Category: News

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Happy Manufacturing Day!

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2021 • Comments Off

Good morning, and Happy Manufacturing Day, the kickoff to a month-long nationwide celebration of this sector, which has grown dramatically in northern Arizona over the past few years.

In fact, manufacturing is now one of the five top business clusters in our region (the others are health care/social services, food service/accommodations, education and retail.) Manufacturing pulled us through the pandemic as one of the few industries that grew during the past 18 months. This past year alone, our office has fielded more than 35 different inquiries about establishing manufacturing operations in northern Arizona.

Governing Board Candidates to be interviewed for seat at Fredonia Moccasin Unified School District

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2021 • Comments Off

Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, would like to announce that interviews will be scheduled for the Governing School Board Member open seat at Fredonia Moccasin Unified School District #6.

An advisory committee will be assembled consisting of a district resident, district educator, district parent, and two current board members to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointment.

HECHO September Newsletter

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2021 • Comments Off

September marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a special time where we celebrate the contributions of our culture and examine the sometimes complex identities that Hispanic and Latinx communities can embody. We explored what some of these challenges can be in our blog, where we dive into the definition of “Hispanic” and “Latinx,” and seek to share a broad understanding of the role colonization has played in our history. We’re continuing to highlight the importance of Hispanic and Latinx voice and visibility in public lands and conservation decision-making, and are proud to have been featured in the Nevada Wild Podcast, where HECHO Program Manager Bianca McGrath-Martinez shared our mission with listeners — tune in here. Make sure that you are following our Facebook page to also see our staff spotlighted and speak on what they appreciate about their culture!

The NAU Review — Celebrating Disability Pride and Heritage Month, Flagstaff Star Party and Notes from the President

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2021 • Comments Off

Nearly one in five individuals in the U.S. identifies as having a disability, and it is important to recognize the experiences of those people. Throughout the month of October, NAU is celebrating Disability Pride and Heritage Month. NAU’s Commission on Disability Access and Design will host events that focus on inclusivity like the accessibility scavenger hunt and sitting volleyball, along with accessibility design workshops and others, all of which are free and open to the public.

Discover Flagstaff — Flagstaff Star Party Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 and more events

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2021 • Comments Off

Flagstaff Star Party, Buffalo Park. Meet the Stars! Flagstaff shares its world-famous starry skies with the world. 6 p.m.; free.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — September 27-October 1, 2021

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2021 • Comments Off

A COVID and flu shot vaccination event will be held next Monday, October 4th from 3-5 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Rec Center Ramada. If there is inclement weather, the event will be held inside the Rec Center in the Piano Room. Please bring your vaccination card if you are seeking a second or third dose of the COVID vaccine. More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer.

A follow-up vaccination event will be held on Monday, November 1, for those individuals getting their first shot at the October vaccination event who need a second shot for full vaccination. The November 1 vaccination event will also take place from 3-5 p.m. at the Rec Center.

There are no updates on a North Rim vaccination event at this time.

Several Skunks in the Flagstaff Area Test Positive for Rabies

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2021 • Comments Off

Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) officials have confirmed several skunks found in the Greenlaw and Coconino Estates areas of Flagstaff have tested positive for rabies. One human exposure has been reported and the individual is receiving Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment.

CCHHS and City of Flagstaff Animal Control urge individuals to use caution to protect against rabies exposure when hiking, camping or in situation where wildlife may be present. The following precautions are recommended to protect against rabies:

Avoid wildlife, especially those exhibiting unusual wildlife behaviors which can include; showing no fear of humans, aggressive behavior, staggering and/or acting sickly, and nocturnal mammals active during daytime.

City of Flagstaff — 30-day public comment period opens for draft 10-Year Housing Plan

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2021 • Comments Off

The City of Flagstaff Housing Section is asking for public input on its draft 10-Year Housing Plan. Flagstaff residents can read the draft 10-Year Housing Plan online and can provide feedback by taking the Policy Initiative and Strategy Prioritization Survey. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and feedback will be used to help City staff prioritize housing initiatives and strategies. The public comment period ends on November 5, 2021.

