NAU and President Cruz Rivera honored the Class of 2021 President’s Prize recipients, Maree Mahkewa and Angel Marshall, 29 Gold Axe Award winners and nine Distinguished Seniors at a formal ceremony on Nov. 16 at the High Country Conference Center.
She wants to be a surgeon.
To that end, Page resident Ryan Thomas, 18, is doing her best, through Coconino Community College, to get as many college credits out of the way before she ever leaves Page High School.
“I’ve always been focused on helping people and giving back to them,” Thomas said.
High school students in Coconino County have three options if they are interested in receiving college credits. Dual Enrollment students take college-level courses at a significantly reduced cost at their high schools. Concurrent Enrollment students take college-level courses at regular tuition costs at one of CCC’s campuses. Finally, Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry and Technology (CAVIAT) students take college level, vocational-based courses, leading to an industry or CCC certification, at no cost to the student, at one of CCC’s campuses.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has approved the Coconino County Flood Control District’s request for $3.5 million to construct watershed restoration measures on private lands in the Museum Flood Area.
These watershed restoration measures are being done to reduce flooding impacts to private properties and will reduce the level of sediment entering Flagstaff.
Thanksgiving Holiday – CCC is Closed
Thursday, November 25 – Sunday, November 28, 2021
The college will reopen on its regular schedule Monday, November 29, 2021.
CCC is always open online at www.coconino.edu
Upcoming Vaccine Event-Monday, December 6
We are pleased to announce that we are once again partnering with Coconino County Health and Human Services and the Grand Canyon Rec Center to host a vaccine event for the Grand Canyon community. This event is scheduled for Monday, December 6 inside the Rec Center in the large community room.
We are still working with the County to finalize specific times as well as what vaccines will be available to what age groups for this event. More information, including a flyer, will be shared in the near future on these details.
As we continue our annual fundraising campaign for United Way of Northern Arizona, we wanted to take a look at how your generosity impacted the safety and security of residents in Coconino, Navajo and Apache in fiscal year 2021.
Which raised a question: what exactly is “safety and security,” and how did your Stepping Up for Our Community change lives?
There are the three basics that everyone knows – food, shelter, clothing. However, safety and security encompasses so much more than that. It’s about access to healthcare and vital medications, funds to pay for utilities, and financial education and employment programs so families can have a better future.
Here are some of the ways UWNA with its partners transformed your donations into strategic programs that helped those in need in the past year:
The video recording of the F3 Virtual Public Forum held November 8th is now available to view at: https://youtu.be/ULHOB9Ishj0
In this Public Forum held by Friends of Flagstaff’s Future, we hear a presentation by Northern Arizona Healthcare about their proposed relocation of Flagstaff Medical Center to the area just north of Fort Tuthill on the southern edge of Flagstaff.
The presentation by NAH is packed with interesting information, some of it new, and is followed by questions from the audience and a short community discussion that focuses on identifying community uses for the existing hospital location and other properties owned by NAH.
COCONINO COUNTY —
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth has created a series of no cost webinars for professionals, parents and youth, to provide them skills that are needed now more than ever.
Self-Healing Communities with Kevin Campbell is an argument for moving away from treating individuals, community members and families as the “recipient” of services, from medicalizing unlivable lives, from not acknowledging systems of injustice and a move toward the scientifically-based call to action of participation, truth and community healing.
“This presentation is outstanding- thank you!” “Thank you for the space and conversation….this was excellent!”
We’ve also created Igniting Collective Action: Moving Beyond ACEs, an hour-long webinar that explores the roadmap to creating change at the community and system level by using the findings of both leadership research and today’s thought leaders. One participant said:
“This training was truly amazing and can be used no matter your walk in life … I hope that everyone and anyone takes advantage of this presentation. It really can make a difference.”
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget has announced the scheduling of interviews for the Governing School Board Member open seats at Maine Consolidated School District #10.
An advisory committee will be assembled consisting of a district resident, district teacher, and two current board members to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointments.
Bison reduction operations are now complete for 2021 on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In total, 36 bison were removed through live capture and transfer, and five were removed lethally, reducing the impacts of the herd on the park’s water, vegetation, soils, and culturally significant sites and locations.
In 2021, through a partnership with the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), 13 bison were transferred to the Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska and 23 were transferred to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Since the park began transferring bison to Tribal partners in 2019, 124 bison have been relocated to six Tribes in four states through the ITBC.
