
Flagstaff Pro Rodeo, Fort Tuthill County Park
Get ready for thrilling rodeo action, live entertainment, and fun for the whole family in the cool pines of Flagstaff! 5 p.m.

COCONINO COUNTY — At their regular meeting on Tuesday June 4, 2024, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) elected District 4 Supervisor Judy Begay to serve as Chair and District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman to serve as Vice-Chair through the end of 2024.
This will be each Supervisor’s first time serving in each of these leadership positions. Chair Begay has served as Vice-Chair since August 2023, Vice-Chair Horstman previously served as Chair from February 2022 until August 2023.
Chair Begay was first elected to the Board in 2020, after serving over 14 years as a public-school Board Member in Tuba City, as well as several other non-profit organizations. She also has experience in management and supervision of health programs, school administration, facilities management, roads and infrastructure, and public housing.

The four grants awarded to the City by WIFA include $750K to accelerate the replacement of water meters with ultrasonic meters, $136K to improve the tracking of non-revenue water, $60K for the development of a watershed model for the Upper Lake Mary Watershed, and $80K for the development of a computer model that will integrate the City’s existing surface water and groundwater models.

COCONINO COUNTY — With the potential for continued warm, dry, and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona in the coming days, the Coconino National Forest will begin Stage 1 Fire Restrictions this Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
Per Coconino County Ordinance 2024-01, Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) will implement Stage 1 fire restrictions in all unincorporated areas of the County at the same time.
Under the County’s Stage 1 restrictions igniting, building, or maintaining a fire fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes, and/or coal is strictly prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site. The use of tracer or incendiary rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also strictly prohibited. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest and State lands.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions,
Permits for open burning within the City will not be issued.
The sale or use of consumer-grade fireworks is prohibited.
The use of charcoal and wood-fired BBQs are prohibited in City parks and open spaces.
Use of fire pits and other open flame devices without an on/off switch are prohibited on Red Flag Warning days, as issued by the National Weather Service.

Coffee With F3’s Director, Wednesday, June 5th 9:00-10:00 am at Campus Coffee Bean, 1800 S. Milton #24
F3 wants to engage with you one-on-one. We want to hear your concerns, questions, and ideas about Flagstaff issues that are important to you.
Do you want to know more about the proposed increases in our water and wastewater rates and the upcoming public hearing on June 18? Or what’s going on with the revision process for Flagstaff’s Regional Plan? What has the Community Engagement Coalition for Energy Retrofits been up to this year? We can talk about anything and everything in which F3 is involved!

Junk Journal Deconstruction
with Nicole Austin
July 17 – 18 : Wednesday 10am – 5pm, Thursday 9am – 4pm
Some call us monsters for ripping up and altering books – I think of us more as creatives who can see potential in anything! Let’s gather together with kindred spirits and rip and alter to our hearts’ content! We’ll take an ordinary vintage book and turn it into something extraordinary using paint, embellishments, and reconstructive techniques. You bring the book, (BYOB!) and I’ll supply the rest!

During the testing, residents in the area will hear an alarm sound, followed by a voice message repeated three times in English, Spanish and Navajo, concluding with a wind down siren sound signifying the end of that message. This process may repeat several times during the testing period. Testing may be postponed in the event of rain or smoke in the area. To hear the siren sounds that will be used or to read more about the Museum Fire flood area siren alerting system, please visit www.museumfloodprojects.com/sirensystem

• Hello From Supervisor Horstman
• Andy Bertelsen Appointed Next County
Manager
• 4FRI and Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Update
• Flood Control District Receives $19.3 Federal
• PROTECT Grant for HWY 89
• Pinyon Uranium Mine Continues to Extract Ore
• County Designates Lake Mary Road as Recreation Corridor: Where the World Comes To Train
• Valle Arizona: An Innovative Community
ª Cheshire Community Gets Creative about Improving Street Safety
• BLM/AZ RAC Meeting on Proposed Recreation Fees at Arizona BLM Sites
• Western Interstate Conference in Yosemite Highlights Partnership and Responsible Land Management
• Northern Arizona Tradition Continues … Next generation of Moon-Bound Astronauts Train at Babbitt Ranches.
• Mount Elden Trailhead Re-Opens

Frontiere Draft Concept Master Plan
Thank you to everyone who participated in our May Values and Vision workshop. Join us on June 13th, 10:00 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Tuthill County Park Mess Hall, to review the Draft Concept Master Plan. Share your insights and comments regarding this beautiful property and its continued use! For more information, click here.

