Category: Business

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The ECoNA Q&A: Dave Cheney

Dave Cheney is CEO & President at Northern Arizona Healthcare, leading Flagstaff Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, primary care and specialty clinics throughout Northern Arizona. Prior to joining NAH, Dave served as President and CEO of Sutter Hospitals. He led six area CEOs and oversaw the 24 hospitals within the Sutter Health System, following his tenure as CEO of Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. 

Cheney is a member of the ECoNA Board. Below is an excerpt from our recent interview with him. You can see the full interview here.

Coconino County Parks & Recreation September 2024 Update

Join us to celebrate 75 years of the Coconino County Fair! Get excited for fun rides, delicious fair food, awesome exhibits, animals, entertainment, fun, and memories!

Join us Friday, August 30 to Monday, September 2, at the Fort Tuthill County Fairgrounds!

Entertainment Headliners Friday, 8:00: The Outlaw Mariachi Saturday, 8:00: RaeLynn
Sunday, 8:00: La Brazza Norteña Monday, 2:00: Sonoran Dogs

Havasupai Canyon Flood Recovery Effort

***

By the Havasupai Tribe

GRAND CANYON — Many of you have asked how you can assist the Havasupai Tribe following the effects of last week’s flash flood. The Tribe is so appreciative of the generosity of so many people.

Grand Canyon Caverns Inn can accept donations at any time.

Our focus is on rebuilding and repairing our community and providing supplies for our tribal members.

We thank you in advance for your donation.

Here is a link to the Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3B3UA7JCYD75G…

Grand Canyon National Park to Temporarily Close Overnight Hotel Accommodations Beginning Aug. 29 

GRAND CANYON, AZ.—Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim starting the afternoon of Thursday, August 29, due to a series of four significant breaks in the 12½ mile-long Transcanyon Waterline that supplies water from the canyon for use in the park. Since July 8, the park has faced challenges with water supply, and currently, no water is being pumped to either the South or North Rim. 

Old Route 66 to be Closed Between Cool Pines and Sherwood Forest Roads During Culvert Construction

Starting Monday, August 26, Old Route 66 will be closed for up to 65 days between N. Cool Pines Road and N. Sherwood Forest Road to reconstruct the box culvert. During this period all traffic will be detoured along E. Pittman Valley Road. 

Supervisor Patrice Horstman — District 1 Summer Newsletter 2024!

IN THIS ISSUE

Hello from Supervisor Horstman
New Coconino County Leadership
BOS Approves 2025 Budget
BOS Canvassed 2024 Primary Election Results
Pipeline / Copeland / Peaceful Way / Government Tank – Flood Control District Update
Pinyon Mine Is Hauling Uranium Ore
Proposition 482 Sustains County Services
Lake Mary Recreation Corridor Just Gets Better
Flagstaff Family Food Center Hosts 2024 Northern Arizona Anti-Hunger Summit
BOS Continues its Leadership at National Association of Counties Conference
Summer Events / Festivities
Upcoming Events

The NAU Review — Welcome back, Lumberjacks! Highlights from move-in, meet the new ASNAU president and don’t miss the welcome back BBQ

LumberSNAPS: Return of the Jacks

The new academic year is already off to an axe-citing start! Last week, the Flagstaff mountain campus buzzed with fresh energy as new students moved into residence halls, gathered at welcome events like Lumberjack Launch and donned matching T-shirts for the annual NAU letters portrait. More beginning-of-the-year fun is ahead this week, including the start of classes, the first football game of the season and the Running of the Freshmen, a beloved Lumberjack tradition.

New rates for water, sewer, and reclaimed water take effect Sept. 1, 2024

FLAGSTAFF —New rates and fees for potable water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services will take effect Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024 for Flagstaff City customers. The 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.  

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) F3 Opposes the Pinyon Plain Mine

F3 supports the sovereignty of indigenous tribes and peoples and believes the wishes of Indigenous peoples to close the Pinyon Plain Mine should be honored.

The Havasupai tribe have stated that uranium mining near the Grand Canyon poses real dangers to groundwater in the region. There is a risk of contamination of the ecologically important seeps and springs in the Grand Canyon area, including the Havasupai sole source of water. F3 supports Attorney General Mayes’ demand for an updated Environmental Impact Statement.

