Category: Local

United Way of Northern Arizona — Healthy Bodies, Healthy Futures

The need for programs that encourage physical health have never been more essential for our region’s youth than now.

According to the United Health Foundation, only 16.8% of Arizona children between the ages of 6 and 17 are physically active for an hour a day. The latest report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation indicates that 31% of children 10 to 17 in the state are overweight or obese.

Part of stepping up for our youth includes ensuring our kids make healthy choices – from the foods they eat to putting down their devices for a while and getting active.

Coconino County Seeks Applicants for Commission on Trial Court Appointments

The Commission on Trial Court Appointment Nominating Committee for Coconino County Supervisorial District 2 is seeking non-attorney applicants for the Trial Court Commission.

For more than 40 years Arizona citizens have benefited from a judicial merit selection and retention system. Merit selection is a way of choosing judges that uses nonpartisan commissions to investigate and evaluate applicants for judgeships. The commissions then submit the names of at least three highly qualified applicants to the Governor. The Governor appoints appellate court judges statewide and trial court judges in Coconino, Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties from lists of nominees submitted by the judicial nominating commissions. 

Theatrikos Theatre Co. — Crazy Christmas Carol opens day after Thanksgiving. Weeknight films Nov 27 and 29

Theatrikos Presents A Crazy Interactive Musical for Christmas Based on the most popular form of theatre in the UK, done for the first time in Arizona, A Christmas Carol: A Twisted Musical Comedyruns November 24—December 17 A Christmas Carol Tickets…

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Advantages of a Thriving Economy

As Ioanna Morfessis, President & CEO of IO, Inc., recently put it: “Economies don’t remain static; there is no stasis. They either grow and progress or they regress.”

Morfessis and Danny Court of Elliott Pollack & Co. co-authored the recently released Strategic Plan created on behalf of ECoNA to outline a roadmap for the region’s economic future.

Their reporting indicates that Northern Arizona faces a major decision: whether the region’s economy will continue to remain competitive or if anti-growth sentiment will lead to stagnation and possible economic erosion.

Coconino County Emergency Management Assists the State of Hawaii Response to Maui Wildfires

Coconino County Emergency Management recently assisted the State of Hawaii in response to the August wildfires on the island of Maui.

As a result of the devastating wildfires that impacted Lahaina and Upper Kula on Maui, officials in Hawaii have been coordinating response and recovery efforts with local and federal partners. Through this coordination, Hawaii activated the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). EMAC is an all-hazards, all disciplines mutual aid compact that allows states to share resources and provide assistance to one another during times of disaster. 

As a signatory to EMAC, the State of Arizona received requests from the State of Hawaii for trained subject matter experts to assist with disaster operations.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Nov. 13-17, 2023

InterTribal Economic Summit recap

Last week, the park hosted the Emergence Summit, the second Grand Canyon InterTribal Economic Summit. More than 60 participants were in attendance including Tribal vendors, tour operators, entrepreneurs, partners, and park staff. The purpose of the summit was to discuss ways the park and its many partners can best work together to improve economic benefits for the park, private companies, Tribal partners, nonprofit partners, and the surrounding communities.

Keynote speaker Natasha Hale (Navajo and Saudi Arabian and pictured above), cofounder of Change Labs, offered lessons from her 15 years of experience supporting Native entrepreneurs and economic equity on the Colorado Plateau.

“To move past these wrongs, we still have to keep talking about them. But I think we’re all eager to move past it,” said Hale. “That’s what Emergence is about – we want to be able to co-manage these lands, but we also want to be able to have access to that economic power.” 

You can learn more about the summit from Grand Canyon Trust’s website here.

