Yavapai Broadcasting News

7/24/2008

Mingus registration starts Monday

Student registration at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood begins Monday. Superintendent Scott Dunsmore says registration will run from 8AM to 1PM daily with Seniors signing in on Monday, Juniors on Tuesday and Sophomore on Wednesday. Freshman registration will be from 2 to 7PM on Thursday.

7/24/2008

Update on Virginia Kennedy Homicide investigation

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigation Section, continues to actively investigate the murder of 53-year old Virginia Kennedy. Spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says Detectives are requesting to speak with anyone who was present on certain trails in the Granite Basin area between the hours of 4-pm and 10-pm July 2-nd to please come forward. The trails include 309, 345, 346, 347, 348, and 351. If you were hiking, biking or riding horseback in that area, and even if you recall seeing nothing of apparent concern, Detective Doug Brown would like to speak with you. Additionally, anyone who was on Glenshandra Drive where it dead ends at the steel gate adjoining the Deep Well Ranch property, during the time frame indicated, is urged to contact Detective Brown. If you can help, call 928-771-3260 or Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-32-32.

7/24/2008

Stranded Grand Canyon raft finally freed

A motorized, commercial raft stranded in Grand Canyon National Park has been freed and returned to its trip down the Colorado River. Canyoneers Inc. had a motorized raft stranded Tuesday on the rock garden at Crystal Rapid, some 11 miles down river from Phantom Ranch. On Wednesday morning, 13 passengers and 2 guides were transported by the National Park Service from their raft to shore using the park's inflatable rescue boat. The 37-foot raft was freed by Wednesday afternoon, then brought to shore to be reunited with its passengers and crew. (Courtesy AP)

7/24/2008

Missing Prescott Valley woman found deceased

A Prescott Valley woman who was the subject of a search early this week has been found deceased. The body of 58-year old Robin Loveless was found around 7PM Wednesday night about a mile from her Yavapai Court residence. The body has been taken to the medical examiner's office for a determination of cause of death. Police spokesman Gene McFarland says police were called early Monday. Neighbors had reportedly seen Loveless walking away from her home at 4AM wearing only a night-gown and tennis shoes.

7/24/2008

Missing Black Canyon City woman and thre children found safe

Authorities say a Black Canyon City woman and her three children have been found safe and sound after having been reported missing last week. YCSO spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says 33-year old Davina O’Neill and her children contacted police after hearing news reports that they were being sought. Family members became concerned after O’Neill’s abandoned van was found at a Black Canyon City restaurant on July 13th. The family had not been heard from between that time and Wednesday. YCSO Detectives today planned to contact O’Neill to determine the cause of her disappearance.

7/24/2008

Economic forum a success in Prescott Valley

Prescott Valley City Manager Larry Tarkowski says he’s very pleased with the economic brainstorming session held earlier this week. A standing room only crowd filled town council chambers. Tarkowski says a lot of discussion focused on issues relating to alternative fuels and energy sustainability and how fostering those philosophies could prove attractive to future business. With that as their goal, the group discussed how to finance and promote such policies and has even begun discussing an Energy Expo, perhaps as early as September.

7/24/2008

Elementary school custodian arrested for assault of student

An elementary school custodian has been arrested for aggravated assault with sexual motivation involving a 13-year old student. 63-year old Herbert Allen was employed at the Model Creek School in Peeples Valley. YCSO spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says the victim told her mother that in late June, Allen asked her to meet him in a secluded room. At that point, the victim says, Allen hugged her and kissed her on the lips. D’Evelyn says the victim also reported that Allen held her hands, gave her what she called “special hugs” and signed her yearbook with initials that the girl said meant “young sexy foxy lady.” Police say so far, no other victims have come forward.

	Herbert Allen

7/24/2008

Chino Valley road work to begin soon

ADOT will begin construction on Monday, August 4th to improve State Route 89 in Chino Valley. The construction zone will stretch from Center Street to just south of Road 4 South. The improvements include installing a new 18-inch water main, widening the roadway and constructing a raised median. The work is aimed at increasing traffic flow and safety, and providing better access to businesses. Construction crews will work Monday through Friday from 6AM to 2PM. The project is scheduled to be completed in 15 months.

