Tag Archives: Flagstaff

Preventative Search and Rescue to Assist Snow Boarding and Skiing Community

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team conducts operations to assist skiers and snow boarders in the back country.

Each ski season when there is ample snow fall, skiers and snow boarders enjoy back country runs out of the permit area of the Arizona Snowbowl. People leaving the ski area off the south or front face of the San Francisco Peaks often intend to ski back to the Snowbowl, but find the terrain pulls them down hill and away from the Snowbowl. Many skiers and boarders get lost, stuck or injured and call for help.

For several years, the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit has conducted what is known
as a Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) operations to mitigate the chances of people becoming lost or turned around. One such operation is to put a track from a snow cat on Forest Road 522,also known as the Freidlein Prairie Road. Should a person become lost, the track gives them a recognizable path back to Forest Service Road 516 (the Snowbowl Road) and has helped to reduce the number of search calls.

Last week, the Search and Rescue Unit conducted another preventative operation by
cutting snowshoe tracks along the Kachina Trail. The track was laid from Snowbowl to an area known as the “First Gully” in hopes of catching lost skiers earlier and higher up the mountain and giving them a path back to Snowbowl.

Out of bounds travel has some associated hazards. The backcountry is not patrolled,
and no avalanche mitigation is conducted in the backcountry. It is important that backcountry users be familiar with the conditions. Information about the snowpack is available from the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center. The Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center also offers avalanche safety education.

A Kachina Peaks Winter Backcountry Permit is required for backcountry travel in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness when accessing the Wilderness from Arizona Snowbowl and along the Snowbowl Road at Viet Spring and Freidlein Prairie Road.The permit can be obtained for free from the U.S. Forest Service. More information about the permit can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fseprd479744.

In addition to knowledge about the conditions, backcountry users should carry the 10 Essentials plus a charged cell phone and spare battery, avalanche transceiver, backcountry shovel and avalanche probe.

The 10 Essentials are:

  1. Food
  2. Water
  3. Extra Warm Clothing
  4. Shelter
  5. Material (tarp, large leaf bag, space blanket)
  6. First Aid Kit
  7. Knife/Multi-tool
  8. Fire starting kit/backcountry stove
  9. Signaling equipment (whistle/signal mirror/Radio)
  10. Navigation equipment (map, compass, GPS)

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Flagstaff Police Officer Involved Shooting

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FLAGSTAFF – On February 3, 2019 at approximately 9:27 a.m., two Flagstaff Police Officers were leaving The Guidance Center in Flagstaff at 2187 N. Vickey Street on an unrelated call when an individual, identified as Henry Harold Russell, 47 years old, from Boise, Idaho, confronted the officers brandishing two knives. The confrontation escalated when Russell approached an officer having the knives raised toward the officer in a threatening manner. As the officer backed away from Russell, he gave Russell commands to drop the knives. Russell charged the officer with a knife in each hand, prompting the officer to discharge his weapon striking Russell. Officers on scene provided lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived. Russell was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center and was later pronounced deceased.

The officers involved in the incident were not injured in the altercation. The Flagstaff Police Department Officer who discharged his weapon is identified as Officer Tyler Romney, a 3-½ year veteran of the department. Officer Romney is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, per department policy and procedure.

The Northern Arizona Officer Involved Shooting Team responded to the scene and immediately began the investigation, with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office as the lead agency. Initial Investigation indicates three shots were fired by Officer Romney, striking the suspect twice.

An autopsy was conducted on February 4th and the medical examiner’s report is pending toxicology. The examination at the time of autopsy found that Russell was struck twice by gunfire, one wound in the right leg and one wound in the back.

A review of the officer’s body worn camera shows Russell was armed and aggressively charging towards Officer Romney. Romney fired, and all three shots were fired within one second. The video footage shows Russell reacted by immediately turning to his right. A shot hit Russell in the leg and another struck Russell in the back as he continued to fall to the ground. Romney ceased firing as Russell was falling to the ground.

CCSO Detectives are investigating Russell’s background. Russell was convicted in Idaho in 2005 for Sexual Abuse of a Child under 16 years old and has served time in prison multiple times. That conviction required Russell to register as a Sex Offender. Russell had not registered with local law enforcement as required by law. Russell had recently been released from the Idaho Department of Corrections on December 3rd, 2018. Russell had not requested permission to leave the state according to Idaho Department of Corrections Parole, which is a violation of his parole conditions.

