CCC, Habitat for Humanity join forces

It’s a perfect partnership.

Coconino Community College needs to offer real-world experience to the students in the Construction Technology Management program. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona needs workers to help build affordable homes for Flagstaff.

In late May, leaders for the two organizations got together and made the arrangement formal. CCC CTM students will help HFH build the first of, with hope, many “starter homes” for the Flagstaff community beginning this fall.

“We want to encourage workforce development and retention to keep that talent in the community,” said Eric Wolverton, executive director of HFH. “Starter homes are an asset that keep giving. They will be a community asset serving multiple families.”

Museum Flood Area July 18 update

The following email was sent to Museum Flood Area residents (the evening of July 18):

Below is a summary of today’s activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area. 

– Storm Activity: The National Weather Service is forecasting increased thunderstorm activity through Thursday with particularly increased chance of significant rainfall between Tuesday and Thursday this week. Although major thunderstorms were expected today, the thunderstorm cells missed the burn scar.

– Sandbags: Residents are reminded NOT to remove sandbags from existing flood mitigation efforts. Removing sandbags from barriers and the other mitigation measures places your home and others at greater risk for flooding.  

CCC’s Dorel Meier shares love of math, stats with students

Math and statistics are Dorel Meier’s game. She finds it a worthy challenge to take students on a journey to understand how much of what they do in the world revolves around math and that it can be fun.

So, it’s no wonder that Meier was chosen as the Part-Time Faculty of the Year for the 2021-22 school year at Coconino Community College. She was nominated by students and by fellow faculty at the college.

“This award truly means the world to me,” Meier said. “I am so proud of the work I have done with CCC students and this award validates that I am making a difference in their lives.”

One Fatality and Multiple Injured after Flash Flood in Grand Canyon National Park

On July 14 at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of two individuals missing and multiple parties injured after flash flood activity impacted Tatahatso Camp near River Mile 38 on the Colorado River. Grand Canyon Search and Rescue sent two paramedics to the scene to assess and treat patients. Active monsoonal weather in the area limited access to the scene for overnight search and rescue operations. 

At approximately 2:30 a.m., one patient who was in critical condition was flown out via Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter from the area. Four additional patients were evacuated by air on July 15 to the Flagstaff Medical Center; they are in stable condition at this time.

Museum Flood Area July 15 update

The following email was sent to Museum Flood Area residents (the evening of July 15:)

Below is a summary of today’s activities by the Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff related to the Museum Flood Area and the nearby neighborhoods susceptible to monsoonal flooding: 

– States of Emergency: Today Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy and Coconino County Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt Ryan declared States of Emergency on behalf of the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County due to the impacts of monsoonal flooding to the Museum Flood Area and other parts of Flagstaff, which started July 13, 2021. Declaring a State of Emergency allows the City and County to expend emergency funds from all available sources and request assistance from the State of Arizona. 

City and County declare States of Emergency

Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy and Coconino County Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt Ryan have declared States of Emergency on behalf of the city of Flagstaff and Coconino County due to the impacts of monsoonal flooding to the Museum Flood Area and other parts of Flagstaff, which started July 13, 2021. Declaring a State of Emergency allows the city and county to expend emergency funds from all available sources and request assistance from the State of Arizona. 

Coconino County lifts fire restrictions in coordination with other agencies

Coconino County will lift all fire restrictions on private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County in coordination with similar actions by the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests, as well as other agencies in the area.

The lifting of the fire restrictions is effective July 16, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. This action to lift fire restrictions ends the County’s campfire ban and Stage 2 fire restrictions enacted earlier this summer. 

