Tag Archives: Independence Day

Make safety a priority if driving over the Independence Day weekend

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With no closures scheduled on state highways over the extended Independence Day weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation is joining other agencies, including first responders, in asking drivers to focus on safety and staying alert during holiday road trips.

Allow extra time during peak travel periods, including Thursday afternoon, July 3, and Sunday afternoon and evening, July 6.

ADOT and its contractors will be giving motorists a break by not scheduling state highway closures between Thursday afternoon and Sunday night.

Drivers should still expect the unexpected, including unscheduled highway closures due to crashes, disabled vehicles, wildfires or other incidents.

ADOT anticipates heavy traffic and possible delays on highways in and out of the Phoenix and Tucson areas during peak holiday weekend travel times. That includes the Interstate 17 Improvement Project work zone between Anthem Way and the Sunset Point Rest Area north of Phoenix.

Other highways expected to be busy at times include State Route 87 between Fountain Hills and Payson; US 93 between Wickenburg and Hoover Dam; I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix; and I-8 and I-10 between the Phoenix area and the California state line.

For summer travel, ADOT recommends preparing an emergency kit including extra drinking water. Other items to consider are blankets, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, a fully charged cellphone and charger, snacks, diapers if necessary and a small tool kit. More information about traveling in hot weather is available on the ADOT website.

Because travel delays are possible, don’t forget other important items such as prescription medicines. A hat, sunglasses and umbrella – to help with rain or shade – also are good items to remember.

Be prepared for changing weather conditions, including blowing dust. Other road trip safety recommendations include:

  • Avoid distractions. Don’t text while driving. Eyes up, phones down.
  • Check your vehicle, including tire pressure and engine fluid levels.
  • Get some rest before traveling. Fatigue is a serious safety risk.
  • Never drive while impaired. Buckle up and obey speed limits.
  • Arrange for a designated driver or ride service if necessary.
  • If towing a trailer, secure chains so they are not dragging on pavement and creating sparks that might start a brush fire.
  • Avoid stopping in areas with grasses and brush. Hot vehicle components could start a fire.

ADOT will have personnel ready to respond to incidents along highways over the holiday weekend. In addition to on-call statewide maintenance crews, the ADOT Incident Response Unit (IRU), sponsored by GEICO, patrols Phoenix-area freeways in Maricopa County from 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The IRU operators assist state troopers as well as drivers in need of help.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at AZ511.gov, the az511 app (download for Apple or Android devices) or by calling 511. ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its X feed, @ArizonaDOT.

AZGFD to step up patrols over holiday weekend, promote sober boating

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and partner agencies will be patrolling Arizona’s waterways over the Fourth of July holiday weekend to provide heightened enforcement and awareness about the dangers of drinking alcohol while boating.

Once again, AZGFD will be participating in “Operation Dry Water,” a national boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign. The goal is to reduce the number of alcohol and/or drug-related fatalities and accidents by spreading this important message to the public: Drinking and boating is a potentially deadly combination.

“Our top priority is to create a safe environment for everyone who is out enjoying Arizona’s waterways,” said Major Danny Rodriguez, watercraft law enforcement programs coordinator/boating law administrator. “If alcohol is being consumed on your boat, always designate a sober operator.”

During last year’s Operation Dry Water campaign, almost 500 local, state, and federal agencies contacted 296,190 boaters and made 584 arrests nationwide for boating under the influence. A total of 10,008 citations were issued, as well as 33,546 safety warnings.

In Arizona, five agencies — AZGFD, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Bullhead City Police Department, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — contacted a total of 2,822 boaters statewide during last year’s campaign, made four arrests for boating under the influence, and issued 89 citations. The agencies also combined to issue 588 safety warnings.

“It’s no different from driving a car on the highway; the operator is responsible for everyone on board the boat,” Rodriguez said.

While the main focus of the campaign is geared toward those who operate a boat under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, officers may also give warnings or write citations for other violations, including not having proper safety equipment, failing to slow down in no-wake zones, operating too close to another vessel, and riding on areas of a vessel that are not allowed, such as the bow or transom.

