The Coconino County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group (CPAG) is meeting monthly. This temporary group, invited by the Board of Supervisors, represents the diversity of the County. The role of the CPAG is to provide recommendations on the updated goals, policies, maps, and implementation strategies of the Comprehensive Plan Update, Envision 2045 to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and staff.
Coconino County’s Administrative Center, the County Manager’s Office, the County Attorney’s Office, and the County Superior Court and Justice Courts will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) offices and clinic will also be closed. There will be an Animal Services officer available on Monday from 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Contact the CCHHS Animal Services office at 928-679-8756 to leave a message and an officer will return the call. Call 911 for emergencies.
FLAGSTAFF — City Hall administrative offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City Hall offices will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 21 with regular hours.
Other City of Flagstaff facilities that are closed on Jan. 20 include:
East Flagstaff Community Library (3000 N. Fourth St.)
Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library (300 W. Aspen Ave.)
Hal Jensen Recreation Area (2403 N. Izabel St.)
Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center (245 N. Thorpe Rd.)
Cinder Lake Landfill and Hazardous Products Center (6770 E Landfill Rd.)
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County is pleased to announce that Supervisors Patrice Horstman as an elected official and Lena Fowler as a tribal representative, have been appointed …
by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to serve on the Monument Advisory Committee (MAC) for the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.
Historical-Contemporary Mashup:
Reimagining Ancient Forms with a Modern Twist
with Ben Roti
January 17-February 21: Fridays, 9am–12pm
In this unique hand-building class, students will explore the fascinating world of historical pottery by reimagining ancient forms and techniques through a contemporary lens. Students will choose an iconic historical pot or ceramic vessel and recreate it using modern materials and personal interpretation. This course blends traditional craftsmanship with innovative design, allowing students to learn from the past while creating something entirely their own.
Prerequisite: Completion of a beginner-level ceramics course.
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. “Flag Happs” is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights of the week.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff has been awarded a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant from the US Department of Transportation for $19,000,000 for the construction of the Butler Avenue and Fourth Street safety and multimodal improvements project. This project will construct multimodal improvements along Butler Avenue from I-40 to Sinagua Heights Drive and Fourth Street from Sparrow Avenue to Crest Stone. The improvements include off-street bike lanes, ADA-compliant sidewalks, mid-block crossings, roadway widening and corridor access management solutions.
Echoes of Excellence
Ellen Parish is the President of the Diablo Trust, a nonprofit in northern Arizona that provides a forum for active community participation in collaborative land stewardship (see the harmonic highlights article below for more information on the Diablo Trust.)
Ellen grew up near Porterville, California in a family that ranched and worked in the animal health industry. She moved to Arizona to go to school at NAU and, like so many of us do, fell in love with northern Arizona. Ellen’s strong connection to conservation was enhanced through studies in biology and physiology. While at NAU she fell in love with the ceramics department, and to this day makes ceramics as creative outlet during our winter months.
Phantom Ranch Closure and Upcoming TCWL Shutoff
All Phantom Ranch operations are closed from January 2 to March 30, 2025, for the installation of new water and electric lines for the Transcanyon Waterline Project. Hikers can still access the North Kaibab Trail, however, the bypass route around Phantom Ranch may change. Please follow all closure signs and be aware that water will only be available at Boat Beach (near the Black Bridge) during this closure period.
Additionally, from 8 a.m. on January 15 to 5 p.m. on January 19, the Transcanyon Waterline will be shut off for necessary construction work on a temporary water bypass along the River Trail. During this period, water will not be available at Boat Beach or Manzanita Rest Area. More information on water availability in the inner canyon can be found on park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page.
Water for the South Rim will be supplied from the existing storage tanks, and park management will closely monitor tank levels. Water conservation measures may be implemented until pumping is resumed to the South Rim.
President-elect Trump’s mass deportation plan will target thousands of people who richly contribute to their families, communities, and our local economies often for decades. While Trump and his advisors claim they will start with “criminal immigrants,” their plans will include millions of people who pose no public safety risk at all—just as we saw during his first administration.
H-1B Modernization Rule Provides Some Comfort But Also Raises Concerns
By issuing a final rule, the Biden administration has made it more difficult for the Trump administration to reverse some agency practices with which it disagrees.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, announces that interviews will be conducted for the open seat on the Grand Canyon Unified School District Governing Board.
