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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

ADOT: No state highway construction closures over Christmas and New Year’s weekends


Arizona Department of Transportation

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ADOT: No state highway construction closures over Christmas and New Year's weekends
Drivers urged to use caution, be prepared for existing work zones
 
PHOENIX – Drivers will not face any construction-related closures along state highways and Phoenix area freeways over the Christmas and New Year's weekends, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
 
Although no major restrictions are scheduled, ADOT is advising drivers to be prepared for existing work zones for some ongoing projects and possible increased traffic before and at the end of each holiday weekend over the next two weeks.
 
There is good news about an Interstate 17 work zone 20 miles south of Flagstaff. Crews will reopen I-17 to two lanes in each direction at the Munds Park interchange project by this weekend. The bridge reconstruction project has reached the halfway mark and will continue when warmer weather arrives in the spring.
 
Existing work zone locations along state highways include:
 
  • I-10 in the Casa Grande area: No lane restrictions but work zones with temporary safety barrier walls are in place east of McCartney Road. Drivers are asked to obey reduced speed limit within work zone.
 
  • I-10 near Cotton Lane west of Phoenix: No lane restrictions. However, crews have done preliminary set up of a work zone for one of ADOT's major 2012 projects – construction of a new elevated freeway-to-freeway interchange linking Loop 303 and I-10.
 
  • US 93 north of Wikieup: Drivers are asked to use extra caution along the work zone for a seven-mile-long project to build a divided four-lane highway. A no passing zone is in effect.
 
  • State Route 85 in Gila Bend: Narrowed to one lane in each direction at a Business-8 bridge improvement project. Minimal delays expected during busier travel periods over the holidays.
 
  • I-10 in northwest Tucson: No lane restrictions but work zones and exit closures are in place in areas between Ruthrauff and Prince roads.
 
ADOT also urges drivers to "expect the unexpected" and prepare for unscheduled incidents or restrictions along state highways.
 
A total of 15 people were killed in crashes on highways and local streets over the Christmas and New Year's weekends a year ago (10 fatalities over Christmas weekend and five fatalities over the New Year's weekend). Key safety tips include buckling up, obeying speed limits, checking your vehicle – including fluid levels, belts and tire pressure – and getting plenty of rest before setting out on a trip. Never drink and drive and if necessary make advance plans for a designated driver.
 
Drivers are reminded that weather conditions can change while traveling. Winter weather driving tips for Arizona's high country or other parts of the nation, and other information are available at www.azdot.gov/KnowSnow.    
 
ADOT offers several services for travelers to stay up to date on highway conditions across the state, especially prior to starting a trip. Sign up for e-mail alerts via ADOT's web page at www.azdot.gov. Updates on highway conditions also are provided via Twitter at www.Twitter/ArizonaDOT. Highway conditions also are available on ADOT's Travel Information site at www.az511.gov or by calling 5-1-1. Out of state callers can dial 1-888-411-ROAD (7623).
 
 

For more information, visit our website at www.azdot.gov.

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Monday, December 19, 2011

Southern AZ Indicators Survey

I encourage you to take the survey below. It will take only 5 minutes and will help to ensure that Cochise County is presented.
 
Take a minute – Help Determine the Future of Southern Arizona
 
TUCSON, AZ (December 19, 2011) —The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona have partnered on an initiative—The Southern Arizona Indicators Project—to help shape the approach to community problem-solving for Southern Arizona's most critical challenges.  The Project will become an important data source to identify community needs and proven strategies that address those needs in the region. 
 
Input from the community to accurately reflect what is important throughout our diverse region. The survey takes a few minutes to complete. It is available in English at www.surveymonkey.com/s/SouthernAZIndicators and in Spanish at www.surveymonkey.com/s/ProyectoIndicadores.  Hard copies are also available by calling Doreen Hunnicutt at (520) 770-0800. The data from the project will be posted at  www.southernazindicators.org in March.
 
To learn more about the project visit either www.cfsa.org or www.unitedwaytucson.org.
 
For More Information Contact:                                                                                                                   
Catherine Sebold
Office:  (520) 903-3918
Cell:      (520) 440-8718
 
Carol Sanger
Director, Southeast Region | Arizona Community Foundation | direct 520.439.0595 | mobile 520.249.0404
SERVING COCHISE, GRAHAM AND EASTERN SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES
 
FOLLOW ACF:  Web Site | Twitter | Facebook
 

Friday, December 9, 2011

Happy Holidays from Cochise College SBDC

 
Happy Holidays from Cochise College SBDC!
The Cochise College Small Business Development Center staff would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Thank you for making 2011 such a successful year for Cochise County!  In 2011 Cochise College Small Business Development Center:
  • Helped start 38 new businesses.
  • Helped create 104 new jobs.
  • Helped retain 30 jobs.
  • Helped increase our clients sales by $7,111,680.00!
  • Helped our clients secure loans for a total of $4,087,189!
How can we help your business succeed in 2012?  Please give the SBDC a call at 520-515-5478 to schedule your appointment now for 2012 so we can help you set up and accomplish your business goals for the new year.
 
