The Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding recommended Zoning Ordinance amendments at their April 24, 2024 regular meeting.
These amendments are intended to improve flexibility in the County’s Comprehensive Plan update process and overall flexibility and efficiency in serving the community.
We are excited to partner with the Flagstaff Hazardous Products Center, Coconino County, Flagstaff Police Department, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Ponderosa Medical Waste Services, Elevated Shredding, and Westech Recyclers to put your waste in the right place.
FLAGSTAFF — Join the Comprehensive Plan Update Open House! Drop-in, Get Involved, Stay Informed from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 at the Thomas Auditorium, 2500 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff.
Review what we’ve heard from county communities and the results of our community engagement efforts, provide feedback, enjoy refreshments, enter a raffle drawing!
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is hosting a drop-in event for customers to learn about upcoming changes to City water bills. The event will be held at the Flagstaff Aquaplex (1702 N Fourth St) on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pizza will be provided, and all attendees will receive one free day pass to the Aquaplex facility. Adults and children are welcome.
Fix-it clinics are community-driven events that pair community members with knowledgeable volunteers who can help fix small appliances, clothing, electronics, and more! Join volunteers for a day of hands-on sustainability and learn how simple repairs can make a big difference. Let’s work together towards a more sustainable Flagstaff.
Are you a rural-based business in Arizona looking to drive new customers and clients, grow your presence online, and maximize your time? Local First Arizona has crafted a network of the best rural-based marketing and business development companies to deliver education, trainings and exclusive services for you.
Businesses in Rural Arizona deserve resources and business opportunities that are built specifically for them. Join an upcoming free workshop to access the best advice in a variety of areas including:
Business Development Strategies
Telling Your Story and Why it Matters
Social Media Marketing
Getting Your Business Found Online
The focus of the twelfth Regional Plan Committee meeting will be to resolve “parking lot” items for the Regional Plan 2045. Parking Lot items are unresolved topics from previous Regional Plan Committee meetings that required additional discussion or research to fully understand.
¡Que Hermoso!
– A Celebration of Latinx Artists
June 5-28, 2024
Sedona Arts Center is delighted to announce the return of ¡Qué Hermoso! June 5-28, 2024, an exhibition that explores and celebrates Latinx cultural identity and traditions. The exhibition opens with an artists’ reception Wednesday, June 5, from 4-6 p.m., held in conjunction with Celebrate Sedona. The afternoon features artist demonstrations, food, wine, beer and music by the Andrés Martínez Trío. Both events are free and open to the public.
¡Qué Hermoso! showcases a variety of artistic mediums and styles and celebrates cultural identity and traditions by Arizona artists including Tato Caraveo, Emily Costello, Charissa Cota, Zarco Guerrero, Lucinda Hinojos, Annie Lopez and Gretchen Lopez. More than 35 artworks will highlight histories, familism, forgotten stories and rich personal and collective experiences.
The Bushmaster Park Community Fruit Orchard will improve community food access, biodiversity and ecosystem resiliency and is a result of two City of Flagstaff grants awarded to local resident Alexi Kimiatek last fall—a $4,500 Beautification in Action grant from the Beautification & Public Art Commission and a $7,500 Neighborhood Sustainability grant from the Sustainability Commission. Grant funds enabled Kimiatek to purchase 30 fruit trees, tools and equipment, as well as hire skilled labor to complete site preparation including irrigation.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is hosting a community meeting for upcoming water rate changes at the Hal Jensen Recreation Center (2403 N Izabel Street) on Friday, Aug. 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pizza will be provided, and adults and children are welcome.
In July, the City Council adopted a resolution and ordinance to increase potable water, sewer, and reclaimed water rates and fees. Rates will increase over a five-year period to adequately fund water infrastructure projects, operations, maintenance, and debt repayment contained in the five-year capital improvement program for Flagstaff Water Services.
Monday, September 16, 2024, 6 PM – 9 PM
Topic: Full draft review of the Regional Plan 2045. This is the last scheduled meeting of the Regional Plan Committee.
Microsoft Teams Link
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff Stormwater section is hosting two community seminars by Floodproofing.com on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 4 – 6 p.m. at the Murdoch Center (203 E Brannen Ave). Both workshops are free to attend.
F3’s election-year in-person Candidate Forums play an important role in informing Flagstaff voters by providing an opportunity to directly ask questions of, and evaluate, the candidates.
On Monday, September 23, it’s your chance to get to know and ask questions directly to the six candidates for Flagstaff City Council whose names will appear on the November General Election ballot. There are three open seats to be filled on council this year. (Mayor Daggett is running unopposed in the mayoral race.)
