Community, local officials to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2026)

COCONINO COUNTY — From the official acknowledgment of the key role Hispanic/Latino Americans play in the social/economic vitality of the nation, to the official celebration of the independence movement of a variety of Latin American nations and a remembrance of the important history the the local Hispanic/Latino community, residents of Coconino County are preparing to celebrate a variety of events during Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2026.

The first official act will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 when the Coconino County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the official Proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month.

Community celebrates with dance and musical performances during the unofficial Latino Entertainment Day at 2026 Coconino County Fair

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County officials celebrated another successful County Fair with the local Hispanic community turning out for a variety of Latino-themed performances on Sept. 6 at the 77th annual Coconino County Fair.

“Thousands turned out to Get Your Kicks and Fair Fix at Fort Tuthill County Park this Labor Day weekend!” County officials stated. “Thank you to our incredible community, local businesses, and everyone who came together to make the 77th Annual Coconino County Fair one to remember. We hope to see you again next year!”

Entertainment on Sunday at the Main Stage included the morning dance performances by Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff, the afternoon performance by Banda La Excepcional and the evening concert by Grupo La Kana. 

Flagstaff joins other cities in commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a ceremony during the early morning hours of Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

“Today, we remember and honor the heroes of September 11, 2001, who showed incredible bravery and sacrifice. Flagstaff stands united in reflection, paying tribute to the lives lost and the resilience of our nation,” the city stated on its Facebook page.

The event included the presentation of the Colors and the display of hundreds of flags. The 9/11 Flag Memorial Field honors the 2,977 people who lost their lives on 9/11/2001. 

Election Watch — AmigosNAZ weekly update— Tracking Your Ballot

PHOENIX – Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (on July 2, 2026) has launched a statewide PSA campaign reminding Arizona that voters in all 15 counties have the ability to sign up for BallotTrax, the real-time ballot status update system. In tandem, the Secretary has also launched a redesigned Arizona.Vote website, providing voters with an updated, user-friendly destination for official election information and voter services.

Discover Flagstaff — FALL-PAW-LOOZA Flagstaff Mall on Sept. 12, more events

FALL-PAW-LOOZA
Flagstaff Mall
Join us for an exciting time at the FALL-PAW-LOOZA to support Shadows Foundation and their new adoption network, R-FAN!

Food, Bar, Games, Giveaways, Vendors, Cornhole Tournament, K9 Demonstration, Pet Adoptions, Live Music, Kids Crafts Hosted by Flagstaff Walmart Locations, and More!

Shadows Foundation R-FAN will have puppies available for adoption from 2-5pm!

City of Flagstaff — Flagstaff minimum wage $19 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2027

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — On January 1, 2027, the minimum wage in the City of Flagstaff will increase from $18.35 to $19.00 per hour for all workers.

On November 8, 2016 the voters of Flagstaff wrote and passed The Minimum Wage Act as a citizen’s initiative (Proposition 414). Accordingly, the City’s minimum wage is adjusted annually by the change in the cost of living.

Coconino County presents 22nd Annual Sustainable Building Tour on Oct. 3

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County’s Sustainable Building Program invites the community to explore innovative, resilient living at the 22nd Annual Sustainable Building Tour on Saturday, October 3.

Presented as part of the Flagstaff Festival of Science, this year’s free event features a dual-track tour showcasing practical, inspiring strategies for building and living sustainably across northern Arizona. Attendees can choose between two distinct experiences, or explore both:

Kaibab National Forest to begin fall prescribed fires

WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this month, beginning with Moonset Pit as soon as September 20, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through October as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

There are numerous project areas across the forest in which crews may be working, including some in the Red Lake and Spring Valley areas, southeast of the Town of Tusayan, and the Jacob Lake and Demotte areas. Visit InciWeb for details and maps of planned burn areas.

