COCONINO COUNTY — Volunteers are still needed. We are very excited to be conducting a Summer 2025 PIT Count here next week! See the flyer and QR code attached or the link to view the sign-up sheet! Please note that shifts vary in both location and length of time. More details for each specific location are to come.
Highlights: The Kaibab National Forest is reducing the temporary forest closure on the North Kaibab Ranger Districts. Beginning Tuesday, August 19, western portions of the district will reopen to public access. The new closure boundary connects a series of National Forest System Roads (NFSR) between the Jacob Lake area and Timp Point. The boundary line was designed to maximize public access while providing for the safety of forest visitors and wildfire personnel.
Protecting the Grand Canyon’s water from fire
The Dragon Bravo Fire could threaten the drinking water supply for millions of visitors and thousands of workers at the Grand Canyon, but not if Abraham Springer has anything to say about it. With rapid-response funding from the National Science Foundation, the NAU researcher is working with Grand Canyon National Park, the U.S. Geological Survey and other colleagues to protect Roaring Springs, the park’s sole water source.
Audrey O’Connell speaks to the camera
Fit it in a Minute
with Audrey O’Connell
Have you heard about the Training Development and Technology Adoption services? O’Connell, the lead technical training analyst, explains how the TDTA team creates training materials that support the NAU community. Can she fit it in a minute?
We want to hear from you! The City of Flagstaff seeks community input for a landmark three-dimensional artwork to be installed at the promontory at East Cedar Avenue and North West Street as part of the Spruce Wash Wedge Detention Project. If you live on the Eastside, or have a strong connection to this area, this is your chance to share what makes this part of Flagstaff special.
An online survey, open now through September 9, invites participants to answer a series of experiential questions designed to spark factual, imaginative, and community-rooted responses. Insights gathered will help the artist team develop a site-specific, one-of-a-kind artwork that reflects the spirit of the Eastside.
Creative Flagstaff is thrilled to announce that ARTx: Art + Ideas Experience is back for 2026 — and we’re once again offering funding to bring bold, creative ideas to life in Flagstaff! Thanks to $125,000 from the City of Flagstaff’s Bed, Board, and Beverage tax revenue, this marks the 4th year of funding for artists through ARTx.
The 2026 biennial event will light up Flagstaff May 1–3, 2026 with a multi-day celebration of performances, exhibitions, installations, activations, conversations, and community gatherings — plus additional ARTx moments all year long during First Friday ArtWalks.
We’re looking for individual artists, creative collaborations, and organizations ready to dream big. Whether your work thrives on the street, in a gallery, outdoors, or in unexpected places, ARTx has a space for you.
Get ready for a thought-provoking and deeply human experience as Theatrikos prepares to stage Rebecca Gilman’s compelling play, Swing State. Directed by AJ Flores, this powerful production promises to resonate with audiences through its exploration of complex themes including what it means to be human, the intricacies of trust, the bonds of family, whether by blood or by choice, and navigating the profound impact of loss.
Swing State tells the story of Peg, a woman who has found solace in the quiet beauty of her prairie land after the loss of her husband. Her solitary life is interrupted by visits from a troubled friend and the mysterious disappearance of her late husband’s belongings. When the authorities are called, a tense chain of events unfolds, forcing everyone to question who they can truly trust. The play delves into the cracks in our communities, revealing how national divisions echo through our most personal relationships.
F3 is excited to introduce the first speaker in our new Community Speaker Series!
This series will focus on bringing people to Flagstaff who will provide important ideas about how we can build a resilient community.
F3’s speaker series is timed to coincide with the Flagstaff community’s review of the city’s Draft Regional Land Use Plan. Public review of the Plan started this month and will continue until May 2026, when Flagstaff residents will have the opportunity to vote on it in a special election.
FLAGSTAFF — A record-breaking crowd of more than 450 took part in the 10th annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklórico Festival” held on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
The free event, which celebrates Flagstaff’s Hispanic culture and community history, was headlined with the return of popular all-female Mariachi Rubor, with other entertainment including opening music by Cumbre, the ever energetic Ballet Folkloroco de Colores — Flagstaff and closing dance music by New Destiny.
