
The Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) pathway and the southbound bike lane along the west side of Fort Valley Road/HWY 180 will close between Deanna Way and Forest Avenue Aug. 2- 6, 24 hours a day.
Flagstaff High School graduate Bonnie Kelch left high school with job skills and college credit.
She took advantage of free college courses at CCC with the help of the Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry and Technology and is already a Certified Nursing Assistant, and she also has a certification in Pre-Health Careers.
“I always thought I wanted to be a nurse, and this gave me the opportunity to see what it’s about before I committed to it in college,” Kelch said. “I like that it’s a job where I’m actually helping people. I feel like I can make a difference in people’s lives.”
Two years ago next month, Greg Clifton became Flagstaff’s City Manager after a search that took almost a year and half.
Greg, who also serves as a member of the ECoNA Executive Board, brought more than three decades of experience from several Colorado cities and towns, including stints as the Town Manager of Telluride and Vail.
World Ranger Day July 31
On July 31, the park will celebrate World Ranger Day. World Ranger Day is commemorated worldwide on July 31st to commemorate rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate the work Rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage. Be on the lookout for NPS-wide messaging on our social media pages.
Be on the lookout for NPS social media posts celebrating World Ranger Day later this week.
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, according to the American Psychological Association.
It is a field that has long held fascination for Michele Metcalf, lead faculty for Social and Behavioral Sciences at Coconino Community College. Along her educational journey, she found that what she had a passion for teaching the subject that fascinated her.
Her students can feel that passion and helped her earn the honor of CCC’s 2021 Full-Time Faculty of the Year.
Below is a summary of (Wednesday’s July 28) activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area.
Today’s Storm Events: The Museum Fire burn scar did not experience significant rainfall yesterday or today.
Weather Forecast: The National Weather Service predicting an uptick in thunderstorm activity Thursday through Friday. Scattered storms are anticipated throughout this weekend. For up-to-date, local weather, visit https://www.weather.gov/fgz/.
The weather outside is frightful – or at least the predictions for rain are. While today should be mostly sunny, it looks like the monsoons will be returning later this week and sticking around throughout the weekend.
That’s why we are working with the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County to arrange multiple volunteer opportunities to help fill sandbags this week. Each day there are two shifts – from 8 am to Noon and then from 1 to 5 pm. Please note, however, that you don’t have to work all four hours of a shift; any amount of time you can help will be appreciated.
Flash Floods and Lightning Awareness
As we continue to navigate monsoon season, we would like to take a moment to discuss the dangers of flash floods and lightning within the Grand Canyon. Flash floods are distinguished from regular floods by having a timescale of fewer than six hours between rainfall and the onset of flooding.
Below is a summary of Wednesdays, July 21 activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area.
Storm Activity: The National Weather Service is forecasting increased thunderstorm activity with chances of significant rainfall Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Thunderstorm cells were on the edge of the western section of the Museum burn scar today (with approximately 1.2” of rain). As a result, only the western tributary of the Spruce Wash flowed. In contrast to previous events, the channels and mitigation efforts kept waters largely within the channels and storm drain system.
Sandbag Operations: 9,900 sandbags were produced and delivered to both the stations and to supply sandbagging placement operations for the elderly and disabled. Total number of sandbags in the Museum Flood area now exceeds 650,000 (2019 to today).
Celebrate Sedona was specifically designed for the Arts Center be more connected locally. We are so excited about bringing more people to our campus – those who would not typically attend one or our events, classes or programs. We want to introduce what we do to our entire community in a casual, engaging way that is all about fun. So local musicians, food, wine and beer, artist demos, and more, will be available. Some of our events will be themed to whatever is going on in the community, our programming, or tied to an upcoming holiday. This event is free and open to everyone – so please come take a look. We would love to have you!
The Literacy center is officially reopening for in-person classes, drop-ins, and one-on-one tutoring on August 10th!!!! We are so excited to get to meet face-to-face once again. We will be offering several sections of ESL classes, conversation classes, and one pronunciation class at our site. In addition, we will continue our Zoom classes for those of us who are not yet comfortable in an in-person setting. Please check our online schedule at thinkliteracy.org for specific class dates and times beginning August 1st. Please feel free to drop in any time August 10th, 11th, or 12th to say hi! We will have refreshments available to celebrate our reopening.