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County’s contractor is preparing to conduct pavement preservation operations starting next Monday, June 3 along the six-mile stretch of Lake Mary Road between the Flagstaff city limits and Milepost 332.
C & E Paving & Grading is scheduled to work during daylight hours. Traffic control will be in place and pilot cars will be used to guide vehicles through the work zone. The project is scheduled to be completed by next Friday, June 7; however, this schedule is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen factors.

In just one week, on Saturday, June 8th, MNA will host its largest fundraiser of the year, the Party on the Plateau. Part of the fundraising efforts at this event is a silent auction, which is now live and available for online bidding. You do not have to be attending the Party on the Plateau to participate and bid on items in the silent auction. With items ranging from artworks to experiences, there is something for everyone and all the proceeds benefit the museum. You can bid online by clicking here.

At the ECoNA Advisory Council meeting last week, we took a deep dive into programs dedicated to cultivating budding entrepreneurs in northern Arizona.
The initiatives range from a free entry-level program to help potential entrepreneurs determine if their innovative ideas could be commercialized, to loans and venture capital investments for early-stage businesses.
Cristy Salanga, Patent Manager at Northern Arizona University, discussed the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, an immersive entry-level training program, which focuses on determining the potential customers of a business as well as the potential value proposition of a product or service.

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Recorder’s office is offering a new service called Recording Notification Alerts. Recording Notification Alerts is a free service for the benefit of all who own property or businesses in Coconino County. It monitors documents recorded with the County Recorder’s office and alerts subscribers. This program will notify participating subscribers by email when a document is recorded with a name and/or business that matches the subscriber. This service applies only to documents recorded after signing up. Users will also be able to unsubscribe or make updates to this service at any time.

Summer Youth Clay Camp!
with Dennis Ott
Ages 8–12
June 24 – 28
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9am – 12pm / Friday 1 – 4pm
Come Play in the Clay!
Come spend the week playing in the “mud” with two ceramicists who love sharing their clay talents with young folks. Each student will have the opportunity to learn throwing skills on the potter’s wheel as well as create several hand-built projects. You will also learn how your clay projects will be fired and glazed.
No experience is necessary – just your willingness to come and have fun creating in clay.

By the U.S. Forest Service – Coconino National Forest
COCONINO COUNTY — Fire danger has changed to “High” on all three districts with continued windy and warmer temperatures throughout the forest, Coconino County officials reported on the county’s Facebook page
When the fire danger is “High,” fires can start easily from most causes, and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape. Fires will spread easily, with some areas of high-intensity burning on slopes or concentrated fuels. Fires can become serious and difficult to control unless they are put out while they are still small.

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College’s nursing program recently celebrated the achievements of two of its graduates, Jennifer Swomley and Joseph McIntire. Each brings a unique background and a personal story of dedication to the nursing field, reflecting both the diversity and the challenges of modern healthcare education.
Jennifer Swomley, 27, moved from Colorado to Flagstaff in 2021, drawn not only by personal relationships but also by the strong reputation of Coconino’s nursing program. Initially interested in becoming a firefighter, influenced by her friends in the emergency services, Swomley’s career path took a pivotal turn after her experiences on an ambulance crew. These experiences exposed her to the realities and complexities of medical care, sparking a new passion for nursing. “I was drawn to the depth of patient interaction and the broader scope of care I could provide as a nurse,” Swomley explained.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff’s parking management program, ParkFlag, will implement a new booting and towing policy effective June 1. This policy is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to enhancing parking enforcement and ensuring the fair and equitable use of parking spaces in the Downtown Parking District.
The primary goal of the new booting and towing policy is to discourage repeat parking offenders and promote adherence to parking regulations, improving overall traffic flow and accessibility.

Erika Acosta of Ash Fork Middle School has been named a 2024 “Esperanza” Latino Teacher Award winner by Chicano For La Causa (CPLC).
“(May 6), we honored four outstanding teachers at the 2024 Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards,” CPLC stated on its Facebook page.
Congratulations to our honorees from across Arizona: Erika Acosta, Margaret Gallego, Gabriel Robles, and Lilian Williams
You are not just teachers— you are mentors, role models, and an inspiration to all. Your passion and hard work shapes the future of our community
As we celebrate your well-deserved recognition today, we also celebrate the countless lives you have touched
Gracias to our sponsors: Salt River Project, Cox, Amazon Fire TV, Southwest Airlines, and HUB International”

FLAGSTAFF — Upon conclusion of a national search with 60 applicants, Coconino Community College today announced the selection of Dr. Sandra Hinski as the next Provost & Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Hinski will oversee the college’s academic programs, faculty and academic support staff. She will join the college on July 1, 2024.
Dr. Hinski has over 14 years of experience in higher education and over 25 years in various roles in the health professions. Dr. Hinski most recently served as the interim Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), where she provided support and leadership to both instructional and occupational programs, as well as instructional support service areas.