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Mall to hold its annual Health and Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.
The event includes:
Over 50 Community Partners!
FREE resources!
FREE information!
Prizes and giveaways!
In the Entertainment area by JCPenney
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host a virtual public meeting within the coming weeks to give residents and visitors the opportunity to learn more about the ongoing Oak Creek Canyon subsurface withdrawal.
As part of the public meeting, forest and BLM representatives will give updates on the withdrawal submission and the proposed 20-year extension of the withdrawal. Representatives will also share information regarding the planned Draft Environmental Assessment required under the National Environmental Policy Act.
This year has been one of change and progress for United Way of Northern Arizona.
Before we take a look at some of the biggest events that defined this year, I wanted to thank you not only for your support of UWNA, but also for the kindness you have shown me during my first year as the President & CEO of this superb nonprofit.
When I joined UWNA, I was thrilled to help lead a nonprofit known for its ability to address the big issues and be an agent for change. The Board of Directors and staff of UWNA are committed to amplifying UWNA’s role as a community convener in 2024 and beyond.
Thank you for your support of UWNA in the past year and for living United in Purpose.
COCONIO COUNTY —The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved the implementation phase of the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Youth Behavioral Health Project (YBHP) at their December 12, 2023, regular meeting.
The YBHP, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will offer preemptive behavioral healthcare for youth utilizing a hub and spoke youth-based and youth–led model. YBHP facilities and services will provide emotional, physical, and social support services for youth aged 12-18.
As a result of the Board’s approval, CCHHS will move forward with the final planning and construction of an innovative, youth behavioral resource center facility in Flagstaff, and begin planning for services in outlying communities including Page, Williams, Tusayan, and Fredonia.
This year has been pivotal for the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona not only for what was accomplished, but also for the roadmap we are developing for the future.
Our top story for 2023 was the creation of our 5-year Strategic Plan (which you can download here) as we contemplated the most critical issues we must address to ensure continued economic vitality for our region.
One of the important aspects for our economic health is trade, and we were pleased to host the Consul General of Mexico, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, and Glenn Williamson, the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council in Flagstaff. We opened up our Advisory Council meeting to the entire business community so everyone could benefit from the insights of these two representatives of Arizona’s largest two trading partners.
December is the time of year for charitable giving. And to become a member of Theatrikos. We hope you’ll become a member today so Theatrikos can keep bringing the best theatre to Northern Arizona.
We’ve only been able to reopen because pandemic relief grants and annual memberships have made it possible. But disaster relief is pretty much over. So annual memberships are all the more important. Your donation will make a difference.
In an effort to protect forest roads from damage, the Coconino National Forest has started closing forest roads in the Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) for the winter and will continue closing roads over the course of the coming weeks across the forest in higher elevations.
While the FRD has closed forest roads north of Interstate 40 along U.S. Highway 180 and U.S. Highway 89, many forest roads currently remain open due to low levels of snow and precipitation.
Seasonal road closures on each district of the Coconino NF occur at different times each year and depend on weather forecasts and road conditions.
Forest visitors are encouraged to check forest road statuses prior to any excursion by visiting the Coconino NF’s Forest Roads Status web page.
We’ll be taking a break next week on the Wrap Up in observance of Christmas. Our next issue will be sent on Thursday, January 4.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is proud to provide a treecycling service during the month of January to assist with the proper recycling of Christmas trees. Collected trees will be mulched and used in City landscaping projects or as alternative daily cover at the Cinder Lake landfill.
Curbside pick-up will be provided by the City’s Solid Waste Collections program to single-family households located within City limits that regularly receive bulky waste collection service from Jan. 2 through Jan. 12 (pending weather conditions). Trees must be placed on the curb by 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
FLAGSTAFF —The City of Flagstaff has been awarded $9.6M from the United States Department of Transportation to implement the Butler Avenue Complete Streets Conversion. The City will convert 0.9 miles of arterial road in the urban center of Flagstaff to a Complete Street. The project includes installing bike lanes that are grade-separated from motor vehicle traffic; three protected intersections; a new pedestrian crossing; upgrades to an existing pedestrian crossing; and pedestrian comfort features, such as landscape buffers, that also result in reducing speeds through the historic Southside Neighborhood in the core of Flagstaff.
Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett said “Safe streets for all is our goal and this grant will put our pedestrian and bike designs for Butler Avenue into action. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Flagstaff has received $58M to date and residents and visitors alike will get to enjoy transportation and infrastructure projects designed to make moving around town on foot, bike, bus, and car easier and more convenient. Thanks to Arizona’s Senators Kelly and Sinema for their part in making this happen.”
