Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS), in collaboration with North Country HealthCare and other community partners, will offer COVID-19 Testing in Williams, AZ on Thursday, July 30 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The testing site will be located in the Williams Elementary/Middle School parking lot, 601 N. 7th St., Williams AZ. Those attending are asked to enter at the north side of the campus. Testing will occur in the bus loop.
No appointment or healthcare provider order is needed.
A “March for Community Health” will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 23 starting at the Flagstaff City Hall. Please wear a mask and observe physical distancing guidelines.
The University Union of Northern Arizona is concerned about the health of the NAU and Flagstaff community during the coming year.
What weighs just a few ounces and can help protect our Lumberjack community? You guessed it—a mask. Masks should be worn for safety reasons, but that doesn’t mean we can’t turn them into a fashion statement. Show off your mask and let us know how you are keeping our community safe with our #maskupjacks challenge.
Our search for a new Executive Director is underway! We are very excited to be hiring the next F3 leader to represent and advocate for the goals of F3.
We’re looking for someone who is familiar with the challenges facing communities like Flagstaff and who has a strong track record in community organizing and advocacy work, fundraising, and effective communication.
The full job ad can be found on our website: https://www.friendsofflagstaff.org/now-hiring-executive-director/.
When the world turned upside down this year, we learned to do somersaults, working from our home offices. The specialist work of caring for our extensive collections is an important part of our mission and continues despite the pandemic, as does our archaeological and ecological fieldwork and the preservation of MNA’s buildings, gardens and landscape. We are finding new and imaginative ways to bring the art, science, and culture of the region to your homes, including a re-imagining of The Annual Gala.
While everyone has been hard hit by COVID-19, it has been particularly difficult for the arts sector, where finding social-distancing workarounds can be challenging. Coronavirus has temporarily put an end to First Friday Artwalks, crowded summer festivals, and attending concerts and theater productions.
Not to say that the arts in our region have come to a full stop. The Museum of Northern Arizona reopened recently on a limited basis, with patrons having to purchase tickets and schedule their visit in advance so the museum can spread out visitors. Masks are required and multiple other measures have been taken to prevent COVID-19 spread.
Coconino County currently has a response rate of 40.4% for the 2020 Census.
If you have not yet filled out the 2020 Census, please do so!
In times of crises, communities need funding, data and representation in order to support their people, and respond to the challenges. Coconino County needs your support to make sure we able to tackle the challenges we face today, and for the next ten years.
By filling out the 2020 Census, you’re helping to make sure that our community continues to receive federal funding for Medicare and Medicaid and support for the health centers we rely on to serve our people. Billions of dollars in federal aid come into our state each year for these programs, and completing your Census ensures that we continue to receive our share.
ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
Join Our Fine Art Gallery!
The Center’s Fine Art Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. The Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings. In addition, membership to the Sedona Arts Center provides an additional 10% off all gallery purchases as well as other benefits.
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
The 2020 streets maintenance program was approved by Flagstaff City Council on May 19, 2020. This project will address various locations in the community and includes minor concrete repairs, asphalt overlays, and chip sealing.
The 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/GuiaDeInundaciones2020.
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.
The Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board approved a recommendation to have all students begin the 2020-2021 school year, on August 17, 2020, in Flexible Remote Learning and Distance Learning options only and delay the start of In-Person Learning at school sites at least through the first quarter (October 9, 2020). The recommendation to move entirely to online remote learning was based on significant levels of spread and positive cases of COVID-19 in local communities and the state of Arizona, and the District’s commitment to the health and safety of students, FUSD staff, and vulnerable members of our communities.
We take the word “community” seriously. It’s a part of our name, and being involved in communities across Coconino County is integral to our philosophy as a college.
That’s why those of us at the college were so excited when nearly 60 people and agencies from all over the county took the time to expertly craft and submit floats to the virtual Coconino County Community Shoebox Parade hosted by CCC. For a list of the winning floats and to get a look at the parade, see the story below.
As this pandemic unfolds around us, many people shared with me that they found it comforting to enjoy the creativity and the passion displayed in the shoebox parade, and my hope is that others did as well.
In the interest of the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and the wider community, Coconino Community College has made the difficult decision to limit in-person contact for the fall semester.
We are excited to provide options designed to give a quality learning experience. The College will offer Remote Delivery courses, with only a few exceptions for in-person interaction. Students will have a choice among Videoconferencing (Zoom only), Online and Hybrid (Canvas/Zoom, plus in-person labs). The good news is that every method of delivery will include regular and meaningful interaction with faculty, but it will be through different means.
Coconino Community College student Krista Kramer first thought about being a firefighter when she was 13 years old.
“I liked how you’re doing something different every day,” Kramer said. “And I like helping people.”
Kramer was one of a full roster of students who spent the day earlier this summer getting needed training on the use of “extrication tools,” or tools used to help remove victims from damaged vehicles at accident scenes.
