Tag Archives: Flagstaff

State Route 89A switchbacks closure lifted early

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640px-sr89-Sedona-140501-42PHOENIX — Drivers traveling between Sedona and Flagstaff received welcome news when the Arizona Department of Transportation lifted restrictions and opened the “switchbacks” section of State Route 89A to motorists, well ahead of schedule, late last night. There are currently no construction/fire-related restrictions along SR 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff.

The three-mile section of SR 89A (mileposts 387-390) between the Pine Flat Campground and the Vista Point scenic overlook south of Flagstaff was closed to allow crews to resurface the highway along this narrow, twisty section of roadway, which is prone to rockfalls. As part of the $2 million improvement project, ADOT removed loose rocks from the mountainside along the roadway and made deck repairs to the historic Pumphouse Wash Bridge.

By allowing the contractor (Phoenix-based Combs Construction) unrestricted access to the work zone, crews were able to safely complete paving, bridge repair and rock scaling work in an expedited manner that would not have been possible without the full closure of the roadway.

From the beginning, ADOT was committed to completing the project as soon as possible while focusing on safety and quality. Prior to the start of the project, ADOT provided the contractor monetary incentives to complete the project prior to the end of the scheduled five-week closure. The contractor will receive the maximum allowed bonus ($104,000) for completing the work early.

“Thanks to the swift efforts by the contractor Combs Construction and ADOT’s steadfast commitment to complete the project as efficiently and safely as possible, we were able to reopen the closed SR 89A section of roadway – an incredible 16 days ahead of schedule,” said Flagstaff District Engineer Audra Merrick. “Despite this project’s many challenges, in the end, this will be a smoother, safer road for the traveling public for many years to come.”

The project began on April 21, with single lane restrictions in place along the switchbacks. The five-week full closure of the highway had originally been scheduled from May 27 – July 2, but crews were evacuated from the project on May 20, at the start of the Slide Fire. The wildfire originated approximately six miles south of the project near Slide Rock State Park and forced the closure of the highway from Sedona to Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff.

Work on the project resumed on June 1, shortly after local authorities lifted wildfire-related restrictions near the highway.

ADOT had a limited window in which to complete the paving work in this region (June – August) because applying new pavement is extremely temperature sensitive. The goal was to complete the pavement improvements prior to the rainy monsoon season, which could have delayed the project significantly.

ADOT will need to return next month to complete final lane striping through the project corridor. A single-lane restriction will be required and flaggers will be present to guide traffic through the work zone.

Marine Vet Held by Iran to Kerry: Don’t Set Bad Precedent by Trading for My Release

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From Free Amir Facebook Page.

From Free Amir Facebook Page.

The news cycle is currently focused on the swap to release Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl — five Taliban commanders for the Idaho native — but many Americans still remain held abroad by nefarious regimes or terrorists.

One of those, a Marine veteran who served with distinction in Iraq, specifically said last fall that, even though his unlawful imprisonment in Iran was taking a horrible toll, he would not want his release to come from any sort of swap with Iran.

From our Yellow Ribbon Project story on Flagstaff, Ariz., native Sgt. Amir Hekmati:

Amir took his case directly to Kerry in a letter smuggled out of prison and obtained by the Guardian in September. After thanking Kerry for lobbying on his behalf, Amir stressed that the confessions on false charges were “obtained by force, threats, miserable prison conditions, and prolonged periods of solitary confinement.”

“This is part of a propaganda and hostage taking effort by Iranian intelligence to secure the release of Iranians abroad being held on security-related charges. Iranian intelligence has suggested through my court-appointed lawyer Mr. Hussein Yazdi Samadi that I be released in exchange for 2 Iranians being held abroad,” Amir wrote in the letter confirmed authentic by his family. “I had nothing to do with their arrest, committed no crime, and see no reason why the U.S. Government should entertain such a ridiculous proposition. I do not wish to set a precedent for others that may be unlawfully (obtained) for political gain in the future.”

