ADEQ to present webinar on Waters of the United States rule proposal

On December 11, 2018, the EPA and Department of the Army proposed a rule revision for the Waters of the United States (WOTUS), with the goal of providing a clear, understandable and implementable definition.

During February 2019, ADEQ held stakeholder meetings in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson to listen to stakeholder comments regarding the proposed rule revision. For more information about these meetings, including comments submitted by Arizona stakeholders, visit the website at azdeq.gov/wotus.

ADEQ reviewed the submitted comments and collaborated with other state agencies to draft Arizona’s response to the rule revision. ADEQ will host a webinar on Friday, April 19 at Noon to share this information with Arizona stakeholders.

On the day of the webinar, you can see it here. You can also call in by phone at 240-454-0879 and use Access code 803 335 479.

Agencies Safely Dispose of Grenade at Schuff Steel

FLAGSTAFF – On August 2, 2017 around 9:10 am Deputies responded to Schuff Steel in Bellemont, AZ for a report of a found hand grenade in a construction area. The grenade was located by employees while they were installing new equipment. The grenade was partially exposed above ground in an industrial area. Deputies secured the scene and evacuated the immediate area. Members of the Flagstaff Police Department Bomb Squad and Navajo Army Depot (NAD) Explosive Ordinance Division responded.

The device was a WWII era hand grenade and appeared to be intact. The grenade was secured in an explosives safe container and transported to NAD where it is scheduled to be destroyed.

Bowe Bergdahl gets leave cut short when found during a pot raid.

2014-8aug-07-bowe-in-uniform-ft-sam-nbcMendocino County, CALIFORNIA — Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. Army deserter who was traded for four terrorists, was “detained” in Mendocino County, California at a marijuana raid while on leave.

According to FOX news, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s office took Bergdahl into custody during a raid in Redwood City by the county’s Marijuana Eradication team. The team found 180 mature marijuana plants growing at the house.

It was determined that Bergdahl was not part of the operation and was released to the U.S. Army North command where he is stationed. Sheriff officials said it is not unusual to release persons who might find themselves in a situation where they did not know the plants were growing.

Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith confirmed to FOX news that Bergdahl was returned to his duty station at Fort Sam Houston in Texas and has not been charged with any crime involving his time on leave.

Wyatt J. Martin killed in action in Afghanistan

morris-martinPHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer ordered flags at half-staff for the death of an Arizona soldier. Specialist Wyatt J. Martin of Mesa was killed on Friday, December 12 along with Sgt. 1st Class Ramon S. Morris of New York city. The pair died as a result of a homemade bomb in Parwan Province in Afghanistan.

Specialist Martin joined the Army in August of 2012. He was assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry in June 2014.

The proclamation of the governor reads:

I have ordered that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset Monday, December 15, 2014, in honor of United States Army Specialist Wyatt J. Martin, 22, of Mesa, Arizona.

Specialist Martin died Friday, December 12, in Parwan Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. According to initial reports, Specialist Martin died of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

He was assigned to A Company, 3rd Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Please join me in offering a prayer for Specialist Martin, for his loved ones, and for all the men and women who have risked and given their lives to preserve and protect freedom throughout the world.

Tucson Ranger who helped rescue Jessica Lynch dies from wounds received in Afghanistan

Title corrected: Sergeant Major Barreras passed away in Texas after wounds received while serving in Afghanistan.


barrasAn Army Ranger from Tucson has died after being shot in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced. He was among those who rescued former POW Jessica Lynch from an Iraqi hospital in 2003. The Pentagon said in a statement that Command Sgt. Maj. Martin R. Barreras, 49, died May 13 in Texas after suffering injuries in Afghanistan on May 6.

Governor Jan Brewer ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today. In her statement, she said,

I Ask That All Arizonans Hold In Their Thoughts And Prayers the family of U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Martin Barreras, a Tucson soldier who passed away Tuesday, May 13, from injuries sustained while serving in Afghanistan. Command Sgt. Maj. Barreras, 49, dedicated more than three decades to military service, including five years as a U.S. Marine before enlisting in the Army. … As we mourn this American hero, let us always honor all of our nation’s men and women in uniform with our eternal gratitude and admiration.

The Army Ranger helped rescue former POW Jessica Lynch from an Iraqi hospital in 2003 has died after being shot in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced Thursday. The Pentagon said in a statement that Command Sgt. Maj. Martin R. Barreras, 49, died May 13 in Texas after suffering injuries in Afghanistan on May 6. Barreras, known as “Gunny,” was the top enlisted soldier for a unit based in Fort Bliss, Texas at the time of his death, according to the Army Times. He joined the Army in 1988 after serving five years in the Marine Corps.