7/24/2008

Michelle Murray in court Monday for CMC

A Chino Valley mother accused of causing serious injuries to her 2-month old son and then failing to seek treatment for those injuries will be in court Monday for a Case Management Conference. 26-year old Michelle Murray is charged with 4-counts of child abuse and 2-counts of aggravated assault. Her 2-month old son was found to have a fractured skull, right femur, a partially healed broken clavicle and multiple rib fractures. Murray was taken into custody in June. The child’s father, 20-year old Alex Allen was arrested by YCSO a couple weeks later and charged with hindering prosecution. Allen and Murray told police their 2-year old daughter caused the injuries to the baby when she pulled the baby out of a swing.

	Michelle Murray

7/24/2008

West Nile Virus claims first life of 2008

The Arizona Department of Health Services today reported the state’s first death from West Nile Virus in 2008. Tests indicated that a woman in her 80’s from Maricopa County died from the mosquito transmitted virus this month. Residents are reminded to remove all standing water on their properties. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in the water. Mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus in Maricopa, Pinal and Yuma counties; Yavapai and Coconino Counties have not had any mosquitoes come back positive for the disease.

7/24/2008

Sedona seeking applications for Council vacancy

The Sedona City Council needs to fill a vacancy on the council. Councilman Ramon Gomez stepped down from the position. It’s a 4-year term with 2-years remaining. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s office. The deadline to turn them in is August 29-th.

7/24/2008

Sedona PD receives award from Governors Office of Highway Safety

Sedona Police Chief Joe Vernier, Patrol Commander Ron Wheeler and several patrol officers received an award from the Governors Office of Highway Safety at a ceremony held in Flagstaff Wednesday. Wheeler says the award was for efforts made to reduce the number of injury and fatal accidents on the cities busy Highway 89-A. Wheeler says injury accidents dropped 40% from 2004 to 2007 and they had zero fatal accidents in 2007. Wheeler says they attribute the decrease to heightened patrol and enforcement of traffic laws along Highway 89-A.

7/24/2008

Sedona seeking proposals to coordinate City Arts Education Program

The City of Sedona is seeking proposals from individuals to coordinate the City’s Arts Education Program, which provides arts education for the students in Sedona. This includes youth attending all schools in the Sedona-Oak Creek School District as well as charter and home schools. The project will commence in September and end in June. Proposals must be submitted to the City of Sedona Arts & Culture Department no later than Wednesday, August 13-th.

7/24/2008

UBS and Mingus team up for Sunday blood drive

This Sunday from 10-to-2 WalMart will help Mingus Union High School defend its division title in the Arizona High School Blood Drive Challenge. UBS will have its mobile unit parked in the WalMart parking lot; all blood donations will be credited to Mingus’s quest for a repeat. To make an appointment call 1-877-448-GIVE; walk-ins will be welcome.

7/24/2008

UBS Prescott Blood Drive

United Blood Services is short donors for a blood drive tomorrow at the American Evangelical Lutheran Church in Prescott. Paul McCully says the drive is short 20-to-25-donors. The drive will take place from 8-to-1. To make an appointment call 1-877-448-GIVE; walk-ins are welcome.

7/23/2008

Flagstaff Golfers hit by lightning

Two Flagstaff golfers who sought refuge from a thunderstorm beneath a tree were injured when lightning struck the tree and then passed through them. Flagstaff Fire Captain Bill Morse says when emergency personnel arrived Tuesday afternoon, they found the men sitting next to their golf cart, conscious but disoriented. Morse says "neither knew what year it was, but one of them knew their current golf score." One of the men had obvious lightning entry and exit wounds, and the other had burnt hair and clothing, and one of his shoes had been blown apart. Both men were taken to the hospital and at last report were in stable condition. (Thanks to AP Phoenix)

7/23/2008

Convicted sex offender arrested again

Prescott Valley police arrested a convicted sex offender Tuesday minutes after the man allegedly offender once again. Police were called to the Fry’s Food Store on Glassford Hill Road around 5:30PM. The 5-year old male victim reported he had been in the men’s restroom when the elderly male suspect entered and made sexual contact with him. The victim immediately left the restroom and notified his mother, who was waiting just outside. The victim and his mother contacted Store Management, who called police. Store personnel then followed the suspect to his vehicle and stood by with him in the parking lot until police arrived. The suspect was identified as 65-year old David Harry Washburn, who is registered convicted sex offender. Washburn was immediately taken into custody, transported to the Prescott Valley PD and interviewed. Washburn was booked into the Yavapai County jail on one count of Child Molestation, a class 2 felony.

