Category: Business

City of Flagstaff announces Fourth of July closure

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in honor of the Fourth of July holiday. City Hall offices will reopen Wednesday, July 5 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

City of Flagstaff facilities that are also closed on the Fourth of July 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.)

CCC’s Comet Promise helps students Start Small and Go Big

FLAGSTAFF — The scenario is all too common: Some students struggling to make ends meet and who qualify for federal financial aid still don’t quite have the funds to completely cover the cost of their tuition. To those students, such a barrier is hard, if not impossible, to overcome.

Coconino Community College makes those students a promise: The college will cover the difference.

The Comet Promise program helps eligible students pay for their education by covering the cost of tuition when federal grants fall short. The program aims at helping remove economic barriers to offer a pathway for CCC students to complete their certificate or degree.

Bilingual report — Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to Begin Thursday in Coconino County

COCONINO COUNTY — Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will begin Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. in all unincorporated areas of Coconino County.

With the potential for continued warm, dry, and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona in the coming days, both the Coconino National Forest and the Kaibab National Forest – Williams Ranger District will begin Stage 1 Fire Restrictions this Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) and County Manager’s Office have directed Emergency Management (CCEM) to do likewise in all unincorporated areas of the County.  

City of Flagstaff announces Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on June 29

The City of Flagstaff will enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2023. 

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions,

Permits for open burning within the City will not be issued.
The sale or use of consumer-grade fireworks is prohibited.
The use of charcoal and wood-fired BBQs are prohibited in City parks and open spaces.

National Park Service selects North Rim Hospitality, LLC for primary concession contract

GRAND CANYON, Ariz.— The National Park Service announces the selection of North Rim Hospitality, LLC, to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail, and other services at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park under a concession contract that will be effective for 15 years from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2038.

North Rim Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark, is currently serving as the concessioner at the North Rim. In addition to the North Rim, they operate many other visitor services concession contracts throughout the National Park Service and this new contract will ensure continuity of services.

Recycling Update – Flagstaff City Council approves contract with Friedman Recycling

FLAGSTAFF — During the June 20 Council meeting, the Flagstaff City Council approved an agreement with Friedman Recycling Company for the equipment, transportation, processing, and recovery of recyclable materials. This Agreement supports new and enhanced operational and financial efficiencies in the hauling, processing, and recovery of the City’s recyclables and ensures that materials are recycled to their fullest extent possible.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Stepping Up with the Summit Society

The job of United Way of Northern Arizona is to bring together our community resources so we can do big and bold things that move the needle and improve life for our friends and neighbors in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.

It takes the support of a whole community to make it happen. Every donation, every volunteer hour, and every bit of advocacy is important.

Our Summit Society members have an outsized impact, however, because of their unique generosity with annual gifts of $500 or more to UWNA.

Here are some of the ways that the Summit Society contributions are making a difference:

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 19-23, 2023

Hull Fire grows to 1,102 acres between Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon  

Crews continue to work on the lightning-caused Hull Fire on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest as well as within Grand Canyon.  

The Hull Fire, located near Lower Hull Tank along the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park boundary just northeast of the Grand View Lookout and east of Grandview Point, is currently at 1,102 acres burning in ponderosa pine forest, it is spreading north, and is being co-managed with Grand Canyon National Park (approximately 300 acres are burning within the park). 

Grand Canyon National Park seeks public comments on North Rim water system

GRAND CANYON, Ariz.— The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning civic engagement to seek public input on proposed improvements to the water system at the North Rim and inner canyon in Grand Canyon National Park. Public comments will be accepted from June 22 until midnight, July 5, 2023, and used to refine the project proposal. 

The water system improvements are part of a proposed Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund project called Rehabilitate the North Rim and Roaring Springs Utility Systems.

Check out the Galleries at Sedona Arts Center!

NOW FEATURING:
Nancy Bihler, Patricia Bohannon, Khrystyna Kozyuk, & Susan Moody

Our Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. The Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.

Summer is a fun time to take art classes!

UPCOMING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
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. Ongoing Class instruction is available and donors at the $60 Friend level and above receive a 10% discount on Classes (does not apply to Workshops.)  Click here to see all of our classes and workshops

Coconino County Jury Commissioner Warns Residents of New Jury Scam

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Clerk of the Superior Court and Jury Commissioner Valerie Wyant has recently received reports from concerned residents regarding phone scams where they were contacted by an individual impersonating the Jury Commissioner and asking for personal information in an aggressive manner. 
 
