It’s been an interesting week for educators nationwide as they look for the safest ways to implement back to school plans for their students.
That planning has been complicated by a daily tug-of-war between the White House administration, which is pushing for “fully” opened schools, and local health and education officials who are mostly pursuing hybrid plans that blend in-person with remote or digital learning.
The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for an extended closure of the Fourth Street bridge over Interstate 40 from 8 p.m. Friday, July 17, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, as work continues on the bridge replacement project.
Pedestrians, bicyclists and emergency vehicles will have access across Fourth Street during the 17-day closure.
During the extended closure of Fourth Street, the following traffic restrictions on I-40 also will be in place:
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) have partnered to create a new COVID Aware Enhanced Food Handler’s Certification for the local food-service industry.
The CCHHS Enhanced Food Handler’s Certification represents the most current health guidance directly related to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in a food-service establishment.
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS), in collaboration with Canyonlands Healthcare and other community partners, will offer COVID-19 Testing Site in Page, AZ on Friday, July 17 from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. The testing site will be located at Page High School, 434 S Lake Powell Blvd, Page, AZ.
Early voting for the August 4, 2020 Primary Election started Wednesday, July 8. The Coconino County Elections office mailed out over 44,600 early ballots to voters on the permanent early voting list (PEVL) and those who have requested a single election early ballot for the Primary Election.
Coconino County Recorder Patty Hansen urges all Coconino County registered voters to request an early ballot be mailed to them, or to vote early in person at one of the early voting locations.
CCC&Y’s Webinar Part B Historical Trauma now available by clicking here.
In Part B, culturalist and historic trauma specialist Iya Affo takes us deeper into the impact historical trauma has on so many of our community members. A topic that is not always openly discussed and well understood in mainstream society, historic trauma is often not considered when designing helping programs, systems or overall prevention programming and worse when placing judgements against groups of people.
Prior to the Nov. 3, 2020 election, each household with a registered voter will receive an informational pamphlet that includes arguments for and against proposed questions that have a local impact. Any person interested in submitting an argument is required to do so before August 5, 2020.
The questions are as follows:
Coconino County Parks & Recreation is now accepting registrations for the Outdoor Adventure Summer Day Camp. Activities for this year’s camp include archery, group games, hiking, arts and crafts, and a field trip to Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course.
Due to COVID-19, staff made some changes to camp this year, including:
· Camp will operate Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
· Camp will not operate with fewer than 10 participants and no more than 15.
· There will be fewer field trips this year, with most activities occurring at Fort Tuthill
County Park.
Check out CocoRec for a complete list of camp COVID-19 policies and to register by July 10
We are adding two small corrections to the links for the Southside Plan and related public hearings.
Southside Plan
After several years of community participation, the Southside Community Plan, which will define how the Southside will develop for years to come, is almost ready for adoption. Go to www.flagstaff.az.gov/southsideplan [updated] to read.
To participate in the public forum, please visit:
https://www.opentownhall.com/9105
COVID-19 case numbers in Coconino County have reached almost 1800 cases and are increasing. The County’s highest weekly positive case count was reported last week at 276 positive cases. Coconino County officials remind residents and tourists of the importance of following best practices to slow the spread of COVID-19 including wearing a face covering.
Best practices to slow the spread of COVID-19 include wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance of at least six feet from others, staying home as much as possible, remaining home if ill, and frequently washing hands and sanitizing surfaces.
As the Independence Day weekend approaches, Coconino County reminds residents and visitors that the use of fireworks is prohibited by current fire restrictions issued by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors.
It’s been more than a month since our last bulletin on how coronavirus is affecting the regional economic landscape. Since that time, we’ve gone from cautious reopening to reversals as COVID-19 cases spiked in Arizona. Here’s the latest:
#1. Governor Doug Ducey hits the ‘rewind’ button on reopening with select business closures until at least July 27. Back in early May, the governor accelerated the state’s reopening, citing positive trends in coronavirus infection rates. By mid-May, the statewide stay-at-home order expired and within days of that, cases of COVID-19 began to spike.
CCC&Y has agreed to partner with Heal Historical Trauma to become a historical trauma certified agency, which will include providing training to the non-profit organization during a full day level-one certification program.