F3 also supports the Navajo and Hopi tribes in their efforts to stop the hauling of uranium ore through tribal lands.

BLM seeks nominations for Advisory Committee for Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument

PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for the recruitment of 15 members to serve on the newly established Monument Advisory Committee for the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The committee will provide information and advice to the BLM and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service on the management of the Monument. The 45-day nomination period closes Oct. 4, 2024.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland recently signed the charter establishing the Monument Advisory Committee in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10606.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Aug. 19-23, 2024

Water Conservation and Inner Canyon Water Status

Due to a break in the Transcanyon Waterline, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is implementing stricter water restrictions and conservation measures. The North Rim will also begin preliminary conservation efforts. The park will remain in conservation mode until repairs are completed and water levels at storage tanks are restored.

Old Route 66 to be Closed Between Cool Pines and Sherwood Forest Roads During Culvert Construction

Coconino County’s contractor is mobilizing to break ground next week on a project to replace the existing Volunteer Wash box culvert on Old Route 66.

Starting Monday, August 26, Old Route 66 will be closed for up to 65 days between N. Cool Pines Road and N. Sherwood Forest Road to reconstruct the box culvert. During this period all traffic will be detoured along E. Pittman Valley Road. 

City of Flagstaff’s Lucky Lane Reconstruction Project to begin week of Sept. 23

FLAGSTAFF — As part of the annual Road Repair and Street Safety Program, the City and its contractor, C & E Paving and Grading, will be reconstructing Lucky Lane between Butler Avenue and Bronco Way. The project will begin the week of September 23 and is scheduled to be complete by late November. The work will include the removal and replacement of the asphalt pavement, sidewalk repairs and replacements, and curb replacement and installation.

2024 Housing Forum brings community ‘Home’ to build an Arizona for everyone

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), will host the annual Arizona Housing Forum at the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell, AZ from August 21-23, bringing together hundreds of affordable housing and homelessness stakeholders committed to building an Arizona for everyone.

The 2024 Arizona Housing Forum provides an unparalleled opportunity for affordable housing and community development professionals to learn, network, and share ideas that create and improve housing and community development choices in Arizona.

“The Arizona Housing Forum is an important event for the state and all our community housing partners as we look for smart solutions to our housing needs,” said ADOH CEO Joan Serviss. “Coming together to share ideas, successes, and challenges and to learn from each other creates the bridge that gets us to those affordable solutions.”

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Evolving Retail Sector in Northern Arizona

Good afternoon,

At first glance, it’s felt like a cruel summer for northern Arizona’s retail sector, with a string of announcements about store and restaurant closings. Often they were places that had been staples of the community for years: Big Lots, Kachina Kitchen, Peter Piper Pizza, Grimaldi’s.

While those businesses will certainly be missed, their closings don’t tell the whole story of the retail landscape in our region.

When a retail business closes, it often creates opportunities for new businesses to emerge, a life cycle that’s a part of how this sector evolves.

Throughout northern Arizona, we’ve had far more retail business launches than closures this year.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Aug. 12-16, 2024

Water conservation measures reimplemented for South Rim

As of August 13, the South Rim has returned to water restrictions. This is in response to a new pipeline break identified between Cottonwood Campground and Manzanita rest area along the North Kaibab Trail. Water conservation measures require all park residents to conserve and reduce water usage whenever possible.

Discover Flagstaff — Mother Road Classic Car Show, City Hall Parking Lot on Saturday, Aug. 17

The Mother Road Classic is a show for cars, trucks and (new this year) motorcycles. Located in downtown Flagstaff, it celebrates Route 66, and classic, vintage, and performance vehicles. It is a charity event, raising money for Flagstaff charities. 8 a.m.

Learn More

New ranger selected to lead Coconino NF’s Red Rock Ranger District

“I’m so excited to announce that our own Alex Schleuter has been selected as the permanent district ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District,” said Coconino National Forest Supervisor Aaron Mayville. “Most of you have gotten to know Alex as the deputy district ranger, but he has been acting in the lead ranger role for the past six months and has done a stellar job!”