Read more at PJ Media

Free Amir Web Site (Facebook)

Missing teen returns home safely

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FLAGSTAFF – It was reported by the Coconino County Sheriff’s office that 17-year-old Kimberly Dawn Anderson has returned home to Flagstaff safely.

ADOT begins I-17 intersection improvement at JW Powell south of Flagstaff

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adot-logo3FLAGSTAFF – Work begins next week on the JW Powell Boulevard and I-17 intersection, with construction realigning State Route 89A at that location, and adding roundabouts at the Fort Tuthill County Park entrance and the I-17 southbound ramp.

Preparations for this project began last September when ADOT worked closely with Coconino County, the city of Flagstaff and the local utility company to remove trees within the work zone prior to construction starting this year. The trees were then used by a local non-profit throughout the winter. The area will be reseeded once the project is completed.

No traffic restrictions are anticipated during construction because the existing ramps and roadway can still be used while the realignment and roundabouts are constructed adjacent to current traffic operations.

The project is anticipated to be complete by summer 2015.

Improvement project on US 180 in Flagstaff has started

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adot-logo3FLAGSTAFF – Improvements include improving and adding turn lanes, new pavement and guardrail improvements between Columbus Avenue and Bader Road. There is currently work along the shoulder of the road with no lane restrictions. However, travelers using this route can expect delays and lane restrictions through the project area as early as Monday, June 9 as construction continues.

In addition, some night work will take place during the asphalt milling and paving operations to minimize impacts to heavier daytime traffic.

Motorists interested in traveling to the Grand Canyon can use I-40 to State Route 64 west of Flagstaff as an alternate route.

Coconino Community College district to raise your property taxes.

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COCONINO COUNTY – The Coconino Community College district will raise your taxes on the next property tax cycle based on public input today. Elisha Dorfsmith of the Flagstaff Liberty Blog noted that a Truth in Taxation notice appeared in the May 4th edition of the Arizona Daily Sun for the Coconino Community College. A public hearing was held today on the CCC campus in Page. There is nothing on the web site of the Coconino Community College about the proposed tax increase.

The notice read:

TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING

NOTICE OF TAX INCREASE

In compliance with Section 15-1461.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, Coconino County Community College District is notifying its property taxpayers of Coconino County Community College District’s intention to raise its primary property taxes over last year’s lever. The Coconino County Community College District is proposing an increase in primary property taxes of $140,690 or 1.98%.

For example, the proposed tax increase will cause Coconino County Coummunity College District’s primary property taxes on a $100,000 home to increase from $46.95 (total taxes that would be owed without the proposed tax increase) to $47.88 (total proposed taxes including the tax increase).

This proposed increase is exclusive of increased primary property taxes received from new construction. The increase is also exclusive of any changes that may occur from property tax levies for voter approved bonded indebtedness or budget and tax overrides.

All interested citizens are invited to attend the public hearing on the tax increase that is scheduled to be held May 27th, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the D10 classroom at Coconino Community College, 475 S Lake Powell Blvd, Page, Arizona.

John Moore, Mayor of Williams, said that he was not aware of the proposed tax increase, but he opposed it. His opposition, however, was not specifically targeted at this proposal. He opposes an increase in taxes anywhere in the government in this economy.

We spoke with Gioia Goodrum, elected District 3 board member who could not comment on the issue and referred us to Coconino Community College.

Scott Talboom, of the public relations department of CCC, informed the Gazette that the statute cited in the notice allows College Districts to increase taxes by 2.5% per year. This increase is allowed to be automatically generated by the College District independent of voter intervention according to the statute cited in the ad. Apparently even the elected Coconino College Community board has nothing to do with the increase.

It is when they ask for an increase of more than the 2.5% that they must make a proposal to voters as with the failed initiative last November. The Arizona Daily Sun reported in January that Coconino Community College lost its bid for a hike of $4.5 million in the November 5, 2013 special election. Only four of Flagstaff’s 10 voted districts supported the override and it was defeated by Williams voters.