“The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth is one of few organizations ready to declare their commitment to serving communities of color with such vigor and determination. It is with extreme pride and excitement that I welcome our partnership as we work as one to create a world filled with love and equity that honors diversity and embraces all colors, shades, races, ethnicities, levels of ability and gender fluidity,” said Iya Affo, founder of Heal Historic Trauma.
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
Coconino County Offices closed in honor of Independence Day
Coconino County Calls on All to Wear Face Coverings
Coconino County Emergency Fire Ban includes fireworks
DDD Virtual Town Hall Meeting
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
New COVID-19 Weekly Report Available
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
Coconino County families and individuals struggling to pay their utility and/or rental/mortgage bills may qualify for assistance from Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS).
The CCHHS Office of Community and Career Services, a Community Action Agency, administers a Utility Assistance Program called the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as a Rental/Mortgage Assistance Program to help County residents.
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
The Flagstaff City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget at their meeting on June 16, 2020, which includes plans to fully fund the city public safety pensions plans. The city has entered into contracts for the issuance of Certificates of Participation debt to address the city’s unfunded pension liability.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors adopted the Fiscal Year 2021 budget during its public meeting on June 23. The budget, effective July 1, focuses on service delivery and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and responsible financial planning in light of declining revenue.
“The Board of Supervisors spent considerable time over this year weighing priorities and deliberating this year’s budget,” said Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Coconino County is financially strained from a dramatic loss in state and local sales tax as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County has demonstrated great fiscal responsibility in this budget to meet the service needs of our community during these challenging times.”
All Coconino County offices will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.
While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Friday, July 3, records will remain open with limited staff from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please dial 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.
City of Flagstaff administrative functions will be closed Friday, July 3 in honor of Independence Day. The administrative functions of the city will re-open Monday, July 6, 2020.
New Bilingual Statewide Program Accessible via 2-1-1 Arizona
In partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and made possible by Federal Emergency Management Agency Grant funding, Crisis Response Network (CRN) announces that the new Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling Program was launched on June 22, 2020, to provide 100% free and confidential support and connections to resources for Arizona residents impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Accessible via CRN’s existing 2-1-1 statewide information and referral phone number, the Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling Program is a bilingual (English and Spanish), federally-funded program that will connect callers to crisis counseling providers in their area throughout the state of Arizona.
Coconino County District 3 Supervisor, Matt Ryan was elected as Chair of the Rural Transportation Advocacy Council (RTAC). RTAC is a coalition of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and Council of Governments (COG) from Arizona’s thirteen rural Counties. MPO’s and COG’s advocate for transportation policy at the State and Federal level.
The Director’s Office of Community Engagement (OCE) at the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) continues to successfully engage with our community partners throughout our programmatic divisions. In continuing this effort, this event will provide the most recent updates from DES’ Senior Leadership about the success of the Virtual Office model across the agency. It will also provide an opportunity to bring information to our statewide Community Partners regarding DES’ efforts to serve Arizonans in a Virtual Environment, how it is tracking the staff productivity, and the importance of this model. During this virtual session, our Director will be sharing his vision of consistent dialogue and a call to action.
Coconino County health officials announced upcoming closures to the Fort Tuthill specimen collection site.
The site, located at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The specimen collection site will also be closed on Thursday, July 2 due to activities scheduled at the park.
Flagstaff’s dining establishments quite literally give “flavor” to our community. They play important roles as employers and are vital not only to our tourism sector, but as a part of the everyday quality of life we enjoy here as residents.
That’s evident by the loyalty our community and local leaders have shown to restaurants during COVID-19. You could find long lines for takeout at many establishments and increased requests for deliveries.
But even with that support, the road to recovery for this sector has been, as one restaurateur put it, “slow and stressful.”
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
New COVID-19 Weekly Report Available
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
COVID-19 Testing Information
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
Flagstaff art, science, faith, education, and culture organizations sign a pledge affirming their commitment to the health and safety of patrons, staff, visitors, and residents during the coronavirus pandemic. The pledge is a result of a taskforce spearheaded by leaders from Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, City of Flagstaff, Kinney Construction Services, and Flagstaff Arts Council. The pledge, an introductory video, and a list of supporting organizations is available here.
