COTTONWOOD - On Monday morning, at 10:14 a.m., Verde Valley Fire District crews were called to a two-vehicle collision at Western Drive and State Route 260. Three patients sustained substantial injuries after a GMC Yukon and a Cadillac were mangled in a head-on impact.
Two patients, a mother and child, were transported and treated at Verde Valley Medical Center. The third patient, an older woman who was the driver of the Cadillac, was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center.
It is believed the Cadillac driver turned left toward Western Drive into the path of oncoming traffic.
The GMC ricocheted off the Cadillac and burst into flames. Onstar called 911. Fire crews used foam to douse the flames. Photos courtesy Jerry Wilmot
Sheriff looking for clues about Rimrock dreamcatcher vandalism
RIMROCK - Yavapai County Sheriff's deputies continue to seek information about vandalism to a prize-winning dreamcatcher. The dream catcher, also known as the "Dream Warrior," was vandalized while on display in front of the store.
The dream catcher was approximately 12 feet tall and staged on a trailer. Suspects cut the interior strings and the outer support loop had been stolen. Additionally, several pieces of turquoise were stolen from one of the dream catcher rings. The suspects also pushed the display trailer off the edge of a nearby embankment, where it was found and recovered. The dream catcher piece is valued at over $4,500.
The owner last saw the display intact at 6 p.m. Saturday and discovered the damage and theft on Sunday morning. The owner has no idea who would want to damage the dream catcher display. Deputies contacted the owner of the Verde Valley Honey Store who also could not suggest any suspects.
The Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information about the theft and vandalism to call (928) 771-3260. Information about this crime may be reported to Yavapai Silent Witness at (800) 932-3232. Callers can remain anonymous and will become eligible for a reward if an arrest is made in this case. (YCSO case number 09-047590).
Overloaded circuit sparks fire
COTTONWOOD - A fire in the kitchen of an Old Town Cottonwood rental home brought out crews from Cottonwood Fire Department just after noon Tuesday.
The home at Fourth Street and Pinal was originally a mobile home, but had been added onto, roofed over and stuccoed.
Fire Chief Mike Casson says the fire originated at an electrical outlet in the kitchen and climbed the wall behind the refrigerator and into the attic space.
No one was occupying the rental since it was being remodeled and workmen were throwing buckets of water onto the blaze. Firefighters quickly doused the flames.
Casson estimates damage at $4,000-$5,000. He believes the cause of the fire may have been an overloaded circuit. A refrigerator and under cabinet light had been plugged into a power strip.
Chief Mike Casson reminds homeowners that this is the time of year when people also tend to plug in more appliances, Christmas tree lights and other items into circuits, which become overloaded.
Rear-ender in Camp Verde
CAMP VERDE - A two vehicle rear-end crash blocked traffic in Camp Verde just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, but no one was reported hurt or taken to the hospital. A full-size pickup was stopped on Montezuma Castle Highway at Cliff House Drive waiting to turn when a small sedan crashed into the back of the truck and was jammed beneath it.
Significant damage was reported from the incident.
Both drivers were minors.
Mean girls
COTTONWOOD - Police were dispatched to the Sun Dial Motel in Old Town Cottonwood on Thanksgiving. A mother and her 18-year-old daughter were reportedly involved in a violent fight that originated when the daughter was sending text messages to her boyfriend.
The women were treated for bites, scrapes, torn hair and bruises.
Ronna Sellers, 41, was arrested for several outstanding warrants. Both she and her daughter, Rachel, were charged with assault and disorderly conduct.
The following day Cottonwood Officers arrested another woman for aggravated assault after the Clarkdale woman and her son became involved in a domestic fight.
Deborah Gorczyca, 55, had been brought to the Verde Valley Medical Center for evaluation. She allegedly had thrown a knife at officers who were called to the fight. But at the hospital she bit a security officer and struck a nurse, according to the report. She was charged with two counts of assault and placed in arm and leg restraints.
Wild land fire on Thanksgiving
CORNVILLE - Verde Valley Fire District crews were dispatched to 55 S. Merritt Ranch Road in Cornville just after 7 a.m. Thanksgiving Day for a wild fire. A quarter-acre fire involving heavy timber logs and trees was burning along the riverbank. Crews attacked the blaze with water and foam. A unit still staged at the scene overnight to knock down any flair ups. Early the next morning the property manager used a backhoe to spread out the hot logs. Duty crews worked four or five hot spots with foam until the fire was extinguished. Cause of the fire is unknown at this point.
Saturday, VVFD crews responded to the report of a possible car fire near milepost 7.5 on Cornville Road. Upon arrival they found grass smoldering, but the vehicle was not involved. The driver had noticed the fire under a guardrail and called it in. Crews made sure the fire was completely extinguished.
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Posted: Saturday, December 05, 2009
Article comment by:
Roy Belcher
