Latest Update: Fire activity on the Dragon Bravo Fire remains high-to-extreme with heavy fire activity occurring overnight.
More than 70 structures on the North Rim, including the Grand Canyon Lodge, were lost during the weekend’s fire activity.
Crews are working daytime and nighttime operational shifts. More resources are being directed toward the Dragon Bravo Fire,
and heavy aerial resource use will continue as part of an aggressive full suppression strategy. Closures and evacuations remain
Hands-On Hand Building
with Ben Roti
July 28-September 1, 2025 – Mondays 12-3pm
In this fun and creative class, suitable for both beginners and experienced ceramicists, you’ll learn a variety of hand-building techniques and explore your personal artistic vision in a welcoming, hands-on environment.
What You’ll Experience:
Foundational Techniques: Learn essential hand-building methods such as slab construction, coil building, and pinch pots, to create functional and decorative pieces.
Creative Projects: Each class includes demonstrations and hands-on practice in crafting items like bowls, mugs, vases, platters, and lidded boxes, plus optional advanced projects for experienced students.
Surface Design and Glazing: Explore texturing, stamping, slip decoration, and glazing techniques to finish your creations.
COCONINO COUNTY — Despite scattered rains the night before, thousands of visitors crowded into downtown Flagstaff on a beautiful morning to celebrate the 2025 Annual Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce/Nackard Pepsi 4th of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2024.
The events began with a Guardian Air Transport helicopter flying overhead leading a parade featuring more than 100 entries. The Arizona Daily Sun reported between 15,000 to 20,000 people attended the annual event.
Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) joined the Coconino County parade entry which featured public safety vehicles, the Majestics Car Club of Flagstaff, marching bands and other entries.
By Indivisible
In one week, on July 17, people all across the country will gather together in honor of the late Rep. John Lewis to participate in the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action.
With MAGA Republicans continuing their ghoulish campaigns to terrorize communities, crush dissent, and tear families apart, it’s more important than ever that we stand up, speak out, and make some good trouble.
What’s good trouble?
Coined by civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, “good trouble” means coming together to take non-violent action to challenge injustice and create meaningful change. That could look like a candlelight vigil, a community event, a rally, or any other creative way you can think of to stand up and remind the world that we will continue to fight back against this authoritarian regime.
FLAGSTAFF — The state of Arizona has allocated $4M to the City of Flagstaff in its FY2026 budget for the construction of a regional wildland fire training facility. Local fire departments across northern Arizona are the front line of defense against wildfire and the construction of this facility will increase firefighter safety and improve wildfire response.
The construction of a permanent wildland fire training facility in Flagstaff will serve as the operational base for the Flagstaff Fire Department’s Wildfire Management Division, providing year-round high-quality and scenario-based training opportunities for local and regional fire personnel. The facility will also enhance coordination among municipal, state, and federal firefighting agencies. The City of Flagstaff has dedicated $650K for the design of the facility and the $4M provided by the state will be used for construction.
GRAND CANYON — Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily closed the North Rim until further notice due to the White Sage Fire near Jacob Lake, Ariz. The White Sage Fire is located on BLM lands and is not currently burning within Grand Canyon National Park.
Due to the fire’s progression toward Jacob Lake, which is now under evacuation orders, all visitors on the North Rim are required to evacuate immediately. State Route 89A to Fredonia is closed. State Route 89A east toward Lees Ferry and Page remains open to traffic towards Lees Ferry. North Rim day use is also closed until further notice.
COCONINO COUNTY — The 2025–2026 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) for Coconino County is now available for review and highlights the ongoing efforts of the CHIP Action Teams focused on Transportation, Housing, Behavioral Health, and Food and Nutritional Security.
The updated plan is attached and available online at https://www.coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/68572
Tesoro with Gaetano
The Orpheum Theater
A mix of flamenco and rock; incorporating signature powerful rhythms into infectiously heartfelt, unforgettably passionate, romantically catchy tunes. 7 p.m.
Learn More
Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim
The Dragon Bravo Fire, located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, continues to show moderate fire activity as it burns in a remote area south of the Basin near the W1 Road. Sparked by lightning on July 4, the fire has grown steadily over the past few days and is currently estimated at approximately 120 acres.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Effect: Parks & Recreation has specific guidelines outlining what is allowed and prohibited during this time. Click here to review the details before your next visit.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) (July 10) celebrates a landmark decision by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante of New Hampshire, who issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration’s executive order seeking to strip automatic birthright citizenship from children born in the United States to undocumented parents. This decision marks a crucial victory for members of LULAC, the first organization to file a lawsuit challenging the administration’s attempt to undermine one of the most fundamental rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
“This ruling is a powerful affirmation that the rights granted under the 14th Amendment are not up for debate or political manipulation,” said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board. “From the very beginning, LULAC has been the voice standing between injustice and the rights of those born on American soil. We will never allow the constitutional promise of citizenship to be erased or rewritten.”
Half of U.S. adults say people born in the United States to parents who immigrated illegally should have U.S. citizenship, while 49% say they should not. By contrast, nearly all say people born in the country to U.S.-born parents (95%) or to parents who immigrated legally (94%) should be citizens.
Related: Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship draws more disapproval than approval
COCONINO COUNTY — Health and Human Services (CCHHS) officials received confirmatory test results today, July 11, 2025, and have confirmed that a Coconino County resident has died from pneumonic plague, a severe lung infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium.