	David Washburn

7/23/2008

Crown King open--Lane 2 Fire area closed

Prescott National Forest spokesperson Debbie Maneely says there’s some confusion regarding the emergency closure put into place due to the Lane 2 Fire. Maneely says the closure only affects the area charred by the fire; the community of Crown King is open to the public. It’s unclear how long the closure will remain in place. Maneely says the developed campgrounds are closed; dispersed camping outside of the burn area is allowed.

7/23/2008

Indecent Exposure suspect sought by Cottonwood Police

Cottonwood Police are looking for a male suspect wanted for indecent exposure. Sgt. Gary Eisenga says the incident occurred at Dead Horse Ranch State Park at around 9-am last Friday; the victims are a Phoenix woman and her 13-year old daughter. Eisenga says an unknown male subject completely exposed himself to the female victims and then followed them when they tried to leave the area. The suspect is described as a white male, 5-10 to 5-11, 160-pounds with dark eyes and short dark thinning hair. The victims also thought the suspect had a tattoo on his upper right arm. Eisenga says a pair of cut off shorts with nude photographs in the pocket was found at the location.

7/23/2008

No new information on homicides in Northern Arizona

No new information has been released in connection with 2 separate homicide investigations being conducted in northern Arizona. July 2-nd the body of Virginia Kennedy was found in her Williamson Valley home. YCSO Detectives have a person of interest in the case, but at this time an arrest has not been made. Detectives have also withheld the victim’s cause of death. July 10-th Flagstaff Police began the murder investigation of 16-year old Justin Jackson whose body was found in a clearing along Woody Mountain Road. At this time 3 young men have been arrested and charged with 1-st degree murder. 17-year old Micah Neumann and 18-year olds Jesse Collier and Benjamin Hamilton are being held on 1-million dollars bond. Detectives say it appears Jackson died from a gunshot wound, however the exact cause of death has not been released; Detectives have also not released a motive. Anyone with knowledge on these cases is urged to call police with their information.

7/23/2008

Write in candidates have until tomorrow to file

Tomorrow at 5 is the deadline to file as a write in candidate for the September 2-nd Primary Election. Early voting begins July 31-st and the last day to register to vote in the primary is August 4-th. Independent voters need to make sure they contact the County Elections Department to notify them of which ballot they would like to receive if they plan to request an early ballot by mail.

7/23/2008

One lane restrictions extended on Senator Highway

The City of Prescott Field Operations Department announced Tuesday that it will be extending it’s maintenance on Senator Highway between South Mount Vernon Avenue and the City Lights. Senator Highway will remain 1-lane today and tomorrow. Crews are repairing potholes, drainage and other problems in preparation for the road to be chip-sealed. 15-minute delays should be anticipated between the hours of 6-am and 4-pm.

7/23/2008

PV Council to meet Thursday night

The Prescott Valley Town council will be in session tomorrow night at 5:30. The council will consider adopting a notice of intention to make proposed revisions to the Town water and wastewater rates, fees and charges. The council will also consider approving a final development plan for the former Town Hall complex to be leased by Prevent Child Abuse. They’ll also consider the final development plans for a Wienerschnitzel Restaurant and a new Pony Espresso Coffee House.

7/23/2008

Entrance to VA hospital in Prescott closed tonight

Tonight, from 8-pm to 6-am, the entrance to the VA Hospital in Prescott will be closed so road crews can tie the new driveway into Highway-89. Emergency vehicles and the public can access the hospital via the rear entrance. Southbound traffic should use Prescott Lakes Parkway and follow the detour signs.

7/23/2008

Cottonwood Community Pool closed today

The Cottonwood Community Pool is closed today for maintenance. City officials say the pool will reopen tomorrow.

7/22/2008

Cottonwood Mayor holds coffee talk

Cottonwood citizens are invited to attend the latest morning coffee talk with Mayor Diane Joens, to be held tomorrow at 9AM at the Verde Valley Senior Center on East Cherry Street. The mayor will be joined by Council Member Linda Norman and City Manager Doug Bartosh.

