Understanding the Costs of Living in the Woods: The Wildfire/Insurance Issue – A Growing Crisis work session on June 3

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. 

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: May 26-30, 2025

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.

Fire restrictions begin Friday on Coconino National Forest

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.

Museum Fire/ Spruce Wash flood area siren testing scheduled for Thursday, June 5 at 10 a.m.

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.

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for an Art Workshop!

Scholarships Available

Scholarships are an important part of Sedona Arts Center. It has a long history in providing students in need of financial assistance, the ability to hone their skills and creative talents. Art classes and workshops also allow an emotional break from daily life and offer social interaction with fellow lovers of art. We are proud to offer our scholarship program, with the help of The Kling Family Foundation, The Ceramics Scholarship Fund, and the Debbie Winslow Scholarship Fund, which allow us to continue this long standing opportunity.

For more scholarship information, policy updates and to apply: CLICK HERE

Coconino County road status information now available on AZ511 Website

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.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — CCC&Y presents free webinars on understanding how emotions impact adult and child relationships

FLAGSTAFF —  With graduation season coming to an end, and Summer vacation, camps and reading programs beginning, this might be a good time for parents view this free online opportunity to ease some of the stress during this busy time of year.

Motivated by a long wait list for behavioral health services, and aware of challenging adult and child emotions causing behavior difficulties, Bethany Camp put this two part training together for CCC&Y to help meeting a wide-spread community need.

First we learn to understand our emotions and then we can understand and respond to the big emotional responses of children.

The NAU Review — What are asteroids made of, anyway?, more news

If an asteroid starts careening toward Flagstaff tomorrow, could it obliterate the city? That depends on whether it’s made of gravel, metal or something else entirely. With grant funds from NASA, two scientists at NAU—professor David Trilling and Ph.D. student Remington Cantelas—will use cutting-edge telescope technology to find and analyze 1,000 different asteroids that orbit near Earth to better understand what materials these celestial bodies are made of. In addition to helping scientists map out the solar system, their work could also help save Earth from destructive collisions.

Crews responding to small wildfire east of Mormon Lake

FLAGSTAFF  — Firefighters are responding to the Corral Fire, a 20-acre wildfire located roughly 2.5 miles east of Mormon Lake, 24 miles southeast of Flagstaff.

Resources assigned to the fire include one Hotshot crew, four engines and a water tender.

Crews plan to conduct several hours of firing operations today to contain the fire to a small footprint using forest roads as holding features.

Multicultural County Park Sculpture Exhibition officially opened May 19 at the Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff/Coconino County Multicultural County Park Sculpture Exhibition officially opened Monday, May 19 at the Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park.

The exhibit brings together powerful cultural expressions through large-scale sculptures by artists Olivero Balcells, Isaac Caruso, Joe Ray, Adrian Wall, and Lance Yazzie, city officials said.

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.

Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) joins county representatives at Fiesta de Mayo Celebration at the Flagstaff Mall

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.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Volunteer Spotlight: Viviana Reyes

When Viviana Reyes attended UWNA’s Community Impact and Annual Recognition Luncheon a few weeks back, she had no idea she was going to receive an award for her volunteer efforts.

“I saw my name in the program and was completely surprised,” she recalls. “It’s really special to receive an acknowledgement. “For me, volunteering isn’t something formal — it’s just what you do. Growing up in a Latino family, community, and mutual support were at the heart of everything. I didn’t even think of it as ‘volunteering’ – we just showed up for each other.”

City of Flagstaff announces Memorial Day closures

City of Flagstaff facilities that are also closed on Memorial Day include:

East Flagstaff Community Library (3000 N. Fourth St.)
Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library (300 W. Aspen Ave.)
Hal Jensen Recreation Center (2403 N. Izabel St.)
Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center (245 N. Thorpe Rd.)
Cinder Lake Landfill and Hazardous Products Center (6770 E Landfill Rd.)

U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) news updates for week of May 19, 2025

• Gallego, Kelly, Stanton Warn of Devastating Impact of House Republican Plan to Slash Food Assistance, Raise Costs for Arizona Families

• Gallego Urges Commerce Department to Reconsider Tomato Trade Decision That Threatens Jobs and Raises Prices for Arizonans

• Gallego Pushes for More Federal Resources to Combat Fentanyl Crisis in Arizona

MORE

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: May 19-23, 2025

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.

Museum of Northern Arizona Virtual Auction open for bidding!

We are just two weeks away from MNA’s biggest fundraising night of the year – the Party on the Plateau! If you didn’t snag tickets to this sold-out event, no worries – you can still bid in the silent auction, which is open for online bidding. You do not have to be attending the Party on the Plateau to participate!

Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) May-June E-Newsletter

NACA accepts & provides services to all ethnic groups and all ages while focusing on whole-family health care. We pride ourselves in focusing on Native American health care, with the whole person in mind. Specialty care referrals are available for all patients. Referrals are also available to Native American patients through the Indian Health Services facilities in Flagstaff and in surrounding areas.

Sedona Arts Center — May News

You may have heard the news about National Endowment for the Arts grants and grant programs being terminated by DOGE recently.

While Sedona Arts Center has not been directly impacted by the current NEA grant terminations, we would be impacted by the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts through our annual grant from the AZ Commission on the Arts. The entire field of arts and culture would be significantly impacted by this loss – be it research to the field, the millions of lives improved through participation in the arts, or the millions of jobs and the economic impact the arts have on America’s bottom line. The NEA’s funding is critical to us, but they provide our field so much more.

Coconino County seeks public input for Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

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. 

City of Flagstaff — Posted on: May 22, 2025 US Highway 89 lane closures scheduled May 27 – 30

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. 

Arizona officials appointed to National Standards Board for Election Administration

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. 

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — 2025 Summer Camps, Summer Reading registration continuing. See our listings

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 NAU Review — Are you prepared in case of a wildfire? + learn what the Arctic might look like in the future

Where to turn for help in the wake of a wildfire

With wildfires affecting communities throughout Arizona, residents need clear guidance and actionable steps to recover. NAU experts helped create a guide for individuals and communities navegating the aftermath of these devastating events.
Read the story

County Manager’s Office warns of new scam targeting property owners

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.

Applicants sought for Williams Unified School District Governing Board vacancy

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.