In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
African Diaspora Advisory Council Accepting Entries for its Black History Month Essay Contest
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Get Tested for COVID-19
Additional COVID-19 Testing Options
NEW COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
COVID-19 Weekly Report
Have Questions? Call the COVID-19 Information Line
Stay Connected with Us!
Coconino County has opened registration for an additional 1,100 COVID-19 vaccination appointments for a special extended-hours vaccination event Feb. 12 – 16 at the Fort Tuthill County Park vaccination site. The County has been allocated these additional doses from the State of Arizona due to the high performance of Coconino County and partners at administering vaccine to the public.
Those interested in scheduling an appointment can visit coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine and navigate to the SPECIAL REGISTRATION – Fort Tuthill, Flagstaff First Dose link. Individuals without internet access or those who require assistance can call the Coconino County COVID-19 Information Line at 928-679-7300. Seniors aged 65 and over who need scheduling assistance will be placed on the County’s senior assistance list. The Information Line hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fort Tuthill County Park is open and free for passive slow play recreation. There is no dedicated sledding hill however.
Flagstaff Snow Park, which is located in Fort Tuthill County Park, makes snow in a dedicated area with tubing runs. Their website has more information and a link to purchase tickets, which are required to recreate in this area of the park.
For other sledding and snow play areas in and around Flagstaff, the City of Flagstaff publishes a winter recreation map and operates a winter snow play information line at 1-844-256-SNOW.
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
Coconino County Diversity Councils Elect Leaders
County Superintendent of Schools to host 2021 Spelling BEE
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Get Tested for COVID-19
NEW COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
NEW COVID-19 Weekly Report
Have Questions? Call the COVID-19 Information Line
Stay Connected with Us!
Coconino County has opened an additional 200 COVID-19 vaccination appointments for the week of Feb. 8 – 12 at the Fort Tuthill County Park vaccination site.
interested in scheduling an appointment can visit coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine and navigate to the SPECIAL REGISTRATION – Fort Tuthill, Flagstaff First Dose link. Individuals without internet access or those who require assistance can call the Coconino County COVID-19 Information Line at 928-679-7300.
Coconino County Vice-chairwoman Lena Fowler issued the following statement, on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, regarding the passing of former Navajo Nation President and Arizona State Legislator Albert Hale.
“We are all deeply saddened and humbled by the passing of Albert Hale, former President of the Navajo Nation and Arizona State Legislator who represented much of Coconino County. Albert was a colleague and friend to many of us and his loss leaves a deep void in our hearts. Navajo people knew him simply as Ahbihay, his grandmother’s name for him. He believed in the Navajo traditions and championed the rights of Native people and tribal sovereignty.”
This pandemic is challenging for all of us. CCC&Y has a weekly virtual meeting for parents and caregivers to connect and share resources. We have also launched “Creativity Calling,” specifically for youth! This monthly virtual opportunity provides youth a chance to share their thoughts and feelings through the arts. We are seeking youth to share their music, visual art, poetry, dance, theater, or cultural sharing!
Each month four youth will have a 10-minute spotlight.
The Park has reopened after closure over the weekend to the public due to vaccine administration interruptions.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors proclaimed February as National Black History Month.
Coconino County recognizes the rich and diverse history of the African Diaspora, a people who shaped continents all over the world.
Coconino County takes pride in the diversity of its residents and recognizes the many contributions of the past generations of our African Diaspora to our lumber and sawmill industries, and notably in the present generation of entrepreneurs, educators, artists, authors, scientists, athletes, community leaders and public servants.
Fort Tuthill was closed effectively Jan. 30 to the general public with the exception of those who have a scheduled vaccine appointment, a valid Flagstaff Snow Park ticket, or official business at Luke Air Force Base. The public traffic on Jan. 30 for those wishing to use the park for non-ticketed snow play is severely disrupting vaccine administration and traffic flow. Those without a vaccine appointment, a valid Snow Park ticket, or business on the Air Force Base will not be allowed to enter the Park.
Coconino County is bringing you a new series, called the “In the Coconi-KNOW” on Facebook Live today at 12 noon.
Our team will discuss the latest County updates, news and of course, give you a look at the COVID situation in Coconino County. Tune in on the Coconino County Facebook page at noon today!
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors heard the message clearly at Tuesday’s board meeting: Coconino County’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts are hampered by the lack of available vaccine doses.
