e-Press

- UPDATE -
Mop-up In The Marsh,
Route 1 Remains Closed - Posted: October 1, 2008 4:00 PM
TOPOCK, AZ - Cleanup efforts have begun on the Sacramento Fire, which has claimed well over 325 acres since breaking out Monday night near the Topock Marina. Incident Commander John Earle of the Havasu Wildlife Refuge told TSN well over 100 men are still involved in the effort, which mostly consists of wildland fire hand crews.
"They've got at least one, if not two dozers going with three hand crews trying to get things cleaned up," Earle said. He added that power was restored to areas like the marina and Catfish Paradise, where utility equipment was reportedly damaged from the blaze. Earle did hesitate to say the fire is 100% contained, "Because the type of vegetation in there - [crews] said it was really hot. There's still some hot spots in there that with the right breeze could re-ignite."
Meanwhile, a five mile stretch of County Route 1 remains closed indefinitely from the marina to Golden Shores. The Mohave County Roads Department told TSN this afternoon that the road is again expected to be shutdown tonight, but no timetable for reopening the two lane highway was given. The shutdown is for safety reasons; the county says several fallen salt cedars lining the roadway had created a hazard for drivers.

Victim Identified In Alleged Son-Father Homicide
KINGMAN - The victim of a Saturday homicide in north Kingman has been identified and additional information has been provided by the Mohave County Sheriff's office. Spokeswoman Trish Carter said John Guerrero, 59, died of gunshot wounds to the neck and back before his mobile home was set ablaze in the 3000 block of Packard Avenue.
Carter said Guerrero's son Shawn, 26, has been charged with first degree murder, arson of an occupied structure, criminal damage and tampering with evidence. The suspect was arrested in Tempe the day after the homicide and he'll be returned to Kingman to face prosecution.
There's no word yet regarding the motive and the murder investigation continues.

Topock Fire Still Burning -- Route 1 Remains Closed
TOPOCK, AZ - The fire near Topock marsh that's producing a haze visible from Bullhead to Havasu is now being called the Sacramento Fire due to it originating in the Sacramento Wash. The incident commander is John Earle of the Havasu Wildlife Refuge, who now says about 350 acres of salt cedar trees and thick underbrush have burned between Topock Marina and Catfish Paradise along Route 66.
Earl does not know what caused the fire, but says it started sometime around 9:30pm on Monday and some 250 wildland fire fighters have worked the blaze so far.
Since Monday night, a five mile stretch of Route 66 (also called County Route 1) has been closed from the marina to Golden Shores. Public Information Specialist Trish Carter of the Mohave County Sheriff's Office told TSN this morning that the road is expected to be shutdown through tonight. The closure is due to safety reasons, as several of the salt cedars lining the roadway had fallen and created a hazard for drivers. Fire officials also say Mohave Electric Cooperative power lines at the Topock Marina and other areas nearby have suffered damage.

Arson Suspected In Pair Of LHC Vehicle Fires
LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ - Fire officials in Lake Havasu City are currently investigating a pair of vehicle fires that took place early yesterday morning. Just before 1:30am, Lake Havasu City fire fighters responded to the scene of a reported vehicle fire on Tolteca Drive. Police officers who were already at the residence reported two vehicles burning in the duplex's driveway. Firefighters did put out the vehicle fire in question before it spread to the building.
Police say two vehicles were heavily damaged and heat produced from the flames scorched a garage door. Residents reportedly told police they had opened the garage door after hearing a suspicious noise -- and found the vehicles on fire. Nobody was injured during the incident.
Investigators are looking for the cause of the fires and arson is suspected. The total damage is estimated at over $25,000 for both the vehicles and the building.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lake Havasu Fire Department at 928-453-3313.

Kingman Walks Away From Drugs
KINGMAN - Organizers were astonished when more than 1,500 people turned out for Kingman's first annual Walk Away from Drugs activity last year. More than 2,000 are expected for the second event Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Participants will gather at 5:30 p.m. at the Route 66 Plaza on Andy Devine Avenue, Smith's on Stockton Hill Road and just west of the Mother Road Harley Davidson shop on Beverly Avenue. At 6:00 p.m. they'll march a mile or less to Centennial Park in a demonstration of community commitment to the eradication of drugs.
``Kingman does not want drugs in our town," said Kingman Police Captain Scott Wright. ``This is about awareness of that and getting the word out."
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard will be among dignitaries who will speak once the walkers assemble in the field #5 barbeque area in the northwest corner of the park. Hot dogs and refreshments will be provided and eligible students can enter for drawings for MP-3 player giveaways.

Airport Grant Aids Marketing And Information Efforts
KINGMAN - The Kingman Airport Authority and Industrial Park has been awarded one of six grants from the Rural Economic Development Initiative. The Department of Commerce said the monies help communities build capital investment, manage resources, develop marketing strategies and increase job opportunities.
The Kingman Airport Authority is provided $5,500 for brochures and webiste updates.
``The brochure project will produce new inserts for the Kingman Airport and Industrial Park to reflect new changes and trends in transportation, workforce development, and demographics," according to a news release. ``The web improvements include interactive links and update maps, photographs and other useful information not currently addressed."

Fire Safety Fair This Weekend
BULLHEAD CITY, AZ - For the 15th straight year, the Bullhead City Fire Department will host its popular Fire Prevention and Life Safety Fair in celebration of Fire Prevention Week. The event is this Saturday (October 4th) from 10am until 3am at Bullhead Community Park and is free to everyone.
Just like in years past, there will be 40 educational and activity booths, five demonstrations and over 38 vehicles from local fire, police, and emergency agencies. Representatives from the Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross will be there, along with two hospitals, the United States Coast Guard and more.
When the kids arrive, they'll receive a registration card. If they visit at least half of the booths, they can turn in their card and get a free hot dog and a coke. Their cards then go into a drawing for over 150 prizes, with grand prize being a helicopter ride -- personally piloted by Don Laughlin.
Demonstrations will again be a highlight at this year's fair. Public Information Officer Larry Tunforss says there will be a rope rescue demonstration with firefighters and also a "Jaws of Life" demo on a wrecked vehicle. Law enforcement agencies also plan to team up and give a police dog demonstration.

Report Says BHC Largest Of U.S. Air Service Cuts
TRI-STATE - The lack of scheduled passenger air service in Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City and Kingman is now becoming widespread in the U.S. The Official Airline Guide (OAG) says small to medium-sized cities are cutting more flights this fall and will offer 59.7 million fewer seats in the fourth quarter of 2008 than they did a year ago.
The report adds that 36 airports with commercial airline service in the fall of 2007 won't have it this year and the largest cut in terms of air service is in Bullhead City, which averaged 329 seats a day last November. Another 29 small airports will lose more than half their service.
Larger cities hit with capacity cuts of 15% or more are those mostly served by Southwest Airlines: Ontario, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Orange County (CA), Spokane, Reno, Tulsa, Las Vegas and San Jose. Chicago's Midway Airport will lose 17% of its seats next month, while Chicago's O'Hare International will likely see an 11% loss in service.

Fatal Accident Victim Identified - Posted: September 30, 2008 1:52 PM
KINGMAN - The name of the Kingman man killed in a Monday traffic accident in northwest Arizona was released Tuesday by the Mohave County Sheriff's office. Spokeswoman Trish Carter said Robert Pernal, 48, was dead at the scene of the 2:21 a.m. accident about 22 miles north of Kingman on Stockton Hill Road.
Carter said Pernal was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his 2003 Toyota pick-up truck. He was ejected as the vehicle rolled approximately 3 1/2 times.