Arizona state law requires that children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times while the boat is underway, and there must be one life jacket on board for every passenger. In addition, a throwable flotation device, usually a cushion with handles or a ring buoy, is required for all watercraft longer than 16 feet (except for canoes and kayaks).

Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. The initiative is credited with removing 7,453 impaired operators from the nation’s waterways.

AZGFD has been an Operation Dry Water partner since the beginning. “Any outreach that helps bring awareness to prevent fatalities and injuries in Arizona is a valuable investment of our time and resources,” Rodriguez said.

For more information on boating in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.com/Boating/.

Happy HONOR AMERICA DAYS!

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We are looking forward to the parades, band concerts, flags lining the streets and demonstrations that honor America for the 21-Day period of Honor America Days! We are just waiting for the City of Williams to post the schedule.

What? You’ve never heard of Honor America Days? Of course not. If you went through public schools in Arizona they did not tell you about Honor America Days, for some reason. 36 U.S. Code § 11 (an ACTUAL law written by Congress) designates the 21-days from Flag Day to Independence day is a period to honor America. “Congress declares that there be public gatherings and activities during that period at which the people of the United States can celebrate and honor their country in an appropriate way.”

Independence day is the day you probably call 4th of July because of the brainwashing you have received in school. Of course you probably don’t know independence was declared on July 2, but that’s another article.

Rome, New York the only city we’ve found that actually has an Honor America Days celebration. They have, unfortunately, fallen into the Plandemic trap the Cuomo set in New York. We also found the WriteShop web site that has writing suggestions for students for the Honor America Day celebration. WriteShop is a company that sells books on writing for young people. A South Dakota web site called Keloland has published a PDF called 21 Ways to Honor America.

You may find other Honor America Days information if you use a search engine. You certainly will not hear about this celebration of America from Washington D.C. Unless it has to do with any “bad” things the United States has done. The United States “government” has done bad things based on what ever it takes to get the people to vote for them. The recent plandemic is an example of that. Fortunately it is now going away because the mean tweeter is gone.

Before we started sending jobs to China and other countries, however, America brought newer and better technology to the world. America put the computer in your home that you are reading this on. American medicine, before Obamanationcare, extended the life of Americans and people around the world.

What the United States did give to the world is a government run by the people. “We the People…” are the government. Not the employees in Washington D.C. or Phoenix or where ever. This government was meant to be sovereign “States” bound together for a common cause. There was never any intention that the national government in Washington would control the individual States or control their lands. We the People let that happen.

What can you do at home to celebrate? How about reading a copy of the Declaration of Independence? How about making sure your children say Happy Independence Day instead of happy fourth of July. Study the Bill of Rights and the history of the Bill of Rights. Read Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States of America and see what limitations they have exceeded. Read a few of the Federalist Papers, especially Federalist Paper No. 29.

City of Page evaluating fireworks display

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PAGE — Governor Ducey has signed a new executive order (2020-43) entitled Pausing of Arizona’s Reopening Slowing the Spread of COVID-19. The Executive Order closes Bars, Gyms, Movie Theaters, Waterparks, Tubing and delays the start of schools.

The Executive Order orders the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to cease issuing series 15, Special Event licenses and series 16 and Festival/Fair licenses for the period of June 29, 2020 through July 27, 2020. The EO will be reviewed every two-weeks after July 27.

At this time, a decision has not yet been made whether to continue the July 4th fireworks display planned by the City of Page. More information on this topic is expected and will be shared with the community when available.

Independence Day closures

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FLAGSTAFF –– All Coconino County offices will be closed Wednesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, records will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please dial 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.

Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 and leave a message and an officer will respond. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open during the holiday, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill County Park will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. The Fort Tuthill Bike Park is open. The public is encouraged to visit one of the County’s parks for a morning run, afternoon hike or to view local wildlife.

The County remains in Stage Three Fire Restrictions below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and the use of fireworks is prohibited throughout the County. For more information on restrictions go www.coconino.az.gov/ready.

Operation Dry Water targets boating under the influence of alcohol on Arizona waterways

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PHOENIX — Boating while under the influence of alcohol continues to be a major factor in recreational boating deaths and accidents in Arizona and across the United States. In fact, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that alcohol was the top contributing factor in fatal boating accidents last year. As part of the effort to bring attention to the importance of always having a sober operator when on the water, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is participating in Operation Dry Water, a national awareness and enforcement campaign focused on sober boating.

