment to various locations along Route 66. The call sign for this roaming station is W6T.

In the past, Ron has set up at Williams, Bellemont, the Grand Canyon Caverns, Twin Arrows, Seligman and a number of other places. This year he plans to set up at Bellemont, again, and along the “S” curve in Parks, Arizona.

At Twin Arrows in 2018.

Habitat for Humanity wall raising Saturday

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — Habitat for Humanity is hosting a Dedication and Wall Raising on Saturday, August 15th at 8:30 a.m. for the Windham family house. The site is 910 Hereford Drive in Williams.

Attendees can congratulate the family and leave a “Forever Message” on the newly raised wall. Anyone wishing to help further can stay and help paint the siding and trim until 3:30. Lunch will be served.

Pop Sensations Jason Derulo & Rachel Platten to Headline the MI Charitable Foundation’s Annual Summer Concert

Posted on by

GRATZ, Pa. – Featuring chart-topping singer-songwriters Jason Derulo and Rachel Platten, the MI Charitable Foundation’s sixth annual summer concert will be streamed online Saturday, August 15, from 8-10 pm EST.

This is a free event with opportunities for viewers to donate if they choose. All funds raised will benefit the MI Foundation’s local, regional, and national beneficiaries. Additionally, MI Windows and Doors will be matching all donations dollar-for-dollar up to the first $100,000.

“We are elated to have Jason Derulo and Rachel Platten performing this year,” MI Windows CEO Matt DeSoto said. “They’re both fantastic singers and great performers.”

A Florida native, Derulo has 11 platinum singles to his credit, including “Whatcha Say,” a 2009 hit that reached No. 1 in the U.S. During his decade-long career, he has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, and many other pop music superstars.

Platten, whose 2015 hit, “Fight Song,” reached No. 6 on the American charts, won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2016 for her live performance on “Good Morning America.” She has also appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The X Factor,” and “American Idol.”

“Smooth Like Clyde,” a popular group out of Harrisburg, Pa., that has been called the top cover band in Central Pennsylvania by multiple outlets, is also going to perform. Additionally, the concert will feature inspirational videos from some of the MI Foundation’s beneficiaries, including Homes for Our Troops, Four Diamonds, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“When we first started planning the 2020 summer concert, we had no idea that we wouldn’t be meeting in person,” DeSoto says. “But I think we’ve put together a fantastic program – one that will give our team members, customers, suppliers, and friends from around the country a chance to learn about the many wonderful causes the MI Foundation supports. And we think it will be a lot of fun, too.”

Update on Flagstaff inmate death July 31

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – Next of kin notification has been confirmed by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. The inmate, who died on July 31, is 32-year-old David Depoe whose last address is unknown. The autopsy and cause of death results are still pending by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Mr. Depue was arrested by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and was being held in-custody on a $50,000 bond for 4-Counts of Felony Theft, Felony Criminal Trespass, Felony Burglary, Misdemeanor Driving with Suspended License and Misdemeanor Fictitious Plate.

Initially it was reported that Mr. Depue had refused to answer any medical related questions asked by our Officers while at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Temporary Holding Facility in Page, Arizona. Upon review and further clarification Mr. Depue did answer questions related to COVID-19 contact and the Officer Initiated Medical Pre-Screening form. Mr. Depue did not disclose any medical or health related issues. When Officers noticed the cut on his finger, Mr. Depue stated he was aware of the cut, did not want any treatment for it, believed it to be infected and stated he treats his own wounds.

As stated in a prior media release, medical staff refused the acceptance of Mr. Depue into the holding facility until he was medically cleared for the cut on his finger by a medical facility. It has been confirmed that Mr. Depue did refuse to be treated while at the Page Hospital and when ultimately accepted into the holding facility, Mr. Depue continued to refuse to allow Officers to check vital signs or answer questions when our Officers attempted to get further health history. On July 30, Mr. Depue advised our Officers that he was not feeling well during two different times while they had contact with him. When our Officers asked him, what was wrong and tried to check his vitals he refused to answer and refused the vital check and said he was fine.

On July 31, while on the transport from Page to the Flagstaff Detention Facility, our transport Officer’s noticed that Mr. Depue may have been experiencing anxiety or panic like behavior and advised Mr. Depue to take deep breaths and try to relax. Shortly after that, Mr. Depue was not visible by the Officers so they pulled over and notified dispatch and asked for medics to respond. When one of the Officers went around to open the door to where Mr. Depue was sitting, the Officer said it appeared that Mr. Depue was having a seizure. While the Officer was trying to assess Mr. Depue and communicate with him, Mr. Depue went unresponsive and appeared to no longer be breathing. While the Officer was attempting to find a pulse, medics arrived on scene and the Officer advised that Mr. Depue was not breathing. Medics took Mr. Depue out of the van and began life saving measures to include CPR. Mr. Depue was then transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) by medics.

The prior media release stated a deputy at FMC advised that Mr. Depue had undergone surgery. Upon further clarification by the Officer and FMC medical staff, Mr. Depue did not have surgery. When medics arrived at FMC, Mr. Depue was moved immediately into a room where medical staff continued life saving measures for approximately one hour.

Due to FMC COVID-19 protocols non-essential individuals and Officers are not allowed to be in the room with the patient. The Officer had to stand outside of the room but could keep a visual of Mr. Depue through the clear curtain in the room. From what the Officer could see, it appeared that Mr. Depue was undergoing surgery, so he relayed that back to staff at the Flagstaff Detention Facility.

At Approximately 1:35 pm. FMC medical staff did advise the Officer that Mr. Depue did appear to be stabilized and would be moved to the Intensive Care Unit. It is confirmed that at 2:11 pm, Mr. Depue was pronounced deceased by FMC medical staff. The death is still under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.