The death is not related to a recent report of a prairie dog die-off in the Townsend Winona area, northeast of Flagstaff. This is the first recorded death from Pneumonic plague in Coconino County since 2007 when an individual had an interaction with a dead animal infected with the disease.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” said Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman. “We are keeping them in our thoughts during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family, no additional information about the death will be released.”
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff, their contractor, Eagle Mountain Construction, along with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), have reached substantial completion of the Beulah/University Realignment Project. With this work complete, all roads and the pedestrian underpass will be open and accessible to all users by the end of Tuesday, July 15. Remain alert as crews complete final clean-up operations throughout the coming weeks. Please be patient as you and your fellow motorists get used to the new roadway configuration and follow the marked signage to get to your destination.
Celebrate bold creativity, inclusion, and artistic expression in this vibrant juried exhibition featuring work from LGBTQIA+ artists and allies. Presented in our Special Exhibition Gallery through July 25, the show also lives online, where you can explore and purchase works from anywhere.
Originally conceived by local artists and Sedona Pride supporters in 2012, The Big Gay Art Show has become a cherished tradition—uplifting diverse voices and fostering connection through the power of visual art.
FLAGSTAFF — Mark your calendars! The 76th Annual Coconino County Fair returns to Fort Tuthill County Park over Labor Day Weekend, August 29 – September 1, and early bird tickets are now officially on sale.
Fairgoers can take advantage of discounted admission and carnival wristbands by purchasing online at www.CoconinoCountyFair.com beginning July 1. Whether you’re going for the rides, the food, the music, or the exhibits, buying early is the best way to save!
FLAGSTAFF — Firefighters are responding to a small wildfire located near A1 Mountain roughly 6 miles west of Flagstaff.
Resources assigned to the Soggy Bottom Fire include six engines, a water tender and two hand crews.
The fire is between 5 and 7 acres with a moderate rate of spread through grass and timber.
It was first reported at about 2:30 p.m. (Wednesday, July 9) and its cause is under investigation.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — From school districts to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies, a variety of food assistances programs are available this summer for families throughout Coconino County.
The following is a listing compiled by CCC&Y of some of those programs. Contact individual organizations for more information on times, dates and locations.
If your program would like to be added to this listing, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org
READ MORE
Robotic exoskeletons are the future of helping people with certain disabilities perform daily tasks, but they can be prohibitively difficult and expensive to develop. Mechanical engineering associate professor Zach Lerner, whose research has focused on developing this technology, led a team that created OpenExo, an open-source exoskeleton framework, which will open doors for researchers globally to help speed up life-changing robotic discoveries. Want to see the exoskeletons at work? Check out this video from NAU-TV.
Read the story
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) received a report today of a prairie dog die-off in the Townsend Winona area, northeast of Flagstaff.
A sudden die-off of prairie dogs and rodents can be an indicator of plague, an infectious disease that can affect humans and animals. The bacterium that causes plague, Yersinia pestis, is transmitted from the bite of infected fleas or by coming into contact with infected animals. Individuals can also become infected through exposure to sick pets.
Reminder! The comment period ends July 18, 2025
The 60-day review period ends in 10 days! There are still opportunities to comment, visit with staff, and join a webinar to learn more about the plan.
How can I review and comment on the Plan?
Grand Canyon National Park is required to annually distribute a consumer confidence report for the park’s drinking water. The purpose is to allow consumers to make educated decisions regarding any potential health risks pertaining to the quality, treatment, and management of drinking water.
Ceramics: Independent Study*
with Ben Roti
July 28-September 1, 2025 – Mondays 3:30-6:30pm
*Designed for experienced ceramicists
This class offers a supportive studio environment for you to explore advanced throwing and hand-building techniques while working on personal projects. (Beginners are welcome in Ben/Lolo/John’s Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday classes or in the Pottery Wheel for Beginners on Saturdays.)
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.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County officials are taking swift action following the recent disruption of ground ambulance services in Fredonia and the surrounding communities in the County’s northwest and north-central regions.
The disruption occurred after the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) determined that Kane County, Utah EMS units are not certified or legally authorized to operate within Arizona.
FLAGSTAFF — Road repair and maintenance projects continue around Flagstaff as part of the annual Road Repair and Street Safety Program. Concrete removal work is scheduled to occur during the week of July 7 on Beulah Blvd, Lucky Ln, and the east side of Switzer Canyon Dr. During the week of July 14, pavement patching work is scheduled on William Rd, Switzer Canyon Dr, Kaspar Dr and San Francisco St.
This work will impact select areas of the roadway and will result in temporary lane shifts, lane closures and/ or shoulder closures. The City and its contractor are taking all possible measures to minimize the impact of this work on local residents and businesses.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is excited to announce that Lee Williams has been selected as the City’s Water Services Director.
Lee has served for 13 years with the City of Flagstaff in Water Services and was the previous Water Operations Section Director. Prior to this role, he served as an Operations Supervisor and Plant Operator in the public sector, worked as an educator for six years, and worked for four years in private industry. He has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry & mathematics and is a certified operator in water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment and wastewater collection.
Events also planned for Fredonia, Page, Tuba City, Tusayan and Williams
COCONINO COUNTY — Thousands of visitors are expected to crowd into downtown Flagstaff to celebrate the 2025 Annual Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce/Nackard Pepsi 4th of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2024.
Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), see 2024 photos below, are expected to join the Coconino County parade entry as part of the 100-plus float event.
