Tag Archives: News

As winter storm intensifies, be prepared for rain, wind and snow

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PHOENIX — A winter storm packing rain, wind and, later, the possibility of light snow and ice in the high country is all the more reason for Arizonans to drive with care and adjust their speed to conditions.

While much of the state is expected to see rain Friday, the forecast for many areas also calls for sustained winds of between 30 and 40 mph and even stronger gusts. Beginning Friday night, a cold front will lower snow levels to around 5,000 feet and drop temperatures, meaning drivers in Arizona’s high country should be prepared for the possibility of light snow accumulating as well as ice on the road.

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s nearly 200 snowplows and 400 certified snowplow drivers are ready to deal with snow and ice, and ADOT’s website offers tips for driving in the rain, in wind that reduces visibility and around snow and ice.

Here are some of them:

  1. Slow down and be aware of the risk of skidding or hydroplaning.
  2. Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. This helps prevent sudden braking, which can cause you to slide on wet or icy pavement.
  3. Before you drive, inspect your windshield wipers, and replace them if necessary.
  4. Turn on your headlights while driving in bad weather.
  5. If you’re planning to drive in the high country, consult ADOT’s Know Snow winter-driving tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow. These start with wearing warm clothing, having a fully charged cellphone and making sure your tank is at least half full at all times.

For the most current information about highway conditions and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511.

Using the Force to keep drivers safe

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PHOENIX —Staying focused is a primary defense against car crashes and staving off intergalactic doom. That’s right: We’re bringing together vehicle safety and Star Wars. Again.

In the past year, the Arizona Department of Transportation has placed unconventional safety messages on overhead signs. This is by design. We want to grab people’s attention and make them engage with important safety messages. Often, these messages will relate to current events or pop culture.

With “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” premiering this week, motorists on Arizona’s highways will see Star Wars-themed safety messages on overhead signs.

Remember, whether you’re working to steal plans that will lead to the destruction of a 134-quadrillion-ton Death Star or driving down the road, remaining focused and undistracted are key to staying safe.

This young man wanted a dog for Christmas. But for a very special reason.

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Preston Sharp chose to adopt Rusty over a laptop to help a veteran in need.

REDDING, CALIFORNIA —Preston Sharp lives in Redding, California. He is well known among veterans as he spends his spare time laying flowers and wreaths on the graves of veterans and visiting veterans. He has received awards from veterans groups such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He stunned all of his friends on Facebook with a simple request. He asked for supplies for a dog that he asked his mother to adopted instead of a laptop that he was wanting.

But this is no ordinary adoption.

He was visiting a veterans home and was talking to a veteran. He learned that the veteran lived with a dog in a van for seven-years before his health became poor and he had to move into the veterans home. The veteran had to give up his dog, Rusty, to his cousin who lives four-hours away from the home. Instead of the laptop that he wanted for Christmas, he asked his mother if he could adopt Rusty so the dog could visit his veteran friend anytime he wants.

Preston is asking for donations to care for the animal. You can also send donations for his continuing efforts to take care of veterans memorials and grave sites. You can address them to Preston Sharp, PO BOX 493792 Redding CA 96049.

Heavy winds and rain today in Williams

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WILLIAMS — Santa’s reindeer could not take the high winds and the Zipline is closed as Williams experiences its predicted rain. The rain began in the early hours of the morning and has continued throughout the day. It might be nice for those taking the Polar Express tonight as snow is predicted for the late afternoon throughout the night. Up to two inches is possible.

The rain is heavy rain is accompanied by high winds of about 15-mph with gusts up to about 25-mph. The temperature is about 45, but the chill factor is making it feel about ten- to fifteen-degrees cooler.

There is a 10% chance of snow Saturday morning clearing up to sunny skies by the afternoon. The long-range forecast currently shows sunny skies and temperatures rising to around the mid-40s through the week. The lows start out at 1round 15 raising to the mid-20s by Thursday night. A chance of showers picks up on Friday.

Traffic on the highway seems to be running smoothly with only one accident reported at about milepost 140 near Ash Fork at about 2:15. One of the occupants suffered minor injuries.

We remind drivers that as the temperatures drop and snow begins, ice will be a major hazard. Please slow down.

