FLAGSTAFF — Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Alumni Day with a special football game and tailgate event against Montana at the Skydome. Tailgate for 150 people!
Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and other local community leaders and residents will be honored during the game.
Star Party
High Country Motor Lodge
Journey through the stars with cultural astronomer Dr. Danielle Adams for an evening of celestial storytelling and telescope viewing under the night sky.
As twilight deepens, you’ll experience the night sky through the lens of cultural astronomy as Dr. Adams reveals the rich histories behind well-known star names and showcases Arabian star names. You can also enjoy close-up telescopic views of Saturn and other celestial objects as the Milky Way rises.
Building a desert bestiary
Bobby Long, an associate teaching professor of visual communication, recently created more than 65 detailed illustrations for “Sonoran Desert Bestiary: A More-than-Natural History,” a book that explores small and underrepresented species through folklore and natural history. We asked Long a few quick Qs about the experience.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — Flagstaff City Manager Joanne Keene was recognized as a 2026 Women Achiever of Arizona within Government and Public Service. The Women Achievers Award recognizes exceptional women whose leadership, service, innovation, and dedication have made a meaningful impact on Arizona’s communities, industries, and public life. Awardees represent leaders who inspire others through their accomplishments and commitment to making a difference.
Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett said “Joanne’s dedication to Flagstaff and her commitment to public service have made a lasting impact on our community. We are proud to celebrate her achievements and are grateful for her service to our city.”
For nine days this October, 26 artists from across the country will spread out across Sedona and the Verde Valley, painting the landscape as it changes around them—capturing the light, color and extraordinary beauty of Red Rock Country in real time.
And you don’t have to experience the festival from a distance.
This year, there are several special opportunities to join us where the painting is happening—from an evening among the vineyards at D.A. Ranch to an intimate private Sedona residence, or by picking up your own brushes and participating in the Community Paint Out.
Reserve your place now and be part of the 22nd Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival!
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — Flagstaff City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12 in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. City Hall offices will reopen Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
City of Flagstaff facilities that are also closed on Indigenous Peoples Day include:
WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest fire managers plan to begin ignitions on over 3,200 acres of prescribed fire units on the Williams Ranger District tomorrow, which will produce noticeable smoke in and around the community of Pumpkin Center and Kendrick Mountain Wilderness, and south of the Bill Williams Mountain area and from South Perkinsville Road.
We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
These last couple of months have been busy, filled with community, events, art, and Flagstaff fun. Thank you for your involvement in everything we do and for your continued engagement in art, science, and culture! Here is what has been happening at Creative Flagstaff and Coconino Center for the Arts:
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — The National Park Service invites the public to help shape the long-term recovery and future of the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park by participating in a 30-day public involvement period beginning Oct. 6, 2026.
Following the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire and significant recovery work over the past year, recent flash floods have underscored the importance of resilient infrastructure, reliable utilities, public safety, emergency preparedness, and thoughtful long-term planning in this remote and dynamic environment.
Explore Something New. Create Something Wonderful
There’s always something new to discover at Sedona Arts Center! Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time, developing your skills at the pottery wheel, or exploring a completely new medium, our upcoming classes and workshops offer opportunities to learn, experiment, and grow.
From painting and ceramics to stained glass, photography, mixed media, and more, you’ll find welcoming instruction, hands-on experiences, and a creative community ready to inspire you.
Find your next creative experience and join us in the heart of Sedona!
Our newsletter has a new design, but it still brings you the same great news from Parks & Recreation.
The air is getting cooler, and Fort Tuthill County Park is the place to be this fall! From hands-on culinary classes and archery clinics to live music at the Pepsi Amphitheater, there is something for everyone this October. See what’s coming up in programs, events, and everything happening at Coconino County Parks & Recreation.
The Coconino County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is now accepting nominations for its 2026 CJCC Awards, recognizing individuals, organizations and partnerships making meaningful contributions to the criminal justice system and the communities it serves.
The awards will be presented at a joint Flagstaff City Council and Coconino County Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is excited about recent announcements for additional air service to Flagstaff Pulliam Airport following the award of the Small Community Airport Service Development Program grant.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — Whether it’s connecting families to food and shelter resources, 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 resources, CCC&Y has compiled a listing and links to a variety of additional resource guides throughout the region including CCC&Y’s own recently updated Fall/Winter 2026 Page/Fredonia and Tuba City/Navajo Nation resource guides.
READ MORE
Preserving the past for the future
From site to screen, a team from the Department of Anthropology is working to preserve history at Wukoki Pueblo, an ancient Indigenous dwelling 30 miles north of Flagstaff. Their work will not only create a detailed digital record of the site but will also create a three-dimensional model that’s accessible to people anywhere in the world
FREDONIA — Kaibab National Forest fire managers plan to begin ignitions on prescribed fire units on the North Kaibab Ranger District in the Jacob Lake area this week, which will produce noticeable smoke in and around the Jacob Lake and Fredonia areas and along highways 89A and 67.
