Tag Archives: News

Kaibab National Forest prescribed fire projects to continue through the week

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300-16-10-13WILLIAMS — Fire managers with the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest plan to conduct two large prescribed fire projects over the next two weeks beginning today south of Williams and then moving to Pitman Valley west of Parks.

The first of the two prescribed fire projects to be implemented will be the McCracken Project, which is located east and west of County Road 73 between Coleman Lake and Barney Knoll about 6 miles south of Williams. Fire managers plan to treat 2,532 acres with aerial ignition using a helicopter. They anticipate ignitions over three days beginning tomorrow and continuing through Saturday.

Smoke from the McCracken Project is likely to be noticeable near Dogtown Lake, Sherwood Forest Estates, Pitman Valley, Parks, and Bellemont. While major smoke impacts are not anticipated in Williams, it is possible that smoke will be visible from the community and from Interstate 40.

Fire managers had planned to begin treatment of the McCracken Project area Monday but had to postpone due to precipitation received Saturday that increased fuel moistures to levels not conducive for achieving optimal fire effects. A few days of drying have created conditions that are once again ideal for treatment of this area.

If conditions remain favorable following completion of the McCracken Project, fire managers will move to the Green Base Project located in Pitman Valley just west of Parks to begin prescribed fire operations. About 14,181 acres are scheduled to be treated in this area, which is north of Interstate 40, south of Bald Mountain, and west of Spitz Hill. Fire managers plan to use a helicopter to complete aerial ignitions on the burn unit over several days, likely from Sunday through all of next week. Smoke from the Green Base Project is expected to be visible from Interstate 40, Spring Valley, Highway 180, Kendrick Park, and possibly the northern portions of Flagstaff.

Kaibab National Forest fire managers have a number of other prescribed fires planned for fall and winter on each of its three ranger districts depending on fuel moistures and weather conditions. Public notification will be provided prior to the implementation of additional projects.

Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of many landscapes, including the Kaibab National Forest. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety.

Forest managers recognize that prescribed fires may create negative impacts to air quality at times. However, these efforts, which are essential to restoring forests in a fire-adapted ecosystem, can also significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke impacts associated with uncontrolled wildfire situations in the future. In order to minimize smoke impacts to businesses and residences during prescribed fires, managers closely monitor wind direction and ventilation and adjust operations accordingly.

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of prescribed fires as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be present.

All prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division and to view prescribed burn authorizations for any given day, visit https://www.azdeq.gov/programs/air-quality-programs/smoke-management.

Additional fire information for the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4112/#; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Massage – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.

ServiceArizona.com meets record demand for voter registration

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PHOENIX – A record 45,294 Arizonans registered Monday to vote in the general election through ServiceArizona.com, the customer website offered by the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division. Another 18,576 registered to vote on Sunday through ServiceArizona.com, with use beginning to spike during that evening’s presidential debate.

Demand was so great as Monday’s deadline to register loomed that ADOT worked with IBM, the provider behind ServiceArizona.com, to increase capacity.

“We take our role in the voter registration process seriously and are dedicated to ensuring all voters can exercise their right to register at their convenience,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said.

ServiceArizona.com’s previous one-day record for voter registrations was 36,532 on Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, the deadline to register to vote in that year’s general election.

Using ServiceArizona.com via computer, smartphone or tablet, Arizonans can register to vote for the first time or update their voter information such as home address, political party preference, early voting status and other information.

Once a person completes the process either online or in person, their information is sent to the Secretary of State’s Office, where it is recorded and shared with county election offices. Since 2002, ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division has facilitated nearly 6 million voter transactions online and at MVD offices.

“Our long-standing partnership with ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division benefits Arizona by allowing more people to become voters and enabling current voters to update their information in the most convenient ways possible,” Secretary of State Michele Reagan said. “It’s great to see the number of registered voters grow, and I’m optimistic this will translate into higher turnout on Election Day.”