An advisory committee, consisting of district residents and a current board member, has been assembled to conduct interviews and provide recommendations to Superintendent Mango-Paget regarding the appointment.
Bridging gaps for first-generation families
Sending a child to college is stressful for any family. Navigating cultural and language barriers can make it even harder. That’s why NAU’s Family Access, Communication, Transition and Support team developed Team College Bound, a five-lesson curriculum designed to deliver resources and a sense of community to prospective NAU families. There are four programs—one online, one in English, one in Spanish and one first-of-its-kind Indigenous course created in partnership with Indigenous Lumberjacks. The aim? To increase the number of first-generation, rural and underserved students enrolled at NAU.
Welcome 2025! As MNA marks its 97th year celebrating the Colorado Plateau, I’m excited to share a bit about our upcoming exhibits—a mix of art, science, and cultural phenomena.
February: Life Extended: Biology as Metaphor features vivid new works by Flagstaff artist Debra Edgerton that explore the links between biological and human social structures.
March: Collecting in a Changing World showcases recent MNA acquisitions with insights into why the museum collects what it collects.
May: Shifting Life Zones looks at climate-driven ecological shifts in northern Arizona and MNA research that reveals how plants are adapting.
November: Wagon Road to Mother Road marks the Route 66 Centennial with a journey through the rich history of the iconic highway. The exhibit will debut captivating stories about the road’s wild side, unveiled by MNA archaeological research in Petrified Forest National Park.
COCONINO COUNTY — Since 2003, the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Injury Prevention Program has enjoyed a successful partnership with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in promoting child passenger safety and occupant protection.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 3 to 14. Research shows that as children age, they are less likely to be in the appropriate child safety seat for their age and weight. Fortunately, correctly used child safety seats are extremely effective and reduce the risk of injury and death as much as 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. Children ages 4-8 using belt-positioning booster seats were 45 percent less likely to sustain injuries than similar aged kids who used seat belts alone.
Our new catalog of classes and workshops is now available!
(You can also check it out online by clicking here)
See what’s new and explore a new class or workshop today!
Sedona is surrounded by a magical landscape of red rock formations and high desert hills with beautiful Oak Creek meandering through it all. Come experience the Shangri-La of the Southwest, a beautiful learning environment with Art Colony roots going back nearly 100 years!
SEDONA — The Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District will begin improving the Turkey Creek area trail system later this year.
Phase 2 of the Red Rock Trails Access Plan was signed last week following an environmental analysis, a lengthy project scoping process and multiple rounds of public comment that concluded in November.
As part of the plan, the district will construct new trails, enhance existing trails, rehabilitate several unauthorized trails and improve trailheads in the Turkey Creek area, which is located near the Village of Oak Creek.
“We’re excited to get started on this work, which we think will greatly improve the recreation experience for Turkey Creek visitors,” said District Ranger Alex Schlueter. “We’re grateful to our public for providing us with valuable insight during this process and our partners for committing to undertake this work alongside us.”
Join us this Friday, January 3, from 4-6 pm for Celebrate Sedona and the opening of “Earth and Fire,” a ceramics exhibition and sale January 3-31, 2025. The exhibition showcases a diverse collection of ceramic pieces and kicks off with an opening reception Friday, January 3, from 4-6 pm, programmed in conjunction with Celebrate Sedona. The afternoon features artist demonstrations, food, wine, beer and music. Both events are free and open to the public.
“Earth and Fire” features a variety of artworks that celebrate and reflect ceramics contribution to the arts in Arizona as well as the artists who’ve graced Sedona Arts Center’s halls over the years. Event attendees will find everything, including decorative and functional pieces.
Friday-Saturday Tuesday-Wednesday, January 3-4, 7-8
A Sense of Place, Northern Arizona University Art Museum.
Identity, Community, and Geography on the Colorado Plateau. 12 p.m.
Learn More
This event also marks the launch of the expanded, bond-funded Community Homebuyer Assistance Program (CHAP), which now offers up to $50,000 in payment-deferred loan funds to eligible buyers.
FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Clinical Trials VEN Centers hold Community Open House from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 at 1150 N. San Francisco St., Flagstaff.
We’re excited to welcome our neighbors to Arizona Clinical Trials and VEN Centers for an afternoon of connection,
celebration, and conversation.