“I’m trying to get all my cert(ification)s, so I can get hired on at a station,” Kramer said, adding that in addition to Firefighter 1 and 2, she is also seeking at CCC certifications in Hazardous Materials, Emergency Medical Technician and Wildland Firefighter.
The Flagstaff Arts Council is excited to announce the Please Stay, Play Distance & Mask Responsibly Art Contest in collaboration with the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County. This contest promotes creativity while social distancing, reflection on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and drives awareness of important public health guidelines.
Cyberstalking. Denial-of-service attacks. Fraud. Malware. Industrial Espionage.
Every day, the news is filled with reports of computer hackers finding their way into databases to steal sensitive information.
Companies – and people – now more than ever, need skilled, well-trained Information Technology Services staff to keep personal, sensitive data safe from cybercriminals. It’s a rapidly growing field. At Coconino Community College, the new Cybersecurity program is scheduled to begin this fall.
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
Twenty-two Flagstaff nonprofits were awarded a total of $68,350 through the COVID-19 Art & Science Nonprofit Relief Fund. The fund was initially established on March 18, 2020, shortly after the pandemic took hold.
15 grantees received awards in an earlier round, announced April 30, 2020. Each first-round recipient received additional funding in the 2nd round. This round, seven additional organizations received awards. New grants range from $750 to $7,500 each. Total combined awards for both rounds range from $1,000 to $7,500 each.
It’s been an interesting week for educators nationwide as they look for the safest ways to implement back to school plans for their students.
That planning has been complicated by a daily tug-of-war between the White House administration, which is pushing for “fully” opened schools, and local health and education officials who are mostly pursuing hybrid plans that blend in-person with remote or digital learning.
NAU-TV’s Mitch Strohman talks with President Rita Cheng, CIO Steven Burrell and Vice Provost of NAU Online Gayla Stoner about NAUFlex and the unique opportunities it provides for learning, lab work, group activities and student-faculty interaction for the Fall 2020 term. Learn more about NAUFlex online or visit the Jacks are Back website to explore what NAU is doing to promote a safe and healthy learning environment this fall. Watch the full video online.
The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for an extended closure of the Fourth Street bridge over Interstate 40 from 8 p.m. Friday, July 17, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, as work continues on the bridge replacement project.
Pedestrians, bicyclists and emergency vehicles will have access across Fourth Street during the 17-day closure.
During the extended closure of Fourth Street, the following traffic restrictions on I-40 also will be in place:
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) have partnered to create a new COVID Aware Enhanced Food Handler’s Certification for the local food-service industry.
The CCHHS Enhanced Food Handler’s Certification represents the most current health guidance directly related to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in a food-service establishment.
July 9-15, 2020 This Week’s Virtual Highlights Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below…
Prior to the Nov. 3, 2020 election, each household with a registered voter will receive an informational pamphlet that includes arguments for and against proposed questions that have a local impact. Any person interested in submitting an argument is required to do so before August 5, 2020.
The questions are as follows:
It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that the Board of Directors announces the departure of Vince Fazio as Executive Director of the Sedona Arts Center. We have been fortunate to have a leader with passion, creative vision and strong business acumen to be at the helm of our organization the past three years. Under his leadership we have experienced growth across the full spectrum of the Arts Center’s many dimensions, including the Fine Art Gallery, School and Special Events.
Coconino County Parks & Recreation is now accepting registrations for the Outdoor Adventure Summer Day Camp. Activities for this year’s camp include archery, group games, hiking, arts and crafts, and a field trip to Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course.
Due to COVID-19, staff made some changes to camp this year, including:
· Camp will operate Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
· Camp will not operate with fewer than 10 participants and no more than 15.
· There will be fewer field trips this year, with most activities occurring at Fort Tuthill
County Park.
Check out CocoRec for a complete list of camp COVID-19 policies and to register by July 10
We are adding two small corrections to the links for the Southside Plan and related public hearings.
Southside Plan
After several years of community participation, the Southside Community Plan, which will define how the Southside will develop for years to come, is almost ready for adoption. Go to www.flagstaff.az.gov/southsideplan [updated] to read.
To participate in the public forum, please visit:
https://www.opentownhall.com/9105
We encourage you to engage in responsible physical and social distancing when recreating outdoors. Parks, natural areas, and trails managed by Coconino County are open for public enjoyment; this excludes Louise Yellowman County Park. While many amenities have opened, all playgrounds managed by Coconino County Parks & Recreation remain closed at this time. Check our website for updated park amenity information.
COVID-19 case numbers in Coconino County have reached almost 1800 cases and are increasing. The County’s highest weekly positive case count was reported last week at 276 positive cases. Coconino County officials remind residents and tourists of the importance of following best practices to slow the spread of COVID-19 including wearing a face covering.