Detectives have confirmed that Russell was not a patient of the Guidance Center and it is unknown why he was at that location on February 3. Investigators found Russell had stayed at Flagstaff Shelter Services on January 28th. It is still unknown exactly how long he had been in the Flagstaff area. Russell did not have any known family in Flagstaff or connections to the Flagstaff area.

Russell had no contacts with local law enforcement in and around the Flagstaff area prior to the shooting. Additional information indicated that Russell had been admitted to the Flagstaff Medical Center as suicidal and an overdose in mid-January.

The investigation is on-going and more information will be made available as the investigation continues.

CERT and Citizens Police Academy Classes scheduled for February

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FLAGSTAFF – The next Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Training will be held Wednesday, February 20 to Friday, February 22, 2019. The sessions will be held at the Law Enforcement Facility, 911 E Sawmill Rd, Flagstaff. The times will be 8 am to 5 pm on Wednesday and Thursday and 8 am – noon on Friday. Attendance is required all three days to complet the course.

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services may not be able to meet the demand for services. Number of victims, issues with communications, and road blockages can prevent people from accessing the emergency services they have come to expect at a moment’s notice through 911. People may need to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving and life sustaining needs.

CERT Training includes:

  • Session I, Disaster Preparedness
  • Session II, Disaster Fire Suppression
  • Session III, Disaster Medical Operations Part I
  • Session IV, Disaster Medical Operations Part II
  • Session V, Light Search and Rescue Operations
  • Session VI, Disaster Psychology and Team Organization
  • Session VII, Course Review and Disaster Simulation

For more information or to register contact the Community Programs Planner (928) 226-5089. You have to fill out a CERT registration form which can be downloaded here

The Citizens Police Academy is a multi-agency program sponsored by the Flagstaff Police Department, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Northern Arizona University Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The program is designed to promote awareness and understanding of what local law enforcement agencies do, thus fostering a partnership of trust and shared responsibility between interested law abiding citizens and law enforcement.

The 14 week class session begins Wednesday, February 27, 2019. Program participants meet on Wednesday nights, and on a couple of Saturdays. Wednesday night classes are held at the Brent F. Cooper Auditorium located at 911 E. Sawmill Road, Flagstaff, Arizona from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Participation in this program is free of charge and open to all law abiding community members who are 18 years of age and older.

Topics covered during this program

  • Tour of the Coconino County Detention Facility
  • Overview of Felony Crimes and Criminal Investigations
  • Tour of the AZ Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory
  • Presentation on the Awareness, Prevention, and Enforcement of Drug Abuse
  • Overview of Traffic Enforcement and Highway Safety Programs
  • Presentation by NACASA and Victim Witness
  • Presentation on the Awareness, Prevention and Investigation of Family Crimes
  • Panel Discussion on the Criminal Justice System
  • Demonstration by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit and the AZ DPS Air Rescue Division
  • Presentation on Highway Drug Interdiction and a Police Canine Demonstration
  • Utilization of the Judgmental Use of Force and Driver’s Training Simulators
  • Hands-on Live Firearms Demonstration at the Range
  • Explosive Device Demonstration

For more information or to register for this program please call the Flagstaff Police Department at 928-556-2300 or the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-226-5089.

CCSO Search and Rescue respond to report of overdue skier

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FLAGSTAFF – On February 3, 2019 at approximately 5:00 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit responded to a report of an overdue skier who had left the ski area boundary at Arizona Snowbowl and entered the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. The skier, a 16-year-old male from Flagstaff, became separated from his group and the rest of the group returned to the Arizona Snowbowl where they made the report to the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Patrol. The skier was reported to be equipped with only his skis and cell phone and no other survival equipment. At the time the report was made, it appeared that the skier’s cell phone had been powered off or had run out of battery.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit along with the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Patrol initiated an investigation and search for the skier. At approximately 5:45 PM the Sheriff’s Office located the skier on Snowbowl Road at approximately milepost 3. The skier was uninjured and was provided a ride to the Agassiz Lodge to be reunited with his family and friends. While this situation turned out well, it had the potential to be a dangerous situation for the skier.

This incident was the third lost out of bounds skier / snowboarder call received by either the Sheriff’s Office or the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Patrol on Sunday. With the recent snowfall and the expected heavy snow through mid-week, it is expected that more skiers and snowboarders may elect to ski out of bounds. Skiing or snowboarding outside of the ski area boundary carries with it some risk. The area outside of the Arizona Snowbowl boundary is not patrolled and avalanche mitigation is not conducted in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. Most skiers and snowboarders who leave the ski area boundary intend to return to the ski area, but terrain tends to force them to the south and away from the ski area.