Museum of Northern Arizona — Don’t Miss This Special Artist Conversation at MNA on Sept. 13

Join us Sunday, September 13 at 1pm, to hear from two renowned artists sharing stories and reflections on Artist Hopid. Neil David Sr. and Ed Kabotie’s father, Michael Kabotie, were two of the founding members of Artist Hopid, a groundbreaking collective founded in 1973 by five visionary Hopi artists: Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, Terrance Talaswaima, Neil David Sr., and Milland Lomakema.

Coconino County Parks & Recreation — Discover Summer Adventures with Our September 2026 Newsletter

The 77th Annual Coconino County Fair was a great success!

Thousands turned out to Get Your Kicks and Fair Fix at Fort Tuthill County Park this Labor Day weekend! Thank you to our incredible community, local businesses, and everyone who came together to make the 77th Annual Coconino County Fair one to remember. We hope to see you again next year!

Get the latest news updates from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes including ‘Attorney General Mayes Secures Full Victory in Lawsuit Challenging the Federal Government’s Attack on Fair Housing Protections

Click below for the latest news updates from the:

Office Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes

City of Flagstaff launches website redesign

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — The City of Flagstaff is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned municipal website. The updated site features an improved design, enhanced navigation, and a more accessible experience for all community members.

The City encourages the community to visit and explore the refreshed site. While some information may look different or be located in updated menus, all previously available content is still available. Several new features, such as a calendar for City-sponsored events, have also been added.

Coconino Center for the Arts — Savor the Night Sky: Featured performances, dinner menu, and more!

Set within the galleries and theater at Coconino Center for the Arts, NightVisions: Savor the Night Sky is a constellation of a chef-curated dinner, live music & dancing, musical theater, and stargazing.

Stargazer Collaborative Theater will be performing musical selections inspired by the night sky, featuring performers Doug Riddle, Sarah Casey, DeLano Hays, Amelia Swann, AJ Maniglia, Taylor Salazar.

This fundraiser benefits Exhibitions & Programs at Coconino Center for the Arts, with opportunities to support Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition.

Limited capacity. Reservations close September 15.⁠ 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Youth artistic talent on display at 2026 Coconino County Fair

COCONINO COUNTY — Students from dozens of local schools countywide participated in the 77th Annual Coconino County Fair held Sept. 4-7, 2026 at the fairgrounds at Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff.

Public elementary, middle and high school; charter school and home-school students submitted a variety of entries, which filled the entire Schools exhibit building.

​​​​​​​“We loved seeing student artwork from schools across FUSD on display at the Coconino County Fair this weekend!,” FUSD stated on its Facebook page. “A big shoutout to our talented student artists and the teachers who encourage their creativity every day. We’re so proud to see our students’ amazing work out in the community!”

City of Flagstaff — Apply to participate in the 2026 Public Works Citizens Academy

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — The City of Flagstaff Public Works Department invites members of the public to participate in the 2026 Public Works Academy. The Academy is an immersive, eight-week educational experience designed to give residents a behind‑the‑scenes look at the essential services that keep our community running. Applications are due by Sept. 16, 2026.

The NAU Review — Getting students ready to serve + can objects in space remember?

Ready for duty

A hands-on program is preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers and park protection rangers. By combining academic instruction, physical training and real-world experience, NAU’s Law Enforcement Training Academy is giving students what they need to serve their communities and preserve public lands right after graduation.

Choose Your Next Creative Adventure at Sedona Arts Center

Whether you’re exploring a new passion or building on years of experience, Sedona Arts Center offers inspiring classes and workshops for every skill level. Learn from working artists in a welcoming, hands-on environment while exploring painting, ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, photography, mixed media, and more.

Join us in the heart of Sedona and discover where creativity can take you.

City of Flagstaff — Small Businesses invited to apply for Business Retention and Expansion Incentive

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and eligible nonprofit organizations operating within the City of Flagstaff are invited to apply for the Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Incentive, a competitive grant program designed to support the growth, stability, and resilience of existing local businesses.

