It will take about two years to start construction on the $320 million project to widen 23 miles of Interstate 17 between Anthem Way and the Sunset Point Rest Area, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. A portion of the project is to include eight miles of flex lanes between Black Canyon City and the Sunset Point, at a cost of $95.5 million. ADOT says those eight miles will be constructed beside the existing southbound lanes, separated by concrete barriers. They will run, … [Read more...] about ADOT Announces Plans to Widen I-17 North of Phoenix
Feature
Wildlife Park Attracting Record Crowds
Out of Africa Wildlife Park has become a favorite year-round visitor destination in Arizona’s central highlands. Ever-increasing visitation at the spacious 200-plus acre attraction will likely reach more than 150,000 guests this year, said Ashton Powell, public relations director for Out of Africa (OOA). Located just west of Camp Verde off I-17, it makes a great day trip for folks from the Quad Cities area – about 45 minutes by road. The same is true for those driving south from Flagstaff, … [Read more...] about Wildlife Park Attracting Record Crowds
Flying High
Leonardo Da Vinci was quoted as saying, “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth with your eyes turned skywards.” Holding one of the highest pilot certifications, Craig Sanderson spread his wings upward to serve as director of operations for Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines and mayor of the small but bustling town of Tusayan. Sanderson acquired the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification at 28 years old. It is one of the most advanced certifications a pilot can obtain and … [Read more...] about Flying High
HistoriCorps, Forest Service, Volunteers Saving Brolliar Cabin
Volunteer crews led by HistoriCorps, a nationally recognized non-profit organization, have been working to preserve the Brolliar Park Cabin this summer. The historic cabin, built by one of Arizona’s last homesteaders, is located in the Coconino National Forest south of Mormon Lake. The award-winning group, which works to save historical structures on public lands around the nation, collaborated with the Coconino National Forest on the four-week project. HistoriCorps arranged and trained … [Read more...] about HistoriCorps, Forest Service, Volunteers Saving Brolliar Cabin
Prescott Regional Airport Service Continues Upward
A Prescott City Council member quipped, “It must be something in the air,” when he heard that Prescott Regional Airport (PRA) had been named 2019 Outstanding Airport by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). That honor was given to Prescott for the Western Pacific Region, according to the FAA. The FAA statement said in part, “This award is granted in recognition of the exemplary work done by the city in proactively completing a Prescott Regional Airport master plan with significant … [Read more...] about Prescott Regional Airport Service Continues Upward
Calling on a Community to Battle Cancer from All Sides
Clearing the five-year mark can seem like an invisible finish line in a contest that many cancer patients feel is the race of their lives. Cindy May, owner of Cindy May Marketing in Flagstaff, crossed that line in March. “Cancer changed me,” she said. “Through my journey, it caused me to take a step back. I always realized that family, friends and work are all important, but I feel it on a much deeper level now.” May serves on the board of the newly-formed Flagstaff committee of the Cancer … [Read more...] about Calling on a Community to Battle Cancer from All Sides
Groundbreaking Makes Hilton Garden Inn a Reality
As soon as the Shumway family from Snowflake tossed dirt in the air as a part of a groundbreaking ceremony, it seemed that heavy equipment started moving in to start building the multi-million-dollar Hilton Garden Inn Hotel. More than 50 people from the City of Prescott, Prescott Chamber of Commerce, business community and general public gathered at the intersection of Montezuma and Sheldon for the event on June 11. They heard Steve Shumway and his family praise the “cooperative attitude and … [Read more...] about Groundbreaking Makes Hilton Garden Inn a Reality
Gore’s Global Reach Touching Hearts at Home
It was 10 a.m. on a Monday morning and Irene Hernandez was still asleep. Her granddaughter phoned for help after failed attempts at rousing her. It had been three days since Hernandez had ankle surgery, but doctors discovered that was not the problem. Irene, at age 62, with no usual symptoms or conditions, had suffered a stroke. “We’ve long suspected that younger patients, who don’t have high cholesterol and hypertension, are having strokes because blood clots are reaching their brains through … [Read more...] about Gore’s Global Reach Touching Hearts at Home
Mob Burgers Celebrating Four Years on the Fourth
Stroll into Marino’s Mob Burgers and Ice Cream parlor and you are not likely to escape the eye of General Manager Esther Mendoza. Elegantly bedazzled in sequence and jewels reminiscent of the Roaring ’20s, Mendoza will have an endearing nickname and a “we’ve-known-each-other-forever” greeting that draws you in. Nevermind the hand-pressed fresh, never frozen, beef patties or the irreplaceable Thrifty ice cream that make this a local hangout, the secret ingredients that keep guests coming back … [Read more...] about Mob Burgers Celebrating Four Years on the Fourth
Volunteering to Keep Hikers Safe in the Canyon
Education, self-assessment and planning are guidelines voiced repeatedly by the Grand Canyon National Park Service to ensure that hikers “Hike Smart” and understand the meaning of the adage, “Down is optional; up is mandatory.” Helping to ensure safety are Prevention Search and Rescue (PSAR) volunteers stationed on the trails. Implemented in 1997, PSAR was created as a result of increased heat-related illnesses on Grand Canyon trails. “District Rangers from south, north and inner canyon were … [Read more...] about Volunteering to Keep Hikers Safe in the Canyon