Tag Archives: News

Inmate death at Coconino Detention

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FLAGSTAFF – Yesterday evening at approximately 6:00 PM, while conducting a security and welfare check, a Detention Sergeant discovered an unresponsive male in a single cell located in our medical unit. The Sergeant immediately called for additional staff for assistance and began, with the assistance from our Medical Staff, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other lifesaving measures.

Additionally, staff requested a response of Emergency Medical Services. CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was performed and used until personnel from Guardian Medical Transport and the Flagstaff Fire Department arrived and took over lifesaving efforts. Emergency medical personnel performed CPR until 6:39 PM, at which time, the individual was declared deceased.

The individual has been identified as Gibson Benally, 53, of Chinle, AZ. The same day, at approximately 4:45 PM inmates in the housing unit where Mr. Benally was assigned alerted staff that Mr. Benally was experiencing shortness of breath and dizziness. Our Detention Staff went to check on Mr. Benally and contacted our on-duty Nurse to come to the housing unit. Our on-duty Nurse assessed Mr. Benally and our Medical Staff determined that Mr. Benally would be moved to a medical cell for medical observation. Mr. Benally was moved to the medical cell at approximately 5:33 PM. Mr. Benally was currently being housed in a cell by himself when he was found unresponsive.

At this time no foul play is suspected and it appears that Mr. Benally died by an apparent medical related event. The death is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and pending autopsy and review by the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

Tunnel Fire and Crooks Fire updates

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FLAGSTAFF/PRESCOTT — The Tunnel Fire in Flagstaff has grown to over 16,000 acres and a Type 1 Incident Management Team has been ordered and is scheduled to arrive Thursday. High winds have grounded air resources which are unable to fly due to wind thresholds for aircraft during firefighting operations.

Some structures have been lost. Unofficial reports are some houses are lost. Some reports are that the fire acted so swiftly that some animals were spooked and have been lost.

Coconino County Emergency Management has set up a call center for evacuees at 928-679-8525.

The Crooks Fire 11 miles south of Prescott Arizona is now 1600 Acres.

The restricted area for the fire consists of all National Forest System lands, waters, roads, and trails within the boundary starting at the intersection of State Route 89 and the National Forest (NF) boundary, proceeding east along the NF boundary for approximately 10 miles, then following the NF boundary south for approximately 6 miles, then following the NF boundary east for approximately 2 miles, then following the NF boundary south for approximately 6 miles, then following the NF boundary for approximately 1 mile to the junction with County Road 177, then following County Road 177 for approximately 10 miles to the intersection with Forest Road (FR) 52, then following FR 52 south for approximately 3 miles to the intersection with Forest Trail (FT) 275, then following FT 275 west for approximately 4 miles to the intersection with FR 82A, then following FR 82A southwest for approximately 5 miles to the intersection with FR 94, then following FR 94 northwest for approximately 3 miles to the junction with the NF boundary, then following the NF boundary north for 1 mile, then following the NF boundary west for 4 miles, then following the NF boundary north for approximately 5 ½ miles to the intersection with State Route 89, then following the eastside of State Route 89 northeast for approximately 13 miles back to the point of beginning at State Route 89 and the junction of the NF boundary. State Route 89 remains open.

A Community Meeting for the Crooks Fire will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 6:30 pm at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 3700 Willow Creek Dr. Prescott, AZ

The meeting will be live streamed to the Prescott National Forest Facebook and you do NOT need an account to watch. If you are unable to attend, the recording will be available to view afterwards at https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF . ASL Interpreter and Closed Captioning services will be provided.

Tunnel Fire grows to 6,000 acres, prompts evacuations

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FLAGSTAFF — At zero containment, the Tunnel Fire located 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff has grown substantially due to high winds and spread toward the northeast at high rate, eventually moving across U.S. Highway 89.

Fire managers currently estimate the fire to be approximately 6,000 acres, and more than 200 firefighters and personnel are currently assigned to the fire.

Area evacuations have been ordered, and up-to-date evacuation information can be found via the Coconino County Tunnel Fire page. Evacuees can also call the Coconino County Emergency Call Center at 928-679-8525. Coconino County Supervisors have declared a State of Emergency and are awaiting the signature of the Governor.

Structures threatened include the community in Doney Park near the fire, and we cannot confirm as of this news release whether or not any homes have been destroyed.

Current firefighting resources include five handcrews, 15 engines, and three dozers. Air tankers were ordered earlier this afternoon to aid in the firefight but were diverted due to high winds that surpassed wind thresholds for air resource purposes. Partner agencies such as Flagstaff Fire Department, Summit FD, Highlands FD, and state crews have also aided in intial and continued response.