Ron’s Home Style Foods, Inc. Recalls Tropical Fruit Supreme, Pineapple Nut Delight, and Pistachio Crème

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Houston, TEXAS — Ron’s Home Style Foods, Inc. is recalling Tropical Fruit Supreme, Pineapple Nut Delight, and Pistachio Crème, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Tropical Fruit Supreme, Pineapple Nut Delight, and Pistachio Crème were distributed in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma to foodservice distributors and retail supermarkets.

Product is packaged in plastic containers with the following information on the label.

Product UPC Size Brand Use By:
Tropical Fruit Supreme 096938842027 5 lb. Ron’s Home Style Foods 12/27/16, 1/18/17, and 2/6/17
Tropical Fruit Supreme 046045022294 5 lb. Golden Harvest 12/27/16, 1/18/17, and 2/6/17
Tropical Fruit Supreme 096938841013 1 lb. Texas Kitchen Salads 12/27/16, 1/18/17, and 2/6/17
Pineapple Nut Delight 096938822029 5 lb. Ron’s Home Style Foods 12/27/16, 1/18/17, and 2/6/17
Pineapple Nut Delight 096938900086 12 oz. Brookshire’s 12/27/16, 1/18/17, and 2/6/17
Pistachio Crème 096938832028 5 lb. Ron’s Home Style Foods 12/27/16, 1/2/17, 1/18/17, and 2/6/17
Pistachio Crème 096938831014 1 lb. Texas Kitchen Salads 12/27/16, 1/2/17, 1/18/17, and 2/6/17
Pistachio Crème 096938900079 12 oz. Brookshire’s 12/27/16, 1/2/17, 1/18/17, and 2/6/17

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall is due to a recall of an ingredient used in manufacturing these products. Valley Milk Products reported that certain lots of dry milk they manufactured have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. While Pistachio Crème does not contain the ingredient, it is made on the same production line as Tropical Fruit Supreme and Pineapple Nut Delight therefore we are recalling it as well.

Consumers who have purchased the above products are urged not to consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1.800.856.3131, M-F 8am-4pm CST.

Fatal off-highway vehicle accidents serve as reminders to practice OHV safety

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all off-highway vehicle (OHV) drivers and passengers to wear the proper safety gear and ride responsibly in the wake multiple separate accidents.

Since Thanksgiving, three people have died in accidents on OHVs. The first occurred in Mohave County after an ATV rolled, killing an 11-year-old female passenger and injuring the 12-year-old driver, according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

The second accident claimed the life of a veteran Phoenix Fire captain who rolled the side-by-side he was driving while on an elk hunt south of the Grand Canyon, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

Over the weekend, an 18-year-old Arizona State University student died after his ATV collided with a tree.

“It only takes a split-second for tragedy to strike,” said Josh Hurst, AZGFD Off-Highway Vehicle Program coordinator. “The last few weeks have shown us that OHV accidents can happen to anybody at any time and that is why all riders and their passengers should wear the proper safety equipment at all times. Helmets save lives.”

Riders and operators are reminded that helmets are required by law for all riders under the age of 18 regardless of the off-highway vehicle type. However, they are strongly recommended for all riders. In addition riders should remember to:

  • Wear a seat belt at all times, if equipped.
  • Only carry the number of passengers recommended by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Often many accidents are the result of too many people riding a machine that was designed for fewer passengers.
  • Wear riding goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, pants, riding gloves and over-the-ankle boots.
  • Never ride alone.
  • Be prepared and equipped with a map, a first aid kit, whistle and have basic tools on hand.
  • Stay on designated trails.
  • Take an OHV safety education course designed to teach off-road motorists how to ride safely and responsibly.

For more information about the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s OHV program and safety course options, visit www.azgfd.gov/ohv.

Specialty plates bring in $66 million for worthy causes since 2007

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Commercial/Griphic Artist
College – PLATT
College – AWC

PHOENIX — What goes on the back of your vehicle, looks great and makes a lot of money for a worthy cause? A specialty license plate from the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division does, and more of them are on the way.

Since fiscal 2007, the total revenue generated from the sale of specialty license plates has reached $66 million. Those funds support causes including cancer awareness and research, child abuse prevention, environmental awareness, organ donation, university scholarships, veterans’ programs and quite a few more.

“The specialty plate program is a real point of pride for Arizona and is a tremendous success,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “To have raised $66 million since 2007 proves Arizonans are both generous and eager to support great causes. Even during the depth of the economic downturn a few years ago, these revenues went up and that trend is continuing today.”