We are back!! 2021 Conference tickets on sale now!! We are so excited to FINALLY host this highly anticipated and exciting event!! Please see our full program and event details. We are proud to host amazing speakers and content. For example, get to know our opening Keynote speaker by viewing Deanna Singh’s Tedx Talk, We All Have the Power to Build Bridges.
Get your tickets today!! This event supports professional and personal development. We are calling those who are seeking to excel professionally, those who wish to bring healing to themselves and their community, individuals who are engaged and craving change, and to those dedicating their lives and careers to supporting others.
On July 20 at approximately 2:50 p.m., the Grand Canyon Communications Center received a report of multiple individuals struck by lightning at the Bright Angel Trailhead during a monsoonal thunderstorm.
A 30-year-old male and 28-year-old female victim were initially found unresponsive; the male regained consciousness without intervention. CPR and advanced life-saving interventions were initiated on the female, and she regained a pulse. Due to significant storm activity, air transport was not available, and both patients were transported by ground to the Flagstaff Medical Center. The female victim is reported to be in stable condition at a regional burn center. At least two other patients self-transported to the Grand Canyon Clinic with lightning splash injuries.
It’s a perfect partnership.
Coconino Community College needs to offer real-world experience to the students in the Construction Technology Management program. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona needs workers to help build affordable homes for Flagstaff.
In late May, leaders for the two organizations got together and made the arrangement formal. CCC CTM students will help HFH build the first of, with hope, many “starter homes” for the Flagstaff community beginning this fall.
“We want to encourage workforce development and retention to keep that talent in the community,” said Eric Wolverton, executive director of HFH. “Starter homes are an asset that keep giving. They will be a community asset serving multiple families.”
The following email was sent to Museum Flood Area residents (the evening of July 18):
Below is a summary of today’s activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area.
– Storm Activity: The National Weather Service is forecasting increased thunderstorm activity through Thursday with particularly increased chance of significant rainfall between Tuesday and Thursday this week. Although major thunderstorms were expected today, the thunderstorm cells missed the burn scar.
– Sandbags: Residents are reminded NOT to remove sandbags from existing flood mitigation efforts. Removing sandbags from barriers and the other mitigation measures places your home and others at greater risk for flooding.
Math and statistics are Dorel Meier’s game. She finds it a worthy challenge to take students on a journey to understand how much of what they do in the world revolves around math and that it can be fun.
So, it’s no wonder that Meier was chosen as the Part-Time Faculty of the Year for the 2021-22 school year at Coconino Community College. She was nominated by students and by fellow faculty at the college.
“This award truly means the world to me,” Meier said. “I am so proud of the work I have done with CCC students and this award validates that I am making a difference in their lives.”
On July 14 at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of two individuals missing and multiple parties injured after flash flood activity impacted Tatahatso Camp near River Mile 38 on the Colorado River. Grand Canyon Search and Rescue sent two paramedics to the scene to assess and treat patients. Active monsoonal weather in the area limited access to the scene for overnight search and rescue operations.
At approximately 2:30 a.m., one patient who was in critical condition was flown out via Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter from the area. Four additional patients were evacuated by air on July 15 to the Flagstaff Medical Center; they are in stable condition at this time.
The following email was sent to Museum Flood Area residents (the evening of July 15:)
Below is a summary of today’s activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area and the nearby neighborhoods susceptible to monsoonal flooding:
– States of Emergency: Today Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy and Coconino County Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt Ryan declared States of Emergency on behalf of the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County due to the impacts of monsoonal flooding to the Museum Flood Area and other parts of Flagstaff, which started July 13, 2021. Declaring a State of Emergency allows the City and County to expend emergency funds from all available sources and request assistance from the State of Arizona.
Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy and Coconino County Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt Ryan have declared States of Emergency on behalf of the city of Flagstaff and Coconino County due to the impacts of monsoonal flooding to the Museum Flood Area and other parts of Flagstaff, which started July 13, 2021. Declaring a State of Emergency allows the city and county to expend emergency funds from all available sources and request assistance from the State of Arizona.
