The beautiful weather and cool breezes made everyone feel like a winner at the Second Annual Bear Jaw Groove six-hour bike race at Arizona Nordic Village on Saturday, Aug. 21. The 11.3-mile loop single-track course took riders over a primitive fire road with a few roots, rocks and nice climbs. Riders rode as solos, duos or teams of four. The first place solo winner was 14-year-old Keegan Field, a Flagstaff High School freshman, who entered the race with members of the FHS Mountain Bike Club. … [Read more...] about Pedaling Through the Pines
Local News
Big Sting Expecting Big Crowds
Country Western singer Cory Marks says, “Drive, get out of this town for a little while,” and Vicki Burton says, “Make your destination Watson Lake for the Big Sting Country Music Festival Weekend Campout.” The Big Sting is being hosted by the Shadows Foundation, now in its 11th year as a non-profit organization helping first responders receive advanced health screenings and supporting individuals in need of financial assistance who are affected by life-threatening illness. “This is our … [Read more...] about Big Sting Expecting Big Crowds
Valley Fever Vaccine Expected to be Coming Soon
Coughing, fever, weight loss, lack of appetite – these worrisome symptoms are all cause for alarm when exhibited by loved ones, including family pets. If you recognize these clinical signs of illness in your dog or cat, it could be an indicator of Valley Fever, a serious though relatively rare medical condition prevalent in the Western and Southwestern portions of the United States. Valley Fever is a systemic fungal disease caused by inhaling Coccidioides spores. The Coccidioides fungus is found … [Read more...] about Valley Fever Vaccine Expected to be Coming Soon
Governor Ducey, Local Leaders Continue Work for Coconino County
Governor Doug Ducey, state agencies and local leaders in Coconino County are working together to address the significant damage caused by post-wildfire flooding that has devastated the area. “Extreme weather has taken a severe toll on many areas of Arizona so far this year, especially Coconino County,” said Governor Ducey. “Communities in the Flagstaff area have been hit hard by post-wildfire flooding, and Arizonans have truly come together to overcome the many hardships brought about by … [Read more...] about Governor Ducey, Local Leaders Continue Work for Coconino County
Assistance League Celebrates 40 Years of Service
The Assistance League of Flagstaff is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that has served those in need with 10 philanthropic programs for 40 years. One program is Operation School Bell, in which children are referred by schools. An average of 1,400 children receive new clothing, shoes, books and hygiene kits each year. Funds are provided through sales of donations at the Cedar Closet Thrift Shop with all revenue returned to the community. To commemorate the organization’s 40th … [Read more...] about Assistance League Celebrates 40 Years of Service
Governor Ducey Takes Action To Protect Arizonans From Vaccine Mandates
Governor Doug Ducey today issued an Executive Order strengthening enforcement against vaccine mandates and ensuring those employed by a local government can use earned sick leave due to COVID-19 exposure. "We encourage all Arizonans to get the vaccine — it's safe, effective and free," said Governor Ducey. "But getting it is a personal choice, and we will not allow discrimination based on vaccination status. Today's order builds on our efforts to protect Arizonans from excessive mandates that … [Read more...] about Governor Ducey Takes Action To Protect Arizonans From Vaccine Mandates
Arizona Foothills Volunteers Supporting Pets, People, Firefighters in Emergencies
Three years ago, when her young son was gravely ill, Sunny Parker prayed and made a promise: “My son was dying in the hospital. I prayed, ‘Lord if you spare his life, I will spend the rest of my life doing good.’ My son walked out of there. The Lord kept his promise, so I kept mine. I try to spend as much time as I can educating people about defensible space, protecting the desert, and doing what I can to keep my promise.” True to her promise, her good works have been many and varied through … [Read more...] about Arizona Foothills Volunteers Supporting Pets, People, Firefighters in Emergencies
JWA Architects Protecting Star-Filled Skies for Decades
For the architects of Johnson Walzer Associates in Flagstaff, the dark skies are a major consideration in every project they take on. Projects range from the Flagstaff Aquaplex to the Taylor House to the law enforcement complex on Sawmill Road and many facilities at Lowell Observatory, including the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center, currently under construction. “We’ve been in business in Flagstaff since the mid-‘80s and have been working with the dark skies … [Read more...] about JWA Architects Protecting Star-Filled Skies for Decades
Disinfecting on the Navajo Nation
As COVID-19 wages another relentless attack across the country, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Peoria, Tempe and Tucson are requiring masks in city facilities for staff members and visitors – whether they are vaccinated or not – as the highly contagious delta variant is being blamed for the surge. “Delta has become overwhelmingly dominant in our state and pretty much everywhere else,” said David Engelthaler, director of the infectious disease branch of TGen North. “Delta is an extremely fast-spreading … [Read more...] about Disinfecting on the Navajo Nation
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Through Summer’s Events
It has been a rather tumultuous couple of months for our mountain town, from the Rafael Fire that had many of our community members set to evacuate, to the Museum Fire floods, which caused more than $5 million in public infrastructure and private property damage. Through it all though, I have seen how we have come together in times of need. Neighbors helping neighbors to rake needles and other fire fuels away from yards in the midst of wildfire, and then right after that threat ended, filling … [Read more...] about Neighbors Helping Neighbors Through Summer’s Events