Starting December 19, three new plates will be made available. The Grand Canyon University plate will raise funds for academic scholarships. Historic preservation funds will be raised by the Historic Route 66 plate. A Special Olympics plate will support that organization’s sports, health and leadership programs.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to have a Grand Canyon University-themed license plate,” said GCU Communications Director Bob Romantic. “It’s a way for people to not only show pride in the university but also support academic scholarships that make it possible for many students to attend college.”

A fourth plate, for the 100 Club/First Responders, will soon be available pending completion of the plate design. Those funds will go toward scholarships for family members of public safety officers and firefighters.

Specialty plates typically cost $25. Of that, $17 is committed to the benefiting organization. For more information about specialty plates including how to order, please visit ServiceArizona.com or azdot.gov/mvd.

The specialty plate program was established by state law in 1989.

Changes to signal timing mean big benefits for Phoenix drivers

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PHOENIX — It may not be surprising to hear that coordinating the timing of city traffic signals and those at two busy Interstate 17 interchanges will save drivers time.

But the Arizona Department of Transportation and its partners, the city of Phoenix and Maricopa Association of Governments, have taken it a step further by adding up the time saved and its dollar value for a project involving Camelback and Indian School roads.

The answer: Motorists are expected to save 350,000 hours of travel time, worth $6.2 million, per year.

“Continuous improvement is ADOT’s culture and is reflected in both large and small things that the ADOT team does every day. Sometimes a seemingly small change that makes better use of resources can mean big improvements,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Drivers are already seeing a time savings from this coordination. Saving time means saving money and more time with family, friends and things you enjoy doing.”

“The ADOT team’s challenge is to keep improving time savings and promote efficiency for Arizona’s taxpayers,” Halikowski added.

“When ADOT, MAG and the city of Phoenix work together strategically, the public is the beneficiary,” Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said. “Properly timing the traffic signals at these busy intersections will ease congestion, which gets commuters home sooner, saves fuel and keeps our air cleaner.”

A project funded by Maricopa Association of Governments’ Traffic Signal Optimization Program studied traffic signal timing at the Camelback and Indian School interchanges and nearby city streets and recommended a number of improvements. The project developed a common cycle length for all traffic signals near those interchanges and the best timing for the morning and evening commutes.

ADOT and Phoenix made these recommended changes, leading to significant improvements in travel times at these locations. An independent study by ADOT staff identified the benefits in time saved.

Besides saving motorists time, these adjustments are expected to improve safety by reducing the number of stops drivers must make and time spent waiting at traffic lights. Shorter travel times and fewer stops also reduce fuel consumption and air pollution.

ADOT and Phoenix continue to evaluate other I-17 corridor interchanges to see if changes in signal coordination can improve traffic flow elsewhere.

Photographed jaguar is newcomer to Arizona

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PHOENIX — Scientists at the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) completed an independent analyses of trail cam photos of a jaguar in the Huachuca Mountains and confirmed that the animal has not been seen previously in Arizona.

“Five scientists from the department independently examined the photos from the new sighting with those from previous jaguars in Arizona to compare spot patterns and concluded that this animal has not been sighted in previously in the state,” said Jim deVos, assistant director for Wildlife Management at AZGFD.

“While recognizing the importance of finding a new jaguar in Arizona, it is also important to point out that this animal, like all other jaguars observed in Arizona in at least 50 years, is a solitary male and that the closest breeding population of this species is about 130 miles south of the International Border,” added deVos.

The other most recent sighting of a jaguar in Arizona was in the Santa Rita Mountains in southern Arizona; however, that animal has not been documented in the state since September 2015. Prior to September 2015, this jaguar was photographed hundreds of times over a three-year period.

“Jaguars are a unique component of this state’s wildlife diversity and it is exciting to document a new visitor. However, in the absence of female jaguars and with the irregularity with which we document any jaguar presence in Arizona, this sighting in early December is important, but not an indicator of an establishing population in the state,” said deVos.

GateWay Community College’s Water Resources Job Fair

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This FREE event is open to the public and features:

1. Guest presenters showcasing Water Resource Technology opportunities
2. Networking opportunities with representatives from the US Geological Survey, Valley municipalities, private water/wastewater companies, consulting firms and water resource technology students
3. Vendors with information about internships and job openings

When
Thursday, March 23, 2017
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Where
GateWay Community College
Room IE1302 (Copper Room)
108 N. 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034

Contact
To host a booth or for more information, contact:
Mary Jordan
P: 602-238-0060
E: beth.jordan@gatewaycc.edu