Coconino County Interim Health and Human Services Director Kim Musselman informed the Board that the County and medical partners have capacity to administer approximately 1,300 doses of vaccine daily but give fewer than 400 doses each day due to the lack of supply.
Virginia Watahomigie, executive director of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, recently sat down with KAFF Country for a recent Pete’s Community Cafe interview on childhood trauma issues impacting youth and families in the region and the use of techniques to promote healing, growth and build resiliency.
During the interview, Watahomigie discussed how CCC&Y tackles the issue through a variety of online training programs on its https://coconinokids.org/prevention/ webpage.
Due to an increase in snowfall, vaccination appointments at Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff for today, January 25, from 1 p.m. and onward are cancelled.
Those with cancelled vaccine appointments will be contacted directly via email to reschedule. If you have a vaccination appointment scheduled up to and including 12 p.m. today, your appointment still stands and we are expecting you to arrive. Coconino County intends to operate the vaccination site tomorrow, Jan. 25, as usual. If additional weather conditions impact, the public will be notified and those with appointments will be provided rescheduling instructions.
Community members are preventing type 2 diabetes together with the FREE PreventT2 lifestyle change program offered by North Country HealthCare. Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants are learning the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.
Trash and recycling collections for both residential and commercial businesses is suspended for Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 due to worsening weather and road conditions. Solid Waste personnel will be redeployed to assist with snow operations. Trash and recycling collection will resume when conditions are safe.
The Coconino County COVID-19 testing site located at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff will move to a new location effective Saturday, Jan. 23.
The move to the new site at Coconino Community College (CCC), 2800 S Lone Tree Rd. will allow the County to expand vaccine administration at Fort Tuthill County Park and at mobile sites throughout the County when additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine become available.
The Coconino County COVID-19 testing site located at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff will move to a new location effective Saturday, Jan. 23.
The move to the new site at Coconino Community College (CCC), 2800 S Lone Tree Rd. will allow the County to expand vaccine administration at Fort Tuthill County Park and at mobile sites throughout the County when additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine become available.
The findings of the study, of which assistant professor Jason Ladner was a lead author, may also explain how previous exposure could partially account for differences in severity between old vs. young patients.
The Coconino County ADAC is now accepting entries for its Black History Month Essay Contest. The essay contest is open to all elementary through high school students in Coconino County.
Essays submissions will center around the theme of the Black family and must be received by Feb. 19.
“This is our ninth year holding the essay contest and it really is such a joy to read these beautifully crafted pieces from children of all ages. This year, our essay prompts center around the Black family, which has been described by some as a microcosm of the entire Black/African-American race. We are offering a number of prompts for students based on their level of school and are eager to hear from them about examples of the Black family and community,” said Khara House Chair of ADAC.
The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth will present “Igniting Collective Action: Moving Beyond ACEs” at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 via Zoom. Click here to register.
Imagine a community in which the effects of childhood trauma are clearly understood, the impact of inequitable experience is acknowledged, and people are aligned toward creating equitable access to assets and protective factors that support positive life outcomes. This training will explore the roadmap to creating change at the community and system level by using the findings of both leadership research and today’s thought leaders.
*Recommended one-hour prerequisite available for community members with limited background about the research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is available at https://coconinokids.org/prevention/
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 19 reviewed plans from the COVID-19 Emergency Response Team to expand vaccine administration when additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine become available.
The plans call for expanded administration of the vaccine at Fort Tuthill County Park and at mobile sites throughout Coconino County, along with increased capacity for healthcare and private sector partners to administer the vaccine.
Coconino County will join the Presidential Inaugural Committee’s memorial to remember and honor the lives lost to COVID-19.
Starting at 3:30 p.m. Arizona Time, 5:30 p.m. E.T, Americans will come together for a national moment of unity and remembrance. To participate, individuals should light a candle in their window. They may also tune in at 5:30 p.m. ET for a ceremony with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, featuring the first-ever lighting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to honor those who have died.
The virtual presentation, which will feature keynote speaker Marc Lamont Hill, will reflect on the racial injustices affecting the nation in a time when the Black Lives Matter movement remains prevalent.
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
Get Tested for COVID-19
NEW COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
NEW COVID-19 Weekly Report
Stay Connected with Us!
The Trump administration announced on January 12, 2021 the plan to release additional doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to states to expand vaccinations to individuals age 65 and older.
