Autumn in Coconino County
Autumn is a special time in Coconino County. From sunflowers to golden aspens, the landscape changes colors and welcomes many migratory animals. Coconino County parks and natural areas are great for autumn enthusiasts!
From wildlife watching to enjoying autumn gardens, Coconino County parks and natural areas have options for everyone.
On Friday, President Cruz Rivera announced the creation of NAU Health and its flagship project, a new College of Medicine focused on preparing primary care physicians to serve in rural and underserved regions of the state. Part of the Arizona Board of Regents’ AZ Healthy Tomorrow initiative, NAU’s College of Medicine is in direct response to the critical shortage of healthcare providers throughout the state. NARBHA Institute Vice President of NAU Health Julie Baldwin will lead the work, which also includes the creation of a College of Nursing and elevating health professions education in already established programs in the College of Health and Human Services. We know you have questions. Click the links below to learn more.
FLAGSTAFF — Cecil Fire managers will not resume firing operations on the 2,180-acre lightning-caused fire located southwest of Flagstaff, and have shifted to a strategy that will result in full containment as soon as possible.
The Cecil Fire is currently 0% contained and resources assigned to the Cecil Fire include four 20-person hand crews, 13 engines, a dozer, a water tender and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 147 personnel.
Fire managers for the Cecil Fire set early management objectives that included firing operations aimed at treating as much Coconino National Forest and Arizona State Trust land as possible during safe wind and weather conditions.
COCONINO COUNTY — The City of Flagstaff, Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School District, Ash Fork Joint Unified School District, Grand Canyon Unified School District, Pinewood Sanitary District, Williams Hospital District, and Highlands Fire District are holding Special Elections on November 7, 2023. The November 7 Special Elections are being conducted as ballot-by-mail elections. All registered voters in these jurisdictions will automatically be mailed a ballot and there will not be any polling places on Election Day.
FLAGSTAFF — The slight rain that fell on the Cecil Fire yesterday morning helped keep the lightning-caused Cecil Fire, located southwest of Flagstaff, at 2,180 acres as of Monday morning.
The Cecil Fire is burning on both Coconino National Forest and Arizona State Trust lands, and a closure order has been issued for the fire area.
Resources assigned to the Cecil Fire include one Hotshot crew, two hand crews, 10 engines, a dozer, a water tender and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 112 personnel.
This week’s weather forecast looks favorable to possibly resume firing operations. In addition to holding existing lines, crews plan to spend today prepping lines for potential firing operations north of Black Pass on the north side of the fire, off Woody Ridge toward Forest Road (FR) 532B on the east side of the fire, and from Woody Ridge to just south of Eightynine A Tank.
Join us for a special talk featuring Heather Mulder, Associate Director Outreach Research at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute/ Banner Sun Health Research Institute.
Research shows that participating in the arts may improve health, cognitive function, memory and improve self-esteem and well-being. Heather will share her expertise and knowledge and how she has seen innovative programming increase the quality of life for people living with dementia and those who care about them. Q and A to follow along with an update from our CEO, Julie Richard, about Sedona Arts Center’s development of a new Creative Aging Program. This talk is free and open to the public.
Powerful Plein Air with Krystal Brown
Tues – Thurs, Oct 17 – 19
If you want to paint effortlessly – Free from stress and better able to let the magic flow, this is the place to start. You will come to understand how to create more comfortably, confidently and joyfully while learning all the tips and techniques that have taken me years of cultivation. No more guessing! No more uncertainty! No more fear! Just SUCCESS. You are invited to paint in oil or water soluble oil if possible!
Krystal W. Brown is a fine art oil painter who captures the places, people and moments that matter most. She is an award winning artist who specializes in fine art oil paintings and commissioned portraits.
FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present a “Ofrenda 101” workshop on from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday Oct. 5 at the Flagstaff Public Library, 300 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.
Join us for two back-to-back presentations by Flagstaff Nuestras Raices:
OFRENDAS 101
Join us as we learn about the history of creating your own family ofrenda / altar and about the meaning behind the use of colored candles, marigold flowers, water, salt, and your loved ones favorite foods. The presentation will include the creation of an ofrenda!
HALLOWEEN vs DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
Día de los Muertos is celebrated in México and many Latin America countries on November 2nd. Given that Halloween (October 31st), All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd) tumble into each other, the confusion between the celebrations is understandable. Come hear a brief history of these cultural traditions.
COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors is pleased to announce one of their members, Supervisor Patrice Horstman representing District 1, has been appointed by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to serve on the Arizona Resource Advisory Council.
The Council is a 15-member statewide advisory council, which provides advice and recommendations to the Bureau of Land Management on resource and land management issues for approximately 12.1 million acres of federal surface and 36 million acres of subsurface mineral estate in Arizona.
FLAGSTAFF — Firefighters are halting firing operations on both the Cecil and Still fires in advance of forecast increased wind speeds.
Both fires have been staffed with additional firefighters who plan to spend the weekend holding and securing existing fire line.
So far, crews have successfully treated a combined 2,500 acres of Coconino National Forest land on both the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District due to both lightning-caused fires.
Land treatment removes fuels – such as dead trees and pine needle accumulation – from the forest floor to reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfire.
Both the Cecil and Still fires are being managed to reduce those hazardous fuels and improve forest health as guided by Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
COCONINO COUNTY — The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission released their report to Congress this week, urging “swift action to advance the holistic solutions needed to reduce the risk of wildfire to the nation.”
The Commission, which included Coconino County Deputy Manager and Flood Control District Administrator Lucinda Andreani and a bipartisan group of 52 other leaders from governmental, tribal, scientific, private industry and nonprofit backgrounds, spent the last year conducting a “sweeping review” of the wildfire system in the United States. The fruits of this review have now been released in a report that includes 148 recommendations for Congressional action.
By Kristen Scatton, Reviewed by Dana Marvin Interviews with Dana Marvin Intelligent
No matter who you are, determining how to finance a college education is a complex decision involving many factors. For Hispanic and Latino students, specific considerations may include their citizenship and their parents’ citizenship statuses, their parents’ employment, and whether they’re the first in their family to attend college.
This guide is designed to help Hispanic and Latino students navigate the financial aid process, with a general overview of different types of financial aid, how to apply for federal student loans, and advice from college admissions counselor Dana Marvin.
It also includes information specific to Hispanic and Latino students, including grants and scholarships for different populations within these demographics, including Hispanic/Latina women, children of migrant workers, and first-generation college students.
Superintendent’s Corner: UPDATE-Potential Lapse in Appropriations
The federal government, including the National Park Service, is currently funded through midnight September 30. We remain hopeful that Congress and the President can agree on a budget or continuing resolution that would keep the government open.
Based on my time in Washington, I know that a lot of people in the Administration and in Congress are working to fund the government. However, if we are not funded by Sunday and there is a resulting lapse of appropriations, we will begin to significantly reduce operations of the federal government. We have experience in implementing an orderly shutdown, most recently in 2018-19.
If you are a resident of Grand Canyon, you will be able to stay in your assigned housing in the event of a lapse. Family and friends will be able to visit you, and you will be able to come and go from the park as you normally would. For those of you concerned about your personal finances if you do not get paid during a shutdown, Congress passed a law in 2019 requiring backpay for federal employees after a shutdown. You will get paid.
Inspired by the proliferation and success of TED’s winning formula for engaging, short talks in an intimate, fun setting, the Flagstaff Festival of Science presents the annual SCI Talks (Science, Communication, Innovation) event at the Coconino Center for the Arts. Since 2015, SCI Talks highlight local scientists and science educators sharing their research and innovative science communication ideas.
Quantum Scientist, Ines Montano, explains how we are on the precipice of a technological revolution. Ecologist, Jut Wynne, will share his experiences with caves from around the globe. Artist, Robert Long, highlights how his artwork gives underrepresented organisms louder voices and visually compelling self-worlds. Terra BIRDS founder, John Taylor, describes how his organization teaches environmental stewardship in schools through gardening.
FLAGSTAFF — Lane closures on Lake Mary Road and Anita Avenue are scheduled for Oct. 2 through Oct. 14. The closures will allow the installation of water lines across Lake Mary Road to the Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton hotel development site at the corner of Lake Mary Road and High Country Trail.
The project will begin with the closure of the westbound lane of Anita Avenue, followed by the closure of the eastbound lane of Anita Avenue. Crews will then close the northbound lanes of Lake Mary Road, followed by the southbound lanes. Lane shifts will be in place to allow traffic to travel through the area. The work is expected to be completed on or before October 14th.
Good afternoon,
Late last month, we released our comprehensive 5-year Strategic Plan, a roadmap for economic growth in northern Arizona that was created for ECoNA by Elliott D. Pollack & Co. and IO, Inc.
