Grand Canyon Semester students lend a helping hand on the North Rim
As the 2026-27 year kicked off, students in the unique Honors College program Grand Canyon Semester spent two full days at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon clearing barbed wire that had been burned by the Dragon Bravo Fire. Their work didn’t just benefit public lands and wildlife—it also gave them crucial hands-on experience that could serve them well in their outdoor-focused careers.
What if your skills, ideas, and connections could help inspire the next generation of scientists, innovators, and problem-solvers? The Flagstaff Festival of Science is seeking passionate, creative, and community-minded professionals to join our Board of Directors and help shape the future of Northern Arizona’s most engaging science education initiative.
FLAGSTAFF — A ‘No Kings: Vote Early – Flagstaff’ rally will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. MST, Saturday, Oct. 17 at 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.
Join us to rally in celebration of exercising our superpower – voting!
We will provide non-partisan education for those who haven’t yet voted, including finding the closest ballot box or how to vote early in-person. We will also provide volunteer opportunities for our Election Protection program.
Bring signs with the theme of early voting en mass as the best way to thwart attempts to disrupt elections. Have fun with it! Superhero costume + voting is our superpower. Voting is as American as Apple Pie. Express yourself! The People Decide Our Elections,
By Virginia Watahomigie • Executive Director,
Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — I have been trying to find a way to explain and honor this work since I celebrated my 10-year anniversary with CCC&Y in September. But I write, erase, re-write and let it sit….let me explain how all of this amazing work is also tied to my own lived experience. This is a story of both celebration and sorrow. It is a story about my why.
First, I want to celebrate all the amazing successes and work we have done together, from conferences, symposiums, early childhood fairs, workshops, prevention strategies, lot’s of writing and reports and so much more. I am honored to have been invited to speak and listen in so many amazing spaces
The 22nd Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival is almost underway, and artists from across the country are arriving in Red Rock Country for nine extraordinary days of painting, creativity, and community.
Throughout the festival, artists will set up their easels across Sedona and the Verde Valley, capturing the changing light, brilliant colors, and breathtaking landscapes that make this place so inspiring.
And you’re invited to experience it all!
I’m excited to share that United Way of Northern Arizona’s 2026-2027 Annual Campaign is officially underway.
This year, we’re working to raise $1.2 million to fund programs that increase youth opportunity, promote healthy communities, foster financial security, and strengthen community resiliency across Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.
Our theme this year is Give Where You Live. United at Its Peak. It celebrates the power of local giving and what we can accomplish in northern Arizona when we come together.
Daily stress doesn’t always look like a mental health crisis. It can look like lying awake thinking about bills, losing patience with the people you love after a long day or feeling tired no matter how much you sleep.
Maybe you’re juggling work and family responsibilities. Maybe groceries and gas cost more than you expected again this week. Maybe someone you care about is struggling, and you have quietly taken on the responsibility of helping them, too.
Over time, those pressures add up.
On Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day reminds us to check in with ourselves and the people around us when life starts to feel a little too heavy. But how can you tell when it may be time for more support?
I am excited to report that the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona and our regional economic development professionals were honored at the recent Fall Forum of the Arizona Association for Economic Development.
The AAED presented 25 Golden Prospector Awards and Awards of Merit at its event in Flagstaff. Two awards of merit were earned by ECoNA, and a third by the City of Winslow, a member of our collaborative.
Homecoming festivities start in two days, Jacks! Don your school colors and get ready for a weekend packed with pride, tradition and celebration, both on campus and throughout Flagstaff. There’s something for everyone, and new this year—campus open houses to learn more about campus spaces.
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff City Council formally adopted the 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes during the Council Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6. This adoption updates the City’s construction regulations to align with the latest industry standards and includes local amendments that address Flagstaff’s unique conditions and priorities. These codes primarily apply to new buildings and are designed to benefit residents, builders, and the broader community.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Manager Andy Bertelsen appointed Forest Restoration Director Jay Smith to the role of Interim Flood Control District Administrator following the retirement of Lucinda Andreani.
“Jay Smith brings valuable leadership experience and a strong understanding of Coconino County’s natural resources and land management challenges to this interim role. His work as Forest Restoration Director has given him important insight into the interconnected issues of watershed health, forest management and community resilience,” Bertelsen said. “I appreciate Jay’s willingness to take on this additional responsibility and am confident he will help ensure the Flood Control District continues to meet its mission of protecting our communities and residents.”