The 2020 Museum Flood Preparedness and Mitigation Guide is being mailed to Museum Flood area property owners and residents this week.
Created by the Coconino County Flood Control District and the City of Flagstaff, the Guide contains important information about safety and preparedness during the coming monsoon season in the Museum Flood area.
Staffing limitations due to the ongoing public health emergency are resulting in delays to some Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division customer service operations.
Some customers have contacted MVD worried that registration tabs have taken longer than expected to be sent via the U.S. Mail. Even if there is such a delay, once a first-time registration or a renewal has been paid, the customer’s accurate status is updated to the MVD database accessible to law enforcement. Customers may also wish to keep their receipts after making payment.
Coconino County issued a proclamation last evening on June 19 requiring residents and visitors to wear a face covering when not able to physical distance themselves from other persons. The proclamation, effective on Saturday, June 20 at noon, applies to all private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County. The County proclamation does not affect areas within cities or towns in the County or on federal, state or tribal lands.
“Wearing a face covering when around others is one of the single most effective ways to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said Coconino County Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Each of us can help to prevent COVID-19 transmission by wearing a face covering when we cannot physically distance from others. Please do your part and model best practices by putting on your face covering when you are out in public and around other people. This is one thing we can do to take care of ourselves and neighbors.”
FLAGSTAFF — Nearly 100 people attended the Flagstaff’s historic Black Community’s 65th Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration on FACEBOOK LIVE! on Saturday, June 20. The event, hosted by Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans, Bernadine Lewis, Khara House, Ricardo Guthrie and Shawn Johnson, was presented by the Coconino County African American Council, in partnership with Flagstaff’s Southside Community Association.
A 20-minute Juneteenth video featuring highlights from past celebrations is available on the Coconino County YouTube page at https://youtu.be/8YMpOcSEjoo
The Flagstaff City Mayor, Coral Evans has updated the Emergency Proclamation issued March 16 to include the requirement to wear face coverings in public places where social distancing is not possible. This proclamation is effective starting June 20, 2020 at 8 p.m. and will continue until further notice, unless repealed or revised by the Mayor or authority is preempted by the Governor of the State of Arizona under paragraph 7 of his Executive Order 2020-40.
Join in a virtual Juneteenth 2020 Celebration on Saturday, June 20th at 2pm hosted by the Southside Community Association and the Coconino County African-American Advisory Council. We may be physical distanced, but we are connected for equality, liberty and justice for all!
To learn more about this important holiday, click the video below.
Since 2007 Coconino County has been assisting eligible county residents with itsBasic Business Empowerment (BBE) training (www.coconino.az.gov/bbe) and Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grants (www.coconino.az.gov/ida) opportunity. The 9-week, summer 2020 BBE training (session 2) is scheduled to be held 6-9pm, Tuesdays, Aug. 4th through Sept. 29thonly online via a 9-week Zoom Web-based video conferencing format. Coconino County currently contracts facilitation for its BBE training from the Coconino Small Business Development Center which provides additional resources for our BBE participants.
A recent report from Save the Children further proves how location can profoundly affect a child’s prospects in this country, and why it is vital that we continue to Step Up for Our Youth in northern Arizona.
The report, called “The Land of Inopportunity,” is a part of the nonprofit’s annual evaluation of how children are faring around the globe. This year, however, Save the Children added a powerful tool that allows regions to see how they measure up – an online interactive map ranking U.S. counties by how well they prioritized and protect children.
The ranking is determined by four factors that “end” childhood: poor education, malnutrition, teenage pregnancy and early death due to ill health, accident, murder or suicide.
CDC recently updated many of the guidance documents available on their website. These can be accessed on the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) guidance webpage: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2374/Guidance
COCONINO COUNTY — The following statement regarding the death of George Floyd can be attributed to Sandra Diehl, Coconino County Public Defender and Erika Arlington, Coconino County Legal Defender.