The questions that Mr. Talboom could not answer are why the comments are being taken in Page and if there are any other alternative means of making public comments. This is one of the issues raised by The Flagstaff Liberty Blog. Reaching the Page campus is difficult even under the best of conditions. With highway 89 impassible it creates even more of a burden.

The college could not confirm if there are alternative methods of public input, but they do have a contact section on their web site for Faculty and Staff.

Two Arrests Made in Homicide of David Alan Christine

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christine-suspects-2Flagstaff – Coconino County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested two subjects in connection with the homicide death of David Alan Christine. The body of David Christine was found by a motorist traveling on a dirt road near milepost 440 of Forest Service Road 505, also known as Leupp Rd. Mr. Christine was found lying near the roadway and was the apparent victim of a homicide.

On May 21, the on scene detective noticed a wire ligature around Mr. Christine’s neck indicating foul play. Based on investigation of the area around the body, detectives believed the homicide occurred elsewhere. The victim’s vehicle was not in the area and the victim had no identification on him.

The United States Marshals Flagstaff Field Office assisted the investigation with an expedited finger print analysis which led to the identification of the victim as David Alan Christine. Flagstaff Police Department patrol officers located the victim’s vehicle, a white Plymouth Voyager minivan, abandoned behind a local motel. The help of both of these partnering agencies was instrumental in the investigation of this case.

Leads were developed by Sheriff’s Office detectives, and many individuals were interviewed. Two individuals interviewed were 35-year-old Gabriel Lewis, a former friend of Mr. Christine, and 51-year-old Marvin Curley, uncle of Gabriel Lewis. Mr. Christine and Lewis had been friends but had a falling out approximately a year ago. For the past year, Mr. Christine had been living in Phoenix and had just recently returned to Flagstaff. Marvin Curley and Gabriel Lewis also recently moved to Flagstaff from the Williams Arizona area. The three individuals were acquaintances, and all three frequented the Flagstaff Homeless shelter.

Detectives were able to determine that Marvin Curley was the last person known to be with David Christine before the discovery of his body near Leupp. Detectives learned that on May 20 David Christine and Marvin Curley met up and began drinking together. In the early evening hours Marvin Curley produced a length of wire and placed it around David Christine’s neck and choked him until he was dead.

Curley then drove David Christine out of town toward the reservation. On Leupp Road just shy of the reservation, Curley pulled off of the main road onto a side road and dumped the body of David Christine. Curley then returned to Flagstaff, leaving the van in a motel parking lot.

Detectives learned that Curley and Lewis had previously discussed and planned this attack on David Christine days before this incident. Lewis was apparently not present during the homicide, information was gathered implicating Lewis in the crime. Statements indicated that they were seeking a way to get rid of David Christine because he would not leave them alone. On May 21 Curley informed Lewis that he killed David Christine and they would no longer be bothered by him.

On May 23 detectives booked Marvin Curley into the Coconino County Jail on First Degree Murder of David Christine. Gabriel Lewis also was booked at that time for Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder and Obstructing a Criminal Investigation. Curley has no bond and Lewis currently has a $1,000,000.00 bond.

Sheriff’s Deputies investigate murder of Flagstaff Man

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives are investigating the murder of 56 year-old David Allen Christine of Flagstaff, AZ. Mr. Christine’s body was located by a passing motorist near Star School located on Leupp Road.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at about 5:30 a.m. the Flagstaff Police Department/Coconino County Sheriff’s 911 Dispatch Center received a call from a motorist who was traveling on Leupp Road (Forrest Service 505). According to the reporting party, he was in the area located just east of Star School when he observed what he believed to be a body off of the roadway in the dirt.

Deputies arrived to find a Guardian Medical Transport team was already on scene. The subject was found to be deceased. During the initial investigation a detective who was at the scene observed indications of foul play. After the scene was processed and photographed, the victim was transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff.