Moments after sending a news release about the County awaiting guidance from Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) on this matter, ADHS announced the inclusion of those individuals as priority populations within Phase 1b.
The Trump administration announced on January 12, 2021 the plan to release additional doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to states to expand vaccinations to individuals age 65 and older.
Moments after sending a news release about the County awaiting guidance from Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) on this matter, ADHS announced the inclusion of those individuals as priority populations within Phase 1b.
Approximately six hours after Coconino County moved to allowing priority populations within Phase 1b to make COVID-19 vaccination appointments at its Fort Tuthill vaccination site on Jan. 8, all 1,600 available appointments were booked.
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) and vaccination partner organizations are working to ensure the swift administration of the available COVID-19 vaccine. The community continues to demonstrate a high level of interest in getting vaccinated; however, the available supply of COVID-19 vaccine remains limited.
On the evening of Monday, Jan. 4, Coconino County swore in elected officials during a virtual ceremony. Elected officials taking a term in office after winning election in November of 2020 include the Board of Supervisors, the County Constitutional Officers and Superior Court Judge Cathleen Brown Nichols.
“It’s an honor for all of us to serve the residents of Coconino County. Together, we are ready to face 2021 with optimism and action from the most diverse set of leaders the County has ever had,” said Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to face our community and I know that together we will demonstrate the resilience and leadership our County is known for. The immense commitment of our elected officials to community and public service is something our County residents can be very proud of.”
Seven days after opening its own COVID-19 vaccination site located at Fort Tuthill County Park to individuals in Phase 1a, Coconino County is opening vaccination appointments at select sites to priority populations within Phase 1b.
Priority populations within Phase 1b include education and childcare workers, law enforcement and protective services, and individuals aged 75 and older.
Vaccination opportunities will open at a later time for other populations in Phase 1b, including essential workers and adults with high-risk conditions in congregate settings.
Seven days after opening its own COVID-19 vaccination site located at Fort Tuthill County Park to individuals in Phase 1a, Coconino County is opening vaccination appointments at select sites to priority populations within Phase 1b.
Priority populations within Phase 1b include education and childcare workers, law enforcement and protective services, and individuals aged 75 and older.
Vaccination opportunities will open at a later time for other populations in Phase 1b, including essential workers and adults with high-risk conditions in congregate settings.
Dear Neighbor,
The purpose of this message is to inform you that the City of Flagstaff’s Open Space Program proposes to file for a Zoning Map Amendment for the McMillan Mesa Natural Area, application number: PZ-20-00063. The application intends to change the existing Public Facilities and Rural Residential Zoning to Public Open Space Zoning for passive recreation and preservation.
On November 8th, 2016, Flagstaff voters voted in favor of Proposition 413 – Campaign for a Greater Buffalo Park. This proposition restricted the use of approximately 300 acres of City-owned property on McMillan Mesa to public open space and passive recreation. The City Council approved the McMillan Mesa Natural Area major plan amendment (Resolution Number 2018-50) on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018. The next step is to amend the McMillan Mesa Natural Area’s existing zoning from Public Facilities and Rural Residential Zoning to Public Open Space.
A second and final meeting to provide interested community members the opportunity to ask questions about the proposal and provide comments will take place on January 13th.
On the morning of Monday, Jan. 4, County public health staff vaccinated the first person against COVID-19 at the Fort Tuthill County Park vaccination site and was fully booked for vaccination appointments throughout the day. As part of the vaccine roll out in Coconino County, Phase 1 partners Banner Health Page Hospital, North Country HealthCare (NCHC) and Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) began immunizing their frontline healthcare staff in late December. CVS and Walgreens are vaccinating long-term care facility residents and staff directly through a CDC program, Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care. The vaccinations administered at Fort Tuthill and through partner organizations marks a major milestone in Coconino County’s effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coconino County will hold a virtual swearing-in ceremony for elected officials Today, January 4th at 5:30pm. Congratulations to elected officials taking a term in office: Supervisors Horstman, Archuleta, Ryan, Begay and Fowler; Sheriff Driscoll, County Attorney Ring, Recorder Hansen, Treasurer Benatar, Assessor Ruiz, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lewis.
Join on Zoom//bit.ly/3rbzzJs
Webinar ID: 994 7622 4476
Or Join Via Telephone: 888 788 0099 (Toll-Free)
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will hold a Special Session regarding the COVID Emergency at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan, 18, 2021.
