The Board of Directors of United Way of Northern Arizona and President and CEO Liz Archuleta are excited to announce that Dan and Kim Musselman have been named the 2023-2024 Campaign Chairs for our annual fundraising effort which kicks off on September 27.
FLAGSTAFF — Despite heavy afternoon monsoon rains, visitors continued to come by, dance, enjoy food, chat with vendors and listen to the music of Mariachi de Nuevo Mexico and Soul Persuasion during the 8th annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklórico Festival” on Aug. 12 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
Dancers from Ballet Folklorico de Colores – Flagstaff didn’t miss a step during the rainy day performance which drew upwards of 300 visitors.
Coconino County communities might see more precipitation over the weekend and into next week as the result of Tropical Storm Hilary.
The Flood Control District, Public Works, and Coconino County Emergency Management are working closely with NWS Flagstaff to monitor potential rainfall and post-wildfire flooding in our towns and neighborhoods.
Be aware and stay safe, sign up emergency alerts from Coconino County at www.coconino.az.gov/ready
The Route 66 Car Club of Flagstaff is excited to bring The Mother Road Classic back to downtown Flagstaff. 9 a.m. Free.
Kane Fire wrapping up
The Kane Fire, located about 13 miles southeast of Jacob Lake on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, is currently about 2,854 acres and 84 percent contained.
The fire was detected on August 3 after a lightning storm, and fire managers immediately implemented a full suppression strategy. Ensuing precipitation over the next several days curtailed fire activity considerably, and a Type 3 team took over on Tuesday, August 15.
Current and expected fire activity is minimal, and crews are now focused on cleanup and suppression repair.
In the interest of public safety, a portion of the Kaibab Plateau area east of Highway 67 leading to the North Rim will remain closed. Highway 67 is open.
You can visit the Kaibab National Forest website or Facebook page, or InciWeb for more information.
FLAGSTAFF — Snowbowl Road (Forest Road [FR] 516) will close from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday August 19 to accommodate the annual Climb to Conquer Cancer event.
While Snowbowl Road will remain open before and after the seven-hour closure window, drivers are asked to remain alert and cautious. Event coordinators and sponsors will be using the road to initiate event setup in the days leading up to the event.
Snowbowl staff will provide parking support for event participants at the base of Snowbowl Road (at the intersection of Fort Valley Road) and will work to redirect traffic until the event ends and the road opens.
It’s been a busy summer at northern Arizona’s three local airports, with changes in personnel, new facilities and extensive improvement work to enable these facilities to better serve our region.
At Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Brian Gall became the new Airport Director in late April. He had previously been the airport’s Program Manager and his career has included serving as a Development Engineering Project Manager for the City of Flagstaff and being an engineer for both the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.
COCONINO COUNTY —
We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community. The purpose of CCC&Y is bold and your help is needed.
When you become a member of CCC&Y, your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.
CCC&Y is building an inclusive movement of people dedicated to transforming and healing our communities.
Through leadership, education and advocacy. By becoming a member you add your name to an expansive list of individuals, families, businesses and organizations who are igniting collective action that creates better lives for children and families.
Please visit Membership Options
Make an Online Donation
Remember, CCC&Y is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) status-so your contributions are tax deductible eligible. Please consult your tax professional.
NAU gets $5M grant to fund new wildfire initiative
The Arizona Wildfire Initiative is an all-hands-on-deck effort to deal with wildfires through a multipronged approach: more and better trained forest and fire managers; intentional forest management to reduce the risk of destructive wildfires; ensuring people on the ground have the knowledge they need to handle the increasing number and severity of wildfires as the West dries out and heats up; and building fire-resilient communities throughout Arizona. This innovative project is funded by the Office of the Governor.
FLAGSTAFF — As of 8 a.m. (Tuesday, Aug. 15), the Coconino and Kaibab national forests have lifted all fire restrictions. Stage 1 restrictions had been in place across Coconino National Forest and the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest since June 29.
Fire managers continually evaluate conditions across the forest to help determine when to implement or rescind fire restrictions. Enough rain has fallen across the forest to increase fuel moisture levels and decrease fire danger. The forecast shows these improved conditions continuing.
LAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff will lift current firerestrictions and return to Stage 0 fire restrictions on Tuesday,August 15 at 8:00 a.m.
Under Stage 0 fire restrictions,
Smoking and use of electronic cigarettes are prohibitedin all public places within the City of Flagstaff, includingCity Parks, Open Spaces, and the Flagstaff Urban TrailSystem (FUTS) at all times.
Residents and visitors should not throw cigarettes or matches outof a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of theroad and become a wildfire. All outdoor fires should beextinguished properly by drowning fires with plenty of water andstirring to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Charcoalshould be dunked in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoalon the ground and leave it.
COCONINO COUNTY — Following completion of their regular business Tuesday night, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors held a final public hearing regarding Ordinance 2023-22 before voting unanimously to adopt the new regulations for Short-Term Rentals in the County.
The ordinance will now take effect after 120 days on November 14, 2023.
The ordinance clearly defines a Short-Term or Vacation Rental as the short-term rental of any dwelling or portion of any dwelling for a period of less than 30 consecutive days. Further, Vacation Rentals are only permitted in habitable dwellings permitted by the County. This means that garages, sheds, tents, temporary travel trailers and recreational vehicles, temporary structures, or other structures that do not meet the standards for a dwelling may not be rented.
FLAGSTAFF — Northern Arizona University is conducting a study to better understand the Greater Flagstaff-area residents’ experiences and opinions of wildfire and/or post-fire flooding information. We are trying to reach as many community members as possible to understand similarities and differences experienced by different neighborhoods, demographics, and home ownerships (e.g., renter, homeowner) to inform future wildfire and flooding information and serve the diversity of people who live in the Flagstaff area.
UPCOMING School Offerings
Taking Classes and Workshops on our campus in Uptown Sedona affords the opportunity not only to explore the arts, but also to meet new people and immerse yourself in the Sedona arts community.
Besides what you see in this email, there are more offerings on our website.
Click here to see all of our classes and workshops.
Mariachi de Nuevo Mexico, Soul Persuasion and Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff to headline FREE event. Veterans are encouraged to attend so they can participate in the traditional group photo
FLAGSTAFF — To celebrate and recognize Flagstaff’s Hispanic roots, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invites the public to attend its 8th annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklórico Festival” from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff.
The event is FREE, open to the public and has drawn upwards of 400 visitors in past years. This year’s Premier Sponsors are the Cococnino County Board of Supervisors and the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC).
Time is running out to RSVP for next week’s meeting of the ECoNA Advisory Council, which will feature conversation with the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, and Glenn Williamson, former Honorary Consul of Canada for Arizona and the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council.
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, President Biden visited the park after announcing the designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon as a National Monument. Baaj nwaavjo means “where Indigenous peoples roam” in the Havasupai language, and i’tah kukvenimeans “our ancestral footprints” in the Hopi language. The new monument encompasses about 917,618 acres of the Kaibab National Forest (both north and south of the park) and portions of the Bureau of Land Management Arizona Strip District (BLM), lands already part of the 2012 mineral withdrawal Environmental Impact Statement. These lands will continue to be managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service, and Tribal Nations will be included in decisions about managing the areas. The national monument only includes federal lands and does not include State and private lands within the boundary.
8th Annual Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
To celebrate and recognize Flagstaff’s Hispanic roots, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invites the public to attend its 8th annual Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada, Mariachi and Folklórico Festival. 12 p.m. Free.
Flagstaff Community First will hold their No on Prop. 480 campaign kick-off on Saturday at Bushmaster Park’s Community Ramada.
Flagstaff Community First is the political action committee composed of local organizations, including F3, and individuals that spearheaded the collection and delivery of more than 5,000 voter signatures to the City Clerk in July. That effort has ensured that the citizens of Flagstaff have a voice in determining if the City Council’s approval to rezone 98 acres of land just north of Ft Tuthill will stand.
This citizens’ referendum will be included on the November 7, 2023 mail-in ballot as Proposition 480. A “NO” vote on Prop. 480 will overturn Council’s decision allowing the rezoning of the 98 acres (Phase I) of the Northern Arizona Healthcare Corporation (NAH) proposed new hospital and ambulatory care center. Phase I is the first step in NAH’s proposed two phased medical and commercial complex.