Coconino County will lift all fire restrictions on private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County in coordination with similar actions by the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests, as well as other agencies in the area.
The lifting of the fire restrictions is effective July 16, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. This action to lift fire restrictions ends the County’s campfire ban and Stage 2 fire restrictions enacted earlier this summer.
he Consular Newsletter on Economic and Tourist Affairs is already an informative reference for
thousands of players in the Mexico–Arizona relationship. It has happened in part because
the newsletter offers pertinent information month after month in its three sections —#ChooseMexico, #ArizonaThrives and #DiscoverMexico. It also has become a must- read because of the support and interest
of high-profile leaders on both sides of the border who are committed to collaborate to
make our region thrive. They have found in this newsletter an excellent platform to discuss relevant
issues that affect our binational relationship.
In this Sixth Edition, we are very pleased to have the special collaboration of Alfonso Durazo, the governor-elect of the neighboring state of Sonora. The well-being of both the Arizona and Sonora‘s economy and tourism cannot be conceived without each other. In this sense, Gov.-elect Durazo has chosen our newsletter to confirm, through his informative article, that his government considers the relationship with Arizona essential.
On the Arizona side, we have articles from Juan Ciscomani, senior advisor
to the governor of Arizona for regional and international affairs, and Danny Seiden, the new president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They both emphasize the importance of the state of Sonora and all
of Mexico to the state of Arizona. In this section, we also learn more about Xico, the arts and culture institution founded in Phoenix in 1975, from its Executive Director Donna Valdéz; the heartwarming work of Marlene Carrasco; and the Valle de Guadalupe and Cetto Winery from Laura L. Medina Montiel.
Enjoy!
If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure is minimized.
Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
Mobile: (202) 891-8599
Email: ronan_king@nps.gov
For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
Mobile: (202) 641-3518
Email: christen_glime@nps.gov
It’s not an exaggeration to say that over the past 18 months, the Navajo Nation was one of the areas hardest hit by the pandemic. As of this week, the tribe reported a total of more than 31,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 1,362 deaths attributed to the virus, according to the Navajo Department of Health.
Over the past year, however, the vast tribal area that includes land in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, has gone from having one of the highest per capita infection rates to one of the highest vaccination rates in the country. Navajo President Jonathan Nez recently said that more than 70 percent of those eligible for the vaccine have received it.
That change prompted Navajo leaders to allow a limited reopening of the Navajo Nation to tourists this month. Navajo Nation roads are now available to visitors and tribal parks are opened at 50 percent capacity. On Monday, Twin Arrows Casino Resort also reopened, which is a huge boon to our regional economy.
Due to monsoonal activity and heavy rainfall, Grand Canyon National Park will rescind Stage 2 fire restrictions as of 6 a.m. Friday, July 16.
Grand Canyon National Park will remain in stage 1 fire restrictions which requires that a campfire always be in a designated fire ring within a maintained campground. Inner canyon users can use gas cook stoves, but campfires and other open fires are never allowed below the rim. River users should continue to follow the conditions of their permit regarding fires along the Colorado River.
Visitors should continue to be fire aware and use extra care when visiting their public lands.
The city of Flagstaff will lift all fire restrictions within city limits at 6 a.m. on July 16, 2021. The city of Flagstaff cooperates with local, county, state and federal fire management agencies to ensure a coordinated effort is made in fire restrictions actions across jurisdictions.
Additionally, the city’s fire danger has lowered from Very High to High. Though fire danger has been reduced, residents are encouraged to consider Firewise practices around homes and offices. Visit www.firewise.org for recommendations to reduce risk of wildfire damaging your home and property. Constituents can call (928) 213-2500 for a free Firewise assessment of their property.
A pair of recently released reports illustrate how far our region and state have to go to provide better outcomes for our children and youth – and how the pandemic has complicated those efforts.
According to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Arizona was slowly making improvements in multiple areas for children. The state is consistently in the bottom 25% for overall rankings, but had shown gains in 2019 in both the economic well-being of children and with more elementary and middle school students meeting math and reading proficiency levels.