Coconino County presents Hispanic Heritage Month Book Club ‘Clap When You Land’ at noon Sept. 29 and other upcoming events

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2021 • Comments Off

As Coconino County Diversity Team continue to celebrate, learn, share, and create awareness during Hispanic Heritage Month, we are inviting you to the Book Club “Clap When You Land” discussion from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29.

Click here or on image below to join.

Please join us, and share with your departments, social media networks, family, and friends as we come together to Engage, Celebrate, Reflect, Embrace, our Cultural Differences while Empowering each other.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — 2021 Festival of Science’s ‘The Science of Childhood Trauma and Why We Should Care’ presentation by CCC&Y’s now available online

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2021 • Comments Off

The 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science’s “The Science of Childhood Trauma and Why We Should Care” presentation by

CCC&Y is now available online.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a large and costly impact on society. Fortunately, with all that we know about trauma and resilience, including the 50-year longitudinal study in Kauai and the groundbreaking ACEs study, we know there is much we can all do. Community awareness and knowledge are important to begin healing.

Join us for this Flagstaff Festival of Science event sponsored by the Coalition for Children & Youth.

Trainer: Virginia Watahomigie, M.ADM Executive Director of the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

Click here to view the presentation.

Health effects of being jailed, Fit it in a Minute and why we love coffee and more news

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2021 • Comments Off

The United States has experienced an unparalleled epidemic of incarceration in the past 40 years, and the effects of that trend have been far-reaching, complex and long-term. Health equity researcher Ricky Camplain, who this year became the first NAU researcher to win a Career Development Award from the NIH’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, is studying one critical piece of this. Her research examines the high rates of anxiety, high blood pressure and poor sleep quality among inmates and looks for simple solutions to reduce those adverse health effects. The answer? Physical activity.

City of Flagstaff releases draft Active Transportation Master Plan for public comment

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2021 • Comments Off

The City of Flagstaff has released the draft Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP) for a 60-day public comment period. The ATMP will serve as a guide to enhancing walking and biking in Flagstaff. The draft document includes detailed information regarding pedestrian and bicycle accommodation and establishes a series of goals, policies, and strategies to support walking and biking. The draft plan can be read and downloaded online.

Coconino County announces Justice 2040 Advances Progress in the Courts

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2021 • Comments Off

The Coconino County court system sponsored an all-day strategic planning forum on September 23, 2021 in a hybrid conference setting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stakeholders attended both in person and virtually to provide input and assistance in determining the types of services the courts should provide by the year 2040.

The strategic planning forum was well attended with approximately 115 people participating (70 in person and 45 virtually), including citizens, judges, members of the Flagstaff City Council and Coconino County Board of Supervisors, court staff, City and County staff, attorneys, law enforcement, educational leaders, and social service organizations. The ideas and input received by attendees will be used by court leadership to develop formal strategies for improved services for court system customers. The Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, Robert Brutinel, opened the event as the Keynote Speaker.

Fourth Street striping work scheduled for Sept. 28-29

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2021 • Comments Off

Fourth Street will experience significant traffic impacts and delays due to pavement striping work occurring from the I-40 bridges south to Warm Springs Trail on Tuesday, September 28 and Wednesday, September 29, 2021. Travelers are encouraged to take alternate routes. Fourth Street will remain open but will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Significant traffic impacts and delays are possible.

The Flagstaff Oktoberfest is this Saturday, Oct. 2

by Community Contributor • September 27, 2021 • Comments Off

It’s officially time for one of Flagstaff’s favorite events; the Flagstaff Oktoberfest!

After having to cancel in 2020, The Flagstaff Oktoberfest, will celebrate 12 years on Saturday October 2nd in Wheeler Park, in Downtown Flagstaff.