This person has been reported as using aggressive and threatening language, attempting to confirm personal information (addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, and email addresses), and informing citizens a warrant has been issued for their arrest.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — APS Business Tools to Lower Energy Costs

As temperatures heat up, it’s important for businesses to explore ways to save on their energy bills. Fortunately, APS offers a whole suite of services and programs to help businesses manage energy usage.

“Small business owners are still trying to catch up from the pandemic and now they’re dealing with inflation,” said Trevor Swanson, Energy Innovation Advisor for APS. “Whether it’s an energy assessment, rebate or special program, there are countless ways for small businesses to save on their monthly energy bills.”

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 12-16, 2023

2023 Star Party 

The annual Grand Canyon Star Party will conclude this Saturday, June 17. On the South Rim, events include a nightly presentation from a special guest speaker at 8 p.m. in the plaza of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, followed by telescope viewing behind the building. Green-laser constellation tours will be offered nightly at 9, 9:30 and 10 p.m..  

The list of speakers can be found on our Grand Canyon Star Party webpage, in the attached flyer, and also in the NPS Mobile App.

During Star Party week, the Education Staff is conducting family hikes during twilight (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 14 through 16) to celebrate Grand Canyon’s dark skies!  

Kids of all ages and their families are invited to join a ranger to experience and explore nightfall during a 45-minute walk.  Meet outside Shrine of the Ages Auditorium (Parking Lot A) a 7:30 p.m. More information, including a flyer can be found here. 

The NAU Review — Celebrating Juneteenth, Climb to Conquer Cancer, student’s Carnegie Hall premiere, summer concert series and Notes from the President

Celebrating Juneteenth

Last year, 158 years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all enslaved people, President Joe Biden deemed that day a national holiday, allowing the freedom of all U.S. citizens to officially be celebrated. This weekend, join in on a variety of events that honor the past, present and the hope for a more inclusive future.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Communications Issue #30: F3 Supports a Public Vote on Council’s NAH Decision

In the wake of City Council’s June 6 decision to approve the Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) request for rezoning 98 acres to allow for a new hospital north of Ft. Tuthill, F3 has decided to support the work of the Flagstaff Community First (FCF) PAC to gather signatures for a referendum to allow Flagstaff residents to vote on this decision. A referendum is a way for voters to override a legislative decision at the state or city level and is a critically important part of the democratic process.

Celebrate Juneteenth at Grand Canyon National Park with special programming and live music!

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. —  The public is invited to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 at Grand Canyon National Park. This day of events, including special programming, food and live music is sponsored by the National Park Service and Grand Canyon Conservancy.

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger read his general orders to the people of Texas, recognizing and enforcing the end of slavery. June 19, or Juneteenth, is a day set aside to commemorate the freedom of African Americans from the bonds of slavery in the United States.

Chip sealing to begin June 13 at various locations in Flagstaff

Beginning on June 13, the City of Flagstaff will begin sealing recently paved roadway segments at various locations throughout the community. The project will chip seal roadways including High Country Trail, Blackbird Roost, Riordan Road, Grandview Drive, Walgreens Street, McCracken Circle, Steve’s Blvd, Gemini Road, Latrobe Circle, La Costa Lane, La Quinta Way, and Harris Way and is anticipated to conclude by June 20, weather permitting.

The public should anticipate traffic impacts near these locations for the duration of the work, including temporary traffic restrictions, noise, and dust. The City will attempt to maintain access to businesses and residences.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 5-9, 2023

Updates from the North Rim

Friday, June 2 kicked off the opening of the 2023 season on the North Rim with water conservation measures in place. With emergency funding assistance, water hauling operations began on June 4 and the North Rim water tanks are slowly refilling to meet visitor and residential demand. Construction contractors arrived on the North Rim this week and have begun the preliminary stages of rebuilding the broken section of pipeline, with work slated to continue through the coming weeks.

Fee staff are anticipating a full campground for the campground’s opening weekend beginning Friday, June 9. Trail crew staff continue to repair sections of the North Kaibab Trail and have cleared areas of major rockfall in the vicinity of Supai Tunnel. Project work continues with the North Kaibab Trail opening for hiker traffic beginning on Friday, June 16. Following this date, trail crew will continue working on the trail and hikers may encounter intermittent trail closures of up to 30 minutes.

