Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Search and Rescue Members, Search for an Overdue Out-Of-Bounds Snowboarder

Coconino County Sheriff Deputies and Coconino County Sherriff’s Search and Rescue Members, Search for an Overdue Out-Of-Bounds Snowboarder

Flagstaff, AZ – Coconino County Sheriff Deputies and 14 Search and Rescue Volunteers are on foot and in a snow cat looking for an overdue snowboarder who was last seen today at about 3:00 PM on the south side of the Arizona Snow Bowl. Investigation has revealed that the 19 year-old male is not an experienced backcountry hiker, skier or snowboarder. It is believed the individual left the confines of the Arizona Snow Bowl and entered the unimproved back country. Sheriff deputies and search and rescue members are being aided by members of the Arizona Snow Bowl Ski Patrol.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Requests Assistance in Locating a Missing Person


Flagstaff, AZ – Coconino County Sheriff’ Deputies, are attempting to locate missing person Jack Cody who is believed to be disoriented. Mr. Cody was last seen at the Winona Shell Service Station located off of Interstate Highway 40 at the Winona Interchange on Monday, January 18, 2010 at about 2:30 PM. Investigators believe it is possible that it was Mr. Cody’s intent to walk on back or dirt roads to his him home located in the area of Mile Post 5 on Leupp Road (Forest Service Road 505). Unfortunately Mr. Cody has not been seen or heard from since. Jack Cody is described as a 56 year-old Native American male, approximately 5’8” in height and weighing approximately 230 pounds. He has short gray hair and black eyes and was last seen wearing, white cotton roper style gloves, brown roper style boots, a blue hooded sweat shirt, a dark colored knit watch cap and is described as not having any teeth or dentures. Given the severe winter weather conditions in Northern Arizona since Monday, law enforcement officials and Mr. Cody’s family members are very concerned about his welfare. Anyone with information regarding Jack Cody’s whereabouts or his disappearance is urged to call the Coconino County Sherriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or toll free at 1-800-338-7888.

SAND AVAILABLE FROM PHOENIX FIRE

Citizens may pick up sand and/or sandbags from the following locations:

(Bags will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To safeguard, it is recommended that individuals supply their own medium-sized garbage bags double bagged and their own shovels.)

Phoenix Fire Stations (For more information, call 602-495-5555):

Station 11: 2727 E. Roosevelt Street
Station 26: 3301 W. Rose Lane
Station 31: 5730 E. Thunderbird Road
Station 36: 21602 N. Ninth Avenue
Station 39: 2276 W. Southern Avenue
Station 40: 3838 N. 83rd Avenue
Station 43: 4110 E. Chandler Boulevard
Station 48: 5230 W. Happy Valley Road
Station 49: 3750 E. Dynamite Boulevard
Station 52: 21650 N. Tatum Boulevard

Sand is also available at Phoenix Streets Facilities (Hours of operation: 6:30a.m. - 3:30p.m.):

Coconino County Reminds Citizens To Be Prepared For Next Big Storm

Flagstaff, Az. – Coconino County officials met with several Northern Arizona public safety officials, governmental agencies and the media today to discuss the upcoming storm on Thursday and Friday. The National Weather Service predicts the storm could dump several feet of additional snow and heavy rains in the area.

The key message to citizens continues to be PREPAREDNESS AND SELF-RELIANCE. Every household should have an emergency plan and enough food, water, medications and supplies for a three-day period. Adequate heat sources, such as propane and wood, should be replenished. Vehicles should be winterized and contain necessary supplies and warm clothing in the event motorists become stranded. Gas tanks should be kept at least half-full.

Residents are encouraged to look out for their neighbors, particularly those who are elderly or disabled. Check on them regularly throughout the storm to ensure they have adequate supplies, communication during power outages, and that they are safe and warm. Help shovel their driveways if they need to get out or emergency services need to get to them.

