FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Thursday, June 19 in honor of Juneteenth National Independence Day. City Hall offices will reopen on Friday, June 20 at 8 a.m.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will implement Stage 2 fire and smoking restrictions beginning 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 18 as the threat of unwanted wildfires increases due to hot, dry and windy weather conditions.
Under Stage 2 fire restrictions, the following are prohibited at all times forest-wide:
Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire (including charcoal and briquettes) anywhere within the Coconino National Forest, including developed recreation sites. This prohibition also includes smudge pots and wood stoves.
Smoking outside (with the exemption of smoking within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material).
Blasting, welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
Within specific areas of the Flagstaff Ranger District motorized vehicles will be prohibited on forest roads of the San Francisco Peaks area, Pumphouse Wash area and Marshall Lake area.
Greetings from District 2! These past few months
have been uncertain and difficult for the County and
District 2. As we are approaching the end of FY2025,
I have been working alongside my fellow colleagues
from the Board of Supervisors to advance key
initiatives, support our communities, and ensure a
strong foundation for the year ahead. The Board of
Supervisors and I are looking forward to the start of
the next FY as we will continue to act upon our
community’s best interests. Thank you for reading
this new edition of the Official District 2 Newsletter
and for allowing me to serve as your District
Supervisor!
Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez
Sunday, June 14-15
Flagstaff Folk Festival
Coconino Center for the Arts
The Flagstaff Folk Festival is an exciting mix of all types of folk and acoustic music, featuring both small and large groups on 5 stages. 9:30 a.m
Learn More
FLAGSTAFF — The City will be repaving and repairing asphalt-surfaced segments of the Flagstaff Urban Trails System (FUTS) from late June through September. The work will require the impacted FUTS trails to be fully closed while crews complete the work. Specific dates for the closures of individual trails will be shared once the information is available.
Impacted FUTS trails:
FLAGSTAFF — The intersection of Riordan Dr and Riordan Ranch St will be closed overnight from June 16 – June 19, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Roads will remain open during the day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., with no daytime construction. Access to businesses in the area will be maintained throughout the project.
Welcome to your go-to source for everything Parks & Recreation!
From exciting events to seasonal programs, we’ll keep you in the loop.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect: Parks & Recreation has specific guidelines outlining what is allowed and prohibited during this time. Click here to review the details before your next visit.
Spots still open for Week 3 of Summer Camp! Fun at the Fort is blasting off with a Space Explorers theme next week, and we have room for new recruits. Sign up here to join the adventure.
New Programs Launching Soon! Archery clinics, culinary classes, Festival of Science activities, and more are coming your way. Stay tuned – our updated catalog will be live soon on our website.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — From school districts to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies, a variety of food assistances programs are available this summer for families throughout Coconino County.
The following is a listing compiled by CCC&Y of some of those programs. Contact individual organizations for more information on times, dates and locations.
If your organization would like to be added to this listing, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org
Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and Navajo County Public Health Services District (NCPHSD) identified four confirmed cases of measles in Navajo County.
These individuals are unvaccinated and linked to the same exposure associated with international travel. NCPHSD is working to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed. There are currently no confirmed cases of measles in Coconino County.
FLAGSTAFF — At around 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, the City began receiving reports of water bubbling up out of Lake Mary Road in an area near Heckethorn Rd and the Sandy Canyon trailhead. There are two underground pipelines in the area; water from Upper Lake Mary and water from the Lake Mary well field. The City is working to determine the exact source and location of the leak.
FLAGSTAFF — Firefighters completed roughly 4,000 acres of ignitions today on the Basin Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire located 20 miles northwest of Flagstaff, that is being actively managed to improve forest health.
A closure order for the area surrounding the Basin Fire has been issued for public and firefighter safety.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff invites artists to submit Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) to work within a design team to create a landmark three-dimensional artwork within a roundabout at the intersection of North Switzer Canyon Drive and North Turquoise Drive. The deadline to apply is July 1, 2025, at 3 p.m.