And then COVID hit.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff is excited to announce its partnership with the Flagstaff Hullabaloo Festival! We are honored and grateful to be selected as one of the benefiting agencies. Proceeds will directly benefit our youth mentoring programs.
Hullabaloo is a celebration of all things Flagstaff and we can’t wait to join in the fun on August 14th and 15th.
To support this wonderful event, we are looking for volunteers to help throughout the festival. If you are available and would like to volunteer please follow this link below to fill out the google form. We will reach out to you shortly to confirm a volunteer slot.
CCC&Y, in partnership with One•n•ten and Flagstaff Public Library, convened several Coconino youths to lead a youth pride event. Nine youth between the ages of 12-24 years old eagerly joined the planning team! During the initial meeting, the youth brainstormed several ideas possible event themes. After a short deliberation, the youth agreed to plan a paint night!
They created the flyer to advertise the event and determined what materials would be provided to participants. They promoted the event within their networks. They brainstormed conversation starters to get youth interacting during the event.
Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.
Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays
If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov
Beginning July 17, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park should be prepared for changes in shuttle bus operations. The following changes will be in place from July 17 through November 30, 2021 unless otherwise noted.
To protect public health, all buses and shuttle operations are still modified to meet COVID-19 guidelines. Modified buses currently carry a smaller number of passengers per trip with additional safety measures in place, including:
The Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff are preparing for possible flash flooding this week in the Museum Flood Area.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting a moderate threat of flooding over the next several days from monsoon storms, including scattered thunderstorms and rain showers in Flagstaff with the greatest threat on Tuesday. These storms may impact the Museum burn scar and cause flooding to downstream neighborhoods.
A quick word from the President
Shouts and whoops of happiness. Songs and singalongs. Bright red, white and blue colors and smiling children. Waving flags and heartfelt laughter.
What a difference a year makes. Last year, all of us here at Coconino Community College decided to host a virtual Shoebox Parade to reach out to the communities we serve during the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate some of our common isolation. This year, we got the opportunity to engage once again with our communities face to face during the Fourth of July parades in Flagstaff, Page and Williams. I could not help but grin from ear to ear seeing so many people filled with joy and celebration.
On July 13, 2021, the City of Flagstaff will begin a 60-day public review process for a major amendment to the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030. The proposed amendment will update the
update the Plan’s climate action goals and policies to align with the recently-adopted Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan. The proposed amendment is within the Climate Change and Adaptation section of the Environmental Planning & Conservation Chapter, located on pages IV-11 and IV-12. The public review period begins on July 13, 2021, and ends on September 13, 2021.
Members and supporters of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) took part in the Great Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in downtown Flagstaff.
Joining members were Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez; former District 2 Supervisor Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta, who is director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs; and Marco Lopez, former Nogales mayor, who is a candidate for Arizona governor.
The classes were a little smaller, the program was a little shorter, and smoke from wildfires sometimes made getting outside for recess difficult. Despite those challenges, the return of KinderCamp™ last month was a great success.
More than 130 students from Flagstaff, Williams and Pinetop-Lakeside took part in this year’s collaborative project, which prepares pre-school age children academically, socially and emotionally for kindergarten.
“It was great,” said Sara Owen, the coordinator for the project. “The families were excited to be back in person, the kids were happy to be in school, and the teachers were appreciative for a chance to help them grow.”
Social Gathering Reminders
During the summer, it is common to see social gatherings happening in the park.
Here are a few reminders if you are considering attending a gathering:
If you are unvaccinated, remember that you must wear a face covering when indoors and maintain physical distance from others. You should use extra caution in all situations if you are not vaccinated. Follow CDC guidance and DOI policy to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Even if you are vaccinated, it may be a good idea to have a mask handy in case you need it. Vaccinated people are welcome to wear masks any time they feel it may be helpful.
The recent surge in the more transmissible Delta variant in surrounding states and in Arizona has made these prevention strategies all the more important.
Thanks to community partners’ support, in June, Goodwill provided over 800 services, helped 19 people in the Flagstaff area find jobs, and certified 3 people in NorthStar Computer Basics!