In between the entertainment, the event included the traditional all veterans group photo, the Dale E. Crick Purple Heart Chapter No.793 truck display, new additions to the Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces Hispanic veterans banner display; a car show, arts & crafts booths, raffles and of course tasty Mexican and other food.
Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklórico Festival, a traditional Mariachi Mass held on Sunday Aug. 10 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Flagstaff.
Mariachi Rubor Femenil provided the music during the Mass, which was followed by a reception in the historic basement.
FLAGSTAFF — April 15, 2025 marks Steven Bonilla Peru Day! The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 12 proclaimed this day in honor of former County Manager Steve Peru. Over 35 years at the County, he served twice as the County Manager and held a variety of leadership roles including Finance Director, Elections Director, Clerk of the Board and Deputy County Manager.
Peru was also awarded the inaugural Medal of Merit, an award recognizing outstanding and meritorious contributions to the people of Coconino County.
Trump told Texas Republicans to gerrymander the state to add congressional seats to the map. It’s a power grab pure and simple.
Texas is a test case and just the beginning. Trump and his enablers are deliberately working to steal the 2026 election (and beyond) by rigging the electoral maps in their favor well into the future.
This is disenfranchisement for the 21st century.
SEDONA — Firefighters working on the Woods Fire have been successful in suppressing and securing the perimeter around the wildfire, achieving 50% containment and will transition to a local Type 4 organization tomorrow morning.
A more accurate mapping of the wildfire located 2 miles east of the Village of Oak Creek puts it at 59 acres. It has been determined to be a lightning-caused fire.
High humidity provided favorable conditions for firefighters, allowing use of natural landscape and human-made barriers to keep the fire within its existing footprint.
Saturday, August 16
Mother Road Classic Car Show
Flagstaff City Hall Parking Lot
America’s Mother Road, US Route 66, celebrates its centennial in 2026, and Flagstaff fuels the party in 2025 with The Mother Road Classic. 8 a.m. Free
Brighty prepares for his journey to the South Rim, where he will be stored in the park’s Museum Collections until a decision is made on his future. Whether he will be restored to his former appearance or replaced entirely is still under consideration. (NPS Photo)
Highlights: Yesterday, containment of the Dragon Bravo Fire increased to 56%. More containment was gained on the Wahalla Plateau, Point Imperial and on the most northern tip of the fire. The National Weather Service Office in Flagstaff has issued a flash flood watch in the fire area between 10am and 8pm today. With safety being the top priority, crews will be ready to adjust to potentially dangerous weather conditions that may develop. To receive flash flood warnings on your cell phone or satellite device via the Grand Canyon River Alerts system. Text GCRIVERALERTS to 928-707-7842.
Apply for a Beautification in Action Grant
Artists, local businesses, nonprofits, schools, and community groups—this is your chance to transform Flagstaff’s shared spaces. The City of Flagstaff, through the Beautification and Public Art Commission, is accepting Beautification in Action (BIA) grants of up to $8,000 for creative projects that add character and beauty to our community. Eligible projects must be in publicly accessible locations and can include murals, sculptures, community or pollinator gardens, decorative benches, neighborhood pathways, and more.
Tap into your creativity, make new friends, and explore a variety of art forms in this engaging six-week sampler class just for adults 55 and older. Whether you’re brand-new to art or returning after years away, our professional teaching artists will guide you through storytelling, drawing, painting, art journaling, and mixed media in a fun, supportive environment.
No experience necessary! Caregivers are welcome. If registering yourself plus your loved one, please contact Bernadette directly.
Single tickets for FSO’s Season 76 are now available! Whether there’s one concert you can’t wait to experience, or you’re planning a year of music, now is the time to reserve your seats.
If you’ll be joining us for more than one performance, a subscription is still one of the best ways to enjoy the season—offering discounted pricing, exclusive benefits, and the flexibility to make Season 76 your own. Full season and flexible packages are still available.
Subscriptions start as low as $129 for a three-concert package. Learn more about each concert on our website and secure your seats today.
Join us on Tuesday, August 26th at High Country Conference Center for a buffet breakfast and an inspiring panel discussion on youth mental health, spotlighting collaborative efforts to give adolescents the tools and resources they need to thrive.