WHAT YOU SHOULD CARRY

Those who recreate outside of the Arizona Snowbowl boundary should carry the following equipment; extra food and water, extra warm clothing, navigation equipment (map, compass, and GPS), headlamp, first aid kit, shelter material (large leaf bag or space blanket), fire starting kit or backpacking stove, pocket knife/multi-tool, whistle, avalanche beacon, avalanche probe, backcountry shovel, and a cell phone with a back-up battery pack.

Amateur radio repeaters are also located on Mount Elden. If you have an amateur radio, you can program 146.980 with a 162.2 CTCSS and negative offset and 147.140 with a 162.2 CTCSS with a positive offset. In the Williams area, the Bill Williams repeater is 146.780 with a 91.5 CTCSS and negative offset.

Wilderness users should also avoid traveling alone. Education about the winter backcountry hazards including avalanche should be sought out. Avalanches often occur within 24 hours of a storm and heavy snowfall amounts over a short period of time, high winds which deposit snow in starting zones, or signs of instability in the snowpack warrant concern in the backcountry.

The Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center offers weekly snowpack summaries that highlight the hazards in the snowpack as well as offer educational classes about avalanche. More information about the snowpack summary and courses available can be found at www.kachinapeaks.org.

A free Kachina Peaks Winter Backcountry Permit is required for backcountry travel in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness when accessing the Wilderness from Arizona Snowbowl and along the Snowbowl Road at Viet Spring and Friedlein Prairie Road. The permit can be obtained from the U.S. Forest Service and more information about the permit can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fseprd479744.

2019 Coconino County Spelling BEE

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County students will vie for top spelling honors during the 2019 Coconino County Spelling BEE. The 21 spellers will begin competing at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 9, at Coconino High School located at 2801 N. Izabel Street in Flagstaff.

The County Spelling BEE consists of home, public, charter and private school-students from throughout the County who won their school or district Spelling BEE. The competition will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and will be held in the Coconino High School’s mini-auditorium.

Each year, the Rotary Clubs from Flagstaff, Grand Canyon and Williams donate the monetary prizes for the top three spellers. The clubs also provide experienced and qualified judges who determine if the contestants have spelled the words correctly.

The winner of the County Spelling BEE will advance to compete with 26 other top spellers at the state level. The Arizona Educational Foundation State Spelling BEE is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at AZ PBS, 500 N. Central Ave., 6th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004.

The winner of the state bee will represent Arizona at the Scripps National Spelling BEE in Washington, D.C. in late May or early June of 2019.

The County Spelling BEE is coordinated and hosted annually by the County Superintendent of Schools Office. Spectators are welcome to attend.

Inmate Found Unresponsive In Cell

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FLAGSTAFF – On Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at approximately 4:13 am, Coconino County Detention Facility Officers conducting an inmate welfare check found 20-year old Kyle Martinson unresponsive in his cell.

Detention Officers began lifesaving measures, including CPR, until paramedics arrived on scene and took over lifesaving efforts. Mr. Martinson was pronounced deceased at approximately 4:26 am.

The cause of death is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and pending autopsy and review by the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Mr. Martinson was currently housed in a cell by himself. At this time the death does not appear to be a suicide and no foul play is suspected. Next of kin has been notified.

Amateur Radio Winter Field Day 2019 is January 26 to 27

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino Amateur Radio Club participates each year in the American Radio Relay League Summer Field Day the last weekend in June. This year they are working on participating in the Winter Field Day sponsored by the Winter Field Day Association.

The Winter Field Day Association (WFDA) sponsors the 2019 running of Winter Field Day, January 26 to 27. WFDA says that the ability to conduct emergency communication in a winter environment is just as important as the preparation and practice that take place each summer, but with some additional unique operational concerns.

“We believe that maintaining your operational skills should not be limited to fair-weather scenarios,” WFDA said in announcing this year’s event. “The addition of Winter Field Day will enhance those already important skills of those that who generously volunteer their time and equipment to these organizations. Preparedness is the key to a professional and timely response during any event, and this is what local and state authorities are expecting when they reach out to emergency service groups that offer their services.”

Members of the Warren County (NY) Radio Club (WCARC) will activate Maxim Memorial Station W1AW during 2019 Winter Field Day. Club members will work a rotating 24-hour operating schedule to ensure the most band/mode coverage.

The Winter and Summer field Day events are a chance for amateur radio operators to test equipment and alternate emergency power sources. The event is open to all radio amateurs.