Sincerely,
 
Rachel Norton
Cochise College SBDC
520-515-5478
SBDC logo        New Cochise College Logo            SBA Logo Color                
This email was sent to vamerritt@msn.com by nortonr@cochise.edu |  
Cochise College SBDC | 901 N Colombo Avenue | Sierra Vista | AZ | 85635

Saturday, December 3, 2011

CER Bi-Weekly Gas Price Press Release 12-2-11

 
 
PRESS RELEASE: December 2, 2011
 
Iris Routhieaux
Information Specialist, Center for Economic Research
Cochise College
901 N. Colombo Ave.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
 
Phone: 520-515-5486
 
 
Local gas prices continue to fall
 
According to the Cochise College Center for Economic Research's latest biweekly survey of gas prices, conducted November 28 through December 2, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Cochise County decreased from $3.46 to $3.40 over the preceding 2 week period. According to AAA Arizona, the statewide price decreased from $3.33 to $3.27 per gallon. Nationally, according to the Energy Information Administration, gas prices dropped from $3.44 to $3.31 during the two-week period.
 
In Benson, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline decreased from $3.53 to $3.49. In Bisbee, the price decreased from $3.53 to $3.50. The price in Douglas decreased from $3.50 to $3.44 per gallon. In Huachuca City, the price decreased from $3.38 to $3.32. In Sierra Vista, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline decreased from $3.36 to $3.29. In Tombstone, the price decreased from $3.38 to $3.34. Willcox saw gas prices drop from $3.47 to $3.40 during the two-week period.
 
One year ago, the nationwide average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, according to the EIA, was $2.86, which is 45 cents lower than its current price. At the state level, according to AAA Arizona, the price a year ago was $2.80, which is 47 cents lower than the current price per gallon. At the county level, according to the CER survey, the price a year ago was $2.82, which is 58 cents lower than the price from the most recent survey.
 
 
LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL AVERAGE GAS PRICES
 
Week of 11/14/2011
Week of 11/28/2011
United States
       $3.44
       $3.31
Arizona
       $3.33
       $3.27
Cochise County
       $3.46
       $3.40
    Benson
      $3.53
      $3.49
    Bisbee
         $3.53
         $3.50
    Douglas
       $3.50
       $3.44
    Huachuca City
       $3.38
       $3.32
    Sierra Vista
       $3.36
       $3.29
    Tombstone
       $3.38
       $3.34
    Willcox
       $3.47
       $3.40
 
#          #          #
 
 

Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report

Arizona Department of Transportation

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For more than two years, the Arizona Department of Transportation has worked toward developing the state's Long Range Transportation Plan, a blueprint that looks 25 years into the future to determine how to plan for and fund transportation projects that keep up with Arizona's growth.
The State Transportation Board formally approved the Long Range Transportation Plan on November 18, which will allow ADOT planners to develop a transportation system that will carry us into the future.
While ADOT's Long Range Transportation Plan is not project-specific, it identifies investment priorities based on current and projected transportation funding over the next 25 years. However, revenues will not meet all current and future transportation needs.
The long range transportation planning process is called What Moves You Arizona, which narrows the focus to 25 years ahead to determine and prioritize how limited funds should be used throughout the state to develop a multimodal transportation system. These investment strategies could involve a greater focus on preserving current infrastructure, modernizing and expanding highways, public-private partnerships, and non-highway improvements, such as rail and transit. It's up to policymakers, the public and communities to tell us what's important to them and to prioritize projects and funding for those projects.
Read ADOT's Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report.
Comments and questions can be directed to whatmovesyouarizona@azdot.gov.

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Friday, December 2, 2011

CER Weekly Press Release 12-1-11

 
 
PRESS RELEASE: December 1, 2011
 
Dr. Robert Carreira
Director, Center for Economic Research
Cochise College
901 N. Colombo Ave.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
 
Phone: 520-515-5486
 

 

Home sales up in first three quarters

 
From January through September 2011, there were 970 homes sold in Cochise County, up 12.8 percent from 860 in the same period last year. Sales were up in each of the first three quarters of 2011, compared to the same quarters of 2010.
 
While home sales in Cochise County in the third quarter of 2011 were down 11.5 percent from the second quarter, they were up 23.6 percent compared to the third quarter of 2010. There were 330 homes sold countywide in the third quarter of this year, compared to 373 in the second quarter and 267 in the third quarter of 2010.
 
The drop in home sales from the second to third quarter was due to seasonal factors. Cochise County typically sees fewer homes sold in the third quarter than the second quarter each year. In 2010, the drop in sales volume from the second to third quarter was 21.7 percent, nearly twice the decline seen this year. 
 
The median home price countywide in the third quarter of 2011 was $137,250, down 9.7 percent from $152,000 in the second quarter, and down 11.5 percent from $155,000 in the third quarter last year. The average home sold for 94.7 percent of the asking price in the third quarter, down slightly from 94.9 percent in the second quarter, but up marginally from 94.5 percent in the third quarter of 2010.
 
