The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) has officially broken ground on the Twin Arrows Police and Fire Substation, which is expected to provide critical public safety resources as the Twin Arrows area continues to grow. The new facility will also serve remote areas of the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona through an agreement between the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and Navajo Gaming. “We are pleased to break ground on this important and much needed public … [Read more...] about Navajo Gaming Breaks Ground on Twin Arrows Police, Fire Substation
Local News
Granny’s Closet Closes the Door
Long-time residents and visitors were used to cheerful messages on the neon marquee in front of the uniquely Flagstaff restaurant that welcomed Cardinals football players, offered skiers a discount and served as a reminder about the “best wings in town.” But on a post-election November day, a distinct sign of change caught the attention of drivers on Milton Road. Rick Lopez was one of them. “It said something about ‘if you are interested in this property,’” said Lopez, a realtor with RE/MAX. … [Read more...] about Granny’s Closet Closes the Door
Economists are Cautiously Optimistic for the New Year
“What a crappy recovery this has been!” exclaimed economist Elliot Pollock at the 41st Annual Economic Outlook Conference in Flagstaff last month. The conference’s reputation for dicey –and humorous – interactions between economic experts packed the house at the High Country Conference Center. “This recovery is getting old – 88 months old,” said the expert. As if not wanting to complain without bringing some solutions to the table, the economist spelled out five ways to spur the economy: … [Read more...] about Economists are Cautiously Optimistic for the New Year
Ski Season Arriving Early in Northern Arizona
Arizona Snowbowl is opening earlier than ever before with the addition of a new six-pack chairlift. Many of the ski resort’s 500 employees, along with a team of contractors, have been preparing for opening day on Nov. 11. The most significant effort is focused on the addition of the Grand Canyon Express, Arizona’s first high-speed, six-pack chairlift. It will take only six minutes to reach its terminal, gliding up 1,546 feet. “Coupled with our snowmaking system that provides reliable … [Read more...] about Ski Season Arriving Early in Northern Arizona
Boosting Biocrust
Most of us look at the ground and notice dirt, but soil scientists see a whole micro world of organisms that make up what they refer to as “Earth’s living skin.” “We call that very thin layer on the surface of the soil ‘biological crust,’ or ‘biocrust’ for short,” explained Northern Arizona University School of Forestry Assistant Professor Matt Bowker, Ph.D. “It’s held together by living organisms, mostly cyanobacteria and fungi, that weave through the soil. They make a platform that other … [Read more...] about Boosting Biocrust
Former Flagstaff Chamber Chief Retiring
Popular and respected, Prescott Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer David C. Maurer has announced he will retire after 12 years of service, effective Dec. 31. In conjunction with his board of directors, Maurer has managed an approximate $500,000 annual budget for the past several years. He says he is proud to be affiliated with the C of C and all it has accomplished during the past dozen yeas, despite some occasional fiscal twists and turns that kept the local business economy from … [Read more...] about Former Flagstaff Chamber Chief Retiring
Viola’s Flower Garden Transplanting to Highway 89A
Regular commuters on Flagstaff’s east Route 66 may well miss seeing the vibrant colors of Viola’s Flower Garden. In June, Viola’s owners Robyn Walters and Art Escobedo were told the property had been sold and they needed to find a new location. Although this was not the first time the couple had to transplant their business, they are hoping it will be the last. Named after Walter’s grandmother, Viola, who loved to garden, the home-grown, family-based business took root in 2001 in a small … [Read more...] about Viola’s Flower Garden Transplanting to Highway 89A
Main Library Offering Sunday Hours Again
They’re baaaack! It’s official: the Downtown Library is once again going to be open on Sundays! Library visitors will now have even more time to study, seek a librarian’s guidance, use computers and print, access the library’s Wi-Fi, check out books, look for movies and music and much more! This isn’t the first time the library has had Sunday hours. The library had to close its doors on Sundays years ago. Since then, library patronage has grown at an amazing rate. With this increased … [Read more...] about Main Library Offering Sunday Hours Again
FMC Celebrates 80 Years of Care, Milestones, Pioneering Doctors
Members of the Sechrist family joined in a Flagstaff Medical Center celebration on Thursday, Sept. 29, that honored the late Charles W. Sechrist, M.D., who started the hospital as a 25-bed facility 80 years ago with just two physicians. “It was nothing short of a miracle. My grandparents arrived here in 1928. Seven years later, they started a hospital while running a practice,” said Charles “Chuck” Sechrist, a Northern Arizona Healthcare pharmacist. He told the gathering he started his career … [Read more...] about FMC Celebrates 80 Years of Care, Milestones, Pioneering Doctors
Feeding Northern Arizona’s Future
As parents, Mike and Colby Miller know the expense and challenges many families face when it comes to keeping food on the table and providing healthy meals for children. In summer 2014, they became more aware of the need after hearing a presentation at a local church about “food insecurity” facing many Northern Arizona families. The Millers learned that about 2,000 kids report to their teachers that they come to school hungry and often go to bed hungry, and many said they ate very little on the … [Read more...] about Feeding Northern Arizona’s Future