But the fun doesn’t end with music, food and drinks. As always, we will have all our favorite contests during this event, such as the Hops on Birch Men’s and Women’s Beer Stein Holding Contest, The Frozen T-Shirt Contest, The Vienna Beef Weiner Man Race and Satchmo’s BBQ Brat Eating Contest!

CCC — Flagstaff issues proclamation for adult education, literacy

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2021 • Comments Off

Imagine looking for work and not being able to feel comfortable crafting a cover letter, or even filling out the application.

Imagine the difficulty finding a job to support your family because you didn’t finish high school. Imagine not being able to speak, read and write English well enough to get a job in your field of study, or to fit into your community well.

According to the National Coalition on Adult Basic Education, there are more than 51 million people in the United States with low literacy skills. Additionally, it has been proved time and time again that as literacy skills increase, quality of life for individuals and their families increases.

Coconino County presents Hispanic Heritage Month program ‘Climate Change and Action,’ a panel discussion at noon Sept. 24

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2021 • Comments Off

As Coconino County Diversity Team continue to celebrate, learn, share, and create awareness during Hispanic Heritage Month, we are inviting you to the presentation “Climate Change and Action,’ a panel discussion from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24.

Click here or on image below to join.

CDC Approves Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for Certain Populations

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2021 • Comments Off

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sept. 23 approved a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Comirnaty) in certain populations who received the first two doses of Pfizer vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine booster dose is approved to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series of Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine in:

persons age 65+ and long-term care facility residents;
persons aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions;
persons based on individual benefit and risk who are aged 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions.

Proceeds from the Flagstaff Marathon on Oct. 2 will benefit Coconino Community College Cross Country Team

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2021 • Comments Off

Get ready to run the Flagstaff Marathon! We’re just a few weeks away. Proceeds benefit the Coconino Community College Cross Country Team. Go, Comets!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up for Sept. 20-24 — National Public Lands Day and more news

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2021 • Comments Off

This Saturday, September 25 will mark the 26th annual Condor Release at the Vermilion Cliffs as part of National Public Lands Day.

Due to high Covid-19 transmission levels in counties surrounding the condor release site, and to help prevent further spread of the virus, partners hosting the event are strongly encouraging the public to attend the live stream event online. In 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the team took the celebration online with more than 10,000 viewers of the event. Because of that success, the event will be live streamed again this year.

The programming for the live virtual event will begin at 10:30 am (Arizona time). The release pen will be open at 11 a.m. (Arizona time).

The virtual event can be viewed here on the Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel.

Discover Flagstaff — Flagstaff Peace Day Celebration, Heritage Square on Sept. 25 and more events

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2021 • Comments Off

Help Flagstaff celebrate International Peace Day 2021. 9:30 a.m.; free.

The NAU Review — Kitchen connection, International Day of Sign Language and notes from the president

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2021 • Comments Off

All this week, Lumberjacks have shown up to NAU’s test kitchen, masked and ready to chop, wash, roast, bake and box up delectable meals to go to members of the Flagstaff community. The School of Hotel and Restaurant Management collaborated with the Flagstaff Family Food Center, which closed for a week for renovations, to make sure no one went to bed hungry. Community members, faculty, staff and a lot of students—some with kitchen experience, some without—pitched in to make sure people who needed it got a hot meal made special with Lumberjack love.

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — Flagstaff’s Active Transportation Master Plan meetings on Sept. 29, Oct. 7, 16, 19

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2021 • Comments Off

View this email in your browser Provide Input on Flagstaff’s Active Transportation Master Plan Help guide the City to improve the pedestrian and bicycle environment in Flagstaff The City of Flagstaff has released the draft Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP)…

United Way of Northern Arizona — UWNA Summit Society Spotlight: Lowell Observatory

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2021 • Comments Off

There are many companies and organizations that enable United Way of Northern Arizona to do the work it does to Step Up for Our Community. From large entities like W.L. Gore & Associates and local governments to businesses with much smaller staffs, each is essential to our mission and we are grateful to all of them.

