As of yesterday, a new traffic signal has begun operations on Willow Creek Road.  According to Prescott City officials, the signal, which is located at the intersection of Commerce Drive and Willow Creek Road, has been installed to help in assigning right of way at the heavily travelled cross street.  Users of the intersection should find it much easier to turn left to and from Commerce Drive as they visit the Motor Vehicle Department facility, Yavapai County facilities and Pioneer Park.  This project also includes a second traffic signal at the auto dealership access 1700 feet to the north.  This signal was approved by City Council early last year and was designed and constructed by City staff.  The signal is scheduled to be activated in mid-February.

In other Prescott road construction news, telecommunications company Century Link is conducting pothole operations today starting at the corner of East Willis and North Granite, proceeding west on Beach to Summit and on Park south of Gurley.   Work crews will locate existing underground utilities before laying fiber optic cable.  Flagging operations will be in effect with the possibility of intermittent delays and motorists are urged to use caution while traveling through the work zone.  

This afternoon at 3:30 is the deadline for submittals for a Mountain Valley Park Concession Stand vendor. The Town of Prescott Valley is seeking submittals for the concession stand, which services patrons using the 4-Plex, Skate Park and Pavilion Athletic Field.  The vendor will provide food, beverages and other approved items at Youth and Adult Sports Leagues, Youth and Adult Tournaments and organized special events.  Approval of the agreement by Town Council is expected by February Ninth and the start date for the concession is anticipated to be Sunday, March 4th.  For more information, visit the Parks and Recreation Department on the 4th floor of the Civic Center on Civic Circle or call 759-3090. 

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded an Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Grant.  The grant totals $33,000 and $28,000 of that amount has been designated for deputy overtime to cover 6 saturation patrols, 6 DUI Task Force related deployments and 2 DUI training sessions.  Four thousand has been set aside for enforcement equipment, including various testing kits and breath test mouthpieces.  The final $1,000 is set to cover the purchase of 2 portable breath testing units.  The current funding period started last October and runs through September.  Although numerous special patrols will be scheduled thanks to this funding, the Sheriff’s Office is reminding everyone that DUI enforcement is a year round focus.   

The Prescott Valley Police Department has received a $15,000 Federal Department of Justice grant. These funds will support overtime services and employee related expenses to enhance underage drinking enforcement activities throughout Prescott Valley.  Police note liquor activities include, but are not limited to, persons under the age of 21 years old purchasing, possessing and consuming liquor.  Last August, the Department received notification of 3 grant awards, including $24,500 for DUI enforcement and equipment, including 4 portable breath testers to enhance education and enforcement of DUI driving; $25,500 for Support Personnel services, employee related expenses and materials and supplies that will aid in public awareness and education and $33,000 for the purchase of 1 marked Police package motorcycle and 6 radar units.   

Arizona Diamondbacks TV Play by Play Announcer Daren Sutton says he’s looking forward to the upcoming Diamondbacks season.  Sutton was the guest speaker at the Prescott Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Prescott resort Friday afternoon and he called the 2011 season stunning and one that he will probably never see again. He added the team was disappointing at first, but Manager Kirk Gibson turned things around and Arizona won the National League West Championship, their first since 2007. Spring Training games start March 4th at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale with the regular season to follow on April 3rd. 

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