During National Volunteer Week, ADOT is extending thanks to all Adopt a Highway volunteers for removing litter from alongside the state highway system that connects Arizona communities.
However, it is more than volunteering for many. Loved ones, veterans, beloved pets â our personal heroes are honored when volunteers gather to beautify adopted miles. Family and friends reunite and remember.
Gila County sheriff deputies have done just that for the past 26 years on State Route 188 at mile marker 256. On April 9, Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd, Chief Deputy Mike Johnson, Lt. Virgil Dodd, Undersheriff Matt Binney and Major Justin Solberg were recognized along with other deputy team members who could not be present for their longtime volunteer service.
A winter storm delivered more than many residents were prepared for this weekend.
On Saturday, the National Weather Service out of Flagstaff reports Payson saw 4.5 inches of snow, Star Valley got 6 inches while Washington Park got 6.3 inches in a 24-hour period that started Friday night.
For officers, the storm kept them busy bouncing from call to call.
A semi rollover on State Route 260 closed the roadway near the Christopher Creek turnoff Saturday for some time and at Roosevelt Lake, deputies raced to rescue two women after their canoe capsized Friday afternoon.
Deputies reportedly saved the woman and her daughter after their canoe took on water. It took deputies some time to locate them in the water near the Schoolhouse Boat Ramp, but they eventually located them and got them to shore where paramedics with Tonto Basin Fire evaluated them and determined no further medical care was needed. Their dog, however, did not survive.
Through the power of social media, the sheriffâs office identified two people who allegedly stole an entire campsiteâs worth of gear this week.
On Sunday, the Gila County Sheriffâs Office posted on Facebook several photos taken from a game camera that showed a male and female loading up gear from a hunterâs campsite. The GCSO asked for the publicâs help in identifying the suspects.
âWe had comments within 10 minutes identifying who they were,â said Sgt. Matt Binney with the GCSO.
It was a quick turnaround, especially since it can often take weeks to identify suspects. The hunter had initially reported the theft on Nov. 25. Deputy Stamper took the initial report, noting the gear had been scooped up off Highway 288 at milepost 290.5 near Young while the hunter was away.