FLAGSTAFF — In four short months, the Community Assistance Teams’ (CATs) People at Work (P@W) initiative has removed over 3,500 cubic feet of litter from Flagstaff streets, employed dozens of unsheltered community members, and provided nearly 12,000 hours of community service. P@W is partially funded through the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office’s Engage, Empower, Elevate (E3) grant program. E3 was developed in response to a two-fold challenge in Flagstaff; the record high number of persons that are unsheltered or at risk of being unsheltered and the ongoing challenge of keeping Flagstaff litter-free.
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff minimum wage will increase to $17.40 per hour and $15.90 per hour for tipped workers beginning on January 1, 2024.
Per the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act – as passed as a citizen’s initiative in 2016 – the minimum wage in the City of Flagstaff shall increase proportional to the increase of the consumer price index as of August of the immediately preceding year over the level as of August of the previous year and shall be rounded to the nearest $0.05.
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 — Interested in a part-time schedule and the exciting opportunity to take part in winter snow operations? Join our Public Works team as a temporary Snow Operations – Equipment Operator today!
To apply, visit http://www.governmentjobs.com/…/snow-operations-temp…
A recent survey of students from Holbrook and Joseph City High Schools illustrates some of the mental health concerns of teens in Navajo County.
According to the survey, which was administered by two students at the high schools, a majority of the teens interviewed indicated they frequently feel anxious and under pressure in school and work.
About half felt they had someone to talk to about their concerns. Most relied on music, exercise, sleeping, or time alone as ways of coping with the stress they feel.
We’re very pleased with the outcome of the vote on Proposition 480 where 73% of voters chose to overturn the NAH request to rezone 98 acres near Ft. Tuthill for a new hospital. F3, in coalition with others, helped make this happen. We gathered signatures to ensure the referendum was placed on the ballot, we worked to educate the community about the choices posed and the consequences of the vote. Flagstaff spoke loud and clear and in a non-partisan manner against a new hospital and wellness village on the edge of town.
With the rejection of 480, Flagstaff is now provided with a great opportunity! We can now start a true community discussion about the healthcare needs in Northern Arizona. Here’s what F3 believes must happen now:
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is asking community members to take its Community Rail Safety Survey to provide input on rail safety. Questions include preferred solutions to reduce risk at roadway rail crossings as well as preferred educational and enforcement solutions to improve safety. To take the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/r/COFDMWeb.
The City of Flagstaff and BNSF are partnering to develop a Community Rail Safety Plan in conjunction with design and construction of several large civil works projects along the Flagstaff rail corridor (comprising the Lone Tree Overpass and Downtown Mile projects). This plan will help address areas of risk and identify mitigations to improve safety throughout Flagstaff.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County’s Elections Department would like to announce that the Green Party of Coconino County has qualified as a new party for County races in the 2024 Primary and General Elections.
On November 17, 2023 the Green Pary of Coconino County filed a purported 258 petition sheets with 1,993 signatures. Upon receipt and after processing, the Coconino County Elections Department (Elections) counted 1,997 signatures submitted and rejected 42 petition signatures pursuant to A.R.S. § 16-803(B).
Portions of the North Kaibab trail, between Manzanita and Supai Tunnel, will be closed beginning at sunrise on Monday, December 18 and ending at sunset on Sunday, December 24. Closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. to allow for contractors to install seismic survey nodes in Roaring Springs Canyon.
Work crews will be installing survey nodes in highly technical terrain above the trail, which may result in inadvertent and unpredictable rock fall onto the North Kaibab Trail. These survey nodes are small, wireless sensors that will be able to detect and record seismic activity in the area.
For the latest trail updates, please visit the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page.
GRAND CANYON — Grand Canyon National Park congratulates U.S. Park Ranger Elizabeth “Betsy” Aurnou as the 2023 winner of the National Park Service (NPS) Wright Brothers National Aviation Safety Award.
Aurnou was nominated by her team for her diligence and leadership in removing hazardous and historic telephone lines from the main flight corridor in the park. Since 2020, she has worked collaboratively with many divisions to facilitate the removal of sections of telephone line from challenging and technical terrain within the inner canyon. During the 2023 season, Aurnou helped facilitate the removal of hundreds of yards of telephone lines after learning of the dangers of the existing lines to pilots and aircrews.
Sedona Arts Center Artists of all levels, working in all mediums are invited to enter into our Annual Juried Exhibition & Sale. The exhibition will run from March 6-31, 2024
Monetary awards will be given for First Place/Best of Show Award ($500), Second ($250) and Third ($150) place.