Consulado de México en Phoenix — Información de interes para la comunidad

he Consular Newsletter on Economic and Tourist Affairs is already an informative reference for
thousands of players in the Mexico–Arizona relationship. It has happened in part because
the newsletter offers pertinent information month after month in its three sections —#ChooseMexico, #ArizonaThrives and #DiscoverMexico. It also has become a must- read because of the support and interest
of high-profile leaders on both sides of the border who are committed to collaborate to
make our region thrive. They have found in this newsletter an excellent platform to discuss relevant
issues that affect our binational relationship.
In this Sixth Edition, we are very pleased to have the special collaboration of Alfonso Durazo, the governor-elect of the neighboring state of Sonora. The well-being of both the Arizona and Sonora‘s economy and tourism cannot be conceived without each other. In this sense, Gov.-elect Durazo has chosen our newsletter to confirm, through his informative article, that his government considers the relationship with Arizona essential.
On the Arizona side, we have articles from Juan Ciscomani, senior advisor
to the governor of Arizona for regional and international affairs, and Danny Seiden, the new president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They both emphasize the importance of the state of Sonora and all
of Mexico to the state of Arizona. In this section, we also learn more about Xico, the arts and culture institution founded in Phoenix in 1975, from its Executive Director Donna Valdéz; the heartwarming work of Marlene Carrasco; and the Valle de Guadalupe and Cetto Winery from Laura L. Medina Montiel.
Enjoy!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — July 12-16, 2021

If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure is minimized.

Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
Mobile: (202) 891-8599
Email: ronan_king@nps.gov

For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
Mobile: (202) 641-3518
Email: christen_glime@nps.gov

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Navajo Nation and Twin Arrows Reopen

It’s not an exaggeration to say that over the past 18 months, the Navajo Nation was one of the areas hardest hit by the pandemic. As of this week, the tribe reported a total of more than 31,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 1,362 deaths attributed to the virus, according to the Navajo Department of Health.

Over the past year, however, the vast tribal area that includes land in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, has gone from having one of the highest per capita infection rates to one of the highest vaccination rates in the country. Navajo President Jonathan Nez recently said that more than 70 percent of those eligible for the vaccine have received it.

That change prompted Navajo leaders to allow a limited reopening of the Navajo Nation to tourists this month. Navajo Nation roads are now available to visitors and tribal parks are opened at 50 percent capacity. On Monday, Twin Arrows Casino Resort also reopened, which is a huge boon to our regional economy.

Fire Restrictions Lift on July 16 at Grand Canyon National Park

Due to monsoonal activity and heavy rainfall, Grand Canyon National Park will rescind Stage 2 fire restrictions as of 6 a.m. Friday, July 16.

Grand Canyon National Park will remain in stage 1 fire restrictions which requires that a campfire always be in a designated fire ring within a maintained campground. Inner canyon users can use gas cook stoves, but campfires and other open fires are never allowed below the rim.  River users should continue to follow the conditions of their permit regarding fires along the Colorado River.

Visitors should continue to be fire aware and use extra care when visiting their public lands. 

City of Flagstaff lifts fire restrictions

The city of Flagstaff will lift all fire restrictions within city limits at 6 a.m. on July 16, 2021. The city of Flagstaff cooperates with local, county, state and federal fire management agencies to ensure a coordinated effort is made in fire restrictions actions across jurisdictions.

Additionally, the city’s fire danger has lowered from Very High to High. Though fire danger has been reduced, residents are encouraged to consider Firewise practices around homes and offices. Visit www.firewise.org for recommendations to reduce risk of wildfire damaging your home and property. Constituents can call (928) 213-2500 for a free Firewise assessment of their property.

United Way of Northern Arizona — 2 New Reports Show How Far We Need to Go

A pair of recently released reports illustrate how far our region and state have to go to provide better outcomes for our children and youth – and how the pandemic has complicated those efforts.

According to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Arizona was slowly making improvements in multiple areas for children. The state is consistently in the bottom 25% for overall rankings, but had shown gains in 2019 in both the economic well-being of children and with more elementary and middle school students meeting math and reading proficiency levels.

And then COVID hit.

BBBSF & Hullabaloo | Volunteers Needed! 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff is excited to announce its partnership with the Flagstaff Hullabaloo Festival! We are honored and grateful to be selected as one of the benefiting agencies. Proceeds will directly benefit our youth mentoring programs. 
 
Hullabaloo is a celebration of all things Flagstaff and we can’t wait to join in the fun on August 14th and 15th.
 
To support this wonderful event, we are looking for volunteers to help throughout the festival.  If you are available and would like to volunteer please follow this link below to fill out the google form.  We will reach out to you shortly to confirm a volunteer slot. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y, in partnership with One•n•ten and Flagstaff Library, lead youth pride event

CCC&Y, in partnership with One•n•ten and Flagstaff Public Library, convened several Coconino youths to lead a youth pride event. Nine youth between the ages of 12-24 years old eagerly joined the planning team! During the initial meeting, the youth brainstormed several ideas possible event themes. After a short deliberation, the youth agreed to plan a paint night! 