For anyone wanting to get an amateur radio license or upgrade their current license, the Coconino Amateur Radio Club (CARC) is holding a license exam session in Flagstaff. The exams will be held at North Country Health Care Center at 2920 N. 4th Street in Flagstaff.

Two foxes test positive for rabies

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) confirmed that two captured foxes have tested positive for rabies.

The foxes were captured and tested following reports of attacks in the Country Club area and near Mars Hill in Flagstaff. The four individuals involved in the animal attacks are being treated with post exposure rabies prophylaxis. Two dogs were also bitten. Both are current on rabies vaccinations and are being quarantined by their owners for 45 days for observation.

CCPHSD is reminding individuals to use caution to protect against rabies exposure when walking, hiking, camping or in a situation where wildlife may be present. Health officials recommend the following precautions to protect against rabies:

  • Avoid wildlife, especially nocturnal mammals that are active during the daytime and animals that are exhibiting unusual wildlife behaviors which can include; showing no fear of humans, aggressive behavior, staggering and/or acting sickly.
  • Keep all pets current on vaccinations and obey leash laws.
  • Always keep pets away from wild animals.
  • Never pick up, touch, or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, even if they do not appear sick or aggressive.
  • Report any wild animal exhibiting erratic or aggressive behavior.
  • Seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten by, or have contact with, a wild animal.
  • Pet owners should seek medical care from their veterinarian if their pet is bitten by wildlife.

To report unusual wildlife sightings or behavior, call the Coconino County Public Health Services District Animal Management Program at 928-679-8756. To report a wildlife emergency, call 911.

For more information on rabies visit www.azhealth.gov/rabies.

New Year’s Eve Multi-Agency DUI Task Force – Don’t Drive Under the Influence

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Northern AZ Law Enforcement Agencies wish everyone a happy and safe Holiday Season. We want to remind you, as always our Officers, Deputies and Troopers will be patrolling 24 hours a day 7 days a week to keep our communities safe.

As New Year’s approaches, we know there will be many parties and festivities. We will have increased enforcement patrols during this busy time of the year. In addition, Law Enforcement in Northern Arizona will conduct a multi-agency DUI Task Force on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Flagstaff Police Department, AZ Department of Public Safety and Northern Arizona University Police will be participating. We will be posting several DUI trailers throughout the area where officers can take possible violators to gather samples of breath and blood draws if driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is suspected.

It is our hope that by publicizing this task force and advising the public of this event, people will be encouraged to not drive while under the influence. A taxi, Uber, LYFT, Shuttle or Designated Driver is a much cheaper and safer option than taking a chance of driving while intoxicated. In addition, NAIPTA will be offering free bus service on New Year’s Eve until 1:15 am.

Don’t take a chance of ruining your life or the life of someone else by driving intoxicated or recklessly. Being arrested for DUI is very a costly life event. If you are arrested and convicted of DUI, you can face a low-end cost of around $5000. That does not include missed time at work or with family. DUI results in mandatory jail time if convicted, with a minimum of one night in jail, and incarceration increases with severity of the crime.

Please take this time to prepare for your travel and other festivities. Help us keep everyone safe on the roads this New Year’s Eve.

County and City transfer animal shelter operations

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff will transfer animal shelter operations to High Country Humane (HCH) starting December 28, 2018. The HCH Animal Shelter is located at the former Second Chance Center for Animals (SCCA) site at 11665 US-89 in Flagstaff. The 20,000-square-foot building and surrounding acreage were donated to the County following the closure of SCCA.

Paw Placement of Northern Arizona, doing business as HCH, will run the new shelter under a five-year contract to provide animal welfare services for both the City and the County.

Coconino Humane Association (CHA), 3501 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, will continue to accept all stray and surrendered animals as the County and City shelter through December 27, 2018. Beginning December 28, 2018 all stray animals picked by a city or county animal control official will be taken to the HCH facility.

Individuals who have lost a pet should call HCH at (928) 526-0742 and leave a detailed description of the animal. In addition, any pets brought to HCH will be posted with a general description on the “Lost and Found Pets Flagstaff” and “High Country Humane” Facebook pages.

The HCH shelter will open January 2, 2019 with regular hours of 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. CHA will remain open after this transition and can be reached at (928) 526-1076.

To contact the City of Flagstaff Animal Control services, please call (928) 774-1414. Call 928-679-8756 to reach the CCPHSD Animal Management office. HCH can be reached at 928-526-0742.