City of Flagstaff — Federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to businesses impacted by Pocket Fire

FLAGSTAFF —  Coconino County received a Declaration of Economic Injury from the Small Business Administration (SBA) which opens the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to businesses impacted by the Pocket Fire.

The EIDL program provides 30-year loans with an interest rate as low as four percent. Principal and interest payments are not required in the first year of the loan to help businesses survive the loss of tourism. The program is available to all businesses in Coconino County and Yavapai County, as well as neighboring Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave and Navajo counties, San Juan and Kane counties in Utah and Tribal Nations.

Grand Canyon National Park — Public assistance requested to account for individuals following Grand Canyon flash flood. See related news here

Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

Grand Canyon National Park to close overnight hotel accommodations beginning Aug. 31

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim beginning at noon on August 31 in response to the significant flash flooding that occurred along Bright Angel Canyon on August 29.  

The flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use in the park. The waterline is currently not operational, leaving the park with limited water reserves and requiring significant water conservation measures to ensure available supplies can be maintained. 

Choose Your Next Creative Adventure at Sedona Arts Center

Art Classes and Workshops
at Sedona Arts Center
Choose Your Next Creative Adventure

Whether you’re exploring a new passion or building on years of experience, Sedona Arts Center offers inspiring classes and workshops for every skill level. Learn from working artists in a welcoming, hands-on environment while exploring painting, ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, photography, mixed media, and more.

City of Flagstaff to begin the removal and installation of a new sheet roof for City Hall

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — Starting September 2, 2026 the City of Flagstaff will begin replacing the City Hall roof. This capital renewal project was identified to protect the long-term need for a weather-tight building envelope and represents a sound investment in maintaining an existing city asset. Work is expected to conclude by November 16, 2026.

During removal and installation, residents and visitors may experience temporary noise and minor traffic disruptions around City Hall. Oliver Roofing and the City will implement safety measures to reduce impacts on nearby residents and businesses.

‘American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez’ to be shown Sept. 3-10 during Sedona International Film Festival

SEDONA — The Northern Arizona premiere of “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez” comes to Sedona for a one-week run (Sept. 3-10), starting with a screening at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 as part of the Sedona International Film Festival.

The opening night screening will be followed by a Q&A with director David Alvarado and producer Everett Katigbak. The Sundance audience favorite tells the story of Luis Valdez, the man who built El Teatro Campesino out of the fields of California and turned the figure of the pachuco and the history of the Zoot Suit Riots into influential American stage art.

Narrated by Edward James Olmos in character as El Pachuco, featuring Dolores Huerta. It began on a flatbed truck at the Delano picket lines, with farmworkers performing their own strike, before it ever reached a stage. A Mexican American story on the big screen, brought to Sedona by the festival that keeps this red rock town in love with film.

Coconino County Fair welcomes community, education and traditions this Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4-7)

COCONINO COUNTY — This Labor Day weekend, northern Arizona’s biggest annual celebration returns with more than ever. The 77th Annual Coconino County Fair is September 4-7 at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, marking a convergence of milestones – Route 66 at 100, Coconino County at 135, Flagstaff’s Dark Sky designation at 25 and America at 250.

With more than 35,000 attendees expected across four days of rides, live music, livestock shows, fine arts food and family fun, the Coconino County Fair is northern Arizona’s largest Labor Day weekend event and one of its best community traditions.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Thank you, Dolly

On Tuesday, we experienced a moment of collective heartbreak with the passing of Dolly Parton. 

In addition to losing a talented singer, songwriter, actress, author, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, we also are in mourning for the woman who seemed to transcend an increasingly divided world. Several years ago, The New York Times famously captured her near universal appeal in a story headlined “Is There Anything We Can All Agree On? Yes: Dolly Parton.”

United Way of Northern Arizona is proud to be a partner in one of her most impactful philanthropic efforts – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Guest contribution — Overdose prevention starts with awareness, support and access

On Aug. 31, communities around the world recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, remembering those lost to overdose and drawing attention to the importance of prevention. This year marks 25 years since the day was first observed in 2001, a reminder of the ongoing work to reduce overdose deaths, break down stigma and connect people with support.

For many people, the impact of substance use goes beyond their health. It also affects those around them, including family, co-workers and their communities. And when we see someone struggling, it is not always easy to know what to say or where to turn.

That is why prevention often starts with something simple: paying attention, talking openly and making sure people know that help is available.

Homolovi State Park in Winslow hosting first Arizona Family Campout Sept. 5-6

ARIZONA — Registration is now open for the inaugural Arizona Family Campout to be on Sept.5-6 at Homolovi State Park, Winslow.

Arizona Family Campout weekends are designed for families with kids that have little or no experience camping. We welcome campers six (6) years of age and older. We will introduce you to fun experiences you can share with your family and inspire you to continue to explore the great outdoors from one of our campgrounds! You will learn how to set up a tent and an introduction to cooking outside, plus you will get to try some fun activities you can do while camping! No pets allowed.

Join us on a family campout to learn the ropes of camping and experience all the fun of being outdoors!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Aug. 24-28, 2026

Grand Canyon Music Festival Concerts Continue this Weekend

The Grand Canyon Music Festival showcases a variety of music types, including classical, contemporary (modern composers and new works) along with Jazz and Blues.