A Type I Incident Management Team has been ordered and personnel, assets and resources from the team will arrive over the next two days.

U.S Highway 89 is closed between mileposts 425-435, so motorists traveling toward Page will need to find an alternate route.

Coconino County Sheriff’s office orders evacuations

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FLAGSTAFF – On April 19th, 2022, at 1100 hours the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office began evacuation operations in
the Timberline – Fernwood areas north of Flagstaff along Hwy 89.

The Sheriff’s Office was advised by the United States Forest Service at approximately 8:00 am that the Tunnel Fire had jumped the fire line and was threatening the Timberline – Fernwood Area. The Sheriff’s Office began preparation in anticipation of a “GO” order from the Forest Service.

At approximately 11:00 am a “GO “order was given, and evacuations began. Over 200 hundred homes are threatened at this time. Closure areas are East side of 89 is Campbell rd. to Sunset Crater, West side of the 89 is Summit Fire Station #33 to Sunset Crater.

A shelter is set up at Sinagua Middle School for those effected by the evacuations. The Coconino Humane Society is available for evacuated large and small animals.

We will update as information is made available.

If you are unsure about an evacuation notice or feel it maybe a scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency to confirm the location of any Evacuation stage or Set stage areas, please call the non-emergency numbers for the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (928) 774-4523 and Flagstaff Police Department (928) 774-4114 and report any suspicious calls.

If you receive what you believe to be a fraudulent call to evacuate or any other suspicious call, it is important to provide as much information as possible when reporting this activity. This includes not only phone numbers from which calls are received but also names (even if names appear to be fake), email addresses, web domains, times/dates of contacts, etc.

Tunnel Fire located north of Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — The Tunnel Fire, located north of Flagstaff along Highway 89 (35°18’14.4″N 111°35’20.4″W) is at 100-plus acres and 0 percent containment.

Fire is rapidly spreading in a northeast direction due to high winds with medium-to-high-range spotting occurring in timber and grass.

The area around Moon Crater and all areas north of Campbell East and West of highway 89 to Sunset Crater are ordered to evacuate. The Antelope Hills area east of Highway 89 is to prepare for evacuation. The Red Cross Evacuation Center is at Sinagua Middle School, 3950 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. Animals are not allowed in the evacuation center and must be taken to the Coconino Humane Association. Updated evacuation events can be found here.

While closure orders have not yet been issued, the public is asked to avoid the northern portion of U.S.Highway 89 from Elden Springs Road to the forest boundary for safety.

Resources on scene include three Type 1 handcrews, two dozers, two water tankers and seven engines.

The fire was reported at 4:22 p.m. on Sunday and its cause is under investigation.

Firefighters Respond to Wildfire South of Prescott near Mt Union

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PRESCOTT — At approximately 10:00 AM on Monday, April 18, 2022, resources from Prescott National Forest responded to a reported wildfire south of Prescott near Mt Union. The Crooks fire is burning through brush, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer. Local resources including aircraft have been working throughout the day in rugged terrain identifying hazards and scouting control feature as the begin to suppress the fire. Resources including crews, engines and aircraft are on scene and have been ordered. Smoke may be visible from multiple locations including Chino Valley, Mayer, and Prescott Valley.

Road closures include Goodwin Road – Crown King to Senator Highway; Walker Road is blocked at Senator Hwy, Lower Wolf Creek Road is closed at Senator Hwy and Big Bug Mesa Road is closed at Goodwin Road. As a reminder to the public, with the increased fire vehicles in the area, for public and firefighter safety people should not travel into any of the fire area.

The cause of the 500-acre fire is still under investigation.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation for residents located near Mt. Union and Camp Kippa. For more information visit: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.

ADOT management of state vehicle fleet saves taxpayers $6 million

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has saved taxpayers more than $6 million since taking over the management of fleet vehicles for more than 60 state agencies beginning in 2021.

The concept was first championed by Senator T.J. Shope (R-LD 8) and included in the overall state budget package approved by Governor Doug Ducey at the close of the 2021 legislative session. It gave ADOT the authority to consolidate the fleet and the agency began implementing standardized best management practices that reduce duplication, cut costs and improve processes. These practices align with the Arizona Management System introduced by the Governor in 2015.

With this consolidation, the state fleet operations follow the same uniform guidelines, including purchasing and preventative maintenance.

“The fleet consolidation effort is a win-win for taxpayers and the state,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “We are already witnessing savings by reducing the size of the state’s fleet, ordering in bulk and selling vehicles online. We are creating uniform guidelines and processes that will maximize resources and provide improved service to customers.”