Coconino Center for the Arts invites the community to hit the open road—without leaving town—for Route 66 Diner Theater, a one-night-only benefit for CCA’s exhibitions and programs. This dynamic evening blends the tastes, sounds, and stories of America’s most iconic highway into an unforgettable experience.
The ticket price includes appetizers and dinner by Sosta, (2) drink tickets, theatrical performance, and three unique musical experiences, weaving together a rich tapestry of sound and storytelling within Coconino Center for the Arts’ current exhibition.
Please plan to attend our Annual Meeting this year. Everyone always has a great time with good company and important discussions to accompany the great food and music.
At last Wednesday’s public hearing, the Flagstaff Planning & Zoning Commission elected to continue their discussion of the Regional Plan at a special meeting on Monday, September 29.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is updating the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan to reflect progress and improve the community’s experience using the Plan. The City invites residents to join a community open house event to learn about local climate action efforts, share ideas, and help shape the City’s path forward.
The Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP) sets goals to guide the City’s climate action and collaboration with the community, with the shared aim of creating a healthier, more affordable, and more sustainable community.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will hold a Citizen’s Review Session and three public hearings, beginning this month, to consider adoption of the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2045 as a comprehensive update of the City’s General Plan. The public hearing draft of the Regional Plan is available online and the City invites the Flagstaff community to read the draft, submit comments, and attend the hearings, which will be held according to the following schedule. A virtual option will be provided for each meeting.
FLAGSTAFF — On Oct. 23, 2025, the Value Program Office of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will share the results of a value-planning-level study during a public meeting with the Flagstaff City Council. The study aimed to assist the City of Flagstaff (Flagstaff) and its Partners with identifying a resilient and redundant regional water solution. Reclamation will present the results in the Flagstaff City Council Chambers and the public is welcome to attend in person or listen online.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz – This holiday season, help fill a bus with hope! The City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, and Mountain Line are teaming up to collect food and financial donations for the Flagstaff Family Food Center. The Stuff the Bus event will take place at the Safeway at 1201 S Plaza Way on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Donations will also be accepted at the Safeway on Plaza Way on Sunday, Nov. 9 as well as at the Safeway at 1500 E Cedar Ave on Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers will have shopping lists available to indicate the food items of greatest need.
I’m excited to tell you about the second event in our Community Speaker Series: “Creating a Stronger Flagstaff” featuring Edward Erfurt from the national organization Strong Towns. This event is free and open to everyone who wants to learn how we can work together to create a more livable and affordable Flagstaff.
Mr. Erufurt is the Chief Technical Advisor at Strong Towns and a trained architect and urban designer. He will talk about community-focused city processes, zoning codes, and development patterns that result in more affordable housing, sustainable development patterns, walkability, and public transit that results in thriving neighborhoods and communities.
Coconino County is pleased to announce that the public hearings for Envision 2045, the County’s updated Comprehensive Plan have been scheduled.
The updated Plan was developed over the past two and a half years with input from communities across the County, numerous outreach events, surveys, open houses, collaboration with local, State and Federal partners and with guidance by a citizen advisory group.
The Comprehensive Plan is a long-range policy document that sets out a 20-year vision, based on public input that guides the county’s future physical, economic and social development. Its text, maps, goals, policies and implementation actions guide decisions about the County’s future, in particular land use decisions, and serves as a resource document reflecting information about the county at the time it was updated.
After having to cancel and postpone the Annual Meeting in September due to lightening and rain, we’re happy to say we’ve rescheduled for November 23. We’ll hold the meeting inside at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church on N Fourth Street.
You’ll experience the great music of Bluebird Mountain with Sean Golightly, along with good company, good food (please bring something to share), and important updates from our Executive Director. In addition, we’ll also also be presenting F3’s Livable Community Award!
Celebrate the season at Sedona Arts Center’s Holiday Artist Market, a festive weekend showcasing over 40 artists and makers from Sedona and across Arizona. Discover handmade gifts, fine art, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, ornaments, paintings, and more — all curated for meaningful holiday giving.
Join us Thursday, Dec. 11th to celebrate the season and the achievements of 2025 at our Holiday Mixer & Open House!
Enjoy coffee and delicious cinnamon rolls from the Kickstand Kafe, plus great conversation with fellow economic development stakeholders in our office in Historic Downtown Flagstaff.