Honorable mention awards will be awarded at the discretion of the jurors and no monetary amount attached.
People’s Choice Award is announced at the end of the show. No monetary attached.
DEADLINE for submission: January 20, 2024
How to Apply:
43rd JURIED ART EXHIBITION – Apply Online at Cafe – Click Here.
Observing the Winter Night Sky
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 23, 30, and Feb. 6
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Locate and identify the sparkling gems of the winter night sky & learn how different telescopes work and how to use them.
Winter Sky – Learn more and register!
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), the County’s Diversity Council and other supporters will participated in the annual Flagstaff Holiday Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 in downtown Flagstaff.
Presented by the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and the Vora Financial Group, the parade features more than 60 entries.
Please join the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Vora Financial, and the Flagstaff Community in celebrating the holidays by participating in the Annual Holiday Parade of Lights!, the chamber reported. With parade floats lighting up Historic Downtown Flagstaff, you won’t want to miss out on the fun and festivities that have become a holiday tradition in Flagstaff.
Please attend and, if you choose, make a public comment in support of keeping the Carbon Neutrality Plan in its current form.
Many thanks to the citizens who attended and spoke at the Nov. 28th Council meeting! Chambers were packed with Carbon Neutrality Plan supporters and the many speakers were passionate about not modifying the Plan.
Flagstaff citizens need to demonstrate our support again this Tuesday.
FLAGSTAFF — At their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) concluded the District 3 vacancy process by unanimously naming their top candidate to serve the remainder of retiring Supervisor Matt Ryan’s term.
After brief comments regarding the candidates, interviews, and selection process, the Board named Adam Hess of Bellemont to represent District 3.
“We feel Mr. Hess is the best candidate to hit the ground running in this very short appointment,” commented Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 2. “His leadership experience from his military service and his desire to return to where he grew up and serve his community will enable him to represent District 3 immediately upon official appointment.”
Artist in Residence ‘Pop Up’ Event, Saturday, December 9
On Saturday, December 9, from 2-4 p.m. a pop-up exhibition will feature the work of GCC Artist in Residence, Annie McCone-Lopez and Grand Canyon Summer School children. The event will be held at the Park Headquarters building with an artist talk at 2:30 p.m.
Annie McCone-Lopez will be exhibiting an eight-foot hand painted Mayan codex that represents her take on the water crisis in the Southwest. During her time in residence over the summer at Grand Canyon, McCone-Lopez also worked with Grand Canyon Summer School to create codices based on the same theme. The student codices will be displayed alongside Annie’s.
More information can be found in the attached flyer here.
As 2023 draws to a close, we hope you will
make a donation in support of the work we
have done this year and will continue in 2024.
F3’s Community Impact!
*F3 brought citizens’ questions & concerns about the
hospital move to the City beginning in February. F3
joined the no campaign & is a big reason why Prop 480
was voted down by 72% of the voters!
*F3’s 2023 Voter Guide to the City’s Propositions
played a significant role in educating residents of the
meaning & impact of the 19 Charter amendments.
Theatrikos’ basic membership is $50. You can donate more or less or anything that is right for you. Thank you!
Researchers from the Ecological Restoration Institute and School of Forestry are part of a national effort to create consistent and accurate models to predict different aspects of forest health. The National Scale Volume Biomass models are an innovation in forest biometrics introduces advanced models for accurately predicting the size and carbon-storing capacity of American forests, playing a key role in combating climate change and guiding sustainable forest management efforts.
Winter Recreation Updates and Safety
Much of Coconino County is a winter wonderland! Parks and natural areas offer great winter recreation opportunities. Strap on your boots, snow shoes, or cross-country skis, and enjoy the trails. Make snow forts and snow people. Have a (safe) snowball fight. Enjoy the beauty of nature in the snow, whether birdwatching or walking in the trees.
Capturing language, one conversation at a time
Between school papers, social media, texts, news reports, speeches, blogs and podcasts, Americans record billions of words in a year. But billions more are lost—the language we use in conversation among friends and family, to the grocery clerk or Uber driver and our walking partners. Researchers in the Applied Linguistics program are leading the creation of the largest-ever corpus of American English conversation, which could change what we understand about this most basic register of language.
Join us at Sedona Arts Center on Wednesday, December 6, from 4-6 pm for Celebrate Sedona and the opening of our annual exhibition—The Big Gay Art Show! The event is free and will be held in the Theatre Studio and Special Exhibitions Gallery at the Art Barn with free parking in our lower lot.