The average home price per square foot countywide in the third quarter was $87.11, down 3 percent from $89.83 in the second quarter and down 5 percent from $91.72 in the third quarter of last year. The disparity in the size of the drop in the median home price and average price per square foot suggests the larger decline in median price was due in part to smaller homes being sold in the third quarter this year than in both the second quarter this year and third quarter last year.
 
The average home that sold in Cochise County in the third quarter of this year was on the market for 152 days, virtually unchanged from 153 days in the second quarter and up from 134 days in the third quarter of 2010.
 
Part of the reason for the increase in home sales countywide has been an increase in foreclosed homes, which attract buyers with lower than market prices. In the first 9 months of 2011, foreclosures accounted for 31.9 percent of home sales in Cochise County, up from 22.4 percent in the same period of 2010. Foreclosures accounted for 32.1 percent of all homes sold in Cochise County in the third quarter of 2011, up from 30.6 percent in the second quarter and 26.2 percent in the third quarter of last year.
 
In Southwest Cochise County, which includes Sierra Vista, Huachuca City, Tombstone, Hereford, Whetstone, and surrounding areas, home sales in the third quarter were down 19.8 percent from the second quarter, but up 6.7 percent from the third quarter last year.
 
The median home price in Southwest Cochise County in the third quarter was $175,000, up 1.5 percent from the second quarter, but down 3.8 percent from the third quarter of 2010.
 
Foreclosed homes accounted for 25.6 percent of all homes sold in Southwest Cochise County in the third quarter, virtually unchanged from 25.5 percent in the second quarter, but up from 23.9 percent in the third quarter last year.
 
In Southeast Cochise County, which includes Bisbee, Douglas, Naco, Pirtleville, McNeal, Elfrida, and surrounding areas, home sales in the third quarter were up 13.7 percent from the second quarter, and up 34.9 percent from the third quarter last year.
 
The median home price in Southeast Cochise County in the third quarter was $75,000, down 22.3 percent from the second quarter and down 11.8 percent from the third quarter last year.
 
Foreclosed homes accounted for 46.6 percent of all homes sold in Southeast Cochise County in the third quarter, down from 49 percent in the second quarter, but up from 30.2 percent in the third quarter last year.
 
In Northwest Cochise County, which includes Benson, St. David, Pomerene, Dragoon, and surrounding areas, there were 32 homes sold in the third quarter, up from 26 in the second quarter and 15 in the third quarter last year.
 
The median home price in Northwest Cochise County in the third quarter was $102,500, down 6.2 percent from the second quarter and down 2.4 percent from the third quarter last year.
 
Foreclosed homes accounted for 53.1 percent of all homes sold in Northwest Cochise County in the third quarter, down slightly from 53.8 percent in the second quarter.
 
In Northeast Cochise County, which includes Willcox, Pearce, Cochise, Bowie, Portal, San Simon, and surrounding areas, there were 17 homes sold in the third quarter, compared to 18 in the second quarter.
 
Home sales data include only homes that were listed on the Southeast Arizona Multiple Listing Service or the Tucson MLS and include site-built, manufactured, and mobile homes, as well as townhouses and condominiums.
 
Dr. Robert Carreira is director of the Center for Economic Research at Cochise College. If you have any questions on the economy, please contact the CER at (520) 515-5486 or by email at cer@cochise.edu. Check out the CER's website at www.cochise.edu/cer
 
 
 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

High winds, blowing dust possible Thursday

Arizona Department of Transportation

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For Immediate Release: November 30, 2011
Contact: ADOT Public Information Office
news@azdot.gov  -or-  1.800.949.8057
 
 
High winds, blowing dust could affect driving in southwest Arizona
Reduced visibility, possible dust storms could slow traffic
 
PHOENIX — The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Thursday (Dec. 1) that could impact drivers traveling in southwest Arizona.
 
Strong sustained northern winds from 25 to 35 mph, including wind gusts up to 40 mph, are predicted to reach Yuma and La Paz counties.
 
The Arizona Department of Transportation urges motorists traveling on Interstate 10, Interstate 8 and US 95/State Route 95 to use extra caution due to possible difficult driving conditions as strong winds over desert areas can result in sudden periods of limited or zero visibility due to blowing dust.
 
Motorists play in important role in safety when operating their vehicles during a dust storm. ADOT and the Department of Public Safety recommend the following driving tips when encountering a low visibility dust storm.
 
    Check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
    Look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
    Stop the vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and not near where any vehicles may travel.
    Turn off all vehicle lights.
    Set your emergency brake and take the foot off the brake.
    Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts intact and wait for the storm to pass.
 
ADOT, along with DPS, will continue to work as a public safety team to support Arizona's highways and drivers and will closely monitor conditions on the highways while maintaining driver safety. 
 
Drivers planning trips tomorrow are urged to monitor travel conditions by calling 5-1-1 within Arizona, 1.888.411.ROAD outside the state, or via the Web at www.az511.gov. Because weather conditions can quickly evolve, drivers are encouraged to regularly check in with ADOT's Traveler Information Service.  Motorists should delay or detour travel plans if necessary.

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