Local News

The Flagstaff City Council has given the go-ahead for Dew Downtown 2014.  The council voted unanimously to approve temporarily closing San Francisco street between Birch and Dale Avenues for the February 6-9 event.    The city has supported Dew Downtown for this year and in 2012, its inaugural year.  Some business owners have reported positive benefits of the ski and snowboard festival, which attracts locals and tourists. The city held a public meeting July 1st to gain input on the proposed … [Read more...] about City Approving Dew Downtown 2014

Racing down Sunset Crater’s paved trails on 18-inch roller skis, World Cup gold medalist Mark Arendz is training at Northern Arizona’s high altitude in preparation for the 2014 Winter Paralympics. As the world’s best para-biathlete, the 23-year-old Canadian knows he’s the one to beat in Sochi, Russia during the competition that combines cross-country skiing with marksmanship. “I’m the one with the target on my back,” he said. Meanwhile, in Northern Arizona University’s Wall Aquatic Center, … [Read more...] about Making Room for Greatness

The Arizona Site Stewards Program recently recognized Brad Heap with its 2013 Assistant Regional Site Steward Coordinator award for his outstanding service in preserving the cultural resources of the eastern region of the Arizona Strip.   In his nearly 10 years as an Arizona site steward, Heap has logged more than 4,000 hours in the field and led the effort to bring 40 additional archaeological sites into the site steward program.  Much of his time and energy has been focused on the … [Read more...] about Kaibab Volunteer Receiving Recognition

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Small Aviation Revitalization Act, H.R. 1848. This legislation streamlines the regulatory structure for small airplanes, which will improve safety, decrease costs and spur innovation in the aviation industry. After final passage of H.R. 1848, U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) issued the following statement: “All systems go; the small plane industry is now ready for takeoff. By getting the government out of the way and … [Read more...] about House Passing Small Aviation Revitalization Act

Due to decreasing fire danger and the onset of the monsoon season, the Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott and Tonto National Forests in Arizona are lifting fire restrictions.   In addition to lifting all fire restrictions, the Coconino and Tonto national forests will reopen the Fossil Creek area, which closed July 1 due to wildfire risk, to public entry.   The four forests imposed fire restrictions in May when fire danger began increasing rapidly.  Fire restrictions are an … [Read more...] about Fire Restrictions Lifted on the Forest

It had served an important purpose in 1916. The property near the northwest corner of South Beaver Street and West Phoenix Avenue contained a steam-powered utility company that burned sawdust from the timber mills and converted it into electricity for downtown businesses. Also on this property was an operation that treated power poles and railroad ties. Fast-forward 90 years and the businesses are gone, but not without a trace. Left behind were 832 tons of contaminated soil, sticky with … [Read more...] about Polluted Properties Bringing Lots of Opportunity

 At approximately 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 15 a lightning strike near Mather Point resulted in several visitors reporting injuries to the Grand Canyon Visitors Center. The group of visitors was standing near the rim when the lightning strike occurred. Four individuals were transported to the South Rim Clinic for evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries. This incident is a reminder that summer storms in the southwest are often accompanied by dangerous lightning.  Serious injuries and … [Read more...] about Lightening Causes Minor Injuries at Grand Canyon

The Museum of Northern Arizona will be the best-dressed spot in Flagstaff during the Native American Fashion & Jewelry Showcase at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20.   Enjoy a fashion show by Navajo designer Bonnie Wood, whose clothing collection will be enhanced by Native American jewelry hand picked by Museum Shop experts. Hopi musician Ed Kabotie will perform and host the evening in the museum’s enchanting courtyard.   Woodie will present her Native-inspired fashions known … [Read more...] about Navajo Fashion Designer Shows Collection at MNA

  They have their bags packed at all times, but the more than 200 men and women of the Coconino National Forest serving on Incident Management Teams or fire crews are not likely headed for the beach this summer. In fact, they can’t be sure if they’ll make it home for dinner tonight. They soon could be sleeping in the dirt, a parking lot or a jungle; or evacuating schools, clearing trees or doing battle with a wildfire. And they like it that way. “The best part of my job is the … [Read more...] about Local Heroes Ready to Answer the Call

  They are smart, strong, gentle and dependable. Colts and fillies from Babbitt Ranches’ historic Hashknife heritage draw ranchers, ropers and riders from all over the country during the annual Colt Sale. But as equestrians hope to take home a living legacy of the rodeo champion Driftwood bloodline, something else beyond the sleek buckskin and bay beauties may catch their attention. For the first year, bidders and spectators who come out to the Spider Web Camp event off Highway 89 on … [Read more...] about They May Come for the Colts, But Leave with the Beef