In the history of the Summit Society, and the creation of UWNA as a whole, Lowell Observatory holds a special place, however. In fact, it was the wife of a Lowell astronomer who helped found the United Way in Flagstaff more than 50 years ago.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Flagstaff Festival of Science returns with Science in the Park. More events scheduled this week and more news

by Community Contributor • September 22, 2021 • Comments Off

The 2021 Flagstaff Festival of Science kicked off this past Friday with the W. L. Gore Keynote Presentation: “When Stones Speak: Decoding the Messages Embedded in Ancient Maya Monuments” with Dr. Jaime Awe of Northern Arizona University.

That event was followed Snook’s Science in the Park, which featured local science and technology organizations with science experiments and demonstrations at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff. The festival continues through Sunday, Sept. 26.

During the park event, youth had the opportunity to explore life-saving medical devices with innovators and engineers under the W. L. Gore & Associates tents, view the talented athletes from Momentum Aerial as they leap and spin above the ground, with young people exploring the world of magnets at the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth tent.

The 10-day festival features a mix of in-person activities, live streamed webinars and pre-recorded videos. A full listing of events is available by going to scifest.org and clicking on the 2021 digital passport. Events that require a reservation are denoted on the passport. Tickets for most of the events requiring a reservation can be found at flgscifest.eventbrite.com. The EventBrite page also provides a means to register for the live webinars.

Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona announces workshops Sept. 22, Oct. 5, 6, 7, 14, 15

by Community Contributor • September 22, 2021 • Comments Off

Below is the schedule of upcoming Goodwill Workshops! For details on signing up, please call 928-556-5096 or come in the Career Center to register. Note that our classes and workshops will be offered only Virtually until further notice, and space is limited.

Lone Tree Overpass Project Sept. 21 presentation postponed

by Community Contributor • September 21, 2021 • Comments Off

The presentation on the Lone Tree Overpass Project that was scheduled for discussion at the September 21, 2021City Council meeting has been postponed. It will be rescheduled for Council discussion at the earliest opportunity.

There is a virtual Lone Tree Overpass Project Community Meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 30, 2021 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. This Community Meeting will go ahead as planned. The City of Flagstaff encourages the public to participate in both online and by phone to provide input on this important project.

The NAU Review — Native Americans in STEM, a Latinx cookbook, making big data more accessible

by Community Contributor • September 21, 2021 • Comments Off

What’s the best way to encourage Native American students to go into STEM fields, including scientific computing? Give them opportunities for hands-on learning and mentoring well before they hit college. That’s the goal of a collaborative program, which will send NAU researchers into K-12 schools throughout the Southwest to create awareness of diverse career opportunities in scientific computing, introduce students to state-of-the-art scientific computing software, allow them to ask questions and gain experience, then bring them to NAU’s campus, helping students see college and STEM careers in their future. The program also centers Native American researchers, giving students mentors who come from the same background and understand their experiences.

City of Flagstaff to hold Special Council Work Session on alternate response care center on Sept. 25

by Community Contributor • September 21, 2021 • Comments Off

The City of Flagstaff is hosting a Special Council Work Session on Friday, September 24th between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. to discuss an alternate response care center. A care center is a proposed component of the City’s Public Safety Alternate Response Model. The purpose of the Model is to engage those in need with the most appropriate services and keep them safe while reducing the amount of contact with the justice system and emergency room, when possible.

Coconino County presents Hispanic Heritage Month program ‘Clap When You Land’ by Elizabeth Acevedo at noon Sept. 22 and other events this week

by Community Contributor • September 21, 2021 • Comments Off

As Coconino County Diversity Team continue to celebrate, learn, share, and create awareness during Hispanic Heritage Month, we are inviting you to the presentation “Clap When You Land” by Elizabeth Acevedo from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22.

Coconino County presents Hispanic Heritage Month ‘My Life in Peru’ with Patricia ‘Pati’ Wilcox at noon Sept. 20 and other events this week

by Community Contributor • September 20, 2021 • Comments Off

As Coconino County Diversity Team continue to celebrate, learn, share, and create awareness during Hispanic Heritage Month, we are inviting you to “My Life in Peru” with Patricia “Pati” Wilcox from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20.