Over the past few weeks, representatives of those companies have been leading a series of webinars that drill down on three key aspects of the plan: housing challenges, the local labor shed, and sectors that northern Arizona should be targeting for greater prosperity.
What’s made these webinars fascinating is not only the in-depth analysis provided by Danny Court and Ioanna Morfessis, the principal authors of the roadmap, but also the insightful questions from webinar participants as we study where northern Arizona is now – and where we want to be headed.
When two actors with a history are thrown together as romantic leads in a forgotten 1930s melodrama, they quickly lose touch with reality as the lines between offstage and onstage begin to blur. Stage Kiss (2011) walks a wobbly line between farce and romantic comedy with its play within a play.
“One of the most delightful things about this play is that it’s written for theater lovers,” observed Michael Rulon, sound designer/operator for Stage Kiss. “It examines love through the lens of theater, allowing the audience to peer behind the curtain not only of the plays-within-a-play, but also behind the curtain of the protagonists’ most private passions.”
The secrets in a 240M-year-old tree of life
Squamates are among the most successful species on the planet. They’ve been evolving for 240 million years, including the mosasaurs of the Cretaceous Period and the lizards and snakes that populate Arizona—and the entirety of the planet—today, despite the extreme diversity of environments that exist. Biologist Marc Tollis is leading an NSF-funded project to sequence the complete DNA of 100 species in the Squamate order with the goal of uncovering what genes have contributed to their successful evolution.
FLAGSTAFF — Following a day of successful management actions on the Cecil Fire, located southwest of Flagstaff, crews plan to continue firing operations on the Cecil while also beginning firing operations on the Still Fire, located on the Coconino National Forest’s Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Both the Cecil and Still fires are lightning-caused wildfires being managed to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health as guided by Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
Due to the accumulated fuels in the fire areas, both wildfires will generate significant smoke during planned firing operations.
BUILDING A CONNECTED NAVAJO FUTURE
NAVAJO NATION BROADBAND CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 16-17, 2023
SAN JUAN COLLEGE, HENDERSON CENTER,
FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
A slight drizzle on the first day of Fall didn’t dampen the fun when families came out to the annual Snook’s Science in the Park on Sept. 23, 2023 at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff.
Part of the annual Flagstaff Festival of Science, which continues through Oct. 1, the park event featured a number of hand-on activities for young people.
Youth had the opportunity to explore life-saving medical devices with innovators and engineers under the W. L. Gore & Associates tents, view the talented athletes from Momentum Aerial as they leap and spin above the ground, with young people launching their own mini rockets and learning about the science behind rocket propulsion at the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth exhibit.
The 10-day festival features a mix of in-person activities, live streamed webinars and pre-recorded videos. A full listing of events is available by going to scifest.organd clicking on the 2023 digital passport. Events that require a reservation are denoted on the passport.
All Festival events are FREE.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest is responding to two separate lightning-caused wildfires: the Cecil Fire, located on the Flagstaff Ranger District, and the Still Fire, located on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
The Coconino NF often strategically manages lightning-caused wildfires to benefit the overall health of the fire-adapted forest and plans to use the natural ignitions of both the Cecil and Still fires in this manner.
Wildfires are a natural part of the Coconino NF’s ecosystem, and when managed diligently and properly following the requisite planning process, improve the landscape long-term in several ways.
On September 30th, Plein Air in Open Spaces will now be taking place at the TerraBirds greenhouse at Ponderosa High School. Due to the forecast of inclement weather this weekend, this event will now be taking place at 2384 N Steve’s Blvd.
From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., join Flagstaff Open Spaces for drawing and painting inspired by nature. Supplies will be provided. All ages and abilities are welcome! This event is free and reservations are not required.
New location: September 30th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at TerraBirds greenhouse, 2384 N Steve’s Blvd.
A state-of-the-art simulation lab, including high-fidelity simulation manikins, is giving students in health care programs unparalleled learning experiences in their fields. The lab allows students to mimic patient care before they actually get into internships and work with real patients. The manikins recently were used in an athletic training exercise as well; dressed in football uniforms and set up in the Skydome, student athletic trainers put into practice techniques they may one day use on real players on the sidelines of a sporting events.
Bring the family together and view this year’s on demand Science Bedtime Stories. In 2023, the Festival is proud to present the following four authors and their science books for kids!