To date, this effort has achieved a number of specific results:

  • Reduced underutilized assets including sedans, minivans, half-ton pickups and SUVs, saving more than $6 million.
  • Implemented a standardized vehicle replacement system.
  • Moved preventative maintenance schedules from 6,000 miles to 8,000 miles while following manufacturers’ guidelines.
  • Implemented a cost-savings statewide fleet tire policy.
  • Sold more than 1,000 vehicles for other state agencies since March 2020 and received on average 15% above Blue Book value.
  • Maximized vehicle replacement savings by leveraging the state’s vehicle order size.

For more information: azdot.gov

Fire managers to begin prescribed fire near Williams

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WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest fire managers are planning to conduct a prescribed fire near the Williams starting Wednesday, April 20 and continuing through the week, pending favorable weather conditions. The Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project is located just north of Interstate 40, the City of Williams, and Kaibab Lake Campground, west of State Route 64.

Crews are aiming to treat up to 2500 acres total, burning 400 to 1000-acre units at a time. They will start at the northeast end of the project area between Forest Road 796 (Pipeline Rd) and Kaibab Lake, working their way west and south. Area residents can expect to see and hear a helicopter in the area, as fire managers plan to conduct aerial ignitions on portions of the burn.

By planning this project now, fire managers can take advantage of the forecast for cooler temperatures, higher humidity and favorable winds. In advance of operations, crews identified and prepared various features that they’ll utilize during their burn such as existing roads, dozer lines, and open spaces and natural breaks surrounding and throughout the units. Ignitions are scheduled to begin early in the day to allow most of the smoke to disperse before nightfall. Firefighters will remain on site through the night monitoring fire and smoke behavior.

Smoke will be highly noticeable from Interstate 40, State Route 64, H.A. Clark Memorial Field airport, Kaibab Lake, Valle, Parks, and the City of Williams. During the day, smoke will disperse northeast away from the city, and the continued breezes overnight will help minimize the amount of residual smoke that settles in low-lying areas around the community.

No closures are planned as part of this project. However, motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened awareness when in the vicinity of active project areas.

Prescribed fires like the Three Sisters Project are part of the Forest Service’s comprehensive 10-year strategy for protecting communities and improving resilience in America’s forests. The intent of the Wildfire Management Strategy is to increase fuels treatments that help firefighters respond safely to incidents, restore and maintain resilient landscapes, and create fire-adapted communities. The plan calls for treating up to an additional 20 million acres of National Forest System lands, and up to an additional 30 million acres of other federal, state, tribal and private lands.

Police investigate homicide in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF –- On March 20th, 2022, at approximately 1:00 AM, Police responded to 2 N. Leroux, Collins Irish Bar for a report of a large crowd physically fighting which turned into a shooting.

When they arrived, officers located a subject in the street who had been shot. The victim was later identified as 26-year-old Frankie James Jackson, of Flagstaff.

The shooter was taken into custody and identified as 26-year-old Treysean Michael Anthony Ware of Flagstaff. Witnesses indicated that an altercation between Treysean and Frankie took place outside of Collin’s where Treysean pulled a gun on Frankie and shot him twice. Frankie was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Treysean has been arrested on charges of 2nd Degree Homicide, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon and drug charges. This investigation is ongoing; however we are not actively seeking any additional suspects. There were no additional injuries reported in this altercation.

Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — On March 17, 2022, at approximately 11:01 p.m., Flagstaff Police responded to the 3400 block of E. Route 66 regarding a collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian. Upon arrival officers located a male in the roadway with serious head injuries and began providing emergency medical aid until medical personnel arrived. The male was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for continuing emergency care and was pronounced deceased. The decedent is identified as Riley Belone, 45, of Flagstaff.

Flagstaff Police Collision Reconstruction investigators were called to the scene for investigative and evidence collection purposes. Investigators learned the vehicle was traveling eastbound on E Route 66 behind an uninvolved vehicle in the curb lane when they observed the vehicle in the curb lane take evasive action to avoid an obstruction in the roadway, which was determined to be Mr. Belone. The driver involved in the crash reported changing lanes to the left lane and was unable to avoid striking Mr. Belone as he was in the left lane. Information provided on scene indicates Mr. Belone was crossing E. Route 66 from the south sidewalk just east of the N Park Drive intersection when he was struck in the left travel lane. The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash remained on scene and was cooperative during the initial investigation.

This fatal collision is currently under investigation as investigators work to determine if speed or any other factors contributed to the cause of the collision.