He did not see it coming. Patrick Burns, a career firefighter, 41 at the time, had just joined his wife, Anita, for a run in the Doney Park area. She was preparing for an upcoming marathon and had asked him along on a training run. Stationed at Summit Fire Department, Burns had taken the day off as vacation time for the Thanksgiving holiday, 2009. The couple had left their cell phones at home, along with their two daughters, who they were sure would be all right alone, as they were … [Read more...] about Protecting the Hearts of those Who Protect Us
Local News
Cowboy Essence Wins at Babbitt Ranches Colt Sale
Shandiin Farrell sat patiently on the bleachers at Spider Web Camp carefully observing the colts as they kept close to their mothers. Seated next to her was her dad. Shaded under cowboy hats, the two quietly discussed physical subtleties and legendary bloodlines. Shandiin is no stranger to Babbitt Ranches horses. Her family owns a few, and she grew up riding and roping in Cow Springs, about 33 miles east of Tuba City. On this sunny Saturday morning, the New Mexico State University Rodeo … [Read more...] about Cowboy Essence Wins at Babbitt Ranches Colt Sale
Staying Competitive in IT
CCC graduate Evan Burris landed work in his field of information technology even before he finished his studies. “The first IT classes I ever took were the Cisco [computer networking] classes at Fourth Street, and they really sparked a fire in me and made me realize it was something I wanted to do,” Burris said. Now, even though Burris has a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management from Northern Arizona University and a full-time job in CCC’s IT department, he is going back to … [Read more...] about Staying Competitive in IT
Preserving El Pueblo and Code Talker History
When Jacquie Kellogg of West USA Realty sold the recently demolished Wonderful Hotel, she had no idea that sale would stir her passion for historic buildings in Flagstaff. Soon after, the owner of El Pueblo Motor Inn called her to ask if she would serve as listing agent for the motel. It was then she learned of its historical relevance as the one of the oldest motels along Route 66. “I’ve lived in Flagstaff for 23 years, drove by the El Pueblo Motel hundreds of times and never knew … [Read more...] about Preserving El Pueblo and Code Talker History
Super Service Saturdays Expand County Offerings
There are many challenges to delivering the numerous services the county provides to our citizens. We live in a large geographical area with a diverse population, which can make it difficult for people to access services. To meet these challenges, the county embarked on a multi-departmental effort to start a pilot program called “Super Service Saturdays.” The county will open its doors to people from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month (July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8), at the … [Read more...] about Super Service Saturdays Expand County Offerings
Celebrating Northern Arizona’s Lunar Legacy
July 20, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the first manned mission to the Moon. Well before Neil Armstrong made his giant leap on that day, he and his fellow space travelers took a whole slew of small steps right here in Northern Arizona, where they honed their scientific skills at a variety of locations in the area. Local scientists not only led these training efforts, but also developed instruments specially designed for use on the lunar surface and created detailed maps of the Moon. To … [Read more...] about Celebrating Northern Arizona’s Lunar Legacy
Tailored Tutoring Changing the Instruction Model
A local entrepreneur is taking the time-honored practice of tutoring back to school with an application that streamlines the process of finding a private instructor and uses a mix of in-person and video services to make tutoring more convenient and affordable for college students. Rob Lokken, a recent Northern Arizona University graduate with a degree in mathematics, said the idea for the business came from providing long-distance tutoring for his sister. "She was in Phoenix struggling … [Read more...] about Tailored Tutoring Changing the Instruction Model
Prescott’s Champion Juniper Receiving More Attention from Hikers
“It’s historical, emotional, as well as beautiful.” That statement comes from visibly moved hiker Barbara Russell of Albany, New York, following her visit to the Prescott National Forest’s massive alligator juniper tree. Believed to be the largest and oldest of its kind in the world, the juniper has been designated as an Arizona Champion Tree on the American Forests’ National Register of Big Trees. Sometimes called the Grandfather Tree, Forester Ben De Blois says it’s difficult to know … [Read more...] about Prescott’s Champion Juniper Receiving More Attention from Hikers
Economic Expansion Expected to Continue
Northern Arizona’s economy reflects strengths of the national economy, yet there are also some regional challenges. These issues were highlighted at a recent Northern Arizona Economic Development Roundtable led by the Arizona Association for Economic Development. Before the roundtable discussions began, economist Jim Rounds addressed the group. “There is a lot of consistency in the economic data, which seems to indicate the expansion will last a couple more years,” said Rounds, who … [Read more...] about Economic Expansion Expected to Continue
Crumbling Gargoyles, Decomposing Bell Tower, Shifting Stained Glass
Like emergency first responders, community members are answering the call for help and asking for backup as they work to save severely deteriorating features of the historic Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel. Unique features, including the bell tower cladding, fierce gargoyles and casings that support hand-crafted stained glass windows, are visibly decaying. After enlisting professional investigative engineers to study the extensive erosion problem in 2016, a group of parishioners … [Read more...] about Crumbling Gargoyles, Decomposing Bell Tower, Shifting Stained Glass