Pipeline Fire closure to lift, allowing motor vehicle access in Schultz Pass area once again

FLAGSTAFF — Several roads located in the Schultz Pass area of the Coconino National Forest’s Flagstaff Ranger District will reopen to motorized vehicles tomorrow following a roughly two-year closure due to the Pipeline Fire.

The temporary trail and road closure order for the Pipeline Fire, which has been in effect since September of 2022, will be lifted at 8 a.m. Friday (Aug. 16).

Gates, barricades and signage posted in the area will be modified and removed to reflect the removal of the closure order.

Annual Neighborhood Sustainability Grant application period open through Sept. 30

FLAGSTAFF —The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Sustainability Commission are pleased to announce the opening of the annual application period for the Neighborhood Sustainability Grants Program, running from Aug. 15 to Sept. 30. The program funds projects that enhance sustainability and foster community partnerships.

Grants of up to $7,500 are available for groups, nonprofits, individuals, and businesses with sustainability-related projects located within Flagstaff city limits. The Sustainability Commission particularly seeks community-centered projects focused on building energy, climate action, food, public health, resilience, transportation, and waste. The review committee will consist of the members of the Flagstaff Sustainability Commission.

Firing operations near wildfire to begin east of Clints Well

CLINTS WELL, Ariz. — Fire managers are preparing to conduct firing operations on several hundred acres of land around the Tango Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire first reported last week and located 8.5 miles northeast of Clints Well.

Fire managers are planning to begin firing operations the morning of Aug. 15 and plan to conclude by the end of Friday in advance of forecasted monsoonal rains.

Smoke will be noticeable to residents of the Happy Jack and Clints Well communities and may also be visible to communities below Mogollon Rim and possibly to motorists along Interstate 17 in the area of Camp Verde.

The NAU Review — Sharing all your pun-tastic jokes! Plus, meet the new SAC president + relive NAU Day at the Diamondbacks

Are bird feeders bad?

It’s complicated. A new study authored by NAU alumnus Andrew Abraham and professor of ecology Chris Doughty found that bird feeders are changing the chemistry of local ecosystems and introducing a potentially harmful amount of phosphorus into the environment. Does this mean putting out bird feeders is always bad? Not necessarily, the researchers say—but it does mean we need a better understanding of how different factors interact to change the

Grand Canyon National Park Initiates Water Conservation Measures

GRAND CANYON, AZ — Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will reimplement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. These water restrictions are in response to a pipeline break along the North Kaibab Trail.

Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms and campgrounds. 

Mandatory water conservation measures include:

SIGN UP for Art Classes & Workshops at the 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!

Mechanical thinning to begin along Snowbowl Road

“These mechanical thinning operations are part of a larger forest-wide initiative to fulfill our local obligations to the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy,” said District Ranger Matt McGrath. “These efforts are just one small part of a greater overall strategy to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and subsequent post-fire flooding in the Flagstaff area.”

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: August 5-9, 2024

Grand Canyon records second driest, second hottest July on record 

The National Weather Service reports July temperatures at Grand Canyon averaged +3.8° warmer than normal, and the precipitation total for the month was only 0.65 inches – that’s a full inch below normal! The period June 1-July 31, 2024 was the hottest on record for most locations across northern Arizona (including Grand Canyon).

During this period of high fire danger, it is important to take proactive measures to reduce the risk of wildfires and ensure the safety of ourselves and our community. 

August at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Dear Museum Friends,

Welcome August! At the Museum this month, we’re warming up for some end-of-summer fun and an awe-inspiring open house. Please join us this week as we rock to the tunes of Black Lemon for our final Thirsty Thursday of the year. Then, take time for our free Easton Collection Center Open House on August 24. The center is an architectural marvel where the Museum cares for and preserves its vast collection of pottery, weavings, paintings, carvings, jewelry, photographs, and much more. Seeing the Journey murals by Hopi artists Michael Kabotie and Delbridge Honanie (detail shown above) is a delightful experience in itself. The annual open house is an opportunity for all to tour the center, engage with our collections staff and curators, and ask questions about the collections.

