Watch for delays if you’re traveling on northbound I-17 near the Sedona Turnoff.  A 5 million dollar pavement improvement project began last year and will be complete this week after ADOT crews complete the final lane striping and install reflective pavement markers on 6 miles of I-17.  The speed limit is reduced to 45 miles per hour in the area and lane restrictions will occur between 6 am and 6:30 pm today and tomorrow. 

If you’re heading up to Phoenix, you should be aware that northbound I-17 will be narrowed to 1 lane between Deer Valley and Happy Valley Roads from 11 tonight to 5 tomorrow morning.  These restrictions are necessary as crews will be replacing the overhead signage at the Happy Valley Road overpass. 

The Prescott Preservation Commission meets at 8 tomorrow morning to consider new fabric for a new steel frame awning and signage for A Shade Beyond at 156 South Montezuma Street.  Also on the agenda is a request to revise the approved paint color for the front façade of The Devil’s Pantry restaurant at 126 South Montezuma Street.  The meeting will be held in City Council Chambers on South Cortez Street. 

You’re invited to share your comments on the Community Facilities Districts’ budgets before final adoption takes place.  The Boards have already adopted the Tentative Budgets for the Stoneridge, Pronghorn Ranch, Quailwood Meadows, Parkway, Eastridge, Entertainment Center, Raven Ridge and Southside Districts.   The Boards will consider final adoption following Town Council’s voting session at 5:30 tonight. That meeting will include the appointments of Judith Berry to the Arts and Culture Commission and Danny Avalos to the Parks and Recreation Commission for terms that run through June 30th, 2013.  Both meetings will be held in the Library Auditorium on Civic Circle. 

Despite yesterday’s monsoon rains, it was still dry enough for 3 wildfires to start up near Black Canyon City.  A fire crew had been shuttled in and air attack resources were assigned to the 50 acre Cooks Fire, which was reported just after 1 yesterday afternoon 12 miles east of Black Canyon City.  The New River Fire was reported 9 miles east of Black Canyon just after 3 and it grew to 5 acres in size. 
The Squaw Creek Fire was also reported just after three 6 and a half miles southeast of the City.  These wildfires are burning brush and grass in rough and remote areas of the Tonto National Forest.  According to Forest spokesman David Albo, crews have been unable to get an accurate reading on any of these fires’ containment efforts. 

If you climb on the Granite Mountain and Thumb Butte cliff faces, Friday the 13th will be your lucky day.  Prescott National Forest officials put restrictions in effect on both cliff faces on February 1st to allow peregrine falcons the quiet environment needed to successfully nest and raise young birds.  Those restrictions will be lifted tomorrow and climbing and other activities will once again be open to the public.  Volunteers monitored the sites and officials are waiting to hear the final results to determine if the peregrines successfully produced any young this year. 

Travel on Loos Road in Prescott Valley will be a lot smoother due to roadway improvements that are currently underway.  The Town has received a 300 thousand dollar Community Development Block Grant from the Arizona Department of Housing for this improvement project, which includes new asphalt and widening of the roadway from Robert Road to Mountain Valley Park.  Other improvements include underground drainage and the addition of curb and gutter on the south side of the road in front of the park.  Capital Improvement Projects Coordinator Kim Moon explains how long the project is scheduled to take:
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Project Engineer Richard Aldridge says he’s excited to be involved with these improvements:
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You should be prepared for delays as Loos may be restricted to 1 lane at times with flaggers.  The entrance to the park will remain open during this project. 

A Prescott man is now facing charges as a result of a fatal collision in Chino Valley last year.  According to Chino Valley Police, 19 year old Isaac Browning was heading southbound on Highway 89 on June 7th, 2011 when he crossed the double yellow lines and struck a second vehicle driven by Chino Valley residents 91 year old Nick and 81 year old Nona Davirro head on. 
Both vehicles rolled and the Davirros were killed instantly.  Browning claimed he swerved to avoid an object in the roadway, but officers were unable to find anything.  He was treated at Flagstaff Medical Center and on June 10th of this year, he turned himself in to the Camp Verde Jail.  Browning was released within 2 hours on a 500 thousand dollar bond.  He was indicted by a Yavapai County Grand Jury and he is facing 2 counts each of manslaughter and DUI and 1 count of criminal damage.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Detectives need your help in identifying a possible pharmacy burglary suspect.  On Monday morning, deputies responded to a burglary alarm call at the Spring Valley Pharmacy.  Sheriff’s Office spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn explains how the break-in occurred:
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D’Evelyn says it is believed the possible suspect is a man who was in the store just prior to the burglary:
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D’Evelyn explains the suspect was asking about specific medications:
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D’Evelyn says officials want to talk to the man:
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D’evelyn adds the man has an average build with close cropped hair and he may be Hispanic.  If you have information on this incident or suspect, you’re asked to contact Detective Todd Swaim at 771-3260 or Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232.