District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — October/November 2023 District 1 Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE:
Accessibility View
R Cover Icecream.jpg
October/November 2023
District 1 Newsletter
cover.jpg
In This Issue
Letter from the Supervisor
Supervisor Horstman Appointed to Resource
Advisory Council for Arizona Bureau of Land
Management Lands
County Flood Mitigation Projects Nearing
Completion
Rural Ground Water Management Community
Discussion
County Supervisor Association Holds Annual
Summit in Coconino County
Introduction to the Coconino County Criminal
Justice Coordinating Council
Vice President Harris’ Fight for Our Freedoms Tour
Visits NAU
County FCD Director and National Wildlife
Commissioner Lucinda Andreani Report to
Congress
Govenor Appoints Two from Coconino County to
Arizona Arts Commision
Fort Valley Sign Installed
Dia de Los Muertos Celebration
United Way of Northern Arizona Campaign Kickoff
for 2024
Family Food Center, Thanksgiving Stuff the Bus
Community Events and Resources

The NAU Review — Meet the Gold Axe Award winners, NAU’s newest Elder Cultural Advisor and the Grand Canyon’s astronomer in residence

Honoring our elites
Two students in the Class of 2023 were awarded the President’s Prize, NAU’s highest honor for undergraduates, and more than 20 other students were recognized as Gold Axe winners or Distinguished Seniors at a ceremony Tuesday night. The awards, which recognize excellence in the classroom, in research and in life, are one of the highlights of the year for senior leadership; in a video presentation, President Cruz Rivera said he always appreciates the opportunity to brag about the students and experience the sense of joy and accomplishment felt by the award winners and their families, friends and mentors who have supported them throughout their collegiate career. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y Partners getting into the GivingTuesday spirit

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

CCC&Y partners have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and programs throughout Northern Arizona by taking part in the annual GivingTuesday movement on Nov. 28, 2023.

The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth wants to support your effort by providing links to your organization and donation pages in our upcoming weekly e-newsletters.
​​​​​​​
CCC&Y partners who are participating in our GivingTuesday promotional effort include:
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation — Donation link
Flagstaff Festival of Science — Science in the Park — Donation link
Still time to join our GivingTuesday spotlight effort.

We believe GivingTuesday is a perfect fit for our mission: “We ignite collective action that creates better lives for children and families.”

Prescribed burn on Observatory Mesa planned for Nov. 15

FLAGSTAFF — A prescribed burn will be conducted by the Flagstaff Fire Department on Observatory Mesa on Wednesday, Nov. 15. The burn will target approximately 168 acres. Resources on scene will include two type 6 engines, one type 3 engine, two utility task vehicles with water pumps, the Bear Jaw Wildland Crew and the Flagstaff Fire Department Wildland Crew.

Residents and visitors can expect smoke to be visible in the area. Smoke is expected to drift in a north/ northeast direction during the day over the Coconino Estates neighborhood and the area north of the hospital. At night, smoke is expected to settle in and around Thorpe Park. The Observatory Mesa FUTS trail will be closed between Road 515 and Road 515A. Recreators should avoid the area.

Take the survey and inform Flagstaff’s food system

FLAGSTAFF — Now through Dec. 18, the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Flagstaff Foodlink are surveying the greater Flagstaff region to better understand community members’ experiences with the local food system. Input from all community members is needed to improve food access and distribution, agricultural opportunities, and more. Flagstaff Foodlink is offering a gift card raffle to those who complete the survey!

The NAU Review — Meet NAU’s elder cultural advisors, find out what’s happening in engineering research and how NAU is contributing to rural resilience

(Paul) Long, who is from New Mexico, comes from a line of medicine men and is a medicine man himself. Growing up, his father taught him to be balanced—to know and practice the traditional beliefs and way of life but also to understand western life and education. 

Flagstaff Regional Plan Update – Nov. 2023 Newsletter

The first Regional Plan Committee meeting will introduce members, review Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045 update milestones, and establish procedures and roles for the committee.

The official agenda for the meeting can be viewed here.

The meeting can be attended virtually via Zoom by clicking this link.

A recording of the Regional Plan Committee meeting will be uploaded shortly after the conclusion of the meeting.

To provide feedback regarding meetings, please email RegionalPlanCommittee@flagstaffaz.gov.