In addition to the exhibition, attendees will enjoy an evening of festive music by DJ Shondra, food and drinks, door prizes, and a Holiday Market with one-of-a-kind items by CJ Henderson, Denize Katzen, Susan Moody, Victoria Norton, Jillian Sander, Sedona Incense Company and Iris Yang, and entertaining bits and curiosities by Arizona’s Hip Historian Marshall Shore.
Discover the captivating intersection of science and storytelling in the heart of Flagstaff, Arizona as local writer and educator, Nicole Walker, unravels the hidden secrets of the coastal redwoods. In a recent blog post, Nicole tells us about the intriguing exploration of resilience, shedding light on the ability of redwoods to utilize decades-old carbon for rejuvenation after wildfires, a topic inspired by her personal experiences with the annual fire concerns in Northern Arizona.
Visit our website to read the full article!
There are two ways to participate in the Flagstaff Regional Plan Scenario Choosing. Almost 200 people have participated so far and we are waiting to hear from you and people you know who make Flagstaff an amazing place.
Important: Please Attend Regional Plan 2045 Scenario Choosing Workshop Open House this Saturday, Dec. 2, 9:00-11:00 am at Flagstaff High School Commons
Stroll throughout Downtown Flagstaff to see and purchase paintings, jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, and more! 6:30 p.m.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County is ready for the first snowstorm of the 2023-2024 winter season, which is forecast to hit Northern Arizona late Wednesday and continue into Saturday.
Public Works crews are geared up to keep County roads open and passable during the storm and the Facilities Management Department is preparing County buildings for cold and icy conditions.
The National Weather Service in Bellemont has issued a Winter Weather Advisory beginning Thursday at 5 p.m. through 5 a.m. Saturday. According to the advisory, total snow accumulations between 2 and 8 inches are expected, with snow falling as low as 5000’ and hazardous impacts occurring above 7000’.
North Rim transitions to winter operations; Hwy. 67 closed at Jacob Lake
Beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, November 30, the North Rim was closed to all vehicle traffic for the winter. State Route 67 and all services on the North Rim are expected to re-open on May 15th, 2024 (subject to change).
As in years past, the North Rim campground will be available for winter camping and is accessible via hiking inner canyon trails from the South Rim or by hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing 45 miles from Jacob Lake. To camp at the North Rim during the winter months, visitors need a backcountry permit, which can be obtained in advance through the South Rim Backcountry Information Center.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) met in special session (Nov. 29) to continue the process of filling the upcoming vacancy in District 3.
During the public meeting the Board conducted thorough interviews with the five remaining candidates who have applied to fill the vacancy through 2024. Two candidates who did qualify to fill the vacancy removed themselves from consideration prior to today’s session.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) met on November 21, 2023, to review and approve the canvass of the 2023 Consolidated Election in Coconino County.
This year, Coconino County Elections and the County Recorder’s Office administered a ballot-by-mail election for seven jurisdictions in the County.
In preparation for Board approval, Coconino County Recorder Patty Hansen, Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget, and Elections Director Eslir Musta presented comprehensive information about this year’s elections operations, voter registration statistics, voter turnout and statistics, ballot drop-off box usage, and signature verification standards.
FLAGSTAFF — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) proposes to provide federal financial assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to the City of Flagstaff (sub-applicant), located in Coconino County, Arizona, to upgrade an existing concrete box culvert (proposed action). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), and FEMA’s implementing regulations at Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 9, FEMA hereby provides interested parties with a notice of its final decision and an explanation of the alternatives that were considered.
Measuring biodiversity across the U.S.—with space lasers
Diverse ecosystems support the web of life and in the process, provide food, water, medicine and materials for humanity. But the butterfly effect tells us all things are connected. So, when biodiversity loss threatens the foundation upon which we live, what does that mean for the future of Earth and humanity? NAU research professor Chris Hakkenberg is taking a necessary step to finding a solution to biodiversity loss: mapping and measuring biodiversity across the U.S. using NASA’s space-borne lidar.
Join the Giving Tuesday global movement and support your local nonprofits!
Your end-of-year donation will go directly toward supporting F3’s on-going work as we continue to be fully integrated into the decision-making processes of our community, educating and advocating for a livable, sustainable, affordable, and climate resilient Flagstaff.
F3 attends all City Council meetings and we speak directly to Council about important policy and on-the-ground decisions that relate to our Focus Areas.* We seek accountability and transparency from our local local leaders through meeting with city staff and individual council members and we participate in local and regional planning efforts including the development of the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045, which will be a major focus of our work in 2024.