Residents are also asked to plan for the care of their animals and livestock and to be sure they have hay, grain and other related necessities. Local hay and grain suppliers and have adequate supplies.

It is important that citizens call APS if they lose electrical power, and to not assume that someone else has notified them. For residential outages, call (800) 253-9405; for business outages, call (800) 253-9407.

County road crews are plowing County roads and will continue to do so throughout the storm. Citizens should be patient and drive safely, but are encouraged to stay off the roads as much as possible. Arterial, or main, roads are plowed first, and often, in order to allow access for emergency services and to keep traffic moving. With continuing heavy snow, it may take a while before they can get to the residential roads.

The County crews do not plow private driveways and, in heavy storms, it is necessary to dump snow in front of residences at the end of the driveways. Residents are encouraged to shovel the snow as often as possible to keep their access clear. If citizens live on a private road, they are advised to make arrangements with a private snow removal vendor ahead of time.

As a reminder, Coconino County Ordinance #86-6 prohibits parking on County roadways between November 1 and April 1 on a 24-hour basis. To avoid being towed, all motor vehicles should be kept clear of the streets. This will help expedite snow removal operations and prevent damage to County snowplows or private vehicles.

Heavy snow brings the potential for a flat roof to collapse under the weight of the snow. Keeping the snow cleared off the roof will prevent this from happening. The mixture of snow, ice and temperature changes can result in ice dams, so keeping the snow off roofs can prevent an ice dam from forming.

Vent pipes for fuel-fired appliances may become obstructed with snow and could cause a buildup of carbon monoxide inside a building. However, most vent pipes stay constantly warm and should remain relatively clear, even with large amounts of snow. If carbon monoxide is suspected, residents should call 911 immediately.

For more information on flat roof, vent pipe and ice dam issues, contact Coconino County Community Development at (928) 679-8850.

With the potential of heavy rain on Friday comes the possibility of localized flooding. County emergency management officials and local agencies are working together to provide sand bags and sand. Citizens should bring their own shovels; and they are responsible for filling and transporting the sand bags. County residents are advised to contact their local fire department for more information. The following locations have sand bags and sand available:

· Ft. Tuthill Grandstands, 3 miles south of Flagstaff, I-17 at Exit 337

· Summit Fire Department #36, 8015 W. Wing Mountain Road (Baderville)

· Summit Fire Department #32, 8905 Koch Field Road (Doney Park)

· City of Flagstaff Thorpe Park softball fields (available beginning 8:00 a.m. on Friday)

· Cities of Williams and Sedona have three locations each; check their local websites for specifics

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has set up a citizen call center where information is available on emergency preparedness and weather related issues. The hotline number is (888) 679-8393. Additional information on winter preparedness can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/emergencysvcs.aspx?id=598.

For 24-hour emergency related information, call the Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523; toll-free (800) 338-7888. For more information on County road conditions, call the Public Works Snow Dispatch at (928) 526-2735.

Avanche Hazzard for Coconino County

Flagstaff. AZ- The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino National Forest are warning backcountry mountain travelers to be alert for potential avalanche hazards on the San Francisco Peaks. Due to the predicted heavy snowfall dangerous avalanche conditions may exist and may remain potentially hazardous for long periods. It is important for backcountry travelers to be aware that no avalanche control is conducted in the backcountry outside of the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Area boundary.

People venturing into mountainous terrain should carry avalanche rescue equipment such as a shovel, avalanche rescue beacon, avalanche probe, and winter survival gear. Be prepared for travel and emergencies in the remote winter mountain environment where rescue is not immediate. Do not travel alone and leave a detailed trip plan with a responsible person. Your best chance for survival in an avalanche is companion rescue. It is important to review recent weather reports and forecasts as well as driving conditions prior to and during your trip. Carrying a cell phone is recommended, however, it may not always work in backcountry locations and should not substitute for good judgment and preparation. It is recommended that people who use the mountain backcountry receive formal avalanche safety education and winter survival skills. Free avalanche awareness clinics are offered by the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center. More information about these clinics can be found at www.kachinapeaks.org.