Grand Canyon Unified School District high schoolers spent last week on a four-day whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River. Facilitated in partnership with Grand Canyon Youth (GCY), 20 students participated in the Diamond Down Expedition that covers the last 50 miles of the river through Grand Canyon National Park into Lake Mead Recreational Area. This is their third year the school has provided this experience for students. Grand Canyon National Park rangers Monique Navarro and Catrina Whitton were able to attend the trip which was coordinated by high school science teacher Forrest Radarian.

NAU wins national hydropower competition
An interdisciplinary team of senior engineering students entered the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydropower Collegiate Competition to fulfill their capstone requirements—and won. The team, made up of three electrical engineering students and three mechanical engineering students, took first place in all three of the competition’s challenges—siting, design and community connections—earning first overall for the competition.

Summer Youth Clay Camp!
with Dennis Ott
Ages 8–12
June 24 – 28
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9am – 12pm / Friday 1 – 4pm
Come Play in the Clay!
Come spend the week playing in the “mud” with two ceramicists who love sharing their clay talents with young folks. Each student will have the opportunity to learn throwing skills on the potter’s wheel as well as create several hand-built projects. You will also learn how your clay projects will be fired and glazed.
No experience is necessary – just your willingness to come and have fun creating in clay.

FLAGSTAFF — The speed limit on portions of Butler Ave has been reduced, effective immediately. The speed limit on Butler Ave from S Milton Rd/ Rte 66 to E Sawmill Rd was reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph and the speed limit from E Sawmill Rd to Ponderosa Pkwy was reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph. Speed limit signs in the corridor have been updated.

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP! STARTS TOMORROW!
Creating the Abstract Landscape
with Amanda Hawkins
May 22 – 24 : Wednesday – Friday, 9am – 3pm Daily
There is a sweet spot of overlap between the traditions of abstraction and contemporary landscape painting where mark-making and the implications of planar structure combine with color and light to create a magical realm of newly discovered space.
This workshop will help you transform Sedona’s beautiful scenery into loose and expressive abstract landscape paintings.

The focus of the ninth Regional Plan Committee meeting will be to discuss the draft Future Growth Illustration and initial Land Use Framework for the plan.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Growth Concept Survey! Your feedback is crucial. We are excited to share the preliminary results at the meeting and how they will be used to inform the Regional Plan’s Future Growth Illustration.

Inner Canyon Water Status
The North Rim has reopened for the season and inner canyon temperatures are beginning to climb! Our water utilities staff are working diligently to turn on all remaining inner canyon water sources over the next week.
Projected “ON” dates for remaining inner canyon water sources:

The NAU VisualDESIGN Lab is a collaborative learning space where students in the NAU Visual Communication program work with community members as active partners on innovative design solutions that help bring brand awareness to local non-profits and university organizations. It has a proven history of creating recognized and lasting logos for many prevalent organizations in Flagstaff, including Coconino County, Flagstaff Festival of Science, and Flagstaff Shelter Services.

COCONINO COUNTY — After unanimous approval from the Board of Supervisors (Board), Andy Bertelsen will be Coconino County’s next County Manager. Bertelsen is currently Deputy County Manager and will begin his new role on July 1.
“Andy has a wealth of experience in public service spanning over 25 years in Northern Arizona,” said Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 2. “He’s an incredible Deputy County Manager, and we look forward to his leadership into the future. I’d also like to thank County Manager Steve Peru for his many years of service and his continued commitment to our community.”

Embrace the wild and honor your untamed heart in Alaska while making memorable art.
July in Alaska is synonymous with gorgeous weather. So it comes as no surprise that flowers are at their prime, the wildlife is active and the days are warm in the land of the midnight sun.
We will mix colors in rich hues inspired by the lush landscape, and create mono prints on a Gelli plate. As we amass a stack of abstract printed paper we will choose our favorites to incorporate into our art journals for compositions featuring circles, symmetry and symbolism that are personalized and inspiring to each individual.