Learn more about the Regional Plan Committee: https://flagstaff-regional-plan-2045-flagstaff.hub.arcgis.com/pages/regional-plan-committee

Grand Canyon National Park ALERT: Roaring Springs System Failure to Meet Water Treatment Requirements

GRAND CANYON, AZ — During the early morning on Thursday November 9, 2023, our water system did not provide adequate levels of chlorine in the water being used from Roaring Springs.

As a result, our water was not disinfected as the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requires. Therefore, our water system violated a treatment technique standard for maintaining adequate disinfection for water delivered to customers from Roaring Springs. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we did to correct this situation. After this problem was identified, Operators immediately notified the State Drinking Water division and Grand Canyon started the process to identify the source of the failure. The source was identified, and adequate chlorination was restored on Friday morning, November 10, 2023.

District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez September-October Newsletter

Editor’s Note — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and www.AmigosNAZ.com wishes to thank District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vazquez and the Coconino County Board of Supervisors for their support of the 20th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, held Oct. 21, 22 at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Attending the closing ceremony, above, was Supervisor Jeronimo Vazquez and family. Your continued support was very much appreciated.The 2023 Celebraciones de la Gente was also supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and APS. Celebraciones presented in partnership with the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Also — Message from Jeronimo
Board Opens Application Portal to Fill District 3 Supervisor Vacancy when Supervisor Matt Ryan Retires
District 2 Highlights
Coconino County Services and Programs
Community Events & Resources
And more!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Nov. 6-10, 2023

Rock Your Mocs Week November 12-18

As part of Native American Heritage Month, next week is Rock Your Mocs Week, when Indigenous people across the country show their cultural pride by wearing traditional moccasins.

Moccasins are not always worn in public by Indigenous people. They hold special significance and are most often worn for ceremonies and other cultural events. During Rock Your Mocs Week, the National Park Service encourages Indigenous employees to take pride in their heritage by wearing moccasins. A flyer for this week can be found here.

Grand Canyon National Park is proud to celebrate Native cultures and traditions by helping to share their rich histories and ongoing contributions to our park and our country.

So rock those mocs!

The NAU Review — New research opportunities for veterans, big news in for NAU’s research and taking a peek into the library’s Native American collection

Breaking barriers for veteran student researchers 

The Student Research Opportunity Grant helps military-connected students pursue their research goals. The grant of up to $6,000 was established by the Veterans and Military Service Office and Office of the Vice President for Research with the goal of creating more representation of student veterans in research fields. 

Maid Fire currently 942 acres, 55% contained

FLAGSTAFF  — Firefighters continue to work on containing the Maid Fire on Apache Maid mountain just southeast of Interstate 17’s Stoneman Lake exit and are hopeful to reach full containment within the next several days.

The Maid Fire is currently 55% contained on the northern and eastern flanks of Apache Maid mountain, and firefighters continue to work on containing the western and southern sides of the 942-acre wildfire.

Firefighters are utilizing a full suppression strategy, and all burnout operations have been completed. As containment increases, resources will move to a monitor and patrol status in the coming days.

Fire behavior has largely been moderate but continues to smolder in remaining heavy dead and down fuels, and limited pockets of leaf litter. Occasional increases in intensity are observed as the fire creeps into available fuels.

Flagstaff Family Food Center seeking volunteers for ‘Stuff the Bus!’ on Nov. 11-12

We are looking to fill about 45 more volunteer positions for our Stuff The Bus food drive on Saturday and Sunday, November 11th and 12th. If you are interested, click this link to sign up today!

https://hotfood.volunteerhub.com/vv2/…

The shifts we have available are:

Prescribed burn project cancelled (Nov. 8) due to unfavorable conditions

FLAGSTAFF — Mogollon Rim Ranger District fire managers have cancelled today’s Sawmill Project southwest of Mormon Lake due to unfavorable wind conditions that would negatively impact powerlines, the highway, and surrounding communities.

The 3,000-acre Sawmill project was originally scheduled to be completed over the course of the week from Nov. 6-9 but was modified to focus attention on a smaller 1,000-acre section today as winds and conditions were forecasted to keep smoke away from powerlines and surrounding communities. With the change in today’s conditions, this project will be postponed till a later date when conditions are more appropriate.

The Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments across the landscape to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y partners urged to start planning for GivingTuesday (Nov. 28)

COCONINO COUNTY — CCC&Y partners have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and programs throughout Northern Arizona by taking part in the annual GivingTuesday movement on Nov. 28, 2023.

The Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth wants to support your effort by providing links to your organization and donation pages in our upcoming weekly e-newsletters.

We believe GivingTuesday is a perfect fit for our mission: “We ignite collective action that creates better lives for children and families.”

Individuals and for-profit organizations throughout Northern Arizona are looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families in the region and as stated by the founders of GivingTuesday: “Generosity is uplifting, generative, equalizing, and connecting.”

So if you are a member partner of CCC&Y, please send your information, donation links, stories and photos to Frank X. Moraga, outreach coordinator, at frank@coconinokids.org

We would love to include you in our growing list of GivingTuesday participants this year.

The NAU Review — A new microscope, STEM art and November’s Inclusive Insights

A whole new world
Most microscopes, common in labs, are limited to magnifications of about 1,500 times. NAU’s newly acquired transmission electron microscope can easily achieve magnifications of up to two million times, giving students and researchers the ability to study samples like never before, opening up their eyes to a world previously unknown.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Apply for Coconino County District 3 Supervisor Vacancy by Nov. 13

The application process to fill District 3 County Supervisor Matt Ryan’s seat on the Board of Supervisors is now open.  Applications are being accepted through November 13th at 8:00 am. The seat will become vacant on January 1, 2014.

The NAU Review — Celebrating Native American Heritage Month, honoring our veterans and predicting the future of water based on the past

Celebrating ancestry, traditions and impact

NAU, which sits on lands sacred to Native American tribes, will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a plethora of culture-oriented events which will run through Nov. 30. Events include Stew Fest, a basketball game against SAGU Indian College, meetings with NAU’s Indigenous elders and more. “We are honored to share about our legacy and ways of being with our communities,” said Ann Marie Chischilly, vice president of Native American Initiatives. 

New Podcast Series Highlights Tribal Connections to Grand Canyon

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – In celebration of Native American Heritage month, Grand Canyon National Park is proud to announce the release of a new podcast series focused on Indigenous perspectives and the people who have called the canyon home since time immemorial. On November 3, 2023, the park released seven episodes of “Grand Canyon Speaks.”

During the summer of 2023, park staff created an interpretive program called “Grand Canyon Speaks,” which features live in-person conversations between park rangers and members from the 11 traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon. The program is one of many parkwide efforts to include Tribal members, voices, and culture in public outreach and education. Over 1,500 park visitors from all over the world attended the live events.

The NAU Review — Celebrating Native American Heritage Month, honoring our veterans and predicting the future of water based on the past

NAU, which sits on lands sacred to Native American tribes, will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a plethora of culture-oriented events which will run through Nov. 30. Events include Stew Fest, a basketball game against SAGU Indian College, meetings with NAU’s Indigenous elders and more. “We are honored to share about our legacy and ways of being with our communities,” said Ann Marie Chischilly, vice president of Native American Initiatives.

November at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Message from Mary –

November is Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity to spread awareness of Indigenous history and contemporary Native issues. At the Museum of Northern Arizona we share and celebrate the Indigenous peoples of the Colorado Plateau year-round, both in our exhibitions and through special programs. This month we have a panel discussion about Indigenous foods with a Diné chef and a performance by a group of young Native dancers who have earned international recognition. Both programs are rooted in tradition while being contemporary and relevant – an appropriate reflection of Indigenous peoples and culture today.

A visit to the Museum is always a good way to learn about Native American Heritage, this month and year-round.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2023

We commemorate and celebrate Native American Heritage Month throughout the month of November to recognize the important contributions Indigenous people have made and continue to make to the country and to the Grand Canyon. This year’s theme is Celebrating Tribal and Indigenous Sovereignty and Identity. Tribal sovereignty ensures that any decisions about Tribes about their property and citizens are made with their participation and consent. The federal trust responsibility is a legal obligation under which the United States “has charged itself with moral obligations of the highest responsibility and trust” toward Indian Tribes.  