Below is an update on the July workshops at Goodwill. Please share the attached flyers!
Thank you for your support!
As of 6:00 a.m. July 6, Coconino County has moved back to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in coordination with the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.
In line with the movement to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, Coconino County Parks and Recreation has reopened trails including Soldiers, Bridge, Two-Spot, Gold Digger, and Pumphouse Nature trails, and allowed access to the Highlands Trail, Flagstaff Loop Trail, and Harrenburg Wash.
Additionally, Fort Tuthill Disc Golf Course, Fort Tuthill Bike Park, the stables at Fort Tuthill, the Archery Range at Fort Tuthill, and ramadas are now open.
“Finding My Strength; Hope in Connection,” is the theme of the 2021 Annual Conference from Aug. 18 through Sept. 8 presented by the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth.
Deanna Singh, author, TEDx talk Speaker, Justice and Equality Advocate, will launch the conference with her presentation “Hustle with Purpose” from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 MST/AZ.
Sandra Solano, MD, MS, a Public Health Professional and HeartMath Master Trainer, will lead the day two session with her presentation “From a Smart Brain to a Wise Heart — A Scientist’s Journey” from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25.
Other presentations include:
We have been pretty busy this month! I am enjoying meeting more people and connecting with the District 2 community. It has been a month full of board meetings, events and lots of learning. I have walked along the Museum Fire drainages and am happy to report that a lot of work has gone into improving the drainage. Thank you to United Way, the County and the City for the efforts to get the drainages clear and ready for monsoon season. In addition, we had about 80 volunteers between two weekends come out to support the neighborhood volunteer day. Seeing everyone come together to help one another is a rare sighting, but I know District 2 is full of generous, loving people that want to see their community thrive. As the weather warms up I am looking forward to seeing family, spending time with my kids and working on items for the fall. I hope that you reach out to my office whenever you need. You can reach District 2 at 928-679-7162 or email me at jvasquez@coconino.az.gov or contact my District Director, Areina Contreras at acontreras@coconino.az.gov.
As of 6:00 a.m. today, July 6, Coconino County has moved back to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in coordination with the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.
This decision was made due to the cooler temperatures and recent rainfall which has reduced the risk of wildfire.
Even with the rain and lower temperatures, Coconino County remains in a drought and therefore fire danger remains. The following restrictions apply on County public lands, as well as private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County:
As I drive through the open expansions and vast wilderness of quiet and bare Arizona State Route 92 between Bisbee and Sierra Vista, Jack Kerouac’s On the Road comes to mind. Published for the first time in 1957, On the Road is the classic novel about the Beat Generation of the 1950’s that hands over an extended peek into the lives of a group of cheerful misfits and their ill-fated encounters with women, liquor, drugs, destitution, and music as they hitchhike and weave their way in and out of Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and many other major cities through the heart of the United States and Mexico.
Hello from Supervisor Horstman
Happy Independence Day
County Adopts FY22 Budget
Downtown Community Market
United Way Volunteer Day: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Museum Flood Information Line and Emergency Notifications
Stage 3 Fire Restrictions
CCC Commercial Driver’s License Ribbon Cutting
Pastries with Patrice
Congratulations
Vaccine Incentive Program: Be A Big Shot
COVID Information Line and Testing
Contact Us
Coconino County is currently in Stage Three Fire Restrictions due to extreme fire danger and stress on firefighting resources.
Stage Three Fire Restrictions previously included the prohibition of outdoor liquid fuel grills on private property. Coconino County will now allow the use of ALL LIQUID FUEL OUTDOOR GRILLS WITH AN ON/OFF SWITCH at private residences.
The 2021 Museum Flood Preparedness & Mitigation Guide is now available in Spanish on the Museum Flood area web page at www.coconino.az.gov/MuseumFire/FloodArea web page or directly via www.coconino.az.gov/GuiaDeInundaciones2021.
The Guide offers flood preparation guidelines and resources to help keep you and your family aware, informed, and safe during monsoon season. In addition, the Guide has information regarding emergency notification, sandbag maintenance preparation, what to do after a flood and flood preparation activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff.