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.
August 25, 2024 Water Update: Due to multiple breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline, mandatory water restrictions remain in place.
Your help in conserving water is crucial.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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.
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.
The only all Hopi Arts Festival in Northern Arizona, you don’t want to miss this one day event! 10 a.m.
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.
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.
FLAGSTAFF — The City invites residents to take the Recreation Community Survey to help shape the future of Flagstaff’s recreational programs and facilities. The survey takes approximately six minutes to complete and can be accessed online at bit.ly/flagrecsurvey
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.”
The impact of our Pacesetters – the companies and organizations that fundraise for our annual campaign in the month ahead of our official launch – is truly invaluable.
Their efforts not only lead the way by providing a head start in our fundraising efforts, but they also infuse the campaign with their enthusiasm. Their work generates buzz and builds up anticipation as they rally the community around United Way of Northern Arizona and promote our mission of stepping up for our youth and our community.
If you’ve attended one of our UWNA campaign kickoff events, you know that a big highlight is when the Pacesetters proudly present what they raised, often with oversized novelty checks or other creative displays.
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.
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.
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
“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!”
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.
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.
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.
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, 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:
“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.”
We are using a new platform to deliver our monthly newsletter. QR codes, flyers, social media icons and words that are underlined contain links you can click on for your convenience.
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.
Thirsty Thursday with Black Lemon, Museum of Northern Arizona
Live music by Black Lemon, food, beer, and wine from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. in MNA’s beautiful, historic courtyard. 5 p.m.
Learn More
SEDONA — Several miles of new trails are slated for construction in five different areas of the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District (RRRD) following public feedback given during a lengthy planning process.
“The first phase of this project includes trails that we think every type of user will appreciate,” said acting District Ranger Alex Schlueter. “Whether hiking, biking, or riding a horse, there’s a lot to look forward to.”
Work is planned to begin later this summer near both Cornville and Sedona, including the Bell Rock, Cornville Oak Creek Elementary School, Doe Mesa, Hardline Trail and Schuerman Mountain areas.
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:
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.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff ‘National Night Out’ to be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Bushmaster Park East Parking Lot and Community Ramada at the East Locket and North Thomas Entrance, Flagstaff.
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.
Flagstaff International Film Festival, The Orpheum Theater
Flagstaff International Film Festival (FIFF) is an annual event that celebrates the power of cinema to inspire and entertain. 9:30 a.m
Learn More
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.
Click here for unofficial results from the July 30, 2024 Arizona Primary Elections in Coconino County.
Additional Info…
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.
As we do every two years, F3 is preparing our Flagstaff City Council Candidate Questionnaire. F3’s questionnaire will include up to 10 questions designed to provide insight into the values, knowledge, and opinions of the candidates relevant to their potential positions as future city council members.
COCONINO COUNTY — Let’s prepare for Election Day! The Coconino County Elections Department encourages all voters to make a Plan to Vote in the Primary Election next Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
38 polling locations across the County, with 15 vote centers, will allow voters access to participate in this important democratic process and exercise their right to vote.
It’s a hard knock life—but this beloved family classic will fill your heart with love and joy. Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m
Learn More
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.
FLAGSTAFF — Due to increased precipitation received across the Coconino National Forest, fire restrictions will be lifted at 8 a.m. tomorrow, July 26, 2024.
While forest-wide restrictions have been lifted, several areas of the Coconino National Forest are subject to permanent year-round fire restrictions, which will remain in effect.
Additionally, forest visitors are asked to adhere to best practices while building a campfire. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans or mound fires, and keep fires small. Never leave a campfire unattended. Use at least 6 gallons of water and a shovel to completely extinguish a campfire. Before leaving a campsite, make sure all campfires are dead out, wet and cold to the touch.
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.
Registration is still open for the upcoming year of Elevate PreK, the highly successful initiative that provides free, year-round, high-quality preschool education to 4-year-olds.
The program, developed as part of the LAUNCH Flagstaff initiative at United Way of Northern Arizona, is in its fourth year and will be housed at Evergreen Academy Preschool in Flagstaff.
Designed to provide equitable access to high-quality early education, Elevate PreK is open to 4-year-old children in households that have incomes between 101% and 250% of the federal poverty level.
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.
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.
COCONINO COUNTY — On Nov. 5, 2024, Coconino County will hold an election asking voters to allow Coconino County to permanently adjust its 1979-80 base expenditure by the amount of $7.7 Million.
The additional expenditure authority would be used for County services and programs, including but not limited to law enforcement, road improvements and maintenance, emergency response, and other County services. The ballot question relates only to an adjustment in the base expenditure; it does not involve or result in a tax increase or decrease.
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:
There’s lots to love about NAU in the summertime, from blooming gardens and luscious green grass to countless youth camps and conferences. But in the midst of all these exciting events, don’t forget to experience one of the simplest, most joyful warm weather activities: Swinging in a hammock under the shade of the trees. Here’s our list of favorite places to hang on campus.
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:
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County has seen an increase in hantavirus activity. Three hantavirus cases have been reported in the past 15 months, two of which have died (67% mortality rate). Previously, Coconino County’s last reported hantavirus case occurred in 2016.
Arizona has also been experiencing an increase in hantavirus activity. From January 1 to July 1, 2024, seven human cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) have been confirmed, resulting in three deaths in Arizona.
FLAGSTAFF — Early voting for the July 30, 2024, Primary Election started Wednesday, July 3. The Coconino County Recorder’s Office mailed out over 44,200 early ballots to voters on the active early voting list (AEVL) and those voters that requested a single election early ballot for the Primary Election.
The July 30 Primary Election is a partisan primary, meaning voters on the AEVL who are registered with a recognized political party were mailed an early ballot for the political party indicated on their voter registration form. The recognized political parties in Arizona for the 2024 elections are Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Green and No Labels Party.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Recorder’s Office reminds registered voters that the last day to request an early ballot to be mailed to you for the July 30 Primary Election is Friday, July 19 at 5 pm. Voters may request an early ballot by going to www.coconino.az.gov/elections and select “Early Ballot Request” or call the Recorder’s Office at 928-679-7860.
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.
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
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.
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.
TUSAYAN — Cooler temperatures, increasing humidity, and light winds to the south allowed fire crews to begin tactical firing operations along the eastern end of the Lockett Fire planning area perimeter yesterday evening, treating 274 acres of forest landscape with low-severity fire. The applied fire moved slowly across the forest floor, consuming pine needle duff, dead-and-down woody debris, and some standing snags.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — Whether it’s connecting families to food and shelter resources, to helping foster care families learn about potential scholarship programs for their youth, resource guides provide a valuable assistance to residents throughout Coconino County and Northern Arizona.
To spread the word about these valuable information options, CCC&Y has compiled a listing and links to a variety of resource guides throughout the region including CCC&Y’s own recently updated Summer 2024 Page/Fredonia and Tuba City/Navajo Nation resource guides.
The focus of the thirteenth Regional Plan Committee meeting will be to discuss the draft Growth and Land Use chapter and the Future Growth Illustration for the Regional Plan 2045. Please note that this will be the final meeting before the full draft review begins on August 27.