The Switzer Canyon Roundabout 3D Artwork will be part of the single-lane roundabout completed by the City of Flagstaff in 2019. The artwork will serve as a distinctive icon that enriches the cultural and aesthetic landscape of the neighborhood and Flagstaff. The site-specific public art installation will exist within a reconfiguration of the hardscape at the center of the roundabout that maintains traffic safety signage and sightlines.
FLAGSTAFF — Active management of the Basin Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire located 20 miles northwest of Flagstaff, will begin (on June 9).
Fire managers with both the Coconino and Kaibab national forests have spent the last several days preparing for firing operations (Monday) and Tuesday in order to restore ecological processes for about 9,000 acres of forest land through treatment.
This event gives Page residents and nearby areas access to services without needing to travel to Flagstaff.
The Coconino County Attorney’s Office (CAO), Legal Defender’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Elections Department, Recorder’s Office, and Health and Human Services (CCHHS) along with The Guidance Center (TGC), Encompass, DNA-People’s Legal Services, and Victim Witness Services of Northern Arizona (VWS) are participating.
FLAGSTAFF — Starting Monday, June 23, the intersection of Riordan Dr and Riordan Ranch St will be closed for one month. The closure is necessary as part of a larger project in the area that will install a new water meter and underground utilities.
Access to businesses in the area will be maintained throughout the project. Project work will take place on Monday – Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Heavy equipment may be present in the area and there may be noise during work hours.
Stroll throughout Downtown Flagstaff to see and purchase paintings, jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, and more! 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 6.
Gallego Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Obesity Epidemic ••• Gallego Fights to Protect Key Consumer Protection Agency ••• Gallego, Baldwin Introduce Bill to Prevent Companies from Ripping Healthcare Away from Striking Workers ••• Gallego Fights for Program That Saves Arizonans Hundreds on Their Utility Bills ••• Gallego, Colleagues Call for Additional Funding to Keep Communities Safe
My heart sank as I read the article in the Wall Street Journal.
My alma mater, the Macomb campus of Western Illinois University, was featured as an example of America’s new “rust belt” – once-booming college towns now struggling because of dwindling enrollment rates. In the past 15 years, enrollment has dropped by 47 percent, and the bustling community I remember from my college days is quickly becoming a ghost town.
Macomb is hardly unique, and its story serves as a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are in northern Arizona, where one of the biggest drivers of our regional economy is Northern Arizona University.
Ongoing Power Outage on North Rim
The National Park Service (NPS) continues to work with the North Rim concessioner to address the power outage affecting the North Rim, which began Sunday evening, June 1, due to an equipment failure involving a transformer near the Grand Canyon Lodge. Power remains out at the Grand Canyon Lodge and surrounding concessioner facilities. Overnight reservations have been canceled since June 2.
The city is hosting a Community Conversation (on June 13) about the Code Analysis Project (CAP). This will be an in-depth conversation and an opportunity to provide input to city staff and discuss concerns related to how the community will address our housing and climate needs. The city is looking for the community’s input and concerns as they consider how to move forward with the CAP and the revision of development codes in a manner that reflects our community’s values.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
FLAGSTAFF —
Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 5. Our meetings provide our coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.
The Council meets the first Thursday of the month.
Want to be a guest speaker at our next meeting? Send an email to CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie at coalition@coconinokids.org to be placed on the agenda or to receive a Zoom link to our next meeting.
READ MORE
COCONINO COUNTY — Flood Control District Director Lucinda Andreani will be presented with the Centennial Celebration Impact Award in Public Safety from the Northern Arizona Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on Saturday, Jun. 7 at Lowell Observatory.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to have worked with civil engineers on so many public safety projects for our communities,” Andreani said. “We have a remarkable team, and the success of our post-wildfire flood mitigation projects and our Forest Restoration Initiative is in great part due to the expertise and commitment of our civil engineers.”