Click here or on image below to join.

Coconino Center for the Arts — Concerts & Events at CCA are back!

by Community Contributor • September 20, 2021 • Comments Off

Join us this fall for the return of concerts & events at the Coconino Center for the Arts! Event details are listed below with a link to purchase tickets online.

Coconino County presents Hispanic Heritage Month: My PUERTO RICO Experience – Show N Tell on Sept. 17

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2021 • Comments Off

As Coconino County Diversity Team continue to celebrate, learn, share, and create awareness during Hispanic Heritage Month, we are inviting you to our Show N Tell with Keillynée Méndez on Puerto Rico’s culture and customs from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17.

Click here or on image below to join.

Bilingual report — Sunnyside Neighborhood Association to host 18th annual ‘Fiesta de Independencia’ on Sept. 19 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2021 • Comments Off

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association will host 18th annual “Fiesta de Independencia” from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños, 2532 E. 7th Ave., Flagstaff.

FREE EVENT! Featuring live music from Los Alambrados, Alena Chavez, and DJ Classik! There will be a piñata for the kids. Come and celebrate Independence! There will be food for purchase at the event.

The Mexican Consulate of Phoenix, AZ will perform the historic “El Grito” at 4:30 p.m.

People who have not been vaccinated are asked to wear masks. Masking in general is encouraged and supported. Social distancing encouraged. Please bring your own chair!

Flagstaff Festival of Science — Don’t Miss This Year’s Outdoor Fair: Science in the Park! on Sept. 18

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2021 • Comments Off

You’ve likely seen them soaring high above canyons and perching in tall pine trees, and now, majestic birds of prey like the Harris Hawk, American Kestrel and Ferruginous Hawk will share Wheeler Park with families as the International Raptor and Falcon Center introduces learners of all ages to these predators of the sky.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18, Science in the Park will feature live animals, microscopic organisms and prehistoric cultures.

Join us at Wheeler Park!

Build a Puebloan wall, create pictographs, play catch with a robot and safely view the sun!

Explore life-saving medical devices with innovators and engineers under the W. L. Gore & Associates tents and maybe even be a heart surgeon for the day!

And, don’t miss the talented athletes from Momentum Aerial as they leap and spin above the ground! Watch these artists demonstrate the laws of physics that keep them up in the air and their audiences on their toes!

United Way of Northern Arizona — Meet the 2021 Annual Campaign Leaders

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2021 • Comments Off

We are excited to announce that long-time United Way supporters Andy Bertelsen and Susan Hilgart will be leading this year’s United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign, which officially kicks off with a virtual event later this month.

Both Andy and Susan are long-time civil servants with impressive resumes in the public sector.

Andy, who recently became the Interim Water Services Director for the City of Flagstaff after five years as Public Works Director, will be the campaign’s spokesman for Coconino County. Andy is a Summit Society member has been involved with UWNA for 15 years, including several years as Treasurer on the Board of Directors before becoming Vice Chair and eventually Chairman of the Board.

Meanwhile, Susan, the Deputy Director of Human Services and Public Health Improvement for Navajo County, will represent Apache and Navajo counties. Although she only came to northern Arizona from Minnesota a few years ago, she has been involved with United Way organizations for more than three decades.

City of Flagstaff announces Karen Cooper Flagstaff Urban Trail detour

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2021 • Comments Off

As part of the Coconino Estates Improvements Phase II Project, the Karen Cooper portion of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) will be temporarily closed between Crescent Drive and Lantern Lane while crews install a new sewer main from Crescent into the Rio de Flag sewer main.

A detour will be posted and FUTS traffic will be re-routed down Lantern Lane, near the Ditch Pool, to either the Fort Valley FUTS or along Crescent/Talkington. Re-routed traffic will then link back up with the Karen Cooper FUTS at the Crescent intersection. Please follow the marked signage to get to your destination.