Best practices to slow the spread of COVID-19 include wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance of at least six feet from others, staying home as much as possible, remaining home if ill, and frequently washing hands and sanitizing surfaces.
This is a year of constantly evolving changes for all of us, including MNA. After months trying to reimagine the annual summer festivals celebrating Indigenous arts and culture in a way that they could safely continue, we have determined that we must cancel the festivals completely. We make this decision with heavy hearts, recognizing that these festivals are important to the community, and particularly to the artists. We initially hoped that we would be able to reschedule the festivals to a single larger event in September. We now know that it is unlikely we can hold a large gathering in September, even if it was going to be outdoors and dispersed. Sad as we are to make this decision, we will now turn our energy to finding other ways to help the Native artists market themselves and to allow our members to support the Native populations.
Sánchez Meador, currently a professor in the School of Forestry, is a trusted expert among ecologists, scientists and land managers for his high-impact research in forestry and ecological restoration and innovative approach to science delivery and communication.
It’s been more than a month since our last bulletin on how coronavirus is affecting the regional economic landscape. Since that time, we’ve gone from cautious reopening to reversals as COVID-19 cases spiked in Arizona. Here’s the latest:
#1. Governor Doug Ducey hits the ‘rewind’ button on reopening with select business closures until at least July 27. Back in early May, the governor accelerated the state’s reopening, citing positive trends in coronavirus infection rates. By mid-May, the statewide stay-at-home order expired and within days of that, cases of COVID-19 began to spike.
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
The Flagstaff City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget at their meeting on June 16, 2020, which includes plans to fully fund the city public safety pensions plans. The city has entered into contracts for the issuance of Certificates of Participation debt to address the city’s unfunded pension liability.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors adopted the Fiscal Year 2021 budget during its public meeting on June 23. The budget, effective July 1, focuses on service delivery and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and responsible financial planning in light of declining revenue.
“The Board of Supervisors spent considerable time over this year weighing priorities and deliberating this year’s budget,” said Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Coconino County is financially strained from a dramatic loss in state and local sales tax as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County has demonstrated great fiscal responsibility in this budget to meet the service needs of our community during these challenging times.”
All Coconino County offices will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.
While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Friday, July 3, records will remain open with limited staff from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please dial 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.
City of Flagstaff administrative functions will be closed Friday, July 3 in honor of Independence Day. The administrative functions of the city will re-open Monday, July 6, 2020.
New Bilingual Statewide Program Accessible via 2-1-1 Arizona
In partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and made possible by Federal Emergency Management Agency Grant funding, Crisis Response Network (CRN) announces that the new Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling Program was launched on June 22, 2020, to provide 100% free and confidential support and connections to resources for Arizona residents impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Accessible via CRN’s existing 2-1-1 statewide information and referral phone number, the Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling Program is a bilingual (English and Spanish), federally-funded program that will connect callers to crisis counseling providers in their area throughout the state of Arizona.
FREE INTRO NIGHT
Note: The first meeting is an evening orientation talk with Stuart Shils that will be open to the public: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I NOTICE JACK NICHOLSON?
Thursday, July 23, 4:30 – 6:00 pm (Arizona time)
The workshop itself will be three lively mornings exploring the relationship between drawing and observation, examining how close and clarified observation can hone our visually analytical minds, regardless of what it is we are looking at.
Coconino County District 3 Supervisor, Matt Ryan was elected as Chair of the Rural Transportation Advocacy Council (RTAC). RTAC is a coalition of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and Council of Governments (COG) from Arizona’s thirteen rural Counties. MPO’s and COG’s advocate for transportation policy at the State and Federal level.
The Director’s Office of Community Engagement (OCE) at the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) continues to successfully engage with our community partners throughout our programmatic divisions. In continuing this effort, this event will provide the most recent updates from DES’ Senior Leadership about the success of the Virtual Office model across the agency. It will also provide an opportunity to bring information to our statewide Community Partners regarding DES’ efforts to serve Arizonans in a Virtual Environment, how it is tracking the staff productivity, and the importance of this model. During this virtual session, our Director will be sharing his vision of consistent dialogue and a call to action.
Magic and Dreams Online Exhibition & Sale
Through June 30, 2020
This year the Sedona Arts Center is celebrating ‘The Year of the Woman’ by creating special exhibitions for women artists like Magic and Dreams a juried exhibition that features the work of women artists in Arizona.
Flagstaff’s dining establishments quite literally give “flavor” to our community. They play important roles as employers and are vital not only to our tourism sector, but as a part of the everyday quality of life we enjoy here as residents.
That’s evident by the loyalty our community and local leaders have shown to restaurants during COVID-19. You could find long lines for takeout at many establishments and increased requests for deliveries.
But even with that support, the road to recovery for this sector has been, as one restaurateur put it, “slow and stressful.”