Andreani was nominated for the award on the merits of her leadership in post-wildfire flood response in Coconino County, where she has dedicated many years of service in the pursuit of solution-oriented approaches to both wildfire recovery and forest restoration. Andreani has also served on the federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, testified to Congress about wildfire response, and developed a network of partnerships and education to support wildfire response in communities throughout the Western United States.

FLAGSTAFF — Work to install traffic calming infrastructure in the Boulder Pointe neighborhood and on Woodland Dr will begin on Monday, May 20 and will be complete in August 2024. The purpose of the project is to address speeding concerns in thearea by installing traffic calming measures that include traffic circles, pedestrian crossings and curb bump outs. The project will occur at five locations:

Creating the Abstract Landscape
with Amanda Hawkins
May 22 – 24 : Wednesday – Friday, 9am – 3pm Daily
There is a sweet spot of overlap between the traditions of abstraction and contemporary landscape painting where mark-making and the implications of planar structure combine with color and light to create a magical realm of newly discovered space.

The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invite you to participate in the annual Celebraciones de la Gente, a lively Day of the Dead festival on October 26 & 27, 2024.
Exhibitor booths will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
Please click here to download and fill out a vendor application.

Dear Museum Friends,
Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy a vibrant array of activities we have lined up over the coming weeks. I’ll share some highlights but be sure to scroll down to see all the happenings at MNA.
International Museum Day is May 18 and we’re offering free admission all day long. It’s an ideal chance to enjoy the Museum exhibits and some special events alongside your friends and family – absolutely free of charge.
Get ready for the unveiling of a captivating new exhibit, The Grand Canyon Dragon Map. I had the opportunity to see this extraordinary geology map during a rafting trip on the Colorado River in 2022. It immediately drew me in with its intricate details, colors, and design. This exhibit delves into the creation of the map in the 1970s, its applications today, and the stunning geology it depicts. Whether you’re a geology buff, an admirer of the Grand Canyon, or someone who appreciates exquisite maps, this exhibit promises to be an engaging experience.

COCONINO COUNTY — Since its launch in early March, the Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Project has reached important initial milestones toward the goal of reducing the significant wildfire and post-wildfire flood risks that face the greater Flagstaff area.
Spearheaded by the Coconino National Forest and the Coconino County Flood Control District, the Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Project targets roughly 12,000 acres across six priority areas in the first phase of its forest restoration treatments.

The where, why and how of water in space
Laura Lee, a Ph.D. student in astronomy and planetary science, is one of three graduate students to be selected for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program, a prestigious funding opportunity that supports students in STEM fields. Using a variety of techniques with instruments on Earth and in space, Lee is mapping water in the Solar System to better understand how and where this critical element is located on other celestial bodies. In addition to her groundbreaking research, Lee’s career goals include community education and promoting opportunities for women, people of color and first-generation students in planetary science.

COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Public Works Department has lowered the top speed limit to 35 mph along the southernmost 10 miles of Lake Mary Road in support of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) backburning operations for the Wolf Fire.
The 35-mph speed limit is in effect on Lake Mary Road between Milepost 300.5, which is located about five miles south of Happy Jack, to the junction with State Route 87. Electronic message boards are also in place to notify motorists of the speed limit reduction.
The reduced speed limit is being implemented for the safety of firefighters who are working alongside Lake Mary Road, and for the traveling public due to potentially heavy smoke from backburning operations that could obscure visibility and create hazardous driving conditions.

Option 2: In-Person Open House
Thursday, May 9th from 6 PM – 8 PM
Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff – 301 S. Paseo Del Flag, Flagstaff AZ
Saturday, May 11th from 9 AM – 11 AM
Hal Jensen Recreation Center – 2403 N. Izabel St., Flagstaff AZ
Childcare will be provided at the Open Houses. Please visit bit.ly/RPOpenHouseChildcare to reserve childcare. Parents or guardians will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival, which can be downloaded here.

Town of Tusayan Weekend of Festivities—May 3-5
The Town of Tusayan is sponsoring several astronomy events and a Cinco de Mayo festival May 3-5.
On Friday, May 3, there will be a free showing of ‘Deep Sky’ an IMAX film on the images from the Webb telescope, and the ‘Grand Canyon Rivers of Time’ at the IMAX theater at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 4, there will be a drone and light show after dusk at the Tusayan Sports Complex with telescope viewing available.
Tusayan’s second annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place on Sunday, May 5 at the Squire Resort. The fiesta takes place from 4 to 9:30 p.m., is family-friendly, free, and open to the community. There will also be lawn games, Mexican music and dancing, and a variety of authentic Mexican foods for guests to enjoy.