Nancy Marshall reads her action-packed book A Rattler’s Tale: When Wild Animals Encounter Humans. Captivatingly illustrated by a fisheries biologist, discover what happens when a skunk meets Mom in the shed and when the mountain lion lands on the family car.
Monica Brown reads her coming of age story, Sharuko: el arqueólogo Peruano/Peruvian Archaeologist. Growing up in the late 1800’s, Julio Tello spent time exploring in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. His bravery earned him the boyhood nickname Sharuko, which means “brave” in Quechua.
Rodo Safranac reads his illustrated story, The Red Tail Tale on the Arizona Trail.. In his book, Rowen, a young, red-headed explorer, and Rojo, a clever, red-tailed hawk meet, bond, and experience a wonderful adventure on the fascinating Arizona National Scenic Trail.
Don Lago reads All About the Grand Canyon. With rich storytelling about this natural wonder, our youngest science enthusiasts will also enjoy beautiful illustrations as they wind down to sleep.
Tune in and enjoy these special stories. Bedtime Stories is sponsored by Bright Side Bookshop. Bedtime Stories are filmed in Flagstaff by filmmaker Morgan Boatman of Winter Productions.
Dear District 5 Residents,
As the morning air becomes cooler and more refreshing, it signals that autumn has arrived. Use this opportunity to enjoy a bountiful harvest with your loved ones. Next month is the Navajo New Year -Gháájí, which means ‘The joining of season.’ It is a time for harvesting and getting ready for the upcoming season. This year, preparing for inclement weather during the colder seasons is crucial. It’s critical for our communities to take essential measures to ensure safety, security, and structure. Before traveling, please seek weather advisories. Start preparing your homes for the cold by weatherizing them for safety and comfort.
COCONINO COUNTY — Property tax notices will be mailed out the week of September 24, 2023. Property owners may view their property tax information online at the County Treasurer’s website, www.coconino.az.gov/treasurer.
In August of this year, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved and adopted the 2023 property tax rate schedule for all taxing jurisdictions within the County.
UPCOMING School Offerings
Taking Classes and Workshops on our campus in Uptown Sedona affords the opportunity not only to explore the arts, but also to meet new people and immerse yourself in the Sedona arts community. We also have a variety of online workshops as well.
Besides what you see in this email, there are more offerings on our website.
Click here to see all of our classes and workshops.
FLAGSTAFF — In preparation for upcoming Dia de Los Muertos celebrations in the region, members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces took a road trip south to teach an “Ofrenda 101” workshop at the Camp Verde Community Library on Sept. 15.
Community parents and children learned the basics of creating an ofrenda / altar, the placement of colored candles, family photos, favorite foods and other items on an ofrenda.
The library, which created its own ofrenda, is presenting a series of workshops and programs ahead of the annual Dia de Los Muertos Celebration from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 at the Phillip England Community Arts Center, 210 Camp Lincoln Road, Camp Verde
FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with its inaugural Celebración de NAU held Friday, Sept. 15 at the NAU Field House. Several hundred students, NAU faculty, staff and administration members, along with members of the pubic,…
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff announces the completion of its newest Beautification in Action grant project—a mural by local artist Joel Geist located at the Cosmic Ray Tunnel on the Sheep Crossing Trail.
Geist, of Red Frog Designs, was awarded the grant last spring to design and paint a mural in the newly renamed tunnel. Once a utilitarian underpass, the tunnel is now a vibrant space of creative expression that connects the Ponderosa Trails neighborhood and Fort Tuthill County Park beneath Interstate 17. It is part of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System. Geist’s artworks honor Flagstaff’s pioneering mountain biker and writer Cosmic Ray (Raymond J. Brutti) and the area’s Basque sheepherding history.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College has received the largest donation in the college’s history to attract male high school students to higher education.
A private donor has offered the college $1 million per year for four years to achieve the goal.
“This transformational gift will allow us to blaze a new path forward and open the doors of higher education for students who may not have been considering going to college,” said Dr. Eric Heiser, President of CCC. “With the resources that this gift will provide, we will be able to focus specifically on those male students who have not re-engaged with community college since the onset of the pandemic.”
When I revisit the photographs from my recent 2-month journey through Southern Italy, I find them bursting with reminiscing details. There is something about those quickly seized moments that don’t at all seem like random samples of my ongoings: they remind me faithfully of what was so special about these minutiae, which jolt with revamped significance when I re-see what I originally saw.