“A police officer killed George Floyd. That officer was the spear tip of the American Criminal Justice System. It is easy to say that police brutality has no place in this system. But when a system authorizes law enforcement to use lethal violence against the people over $20 or cigarettes or a toy gun or while they’re asleep in their beds, it is incumbent on those working within that system to examine how their own actions propel the inexorable grind of the machinery of justice. When people of color talk about “systemic racism” they are not just talking about police violence. They are talking about the courts too. Mass incarceration and mass disenfranchisement require prosecutors, judges, and lawyers, including public defenders.
Read the entire media release HERE
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
Coconino Community College is continuing to award funds to qualified students from the federal CARES Act stimulus package.
About $100,000 is being awarded to qualifying students for the summer semester.
In This Newsletter:
A Note from Supervisor Archuleta
Quote of the Day
Coconino County Sheriff Orders Evacuation of Jacob Lake
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
New COVID-19 Weekly Report Available
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
COVID-19 Testing Information
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
The COVID-19 Specimen Collection Site in Fredonia, AZ scheduled for Monday, June 15 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. has been cancelled due to the Mangum Fire.
The fire is burning west of the Jacob Lake area and grew to over 10,000 acres Friday. Coconino County Health and Human Services will work to reschedule testing in Fredonia once the fire is contained.
All playgrounds, basketball courts, ramadas (including picnic tables and barbecue grills), and restroom facilities managed by Coconino County Parks & Recreation remain closed at this time.
We encourage you to engage in responsible physical and social distancing when recreating outdoors. Parks, natural areas, and trails managed by Coconino County are open for public enjoyment; this excludes Louise Yellowman County Park.
The Coconino County Health and Human Services has issued a new weekly report entitled COVID-19 Coconino County Weekly Update.
The report, which includes a COVID-19 situation summary, key takeaways, demographic and geographic information, hospitalizations and testing data related to Coconino County residents, is updated each Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.
The DLR Group will be holding a virtual meeting to collect information from the community regarding the design & building of our new Killip Elementary School and Community Learning Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
Coconino County enacts Stage Two Fire Restrictions
Take precautions to protect yourself from wildfire smoke
CCC to Host “Virtual” Fourth of July Parade
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
New COVID-19 Weekly Report Available
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
COVID-19 Testing Information
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors voted today to enact Stage Two Fire Restrictions effective immediately.
The ordinance applies to private lands in unincorporated areas, which are private lands outside of cities and towns.
The Board enacted a campfire ban in late April to protect the health and safety of firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic and reduce the impact of poor air quality on those suffering from or at risk of COVID-19.
Evacuations in the Jacob Lake area due to Mangum Fire burning on the Grand Canyon North Rim.
Evacuations in the Jacob Lake area began due to the Mangum Fire Burning on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office along with the United States Forest Service Personnel began evacuations of the Jacob Lake Area, to include the Jacob Lake Inn and Campgrounds to the north and south of the Inn at the Junction of Hwy 89a and Hwy 67, after Forest Service officials deemed the Mangum Fire had reached a point where it became a threat to residents and Visitor safety.
Coconino County health officials are encouraging individuals to take precautions to protect themselves from health effects of wildfire smoke from the Mangum Fire.
The fire is burning approximately 9 miles southwest of Jacob Lake and 16 miles north of the boundary with the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Smoke is visible from both the north and south rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Jacob Lake, Highway 67, Highway 89A, Fredonia, Kanab and Page.
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
County Officials Respond to the Death of George Floyd, Public Protests
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
New COVID-19 Weekly Report Available
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
COVID-19 Testing Information
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
Dear Supporter of Art, Science, and Culture,
As you may know, funding for the arts in Arizona is in jeopardy. Without action, the Arizona Commission on the Arts will lose the majority of its funding this year. We are asking Governor Doug Ducey to allocate funding from the State’s CARES Act funding. The artists of Arizona are changemakers and the Commission has been doing amazing work over the past several years to advance cultural equity and to ensure that the voices of artists of color are supported.
Our executive director sent the this letter to Governor Ducey in response to the defunding of Arizona Commission on the Arts and in support of Arizona Citizens for the Arts’ request to allocate money from the State’s CARES Act funding.
We are also asking our supporters to take action to let Governor Ducey know Arizonans believe funding for the arts in Arizona is vital to our states well being.
