The whole thing was a hoax according to state police.

DPS said the driver, 40-year-old Michael John Cook of Mesa, claimed his family was being held hostage at another location by human smugglers and if he didn’t get his human cargo to Mexico, his family would be killed.

DPS and Gila River police finally got the driver to pull over near Casa Grande after officers rammed the vehicle and used spike strips.

The rental moving truck turned out to be empty.

Cook was booked into Pinal County Jail and faces charges of unlawful flight, aggravated assault on a police officer, endangerment, criminal damage, DUI and drug charges.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

**FILE** Gov. Jan Brewer a (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX (NAZ Today)– Earlier this evening, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer issued a State of Emergency which is in effect for the entire state of Arizona.

As part of the Declaration, the state Emergency Operations Center was activated at 5 pm this evening.  This center, manned by several state agencies and headed by the Arizona Department of Emergency Management, is located within the Papago Park Military Reservation in Phoenix.  The center will coordinate with several state agencies as well as DPS/ADOT command posts in Flagstaff and Star Valley (outside of Payson).

Additionally, the State of Emergency allows for an initial $200,000 to be released from the Governor’s Emergency Fund (part of the State General Fund) that can be used to assist in paying for responses and recovery expenses from the weather events.  Approximately $2.5 million remains in the fund, which may be tapped into should more money be needed by a vote from the state’s emergency council, made up of the Governor and 11 other elected and designated voting members.

The details of the declaration include the following directives, according to a press release from the Governor’s Office:

• Declares that a State of Emergency exists in Apache, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, and Navajo counties until further notice; and
• Directs that $200,000 be made available to the Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency Management to be spent on emergency efforts; and
• Directs the state’s Emergency Response and Recovery Plan to be used to direct and control State and other assets being used during the emergency; and
• Allows the Arizona National Guard to be mobilized and used where needed “to assist in the protection of life and property throughout the state.”

The Governor’s office recommends to limit travel, listen to or read the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service, and stay out of flooded roadways.  As little as 6-8 inches off flowing water is enough to stall a vehicle.

Governor Brewer’s declaration comes on the heels of heavy rains and flooding across central Arizona, heavy snowfall and road closures in northern Arizona, and numerous traffic accidents and severe thunderstorms in southern Arizona throughout the day on Thursday, along with several counties and municipalities (including Williams and Flagstaff) declaring their own States of Emergency and the activation of several evacuation shelters statewide.

**FILE** Several northern Arizona roads are closed due to poor conditions. (NAZ Today/Patrick Walker)

PHOENIX (NAZ Today)– The Department of Public Safety is urging motorists to avoid travelling to and around northern Arizona.  Heavy snow at the higher elevations and heavy rain south of the Mogollon Rim has made it extremely difficult for ADOT crews to keep some roads open.

In northern Arizona, heavy snow has caused Interstate 17 to close between Camp Verde and Flagstaff.  Both I-17 and I-40 will be closed Thursday night at 6 pm until further notice. Snow also caused the closure of SR 89A through Oak Creek Canyon from Flagstaff to Sedona.  US 180 (Fort Valley Road) is closed from mile post 236-250 north of Flagstaff until further notice due to snowfall.  Further east, ADOT and DPS briefly closed SR 87 between Winslow and Pine/Strawberry, although ADOT was able to clear the road enough to open it.  Chains and four-wheel drive are required to travel on that stretch of highway.

The City of Flagstaff declared a State of Emergency earlier this afternoon, to free up personnel and resources to help battle all of the snow falling in the area.  Mayor Sara Presler has been on several local radio stations and the Weather Channel to help spread the word about the current situation in Flagstaff.

The snowfall has caused a few government entities to declare States of Emergency as well, including Navajo County and the City of Williams.  Navajo County is expected to activate evacuation shelters, which will be located in Show Low at the McNeil Gym – 620 E. McNeil, and in Heber/Overgaard at Mogollon High School in Heber.  “This is a very dangerous storm,” declared Navajo County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jesse Thompson. “This declaration of emergency reflects the County’s commitment to fulfill its responsibility to protect and assist our residents at this time.”  The Show Low Fire Department is also reporting numerous power outages across the town of Show Low.