There were no forms of identification on the victim, and detectives received information causing them to believe the individual frequented several homeless shelters in Flagstaff. Investigators interviewed multiple clients of several homeless centers in Flagstaff in an attempt to identify the victim but met with no results.

Fingerprints were taken from the deceased and with the assistance of the United States Marshals Office the prints were submitted to a federal forensic laboratory that provides results in a short period of time. The results of the fingerprint analysis identified the body to be that of 56 year-old David Allen Christine of Flagstaff. Subsequently Flagstaff Police Officers located a white Plymouth mini-van registered to the victim parked outside a local motel.

The victim is described as a white male, 56 years of age, 5’11” in height, weighing approximately 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing black Levi pants, black shoes, a beige
t-shirt, and a blue Columbia polar fleece jacket.

Manner of death will be determined during the examination conducted by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Williams wakes up to Slide Rock fire smoke

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srfw-140522-02WILLIAMS – The citizens of the City of Williams woke up with a reminder of just how serious the fire in Oak Creek is. Like Flagstaff yesterday, Williams seems to be receiving smoke from the Slide Rock fire. The City of Williams is almost 39-miles from the south edge of the fire threatening Kachina Village and Forest Highlands.

About 3,000 residents of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands have been warned to evacuate. An email we received indicated that Munds Park and Mountainair may be evacuated if the fire jumps I-17, but we have found no official information.

The fire, reported at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, started about 5 miles north of Sedona just north of Slide Rock State Park. the fire has grown to 4,830 acres due to high winds and difficult terrain. The difficulty of fighting the fire and the swiftness of its spread is also caused by lawsuits generated by “green” organizations which prevent the forest service from ridding the forest of fire fuels. This also forces the forest service to fund legal fees over maintaining the forest.

As of last night, fire managers saw very active fire behavior including runs, spotting, and torching as the fire became established in the upper Sterling Canyon area. Crews quickly responded with burnout operations along forest service road 535 west to State Route 89A to the north. Fire retardant was also used heavily in steep terrain along the west flank with good results. The latest word from the Coconinco County Sheriff’s Office hotline is that 89a is open and passable, but motorist are cautioned about the smoky conditions causing limited visibility. For motorist for respiratory conditions, you might consider Interstate 17 to State Route 179 to get to Sedona.

The fire transitioned to a Type I Incident Management Team bringing many additional resources to the fire. 840 fire fighting personnel are battling the blaze including Hot Shot crews and air craft.

Approximately 300 structures, private homes as well vacation resort cabins and a Forest Service lookout tower.

While the fire is under investigation, it appears to be human caused. Law Enforcement is seeking any information the public may have regarding the start of the Slide Fire and anyone of suspicion in the area yesterday between Slide Rock State Park and Half Way Picnic Area. The public should call Forest Service Law Enforcement at 928-527-3511 if they have any information that might assist law enforcement in the investigation.

As of late, Kaibab National Forest has not indicated a closure of the forest. Bob Pena, a local resident with 28-years of fire fighting service, said that the forest service does not evoke closures until the fire danger reaches extreme. Current fire danger is high.

Northern Arizona is still waiting to see what thunderstorms predicted over the weekend will bring. It is hoped that sufficient rainfall will assist fire fighters on the Slide Rock Fire as well as dampen the other forest areas to prevent new problems.
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Officials issue pre-evacuation notice for portions of Flagstaff

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Photo courtesy of Brenda Carter.

Photo courtesy of Brenda Carter.

FLAGSTAFF – The City of Flagstaff has issued a notice of a pre-evacuation order on its web site. The notice is for the Kachina Village and Forest Highlands area. Residents should call 928-679-4173 for questions.

Residents should start collecting any important papers, such as deeds, birth certificates, insurance papers, family photo albums, etc. Residents should also pack any fire arms, ammunition, jewelery and other valuables to take in the event of a forced evacuation. It would also be wise to take any “bug out” kits residents might have prepared.

The photo above is from a Williams resident who reports the smoke and ash from the fire is thick and getting thicker.