Sheriff’s Office Sponsoring Outdoor Recreation Safety Fair Oct 22, 2016

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ccso-sar-outdoor-recreation-fairSave the date Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 10 am – 4 pm for an Outdoor Recreation Safety Fair sponsored by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue – Keep Weather-Aware & Equipment Prepared! Free seminars, booths, food, and fun for the entire family. Seminars on GPS, Hug-a-Tree, and Introduction to Avalanche Safety. Booths by REI, Red Cross, National Weather Service, Snowbowl, Search & Rescue, CERT, USFS, Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center and others. Free hot dogs served from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Event to be held at the Law Enforcement Facility (Sheriff / Police) at 911 E. Sawmill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

Nestlé USA Initiates Voluntary Recall Of Nestlé® Drumstick® Club 16 Count Variety and 24 Count Vanilla Pack

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ucm524635Glendale, CA — Nestlé USA, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of its Nestlé Drumstick Club 16 count Variety Pack and 24 count Vanilla Pack (with cones marked for easy individual sale) due to a possible health risk. The two pack sizes contain 4.6 fl.oz. cones and were manufactured in Bakersfield, Calif. and distributed nationally. No other production codes, sizes or varieties of Nestlé Drumstick products are affected by this recall.

The company received positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes (LM) from equipment contact surfaces from a location on the production line where these products are made. There have been no positive test results for LM present in the Drumstick cones themselves. The products impacted by the voluntary recall were put into distribution inadvertently. No illnesses have been reported to date; the company is initiating this recall as a precautionary action to avoid any potential for consumer illness.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The Nestlé recall is limited to the Drumstick Club 16 Count Variety Pack and 24 count Vanilla Pack, made at the company’s Bakersfield, Calif. ice cream production facility. The product identification codes can be found on the back of the packages and on the individually marked vanilla cones from the 24 count pack. The two packs being recalled carry distinct UPC codes, as well as a “best before” date and production code.

Description

Production Code

UPC

Best Before Date

DSTK Club CP 16×4.6floz US

 6244580212 72554-11096

Between June 2 – June 15, 2017
6245580212
6246580212
6247580212
6248580212
6249580212
6250580212
6251580212
6252580212
6253580212
6254580212
6255580212
6256580212
6257580212

DSTK Vanilla 24×4.6floz US

 6258580212

72554-00160

Between June 16 – June 19, 2017
6259580212
6260580212
6261580212

Consumers who may have purchased the product listed above should not consume it, but instead should return it to the place of purchase or contact Nestlé Consumer Services for replacement. Please call or text 1-800-681-1676 or email Nestleproductinquiry@casupport.com; representatives are available 24/7. News about this recall also can be found on Nestléusa.com and Drumstick.com.

The quality and safety of Nestlé products remain our number one priority. We apologize for any inconvenience this action represents for both our consumers and retail customers.

Blue Bunny Hoppin’ Hollidoodle Ice Cream Voluntary Recall

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bluebunny524818Le Mars, Iowa — Wells Enterprises, Inc. is voluntarily recalling two lots of Blue Bunny Hoppin’ Holidoodle ice cream sold at retail outlets, because they contain snickerdoodle cookie dough pieces recalled by the supplier, Aspen Hills, due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Wells has received no reports of illness attributable to this product.

Only Hoppin’ Holidoodle ice cream with the following lot numbers and best if used by dates are included in this recall. The recalled product is a seasonal holiday flavor with very limited geographic distribution in six states. Consumers should check the side of their ice cream packages to check for the following lot numbers and best if used by dates:

Product Name Size UPC, Lot #, Best Used by Date States Distributed
Blue Bunny Hoppin’
Holidoodle
Ice Cream		 46 fluid ounces  UPC 070640014644
LOT 60001 MM 19115 6228
BEST IF USED BY 02/13/18
UPC 070640014651
(High altitude)
LOT 60001 MM 19115 6229
BEST IF USED BY 02/14/18		 NE, OK, KS, MO, AZ,TX

No other Blue Bunny product is included in this recall.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Consumers with product matching lot numbers and best if used by dates should return the products to the retail outlets where purchased for a full refund. Anyone requiring more information should telephone Wells Enterprises, Inc. consumer affairs at 1-800-331-0830.

Autumn is a great time of year to visit

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800-dogtown16-10-06-1WILLIAMS — In the winter there are plenty of places to play in the snow. Oak Hill snow play area is about six-miles east of Williams and people line south road to find their favorite slide place. The spring melts the snow to create the creeks running through Williams bringing life-giving water. This leads to spring flowers and a summer of fishing, hiking and camping.

