The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office today released this updated press release regarding the disappearance last Sunday of 2-year old Sylar Newton of Flagstaff. The toddler apparently wandered away from his family’s tent in the middle of the night as they camped at the Beaver Creek Campground southeast of Sedona. The child has not been seen since.

Following initial reports of the missing boy, YCSO detectives contacted nearby land fill and trash dumping facilities asking for cooperation to contain waste materials removed from the Beaver Creek Campground and surrounding area. The major landfill receiving these materials is located in the 23000 block of Highway 169, Dewey, and is know as the Gray Wolf Landfill. Managers at the location were able to identify several waste loads from the area and isolate those materials for a search. This past week, a crew of YCSO personnel, assisted by FBI agents and forensic specialists, combed through over 200 tons of waste material at the site. The goal was to look for any evidence linked to this case that could play a role helping investigators locate Sylar. Although no critical information was immediately discovered, this effort will continue as additional loads are isolated. (See attached photos).

Investigators continue to receive assistance from various agencies including the FBI, Arizona Department of Corrections and Parole, Department of Public Safety, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, US Forestry Service, Arizona Fish and Game Department, Yavapai County Attorney’s Office, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The FBI has also provided specialized equipment in conjunction with YCSO resources including aircraft and sonar gear to examine bodies of water. FBI agents having expertise with missing children cases are also assisting YCSO detectives

The campground will remain secure so searchers and investigators can maintain scene integrity as they continue to look for Sylar and any critical evidence. Detectives have begun to canvass surrounding campground/community areas with Sylar’s missing person flyer in an attempt to locate anyone who may be unaware of the incident and have information about the missing boy.

Sheriff Steve Waugh and his Command staff remain fully briefed on the agency effort to locate Sylar. The search operation is evaluated day to day as decisions are made on where best to allocate current resources. Although scaled back slightly in some areas, the work at Beaver Creek Campground will likely continue through this weekend. Further details regarding the areas covered by search crews will be available early next week.

ADOT crews repaving I-40 through Flagstaff will be closing on and off ramps periodically through the weekend. Today ramps will be closed at Business Route-40 and at Flagstaff Ranch Road. Saturday crews will be working on the southbound I-17 to eastbound I-40 and eastbound I-40 to southbound I-17 ramps. Sunday, eastbound on and off ramps at Butler Avenue will be closed. The closures will occur between the hours of 6-am and 7-pm each day.  

Two Cottonwood teenagers were linked to 2 commercial burglaries and several vehicle burglaries during a recent investigation. Thursday, Cottonwood Police responded to an apartment on Mingus Avenue where they made contact with a woman who reported her prescription medication had been stolen. While in the apartment, officers located several items reported stolen from Evangel Worship Center and Helping Hands; they also recovered items stolen from vehicles in Del Webb and Verde Santa Fe. Arrested on charges of 3-rd degree burglary and theft was 19-year old Devin Garcia and a 17-year old male juvenile.  

Cottonwood Police Chief Jodi Fanning promoted Officer Kevin Murie to the position of Sergeant during a ceremony held Thursday. Sgt. Murie began his career with the Cottonwood Police Department as an Explorer while attending Mingus Union High School. In 2004 he joined the police department as a dispatcher. Sgt. Murie was hired as an officer in January 2006 and is certified as a K-9 officer. During the ceremony, Officer Cory Shilling was also recognized for his achievement as the Mothers Against Drunk Driving DUI Officer of the Year for 2009. During his first year as an officer, Shilling arrested 23-DUI offenders.

The Zimmerman Fire, burning near Roosevelt Lake, is believed to be 100% contained. Tonto National Forest officials say heavy monsoon rains put the fire out Thursday. The July 15-th, lightning caused fire, charred 578-acres. Crews will continue to monitor the area over the next several days looking for any remaining hot-spots.   

The Sedona Fire District lifted the fire ban that was in effect for all portions of the fire district on Thursday; the ban was put into place on June 23-rd. Recent rains along with higher humidity and increased fuel moistures have lowered but not eliminated fire danger in the district.

The Kaibab National Forest has released the Tusayan Ranger District Travel Management Project Environmental Assessment for public review and comment.  The document and accompanying maps are available on the Kaibab National Forest website. http://fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/trd_tmr. Public comment will be taken through August 28-th.

Hunters who still want a permit for the popular fall hunts but missed the draw deadline or weren't selected in the lottery process have another chance.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department says more than 5,500 permits remain. They will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through mail application starting Monday. Hunters can apply for the 4,300 deer tags, 900 turkey tags and the 300 juniors-only javelina tags that are left over.

Hunters can obtain a leftover tag in person at any of the seven Game and Fish offices after Aug. 9. Walk-in customers still will be required to fill out an application. (Thanks to AP)

Flagstaff water commissioners have made a recommendation on a water source for snowmaking at Snowbowl ski resort. At issue is whether treated wastewater or more expensive drinking-quality water will be sent through a pipeline to the resort. Flagstaff City Manager Kevin Burke says the water commission voted 5-4 Thursday night to recommend to the City Council that the Snowbowl and the federal government be allowed to use either water source. Spraying artificial snow on the mountain that American Indian tribes consider sacred has been a contentious issue for years. (Thanks to AP)