We’d love to see you there! Please RSVP by Friday, Dec. 5th.
As 2024 comes to a close, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support of United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA). Your generosity reminds us that one person can make a difference – and together, we can drive lasting change in our region.
This year, thanks to donors like you, we’ve celebrated major milestones: tuition-free education for KinderCamp™ graduates at Coconino Community College and Northern Arizona University, a significant boost in children enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and efforts to expand Elevate PreK to serve more working families.
Your contributions have also supported nearly 40 other programs throughout northern Arizona, fueling hope and opportunity for thousands.
Hello,
As we move into 2025 this week, the Board and investors of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona extend our warmest wishes for a Happy New Year.
Our region’s economy is ever-evolving, and we’re excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to strengthen key business sectors, address challenges facing our communities, and foster a thriving environment for both industries and individuals in northern Arizona.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to collaborating with you in the year ahead.
Wishing you a successful and fulfilling 2025.
GRAND CANYON, AZ. — Grand Canyon National Park is seeking the public’s input on a proposed fee increase for non-commercial river trips. The proposed change would begin March 1, 2025.
The existing $25 lottery application cost fee would remain the same and the flat rate per-person cost would increase from $90 to $310 for Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek and $0 to $55 for Diamond Creek to Pearce Ferry.
Interested parties can submit feedback online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GRCA_River_Trip_Cost_Increase through January 30, 2025. Written comments may also be sent to the following address by January 30, 2025:
Tuesday, December 31
Noon Year’s Eve, Heritage Square.
Ring in the New Year with a FREE, family-friendly daytime celebration! 10 a.m.
Learn More
Organizers plan a follow-up forum in early 2025.
Editor’s note — The first in a series of articles on local immigration rights and information sharing efforts in Coconino County. We encourage community members to provide information on upcoming events, issues and programs by sending an email to fmoraga@amigosnaz.com
By AmigosNAZ.com
While local law enforcement officials stated they do not work for the incoming presidential administration’s immigration program, community members and local immigration officials called for more local law enforcement information on how to protect themselves from potential federal immigration sweeps.
In what promises to be the first of a number immigration information programs in reaction to the potential new federal immigration policies starting on Jan. 20, 2025, members of the Flagstaff community gathered at Killip Elementary School for the “Let’s Talk About the Current State of Immigration” forum on Dec. 3, 2024.
The event, presented by the Northern Arizona Interfaith Council (NAIC), drew more than 150 individuals to the school’s gymnasium, who listened to live presentations by Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly, incoming Coconino County Sheriff Bret Axlund, Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett, staff from the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix, plus a virtual presentation from the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix.
COCONINO COUNTY — After conclusion of regular business at the final meeting of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board), the Board took time to recognize, thank, and congratulate six outstanding public servants …
… who will be retiring at the end of 2024, and who spent much of their professional careers in Coconino County.
Sheriff Jim Driscoll leaves Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) after 50 years, beginning as a Deputy on patrol in 1974, and serving as our Sheriff since 2017. The CCSO will now be led by Chief Deputy Bret Axlund, elected in November.
Biden makes critical last-minute change to help combat USCIS backlogs. More options available. Immigrant farmworkers make our holiday meals possible
***
President Biden has just over one month left in office. He can still take decisive action to protect people at risk of indiscriminate immigration enforcement.
Among other priorities, the Council encourages the administration to protect DACA recipients; extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status for certain countries; and rescind remaining Trump-era immigration regulations.
Read more: Urgent Last Requests for the Biden Administration
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for appointments to four School District governing board positions that will expire December 31, 2028.
The following Governing Boards are now accepting applications for one seat each: Grand Canyon Unified School District; Fredonia-Moccasin Unified School District; NATIVE (Tuba City); and Tuba City Unified School District.
FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff City Hall will be closed to the public on the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 24, all day Wednesday, Dec. 25 and all-day Wednesday, Jan. 1 for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Closures and reopening schedules for other City facilities and services are listed below.
Mini Masterpieces: Palette Knife and Cold Wax Basics
with Casey Cheuvront
January 4, 2025: Saturday, 11am–4pm
Good things come in small packages! Add some dimension to your painting with cold wax and learn the basics of palette knife painting in this one-day workshop. All materials provided. Leave with your own mini masterpiece!