FLAGSTAFF — Unisource Energy will be conducting a utilityrelocation project at the intersection of Fourth Street andCedar/Lockett. The northbound lane of Fourth Street will be closedto all traffic at the north leg of the Cedar/Lockett intersection.Traffic accessing MEMS, Puente de Hozho and residencesbetween Linda Vista Drive and the closure must utilize detourroutes to access those locations from Linda Vista Drive. Thesouthbound lane of Fourth Street will remain open throughout theduration of the project allowing traffic to exit the schools andresidences of this area to the south. The project schedule is August10 through September 8.
FLAGSTAFF — Starting Monday, August 14, UniversityAvenue will be closed to all traffic between Yale Street and theeastern driveway entrance to the Woodlands Village Apartments.Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists are asked to follow themarked signage to get to their destination (Map Below and Attached). This closure will allow crews to begin removing theexisting asphalt pavement along the section of University Avenuethat will connect to the future roundabout. Following roadwayexcavation, crews will begin utility installation.
COCONINO COUNTY —
CCC&Y shares this free online opportunity to ease some of the daily 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.
Watch Webinar – Managing Adult Emotional Responses, Part One
Watch Webinar – Helping Children Manage Their Emotions, Part Two
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff’s Beautification, Arts and Sciences program invites artists, community members, community groups, schools and local businesses to apply for a Beautification in Action (BIA) grant. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. Up to $4,500 is available per project.
Projects that enliven and revitalize the urban environment can take the form of community gardens, neighborhood paths, benches, sculptures, murals and more. Priority will be given to community-initiated projects that provide a lasting impact—fostering cultural connections, strengthening neighborhood awareness and identity, and deepening how residents and visitors interact with the built environment. All projects must be publicly and visually accessible.
FLAGSTAFF — In preparation for the construction of the Spruce Wash Improvements flood mitigation projects, during the week of August 14 crews will begin clearing trees and vegetation in a portion of the area known as the “wedge”. The “wedge” is the City-owned, triangle-shaped parcel bound by N West St, E Linda Vista Dr and E Cedar Ave. Crews will only be removing trees in an area within the footprint of the future Wedge Detention Basin project.
FLAGSTAFF — Former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans, tattoo artist Dan Duke and Arizona Daily Sun photographer Jake Bacon were honored at Culture Connection AZ’s “The Faces of Flagstaff” opening art exhibition on July 28 in Flagstaff.
The trio were recognized by the creation of three large wood-cut images created by local artist Eric Kruse. Others honored with smaller images included: Coconino County District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez, Michael Marquess, JoeBob Armstrong, Marian Armstrong, Lee Born, Kayley Quick, Cindy Payne, Gillian Ferris, Brad Dimock, Jessica Van Zijll, Shonto Begay, Cecily Maniaci, Brian Dierker, Joni Pevarnik and Matt Ziegler!
The Faces of Flagstaff will be viewable through the end of August during regular business hours at the Historic Ice House, 201 E. Birch Ave in downtown Flagstaff.
You are cordially invited to the next meeting of the ECoNA Advisory Council, where our featured speakers will be the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, and Glenn Williamson, former Honorary Consul of Canada for Arizona and the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council.
We are extending this invitation to the entire business community because of the importance of these two countries to our state and regional economy.
A welcome break from the summer heat
After our recent rainfall, Grand Canyon is no longer in an excessive heat warning, but Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions are still in effect for the Coconino National Forest and the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Additionally, all undeveloped areas of Coconino County, the Town of Tusayan, and the City of Flagstaff are also in fire restrictions. *Please note, at this time the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has no fire restrictions in effect.
Grand Canyon National Park remains in Stage 1 fire restrictions, as it is year-round, which means fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed campground site.
Coconino County is pleased to share the exciting news that we have again been recognized as one of the top counties in the United States for deploying digital technology practices for better government …
… in the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Digital Counties Survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Government.
This is the fourth consecutive year Coconino County has placed in the Top 10 counties in the up to 150,000 population category. The County is being recognized for Aligned Leadership, Cybersecurity, Constituent Centric, Data Driven Government, IT Investments, Resilience, Workforce Planning, Continuous Innovation, Connected Infrastructure, and Business Process Alignment.