Ora Marek-Martinez understands the need for Indigenous students to find community in order for them to reach their full potential in college. Marek-Martinez, who is of the Diné, Nez Perce and Hopi tribes, felt lost more than once while a student at NAU. As executive director of the Native American Cultural Center, her role is to create a place where the students who come after her will find the support, academic resources and familial and spiritual services needed to be successful at NAU and beyond.
As part of our celebration of Manufacturing Month, ECoNA’s Business Retention and Expansion Team had a special guest at its October meeting – Scott Reynolds, Director of Engineering at Electric Torque Machines.
In its 13-year history, this producer of direct drive motors has gone from a garage-based startup to being acquired last year by a major manufacturing company.
It began in 2008 under the name Motor Excellence. Started by engineer Tom Janecek and David Calley (founder of Southwest Windpower), the company’s goal was to create an improved design for direct drive motors.
These motors eliminate the need for transmissions such as gearboxes and belts, are lighter and more efficient than traditional motors and are used in numerous applications that require high continuous torque at low to moderate speeds, such as conveyor belts, pumps and fans. In fact, you can see ETM’s work if you go to the Flagstaff Airport, where ETM motors power the high volume, low speed ceiling fans in the terminal.
Online learning opportunities are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but prefer to work at home. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.
Our workshops are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Click here to see all our online learning opportunities
Giving Tuesday, November 30, is a global generosity movement, one to which you can contribute meaningfully. This popular day of giving back has grown to inspire millions of people to make a contribution during the holiday season.
How can YOU make an impact on GivingTuesday? Donate to the Flagstaff Festival of Science!
At United Way of Northern Arizona, we love sharing with you the stories that illustrate the good work we are doing with our partners to Step Up for Our Youth and Our Community.
It’s work that you make possible through your generous donations, which we then direct to proven programs and services the improve the lives of our residents in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties.
But sometimes, numbers can be even more impressive than stories. Sometimes they give you the full picture of the impact we are achieving together. Numbers like:
28,204 books that were distributed in the last year to young children (birth to age 8) through programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and KinderCamp.™
The U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore (on Nov. 10) pledged to provide $3.5 million toward Coconino County Flood Control District’s request for federal funding for on-forest watershed restoration measures in the Museum Flood Area. The funds will be used to design and construct watershed restoration measures on Forest Service land between the Museum Fire burn scar and the City of Flagstaff. Watershed restoration measures include restoration and stabilization of alluvial fans and stabilization of channels, which are done to reduce the level of sediment leaving the burn area and impacting the Mt. Elden Estates area and the Paradise, Grandview, and Sunnyside neighborhoods in Flagstaff. Reducing the level of sediment is a prerequisite for more effective existing and future flood mitigation within the City of Flagstaff.
“Coconino County is extremely grateful for the Chief’s commitment to partner with the Flood Control District to reduce the impacts of the post-wildfire flooding from the Museum Fire on our communities” stated Supervisor Patrice Horstman.
In This Issue
11 November 2021
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
U.S. Forest Service Chief Visits Coconino County
Four Forest Restoration Initiative Investment
Western Interstate Region Annual Conference
Coconino County Redistricting Process
State Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Process
Meeting with NAU President Cruz Rivera
Ft. Tuthill Restroom Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Stuff the Bus
FDA Approved COVID-19 Boosters
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines
COVID Information Line and Testing Site
Contact Us
Coconino County participated in a meeting yesterday convened by U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema with support from Senator Kelly and Congressman Tom O’Halleran regarding the future of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI).
With the cancellation of the Phase 2 of the 4FRI process by the Forest Service about two months ago, the Senator invited the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service Randy Moore to address the future of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) and other forest restoration projects impacting Coconino County. The County Board of Supervisors have identified wildfires and post-wildfire flooding as the greatest public safety threats in the County.
Honoring Our Veterans
On Veterans Day, we take a moment to salute the men and women who serve, and have served in our nation’s military. Many people have repeated Colonel Walter Hitchcock’s famous words, ‘Freedom is not free’ because it succinctly captures the essence of military service.
We want to express our great appreciation for every GRCA employee and resident who has served in the armed forces. We especially want to thank all of those who sacrificed and shared in the sacrifices of military service members. The nation owes a debt of gratitude for service members and their families and their sacrifices.