FLAGSTAFF — Mariachi music, folklorico dances and a central courtyard illuminated by hundreds of candles placed on nearly two dozen ofrendas/altars — visitors to the Museum of Northern Arizona will once again experience it all when Celebraciones de la Gente returns on Oct. 24-25, 2026 courtesy of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and its partnership with the Museum.
The 23rd annual Celebraciones de la Gente will feature headline performances by Mariachi Agave from Tucson and Flagstaff’s own Ballet Folklorico de Colores, which has performed at the annual event since Celebraciones was founded in 2003. It was at that time that Nuestras member and longtime historian Delia Munoz came up with the name which means Celebration of the People.
FLAGSTAFF— The public is invited to attend the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) inaugural Nuestra Comunidad Community Recognition Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 at American Legion Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff. Doors open at 6:45 a.m.
The celebration includes guest speakers, community and veterans award presentations and entertainment.
Bring your handouts for our Community Information Table!
FLAGSTAFF — Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Alumni Day with a special football game and tailgate event against Montana at the Skydome. Tailgate for 150 people!
Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and other local community leaders and residents will be honored during the game.
Star Party
High Country Motor Lodge
Journey through the stars with cultural astronomer Dr. Danielle Adams for an evening of celestial storytelling and telescope viewing under the night sky.
As twilight deepens, you’ll experience the night sky through the lens of cultural astronomy as Dr. Adams reveals the rich histories behind well-known star names and showcases Arabian star names. You can also enjoy close-up telescopic views of Saturn and other celestial objects as the Milky Way rises.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Coconino County has announced that early voting has begun and that ballots have been mailed out.
To check your voter registration status, visit my.arizona.vote.
Make sure to go to Coconino County Elections and the Coconino County Recorder’s Office for important dates and information about the November 3 General Election!
A Message to Our Grand Canyon Community: Every Drop Counts
This community has met every challenge the canyon has thrown at it with grit and generosity. These past weeks have tested us, and you have answered with patience, cooperation, and care for one another. Thank you.
As the park scales back the temporary resident water services starting Friday, Oct. 9, we want to acknowledge what you’ve already accomplished. You have adapted your routines, supported your neighbors and worked together to conserve water during Stage 4 restrictions.
The Coconino National Forest is planning to conduct pile burns next week as conditions allow. Pile burns are a type of prescribed fire. Certified prescribed fire specialists will use these upcoming pile burns to help reduce unwanted fuels – notably by cleaning up debris left over from area timber sales. More information about the importance of prescribed fire is available on the Coconino National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/fire/management
Building a desert bestiary
Bobby Long, an associate teaching professor of visual communication, recently created more than 65 detailed illustrations for “Sonoran Desert Bestiary: A More-than-Natural History,” a book that explores small and underrepresented species through folklore and natural history. We asked Long a few quick Qs about the experience.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — Flagstaff City Manager Joanne Keene was recognized as a 2026 Women Achiever of Arizona within Government and Public Service. The Women Achievers Award recognizes exceptional women whose leadership, service, innovation, and dedication have made a meaningful impact on Arizona’s communities, industries, and public life. Awardees represent leaders who inspire others through their accomplishments and commitment to making a difference.
Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett said “Joanne’s dedication to Flagstaff and her commitment to public service have made a lasting impact on our community. We are proud to celebrate her achievements and are grateful for her service to our city.”
Click below for the latest news updates from the:
Office Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes
For nine days this October, 26 artists from across the country will spread out across Sedona and the Verde Valley, painting the landscape as it changes around them—capturing the light, color and extraordinary beauty of Red Rock Country in real time.
And you don’t have to experience the festival from a distance.
This year, there are several special opportunities to join us where the painting is happening—from an evening among the vineyards at D.A. Ranch to an intimate private Sedona residence, or by picking up your own brushes and participating in the Community Paint Out.
Reserve your place now and be part of the 22nd Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival!
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — Flagstaff City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12 in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. City Hall offices will reopen Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
City of Flagstaff facilities that are also closed on Indigenous Peoples Day include:
WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest fire managers plan to begin ignitions on over 3,200 acres of prescribed fire units on the Williams Ranger District tomorrow, which will produce noticeable smoke in and around the community of Pumpkin Center and Kendrick Mountain Wilderness, and south of the Bill Williams Mountain area and from South Perkinsville Road.
We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