FLAGSTAFF — As part of the City of Flagstaff’s annual Road Repair and Street Safety Program, C & E Paving and Grading will be working to maintain and improve select roads in the Presidio and Crestview neighborhoods. The roads listed below will be fully closed during the morning or afternoon of Tuesday, June 10. Residents who need to travel during the closure timeframes need to park their vehicles outside of the streets being worked on.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff invites members of the public to attend a meet and greet event on Wednesday, June 11 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Flagstaff City Hall for final candidates for the position of Human Resources and Risk Management Director. The City received 59 applications, conducted 10 screening interviews, and invited 4 candidates to participate in the meet and greet following preliminary interviews.
The candidate names and a brief biography of those who accepted the invitation to participate are included below:
GRAND CANYON, AZ. — The National Park Service (NPS) has identified the cause of a recent power outage affecting the North Rim as an equipment failure involving a transformer near the Grand Canyon Lodge. Power has been out at the Grand Canyon Lodge since approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 1.
Overnight reservations were cancelled starting the evening of June 2 due to the outage. The National Park Service appreciates visitors’ patience and understanding as we continue working closely with the concessioner to restore lodging and food services to full operations.
The event is sponsored by the National Park Service, Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim). Amateur astronomers from around the world will volunteer their telescopes and expertise for the enjoyment of park visitors. Dozens of telescopes will offer views of planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies. By day, keep an eye out for solar telescopes pointed at the sun. Weather permitting, expect spectacular views of the universe!
COCONINO COUNTY — With the potential for continued warm, dry, and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona in the coming days, Coconino County will expand fire restrictions in alignment with area National Forest decisions.
Restrictions will go into effect this Friday, May 30, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. The City of Flagstaff is also entering Stage 1 fire restrictions on Friday.
… During Stage 1 restrictions igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes, and/or coal is strictly prohibited, except within a developed site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or a developed site. The use of tracer or incendiary rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also strictly prohibited.
The City of Flagstaff will enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025.
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.
Smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes are prohibited in all public places within the City of Flagstaff, including City parks, open spaces, and the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) at all times.
The City cooperates with local, county, state and federal fire management agencies to ensure a coordinated effort is made in fire restrictions actions. Please help the City keep our community and forests safe by following all bans and restrictions.
For more information on City fire restriction stages, visit www.flagstaff.az.gov/2981/Fire-Restriction-Stages.
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Kelly, Gallego, Stanton, Ansari Demand Answers from DHS and ICE After Arrests at Phoenix Immigration Court *** Kelly, Stanton, Gallego, Ansari Urge HHS and DOJ to Streamline Domestic Violence Victim Services Funding *** Kelly, Gallego, Stanton Warn of Devastating Impact of House Republican Plan to Slash Food Assistance, Raise Costs for Arizona Families *** MORE ***
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County is at a “very high risk” for wildfire according to researchers at Headwaters Economics.
The risk is higher than 96% of all counties in the country, which is creating a growing issue with securing, retaining and affording insurance within Coconino County and across the western United States. This growing “Wildfire/Insurance Crisis,” is why the Coconino County Flood Control District and County Board of Supervisors are hosting a series of public work sessions to hear from national and state experts about how community preparedness can help address wildfire risk along with insurance premiums and explore what other communities are already doing that is making a difference.
The first session is scheduled for 1:15-2:45 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, at the Coconino County Administrative Building, 219 E. Cherry Avenue in Flagstaff, which can be attended in person or streamed online at youtube.com/coconinocnty. A recording will be posted online at the Coconino County Flood Control District’s website the following week.
Native Artisans Vendor Market Opens on North Rim
This past weekend, Grand Canyon National Park supported the Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) Native Artisans Market on the North Rim which included 15 different Indigenous vendors over the course of four days. This was the first time the market was open on the North Rim.
The City of Flagstaff seeks Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for an artist to work with a design team to create a landmark 3D artwork within a roundabout at the intersection of N. Switzer Canyon Drive and N. Turquoise Drive.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will implement Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions 8 a.m., Friday, May 30, to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the potential for catastrophic wildfires during periods of dangerous fire weather conditions.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, wood stoves and smudge pots are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or an official developed recreation site.
Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum, propane or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
FLAGSTAFF — Full-volume testing of the Museum Fire/ Spruce Wash flood area siren alerting system is scheduled for Thursday, June 5 at 10 a.m. The testing will confirm the proper functioning of the sirens ahead of monsoon season. Testing may be postponed in the event of rain or smoke in the area.
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.
Every Wednesday in June and July | 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Enjoy free, family friendly, live music from local musicians in our beautiful parks. Bring your blankets, chairs, and dancing feet.
COCONINO COUNTY — Motorists can now get real-time data about conditions affecting travel on Coconino County roads on AZ511.gov, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Arizona Traveler Information website.
Coconino County can upload real-time data regarding construction work, weather-related closures, special events, and emergency situations to the website using Travel-IQ, which is the Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) that also powers AZ511. The City of Flagstaff also uses Travel-IQ to publish information on AZ511 about city road construction and closures.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) joined county representatives at Fiesta de Mayo Celebration at the Flagstaff Mall on May 18.
Presented by the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association , the mall celebration was one of two events held last weekend, which included its “2025 Fiesta de Mayo Dance Party” at its newly-opened Sunnyside Market of Dreams, 2136 N. Fourth St., Flagstaff.
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MORE
Flagstaff Doggie Dash and Ultra Bash
Buffalo Park
Dogs are welcomed as your run or walk in support of High Country Humane! 7 a.m. Sunday, May 25
Memorial Day 21-gun salute at Pioneer Cemetery
On Monday, May 27, American Legion, John Ivens Post 42, will hold its annual Memorial Day 21-gun salute ceremony at the Pioneer Cemetery, located to the west of the Shrine of the Ages. This special event is open to the public to honor Veterans buried in the cemetery.
The event will begin around 11 a.m. and residents here in the park can expect to hear blank rounds being fired on or around this time.
FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Department of Transportation, City of Flagstaff and their contractors are currently working on two projects along Cedar Avenue that will require full road closures from May 27 to August 4.
COCONINO COUNTY — The frequency and severity of disasters continue to rise across the country. To prepare for, and reduce these risks, Coconino County is updating our Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP).
The purpose of this plan is to evaluate the risk posed to the community by natural and man-made hazards and to identify actions that can reduce or eliminate those risks. This update is a joint project between Coconino County, the cities and towns of Flagstaff, Fredonia, Williams, Tusayan, and Page, as well as Northern Arizona University.
FLAGSTAFF — As part of the annual Road Repair and Street Safety Program, lane closures are scheduled on US Highway 89 between N Cummings St and the City limit/ near N Snowflake Dr and E Trails End Dr from Tuesday, May 27 – Friday, May 30. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the work hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lane closures will allow for concrete work to be completed next to the roadway.
COCONINO COUNTY — Eslir Musta has served Coconino County since 2006 and currently holds dual roles as Election Director and Assistant County Manager, a position he has held since October 2021.
He earned his Master of Public Administration from Northern Arizona University, the same department now launching an Elections Administration Official Certificate in partnership with the Secretary of State’s Office.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
Register soon before summer camps fill up! See summer reading programs below!
The following is a listing compiled by CCC&Y of upcoming summer camps in Coconino County. Contact individual programs for more information on their 2025 summer camps.
(Updated May 20, 2025).
Please check with individual organizations to confirm times, dates, other information. Registration deadlines may have already passed for some programs.
If your organization would like to be added to this listing, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org
(INFORMATION UPDATED May 20, 2025)
READ MORE
The Coconino County Manager’s office was recently made aware of a potential scam targeting County residents and property owners.