In autumn, however, the changing leaves of the aspens, oaks and other trees bring an incomparable beauty. There are still good places to hike and get photographs. There are still deer and elk running about, so caution while driving the roads is highly recommended.

800-billwill16-10-06-2

Bill Williams Mountain road is a popular drive this time of year.

800-dogtown16-10-06-3

Although the Aspens are bare along Dogtown road, the oaks and other trees still provide a nice drive.


The sad part is that the aspens did not fill out this year as they have in years past even with the heavy monsoon season. There are still some nice examples along Bill Williams Mountain road. There are still even some flowers blooming along the way.

The entrance to Bill Williams Mountain Road—officially FR 111—is located about four-miles out Perskinsville Road which runs past Santa Fe dam. 800-finger16-10-06-1Along FR-111 you can stop off at Finger Rock for some good photographs from the trail.

Speaking of Santa Fe dam, you can stop there and walk the trail along the reservoir. Two-miles down Perkinsville Road is the turn off for Dogtown road. On the opposite side is Benham Trail. The trail runs all the way to Bill Williams Mountain road. This is a beautiful, somewhat strenuous, hike.

The view from Bill Williams Mountain Road shows the immensity of the Kaibab National Forest.

The view from Bill Williams Mountain Road shows the immensity of the Kaibab National Forest.


The Aspens and Buckskinner Park usually make a nice photograph, but they did not fill out as usual. At the park area, the Buckskinner trail head lead to a number of trails which make for great hiking and photographic opportunities.

About six-miles east of Williams is the Oak Hill Snow Play area. Across Route 66 from there is a mile trail to the Keyhole Sink where you can enjoy the autumn hike to see the petroglyphs. This is an easier hike than most. Most family members should be able to make it with relative ease.

This season is, indeed, a beautiful time of the year. The trees in and around Williams are showing their fall colors. The weather is still warm enough to take to the trails for hiking and camping is still open. One should remember that, while wildlife is available for photographs, the hunting season is starting. You should keep your animals reigned in.

Mars Petcare US Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Number of CESAR® Classics Filet Mignon Flavor Wet Dog Food

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caeser524703Franklin, Tennessee — Today, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of CESAR® Classics Filet Mignon Flavor product due to a potential choking risk from hard white pieces of plastic which entered the food during the production process. CESAR® Classics Filet Mignon can be purchased individually, as well as, in flavor variety multipacks. The Lot Codes listed below are the only affected products. All other CESAR® products can be safely consumed.

We encourage consumers who have purchased affected product to discard the food or return it to the retailer for a full refund or exchange. While a small number of consumers have reported finding the plastic pieces, to date, we have not received any reports of injury or illness associated with the affected product. The lot codes indicated below should not be sold or consumed.

Affected product was distributed to retail customers throughout the United States. Mars Petcare US is working with all of our distributors and retailers to ensure that the recalled products are no longer sold and are removed from inventory.

Recalled Pet Food

Two lot codes of CESAR® Classics Filet Mignon Flavor wet dog food with the production codes shown below are included in this voluntary recall. Each product will have a lot code printed on side of the tray that begins with 631FKKC, 631GKKC. A Best Before date 080418 (August 4, 2018) and 080518 (August 5, 2018).

The CESAR® Classics Filet Mignon Flavor can be found in variety packs with the following lot codes:

632D14JC, 633B24JC, 634A14JC, 634A24JC, 634B14JC, 634B24JC, 634E14JC, 635A24JC, 635B14JC, 636D24JC, 636E14JC

At Mars Petcare US, we take our responsibility to pets and their owners seriously. Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 800-421-6456 between the hours of Saturday, October 8, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm CST and Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CST or visit https://www.cesar.com/notice.

Vascular Solutions, Inc. Issues Recall of Twin-Pass® Dual Access Catheters

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On September 16, 2016, Vascular Solutions, Inc., initiated a nationwide recall of Twin-Pass Dual Access catheters used in catheterization procedures. All unexpired lots of the product have been recalled because there is a potential for excess manufacturing material to remain at the tip of the catheter or within the distal portion of the rapid exchange lumen. It is possible that the excess material may separate from the catheter during use and pose a potential risk of embolism, which could result in serious injury or death. No injuries have been reported in association with this issue to date.