Thank you to all staff, contractors, and concessions employees who have and continue to work tirelessly to reopen the North Rim to the public and provide quality visitor services during these extenuating circumstances. 

Arizona acts quickly and awards millions to address homelessness. Flagstaff receives $840,000

The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) on June 7 awarded nearly $20 million in grants to local governments from the newly-created Homeless Shelter and Services (HSS) Fund to provide shelter and other services to people experiencing homelessness. The new budget signed by Governor Hobbs included $60 million for the new fund with $20 million to be allocated immediately before June 30th.

“I’m proud of the immediate relief our bipartisan budget is delivering to the people of Arizona,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “With the Homeless Shelter and Services Fund and the historic $150 million deposit into Arizona’s Housing Trust Fund, we are making real progress toward ensuring affordable housing for every Arizonan.”

June at the Museum of Northern Arizona

NOTE NEW DATES for 2023: We are counting down the days to one of the biggest events of the year – the Heritage Festival of Art and Culture. This year the festival will be on June 24 and 25. We moved the date in response to artists and attendees who overwhelmingly agreed that moving away from the busy 4th of July weekend would be better for everyone.

I am so excited that this festival brings together Indigenous artists from across the Colorado Plateau, the only such festival that I know of. These artists will all share and celebrate their cultures from under the shade of tents among the tall pines surrounding the museum. What a beautiful setting! In addition to over 100 artists from 10 different tribes, highlights include flute workshops with Aaron White, a presentation by fashion designer Patricia Michaels, as well as performances by the Zuni Water Striders, Dilzehe’e, Apache Singers, and Yoyhoyam Hopi Youth Dancers. I am looking forward to an exciting an inspiring weekend! I hope to see you at the Heritage Festival, and at the museum.

The NAU Review — Happy Pride, Lumberjacks! Learn about the role of trees and arctic ground squirrels in climate change and upcoming roadwork on campus

As the Arctic warms, arctic ground squirrels changing hibernation patterns

A unique long-term study, which NAU professor Loren Buck started more than two decades ago while doing his Ph.D. research in Alaska, helps us understand biological responses to climate shifts through the hibernation patterns of a cute little rodent. In the course of the 25-year study, researchers found that the female and male squirrels developed different hibernation periods over that time. The females “rise and shine” a little earlier in response to warming, which could have both positive and negative ripple effects throughout the food web in these ecosystems.  

Prescribed Fire Planned for South Rim of Grand Canyon Beginning June 7, 2023

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers will resume prescribed burning on the South Rim this week.

On Wednesday, June 7, fire personnel will continue working on the Grapevine unit, approximately 0.5 miles south of the “Duck on a Rock” overlook along Highway 64 (Desert View Drive).

The Grapevine unit is a total of 865 acres located between the Kaibab National Forest to the south and E4/Long Jim Canyon Road to the north. Last month, crews completed about 200 acres of “blacklining” (creating a boundary of burned fuel) on three sides of the unit.

City of Flagstaff seeking community input on Greater Observatory Mesa Trail Plan Draft

The City of Flagstaff is soliciting community review and feedback on the second draft of the Greater Observatory Mesa Trail Plan. The public participation opportunity includes a community meeting and a 40-day public comment period. Public participation opportunities will allow citizens to review the plan, learn how it may affect them, comment on the plan, and contribute to ongoing communication to resolve concerns. Details on how to participate are listed below. 

Sedona Arts Center — New Summer Classes added!

Summer Art Classes at Sedona Arts Center
Sedona is surrounded by a magical landscape of red rock formations and high desert hills with beautiful Oak Creek meandering through it all. Come experience the Shangri-La of the Southwest, a beautiful learning environment with Art Colony roots going back nearly 100 years.  Click here to see all of our classes and workshops

UPDATE: North Rim opens with limited services available

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has reopened today, June 2, for day use, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. The National Park Service recommends that visitors bring their own drinking water and food with them.     

The North Rim General store, gas station and post office are open, along with Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Park Store in the Visitor Center. Store hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. A variety of park ranger programs are being offered daily. The backcountry information center, in the North Rim Administration Building, will be open 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 5 p.m. daily.  

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — May 29-June 2, 2023

What’s that clicking noise?

Pretty much everyone on the South Rim during the last two weeks has noticed the ‘click click click click click’ sounds coming from pretty much everywhere.