Barreras, known as “Gunny,” was the top enlisted soldier for a unit based in Fort Bliss, Texas at the time of his death, according to the Army Times. He joined the Army in 1988 after serving five years in the Marine Corps.

Read more at FOX News


Updated 10:00

‘Convenience Store Man’ shows crooks who’s boss

Apr 30, 2014 12:31 PM by Rebecca Taylor

TUCSON – Maen Mdanat doesn’t put up with any shenanigans.
As the owner of Axis Food Mart on Broadway near Campbell, he shows would-be thieves who’s boss. Check out this video that was caught on camera:

So you know when trouble is walking in your door? “Oh yes, you sense it right away,” says Mdanat.

Judging by a surveillance tape clip, the nickname fits.

Around 1:30 Saturday morning Maen says a would-be thief entered his store, asking his clerk for cash.

Read more and see additional video at KVOA Channel 4

‘Squatters’ took over soldier’s home after he was deployed; outrageous law lets them stay!

Photo Source – Facebook

Photo Source – Facebook

A soldier being deployed to Afghanistan is sure to have a lot on his mind, but having squatters take over his home while he is away is probably not high on the list.

But that appears to be precisely what happened to one soldier in Florida.

Michael Sharkey was deployed to Afghanistan two years ago and asked a friend to keep an eye on his home in New Port Richey, Fla. while he was away, according to the local NBC affiliate WFLA.

The soldier, currently station in Hawaii, later learned that strangers moved into the house and now refuse to leave.

“I want the people out,” Sharkey said. “They’re criminals living in my house.”

Read more at BIZPAC Review

Army, National Guard Fight Over Apache Helicopters

defense-largeBen Watson – Defense One

The Army National Guard is pushing back against a plan to send all of its 192 Apache attack helicopters to the active duty Army. In exchange, the Guard and Reserve components would receive 111 UH-60 Blackhawk transport and utility helicopters from the Army in a broader aviation restructuring after more than a decade of combat and steep budget cuts.

The restructuring would also eliminate three of 13 combat aviation brigades from the Army, while the Guard would phase out its entire fleet of OH-58 Kiowa Warrior scout helicopters, which have been in use for nearly five decades.

This shakeup of Army air assets amounts to some $12 billion in cost-saving measures through fiscal year 2017, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee at a hearing Tuesday.

But National Guard Chief Gen. Frank Grass, who also testified at the hearing, isn’t happy with the plan. “None of us like what we’re having to do,” he said. “My big concern right now is figuring out how I’m going to move, and how many states I’m going to have an impact on, and what’s the cost of facilities and to retrain pilots. I’ve got to tackle that because the decision’s been made.”

Read more at Defense One

Michael Behenna released from U.S. Disciplinary Barracks

Left: Michael Behenna is hugged Friday by his father, Scott Behenna, as his grandmother, Betty Zemp, looks on after his release from prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Photos by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman SARAH PHIPPS -

Left: Michael Behenna is hugged Friday by his father, Scott Behenna, as his grandmother, Betty Zemp, looks on after his release from prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Photos by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman SARAH PHIPPS –

Former U.S. Army 1st Lt. Michael Behenna is returning to Edmond after being released Friday, having served five years for killing an Iraqi.

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Nervous energy coursed through the Behenna family Friday morning as they waited in a parking lot just outside the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. The ominous walls of the historic military prison loomed behind them as they scanned a nearby street for a white van.

“He’s supposed to come from that way,” Vicki Behenna said pointing east toward the main prison entrance. “But who knows with this place. He could come from anywhere.”

Just then, a white van approached on a side road from the opposite direction, turned into the lot and crawled to a stop in front of the small group of supporters.

Read more at NewsOK

3 Bodies Found at Fort Hood (2 Children)

wpid-Flickr_-_The_U.S._Army_-_Ambulances_outside_Fort_Hoods_Soldier_Readiness_Processing_CenterMark Hastings; Universal Free Press
(CNN)—The bodies of three people, two of them children, were discovered at an on-base residence in Fort Hood, Texas, the Army said in a news release.

The bodies — one man and two children — were found about 8:15 a.m. ET, and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command has launched a probe, according to the release.

No further details were available, and the identifications of the deceased won’t be released until the next of kin is notified, the Army said.

Chris Grey, spokesman for the criminal investigation command, could not provide further details but said, “We do not believe there is any further threat to the community at this time.”