For the tenth year, AZGFD and its partner agencies will be on the water providing heightened enforcement and awareness about the dangers of drinking alcohol while boating June 29 through July 1 in advance of the Fourth of July. The goal is to reduce the number of alcohol and/or drug-related fatalities and accidents, and spread this important message to the public during a time that is known for drinking and boating — a potentially deadly combination.

“Our No. 1 priority is to create a safe environment for everyone who is out enjoying Arizona’s waterways,” said Tim Baumgarten, AZGFD’s boating law administrator. “If alcohol is being consumed on your boat, always designate a sober operator. It’s no different from driving a car on the highway; the operator is responsible for everyone onboard.”

Although the legal limit for operating a boat in Arizona is a .08 blood-alcohol concentration, an operator is in violation of the law and may be prosecuted for operating a watercraft while impaired to the slightest degree by alcohol and/or drugs.

During last year’s Operation Dry Water campaign, AZGFD officers stopped 812 boats, 74 of which had a designated operator. Three arrests were made for operating watercraft while under the influence, and 94 citations were written. Nationwide more than 97,500 boats were stopped and 518 arrests made for boating under the influence.

While the main focus is those operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, officers may also give warnings and write citations for other issues such as operation, fire extinguisher and life jacket violations. State law requires that children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times when the boat is underway and there should be one life jacket aboard for every passenger. In addition, a throwable flotation device — usually a cushion with handles or a ring buoy — is required for all watercraft longer than 16 feet, except for canoes and kayaks.

Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, and it’s credited with successfully drawing attention to the dangers of boating under the influence.

“We’ve been participating in Operation Dry Water since day one, and anything that helps to prevent fatalities and injuries in Arizona is a valuable investment of our time and resources,” Baumgarten said.

No highway construction closures during Independence Day weekend

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PHOENIX – During the Independence Day weekend, state and local agencies are focusing on keeping motorists safe and placing equipment and resources along heavily traveled highways to help move traffic should incidents occur.

Motorists will play key roles in keeping traffic moving, too, by making smart driving decisions that won’t result in serious crashes that ruin road trips and create travel delays.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and its contractors won’t schedule construction closures along state highways from Friday through late Tuesday evening. Drivers are urged to use caution over the holiday weekend in existing work zones and in three “holiday travel corridors” that will receive extra enforcement and resources to minimize travel delays.

In an effort to reduce crashes and delays that result from speeding and driver inattention, speed limits will be lowered during peak holiday travel periods on a winding stretch of Interstate 17 north of Phoenix.

ADOT will reduce speed limits by 10 mph Friday, June 30, on northbound I-17 between New River and Sunset Point Rest Area. Speed limits on the same stretch of southbound I-17 will be reduced by 10 mph on Tuesday, July 4.

Temporary signs will advise drivers of the lower speed limits. For example, areas where the speed limit is ordinarily 65 mph will have a speed limit of 55 mph. Throughout the long weekend, temporary electronic signs will remind drivers how fast they are going.

By obeying speed limits, driving safely and not allowing impaired persons behind the wheel, travelers can reduce the chance of serious crashes that often create long travel delays and close highways. In 2016, 14 fatal crashes occurred during the holiday weekend – alcohol played a role in eight – that killed 16 people.

As they have during recent major holiday weekends, ADOT and the Arizona Department of Public Safety are emphasizing safety in three high-traffic zones: Interstate 17 between north Phoenix and Flagstaff, Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson, and State Route 87 between Mesa and Payson. Along those routes, ADOT crews will strategically stage equipment, such as loaders and utility trucks, to minimize travel delays with faster response times to crashes and stalled vehicles.

DPS will focus on preventing three leading causes of traffic deaths: speeding, impaired driving and lack of seat-belt use. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is working with state troopers, police officers and deputy sheriffs on a holiday DUI enforcement campaign.

No closures are scheduled during the holiday weekend, but travelers should be aware that existing work-zone restrictions with lane reductions will remain in place. This includes a 30-mile stretch of I-40 east of Kingman and I-40 near Twin Arrows.

