CCSO Deputies Investigate Unfounded Bomb Threat to Cromer School

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Flagstaff – On August 17, 2023 at approximately 9:00 PM CCSO received a tip that a subject had threatened to “set a bomb off at their daughter’s school.” After further investigation, it was determined this was Cromer School in the Doney Park area north of Flagstaff.

CCSO, in conjunction with the Flagstaff Unified School District, worked through the night and were ultimately able to determine this threat to be unfounded. Deputies and school officials immediately responded to and cleared the school of any suspicious objects or devices. Deputies were able to contact the subjects named in the threat and determine that the threat was baseless.

After assessing the information garnered from the investigation, FUSD determined it was safe to continue with a normal school day. Deputies will remain in the area of Cromer School, but at this point in time there is no information indicating there is any danger stemming from this threat.

CCSO Detectives continue to investigate the tip and its origins. We are unable to release any additional information at this time. If anyone has information regarding this case or any other investigation, they are urged to contact CCSO at 928-774-4523 or Coconino County Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

The 74th Annual Coconino County Fair is Coming Soon

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FLAGSTAFF — The 74th Annual Coconino County Fair is Labor Day Weekend, September 1 – 4, at the Fort Tuthill County Park Fairgrounds. The County Fair supports the longstanding tradition of agricultural skills in the community. Every year, thousands of people from all over Arizona and beyond visit the County Fair to enjoy the talented exhibitors, diverse entertainment, food, rides, and fun.

The Coconino County Fair entertainment lineup is especially diverse this year, with Indigenous, Latin, and Asian artists, as well as local bands, dancers, country, bluegrass, cover bands, tribute acts, magic, comedy, and more. New artists this year include Dan Meyer -Sword Swallower, The Perceptives Hypnotist Show, and Rollo the Biggest Kid In the World, a comedy stilt act. Familiar fun, like Shawn Eric Magic Fun Show, A Girl and Her Balloons, Flagstaff Dancin’ Grannies, the Flagstaff Community Band, and The Dune Sea Garrison Star Wars Characters will be returning, as well as the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival’s Mini-Renaissance faire.

Main Stage Headliners:

Thunder and Lightnin’, Friday 8:00 p.m.
Jerrod Niemann, Saturday 8:00 p.m.
Selena Forever Tribute, Sunday 8:00 p.m.
Hot Red Chili Peppers, Monday 2:00 p.m.

Visitors can also see the talented work of community members in the exhibit buildings. Longtime Fort Tuthill County Park partners will be open for visitors at the Fort Tuthill Military Museum, Flagstaff Model Railroad Club, and Flagstaff Gems and Minerals. The Northern Arizona Antique Tractor and Engine Association will also be displaying machines from agricultural history. Visitors can also enjoy new contests and competitions on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, pictures with Coco the Cow, carnival rides, food, and more.

For a full schedule of events, contests, and entertainment, as well as to purchase tickets and parking passes, visit www.CoconinoCountyFair.com. Save time and space by choosing to carpool, bike, or use the free Fair shuttle, for ease of access through the crowds. Visitors are encouraged to use the new recycling bins for bottles and cans, to help keep the Coconino County Fair clean and fun for everyone.

Board of Supervisors Adopts Final Tax Rate Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) unanimously approved and adopted the tax rate schedule for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) and Tax Year 2023 for all special taxing jurisdictions for which Coconino County has authority to collect taxes. Arizona Revised Statues mandate that an ordinance levying taxes for FY 24 be adopted no later than the third Monday in August 2023, and with this administrative action the Board has concluded the 2023-24 budget process.

Special taxing jurisdictions, often referred to as special districts, are created to fill a need and to enable the provision of services in an area that might otherwise be limited from receiving those services for various reasons, including size, location, financial limitations or unavailability of other government support. The formation of a special taxing district creates a funding stream to pay for the desired or necessary services by placing the responsibility on those who benefit from that service.

Within Coconino County, special tax districts include the Flood Control District, Coconino Community College, ten public school districts, 17 fire department districts, and special districts such as the Williams Hospital District and the Forest Lakes Domestic Water District. The County also acts as the taxing authority in the cities of Flagstaff and Williams.

