Oct30

NPC Names Dr. Swarthout Interim President

by KVWM on October 30, 2020 at 9:55 am
Posted In: Local Events

On Tuesday, October 27 in a special meeting of Northland Pioneer College’s (NPC’s) District Governing Board, Jeanne Swarthout, Ph.D., was appointed as NPC’s interim president. She will take over the position previously held by prior president Mark Vest who resigned earlier this month.

Dr. Swarthout has a long history with the college, having previously served as NPC’s Dean of Liberal Arts followed by Executive Dean, Academic Vice President, then 11 years as president. She will come out of retirement to fill the position until a permanent replacement is selected.

“This is not an easy time for the college, and certainly was not in my game plan a couple of weeks ago but I hope I can bring a sense of cohesion, as I know this has been a little disruptive to everyone at the college, as they go forward,” said Swarthout. “Hopefully we can move together in a really positive direction in finding a new president.”

The board was unanimous in their decision to appoint Dr. Swarthout and expressed gratitude for the invaluable input from NPC’s Leadership Council and the entire NPC community for their guidance in selecting an interim president.

Board member Everett Robinson indicated that it was a difficult decision, but that he believed, “Dr. Swarthout will keep this ship afloat and headed in the right direction” during the interim period. “We appreciate the support as we move forward to find a permanent president,” he concludes.

The college will begin its search to fill the permanent position in the coming months.

Oct22

Stage I Fire Restrictions Imposed in Show Low

by KVWM on October 22, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Posted In: CURRENT NEWS, HEALTH, Local Events

Mayor signs emergency proclamation

SHOW LOW, Ariz. (October 22, 2020) – Effective Friday, October 23, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., Stage I fire restrictions are in effect within the City of Show Low. Mayor Daryl Seymore issued an emergency proclamation indicating the following acts are prohibited until further notice:

  1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire (unless noted in the exemptions below).
  2. Smoking outside of designated areas.
  3. Use of any and all fireworks.
  4. Use of explosive targets.
  5. Use of tracer round ammunition.
  6. EXEMPTIONS: (An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.)
  • Persons obtaining a written “Special Use Permit” from the “Authority Having Jurisdiction” that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
  • Fires used only for the cooking of food or for providing warmth for human beings or for recreational purposes (campfires and charcoal fires) in an area that is designated for that purpose and is barren or cleared of all debris for 3 feet in diameter around the device. Permissible items include propane fire rings, pellet stoves/smokers/grills that have UL or FM approval and are a contained unit. A person of appropriate age must maintain a presence at all times when in operation
  • Smoking within enclosed buildings and inside vehicles is allowed. Smoking may also be allowed in or on porches, carports, garages, parking lots and other areas or properties which are cleared of all combustible materials so long as the smoking does not create a substantial risk of fire and all smoking materials are properly extinguished and disposed of. At no time is it allowed to discard lit cigarettes, cigars, or other smoking materials from a vehicle, or from ones’ possession in a public place. ARS 13-1603.a.1
  • Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off.  Such devices with UL and/or FM approval can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device. A person of appropriate age must always maintain a presence with the device when in operation.
  • Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
  • Emergency repair of public utilities.
  • Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

During “Red Flag Warning” conditions, as posted by the U.S. Forest Service, no open outdoor fires, campfires, charcoal fires, or outdoor smoking are permitted on either public or private property within the incorporated area of Show Low.

Those persons violating this ban on open fires and smoking may be charged with a class one misdemeanor and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The restrictions remain in effect until the fire danger abates and the proclamation is rescinded or if the proclamation is superseded by amended restrictions.

Oct16

Fire at NPC Welding/Cosmo Facility in St. Johns

by KVWM on October 16, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Posted In: Local Events

(NPC Photo – Air ducts in the building show minimal damage after the October 14 fire.)

Fire at NPC Welding/Cosmo facility in St. Johns mitigated by fast acting emergency personnel, students and staff

On Wednesday, October 14, St. Johns Fire Department firefighters responded to a fire at Northland Pioneer College’s (NPC’s) Welding/Cosmo facility in St. Johns.

At approximately 2:04 p.m. students and staff in the welding building began to smell smoke. Cosmetology classes (typically housed in the same building) were not in session at the time.

“Before I could say anything all 19 students were at their muster site and were counting to make sure all students were out, and were making sure they all had their buddy,” states NPC Welding Instructor, Frank Pinnell. “In an approximate 30 seconds of time the entire shop had filled with thick white smoke.” At 2:06 p.m. a 911 call was placed and emergency services were dispatched. Students were sent home or back to their high school.

St. Johns Emergency Services shared via their social media Facebook page that upon arriving “the first due engine company encountered heavy smoke, high heat and hidden fire. The crews found fire within a dust collector used in the welding booths, transport piping and some small amounts of smoldering debris,”. The “fire was rapidly extinguished, and due to the nature of large commercial complex fires, mutual aid was received from Concho, Springerville and Eagar Fire Departments,” the post continues. “Damage to the building was minimized, and efforts to remove smoke from the building limited smoke damage from extending further.” It was “a tremendous effort by the students and Mr. Pinnell. We commend Mr. Pinnell and the students for their prompt, efficient and expeditious evacuation.”

According to NPC Chief Information Officer of Technology Advancement and Support Scott Estes, “damage to the building is actually relatively small. There is no water damage to speak of. There was some drywall and roofing damage as the fire service conducted a search for additional hot spots.” There was no damage to the network or computer equipment. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Classes normally held in the building were moved to a virtual format on Thursday and Friday October 15 and 16. In person classes in the building are expected to resume by October 26. “We want to thank St. Johns Emergency Services as well as Navopache Electric, the City of St. Johns, St. Johns Police Departments, the Apache County Sheriff’s Office and Apache County Emergency Management for their efforts during this incident,” Estes concludes. “We are fortunate to have excellent emergency services in the area and extremely fast-acting, smart students and faculty.”

Oct14

Early Voting in Show Low

by KVWM on October 14, 2020 at 5:27 pm
Posted In: CURRENT NEWS, Local Events, POLITICS

EARLY VOTING AT SHOW LOW CITY HALL BEGINNING OCT. 12

Available from Oct. 12 to 16 and 19 to 23

The Navajo County Elections Department has designated Show Low City Hall as an early voting center for all Navajo County voters for the November 3 general election. The voting center at city hall will be open Monday through Friday for two weeks beginning Monday, October 12, and continuing through Friday, October 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All voters will need to present a valid Arizona driver’s license. Voters who received an early ballot in the mail are also welcome to drop off their ballot at city hall during early voting, or they can be deposited in the ballot box at the north end of the Navajo County South Complex at 550 North 9th Place. Due to COVID-19, all visitors to city hall are reminded that they are required to wear a face covering while inside the facility. Face coverings will be available at city hall if you don’t have one with you. Questions about early voting at Show Low City Hall may be directed to the city clerk’s office at 532-4061.

Oct07

October Fall Play Days

by KVWM on October 7, 2020 at 3:42 pm
Posted In: ENTERTAINMENT, Local Events

FALL Play Days

Where: Show Low City Campus, Multi-Purpose Building, 620 E. McNeil in Show Low

When: Monday – Thursday, October 12-15

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon

Age: 5-12

Cost: $14 per day, $50 for the week

Join us for some fun with The Magic School Bus themed week. We will set of on super adventures, learn some science, play games and so much more! Pre-register, space is limited. For more information, call (928) 532-4142.