7/22/2008

Flagstaff police seek armed robbery suspect

Flagstaff police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred Monday night. Police say a masked gunman walked into a convenience store in the 45-hundred block of North Highway 89 around 10:44PM and demanded money. The clerk described the suspect as a white male, 20-to-30 years old, about 5-5 and 150 pounds. He was wearing a black ski mask, grey sweater, black pants and black gloves, and the victim described seeing “dirty blonde hair” coming out from under the ski mask. The man was armed with a black handgun, and the clerk though he had a teardrop tattoo below one eye. Police say the robbery was unsuccessful and the suspect left without any property. Police feel this suspect may be the same man who attempted to rob a restaurant and motel over the weekend.

7/22/2008

National Night Out returns August 5th

Each August, neighbors turn out across the nation as law enforcement agencies and cities and towns host “National Night-Out” events. On Tuesday, August 5th, many Arizona jurisdictions will follow suit. Cottonwood Police Sgt Gary Eisenga says the event has a proven record of introducing neighbors to police officers and to one another. “National Night Out” BBQ’s and activities will be held from 6 to 9PM at the Kids’ Park near the Verde Valley Fair Grounds in Cottonwood. In Prescott, individual neighborhoods and block-watch groups will also host small events.

7/22/2008

Ground Breaking held for new Verde Valley Court House

A ground breaking ceremony was held Monday for the construction of the new Court House and Sheriff’s Office. District-3 Supervisor Chip Davis says Smith Construction Management has 16-months to complete the project; they expect to have it done in 14-months or less. The new court house and office are being built next to the current Justice Facility in Camp Verde.

7/22/2008

Cottonwood Women arrested for kidnappin, assault and burglary

Two Cottonwood women were arrested by police early Saturday morning on charges of assault, kidnapping and burglary. Police say 31-year old Amanda Blansett and 33-year old Stacey Martinez forced their way into the female victim’s home and assaulted her. They then pinned her to her bed and held her there against her will. The suspects were located a short time after they left the victims home. They were in a vehicle driven by 24-year old Ramon Anguiano. Anguiano was charged with facilitation of assault, burglary and kidnapping.

7/22/2008

Two men caught passing marijuana pipe in car

A motorist called YCSO Monday to report seeing 2 men passing a marijuana pipe while driving down the road. Spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says a deputy located the suspects near the junction of Highway-69 and 169. Contact was made with 24-year old Gustavo Dejesus Jr. and 20-year old Brian Shermeta. D’Evelyn says deputies located the pipe and a baggy of marijuana. Both men were charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; Dejesus was also charged with DUI drugs.

7/22/2008

Gas siphoning at Camp Verde Street Yard

The Camp Verde Marshals Office responded to the Camp Verde Street Department Yard Monday morning on a report of a theft. Deputies found that the east side chain link had been cut for access to the yard. Inside the yard a pickup was found to have had a fuel filler hose cut in an effort to siphon gas from the tank.

7/22/2008

Highway 89/69 Traffic changes

Tonight and tomorrow night, from 8-pm to 6-am, Highway-89 southbound will be closed at the Highway-69 bridge in Prescott to facilitate structural work associated with the new bridge. Thursday night from 8-pm to 6-am, Highway-89 northbound will be closed at the Highway-69 bridge. Detours will be in place.

7/22/2008

YMCA in Prescott Valley?

Prescott Valley is hosting a meeting designed to gather public interest and/or opinions for a YMCA facility within Town limits. The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 31-st at 6:30-pm at the Civic Center.

7/21/2008

Sex offender notice for Dewey man

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department has issued a convicted sex offender notification for a man who will be living in Dewey. (The individual who appears on this notification, 27-year-old John Hoyt Fullen, has been convicted of a sex offense which allows for community notification. This sex offender has advised the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office that he will be living on East Kachina Place in Dewey, AZ. YCSO spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says Fullen was convicted in Yavapai County last year for Sexual Conduct with a Minor. The victim was an adolescent female known to the offender. Offender Fullen is considered a level 2 or Intermediate risk and is currently on probation.