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
New COVID-19 Weekly Report Available
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
COVID-19 Testing Information
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
Flagstaff art, science, faith, education, and culture organizations sign a pledge affirming their commitment to the health and safety of patrons, staff, visitors, and residents during the coronavirus pandemic. The pledge is a result of a taskforce spearheaded by leaders from Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, City of Flagstaff, Kinney Construction Services, and Flagstaff Arts Council. The pledge, an introductory video, and a list of supporting organizations is available here.
The City of Flagstaff Planning and Zoning Commission will hold public hearings for the Southside Community Specific Plan on Wednesday, July 8 and 22, 2020. All documents and public meeting information will be available online at www.flagstaff.az.gov/southsideplan.
For small businesses affected by COVID-19, APS is offering help through a special Customer Support Fund. Current customers on the Extra Small or Small Business Plans who are two months or more past due on their APS bill can receive a bill credit of $1,000. Credits are available to qualified customers until the fund is depleted.
The 2020 Museum Flood Preparedness and Mitigation Guide is being mailed to Museum Flood area property owners and residents this week.
Created by the Coconino County Flood Control District and the City of Flagstaff, the Guide contains important information about safety and preparedness during the coming monsoon season in the Museum Flood area.
Staffing limitations due to the ongoing public health emergency are resulting in delays to some Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division customer service operations.
Some customers have contacted MVD worried that registration tabs have taken longer than expected to be sent via the U.S. Mail. Even if there is such a delay, once a first-time registration or a renewal has been paid, the customer’s accurate status is updated to the MVD database accessible to law enforcement. Customers may also wish to keep their receipts after making payment.
Coconino County issued a proclamation last evening on June 19 requiring residents and visitors to wear a face covering when not able to physical distance themselves from other persons. The proclamation, effective on Saturday, June 20 at noon, applies to all private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County. The County proclamation does not affect areas within cities or towns in the County or on federal, state or tribal lands.
“Wearing a face covering when around others is one of the single most effective ways to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said Coconino County Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Each of us can help to prevent COVID-19 transmission by wearing a face covering when we cannot physically distance from others. Please do your part and model best practices by putting on your face covering when you are out in public and around other people. This is one thing we can do to take care of ourselves and neighbors.”
The Flagstaff City Mayor, Coral Evans has updated the Emergency Proclamation issued March 16 to include the requirement to wear face coverings in public places where social distancing is not possible. This proclamation is effective starting June 20, 2020 at 8 p.m. and will continue until further notice, unless repealed or revised by the Mayor or authority is preempted by the Governor of the State of Arizona under paragraph 7 of his Executive Order 2020-40.
Join in a virtual Juneteenth 2020 Celebration on Saturday, June 20th at 2pm hosted by the Southside Community Association and the Coconino County African-American Advisory Council. We may be physical distanced, but we are connected for equality, liberty and justice for all!
To learn more about this important holiday, click the video below.
Since 2007 Coconino County has been assisting eligible county residents with itsBasic Business Empowerment (BBE) training (www.coconino.az.gov/bbe) and Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grants (www.coconino.az.gov/ida) opportunity. The 9-week, summer 2020 BBE training (session 2) is scheduled to be held 6-9pm, Tuesdays, Aug. 4th through Sept. 29thonly online via a 9-week Zoom Web-based video conferencing format. Coconino County currently contracts facilitation for its BBE training from the Coconino Small Business Development Center which provides additional resources for our BBE participants.
Doctoral student Schuyler Borges is leading a project studying hot springs structures in Antarctica, comparable to features on Mars, that may be evidence for life on the Red Planet since microorganisms facilitate the production of similar hot spring structures on Earth.
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a new wildfire smoke forecast — the first state wildfire smoke forecast of its kind in the country — to provide Arizona communities with early and ongoing information about potential air quality impacts so they can make informed decisions for their health.
Designed to support, and in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) wildfire air resource advisors and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (AZDFFM) staff, ADEQ’s air quality meteorologists will provide a wildfire smoke forecast when Arizona wildfires have the potential for extended air quality impacts to communities as determined in coordination with federal and state land managers.
Join us on Facebook Friday, June 19th at 4:00pm for a free Studio Tour with Stuart Shils. He’ll be interviewed by Chuck Spence, Vice President of our Board of Directors. We will be looking at how Stuart’s work has evolved from the past into the present and discussing the unique content that he brings to his popular workshops. Stuart will be teaching a virtual workshop “Re-framing the Ordinary” July 17th and 18th. (see below under Online Classes)
Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.
Recent acts of violence against Black people have left us sad and angry. We recognize that these high-profile events are the latest in the long history of brutality against people of color in our nation. We must all be part of the solution to stop the killing, marginalization, and repression based solely on the color of a person’s skin.
Black lives matter. It’s not enough for us to make a statement about what we believe. We must use our platform in the world to take action.