“This tax rate adoption is the culmination of extensive work by our County Finance Director, the County Treasurer, Assessor, our Superintendent of Schools, and last but not least our County Attorney’s Office,” said Patrice Horstman, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 1. “It is a lot of work, but necessary in order to meet the important priorities of our communities.”

The FY 24 budget, which took effect on July 1 of this year, sustains the County’s approach to 10-year budget planning and continues the County’s low property tax rate, one of the lowest in the state, maintaining service levels to the community while also considering the impact to the taxpayer.

Drake land grab grows

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PARKS — An email from Steve Dudley of Williams reports Drake Cement, a foreign owned company, has now claimed an additional 1416 acres of Kaibab National Forest land for yet another Pozzolan open pit site.

These most recent claims are called the Spring Valley claims and are located in Parks immediately behind Spring Valley Cabin, west of Spring Valley Road. Any development of this site into an open pit mine will result in loss of some very beautiful habitat and result in an immense increase of mining truck traffic down Spring Valley Road, through Parks.

Mr. Dudley wrote in the email, “If you have any concerns about this potential future development and you live in and around Parks, now is the time to say something. Once the trucks start rolling, it will be far too late.”

The Williams Grand Canyon Newspaper is developing an article on this recent development and would like to hear from and interview interested parties from Parks regarding their feelings about this.

According to Wikipedia, “The general definition of a pozzolan embraces a large number of materials which vary widely in terms of origin, composition and properties. Both natural and artificial (man-made) materials show pozzolanic activity and are used as supplementary cementitious materials. Artificial pozzolans can be produced deliberately, for instance by thermal activation of kaolin-clays to obtain metakaolin, or can be obtained as waste or by-products from high-temperature process such as fly ashes from coal-fired electricity production. The most commonly used pozzolans today are industrial by-products such as fly ash, silica fume from silicon smelting, highly reactive metakaolin, and burned organic matter residues rich in silica such as rice husk ash. Their use has been firmly established and regulated in many countries.”

He wrote, “Please feel free to share and alert the citizens of Parks to this. We need to hear from you! If you live in the Parks area and would like your voice heard please contact the Williams Newspaper at (928) 635-4426; (928) 699-8874 or write whowell@williamsnews.com.”

August 20 is deadline to apply for Local Sportsmen’s Group grants

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is accepting applications for $75,000 in annual grant funding for local sportsmen’s organizations to provide public, mentored projects that are focused on the progressive development of new hunters and anglers.

The Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program places a high priority on projects that involve the pursuit or harvest of fish or wildlife with a valid license (and any necessary hunt permit-tag) and are geared toward participants who have the appropriate experience and skill levels relevant to a particular project.

Grants will be awarded through a competitive online application process. Information, instructions, and a link to the online application are available at www.azgfd.gov/LSG. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Sunday, August 20.

“This grant program continues to provide much-needed funding for Arizona’s conservation organizations, which are the backbone of wildlife conservation and the teachers of the next generation of hunters and anglers,” said Doug Burt, AZGFD’s recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) manager. “We appreciate these valued organizations for their hosting of hands-on, mentored events and projects for folks who want to learn, but maybe don’t know where to get started.”

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for this grant program. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general tax funds and operates under a user-pay, public-benefit model. The grant program is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona.

20th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival set for July 29

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File photo from Williams, Arizona where we have a hummingbird festival virtually every day.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is hosting its 20th annual High Country Hummingbird Festival on July 29 at the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area near Springerville/Eagar.

The free, family-friendly festival will include:

  • Hummingbird banding by Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory.
  • Plant displays to attract hummingbirds.
  • Live wildlife from the R Lazy J Wildlife Ranch.
  • Live bird display from AZGFD.
  • Take a photo with a live critter at the critter photo booth.
  • Activities for children/U.S. Forest Service will conduct its Junior Ranger Program.
  • Informational talks about hummingbirds and bird calls of the White Mountains.
  • Booths from local, outdoor-oriented organizations.

The event runs from 8 a.m. until noon.

The Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area is located southeast of Eagar and Springerville. From Eagar, take Highway 191 toward Alpine for about two miles to the signed turnoff at the top of the first hill. Drive south five miles to the Sipe property on a gravel road suitable for passenger cars.

Come prepared to spend most of the morning outdoors with the potential of some summer rain. Parking can become extremely limited if the area receives rain.  Rain or shine, carpooling is encouraged. Attendees are encouraged to check the weather forecast for the day of the event.

The Round Valley Chamber of Commerce has coordinated with several vendors to provide snacks, water, soft drinks, and lunch for purchase. This is a cash-only event, so come prepared and support the Chamber.

Pets must be kept on leash and are not allowed near live wildlife.

For more information, visit  azgfd.com/wildlife/viewing/events/hummingbird-festival/ or call the Game and Fish office in Pinetop at 928-532-3680. The most current information and event schedule can be found on AZGFD’s Pinetop Regional Facebook page at facebook.com/AZGFDPinetop/.

Cathedral Rock Trailhead closed Wednesday

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SEDONA – The Cathedral Rock Trailhead on the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest will be closed to the public on Wednesday (July 19) due to the City of Sedona conducting work along Back O’ Beyond Road and the necessity to close the road which accesses the trailhead.The trail itself is open for hiking, but the public will need to access Cathedral Rock Trail through alternate trailheads, such as Baldwin Trail Trailhead or Little Horse Trailhead. The city’s work consists of installing a new concrete box culvert system at the low-water crossing along Back O’ Beyond Road.

74th Coconino County Fair Early Bird Tickets available

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FLAGSTAFF —Early bird tickets are available for the 74th annual Coconino County Fair that runs from September 1-4. The early bird tickets and wristbands are available until July 31 online and at Bookmans.

The ticket costs are:

  • Adults – $8
  • Youth (6 – 12) – $3
  • Senior (65 and older) – $4
  • Early Bird Carnival Wrist Bands (all-day pass) – $30

You can purchase wrist bands at www.CoconinoCountyFair.com or cash only at Bookmans Flagstaff Entertainment Exchange, 1520 S Riordan Ranch Street.
*Processing fees may apply
**Some rides may require additional tokens; $2 processing fee online

Flat Fire caused by individual burning grass trimmings

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FLAGSTAFF — The Flat Fire located north of the San Francisco Peaks and 4.5 miles west of U.S. Highway 89 (GPS: 35°28’04.0″N 111°39’16.3″W), began Monday, July 10, was caused from an individual burning grass trimmings.

The fire is currently estimated to be 32% contained at 156 acres and started from a private citizen burning grass trimmings in a burn pit that got out of control due to wind conditions and spread quickly.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office arrested an individual and charged him with reckless burning and violation of the county fire ban. Stage 1 fire restrictions are still in effect.

Current resources assigned to the fire include one Hotshot crew, one hand crew, one engine, one dozer, and one water tender.

The fire is experiencing minimal behavior through grass and pinyon-juniper.

Crews spent the week constructing containment lines on the east and west flanks of the fire and securing those lines and monitoring fire behavior.

AZDPS uses police grappler bumper to stop street racing suspects

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MESA — On Saturday, June 10, 2023, Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers and fellow Street Racing Task Force partners responded to reports of vehicles involved in intersection takeovers throughout the Valley.During an incident at an intersection in Mesa, one of the involved drivers struck a pedestrian participant and then fled the scene. With assistance from task force partners – including the City of Mesa Police Department, Phoenix Police Department and Tempe Police Department – the suspect vehicle was located and an AZDPS sergeant successfully deployed the Grappler Police Bumper, netting one of the vehicle’s rear tires and bringing it to a safe stop.

The driver and passenger, both 17-year-old males, were detained and cited for street racing and the vehicle was impounded.

Street racing and intersection takeovers not only pose a significant disruption for other motorists, but they also endanger the lives of participants, pedestrians, and everyone on the road. Anyone caught engaging in street racing may face penalties including a 20-day vehicle impound, fines, community restitution, and the possibility of jail time for second and subsequent offenses.

AZDPS would like to thank our partner agencies for their continued efforts and support, which are critical in deterring and stopping this criminal activity.