They created the flyer to advertise the event and determined what materials would be provided to participants. They promoted the event within their networks. They brainstormed conversation starters to get youth interacting during the event. 

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler Weekly Update

Our Tuba City office is open but operating remotely, with limited in-person services. When possible, please conduct business by phone or email.

Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday | 10 am to 4 pm
Closed Fridays

If you need assistance, please call: 928-283-4518 or email Miranda at mmorales@coconino.az.gov

Grand Canyon National Park Announces Changes in Summer and Fall 2021 Shuttle Bus Schedule

Beginning July 17, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park should be prepared for changes in shuttle bus operations. The following changes will be in place from July 17 through November 30, 2021 unless otherwise noted.

To protect public health, all buses and shuttle operations are still modified to meet COVID-19 guidelines. Modified buses currently carry a smaller number of passengers per trip with additional safety measures in place, including:

Coconino County, City of Flagstaff Prepare for Monsoon Storms In the Museum Flood Area

The Coconino County Flood Control District and City of Flagstaff are preparing for possible flash flooding this week in the Museum Flood Area.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting a moderate threat of flooding over the next several days from monsoon storms, including scattered thunderstorms and rain showers in Flagstaff with the greatest threat on Tuesday. These storms may impact the Museum burn scar and cause flooding to downstream neighborhoods.

Coconino Community College — The Comet

A quick word from the President

Shouts and whoops of happiness. Songs and singalongs. Bright red, white and blue colors and smiling children. Waving flags and heartfelt laughter.

What a difference a year makes. Last year, all of us here at Coconino Community College decided to host a virtual Shoebox Parade to reach out to the communities we serve during the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate some of our common isolation. This year, we got the opportunity to engage once again with our communities face to face during the Fourth of July parades in Flagstaff, Page and Williams. I could not help but grin from ear to ear seeing so many people filled with joy and celebration.

City of Flagstaff begins 60-day review process for a carbon neutrality amendment to the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030

On July 13, 2021, the City of Flagstaff will begin a 60-day public review process for a major amendment to the Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030. The proposed amendment will update the  

update the Plan’s climate action goals and policies to align with the recently-adopted Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan. The proposed amendment is within the Climate Change and Adaptation section of the Environmental Planning & Conservation Chapter, located on pages IV-11 and IV-12. The public review period begins on July 13, 2021, and ends on September 13, 2021. 

CHAC members, supporters take part in 2021 Flagstaff Independence Day Parade

Members and supporters of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) took part in the Great Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in downtown Flagstaff.

Joining members were Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez; former District 2 Supervisor Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta, who is director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs; and Marco Lopez, former Nogales mayor, who is a candidate for Arizona governor.

United Way of Northern Arizona — KinderCamp™ Events Celebrate Special Summer

The classes were a little smaller, the program was a little shorter, and smoke from wildfires sometimes made getting outside for recess difficult. Despite those challenges, the return of KinderCamp™ last month was a great success.

More than 130 students from Flagstaff, Williams and Pinetop-Lakeside took part in this year’s collaborative project, which prepares pre-school age children academically, socially and emotionally for kindergarten.

“It was great,” said Sara Owen, the coordinator for the project. “The families were excited to be back in person, the kids were happy to be in school, and the teachers were appreciative for a chance to help them grow.”

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — July 5-July 9, 2021

Social Gathering Reminders

During the summer, it is common to see social gatherings happening in the park.

Here are a few reminders if you are considering attending a gathering:  
If you are unvaccinated, remember that you must wear a face covering when indoors and maintain physical distance from others. You should use extra caution in all situations if you are not vaccinated. Follow CDC guidance and DOI policy to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.  
Even if you are vaccinated, it may be a good idea to have a mask handy in case you need it. Vaccinated people are welcome to wear masks any time they feel it may be helpful.  

The recent surge in the more transmissible Delta variant in surrounding states and in Arizona has made these prevention strategies all the more important.