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. –The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Sunday, May 15 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2024 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2024 seasonal operations on this date.
Visitor services, including the campground, Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore and the Backcountry Information Office will open at 8 a.m. Information on daily Park Ranger programs will be available at the Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk through October 15. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations, including lodging, groceries, retail, food and beverage services, shower and laundry and the gas station, will also open May 15. The lodge dining room will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with reservations required for dinner service. The last day of the 2024 season for most commercial services will be October 15, 2024.

Beginning this week, fire managers from the Kaibab National Forest are planning to begin ignitions for prescribed fire treatments. Exact ignition dates are unknown at this time as burning is dependent upon daily weather conditions.
One treatment area includes the Tusayan Ranger District and the Blue Stem Rx, totaling 2,724 acres located east of Forest Road 311 and approximately 16 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan. During this burn Russell Tank will be inaccessible and approximately 4.5 miles of the Arizona Trail will be rerouted.
For more information on this unit and the other treatment areas planned for this spring, please visit the Kaibab National Forest’s website.

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will begin conducting prescribed fire on two of its three districts next week should wind and weather conditions allow.
Fire managers plan to begin a variety of projects across both the Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) starting the week of April 29.
“We’re looking forward to another great season of using prescribed fire to restore our local landscape and safeguard our communities,” said Coconino National Forest Fire Staff Officer Jason Clawson. “The work we’re doing now helps prevent the risk of catastrophic and unexpected wildfire during our hottest, driest and windiest months.”

DON’T MISS THESE UPCOMING
FIELD EXPEDITIONS
Field Expeditions are created around the idea of a perfect match between an artist, a special place and the best season to explore that location. We work with local resources and providers to create an exclusive one-of-a-kind experience for participating artists/students. Field Expeditions are designed with expert instruction and support staff. There is no replacement for experiencing life directly with great instruction in a unique location!

Work has begun to transform a 31.45-acre parcel just west of Flagstaff Pulliam Airport into a technology park focusing on cutting-edge businesses and research.
Genterra Enterprises, the master developer of the Northern Arizona Technology Park, recently completed negotiations with the City of Flagstaff to secure a long-term ground lease for the parcel, which was originally granted to the City by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The development is one of the largest shovel ready projects in northern Arizona and the only one dedicated to technology enterprises. It’s zoned Highway Commercial and the land is fully entitled, streamlining the approval process for interested companies, said Tim Kinney, President & CEO at Genterra.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is pleased to announce the upcoming City Hall Stair Replacement Project, which will enhance safety and accessibility for all visitors to City Hall. The project will replace the concrete steps and install new railings in front of the north entrance of City Hall. Work will begin on May 6 and be complete by May 31, 2024.
During construction, the steps leading to the north entrance of City Hall will be closed. The ramp to the east of the steps will remain open, allowing the public to access the main front doors without interruption. The public can also access City Hall through the west and east side entrances near Route 66.

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!
STARTING TOMORROW!
Colorful Concertina Sketchbook
with Lori Roll
April 24–25 : Wednesday & Thursday, 11am – 4pm
Many artists employ sketchbooks to capture daily exercises and inspire finished pieces. This expressive class will utilize collage to create uniquely personalized sketchbooks in one continuous story that unfolds like a concertina.
In this class you have the option of making your own concertina sketchbook from recycled folders and heavy papers, or purchasing a commercial concertina sketchbook in which to work for $28, available the first day of class.
We will use acrylic paints, markers, charcoal and carbon pencils, inks, paper pieces, handmade papers and stencils, cloth, scraps and other materials using water-based adhesives to create colorful sketchbooks. While the instructor will bring folders, heavy papers and many materials, students are highly encouraged to bring special papers, found objects and odd pieces to add to their work. All skill levels are welcome. Wear old clothes or an apron.

FLAGSTAFF — In observance of National Public Works Week and in recognition of the City’s essential and core services workers, the Recycling Transfer Facility (1800 E Butler Ave), Cinder Lake Landfill and Hazardous Products Center (6770 E Landfill Rd) will be closing at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. A public works appreciation event will be held for City staff during this time.

The Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) program at Grand Canyon National Park is pleased to announce the launch of its innovative HIKE SMART film project aimed at enhancing hiking safety awareness among visitors.
In response to evolving communication trends and the increasing influence of social media, PSAR managers recognized the need to update its messaging approach. With platforms like YouTube and social media shaping public discourse, staff developed an approach to the important PSAR message through an engaging video to effectively convey vital safety messages.