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
New COVID-19 Weekly Report Available
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
PBS Kids: Talking to Children Authentically About Race and Racism
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
Historical trauma impacts so many of our community members and it is a topic that is not always openly discussed and well understood in mainstream society. Further, it is often not considered when designing helping programs, systems or overall prevention programming and worse when placing judgements against groups of people.
Each culture, each individual has their own story to tell, their own traditions, spiritual and cultural practices and so many have had those life components disrupted due to historical events and ongoing injustices.
During a webinar presentation held on June 9, 2020, culturalist and historic trauma specialist Iya Affo provided web viewers a brief overview of historic trauma to help inform community members, professionals and leaders about the creation and impacts of these traumas.
Affo is the founder of Heal Historic Trauma and with Phoenix Rising in Residence (AZ).
This Week’s Virtual Highlights
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
Dear friends of Flagstaff’s future,
The work of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is directed toward achieving a
“sustainable, just, and thriving community.” But until people of color, indigenous
people, and undocumented people in our community know they are safe,
protected, and valued, we will fall short of this goal.
The death of George Floyd makes it clear that it is not enough to condemn
racism. And it is not enough to condemn police violence and the many crushing
forms that discrimination takes. We must hold ourselves accountable for what
happens to people of color, native peoples, and undocumented people in our
community. And we must pay attention to all the ways in which discrimination has
taken hold and all the ways it plays out in the life of our community.
Friends of Flagstaff’s Future commits itself to participating in meaningful change
to dismantle racism in our community. As we monitor issues related to
development, planning, land and resource use, and the local economy, we will
listen closely to the guidance given by people of color, native peoples, and
members of our immigrant community. Now, more than ever, we will ensure that
justice and equity—and the dismantling of the legacy of racism and white
supremacy—is an orienting principle of our organization.
Racism is a pandemic. Each of us can be an antidote, counteracting the poison
of racism. True sustainability and community vitality depend on it.
Let’s create the change we want to be and push for better conditions for all!
The Board of Friends of Flagstaff’s Future
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
Coconino County Fair modified due to COVID-19
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
Coconino County Parks and Recreation is modifying the 71st Coconino County Fair due to COVID-19 concerns.
This decision was reached after months of deliberation, research and consultation with local health officials and the Board of Supervisors. Several county fairs in Arizona have cancelled their events this year due to COVID-19 safety concerns.
During the June 2 meeting, the Board of Supervisors supported a modified event that will incorporate measures to focus on 4-H youth member exhibits, the livestock auction, and online or virtual ways to engage the community in lieu of an in-person event at Fort Tuthill County Park. The safety and health of attendees, exhibitors and staff are very important to the County, as is continued support to area youth with their 4-H and livestock projects.
For many of us, COVID-19 has intensely altered and distorted our lives in contrast to our usual safety net of how we view and live in this world. Besides the terrible impact of this illness on friends and loved ones, the loss of income and constant worry about today, tomorrow, and the future keeps many people frozen in time. Without the emotional and financial support to move forward and make decisions about life, this fear of the unknown is causing anxiety to a level never before experienced by many people.
And yet, as I watch the civil unrest continuing to grow throughout our nation, I am sadly reminded once again of how many of our friends and neighbors (close by, throughout the nation, and throughout the world) have always lived with and continue to live with fear of the unknown. Now, more than ever, that sense of community that is at the heart of the community college mission is important for students, co-workers, friends and neighbors throughout our great country. It is through community that we listen, learn, and seek to understand. It is through community that we demonstrate our support and care for others. And it is through community that we can overcome those fears and accomplish our dreams for a vibrant future.
The Coconino County Flood Control District (FCD) and the City of Flagstaff are helping Museum Flood area residents prepare for the 2020 monsoon season by placing pallets of new sandbags throughout the neighborhoods, which residents can use to repair their sandbag walls.The sandbag placement will run through June 17, 2020.
From NAU students and others protesting around Flagstaff, to statements from officials condemning the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the nationwide/worldwide protests this past week.
The Northern Arizona community has also come out to make their voices heard.
Send an email to fmoraga@amigosnaz.com to make your voice heard.