Thank you, Veterans!
Work continues to implement a pilot project installing separated bike lanes on Beaver Street and Butler Avenue. The contractor has completed the installation of a concrete curb and delineators to physically separate bicyclists from vehicles on Beaver Street.
Work to install similar barriers on Butler Avenue will begin on Monday, November 15, 2021 and end on November 26, 2021. The project limits are Butler Avenue, from Milton Road to Sawmill Road.
CCC&Y’s Action and Outreach Committee would like to make sure that individuals are aware that redistricting conversation, maps, and comments are taking place now. These decisions determine what district voters will vote in and how representation will take place. The results of redistricting last for 10 years and ultimately impact policy decisions. Please make sure you are informed and that your voice is heard.
The 30-day comment period ends on Nov. 20. The Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission will then take the feedback, make final change before they are approved in December, the Arizona Daily Sun reported this week.
The final maps will use to elect candidates for the next 10 years.
The satellite location of the next public hearing to be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 at the High County Conference Center, 201 W. Butler Ave., Flagstaff. Click here for the agenda or here for future meeting information.
Visit the CCC Foundation booth for festive holiday gifts at the St. Mary’s/San Francisco de Asis Annual Christmas Bazaar.
CCC Scarves for Scholarships is a fundraiser in support of Nursing Student Scholarships at CCC.
Why not stay warm and cozy this year while helping to support a good cause all at the same time?
This in-person, family-friendly event will feature crafters and venders from Flagstaff and the surrounding area. There will be a lot of home-made gifts, arts and crafts, pre-packaged baked goods and food items for sale.
There will also be a raffle with lots of really great prizes.
Open to the public – $0.50 per person entrance fee.
In this edition…
Message from Sup. Vasquez
Redistricting Public Input Wanted
COVID -19 Vaccines
USFS Press Release
Services and Programs
And more!
Zach Hamilton enlisted in the Marine Corps, “caught up in the romantic dream of dress blues and honor.” During his service, which included a stint in Afghanistan, and since leaving the Marines in 2013, he has reflected often on words his father, a veteran of Desert Storm, told him: The military provides experience he wouldn’t get anywhere else, but someday, he might look back at that experience through a different lens. In honor of Veterans Day, he reflects on that counsel in this Views from NAU.
All Coconino County offices will be closed Thursday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Coconino County honors and celebrates America’s veterans with gratitude.
While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed, Dispatch, Patrol and Detention will conduct business as usual. Records will be open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency Dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.
Construction for the Digital Resource & Education will begin soon. Interested in touring the space before construction begins? Send Julie Comnick an email to set up a time to tour.
Please join F3 TONIGHT (November 8th) 6:30-8:00 pm for a virtual public forum to learn more about the proposed Flagstaff hospital move.
Do you want to know more or have questions about the proposed move of the hospital to the southern edge of town, just to the north of Fort Tuthill County Park?
Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) has been presenting information to neighborhood and community groups and answering their questions since this summer. F3 is now bringing this opportunity to you with this public forum and community discussion.
LAST CALL!!!
Our studio will be closed from December 15, 2021 to January 15, 2022. This is the last call for calendar orders if you want them delivered in time for Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, Winter Solstice, Human Solidarity Day, and/or whatever day you celebrate/commemorate. For more details click on the image to your right!
Flagstaff City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Nov. 11, 2021 in observance of Veterans Day. City Hall will reopen Nov. 12 with the hours of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
City of Flagstaff facilities that are also closed on November 11 include
East Flagstaff Community Library (3000 N. Fourth St.)
Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library (300 W. Aspen Ave.)
Hal Jensen Recreation Center (2403 N. Izabel St.)
Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center (245 N. Thorpe Rd.)
Join CHAC in a community clean-up event! We will remove garbage from around Coconino High School on E. Cedar Ave and towards Buffalo Park from 10 a.. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6.
CCC&Y’s Action and Outreach Committee would like to make sure that individuals are aware that redistricting conversation, maps, and comments are taking place now. These decisions determine what district voters will vote in and how representation will take place. The results of redistricting last for 10 years and ultimately impact policy decisions. Please make sure you are informed and that your voice is heard.
The 30-day comment period ends on Nov. 20. The Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission will then take the feedback, make final change before they are approved in December, the Arizona Daily Sun reported this week.