We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
FLAGSTAFF— The public is invited to attend the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) inaugural Nuestra Comunidad Community Recognition Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 at American Legion Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff. Doors open at 6:45 a.m.
The celebration includes guest speakers, community and veterans award presentations and entertainment.
Bring your handouts for our Community Information Table!
Flagstaff Oktoberfest
Wheeler Park
Raise your steins, Flagstaff — the 17th Annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest returns to Wheeler Park on Saturday, October 3rd from 10 AM–9 PM! Celebrate fall in the mountains with a full day of craft beer, brats, live music, contests, kids activities, vendors, and our famous Puppy Races with High Country Humane.
Come dressed in your best Bavarian gear and enjoy everything from the Root Beer Garden to lawn games to local food favorites. Every ticket supports the Debbi Grogan Memorial Fund, helping fund music education for local students through the Flagstaff Unified School District Foundation.
Flagstaff’s First Friday ArtWalk is a monthly celebration of creativity that brings downtown to life. Local galleries stay open late with special artist receptions and entertainment, so check out the gallery map to visit them all!
Join us for First Friday today, October 2, starting at 5pm! The 2026 ArtWalk season is generously underwritten by Dapper Dre, supporting Car-Free First Fridays with traffic closures on Aspen St. for art and performance activations.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Happy October! The deadline to register to vote is October 5. To check your voter registration status, visit my.arizona.vote. Make sure to go to Coconino County Elections and the Coconino County Recorder’s Office for important dates and information about the November 3 General Election!
Grand Canyon Recovery and Water Conservation Efforts
The Grand Canyon community continues to come together as recovery efforts move forward following the August 29 flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the ongoing South Rim water emergency.
In the inner canyon, National Park Service staff, the Alpine Hotshots and the Bright Angel Creek Incident Management Team continue clearing heavy debris and mud, removing hazardous trees and re-establishing trails and facilities near Phantom Ranch. Crews are also using helicopters to transport water, equipment and other critical supplies into the canyon.
COCONINO COUNTY — In accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. §16-449), the Coconino County Elections Department will conduct Logic and Accuracy (L&A) Tests on ballots, tabulation equipment and accessible voting equipment to be used for the Nov. 3 General Election.
The L&A Test will begin at 8 a.m. on Oct. 1, at the Coconino County Elections Center, 1300 W. University Avenue, Suite 180, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001. Testing will continue until it is completed. The first test will be conducted by the Arizona Secretary of State on federal and statewide contests, followed by the Coconino County test on all contests and ballot measures.
I know it’s been a little while since you’ve heard from me. It’s been a busy year here at MNA and we are preparing some very special experiences for you this autumn and winter. In addition to our new exhibitions and lively programming, we are introducing a new holiday experience in November that’s sure to become a favorite tradition in Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. There’s lots of information in this newsletter, so I invite you to take a moment and have a look at all that is happening here. Autumn is such a beautiful time in Northern Arizona. I look forward to seeing you at the museum.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona
To be eligible for appointment to the City Council, an applicant must be 18 years of age, registered to vote in the corporate limits of the City of Flagstaff, a resident within the corporate limits of the city for a minimum of one year, and cannot hold any other public office at the time of appointment. Applications will not be considered for individuals who are running in the November election.
F3’s Voter Guide is intended to help members of the Flagstaff community learn about and understand the propositions that will appear on Arizona ballots in the November 3, 2026 election. We are reviewing the recent release of FUSD’s voting pamphlet in order to make final recommendations for propositions 407 and 409. An updated voter guide will be available shortly.
Download the Voter Guide PDF automatically here, or click on the image below.
Important Dates for the November 2026 Election provided below.
FLAGSAFF — The City of Flagstaff is considering the addition of Drones as First Responders to the resources used in providing public safety to the community. The use of drones can improve response times due to their ability to move beyond traffic and trains. The drones create efficiencies by getting eyes on the ground quickly so the City knows what public safety resources are needed. Like body worn cameras, this drone footage will be beneficial evidence to support attorneys, judges, jury members, and victims.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Flood Control District participated in Science in the Park last weekend as part of the annual Flagstaff Festival of Science. The District educated attendees about the post-wildfire flood mitigation and forest restoration processes, as well as provided an interactive display for children to get a hands-on experience of on-forest flood mitigation.
COCONINO COUNTY — What does a park or natural area in your community need? Which trails could be enhanced? Which programs should expand? Coconino County Parks & Recreation is looking for residents in Districts 2, 4 and 5 to help answer those questions as members of the Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC).
The Commission is a citizen advisory body that weighs in on how county parks, trails, recreation programs and events are developed and operated, then makes recommendations directly to the Board of Supervisors. Commissioners serve three-year terms and meet monthly.