Healthcare facilities that have the affected Twin-Pass dual access catheters should remove the products from their inventory and return them to Vascular Solutions.

The recalled products were manufactured from October 2014 to August 2016 and distributed from October 2014 to September 2016.

The recalled products are all unexpired lots of Model Numbers 5200, 5210, and 5230. A listing of the recalled lots is available from Vascular Solutions and has been provided to each facility that purchased the affected products. A total of 15,896 devices have been manufactured, with 5,784 distributed in the United States and currently unexpired. The condition that led to the recall may affect approximately 9.2% of recalled devices.

Vascular Solutions, Inc. voluntarily initiated the recall on September 16, 2016 through an Urgent Medical Device Recall notification distributed to purchasers of the affected products. The notification identified the specific unexpired lots subject to the recall and included instructions on how to return the affected products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified this as a Class I recall. FDA defines Class I recalls as “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

Consumers with questions may contact the company by phone at 1-888-240-6001 Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central Time or by email at customerservice@vasc.com. Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program Online at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm (form available to fax (1-800-FDA-0178) or mail), or you may call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to request a reporting form.

2017 Heritage Fund Grants request due October 31

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heritage-fundThe Oct. 31 deadline to submit applications for more than $400,000 in Heritage Fund grants is quickly approaching.

Grants will be awarded based on a competitive application process in the following categories: environmental education, outdoor education, schoolyard habitat, urban wildlife/habitat, public access, and Identification, Inventory, Acquisition, Protection and Management (IIAPM). This year 501(c) non-profit organizations can apply for grant funds without the need of a sponsor.

Heritage Fund grant background
The Heritage Fund was created after voters approved an initiative in 1990 and is funded through Arizona Lottery ticket sales. Heritage funding goes toward conservation efforts such as protecting endangered species, educating students and the general public about wildlife and the outdoors, and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The grant program was established by the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1992 as part of the overall Heritage Fund program. The grants were initially developed as a way to promote outreach to enhance important partnerships and generate fresh approaches in support of the department’s mission.

Since the grant program’s inception, the department has awarded more than $14 million and supported more than 700 projects throughout the state.

Project requirements and how to apply
Potential grant recipients must have a project that is either located in Arizona or involves research in which the wildlife or its habitat is located in the state.

Applicants should refer to the documents on the Heritage Grant web page for guidance on applying. The documents include the Heritage Grant Application Manual, the Heritage Grant Application Form and the various “Heritage Grant Funding Window” documents, which describe eligibility information and provide specific eligibility criteria listed within each grant sub-category.

Proposals/applications for these grants can be submitted either by e-mail to rbeck@azgfd.gov or mailed to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Wildlife Grant Administrator, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. No faxed applications will be accepted.

Applicants can submit grant applications up until the application deadline of 5 p.m. (MST) Monday, Oct. 31, 2016.

Kraft Heinz Recalls Ready-To-Eat Lunchables Ham and American Cracker Stackers

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lunch-1WASHINGTON D.C. — Kraft Heinz Company, a Fullerton, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 959 pounds of ready-to-eat “Lunchables Ham and American Cracker Stackers” packaged lunch products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains wheat and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label.

The ready-to-eat meat and cheese packaged lunch items were produced on September 21, 2016. The following products are subject to recall:

3.4-oz. boxes containing four-compartment plastic trays of “Lunchables Ham and American Cracker Stackers,” with a “USE BY” date of 25 DEC 2016 and production times ranging from 9:13 to 10:00 stamped on the side of the plastic container.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 537K” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Utah and California.
lunch-2
lunch-3
The problem was discovered on October 6, 2016, when the firm received a consumer complaint. There were no illnesses associated with the complaint.

The establishment determined that the “Lunchables Ham and American Cracker Stackers” products were incorrectly labeled with the back label for a “Nacho Lunchable” product. The back label contains the product ingredient statements and as such, the “Lunchables Ham and American Cracker Stackers” products that were mislabeled do not declare wheat and soy on the label.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume it. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact the Kraft Heinz Consumer Relations Center, at 1-800-573-3877. Members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Lynne Gaila, Corporate Affairs Director, Kraft Heinz Company, at (847) 646-4396 or lynne.galia@kraftheinzcompany.com.