The Board of Supervisors’ meeting will be held via webinar technology using Zoom. The live meeting can be viewed via our YouTube stream link at:
Join us for a social hour & virtual celebration of the power of women coming together to fight for equity and why it is crucial to the climate movement from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22.
Dr. Frances Julia Riemer, educational anthropologist and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Northern Arizona University, will be the keynote speaker of the Zoom event. The event will also feature highlighting the contributions of brave women, sharing stories, and an opportunity to empower one another and shape our dreams for a better future for the next generations.
Coconino Community College Community Education is proud to present: CCC Comet Talk “The Science of Hacking Your Brain” An Exploration of the Human Mind presented by Clinical Hypnotherapist & Certified Medial Support Specialist, Craig Meriwether.
6 – 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Free Online Zoom Webinar
The Northern Arizona History Dept. will present a very timely Latin American event about cholera epidemics in Argentina in the 19thCentury — “Medical Narratives, Popular Opinion, and Uncertainty: The Cholera Epidemics of 19th Century Argentina,” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 2.
During the nineteenth century, cholera impacted Argentina in a wave of epidemics like many other parts of the globe at the time. Although we now know much about the disease, for significant portions of the 1800’s, doctors, government officials, and society were uncertain over the numerous aspects of the disease: origin,contagion, and treatment. As a result, an assortment of opinions, theories, and conjectures all coexisted that often contradicted each other, and demonstrates the limitations of the “medicalization of society”.
The American Legion Mark A. Moore Post 3 will hold a Community Food Distribution from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, April 5 at 205 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.
Call 928-774-7682 or 928-773-0084, ext. 0 for more information.
Join us for a candid unscripted ‘Barber Shop Talk’ conversation about the George Floyd murder trial, Daunte Wright’s Accidental Shooting (& the ongoing accidental gun instead of taser shooting saga) and more at 6 p.m. Monday, April 19 Livestreamed on Facebook @murdochcommunitycenter.
This conversation will focus on the thoughts of Black men on the day that the Nation hears the closing arguments in the George Floyd murder case as well as their feelings about the shooting death of yet another young black man by police that happened this past Sunday in the same city and more.
Craig Meriwether will lead participants on a mental journey into deep relaxation techniques and effective methods of self-hypnosis to manage stress. These exercises are for educational and self-improvement purposes only and are not offered as a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatric or medical treatment. This webinar lecture does not intend to diagnose or treat any disease or illness, psychological or mental health condition, or medical ailment.
Register today for Fire Science classes at Coconino Community College and become a Wildland Firefighter. This instructor led course provides an introduction to the function, maintenance and use of internal combustion engine powered chainsaws and their tactical wildland fire applications.
Join us for a virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, May 25 from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Arizona MST to provide input and suggestions!
The Arizona Rural Women’s Health Network (AZRWHN) is leading a consortium addressing SUD/OUD impacting women of childbearing age in Northern Arizona, called the Northern Arizona Consortium for Rural Opioid Services for Women’s Health (NAZCROSWH) project.
The City of Flagstaff Planning and Zoning Commission will hold two public hearings to review a major amendment to the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030. The proposed amendment will update the Plan’s climate action goals and policies to align with the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan.
At Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, we’re working towards a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community. We’ll make that vision a reality by igniting collective action that creates better lives for children and families.
To assist families in the coming year, CCC&Y will continue to support and expand a variety of programs we have initiated in 2020 with the assistance of a variety of partners in the region and statewide. They include:
The CCC&Y Family Connection, hosted every Monday from 2:30-3:30. The bilingual Zoom meeting is is a great way to connect with others countywide. Folks can join virtually or by phone.
The meeting is open to parents, caregivers, professionals — All individuals in our community.
A variety of resources are also available for families and local professionals who work with families on CCC&Ys Prevention Webpage.
The COVID-19 testing site at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff will operate on a modified schedule for the upcoming New Year’s holiday. The hours are as follows:
Monday, Dec. 28-Wednesday, Dec. 30: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 31 & Friday, Jan. 1: Closed
Saturday, Jan. 2: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.: Saliva testing only
Appointments are required for COVID-19 saliva tests, administered by Arizona State University (ASU), at Fort Tuthill. Those who do not have an appointment will be asked to pull over at the site and make one. If all appointment times are full, individuals will be asked to return another day. Register at: coconino.az.gov/covid19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, various cities and companies suspended utility shut-offs in an effort to help struggling residents. Now, as shut-offs are beginning to resume, residents are being encouraged to seek financial assistance or work with their utility company to develop a payment plan if they are unable to pay their bills.