Grand Canyon National Park is built on Native lands, and although we cannot change the past, we can change the present and ultimately the future by strengthening our relationships with the associated tribes and the land we all share.

Coconino County Parks & Recreation November 2023 Update

Culinary Class: Holiday Side Dishes

The holiday season is quickly approaching! Time to spend time with friends and family, start thinking about defrosting the turkey, and cracking out the side dish recipes. This special holiday focused culinary class will teach you how to make a variety of classic Thanksgiving side dishes such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac and cheese, and grilled brussels sprouts.

This cooking class will be held on November 19, noon-3:00 p.m., at the Fort Tuthill County Park Mess Hall in Flagstaff, AZ. It will be taught by our incredible culinary instructor, Willa McAuliffe.

The cost for this program is $25* for Adults (18 and older) and $15* for Youth (8 – 17 years old).

Pre-register here.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Become a F3 Member in 2023!

The Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) Board of Directors invites you to become a member of our local grass-roots nonprofit.  If you are already a member, we hope you will pass this letter on to friends who you believe may be interested in supporting F3’s work.

F3 is a grassroots, multi-issue organization whose mission is to achieve a sustainable, just, and thriving Flagstaff through community education, engagement, and advocacy.

Variety of Día de Los Muertos continuing this week including — ‘Coco with Cocoa’ on Nov. 1 and other NAU events through Nov. 3, Dia de Los Muertos Celebration in Camp Verde on Nov. 5

FLAGSTAFF — In celebration of Dia De Los Muertos, we will be watching the movie Coco, decorating sugar cookies, and drinking hot cocoa.

Date: 11/01/2023

Time: 05:30 pm- 08:00 pm

Location: IMQ Center

Free to all

The NAU Review — Homecoming LumberSNAPS and Diamondbacks, spooky creatures and cross country champs!

Lumberjacks of all ages from near and far enjoyed a week full of Homecoming events. From the dedicatee luncheon and the student carnival to the Homecoming parade and football game, take a look back at these Lumberjack memories.

Theatrikos Theatre Co. November Newsletter – Christmas Show and 2024 Season

A Christmas Carol: A Twisted Musical Comedy Opens November 24, the day after Thanksgiving.
“This is not your Grandmother’s A Christmas Carol,” said show director and Theatrikos Executive Director Chris Verrill. “Theatrikos’ A Christmas Carol: A Twisted Musical Comedy is inspired by the most popular form of theatre in the UK. And we’re bringing it to Arizona. Our version of this holiday classic is interactive. It’s a crazy comedy. It’s a musical; with songs that are parodies of popular music. It’s hilarious. You’ll have a fun Christmas time and you’ll leave clap happy in the end!”

Flagstaff Festival of Science — USGS Open House Rescheduled to Nov. 5

The USGS Open House is now re-scheduled for Sunday Nov. 5 from 1-4 pm! Explore interactive displays and activities related to geography, biology, hydrology, planetary science and mapping! Free to the public!

Located at the USGS Flagstaff Science Campus: 2255 N Gemini Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

Bilingual report — Gina Santi Photography — Images of the Month – November 2023

Since the early Middle Ages, Europeans feared that phantasms, ghouls, and spirits somehow found their way back to earth and do harm to people, animals, and crops during Halloween. Igniting protective fires and torches and tolling the town’s church bells were especially important on this night to whisk off the mischievous entities.
 
William Shakespeare brilliantly depicts the Christian beliefs about witches during those times: the three nameless witches in Macbeth embody wickedness, obscurity, madness, struggle, and have a twisted sense of scruples. Using this curse, they warn Macbeth of his upcoming troubles:

City of Flagstaff announces Winter parking restrictions begin Nov. 1

FLAGSTAFF — Winter parking restrictions will begin on Nov. 1 and will remain in effect until April 1. During this time, parking on city streets and alleyways is prohibited from midnight to 7 a.m.Winter parking restrictions allow the City to thoroughly plow the streets during snow events and remains in effect even if it is not snowing to aid in street sweeping.