Winter backcountry travel into the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area from Arizona Snowbowl requires a free annual backcountry permit. This includes the parking areas at FR 522 and Lamar Haines Wildlife Area. Backcountry permits are available in Flagstaff at the Peaks Ranger Station, 5075 N. Highway 89, and the Coconino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1824 S Thompson St. Permits will also be available at Arizona Snowbowl’s Agassiz Lodge weekend mornings once the ski area opens.

DPS: In-between snow storms, DPS officers make drug busts along I-40 near Flagstaff


DPS Officers seize 100 pounds of high-grade marijuana worth about $700,000 dollars today along I-40 in the Flagstaff area. Seized: approximately 60 lbs or $420,000 street value. Also seized was $13,150 in U.S. Currency and a late model Toyota Corolla. Today, January, 19, 2010 at about 2:55 p.m., a Timothy John Hardaway Jr., 29, of Little Rock Ark. was traveling from Flagstaff back to Arkasas when he was stopped by a DPS Officer at milepost 208 on I-40 which is just east of Flastaff by about 10 miles for a traffic violation. Hardaway was the driver and single occupant of the vehicle. The DPS officer noted signs and indicators of criminal activity. The officer's narcotics canine alerted to the trunk and back of the vehicle. A subesquent probable cause search revealed two duffle bags in the trunk with vacum packaged and labeled hydroponic or high grade marijuana. A third duffle bag labeled "Firefighter" located on the rear seat was also loaded with similar packaged marijuana. The suspect's car which was paid off, was seized as well as the marijuana and $13,150 in U.S. Currency. Hardaway was booked into the Coconino County Jail on the charges of transportation of marijuana for sale. (Attached are photos of suspect John Hardaway and the marijuana seized from his vehicle) Not pictured: Today, January 19, 2010 at about 12:20 p.m. a DPS officer stopped a vehicle traveling east on I-40 at milepost 203 in Flagstaff for a traffic violation. The driver and lone occupant was identifed as Casey Lane, 26, of Northern California. A search of Lane's vehicle resulted in the seizure of about 40 pounds of vacum sealed and labeled hydroponic or high grade marijuana. The marijuana is valued at about $7,000 a pound or $280,000 in street value. Lane was booked into the Coconino county jail on the charges of transportation of marijuana for sale. * Note, I don't have photos or other specific details on this bust as the case officer was off-duty at the time I learned of the seizure. * I will be in Flagstaff for the remainder of this week to assist with snow storm as it pertains to public information and media requests. If any of your new's agencies need any informaton please email pio@azdps.gov. Or, you may call me directly if you don't recieve an answer. Sgt. Gary Phelps will also be assisting with public information as well. We will be posted at our moblie command post in front of the ADOT building at 801 S. Milton Ave. Flagstaff, just across from the Target. Robert Lee Bailey, Media Relations Officer CORE: Media Relations Arizona Department of Public Safety

SPD hosting a highly interactive Self Awareness class

SPD hosting a highly interactive Self Awareness class on Wed, Feb. 3 from 6-9 PM. 480-312-2594 for more.

Scottsdale Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit will be hosting the highly interactive Self Awareness class to help attendees know what to do if confronted with a potential crime in progress. The class will be held Wednesday, February 3rd from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at the SPD Tom Hontz Training Facility (911N. Stadem Drive). The class is free for Scottsdale residents or anyone who works in Scottsdale. The class participants must be at least 14 years of age though the course is formatted for adults. Students will be put in simulated, though safe, situations where they may become “victims” of crime. After each scenario Crime Prevention Officers will provide tips and suggestions to help attendees make the safest choices. For more information or to sign up call Officer Craig Abernethy at 480-312-2594 or email at CAbernethy@ScottsdaleAz.gov by January 25th as seating is limited.

For full details, go to http://local.nixle.com/alert/889924/