Whether a first-time visitor or a regular guest to the Museum of Northern Arizona, you’ll be amazed to see and learn something new about the Colorado Plateau. I hope to see you soon.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona

Grand Canyon South Rim Reimplements Water Conservation Measures

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will reimplement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. These water restrictions are in response to a pump failure at Havasupai Gardens.

Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms and campgrounds. 

Mandatory water conservation measures include:

Pedestrian underpass construction to begin; traffic pattern changing

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz – The City of Flagstaff and their contractor, Eagle Mountain Construction, along with the Arizona Department of Transportation, have finished the majority of the work associated with Phase 1 of the Beulah/University Realignment Project. With this work complete, Phase 2 of the project is set to begin. Phase 2 starts with construction of the new pedestrian underpass prior to surface improvements along Milton Road. Additional work includes the reconstruction of a section of University Avenue (future Fresquez Avenue) and Yale Street.

In order to safely install the new pedestrian underpass beneath Milton Road, the existing traffic pattern will shift. This shift will begin on August 19 and last through September 2024. With this shift, the southbound lanes along Milton Road will be detoured to University Avenue (future Fresquez Avenue) and onto the new Beulah Boulevard extension, utilizing the newly constructed roundabout, to Forest Meadows Street. The new Beulah Boulevard extension and roundabout will also be accessible by University Avenue, as shown in the detailed map below. Please note that northbound traffic will be closed along the new Beulah Boulevard extension, as well as northbound traffic on Yale Street. Northbound traffic on Milton Road, including eastbound access to University Drive, will be maintained during this traffic shift.

Large cranes and trucks will also be present to assist in the installation of the pedestrian underpass. Motorists are asked to follow the marked signage, travel at the posted speed limit, and should expect delays when traveling through the project area. Crews will be working extended shifts to expedite this work. Work may occur Monday through Friday, with occasional work on evenings and weekends. Motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists can expect traffic delays, lane closures and detour routes along Milton Road, University Drive and University Avenue until late 2025.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work hard to finish this project. For additional project information, please visit www.beulahuniversityproject.com. To reach a project team member and receive further project information, call the Project Hotline at (928) 255-5153. To receive weekly eNewsletter project updates, email a request to news@beulahuniversityproject.com.

Museum of Northern Arizona — Your gift today opens minds!

“This is the best field trip I’ve ever been on!” exclaimed a third grader who recently visited MNA as she admired the towering Therizinosaur in the museum’s lobby.

Did you know that in 2023, over 2,000 K-12 students visited MNA for free, thanks to generous philanthropic support like yours? A visit to the museum changes your perspective, regardless of your age. Recent visitor surveys tell us that 96% of visitors surveyed report gaining new insights and understandings from their MNA experience!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 29-Aug. 2, 2024

North Rim Native American Heritage Days kicks off this weekend

Heritage Days will take place this Friday, August 2, through Sunday, August 4. Throughout the weekend a variety of programs will be presented by members of Grand Canyon’s Associated Tribes, including music and dance performances, film screenings, discussions about cultural connections to Grand Canyon, and a variety of demonstrations by renowned Indigenous artists.   

Activities will take place daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in and around Grand Canyon Lodge. For more information and the schedule of activities, visit the park’s Heritage Days webpage or see the full event flyer attached here.

The Ceramics Department at Sedona Arts Center

Greetings Potters, Artists, and Friends,

Neil Kennedy is moving!

His last day will be on September 6 at our Celebrate Sedona event from 4 to 6pm at Sedona Arts Center in Uptown Sedona. As many of you know, Neil joined our Sedona Arts Center ceramic department almost 7 years ago. During Neil’s tenure with us, he developed the Tuesday afternoon’s Hand Building and Saturday morning’s Pottery Wheel for Beginners classes. With Neil’s years of ceramic experience and his natural talent as an artist, he has helped build the ceramic department’s programming to what it is today—one of the most active and popular clay schools in northern Arizona.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Northern Arizona Represented at SEMICON West

ECoNA with its municipality partners got a chance to promote northern Arizona to hundreds of semiconductor manufacturers and related businesses during the recent SEMICON West expo in San Francisco.