Contact your utility company as soon as possible if you anticipate being unable to pay your bill for any reason. Your utility company will walk you through available assistance options such as setting up a payment plan, applying to one of their programs, or applying for aid through a local agency.
In a new Public Service Announcement released this week, members of CCC&Y want to wish you a beautiful holiday season, but also be aware the additional challenges facing family members and neighbors this year.
“The holiday season is about joy, peace, giving and gratitude, but not everyone feels the magic. This year COVID fatigue can add stress already brought on by colder weather, shorter days or grief and loss.”
The holidays usually are a time to spend with loved ones celebrating family traditions. As cases of COVID-19 continue at an upward trajectory in Coconino County and many locations across the country, the holidays will require extra safety precautions.
Gatherings with family and friends outside of your household can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. Celebrating virtually or with members of the same household who are consistently taking measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 poses the lowest risk for spread. Travel also increases the chance of getting and spreading the coronavirus. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.
Coconino County has appointed Wes Dison as Emergency Management Director, pending expected confirmation by the Board of Supervisors at their January 5th meeting.
“Wes has served as the Interim Emergency Management Director for more than six months. He joined us at the beginning of one of the largest emergencies this County has experienced and has served as an integral member of the COVID-19 Incident Command Team. Wes brings the skills, experience and commitment to excellence that equip him to help the County and our partners succeed,” said County Manager James Jayne.
A grant from 100,000 Strong in the Americas will give a dozen Northern Arizona University the opportunity for a unique cross-cultural learning experience with peers at both NAU and a university in Sonora, Mexico.
NAU is partnering with Universidad de Sonora (UNISON) in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico to put on The Big IDEA (La Gran IDEA), which will allow 12 students from each university to collaborate on finding solutions to challenges of food security and financial security in the Arizona/Sonora Megaregion. It is based on Jacks Big IDEA, which is put on by boundaryless@nau.
I want to thank you all for your continued support during this not-so-normal year. I know that 2020 threw us all a curveball, but I am grateful to each of you for doing your part in keeping our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your community spirit during this time.
As we move forward this holiday season, I want to wish you and your family’s a happy holiday! May each of you stay safe, create new memories, and find peace as we move into the New Year.
This will be the last newsletter of the year, however, you can continue to find information from the County and about COVID-19 on our website at https://coconino.az.gov OR by following us on social media here: www.facebook.com/CoconinoCounty.
The Coconino County COVID-19 Response Team is planning for the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccine shipment, expected to be delivered in late December. The vaccine roll out in Coconino County is anticipated to begin in early January.
On December 11, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The Moderna application for EUA for its COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be reviewed soon.
At Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, we’re working towards a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community. We’ll make that vision a reality by igniting collective action that creates better lives for children and families.
Many in our community face staggering injustices. Mental, physical, and spiritual trauma are facts of everyday life, made worse by historical oppression and generational poverty. The systems that should provide relief are often ineffectual and overwhelmed; at their worst, they’re racist and demeaning. And in our largely rural community, issues like food inequity, education access, and healthcare provision are exacerbated by structures of power that often look past folks outside metro areas.
We have the power to reverse these injustices, and we are doing so right here in Coconino County. When we approach challenges with a holistic mindset and consider the impact of systemic, generational trauma, we can work with communities at the source of the issue, not just at the symptom.
Coconino Community College graduate April Winters is at Northern Arizona University studying to be an English teacher.
While at CCC, she took American Sign Language courses to fulfill her foreign language requirements for her degree.
“The Deaf community is a smaller community,” Winters said. “And there is a need that isn’t always filled, especially in public schools.”
Operations are ending on the first phase of steep slope treatment on the Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project.
The Bill Williams Steep Slope 1 Project successfully thinned 300 acres of dense standing trees and removed dead and down trees on the mountain located just outside of the City of Williams utilizing ground-based, helicopter and hand thinning operations.
Dear Friends of F3,
As executive Director of F3, I plan to use these Communications to keep you informed of trending issues of importance to our membership. Sometimes decisions that affect us have been made years ago. My goal is to get us engaged in the important conversations before decisions are made, and in this way, ensure that F3 can have a proactive presence in the community.