On the South Rim, we’re hearing Putnam’s Cicada, (Platypedia Putnami) — large, dark-colored insects with bulging eyes and membranous wings that are folded tent-like over their bodies. Putnam’s Cicadas are only found in the western states, and have a three to five year life cycle, unlike some varieties of cicadas found in the eastern U.S. that have 13 to 17 year cycles. Like other cicadas, they don’t bite or sting, just go around feeding by using their straw-like mouth to drink watery nutrients from plants and trees.

City of Flagstaff Updating Historic Preservation Grant and Application Materials

The City of Flagstaff, in consultation with the City’s Heritage Preservation Commission, has updated the guidelines for the Historic Signs & Facades Grant Program and Heritage Preservation application materials.

The new guidelines, which go into effect on June 6, 2023, establish a two-tier funding level system for projects that rehabilitate, restore, or preserve Flagstaff’s heritage sites, buildings, structures, and objects. Level 1 projects, which follow the grant programs existing guidelines, are eligible for up to $10,000 in matching funds. A new, Level 2 funding category allows projects to receive up to $20,000 in matching funds when the associated property is eligible for listing on the National Register and when the work being done meets the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitation.

Evacuation zones created for the City of Flagstaff

The City of Flagstaff and its partners announce the creation of all-hazard evacuation zones within the Flagstaff City limits. These zones group each location in the City into easily recognizable areas to aid in messaging and communication during emergencies. The zones build upon the existing “Ready, Set, Go!” program and were developed with area partners including the Flagstaff Fire Department, Flagstaff Police Department, Coconino County Emergency Management, City of Flagstaff Emergency Management, and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

CCC tax reset update: Promises made, promises kept

Promises made, promises kept by your community college.

One year after the passage of a primary property tax reset for Coconino Community College, CCC has made significant progress in following through on commitments made to the voters of Coconino County. Of the several programs and initiatives promised by the increase in the primary property tax rate to Coconino Community College, many of them have already been implemented or are in process.

“To date, we’ve fulfilled nearly 75 percent of the items we noted on the ballot initiative,” said CCC President Eric Heiser, Ph.D. “And guess what? We’re not done yet. We have many new and exciting career and technical education programs and courses in the pipelines.”

Memorial Day Holiday Closures in Coconino County

Coconino County’s Administrative Offices and Superior Court will be closed in observance of the Memorial Day holiday on Monday May 29, 2023, and will reopen for business on Tuesday.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Records Division will be available between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

City of Flagstaff announces Memorial Day closures

Flagstaff City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Monday, May 29 in honor of Memorial Day. City Hall offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 30 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

City of Flagstaff facilities that are also closed on Memorial Day 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.)
Flagstaff Recycling Transfer Facility (1800 E Butler Ave)

Coconino County Awarded EPA Grant Funding for Clean-Up of Former County Jail

This year, Coconino County’s Facilities Management Department has applied for and been awarded a grant from the EPA in the amount of $573,615 to fund the clean-up of hazardous materials within the former County Jail in downtown Flagstaff.

The County has owned and operated this property, located adjacent to the historic County Courthouse, on W.C. Riles Street between Birch and Cherry Avenues as the County Jail from 1892 until 2000. 

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — May 22-26, 2023

Secretary of Interior, Deb Haaland, visits Grand Canyon

Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, and her team were in the park this past weekend to meet with the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition and community leaders about the efforts to create the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.

This effort, spearheaded by the tribal coalition and supported by Representative Raul Grijalva and Senator Krysten Sinema, is a continuation of efforts to provide permanent protection from new uranium mining on over 1 million acres of land surrounding Grand Canyon National Park.

In addition to the meetings with the coalition and local stakeholders, the Secretary held separate informal meet and greets with staff from the Horace Albright Training Center and Grand Canyon National Park. Members of the park leadership team also had the opportunity to talk to her about our big infrastructure projects (trans-canyon waterline) and provide an aerial tour for she and Rep Grijalva of the area and proposed boundaries of the new national monument. Thanks to all the staff who helped support the Secretary’s visit and who came out to meet her on Saturday afternoon!

Sedona Arts Center — ¡Qué Hermoso! Closing Lecture Rescheduled to May 31

Culturally rich and chaotic, El Metro is a living entity—a lively and dynamic underground city. Distinctive in character, it offers around the clock sensory stimulation. From bustling food stalls and shops to public art, exhibitions, and impromptu concerts, Mexico City’s subway system facilitates conscious and subconscious emotive bonds and attachments. Since its inauguration in 1969, El Metro’s scenography continues to celebrate Mexico’s modernity and antiquity through architecture and art, particularly its stylized wayfinding signage¾an unforgettable graphic signature that continues more than a half century later.