	John Fullen

7/21/2008

Huge marijuana growing operation found near Sedona

Last Wednesday, police from several agencies raided a huge marijuana-growing operation on forest land near Sedona. Coconino County Sheriff’s spokesman Gerry Blair says some 42-hundred plants were found. Blair says police had observed 5 suspects in that area but all were able to get away when authorities moved in. Police estimated the street-value of the drugs at $1.5-million.

7/21/2008

Power Restored to Cornville and Verde Village 1

APS spokesman Mike Johnson says power was restored to Cornville, Verde Village-1 and a portion of Verde Village-2 this morning at 8:25. He says anyone that doesn’t have power, should contact APS. Power went out Saturday night just before 7-pm after a storm cell moved through the area, knocking down 15-power poles and 4-thousand feet of line. Crews worked around the clock to restore the power.

7/21/2008

Suspects wanted in Prescott Valley for brutal beating

Police in Prescott Valley are looking for two men involved in the aggravated assault of another man early Saturday morning. Police say 29-year old Vincent Putzier was hit in the head with some type of solid object; he remains hospitalized in critical condition. The attack occurred in the 84-hundred block of Lakeshort Drive around 1AM Saturday morning. Suspect #1 is a Hispanic male in his 20’s, approximately 5-feet-4 and 165 pounds. This suspect has a shaved head and tattoos on his upper chest area. The tattoos are 1-inch letters, though the wording is unknown. The suspect was wearing a white t-shirt and tan “Dickie” style pants. This suspect was heard to say he was from the 18th Street area in Phoenix. Suspect #2 is a Hispanic male in his 20’s, approximately 5-feet-7 and 110 pounds. The suspect was wearing a black “beanie” style hat with a brim, a black shirt with stripes on the sleeves and black pants.

7/21/2008

Suspects caught in home burglary and vandalism

Prescott Police arrested 4-adults and 5-juveniles for causing approximately $30,000 worth of damage to a home on Thumb Butte Road. Lt. Ken Morely says between June 15-th and the 23-rd, 18-year old Kyle Kellogg, 18-year old John Vallejo, 19-year old Anthony Zizza, 20-year old Zachary Farrell, along with juvenile suspects, gained entry into the house. Once inside they allegedly threw bricks through the walls and used a sledge hammer to break furniture and put additional holes in the walls. Morely says all the suspects were booked into the Yavapai County Jail and the Yavapai County Juvenile Detention facility.

7/21/2008

Oak Fire now 4 acres

The Oak Fire, burning on the Kaibab National Forest, continues to grow slowly about 10-miles south of Williams near Forest Road 129 and Rocky Ridge. It is now 4-acres in size. At this time, the Oak Fire is not expected to grow rapidly under current conditions and will continue to be monitored.

7/21/2008

Saturday storm linked to rollover accident

Camp Verde Fire responded to mile marker 282 on I-17 Saturday evening on a report of a rollover accident. Spokesperson Barbara Rice says the accident occurred at the height of the storm. She says they transported one patient to VVMC with non-life threatening injuries.

7/21/2008

Level 2 Sex Offender notification

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has issued a sex offender notification for residents living on Deerpath Road in Dewey-Humboldt. Spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says 31-year old Andrew Logue was convicted of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor in 2004 in Yavapai County. Logue is a Level-2 offender or intermediate risk to the community.

	Andrew Logue

7/21/2008

Parents get lesson on Internet following traffic stop

Thursday night a YCSO deputy stopped a vehicle for speeding in Lake Montezuma. The driver was identified as a 19-year old Cottonwood man. Spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says the passengers included 2-girls ages 15 and 16. While speaking with the passengers, the deputy learned the teenage girls became acquainted with the male driver on “MySpace” and had arranged to meet him in person. The male driver was in the process of dropping off one of the females when he was stopped by YCSO. D’Evelyn says during follow-up, it was determined that neither set of parents new where their daughters were or who they were with. He says this is a reminder that parents should closely monitor their children’s internet activity and always know their whereabouts and who they associate with.

7/21/2008

Suspects sought in poaching of javelina

Information is being sought in regards to the poaching of a javelina on July 16-th, about 9-miles south of I-40 along Anvil Rock Road, located between Kingman and Seligman. Game and Fish officials said the killing occurred at about 9-am and then the animal was removed from the field by 4-Hispanic males driving a newer white Ford 4-door pickup truck with California license plates. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700. A $250 reward is being offered.