According to SEMI, the international trade organization that organizes the expo, global sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment are poised to reach $109 billion this year, a new industry record. ECoNA’s 5-year Strategic Plan identifies advanced manufacturing as one of the five sectors the region should pursue for economic development.

Pinyon Plain Mine has begun Hauling Uranium Ore Through Coconino County

Coconino County has been notified by the United States Forest Service that the hauling of uranium ore from Pinyon Plain Mine near Grand Canyon National Park to White Mesa Mill in Utah began this morning.

The haul route begins south on SR 64 to Williams, heads east on Interstate 40 through Flagstaff, then north on US 89 to Tuba City, and then northeast on US 160. A map with the route indicated by the red and purple lines is attached. 

Kaibab National Forest considers new fiber optic line to support rural northern Arizona

FREDONIA — The Kaibab National Forest (KNF) is considering authorization of a new fiber optic line between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, Arizona. The need for high-speed internet connections grows as new technologies require faster and higher-grade services. As such, the USDA Rural Utility Services Reconnect program helps rural utilities expand and keep their technology up to date by increasing bandwidth and communications capabilities. South Central Utah Telephone Association Inc. (a.k.a. SCUTA) is making high-speed internet affordable by participating in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program and is proposing to install buried fiber optic line in rural northern Coconino County.

Full closure of Aspen Ave between Humphreys St and Beaver St scheduled for July 31

FLAGSTAFF — A full closure of Aspen Ave between Humphreys St and Beaver St is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31 so that crews can replace asphalt in the area. Work hours will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and local traffic will be allowed to enter and exit the Residence Inn parking lot. Beaver St will remain open with a single lane closure through the work zone. Through traffic on Aspen Ave will need to detour around the work zone utilizing Humphreys St, Cherry Ave and Leroux St. This work is part of the City’s annual Road Repair and Street Safety (RRSS) program.

Heritage Days Return to the North Rim Friday through Sunday

GRAND CANYON, Ariz — Heritage Days will return to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park Friday, August 2 through Sunday August 4th. Each day, Heritage Days programs and demonstrations will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. throughout the North Rim developed area. A special celebratory kick-off event will occur at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 1 at the North Rim Lodge. Heritage Days provide visitors and staff with the opportunity to experience and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Colorado Plateau, Arizona Strip, and the Grand Canyon area.

City of Flagstaff to lift fire restrictions Friday at 8 a.m.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will lift current fire restrictions and return to Stage 0 fire restrictions on Friday, July 26 at 8 a.m.

Under Stage 0 fire restrictions,

Smoking and use of electronic cigarettes are prohibited in all public places within the City of Flagstaff, including City Parks, Open Spaces, and the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) at all times.

The Grand 75th Annual Coconino County Fair is Fast Approaching

The Fair supports exhibits in agriculture and horticulture, fine arts, home economics, hobbies and collectibles, floriculture, schools, open youth categories, club work, gems and minerals, livestock and small stock. Exhibits are free or low cost to enter, supporting the talents and work of community members and providing opportunities to win prizes. The livestock auction also provides important funding for local farmers, especially young people, including education funding. 

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Camp Verde Embraces a New Era

Camp Verde is a town in transition.

The municipality of about 13,000 residents has changed leadership recently, with Town Manager Miranda Fisher coming on board in late May. Within a few weeks, Fisher promoted Economic Development Director Molly Davies to Deputy Town Manager. Davies, who is a member of the ECoNA Executive Board, will continue her role as ED director until a replacement can be found.

Fisher says that promoting Davies was in line with keeping economic development front and center for the Verde Valley community.

“All departments are vital, but I think in Camp Verde, economic development is one of the most essential, given the town’s desire to grow and increase business retention and recruitment,” Fisher said.

