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Coconino Chronicle (June 3, 2022)

by Community Contributor • June 6, 2022 • Comments Off

News and events from Coconino County

Welcome to the Coconino Chronicle, keeping you informed on the latest news from Coconino County. Published monthly, typically on the first Friday, the Chronicle makes sure you are in-the-know about recent happenings, upcoming events and services available to you as a resident of the County.

Questions? Comments? Please email us at chronicle@coconino.az.gov.

Norovirus on the Rise

Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) has received an increase in the number of reports of gastrointestinal illness consistent with norovirus.

CCHHS is investigating the circumstances surrounding the illnesses and is encouraging individuals to take precautions to prevent infection.

Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, body aches, and mild fever.

An individual can help prevent norovirus transmission through the following actions:

· Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used, but please note that hand sanitizers aren’t as effective at removing norovirus particles.

· Avoid sharing food or drinks with other people, especially when you’re sick or they’re sick.

· If ill, stay hydrated and contact your healthcare provider with concerns or if symptoms worsen.

· When sick, limit interaction with other people as much as possible to prevent further spread and do not prepare food or care for others.

· Clean surfaces with soap and water and sanitize with a 10% bleach solution to kill norovirus. Launder soiled clothing in hot water promptly.

Norovirus illness is often mistakenly called “stomach flu,” although norovirus is not related to influenza. Norovirus spreads very easily, including through direct contact with an infected person, touching a surface or object contaminated with norovirus, or eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with norovirus.

Learn more here.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Enacted

Last week, Stage 2 fire and smoking restrictions were enacted in unincorporated areas of Coconino County, Coconino County Parks, Coconino and Kaibab National Forests, and national and state parks within the County.

Stage 2 restrictions prohibit igniting, building, maintaining or using a fire – including charcoal and briquettes – except for petroleum-fueled stoves or grills with an on/off switch.

Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed building or vehicle.

Stage 2 also prohibits use of generators without spark-arresting devices, welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame, operating motorized vehicles off designated trails and roads, and the use of explosive targets and tracer round ammunition.

Additionally, for County parks and natural areas, no camping is allowed outside of campground areas and all campground fires are prohibited. Park visitors are prohibited from using charcoal or wood grills, liquid fuel and/or liquid petroleum gas fire rings, and any small motorized equipment, such as chainsaws.

Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. For more information, visit the County fire restrictions webpage.

Sandbags Available for Museum Flood Area

The City of Flagstaff and the Coconino County Flood Control District are helping residents in neighborhoods downstream of the Museum Fire burn scar prepare for the 2022 monsoon season by placing pallets of new sandbags and trash bins throughout neighborhoods, which residents can use to repair their sandbag walls.

Materials will be available through July 1.

Only broken sandbags on the outside of sandbag walls need to be replaced. Sandbags that are broken but are inside of a sandbag wall can remain in place.

For a full list of tips, including how to dispose of cinders from broken sandbags and where to call if you cannot make necessary repairs to your sandbag wall due to age or disability, please click here.

Make a Donation of Time – Volunteer

During times of wildfire and flooding, our community turns to volunteers to help as a crisis unfolds or during recovery efforts.

If you are interested in giving the gift of your time, consider signing up with the United Way of Northern Arizona Volunteer Hub. By creating your account, you’ll be notified of volunteer opportunities and be able to sign up for specific events, like post-fire debris cleanup or filling sandbags.

Tomorrow, June 4, and next Saturday, June 11, there will be Tunnel Fire recovery efforts in the Timberline area from 8 am to 12:30 pm. To learn more, please visit the Volunteer Hub here.

For people interested in emergency response and rescue, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has a Citizens Emergency Response Team.

This group recently held its “CERT Rodeo,” which featured training for disaster response, including search and rescue techniques.

If you or someone you know is interested in CERT, please contact Jon Paxton, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928.226.5089 or by email here.

WIC Helps Families Needing Infant Formula

Are you and your family being affected by the nationwide infant formula shortage?

Coconino Coconino County Health and Human Service’s WIC program is helping families navigate the lack of supply.

For more information, please call WIC at 928.679.7250.

You can also check out the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services webpage on finding formula, which offers additional resources such as information on accredited “milk banks” and infant formula manufacturer hotlines.

Concerts in the Park 2022 Starts June 8

Join us for a fun summer tradition! The annual Concerts in the Parkseries will be held in June and July and Peaks View County Park will be one of the venues.

Join us there on June 29 at 5:30 pm to hear Muskellunge play. The park is located at 8805 Koch Field Road. Coconino County Parks & Recreation has teamed up with Flagstaff Parks, Recreation, and Open Space to make this concert possible.

To see the full line-up and locations for this year’s series of free concerts,click here.

‘Healthy Families’ Helping Parents-to-Be

Healthy Families is a voluntary, free support program serving families in their quest to be the best parents they can be.

The program offers child development information, group activities, community resources, and ongoing supportive visits for up to five years in your home.

The Healthy Families Arizona program helps parents-to-be:

· Prepare for their baby’s birth

· Communicate with and understand their baby

· Help their child learn more about the world through play

If you would like more information regarding eligibility and participation, please contact us at (928) 679-7216.

Talking Mental Health with Kids and Teens

Did you miss our recent Facebook Live with Coconino County Health and Human Services and Stronger as One on talking about mental health with teens and kids? You can watch it here.

Coconino County Fair Is Hiring

The 2022 Coconino County Fair is recruiting temporary event staff!

There are many positions to be filled for the four-day event over Labor Day Weekend.

Learn more and apply online here.

For more information about the fair, including the event schedule and deadlines for exhibit entry forms, visitCoconinoCountyFair.com.

COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses are available at the Coconino County Health and Human Services Clinic, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff, from noon to 4:30 Wednesdays and Fridays. This includes appointments for the recently approved Pfizer booster shot for children aged 5-11.

For COVID-19 vaccination locations please visit our webpage here.

In addition to the CCHHS clinic, there will be a special Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Event at Page High School from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, June 11. The mobile vaccination event will be at the Cultural Arts Building.

COVID is still in the community and the Coconino County Health and Human Services urges you to always wash your hands and stay home if you are feeling sick.

If possible, work remotely from home if you begin to feel ill. Following these simple precautions can help combat the virus and keep our community healthy.