Obviously, local attractions and prominent sights are a must see when traveling. But for me, it is more stimulating to see a place alongside the street. The noises, the aromas, the scenes, the ambiance, and the daily routines of the community. That is why I love using public transportation, dining at local places (the less tourists there are, the better), walking, watching people in parks, and shopping in the local markets where I can haggle. I look for small details, ordinary people, or situations I’ve never seen before but I can learn from, or maybe add to my personal inventory of activities. These, to me, are enormously more entertaining and instructive than any historic building or world-famous piece of art. The 13 explained images included in this 2024 calendar will show you very specific things from which I learned and that were enormously more entertaining and instructive to me than any scenery.
FLAGSTAFF — As part of the Spruce Wash Improvements Grandview Drive Reconstruction Project Utility Phase, crews will be installing sewer utilities across Cedar Avenue, necessitating a full nighttime closure of part of Cedar Avenue on Monday, Sept. 25 through Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. This work is being performed through the night to maintain the safety of the traveling public and construction crews, while allowing for the high-volume flow of daytime traffic along Cedar Avenue.
The following traffic impacts are expected:
Federal agencies need appropriations to operate. You may have seen news accounts as we approach the new fiscal year of the possibility of a lapse in appropriations, which would lead to a government shutdown. Based on my years as the senior appropriations lawyer for the Department of the Interior, I can tell you that a lot of people in the Administration and Congress are working hard to avoid a shutdown.
The Park Leadership Team and I are watching this situation closely along with our regional and Washington office colleagues. We will be ready if there is a shutdown.
I understand that many employees depend on their biweekly paycheck to meet their families’ expenses and there may be some anxiety about the possibility of a shutdown. In case it helps, in 2019, Congress passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act ensuring full pay for federal employees during government shutdowns. Everyone will be paid, and retroactive pay will also reflect what is typically withheld from checks such as rent, insurance and retirement contributions.
For the time being, park operations are continuing as normal, and we encourage you to check on our park website at www.nps.gov/grca for the most up to date information on park operations. As we get additional information from the Department, we will keep employees and residents updated through this newsletter and the weekly employee, community, and stakeholder call. Thank you to all employees who have been fielding visitor questions and concerns over the last several days; it is important work that you do.
Bring the family together and view this year’s on demand Science Bedtime Stories. In 2023, the Festival is proud to present the following four authors and their science books for kids!
Nancy Marshall reads her action-packed book A Rattler’s Tale: When Wild Animals Encounter Humans. Captivatingly illustrated by a fisheries biologist, discover what happens when a skunk meets Mom in the shed and when the mountain lion lands on the family car.
Monica Brown reads her coming of age story, Sharuko: el arqueólogo Peruano/Peruvian Archaeologist. Growing up in the late 1800’s, Julio Tello spent time exploring in the foothills of the Peruvian Andes. His bravery earned him the boyhood nickname Sharuko, which means “brave” in Quechua.
That’s the message Angie Hodge-Zickerman, an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, wants people to know. Her goal in the classroom isn’t just to teach her subject, it’s to make sure women and underrepresented groups succeed in the field of mathematics. She recently received two grants that will support current and future educators in math and science. Learn more about her work and the advice she got in high school that guided her career choices—though not in the way the teacher intended.
Join Dr. Beth Shapiro, pioneer in ancient DNA, as she unveils the science and ethics of de-extinction in a captivating keynote presentation. 7 p.m. Free. (Editor’s note: Part of 10-day Flagstaff Festival of Science Sept. 22 through Oct. 1, including Science in the Park at Wheeler Park on Sept. 23)
“The Mammoth World of Science” is the theme of this year’s Flagstaff Festival of Science (Sept. 22 through Oct. 1, 2023).
This year’s theme has been designed to showcase the fascinating research and scientific discovery of Beth Shapiro, PhD, who will give the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 at the Ardrey Auditorium at Northern Arizona University, 1115 Knoles Drive, Flagstaff.
Shapiro, a pioneer and global leader in the high-profile field of ancient DNA, will share her expertise on the science of de-extinction.
Click here to see ticket availability. All Festival events are FREE.
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FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff Housing Section is pleased to announce the availability of Homeless Shelter and Services Funds (HSSF), made available by the City of Flagstaff with funding from the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), for programs that provide shelter and services to unsheltered persons who are experiencing homelessness.