Coconino County Honored Again as 2024 NACo Digital Counties Survey Winner

This is the fifth consecutive year the Coconino County Information Technology Department has placed in the Top 10 counties within the up to 150,000 population category. The County is being recognized for Aligned Leadership, Cybersecurity, Constituent Centric, Data Driven Government, IT Investments, Resilience, Continuous Innovation, Connected Infrastructure, and Business Process Alignment. Some of the accomplishment areas to highlight are the citizen assistance application known as SeeClickFix, Digital Transformation, IT Security, and evacuation map enhancements.

Road repair and maintenance work on Aspen Ave. scheduled for July and August

FLAGSTAFF — Road repair and maintenance work is scheduled to take place on Aspen Ave. in downtown Flagstaff in July and August as part of the City’s annual Road Repair and Street Safety program. Members of the public should expect intermittent traffic impacts during the following time frames: 

New Art Classes & Workshops at the Sedona Arts Center

Our Fall Catalog is here!

Expect our fall catalog of art classes and workshops to arrive in your mailbox within the next week… but in the mean time, you can preview it online at SedonaArtsCenter.org!

Check out our fall lineup and preview what’s in store for 2025!

City of Flagstaff Stormwater Section releases recommendations and resources for upcoming monsoon season

FLAGSTAFF — Each year, the City of Flagstaff Stormwater Section releases up-to-date recommendations and resources on monsoon and flood awareness. With monsoon season upon us, residents are encouraged to review the updated information, which includes the following recommendations:

United Way of Northern Arizona — Can You Help Our Airport Be ‘Operation Ready’? at Pulliam Airport

Every three years, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport stages a full-scale exercise to test responses to an aircraft accident at the airport. This is an event that requires help from the entire community, and involves representatives from the city, county, state, and federal government, private sector and non-government partners and lots of volunteers.

This year’s all-day exercise, called Operation Ready FLG. will take place on Monday, September 9, 2024 and requires about 60 volunteers to portray injured and non-injured passengers of a simulated plane crash and mass casualty incident.

United Way of Northern Arizona is helping to coordinate volunteers for the event.

Downtown Flagstaff — Thirsty Thursday with Colton House Sessions – Chris Brashear and Peter McLaughlin, Museum of Northern Arizona on July 11

Live music from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. by Colton House Sessions — Chris Brashear and Peter McLaughlin — in MNA’s beautiful, historic Courtyard. 5 p.m.

Learn More

City of Flagstaff announces Innovation Grants Awarded to Four Projects that Will Transform Waste to Reduce Wildfire Risk, Lock Away Climate Pollution

A coalition of Western U.S. cities and counties awarded $335,000 to four projects designed to fight climate change and reduce wildfire risks by removing carbon dioxide from the air.

These projects will convert waste, like forest debris, yard scraps, and biosolids into valuable products, with three of the four projects also reducing local wildfire risk.

Lockett Fire operations nearing completion

TUSAYAN — Crews completed planned ignitions around the entire perimeter and in the interior of the Lockett Fire planning area yesterday, bringing the total number of acres treated to 2,782.

Helicopter operations will continue today to locate areas which did not receive fire effects and determine if further isolated ignitions are required. Crews on the perimeter of the planning area will be patrolling to ensure the fire stays within containment lines, and resource advisors will work to identify areas requiring rehabilitation, such as on dozer lines, hand lines, and other areas impacted by firefighter activity to mitigate potential erosion issues in the future. Crews and equipment will be working along forest roads and smoke may cause decreased visibility – drive with caution.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — New Member Drive: It’s Time to Join F-cubed!

Dear Friend of Flagstaff,

A thriving democracy needs organized people and organized funding. When you become a member of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3), you can contribute to both. The F3 Board of Directors invites you to join our local grassroots nonprofit.
 
We are a multi-issue organization whose mission is to achieve a sustainable, just, and thriving Flagstaff through community education, engagement, and advocacy.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to begin July 11 on the North Kaibab Ranger District

FREDONIA — Due to increasing fire danger, Stage 1 Fire and Smoking Restrictions will go into effect beginning 6:00 a.m. Thursday, July 11, 2024 on the North Kaibab Ranger District – all Kaibab National Forest lands north of the Grand Canyon. The North Kaibab received less rain from recent storms than the Williams and Tusayan Districts south of the Grand Canyon, which will not go into restrictions at this time.