Residents reported receiving an email from “Coconino County Planning and Zoning Division” regarding an “outstanding Application Review & Renewal Fee” associated with a Conditional Use Permit application for their property, as well as an attached PDF invoice for payment.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for an appointment for the Williams Unified School District governing board that will expire December 31, 2026.
Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district. A first review of applications will commence 30 days following the posting on June 19, 2025. Please turn in your applications by the end of the business day.
FLAGSTAFF — Curious about electric vehicles? Get ready to plug into the future of driving at the Flagstaff EV Ride & Drive, a free, family-friendly event hosted by DRIVE Electric Arizona in partnership with the City of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NAU Campus Parking Lot P62A.
Attendees will have the chance to get behind the wheel and test drive a wide range of the latest electric vehicles, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Rivian R1T, Lucid Air, BMW i4, Kia EV6, and many more.
COCONINO COUNTY — Jay Smith, Coconino County’s Forest Restoration Director, has been selected to participate in the 17th cohort of the Flinn-Brown Fellowship, a flagship program of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation.
In his role with Coconino County’s Flood Control District, Jay Smith utilizes 28 years of forest management experience to develop and implement the County’s Forest Restoration Initiative. His experience managing logging operations and sawmills gives him a unique view of issues that slow the forest restoration process and innovative ways to tackle barriers.
The Multicultural County Park Sculpture Exhibition officially opens next week and brings together powerful cultural expressions through large-scale sculptures by artists Olivero Balcells, Isaac Caruso, Joe Ray, Adrian Wall, and Lance Yazzie. Artworks reflect personal and shared histories and add new layers of meaning to a park rich in visual storytelling and community spirit. The exhibition is on view through Mar. 15, 2026, and is presented in partnership with Coconino County.
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North Rim and Bright Angel Trail Reopen Today; Key Closures Continue
As of today, Thursday, May 15, we’re officially kicking off the summer season with the North Rim and Bright Angel Trail open to the public once again. This marks a big step forward following months of heavy construction, planning, and collaboration—thank you to everyone who played a role in getting us here.
At the North Rim, visitor services are now fully operational. The campground, Grand Canyon Lodge, Backcountry Information Center, and the Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore are open, and Rangers will be staffing the Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 15. Commercial services will run through mid-October, and the North Rim will remain open for day use until November 30 (or until snowfall closes the roads). The Bright Angel Point Trail will be closed for the season for safety improvements and trail repairs.
FLAGSTAFF — As part of the annual Road Repair and Street Safety Program, lane closures are scheduled on US Highway 89 between N Cummings St and the City limit/ near N Snowflake Dr and E Trails End Dr on May 19 and May 20. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the work hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lane closures will allow for crack sealing work to be performed on the roadway.
FLAGSTAFF — As part of important active forest management, fire managers are planning a number of prescribed burn projects next week to reduce hazardous forest fuels in strategic areas of the national forest to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires to many northern Arizona communities.
Prescribed burns are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Arizona Department of Environment Quality. The burns may be changed or canceled last-minute if burn conditions do not meet criteria outlined in advance.
Should wind and weather conditions become unfavorable, ignitions will be halted, and project plans will be postponed, changed or canceled. If that occurs, the updates will be posted on our Coconino NF Prescribed Burn Projects InciWeb page, which is updated any time new information is available. The following projects are listed in chronological order.
This week we celebrate Economic Development Week, created by the International Economic Development Council in 2016. This year’s theme, “The Power of Partnerships,” emphasizes the collaborative spirit that fuels innovation, community well-being, and economic transformation across the country – and especially here in Northern Arizona.
At the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona, partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. We work closely with local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and education partners to address the region’s most pressing challenges – from workforce development to housing to business attraction and retention.
What is the County’s Comprehensive Plan?
The Comprehensive Plan is the County’s long-range policy document. It provides a twenty-year vision and guide for future physical, economic, and social development for the entire county, and contains maps, goals, policies, and implementation actions that guide decisions about the County’s future, in particular with regard to land use decisions.