Gallery depth mini panel, palette knife, paint, and cold wax included in the materials fee (paid to the instructor)
Reserve early; limited seating – All levels welcome!
See you in 2025! Wishing you all a joyful holiday season. This newsletter will return on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
The Hope Receiving Center, developed by the Coconino County Juvenile Court, with participation from 12 community partners, was awarded a Summit Award in the Court Administration & Management category at the AACo Annual Conference last week. The project drew praise for its foresight in creating a space where at-risk youth as well as their parents and guardians can access services including formal deflection, truancy response, therapy dogs, and educational programming all designed to keep youth in school and stem the tide of juveniles entering the justice system.
“Coconino County Elections Department remains committed to continuous improvement, transparency, and collaboration in election administration.” said, Eslir Musta, Coconino Elections Director and Assistant County Manager, “This award affirms our county board of supervisors’ vision for free, fair, and accessible elections. We are glad to share our experience advancing the professionalism of the elections field.”
Give the gift of membership this holiday season!
Looking for a last-minute holiday gift? Consider giving the gift of membership to the Museum of Northern Arizona! By giving the gift of membership you are providing essential support for our exhibitions and educational programs. The recipient of your gift membership will become part of a community that is inspiring a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty, diversity, and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau. Click here to learn more about gift membership.
SEDONA — The Coconino National Forest and partners will discontinue the sale of the Grand Annual Pass on Dec. 31, 2024, to simplify pass requirements across the forest, but existing Grand Annual Passes sold through the end of 2024 will be honored at all fee sites through 2025.
ExplorUS, in coordination with the Coconino National Forest, is excited to announce the launch of the new annual Sedona Pass. The annual pass will be sold for $50 starting in January 2025, and will provide visitor access for one vehicle and up to five people per pass to the following day-use sites on the Coconino National Forest.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is excited to invite the community to weigh in on three designs under consideration to become the new city logo. A short poll and survey will be open until January 11, 2025 and can be accessed at flagstaff.az.gov/logo
The City of Flagstaff and the NAU VisualDESIGN Lab have been working since the summer of 2024 to create and refine a design that represents not just the City of Flagstaff’s organization, but also the history, culture, and values of the Flagstaff community as a whole. The process began with over 100 sketches and using prior community input, the designs were refined into three distinct designs, shown below.
Death and Dessert
Wednesday, Jan. 22
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Join us as we sweeten the topic of death by providing a safe and open space to discuss end-of-life questions, concerns, and experiences. And yes, there will be dessert!
D.D. – Learn more and register!
FLAGSTAFF — We are excited to share that the Light the World Giving Machines are back this year at Heritage Square! They will operate every day starting tomorrow, Dec 18th – Jan 1st. The local charities in the machines this year are Flagstaff Shelter Services, Flagstaff Boys and Girls Club, Flagstaff Family Food Center. The statewide charities are Gathering Humanity and Child Help. The Global charities are iDE and Days for Girls International.
This is the third year we have had the opportunity to bring the Giving Machines to Flagstaff, the last two years we have raised about $150,000 just in Flagstaff. Please know that 100% of the donations go directly to the charities, each charity picked their own needed items that will be showcased in the machines.
The 60-day public review of the draft Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 is ending on December 19! That means you have THREE DAYS to read, ask questions, and share your feedback on the draft contents. Visit bit.ly/RPpublicreview to learn more about the 60-day public review.
It has been an extraordinary year for the United Way of Northern Arizona and, more importantly, for the communities we serve. We saw dramatic increases in some programs, added benefits to others, and witnessed the amazing ability of our communities to pull together and collectively improve conditions for all in our region.
Here are our Top 10 highlights of the year:
Saturday, December 14
2024 Holiday Parade of Lights, Downtown Flagstaff.
With parade floats lighting up Historic Downtown Flagstaff, you won’t want to miss out on the fun and festivities that have become a holiday tradition in Flagstaff. Free. 6 p.m.
Learn More
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Discover unique, handmade goods from local artists and artisans, enjoy live music from The Pocket Limes, sip on warm coffee and cocoa, and explore a variety of crafts and more! Whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift or simply enjoying the holiday spirit, there’s something for everyone!
Don’t miss out on this festive celebration — bring your friends, family, and holiday cheer!
