Matthew Greyeyes and Beyonce Bahe both have plans for medical school after graduating with long-term goals of improving healthcare for their Native communities, all while carrying on Elouise Cobell’s legacy and challenging societal norms.
Coconino County has opened the Willard Springs Transfer Station for free green waste-only disposal between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Sunday, June 27 to support residents’ efforts to remove pine needles, branches, leaves, brush, and other green waste from their properties and create defensible spaces due to high wildfire activity. The station will still not be accepting household trash or bulk waste.
Smoke from the Rafael and Snake Fires continue to affect several communities in the southern part of Coconino County including areas south of 1-40 and west of I-17.
Anyone who can see, taste, or smell smoke should curtail outdoor activity. People with heart disease, lung disease, or asthma should avoid the outdoors entirely, as should children and the elderly.
On June 23, due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are largely deployed, the entirety of Coconino and Kaibab National Forests closed for public safety. This closure will continue until conditions are such that the closure can be lifted.
A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of Coconino and Kaibab National Forests at any time. Only those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing utility support where necessary, and firefighters performing their duties.
At the beginning of 2020, things were looking promising for Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. It had just come off its best ever year, with a historic 124,000 enplanements in 2019, about 50,000 more than in any previous year.
Then the pandemic hit and as the country shut down, the numbers plummeted. Instead of planning for new flights, the airport was looking for ways to assist businesses operating in the terminal.
Now as people feel free to move about the country again, Airport Director Barney Helmick says the airport is on track for a year almost as good as 2019.
We are excited to host Science in the Park again this year at Wheeler Park!
At this fair, the whole community is invited to a free family-friendly event where science, discovery and play are at the center of an incredible day!
Do you have a business that would like to participate?
At Science in the Park, the whole family gets to experience the joy of science! Register for a booth today at this fun event taking place Sept. 18!
Registration is due in one week, by June 30.
If there is anything good that we can take from the pandemic, it is that it reinforced some things that we can all agree on: the importance of taking care of each other and the power of caring communities to step up in times of crisis and create positive change.
Supporters like you raised tens of thousands of dollars to help those impacted this past year. Your United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) funneled those funds to where they would do the most good. Because of you, families were able to stay in their homes, feed their families and keep the lights on.
But our work is not over.
A Virtual Community Experience
“Finding My Strength; Hope in Connection,” is the theme of the 2021 Annual Conference from Aug. 18 through Sept. 8 presented by the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
The city of Flagstaff will enter Stage Four fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on June 23, 2021 in an effort to reduce the potential for unintentional human-caused wildfires within the city limits. 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.
Due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are sparse, the entirety of Coconino National Forest will close for public safety, beginning Wednesday (June 23) at 8 a.m.
A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of Coconino National Forest at any time. Only those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing utility support where necessary, and firefighters performing their duties.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) has activated an Emergency Operations Center in response to the Rafael Fire. A Call Center has also been set up to answer questions. Residents may call 928.679.8647 or email rafaelfire@coconino.az.gov
The Rafael Fire was discovered on June 18, 2021, the result of passing predominantly dry thunderstorms and has continued to increase due to low humidity and wind. All areas south of 1-40, west of I-17, including University Heights, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Pine Dell, Woody Mountain Road, as well as South Garland Prairie, Pine Aire Estates and residents in between are now in SET status (pre-evacuation).
From the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office: Due to wildfire, residents in all areas south of 1-40 and west of I-17 including University Heights, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Pine Dell, Woody Mountain Road are in SET status.
In addition, South Garland Prairie and Pine Aire Estates and residents in between are in SET status, Residents should begin preparing for possible GO order to EVACUATE. Follow local news and official social media channels for updates. This means there is danger in the area. Residents are advised to locate your emergency go kit and be ready to evacuate if notified from public safety officials. This is NOT an evacuation notification.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is evacuating dispersed camping south of Forest Road 535 from the junction of Forest Road 231 road.
The Sheriff’s Office is also evacuating dispersed camping in the Sycamore Canyon area.
Garland Prairie is reminded to be in READY. READY means Prepare Now.
The Black Business Expo Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration will be held fro 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 19 at the Murdoch Community Center,
The Community is encouraged to come out and support Black Owned and managed Businesses in our community.
Are you a black owned/manage business or artist and want to participate. Register at southsideflagstaff@gmail.com or call 928-226-7566.
On Monday, José Luis Cruz Rivera started as the 17th president of Northern Arizona University. A leader in diversity and equity in higher education, he aims to advance NAU’s mission of student success and access, particularly for underrepresented groups.
This afternoon President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing June 19 as a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. As this date falls on a Saturday this year, it will be observed tomorrow, Friday, June 18. AARP will also recognize this holiday…
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when word reached Texas that slaves had been freed — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is also known as Black Independence Day, Freedom Day and Emancipation Day.
…the day is seen as a time for reflection and assessment, for focusing on education and achievement, and for self-improvement and for looking ahead to the future. I am so proud that the President has taken this historic step to ensure that Juneteenth will be commemorated across the country for generations to come.
We are so excited to announce that a major initiative from LAUNCH Flagstaff and its partners will begin in a few weeks, and we believe it will be a game changer in filling the gaps that currently exist in high-quality early childhood education.
The program, Elevate PreK, will offer full-day, year-round classes at Kinsey Elementary School, primarily for four-year-olds in lower- and middle-income families currently not accessing preschool services. The classes will be provided at no charge to families under the program.
LAUNCH Flagstaff is partnering with the Association of Supportive Childcare for this effort with support from a wide array of organizations, including the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, the Wharton Foundation, Flagstaff Unified School District and Northern Arizona University.
The summer solstice is upon us, a moment of solar peak in the cycle of Earth’s seasons and a time for annual reflection.
LAUNCH Flagstaff began in 2014 as an ad-hoc gathering of interested stakeholders seeking to improve educational outcomes for our community’s children. With the leadership of the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools and the backbone of the United Way of Northern Arizona funding was secured in 2016 from the Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff to initially fund a staff position for the then fledging idea that is now LAUNCH Flagstaff.
I am honored to have been chosen to serve our community in that role and am proud of the work that LAUNCH Flagstaff has accomplished over the past five years.
Coconino County has announced that Susan Brown has been promoted to Deputy County Manager.
Brown has over 25 years of experience working in state and local government. She joined Coconino County in 1998 in the Facilities Management Department as Property Manager during the County’s capital facilities construction program from 1996-2004. Her role evolved into strategic planning for the organization, and in 2009, Susan stepped into the role of Facilities Management Director, where she has served for the last 12 years.
The Flagstaff City Council voted to adopt the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan at their meeting on June 15, 2021. This plan will address the City Council’s goal of achieving community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030 (the goal was set on June 23, 2020). The Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan is an evolving framework for action and was informed by input from conversations with over 2,600 community members as well as community and technical expertise.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions & Extreme Fire Danger
As of June 11, Grand Canyon National Park, along with Coconino County, City of Flagstaff, and the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests have transitioned into Stage 2 fire restrictions. As a reminder, Stage 2 restrictions prohibit any outdoor wood burning and charcoal fires. This does not include liquid petroleum or LPG fueled devices that can be turned on and off such as stoves, lantern, or heating devices. Stage 2 also prohibits outdoor smoking except within an enclosed vehicle.
The Sedona Arts Center’s ceramic department operates free from the constraints of grades and benefits from the talents of its ceramic faculty and assistants as well as nationally recognized guest instructors. This combination allows our department to offer flexible and diverse programming in both traditional and contemporary techniques.
Flagstaff Folk Festival, Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music. 70+ acts of Folk Music on 2 stages at The Museum Club. 10 a.m.
CCC&Y will present “Pride Paint Night,” a LGBTQIAP+ Youth (12-24) only event at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 26.
By Teens, For Teens
A live paint hour filled with conversation.
Paint kits available for pickup at both Flagstaff Library locations during curbside hours.
For more information, call 928-213-2348.
Highway 180 has reopened following a week-long closure caused by the Slate Fire, which is located 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff and is now at 11,012 acres and at 16 percent containment.
While Highway 180 has reopened, motorists are asked to reduce their speeds and keep an eye out for crews still working in the area. Additional portions of the Coconino National Forest are closed to the public for safety reasons.
Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget would like to announce the appointments of two Governing School Board Members at Maine Consolidated School District #10. The selected candidates are Raena Woods and Kaitlin Cloud.
An advisory committee was assembled consisting of a district resident, district teacher, and two board members to conduct interviews and advise Superintendent Mango-Paget on the appointments. The Superintendent would like to thank the advisory committee for participating in this very important process.
Flagstaff Arts Council is thrilled to announce the creation of the Digital Resource & Education Center located at Coconino Center for the Arts. The Center, proposed to open in January, will offer a lending library of digital equipment and software, training and educational resources, and collaborative space for digital projects.
This significant new program will support Creative Flagstaff’s advocacy and development work as well as support the effectiveness of Flagstaff’s cultural sector of engaging its audience and investors, especially with digital content.
The Center is made possible through the generous support of the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation which awarded a $100,000 Digital Changemaker Grant in June. Visit the Thoma Foundation website to learn more about their initiatives.