City of Flagstaff plans critical infrastructure upgrades to reduce city’s carbon footprint

The City of Flagstaff has contracted with energy and sustainable solutions provider NORESCO through a competitive process, to implement a new decarbonization, energy and water efficiency program through an energy performance contract (EPC). The $4.4 million project will provide $6.1 million in guaranteed savings and will enable critical infrastructure upgrades while accelerating progress on the city’s Climate Neutrality Plan.

Coconino County Provides Successful Test Platform for SpaceX Starlink Mobile Units

Coconino County continues to lead the effort in connecting students with SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet across Northern Arizona, including multiple tribal communities within the region, and now on school buses.

With continued focus on education, Coconino County collaborated with Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) and Page Unified School District (PUSD) to identify and select routes with an emphasis on connecting students who must ride the bus more than one hour to and from school. SpaceX provided Coconino County with two of their Flat High Performance Starlink kits that are installed on the buses, enabling students to stay connected and complete homework during their transit.

District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — April/May 2023 District 1 Newsletter

Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Schultz Creek/Pipeline West – Flagstaff May 8th
Community Meeting
Mt. Elden Estates Community Meeting
Ft. Valley Rd/Baderville Community Meeting
County and Flagstaff Host a Thank You for DFFM,
DEMA, and FEMA for State Funding to Assist in
Flood Mitigation
Flagstaff Ranger District Cancels its Proposals for
Commercial Outfitter and Guide Services
Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of
State Adrian Fontes Visit Coconino County
2023 Coconino County Teacher of the Year
Mountain Line: It’s Electrifying
Every Day is Earth Day
Opioid Crisis Settlement
Know Your Evacuation Zone
Tuba City Election Office Renamed the Alta
Edison Native American Outreach Center
County Declares May 11, 2023, as” Carol Dykes
Day”
Miss Cleo’s Tea Party. A Southside Community
Tradition
Community Events and Resources

Recycling drop-off bins reopened at the City of Flagstaff Recycling Transfer Facility

Effective Thursday, May 18, the recycling drop-off bins at the City of Flagstaff Recycling Transfer Facility (located at 1800 E Butler Ave) have been reopened. Drop off bins are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and will be closed on Saturday and Sunday until further staffing and operational plans can be developed and implemented. The bins will also be unavailable on Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.

City of Flagstaff Call-to-Artists for 3D Artwork at Murdoch Center-Southside Park

The City of Flagstaff is seeking applications from qualified artists to create 3D Artwork at a new park adjacent to the Southside’s historic Murdoch Center. The Murdoch Community Center is a Black Heritage site and is located in the heart of downtown Flagstaff within the Southside neighborhood, a racially diverse community. The building was constructed on the site of the Dunbar School, which was built in 1926 after the state legislature mandated racial segregation. Presently the Murdoch Community Center is an inter-generational and multicultural center. The proposed 3D art will be located at the new city park, which is adjacent to the Murdoch Center.

Discover Flagstaff — Discover spring events with Flagstaff 365

Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. “Flag Happs” is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights of the week.

Notice of Public Hearing Regarding Board Proposal to Incur Long-Term Debt

In June, The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will be considering a long-term debt proposal in Coconino County.

The long-term debt will be used to finance the costs of road, transportation, and public safety projects in and for the County, acquisition of equipment, land and buildings, and construction, maintenance and improvements to County facilities, properties, and infrastructure.

The total estimated financing cost will be $89.9 million consisting of an estimated principal amount of $80 million and total estimated interest of $9.9 million. 

New Rec on Wheels Program Brings Play and Fun to Rural Coconino County Communities

Coconino County Parks and Recreation (CCPR) and Health and Human Services (CCHHS) have teamed up to provide Rec on Wheels, a new program that brings recreation opportunities, especially for youth, to the rural and outlying communities in Coconino County.

Events are free to the public and include games, drop-in programming, and even movies. 

Coconino County is the second largest county by landmass in the United States and covers diverse landscapes, regions, and cultures. Rec on Wheels helps connect the distant regions of our county to recreation resources that provide fun, outdoor play, and promote health and wellness. 

North Rim to reopen June 2 with limited services available

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled, on June 2, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. A landslide from winter storms destroyed more than 300 feet of the North Rim water pipeline.