Flagstaff has activated its Emergency Operations Center. (Courtesy: flagstaff.az.gov)

In Flagstaff, snow and a brief rain shower before returning to heavy snow are anticipated through early Satrurday morning.  A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through noon Saturday, stating that 2-4 feet are possible above 6500 feet, and 3-5 feet are possible above 7000 feet during that time period.  The City of Flagstaff activated its Emergency Operations Center inside the Flagstaff Police Department at 7 pm Wednesday night, allowing for city and county agencies to coordinate efforts during this winter storm.

Heavy rain is the story for areas south of Flagstaff.  Several communities at the base of the Mogollon Rim are bracing for potential flooding, with several rivers predicted to rise well above flood stage, according to the National Weather Service.  5-6 inches of rainfall are expected in parts of Yavapai County and central Gila County, with 6-7 inches predicted for northern Gila County in the Payson area and in isolated areas of Yavapai County, upwards of 8 inches of rain may fall, according to NWS forecast models.  Sedona is preparing for flooding along Oak Creek, and flooding of the Verde River in the Verde Valley.  South of Payson, tributaries that are flowing into the Tonto Basin and Roosevelt Lake are also expected to flood, including Tonto Creek.  SRP is releasing water from many of its dams down the Salt River into Phoenix in anticipation of heavy rain over all of its tributaries and high volumes of runoff from further north.  The greater Phoenix area itself may also see several inches of rain Thursday, with heavy rain again being the story Friday.

Additional DPS officers have been sent to Flagstaff to help DPS and CCSO officers that have been working to help motorists along state highways and Interstates (NAZ Today/Patrick Walker)

All of this means dangerous driving conditions, whether it is navigating flooded streets in the rain or snowpacked roads and blowing snow conditions in northern Arizona.  The Department of Public Safety is activating its Emergencency Operations Center in Phoenix to better coordinate its efforts with other agencies across the state, including ADOT, the National Weather Service, and other state, county, and local public works and emergency agencies.  Here in northern Arizona, the Phoenix EOC will coordinate with the DPS Command Post in Flagstaff.  DPS says that additional officers have been sent across the state, including to Flagstaff, to assist with patrolling the highways and responding to calls for help.  In a release this morning, the Department of Public Safety discouraged travel in the higher elevations:  ”DPS is discouraging ALL travel to Northern Arizona at this time due to adverse weather conditions.”

DPS Command Post set up at the ADOT Flagstaff District Office on Milton Road (NAZ Today/Patrick Walker)

*This story first appeared Monday, 1/18*

FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– The threat of several feet of snow this week has prompted the Department of Public Safety to set up a command post in Flagstaff.

After working with a “skeleton crew” earlier this morning, a full shift’s worth of DPS officers were on duty by the afternoon hours in the Flagstaff area, according to DPS Sgt. Brian Eekhoff.  He said that there were already a number of slide-offs that officers were responding to on area highways and interstates.  If the number of slide-offs and accidents continues to grow, Eekhoff says that additional officers could be called in from other towns like Camp Verde and Prescott.

Back in December, DPS officers were very busy during the snowstorm that included a blizzard at one point.  Because of the number of officers working during the storm and the area that had to be covered, it was hard to coordinate efforts with other departments.  ”We had some trouble communicating with ADOT during the peak of the storm, so we decided to set up a command post right here [at the ADOT District Office on Milton],” Sgt. Eekhoff said.  The command post will allow for supervisors to more effectively communicate with ADOT officials next door in their offices, helping to coordinate information on road conditions, accident locations, and road closures as needed.

ADOT snow plows in formation clear Milton Road in front of Target. DPS is working to better coordinate with ADOT. (NAZ Today/Patrick Walker)

Eekhoff also says that there is somewhat of a pattern with the accidents that happen during snowstorms.  He says that the bulk of the accidents and slide-offs that DPS responds to happen when the storms are just starting, or while you can still see asphalt.  Out of town drivers, especially motorists from California heading east on I-40 or from Phoenix heading north on I-17, continue driving at normal speeds and hit the slick roads, causing the accidents.  Accidents tend to decrease in frequency when the roads become snow-packed and several inches have accumulated on the side of the road, because motorists slow down and drive more carefully with the presence of the snow, Eekoff added.