The final maps will use to elect candidates for the next 10 years.
The first public hearing will be a virtual town hall at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6.
The City of Flagstaff will host an in-person Home Energy Efficiency Workshop next week. This workshop will kick-off the Home Energy Efficiency Workshop Series, which will last through the winter. This workshop series is held each winter season to help both renters and homeowners save money, reduce energy use, and make their homes more comfortable during cold weather.
At the free workshop, a licensed contractor from CozyHome will demonstrate simple do-it-yourself energy efficiency upgrades, showing individuals how to weatherize homes and save money on utility bills.
There are many virtual and in-person science events around Flagstaff this winter. See the list below to make sure you don’t miss out!
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) recently adopted draft maps of legislative and congressional districts that Arizonans will use to elect candidates for the next 10 years.
Throughout November, the NPS and Grand Canyon will be celebrating Native American Heritage Month. We gratefully acknowledge the Native peoples on whose ancestral homelands we gather, as well as the diverse and vibrant Native communities who make their home here today.
Recently, the affiliated tribes of Grand Canyon have been helping the park holistically address our history while we work collaboratively on the Desert View Inter-Tribal Cultural Heritage site.
A cancelled flight didn’t slow down President Cruz Rivera’s week, which included meetings with leaders from campus, local government, the Navajo Nation and higher education; a meaningful conversation about diversity, inclusion and justice with Black/African American faculty and staff; and attending the naming ceremony for the Clara M. Lovett Art Museum.
The Flagstaff Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) plans to conduct prescribed burns on Observatory Mesa from Friday November 5 through Sunday, November 7, 2021. Burns each day will be less than 100 acres and will be dependent on weather conditions.
With light southwest winds forecasted, smoke may impact central Flagstaff during the day and settle overnight into the Cheshire, Coconino Estates, downtown, Southside, Railroad Springs and Northern Arizona University campus areas. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit http://www.azdeq.gov/WildfireForecast or https://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/.
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) “finalized” draft maps for Legislative and Congressional Districts last Thursday after conducting a “listening tour” around the state.
The IRC is now required to receive public input for 30 days on the draft maps.
F3 is concerned that these maps to not respect Flagstaff and its surrounding areas as a “community of interest.”
The first public hearing will be a virtual town hall on Saturday, November 6 starting at 10:00 am. Click here to register to speak in advance (note: you must pre-register by 9 am on Nov. 6). Your comments will be limited to 3 minutes.
You may also choose to provide written comments to the IRC. Comments can be submitted here.
Part of Stepping Up for Our Community is ensuring the safety and security of our residents in times of crisis.
This is why, in partnership with Northland Family Help Center, United Way is working to ensure that a safe haven is available when individuals are dealing with domestic violence or children are in need of foster care.
UWNA’s support – fueled by your donations- is vital for this program, which serves more than 150 individuals each year, including a significant number of children who stay in its youth shelter. This facility is designed to feel more like a home than a shelter, with people cooking together, watching movies and even gardening while they stay there.
On Tuesday evening, November 2, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in approval of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine for children ages 5 – 11 years old, at a lower dosage.
“Although COVID-19 may impact children less severely than adults, it is a serious illness and can lead to significant long-term effects on people of all ages,” said Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Director Kim Musselman. “The approval of vaccinations for this younger age group is a critical step toward ending the pandemic.”
COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth has created a series of no cost webinars for professionals, parents and youth, to provide them skills that are needed now more than ever.
Mindfulness for Professionals and Parents, an hour-long webinar that highlights the importance mindfulness holds for both individuals and for those we are working with.
One participant said:
“Mindfulness is an important part of daily operations! We need to remember to take time for ourselves. I love the acronyms and will share with my NAU students!!!!”
The City of Flagstaff Housing Section is asking all Flagstaff residents to read the Draft 10-Year Housing Plan and assist with prioritizing the policy initiatives and strategies. The Draft 10-Year Housing Plan can be found here.
Provide your feedback by participating in the following Policy Initiative and Strategy Prioritization Survey. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes. Your feedback is appreciated.
This public comment period ends November 5, 2021.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors proclaims November 2021 as Native American Heritage Month.