The Literacy Center — Thank you to all who donated, participated, and attended the 26th Annual Mountain Spelling Bee!

The Spelling Bee was a success

We could not have had such a successful event without all of you who participated! Congratulations to The Nerdettes: The Cat in the Hat Comes Back for their win! And congratulations to the Mead Hall Marauders for winning the spirit award!

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Communications Issue #29: Quality Healthcare that Fits the Community’s Needs

The concerns that F3 continues to raise with regards to the NAH proposal to relocate the hospital relate directly to providing quality health care that benefits Flagstaff residents as well as the Region.

NAH continues to state that a new greenfield hospital is what’s best for Flagstaff and that a new hospital is needed in order to recruit and retain good doctors. These are questionable statements. While every doctor would like to work in a shiny new building, there are many hundreds of thousands who do not. In fact, many of these doctors work at the highest-rated hospitals in the US that are located in dense cities, such as Johns Hopkins and Mass General. Older hospitals in dense cities cannot always be moved miles away and rebuilt. Instead they are renovated or rebuilt in the same place. 

Sedona Arts Center — FREE LECTURE MAY 17 – Special Exhibition Gallery

View this email in your browser In Our Special Exhibitions Gallery ¡Qué Hermoso! A Special Exhibition NOW Showing Through May 31, 2023! Celebrating Latinx cultural identity and traditions Sedona Arts Center presents, ¡Qué Hermoso! a special exhibition (now showing through May 31!)…

May at the Museum of Northern Arizona

This week Museum members came to see the new Designed to Move exhibition, and I had the joy of watching their delight. In stunning photographs by Taylor James, seeds are enlarged and lustrous. Poppy seeds resemble bumpy planets. The fluff on willow and clematis seeds glows. One young boy shook a seedpod and exclaimed “Dad, it’s nature’s music!”

Indeed, this exhibition reveals the music, art, and engineering within these essential but often overlooked parts of our world. It’s a revelation, and a reminder of how easy it is to take for granted things that enrich our lives.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — May 8-12, 2023

This week, prescribed fire treatments began on the Grapevine segment, approximately 0.5 miles south of the Duck on a Rock Overlook along Highway 64 (Desert View Drive). The Grapevine project area totals 865 acres and is bound by the Kaibab National Forest’s boundary to the south and the E4/Long Jim Canyon Road to the north. Following completion of the Grapevine project, crews will initiate ignitions on the Lonetree project area, totaling approximately 926 acres. Ignitions may be complete as early as Friday, May 12, but may be extended through the weekend based on favorable weather conditions. A map of the project areas can be found here.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Booming BioScience Sector

The biosciences continue to be one of the most dynamic sectors in our state’s economy, and northern Arizona had many highlights to share in the latest Arizona Bioscience Roadmap progress report.

The roadmap is a long-term strategic plan originally commissioned by the Flinn Foundation in 2002 and updated in 2014 with the goal of Arizona becoming globally competitive and a national leader in select areas of the biosciences by 2025.

In fields such as precision medicine, neuroscience, bioengineering, agricultural biotechnology and more, Arizona has become globally competitive because of its deep talent base, the ability to turn research and discoveries into commercial products, and the critical mass of entrepreneurship to turn those products into enterprises.

Flood Control District and Coconino National Forest to Begin Schultz Creek Watershed Restoration

The Coconino County Flood Control District and the Coconino National Forest will begin the first phase of watershed restoration project in Schultz Creek this spring.

This watershed restoration project is an effort to respond to post-fire flooding caused by the 2022 Pipeline Fire, which damaged the Schultz Creek watershed, dramatically increasing levels of flow and erosion in Schultz Creek, which overwhelmed downstream stormwater infrastructure in the City of Flagstaff. The Coconino County Flood Control District (the District) will begin the project the week of May 22, and the first phase of construction is expected to run through June.

The NAU Review — Grad becomes advocacy leader, scouts cook at NAU, a circuitous journey to graduation, extraterrestrial geology, Grad excited for medical school and elevating excellence

Jessica Muniz was inspired by her upbringing to pursue a career allowing her to help others. From immigrating to the U.S. at the age of five to organizing awareness fairs for the LGBTQ+ community, Muniz learned that having access to all types of resources can make a significant impact on someone’s life. Now, Muniz is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work and pursue a master’s at Arizona State University.