The City of Flagstaff has allocated $45,000 for the BR&E Incentive in FY27, with individual awards ranging from $2,500 to $30,000. Up to $15,000 of the total allocation may be awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations with a focus on economic development activities. The program also requires a 1-to-1 cash match; the amount requested must be matched by the applicant.

Grand Canyon National Park announces recovery and repair plan following flash flood

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park continues response and recovery operations following the significant August 29 flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area. Search operations remain active, while crews continue infrastructure assessments, stabilization work and efforts to restore a reliable water supply to the South Rim. 

The park now has a path forward to restore water service and, based on current progress, expects that work to take weeks, not months. 

Crews are moving forward with construction of a temporary water intake at Bright Angel Creek to replace the intake destroyed by the flood. Engineers are in the canyon designing the temporary intake, the existing Transcanyon Waterline contract has been modified to support the work, and construction activities are beginning this week. 

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — Tell Council on Sept. 8 you support a stronger energy code

This Tuesday, September 8th, during their work session, City Council will discuss and provide direction to staff regarding their willingness to adopt the updated 2024 “Suite of Building & Fire Codes,” including a stronger Energy Code, at a date in the near future (see proposed dates below). International Energy Codes are released every three years, and the city adopts them every six years. The City of Flagstaff is currently using the 2018 Energy Code. Use of updated codes support safer, more durable and resilient communities.

Election Watch — AmigosNAZ launching weekly information feature ahead of upcoming Nov. 3, 2026 elections

Editor’s note: Given the constantly churning news cycle with stories on court cases possibly impacting mail-in ballots or reduction of polling places nationwide and other political issues, AmigosNAZ is launching this new weekly feature to help readers gather accurate information from local and state elections officials on the upcoming election. Future stories will include details on how to track your ballot, ballot drop off locations in Coconino County and other information. Please see links below for local and Arizona election resources.

‘American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez’ to be shown through Sept. 10 during Sedona International Film Festival

SEDONA — The Northern Arizona premiere of “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez” comes to Sedona for a one-week run (Sept. 3-10), starting with a screening at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 as part of the Sedona International Film Festival.

The opening night screening will be followed by a Q&A with director David Alvarado and producer Everett Katigbak. The Sundance audience favorite tells the story of Luis Valdez, the man who built El Teatro Campesino out of the fields of California and turned the figure of the pachuco and the history of the Zoot Suit Riots into influential American stage art.

Narrated by Edward James Olmos in character as El Pachuco, featuring Dolores Huerta. It began on a flatbed truck at the Delano picket lines, with farmworkers performing their own strike, before it ever reached a stage. A Mexican American story on the big screen, brought to Sedona by the festival that keeps this red rock town in love with film.

Discover Flagstaff — Labor Day Weekend Plans? Check Out These Events!

Get Your Kicks & Fair Fix at the 77th Annual Coconino County Fair! Celebrating 135 years of Coconino County, join us Labor Day Weekend, September 4-7, 2026, at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff.

Enjoy carnival rides, live bands every day, Friday through Monday, livestock shows, fine arts, food, games, and family fun for all ages. 

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Aug. 31 – Sept. 4, 2026

Bright Angel Flash Flood Response and South Rim Water Conservation

Grand Canyon National Park continues response and recovery efforts following the August 29 flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area. Search, accountability, infrastructure assessment, and recovery work are ongoing under a Type II Incident Management Team.

Flash Flood Response and Search Efforts

At this time, 82 people have been rescued, two people have been recovered deceased, and one person remains missing. Search efforts for the missing hiker continue with park staff and partner agencies.

The flood caused extensive damage to trails, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure in the inner canyon. Early assessments indicate that approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline and five to seven miles of the North Kaibab Trail have been severely damaged. Four bridges in the Box were severely damaged or washed away. Assessments are continuing, and these estimates may change as crews learn more about the extent of the damage.