At its November 2 meeting, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors proclaimed November 2021 as Native American Heritage Month. As part of the Proclamation, Supervisors recognized Arizona’s 22 tribal nations and their cultures, also specifically recognizing the six tribal nations in Coconino County. The Board also showed special recognition to their two colleagues, Supervisor Judy Begay and Vice Chair Lena Fowler, who belong to the Navajo Nation and currently serve on the Board.
In the face of Covid-19, we are uncertain about whether putting on the 25th Annual Mountain Spelling Bee makes sense. We are planning to host the event on April 23rd, 2022 at the High Country Conference Center.
In order to determine the comfort level from the community about whether the bee would achieve the attendance needed to make the event planning worth it, we have created a short survey designed to gather which measures Covid-19 safety measures we can implement to raise attendance.
Coconino County Parks & Recreation celebrated the completion of the first permanent, publicly accessible, year-round restroom at Fort Tuthill County Park on Wednesday, October 21, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The restroom is located east of the Fort Tuthill Bike Park, in the north parking lot of Fort Tuthill County Park. County Supervisors and representatives from Kinney Construction Services, Peak Engineering, RJA-Architecture, and Arizona State Parks attended the celebration.
And the Winners are…
17th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival
Festival Award Winners
Judge: Michele Usibelli
Best of Show: Gretchen Lopez
First place: Peggy Immel
Second place: Ellie Wilson
Third place: Manon Sander
Artists Choice: Margaret Larlham
Collectors Choice: Michelle Held
Honorable Mention: Bill Cramer, Margaret Larlham, James McGrew, Kari Ganoung Ruiz, Hadley Rampton, Krystal Brown
The prescribed burn at the Rogers Lake Natural Area that was previously approved for Wednesday, November 3 has been cancelled.
Additional prescribed burns could take place through the rest of the week, depending on weather conditions. More details will be provided as they become available.
October is a month steeped in the celebration of our ancestral traditions. From closing out Hispanic Heritage Month, to the beginning of Día de Los Muertos, it is a time to reflect on the legacy we carry, and the antepasados that started it all. Some questions to consider exploring as a family to honor this special time could include:
What legacy would we like to see our family continue?
What traditions remind us of our time spent with family?
To learn more about Día de Los Muertos, make sure to visit our blog, where our Communications Coordinator, Amy Dominguez wrote about how her family has celebrated Día de Los Muertos.
Every November, the NACC joins with the Office of Indigenous Student Success to celebrate Native American Heritage Month alongside Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, First Nation and Aboriginal students who have found a new home at NAU. Located near the Navajo and Hopi reservations, NAU offers a variety of events to help students, staff and faculty celebrate and foster awareness of Indigenous cultures and contributions during the month of November and throughout the year.
The Flagstaff Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) plans to conduct a prescribed burn of approximately 72 acres on Observatory Mesa tomorrow, Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
With light winds from the west forecasted, smoke may impact central Flagstaff during the day and settle overnight into the downtown, Southside, Railroad Springs and Northern Arizona University campus areas. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit http://www.azdeq.gov/WildfireForecast or https://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/.
The Arizona Chapter of the Arizona Planning Association (APA-AZ) held a virtual awards ceremony on September 5 recognizing Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commissioner John F. Ruggles as Distinguished Citizen Planner.
The Association’s awards recognize notable planning pursuits that exemplify planning principles and foster positive impacts on Arizona and its communities. Mr. Ruggles was recognized as the “Distinguished Citizen Planner” following nomination by the Coconino County Community Development Department.
Online learning opportunities are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but prefer to work at home. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.
Our workshops are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Click here to see all our online learning opportunities
Open enrollment for Medicare has begun and will run until December 7, 2021!
The Medicare open enrollment period is your opportunity to re-evaluate your current Medicare health and prescription drug plans and make any changes that may better fit your needs for the coming year.
If you’re happy with your coverage, you don’t need to take any action; your existing plan will continue uninterrupted in 2022.
Coconino County’s annual Winter Parking Ordinance will go into effect Monday, November 1, 2021. The ordinance requires parking restrictions on County-maintained roads during snow season.
Between November 1 and April 1 of each year, motor vehicles must be kept clear of County-maintained highways and roads. Any vehicle parked in prohibited areas reserve the right to be cited or towed at the owner’s expense (not less than $200.00) due to the possibility of threatening the health or welfare of County residents. Penalties are applicable where violations take place and where signed.
