Watch for detours on I-17 between Middle Verde Road and Highway 179 this week. The northbound off and on ramps at Highway 179, the Sedona turnoff will be closed between 2 to 4 this afternoon so paving can be completed. If you’re heading northbound to Sedona on I-17, you’ll need to continue 8 miles north to the Stoneman Lake Exit, turn around and go south to the Sedona Turnoff. If you’re going to Flagstaff from Sedona, you’ll need to go south to the McGuireville Traffic Interchange, turn around and head north on I-17. You won’t be able to access the northbound right lane from 7 am to 7 pm. Tomorrow morning the southbound off and on ramps at Highway 179 will be closed between 7 and 9 am, and so will the southbound McGuireville Rest Area, from 8 to noon. You’ll need to continue 5 miles south on I-17 to the McGuireville Traffic Interchange, turn around and head north to the 179 off ramp.
Plan ahead if you’ll be traveling on Highway 89 in the Town of Congress this week. ADOT crews will be working on sealing pavement cracks near the Highway 71 junction. Two way traffic will be directed through the work zone from 6 am to 6 pm today and tomorrow and 15 minute delays are expected. Over on Iron Springs Road near the Town of Skull Valley, delays of up to 20 minutes will occur through September 2013. Yavapai County Public Works crews have started work on reconstruction on a nearly 6 mile section of the roadway. One lane of traffic will be in place on Iron Springs from 7:30 am to 6 pm, 2 way traffic will be maintained all other times.
Dewey-Humboldt’s newest park is scheduled to be ready for use by residents and visitors by next month. Public Works Director Ed Hanks has presented the Open Space and Trails Advisory Committee with an update on the Butte Street Pocket Park. A water meter has been installed and ditches are in and graded. Chairwoman Sandra Goodwin has addressed bids for equipment, stating the order would probably be divided between companies. This is because there is no single company that has been identified that can supply such equipment as drinking fountains, a doggie waste dispenser and trash cans. As part of its meeting at 3 tomorrow afternoon in Council chambers on South Highway 69, the Committee will consider an equipment purchase, the projected completion date and committee support and participation of a park grand opening scheduled for October 16th.
Dewey-Humboldt’s newest park can’t open without barbecue grills and picnic tables, so Town Council members will consider a purchase of those items at 6:30 tonight. The Open Space and Trails Committee and staff have been working on the Butte Street Park project since last year. According to Town Manager Yvonne Kimball, those efforts have included finalizing a plan and construction of the park since January. The Town has also obtained a 4 thousand dollar grant from APS for the purchase of park equipment. Council is being asked to consider an equipment list and members will be presented with a site plan so they can give input on the layout and arrangement. The meeting will be held in Council chambers on South Highway 69.
Curious about what Red Cross volunteers do? You can find out more during an Open House. The Grand Canyon chapter of the Red Cross is hosting the Open House and spokesman Brian Gomez explains why it’s being held. Gomez says the Red Cross is looking to expand its volunteer presence in the Verde Valley. You can learn about opportunities to contribute to the community during the Open House, which runs from 10 to 2 today at the Red Cross Prescott office, which is located on Sandretto Drive.
Yavapai County Community Health Services wants your input regarding healthcare needs. Spokesman David McAtee explains why Health Services is conducting an online survey. McAtee says you can participate in this effort. McAtee says it takes about 10 minutes to fill the survey out. To take the survey, go to yavapaihealth.com and click on the link at the top of the page. You won’t be asked for any personal information and all answers will be given anonymously. McAtee explains how long you have to fill out the survey. After the answers throughout the state are received, the Arizona Department of Health Services will be putting together a Health Care Needs Assessment for all counties.