7/21/2008

Northridge Park community meeting

Northridge Park residents in Prescott Valley are invited to a neighborhood meeting tomorrow night from 6-to-7:30-pm at the Panorama Drive Cul-de-Sac. For details call Lily McCormack, Neighborhood Services Coordinator at 759-3107.

7/21/2008

ADOT Board approves road projects in Coconino and Yavapai Counties

The ADOT Board Friday approved several road projects in Yavapai and Coconino Counties. In Coconino County, crews will repave a 10-mile segment of I-40, from Dennison to the Navajo County line, 2-miles east of Winslow. In Yavapai County I-17 will be repaved from the General Crook Trail traffic interchange in Camp Verde to McGuireville; Highway-89 will be repaved between Highway 89-A and Chino Valley and Highway-89 in Chino Valley will be widened between Road-4 South and Center Street. Work on all 4 projects is scheduled to begin in September and finished by the Spring of 09.

7/20/2008

Yavapai Broadcasting not immune from storm damage

Saturday night's storm gave no special graces to anyone, including broadcasters. The storm tore a tree in half at the Yavapai Broadcasting studios in Bridgeport and uprooted a plum tree and knocked down a wooden fence at the home of News Director Paul David.

7/20/2008

Saturday night storm douses lights for hundred in Cornville

A Saturday night storm that brought driving rain and high winds wreaked havoc across the verde Villages and Cornville areas, including the toppling of 15 power poles that left an estimated 1750 APS customers without electricity. APS spokesman Mike Johnson on Sunday said full power restoration to the Cornville area was not expected until well into the evening, perhaps even into Monday morning.

	An APS truck steadies a power pole damaged during Saturday's storm.		APS crews replace a length of power line in Verde Village damaged Saturday night.		Cornville residents used dry ice supplied by APS to keep their perishables cold during Sunday's lengthy power outage.

7/18/2008

Two arrested by PANT in Camp Verde

Two people were arrested Wednesday by narcotics officers in Camp Verde. The PANT (Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking)unit learned that the suspects were scheduled to deliver illegal drugs to a buyer at a fast-food restaurant near the Highway 260/I-17 interchange. Local police spotted the suspects and called detectives. Police contacted 42-year old Ralph Longest and 21-year old Briana Fulton. Officers reported finding more than two ounces of packaged methamphetamine inside the suspect’s vehicle. Both faces numerous drug-related charges.

7/18/2008

"Kookie" has court appearance

A Prescott woman who has pleaded not-guilty to a series of felony theft charges is scheduled to be in court Monday. The judge will hear the status of the case against 48-year old Carrie Williams-Thompson, widely known in the Prescott-area as entertainer “Kookie the Clown.” Williams-Thompson is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from an elderly woman. Prosecutors say Williams-Thompson befriended an elderly Prescott woman, became the victim’s Power of Attorney, and then used the victim’s money to make large purchases for herself, including homes, vehicles and a 5th-wheel trailer.

7/18/2008

Wrong-way driver on I-17 arrested for DUI

Around 2:30 this morning police were called to I-17 on a report of a wrong-way driver. A YCSO deputy quickly found the suspect still on the road. Spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says the deputy activated his lights and siren as he drove along northbound I-17, parallel to the suspect. After another two miles, the wrong-way driver pulled over near Middle Verde Road. The officer ran across the median to find an apparently intoxicated 59-year-old Marvin Lee Yoyokie of Navajo County. D’Evelyn says the deputy later contacted the original 9-1-1 caller who said the suspect had nearly hit her head-on before police caught him.

	Marvin Lee Yoyokie

7/17/2008

Prescott residents sue Lowe's

A group of residents living in the Prescott Canyon Estates subdivision has filed suit against Lowe’s home improvement stores. The suit claims the residents have suffered due to repeated violations of the city’s noise ordinance both during the construction phase and since the store’s opening last November. The suit further cites dangers still posed by the failure last December of a retaining wall between the store and the homeowners’ properties.