The City of Flagstaff will prioritize proposals serving unsheltered persons who are impacted by one of the following challenges: the ruling on Freddy Brown, et al. v. City of Phoenix (court decision to clear and clean “The Zone”); the expiration of the Public Health Act (Title 42) as it pertained to the border between Arizona and Mexico; or the closure of sober living homes and residential facilities.
Turning Canvas into Comfort: How One Arizona Couple Made Art Their Residence
A ramshackle historic building in downtown Winslow has been transformed by an artist and his wife into a vibrant and eclectic live-work gallery space — a hidden gem along Route 66.
The 22,000-square-foot building now known as Snowdrift Art Space offers the room he always dreamed of having as a young budding sculpturist.
Fulfilling arts experiences enliven your body, mind, and spirit and spark imagination. The therapeutic benefits of regularly partaking in meaningful arts activities are endless and this is especially important as we age. A 2006 landmark study by the National Endowment for the Arts confirmed the relationship between creative expression and healthy aging. Over the course of three years, the Creativity and Aging Study tracked more than 300 individuals (aged 65+) across the country to evaluate the effects relevant to general health, mental health, overall functioning, and sense of well-being in older individuals. What were the results? Better health, fewer doctor visits, and less medication usage; more positive responses on mental health measures; and more involvement in overall activities. From painting, poetry, and pottery to music, theatre, and dance, it was clear. The arts are great for your health!
Time is running out to register for the United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign Kickoff, which will be held at Little America from 11:30 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, September 27.
The deadline to register is noon this Friday, September 22.
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Grand Canyon National Monument-Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni
Short Term Rental Ordinance Passed
County Strengthens Dark Sky Zoning
Lowell Observatory Reaches for the Stars with Astronomy Discovery Center
It’s Time for Rural Groundwater Management
Flagstaff Community Meeting on Spruce Watershed/ Museum Fire Update
Senator Sinema Meets to Discuss Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection
Tusayan Experiences Unprecedented Rainfall and Flooding
Mountain Line Bus Awarded Federal Grant for Bus Maintenance Building
Williams Senior Center Celebrates Re-opening of New Kitchen
Congressman Eli Crane Joins Flagstaff and County for Flood Mitigation Tour
Envision 2045 by Participating in the 2025 County Comprehensive Plan
Veterans Helping Veterans: Matthew J. Boehner Memorial Williams Stand Down
74th Annual Coconino County Fair
Community Events and Resources
Freshman Michael-Anthony Rodriguez might be a biology teacher. That’s his game plan for now, at least—he’s passionate about education and ensuring students from rural areas have access to the educational experiences that will help them succeed. But he’s at NAU to learn who he is as well, and the prestigious Flinn Scholarship will help him get there.
“The City of Flagstaff observes, embraces, respects, and celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month also called “Yes de Herencia Hispana”, is celebrated nationwide from September 15th through October 15th each year to commemorate the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx peoples whose ancestors originated the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico, and Spain. …”
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – Effective immediately, mandatory water restrictions have been lifted in Grand Canyon National Park.
On September 5, park managers implemented mandatory water restrictions for the South Rim when water levels fell below an acceptable level due to a failure in the system. Water utilities crews immediately began working to address the problem, and were able to get the water flowing again within a few days. However, until water storage levels were adequate, park managers did not feel comfortable lifting restrictions.
FLAGSTAFF — At their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 12, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing September 15 through October 15, 2023 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Coconino County.
The proclamation, drafted by County Human Resources staff and members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), reads in part “Hispanics and Latinos are some of the earliest native residents of the southwestern United States and Hispanics in Coconino County were amongst the first pioneers in Flagstaff and Coconino County. Many working in the sawmill and railroad industry as an integral piece of establishing our mountain town of Flagstaff and the continued development of Coconino County.”
“It’s always our great pleasure to help celebrate the great diversity of Coconino County,” said Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 2. “Being Latino, I’m proud to be a part of this tradition and feel it’s very important to take time to learn about the contributions of Latinos and Hispanics in the county throughout our history.”
Since 1990, when Michael Crighton’s blockbuster “Jurassic Park” was first published—then brought to life on the big screen by Steven Spielberg in 1993—the prospect of cloning dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals such as woolly mammoths has captured our collective imagination. Although heavily fictionalized, Crighton’s story was based on actual work being done in the fledgling field of ancient DNA at the time, which began with the first study of DNA isolated from the remains of animals that used to be alive, which was published in the scientific journal Nature in 1984.