Deadline to register is 5 pm tomorrow!
The kickoff marks the official beginning of our annual campaign to raise $1.2 million to fund efforts to increase youth opportunity, healthy communities, financial security and community resiliency in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.
Gov. Katie Hobbs, an NAU social work graduate, met with NAU leaders to discuss how the university is confronting the state’s healthcare worker shortage through academic programs, research projects and infrastructure improvements.
We are thrilled to launch our fall concert season with an diverse array of local favorites and acclaimed touring artists, offering something for every music lover.
Listed below are the first concerts of the season, and we’ll be announcing even more performances and dates in the weeks ahead. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Coconino Center for the Arts for another season of unforgettable live music!
COCONINO COUNTY —
Back-to-School events in Coconino County — including fall enrollment, freshman orientations for parents and students, meet the teacher events, school supply distributions and youth sports physicals — will soon conclude, but local organizations are already planning for a variety of youth events this upcoming Fall.
Please check with individual school districts, health care providers and other organizations to confirm times, dates, other information below.
The Coalition will continue to update this resource list. If you have a program you want us to include, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org. Thank you. (Updated Aug. 12, 2025)
We are very excited to announce two upcoming events designed to promote literacy and leadership skills for our youth.
Later this month, we’ll hold our 2nd Literacy Fair, building on the success of the first one we held with the Literacy Center in February.
Then in October, we’ll have our inaugural Youth Leadership Conference for dozens of 9th graders in northern Arizona. Kristen Strauss, our Manager of Youth Programs & Education Initiatives, has all the details about both events below.
The public learned this week that Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) discussed their five-year priorities during a meeting held last Thursday with city and county leaders in Flagstaff. There, NAH announced the completion of a 2030 strategic plan.
Many thanks to KNAU Arizona Public Radio and the Arizona Daily Sun for covering the meeting and publishing online stories yesterday and today to inform the public of this recent information. The Arizona Daily Sun article can be viewed in PDF form here and here.
Both news stories indicate that NAH continues to evaluate five sites for a new hospital location, including an expansion of their current building on Beaver Street. NAH indicates they do not plan to build a “medical village” at the selected site as was their previous plan.
Additionally, NAH stated that Flagstaff Medical Center is not a community hospital any longer, but rather is considered by NAH and others as a regional referral center.
Date: Friday, August 15
Time: 10 – 11:30AM
FREE: Registration required
Start your morning with fresh coffee and fresh ideas at Coffee with Digitals.
Coffee with Digitals is a casual gathering that celebrates the vibrant intersection of art and technology. Hosted by Chris Johnson, Professor of Visual Communication at NAU, this monthly meetup invites artists, educators, and community members to connect around emerging digital practices—from animation and AR to AI and 3D modeling.
This month, Chris is joined by special guest James Peters, an Emmy Award–winning animation artist with nearly 30 years of experience. James has worked on iconic series such as Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys, Futurama, and Rick and Morty, and has contributed to both Marvel and DC animated properties, including Young Justice—a show that redefined the standards of studio animation.
Our Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. Sedona Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Sustainability Commission announce the opening of applications for the Flagstaff Sustainability Grants Program. The annual funding opportunity, formally know as the Neighborhood Sustainability Grant Program, will accept applications from Aug. 15 through Sept. 30, 2025. The competitive grant program provides funding up to $7,500 for sustainability projects that strengthen community partnerships and environmental stewardship within Flagstaff city limits. Eligible applicants include community groups, nonprofits, individuals, and businesses with projects that address key sustainability priorities. Priority focus areas include energy, community health and climate resilience, food, transportation, and waste.
Armed with sketchbooks, theory and a healthy dose of curiosity, a group of NAU students set out across the Alpine region—not just to admire the landscape, but also to decode the invisible forces that have shaped art in the area for centuries.
COCONINO COUNTY — The public is invited to comment on three candidates for the Division 6 Judge Pro Tempore vacancy on the Superior Court in Coconino County.
The candidates are Jonathon Kircher, Roberta McVickers and Bryan Shea.