7/17/2008

Flagstaff man arrested in hate crime

A 24-year-old Flagstaff man has been charged with felony aggravated assault for an incident following a gay pride festival that police called a hate crime. Travis A. Reiner also faces misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct charges. Chief deputy Coconino County attorney David Rozema says three other men arrested after the June 22nd incident have had their cases referred to city prosecutors for possible misdemeanor charges. Flagstaff police reports show two men who had attended the “Pride in the Pines” gay pride festival were assaulted while waiting for a taxi. One victim, who is gay, was knocked unconscious and briefly hospitalized. Police called the altercation a hate crime because of anti-gay slurs allegedly made by the suspects. (Courtesy AP)

7/17/2008

DPS takes photo enforcement program statewide

Beginning September 26th, DPS will implement a statewide photo enforcement program expansion to include a total of 100 systems comprised of 60 stationary speed cameras and 40 mobile speed units. The goal is to have 100 speed enforcement cameras operational by January. Drivers would be cited for going 10 miles over the speed limit. Across the state, each Highway Patrol District will be assigned two to three mobile units. The program calls for DPS to partner with ADOT for deployment of all cameras based on serious injury and collision statistics.

7/17/2008

Dispute between Dewey neighbors leads to arrest

A Dewey man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly assaulted his elderly neighbor. YCSO spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says the 74-year old victim had set up a video-camera on his porch which captured the attack by 62-year old Jerald Piper. As the men stood on their respective sides of a dividing fence, Piper allegedly punched his victim, an incident the deputy later verified by watching the video. Police say the deputy had to use his Taser weapon on the suspect after Piper refused to comply with the officer's command that Piper be handcuffed. Piper was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

	Jerald Piper

7/17/2008

PANT busts alleged meth transporter and dealer

A Cottonwood man is looking at 5-to-15-years in prison if he’s convicted of transporting and selling methamphetamine. PANT Sgt. Randy Moffitt says officers Wednesday received information that 38-year old Brian Nauenburg was transporting methamphetamine into the area; a traffic stop was conducted at Highway-260 and Western Drive. In the vehicle officers found a 1/2-ounce of meth along with 2 children sleeping in the back seat. Moffitt says immediately after the traffic stop they went to Nauenburg’s home to conduct a follow up search. Moffitt says the people inside the house had been tipped off that PANT was coming and evidence was destroyed. Moffitt says there were numerous adults and children in the house; one adult, Danny Boyers, was arrested on outstanding warrants for kidnapping, probation violation and possession of marijuana. CPS was notified about the children.

7/17/2008

Oak Fire burning slowly

Kaibab National Forest fire managers are monitoring a lightning sparked fire 3-miles south of Summit Mountain. The Oak Fire was first reported Wednesday. The fire is less than 1 acre and is moving slowly due to the monsoon conditions we’re experiencing. Spokesperson Punky Moore says the fire is not threatening any developed areas or private property. Moore says the Oak Fire is surrounded by a road to the south and a rocky ridge to the north.

7/17/2008

Game and Fish offering wildlife grants

The Game and Fish Department is offering Wildlife Conservation Fund grants to nonprofit groups and government agencies for projects that support wildlife conservation. A total of up to $300,000 in funding is available. The application deadline is September 2-nd. Projects eligible for consideration include habitat improvement, access to wildlife-related recreation, hunter and angler recruitment and retention, wildlife health and wildlife population research. The deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, September 2-nd at 5-pm. Applications must be in the department’s possession by the deadline; postmarks don’t count.

7/17/2008

PNF announces prescribed burn

Prescott National Forest fire officials plan to treat 300-acres with fire tomorrow through next Thursday, weather permitting. The burn area is located in the Ash Creek area south and east of Palace Station. No smoke impacts are expected in the surrounding communities and no road closures will be in place.

7/17/2008

Monsoon on a lull for a couple days

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff says our monsoon will taper off over the next couple of days. Claire Ketchum says dry air coming in from the pacific will keep moisture from coming up from Mexico. He says the lull is typical with the monsoon. We have a 10-to-20% chance of showers and thunderstorms today and tomorrow…that will increase to a 30% chance Saturday and Sunday and a 40% chance by the start of next week.

If you have a question, comment, criticism or story idea, we’d like to hear from you. Contact the Yavapai Broadcasting News Department at 928-634-2286, or drop us a line at news@myradioplace.com