Dr. Beth Shapiro, herself a pioneer in the field of ancient DNA, will deliver the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation on Sept. 22 to kick off the 10-day Flagstaff Festival of Science.
FLAGSTAFF — Yolanda Yazzie, a student at Coconino Community College (CCC), is not just pursuing an education; she’s forging a path from adversity to ambition, driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to give back to her community. Yazzie has dealt with abusive parents. With the foster care system. With poverty and hunger. Now, as a parent herself, she is committed to helping others, and she has dedicated herself to improving her life with a career in the Hospitality industry by embarking on a journey of education beginning at Coconino Community College.
Like many young Navajo children, she grew up facing the harsh realities of poverty and the burden of an unstable home environment marred by abusive parents. It was her aunt who stepped in as a guiding light, raising her alongside her own children.
Governor Katie Hobbs visits Grand Canyon
Governor Katie Hobbs and Arizona tribal leaders met in the park this past Tuesday, September 12, to foster meaningful dialog about Arizona’s economic development and how to best work with tribal governments and communities. Superintendent Ed Keable and Grand Canyon Conservancy CEO Theresa McMullen participated in the meeting, discussing the work the park and GCC are doing relative to indigenous programs.
The highlight for most participants was getting a tour of the work being done at Desert View to re-imagine the site as an Inter-tribal cultural heritage site.
Thanks to all who helped make this a successful visit, especially the Desert View staff and FMD folks (trails) who are working on the next phase of paving the new trail system.
You can learn more about Gov. Hobbs’ visit and its purpose on her website.
COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors is asking for the public’s input into proposed amendments to the County’s Outdoor Lighting Standards Zoning Ordinance, commonly known as the Dark Sky Ordinance.
These amendments were recommended by the County’s Community Development staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission after recent studies suggested the Ordinance be brought up to date with current lighting technology, and to mirror standards already implemented by the City of Flagstaff.
Every member of a nonprofit board brings something special to the table. It could be expertise about governance, an ability to analyze financials, or a passion for advocating about our mission.
One skill all of our board members have is a keen understanding about why the work of United Way of Northern Arizona is needed.
Since 2018, Chris Reed, Senior Pastor of Christ’s Church of Flagstaff, has been providing leadership on our board as well as his insights on the programs and services needed by our local youth and the community as a whole.
We hope you enjoy learning more about Chris in the profile below.
A 3 day music festival in the cool pines of Flagstaff, AZ! Voted “BEST FLAGSTAFF FESTIVAL” for the last 5 years by readers of the Arizona Daily Sun. 10 a.m.
September programs…starting soon!
Comet Talk: Adventures of a 1901 Toledo Steam Car
Monday, Sept. 18
6 to 7 p.m.
Learn More
Reading and Composing Poetry
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Learn More
A Jungian Journey to the Creative Self
Wednesday, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25
5 to 7:30 p.m.
Learn More
String Art Workshop at CCC’s Page Center
Wednesday, Sept. 27
6 to 8:30 p.m.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — Whether it’s connecting families with local representatives from the Coconino County Health & Human Services’ Women’s, Infants and Children (WIC) program, to helping foster care families learn about potential scholarship programs for their youth, resource guides provide a valuable assistance to residents throughout Coconino County and Northern Arizona.
To spread the word about these valuable information options, CCC&Y has compiled a listing and link to a variety of resource guides throughout the region including CCC&Y’s created Page/Fredonia and Tuba City resource guides and the recently updated Williams Area Community Resource Guide.
Do you have a new or updated resource guide you would like to add to our listing posting? Please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org
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FLAGSTAFF — The minimum wage in the City of Flagstaff will increase to $17.40 and $15.90 for tipped workers beginning on Jan. 1, 2024.
In 2016 the voters of Flagstaff wrote and passed The Minimum Wage Act (“the Act”) as a citizens’ initiative (Proposition 414). The Act, which is codified in Title 15 of the Flagstaff City Code, prescribes that beginning in 2023, the Flagstaff minimum wage shall be increased annually by the increase in the cost of living. Pursuant to the Act, “[t]he increase in the cost of living shall be measured by the percentage increase as of August of the immediately preceding year over the level as of August of the previous year of the consumer price index (all urban consumers, U.S. city average for all items)” (15-01-001-0003(B)). The increase shall be rounded to the nearest $0.05.