All performances take place in Shrine of the Ages Auditorium. Evening performances are scheduled to take place on Fridays and Saturdays – beginning this Friday, August 21, and running through Saturday, September 5. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $20. 

Details: https://grandcanyonmusicfest.org/concerts/

Friday, August 28 (7:30 p.m.) Cellist Karlos Rodriguez, pianist Silvan Negruƫiu, and harmonica player Robert Bonfiglio perform works Inspired by Friendship. Concert Repertoire: J.S. Bach Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009 – Benjamin Britten Suite No. 3 for solo cello, Opus 87 – Alberto Ginastera Danzas Argentinas, Opus 2 – Heitor Villa-Lobos Concerto for Harmonica – Dmitri Shostakovich Sonata for Piano and Cello, Opus 40

Coconino County Superintendent seeks applicants for school governing board vacancies

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is inviting community members to apply for appointment to local school governing boards. Applications are now being accepted to fill five vacant governing board seats that remain unfilled following the 2026 election cycle. Appointments to these positions will serve terms ending December 31, 2028.

The following school districts have one vacant seat available:

Grand Canyon Unified School District #4
Chevelon Butte School District #5
Fredonia-Moccasin Unified School District #6
Tuba City Unified School District #15
NATIVE (Tuba City)

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Plan your Science Adventure with us!

The Wait is Over!

At long last,

the schedule for

the Best 10 Days of the Year is here! 

From learning about our elections center to checking out cool cars,

exploring our amazing Earth to marveling at the vastness of outer space,

creating science-inspired art to racing robots—

there’s something for everyone to discover!

Start planning your very own science adventure by

exploring the schedule for the

2026 Flagstaff Festival of Science 

or downloading our app.

Coconino County — Switch Together solar co-op deadline Sept. 18

COCONINO COUNTY — As part of our sustainability initiative, Coconino County is a partner in Switch Together, a group buying program for solar installations. Switch Together uses a group buying model to help residents save money on home solar installations.

The most recent auction secured a discount of 17 percent, which translates to an average discount of $5,200. The program is supported in partnership with nonprofit Solar United Neighbors. Switch Together makes rooftop solar installations more affordable, while also offering solar education through online resources and in-person events.

Sedona Arts Center — Celebrating our volunteers & an extraordinary year at Sedona Arts Center

September is almost upon us—can you believe it? This summer has flown by. While our Gallery Shop has been unusually slow this summer due to the impact of the Pocket Fire, the rest of Sedona Arts Center has been anything but quiet!

Have You Seen Beyond the Frame?

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Building careers at home, building ties abroad

I was honored to be part of a panel discussion at the recent League of Arizona Cities and Towns Annual Conference, which focused on whether Arizona’s workforce development pipeline was robust enough to support the phenomenal growth the state has experienced.

Representing a rural region, my perspective was slightly different.

Northern Arizona already produces a tremendous amount of highly educated talent; nearly 56% of Flagstaff residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The challenge is keeping that talent here.

Get the latest news updates from U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) including ‘ICYMI: On KTAR, Kelly Calls Out Trump for Targeting Military Families, Business Owners for Deportation Instead of Criminals’

Click below for the latest news updates from the:

Office of U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Fall events for families right around the corner. See remaining back-to-school events here

COCONINO COUNTY — Back-to-School events in Coconino County — including fall enrollment, freshman orientations for parents and students, meet the teacher events, school supply distributions and youth sports physicals — will soon conclude, but local organizations are already planning for a variety of youth events this upcoming Fall.

The Coalition will continue to update this resource list. If you have a program you want us to include, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org. Thank you.

City of Flagstaff seeks community input on Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events (PROSE) Master Plan

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz – The City of Flagstaff has launched the PROSE Master Plan campaign to develop a new Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events Comprehensive Master Plan. This year-long process will include numerous opportunities for residents to share their ideas and vision for the future, including:

Intercept survey at Science in the Park on September 26

Community Workshop #1 at the Flagstaff Aquaplex on October 22

Coconino County — Federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to businesses impacted by Pocket Fire. (Help available at sites in Flagstaff, Sedona)

COCONINO COUNTY — Federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are now available to businesses impacted by the Pocket Fire.

Coconino County received a Declaration of Economic Injury from the Small Business Administration (SBA) which opens the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to businesses impacted by the Pocket Fire.

The EIDL program provides 30-year loans with an interest rate as low as four percent. Principal and interest payments are not required in the first year of the loan to help businesses survive the loss of tourism. The program is available to all businesses in Coconino County and Yavapai County, as well as neighboring Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave and Navajo counties, San Juan and Kane counties in Utah and Tribal Nations.

City of Flagstaff — Notice of Neighborhood Meeting – Symmetry Specific Plan and Related Applications

FLAGSTAFF — A virtual neighborhood meeting will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss proposed land use applications for approximately 293.85 acres located northeast of Pine Canyon Estates along the J.W. Powell Boulevard alignment.  The proposal includes adoption of a Specific Plan to guide development of a nature-oriented, master-planned community that may include housing, retail, dining, and lodging opportunities.  The applications also include related zoning map amendments and a Minor Regional Plan Amendment to relocate a future suburban activity center.