DPS Command Vehicle (NAZ Today/Patrick Walker)

As always, DPS reminds motorists to slow down and increase stopping distances during times of bad weather.  Be mindful of stopped vehicles and emergency workers near accidents.

Officer Henscheid (Photo Courtesy of DPS)

 Department of Public Safety duty officer Andrew Dobbins says the accident occurred early Sunday morning as the officer was assisting with a collision along the northbound lane.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

Bruce Burger (Coutesy: YCSO)

PRESCOTT (NAZ Today)– On October 31, 2009, at approximately 11 A.M., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported family fight in the 2800 block of Dana Street, Humboldt. Prior to reaching the location, deputies were contacted by the girlfriend of the disturbing party who warned deputies that her boyfriend, 46-year-old Bruce Burger, was extremely distraught and armed with a rifle inside the home. Burger claimed he had been “wronged” by several people and threatened to “take them out.”

Deputies brought Burger’s girlfriend to a safe area and set surveillance on the Dana Street home. While gathering further information, a deputy saw Burger exit the home, place an object in a truck and drive away. The deputy followed Burger who drove north and entered east Highway 169 from Foothill Drive. Deputies lost sight of Burger as he exited from the 169 onto Old Cherry Road in an apparent attempt to return to his previous neighborhood. A short time later, deputies located Burger driving his truck and attempted to stop him by activating their overhead lights. Burger refused and sped away into an area of heavy brush. Deputies were forced to check the area on foot and did not immediately locate Burger. Deputies determined that Burger had returned to Old Cherry Road and had driven away. Assisting deputies briefly pursued Burger again, but due to the rough terrain, were unable to close the distance.

Neighbors in the area contacted deputies after discovering that Burger had intentionally rammed his truck into a water tank and attached control panel. Neighbors told deputies of prior threats by Burger when he lived in the area. Another witness told deputies he had just seen Burger point his rifle towards deputies searching the area. The YCSO Swat team was alerted at this time.

Because of the expansive search area, a DPS Ranger helicopter was called to assist along with ground units from DPS and US Forest Service Law Enforcement. The Ranger helicopter crew eventually located Burger’s truck as he drove, and occasionally stopped, along Old Cherry Road. With these ongoing directions from above, deputies eventually located Burger on Cherry Creek Road around 2 PM where he surrendered. A rifle was recovered from Burger’s truck and he was also found with several rounds of ammo on his person, and extra ammo in the truck.

Burger was charged with Disorderly Conduct per Domestic Violence, Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement Officers, Flee Pursing Law Enforcement, Threatening and Criminal Damage.

He remains in custody with a next court date of November 10, 2009.

Fallen D.P.S. Officer Bruce Harrolle

The Bruce Harrolle Memorial Benefit Car Wash is scheduled for this Sunday, October 18, 2009, at the Rock Springs Café. Proceeds from this event will be split between the 100 Club of Arizona and the Bruce Harrolle Paramedic Scholarship.

The 100 Club of Arizona is a benevolent, nonprofit, 501(c) organization committed to standing behind the men and women who stand behind the badge. The funds to assist our public safety officers and firefighters are raised through membership dues, charitable campaigns, endowments, and donations from those supporting their mission.

On October 13, 2008, A DPS Officer/Paramedic Bruce Harrolle was killed when he was struck by a helicopter rotor blade while trying to rescue two stranded hikers near Sedona.

What: Bruce Harrolle Memorial Car Wash
When: Sunday, October 18, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Rock Springs Café
35769 South Old Black Canyon Highway
Rock Springs, Arizona
Contact: Officer Russ Dodge
(928) 848-1566

Rock Springs Café is located at 35769 South Old Black Canyon Highway in Rock Springs, Arizona.