Return Your Voted Ballot for Nov. 7 Jurisdictional Election Now

FLAGSTAFF — The November 7 Jurisdictional Election is a ballot-by-mail election, so all registered voters residing in the City of Flagstaff, Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School District, Ash Fork Joint Unified School District, Grand Canyon Unified School District, Pinewood Sanitary District, Williams Hospital District, and Highlands Fire District should have received their ballots. 

The Coconino County Recorder’s Office reminds voters that their voted ballots for the November 7, 2023, Jurisdictional Election must be received no later than 7:00 pm on Election Day.  Voters should put their voted early ballot in the mail no later than Tuesday, October 31, to ensure that it is received in time to be counted.

Coconino NF prescribed fire outlook: Week of Oct. 30

When: Oct. 31 or Nov. 1
Where: Along Fort Valley Road 1 mile west of Basecamp at Snowbowl
Why: As part of a Northern Arizona University project to burn a small piece of land on a five-year rotation to further study prescribed fire. This area was last burned in the fall of 2018.
Size: 3 acres
Method/ type of burn: Broadcast and maintenance
Duration: 1 day
Smoke impacts: Light smoke impacts may be felt on Highway 180.
Closures/ restrictions: None

City of Flagstaff — Scheduled lane closures on Butler Avenue beginning Oct. 30

FLAGSTAFF — Lane closures on W Butler Avenue are scheduled to begin on Monday, Oct. 30 to accommodate the installation of underground fiber-optic cable. Lane closures of the right/ westbound lane of Butler Avenue will be implemented from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a period of approximately two weeks.

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces says ‘Thank You’ to everyone who supported and attended the 20th Annual Anniversary of Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 21-22, 2023 at the Museum of Northern Arizona

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces this week offered a big THANK YOU to everyone who supported and attended the 20th anniversary annual Celebraciones de la Gente — Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead festival at the Museum of Northern Arizona on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21 and 22.

This year’s event featured the return of the ever-popular InTlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers and Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff performing on both days of the festival in the Branigar/Chase Discovery Center, along with daily performances in the historic Jaime Golightly Courtyard by El Charro Bohemia.

The 2023 Celebraciones de la Gente was supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional Premier Sponsors include Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez and the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and APS. Celebraciones presented in partnership with the Museum of Northern Arizona.

The event celebrated the history and culture of Mexican, Mexican American and Latin@ communities in Northern Arizona at this annual fall event, which will include music, dance, food and heartfelt remembrances.

Sedona Arts Center — This is the big night!

Friday, October 27, 5–7pm
Awards Night Celebration
& Reception
Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Rd

This is the big night!  Join us as we celebrate an amazing week of the 19th annual Plein Air Festival.  Best of Show and final awards will be presented by our special judge, Tim Newton. Tim is the publisher of Western Art & Architecture magazine and is also Chairman Emeritus of the famed Salmagundi Club.
Patron’s Circle members can arrive at 4pm for a preview and chance to purchase before the reception opens to the public.  VIP parking included. To become a Patrons Circle Member click here: https://sedonaartscenter.org/donate/

United Way of Northern Arizona Working WITH Youth FOR Youth in NE Arizona

Students from Holbrook High School and Joseph City High School are helping our communities better understand the needs of youth in Navajo County.

The two students are participating in an internship that was created through a partnership between United Way of Northern Arizona, the Center for the Future of Arizona, and the Work-Based Learning Alliance.

The six-week program is asking the students to conduct an analysis of current issues facing youth in northeast Arizona.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Oct. 23-27, 2023

Halloween Carnival at Grand Canyon School October 28

Grand Canyon School and the High School Student Council will be hosting the All Hallows Halloween Carnival on October 28 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be a haunted house, activity booths, and games for all ages. Be sure to wear your costume!

If you are interested in having a booth there, you can contact rrobertson@grandcanyonschool.org.