Because unexpected delays can occur due to crashes and stalled vehicles, drivers are encouraged to:

  • Pack extra drinking water and snacks.
  • Avoid the busiest travel times, if possible.
  • Get plenty of rest before driving.
  • Check vehicles, including tire pressure, belts and fluid levels.

As summer temperatures soar, so does the potential of brush fires and wildfires occurring. Travelers can minimize the risk of fires along Arizona roads by not parking or driving in dry, tall grass; making sure trailer chains are secured and not dragging and emitting sparks; and never throwing cigarettes out the window.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed @ArizonaDOT.

The 13 Colonies Special Event Gets Under Way tomorrow

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militia-01The Amateur Radio Relay League announces a special Independence week event. The event consists of contacting stations in all of the original thirteen colonies. This is a great way to spend Independence Day and a great way to introduce your friends to amateur radio.

The eighth annual 13 Colonies Special Event takes place from 1300 UTC on July 1 until 0400 UTC on July 7. Stations working the special event station in at least one of the original 13 states — or all 15 participating stations — will be eligible for a certificate. A Liberty Bell endorsement will be attached for stations contacting sister special event station WM3PEN, in Philadelphia, where independence was declared. Back this year, is a second sister station GB13COL in Durham, England.

Stations will be on the air from each of the original 13 colonies — Connecticut (K2D), Delaware (K2E), Georgia (K2G), Massachusetts (K2H), Maryland (K2F), North Carolina (K2J), New Hampshire (K2K), New Jersey (K2I), New York (K2A), Pennsylvania (K2M), Rhode Island (K2C), South Carolina (K2L), and Virginia (K2B). All HF bands and all modes will be in play, with the exception of 60 meters. Operation on 2 and 6 meter simplex is encouraged.

Happy Flag Day

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729px-1885_History_of_US_flags_medHappy Flag Day! This is the day that Americans across the country post the United States flag. Streets are lined with old Glory. Americans started celebrating Flag Week on Sunday.

I forgot. In this day of political correct common core, they probably don’t teach this in school. Title 36 of the United States Code (PDF) covers all Patriotic Observances. Flag Day is covered in Section 110 of the code. The observance commemorates the adoption of the first United States flag on June 14, 1777. National Flag Week is covered under Section 122, of Title 36, and is the week in which June 14 occurs.

There is more. There is Honor America Days. This is covered in Section 112 of Title 36. Honor America Days is the 21-days from Flag Day until July 4 in which,

Congress declares that there be public gatherings and activities during that period at which the people of the United States can celebrate and honor their country in an appropriate way.

I can only find one city that has events celebrating Honor America Days, though they conduct their celebration a couple of weeks after. Rome, New York (Facebook) has an Honor America Days parade on July 30. Although they do have a Patriotic 5/10K run during the 21-day period.

Another little know fact is that Independence was declared on July 2, not July 4. The declaration was issued to the public two-days after the vote taken by Congress to be read and declared publicly. John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3,

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

Williams Independence Day parade a smashing success

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640-015-07-04-05WILLIAMS — If Facebook is any gauge, it appears that the historic Route 66 Williams Independence Day parade was a rousing success. Pictures and videos of the parade appeared from Richard Goettel of Phoenix and local resident Brenda Carter. Brenda even caught the Mayor directing traffic.

There was some concern that it might be a wash. Rain came down starting about two hours before the parade, but cleared up. While clouds darkened the city and threatened more rain, it never came.

The parade began with the members of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 carrying the colors. They were followed by the Vietnam Veterans of America. Smokey the Bear was the parade Grand Marshall.
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The American Legion Post and Vietnam Veterans were joined by the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion and Matthew Broehm VFW Post.
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A new addition is the War Memorial Museum of Arizona in their 1942 WWII half-track.640-15-07-04-16It would not be a Williams parade without the Bill Williams Mountain Men—official ambassadors of the State of Arizona, the tractors and the classic cars.
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640-15-07-04-34It was good to see Bearizona in the parade this year. The were promoting their upcoming Backwoods BBQ July 25.

640-15-07-04-11Save Meant to Rescue had a tremendous float this year. They get our vote for Number 1. They were surrounded by pets rescued by new owners.

Overall the parade was the best we can remember.
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