The NAU Review — Living and teaching with a disability, the effects of warmer oceans on fish and Notes from the President

Justice Armfield is a guest presenter in Introduction to Disability Studies. From the front of the classroom and in small-group discussions, he talks about living with a disability and how it affects his life—and how it doesn’t. Armfield has Down syndrome, he loves Pink and the Smashing Pumpkins, he enjoys travel and public speaking and he brings a valuable experience to the classroom: “I teach people about what it is like to live with Down syndrome. I want to help people see that a disability is a difference, but not a limitation to living a happy, healthy life with a purpose.” 

Flagstaff Regional Resilience Project receives $1 million grant for community-based Climate Resilience Hubs

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Regional Resilience Project (FRRP), a coalition of community-based organizations, local government agencies, and regional partners, has received notice of $1 million in grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  

This funding will support three resilience hub pilots in Flagstaff. A resilience hub is a community-serving facility that supports residents, distributes resources, and reduces carbon pollution while enhancing the quality of life every day and in times of crisis. Each resilience hub will be managed by a separate community organization, serving a distinct part of the community. The FRRP will launch three pilot resilience hubs with the Flagstaff community:

Board of Supervisors Directs Staff to Proceed With Application Process to Fill District 3 Vacancy

COCONINO COUNTY — At a Special Session of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) on Tuesday, Oct. 24, the Board discussed several proposed procedures for accepting and reviewing applications to fill the upcoming vacancy in District 3.

The seat will become vacant on Jan. 1, 2024 after the retirement of Supervisor Matt Ryan at the end of this year. Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) provide limited qualifications for applicants. In this case, the applicant must reside full-time at a physical address within the current District 3 boundary. Furthermore, the applicant must be registered with the Democratic Political Party, as ARS mandates the position be filled by a member of the same political party as the incumbent. Supervisor Ryan was elected to the position in 2020 as a Democrat. 

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) Holds Manufacturing Tours for High School Students

As part of our celebration of Manufacturing Month, the ECoNA Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) team recently organized a tour of three local manufacturers for 17 juniors and seniors from Flagstaff and Coconino high schools to show the rewarding work – and excellent pay – available in this sector.

The Arizona Office of Economic Security projects that between 2022 and 2024, there will be an 8.2% increase in manufacturing jobs in Coconino, Navajo, and Yavapai counties. This equates to more than 100 new jobs.

“Our intent is to have more of these educational tours throughout the northern Arizona region,” said Cynthia Hudspeth, the newly named Director of Operations at ECoNA who attended the tours with the students. “The message is to show students the possible careers right here in their backyard and that they can work, live and stay in northern Arizona.”

Coconino County’s Winter Parking Ordinance Begins Wednesday, Nov. 1

Coconino County’s annual Winter Parking Ordinance 2022-06 goes into effect next Wednesday, Nov. 1.

The ordinance, which will remain in effect through Monday, April 1, 2024, prohibits vehicles, trailers, and storage containers from being parked in County-maintained rights-of-way at all times during snow season. 

Between Nov. 1 – April 1 of each year, vehicles, trailers, and storage containers must be kept clear of County-maintained rights-of-way both to facilitate safer snow removal operations and to help mitigate dangerous “snow play”-related traffic congestion and parking issues along County rights-of-way. Any vehicle parked in prohibited areas is subject to be cited and may be towed at the owner’s expense due to the possibility of threatening the health or welfare of County residents. 

Prescribed fire project northwest of San Franscisco Peaks postponed until Friday

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) fire managers have temporarily paused firing operations on the Horseshoe Project, located 5 miles directly north of Bellemont, today due to higher-than-expected humidity levels.

Wednesday’s firing operations successfully treated 768 acres of land. Operations that had been tentatively scheduled for today have been postponed to tomorrow.

“Prescribed fire operations are both an art and a science,” said Burn Boss Ryan Rawlinson, FRD Fuels Assistant Fire Management Officer. “We have to have the right temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, staffing levels and fuel moisture. Anything less than perfect isn’t enough for us to proceed.”