Author: Tommy

By M. K. LeachThe upcoming 4th of July celebration will be massive in many parts of the country. Family and friends are coming together, and many Americans are putting this pandemic behind them. Unfortunately, however, there is a reoccurring problem during celebrations like this, and that is excessive substance use or binge drinking. During the pandemic, the rates of substance use and alcohol consumption increased. As a result, millions of Americans became isolated, and many began to suffer from substance use and mental health problems.The 4th of July celebrations will be time for countless people to unwind and finally celebrate…

By Amara Gayle GregoryThere is no past. There is no future. These aren’t just words. They don’t point to something at a mysterious or quantum level. They are much more valuable than nearly all words in any language but you need to go deeper than a mental understanding to grok what they offer. You have to go into the feel of it.When I look for the past it is only available in the form of thoughts. I can’t go there. There is no point along a line that I can visit. I can’t use the normal suspects: touch, smell, taste…

Sedona News (June 28, 2021) As of June 28, more than 77,300 acres have burned by the Rafael Fire with no lives lost or damage to structures, according to Inciweb, Incident Information System.Containment stands at 48 percentToday on the north side of the fire, crews will be heavily engaged in securing the fire by patrol and mop up activities. All perimeter firing operations are substantially complete, but smoke from burning interior fuels will continue for a few days. Today smoke is expected in the Verde Valley into Prescott and as winds shift later in the day into the Williams area. 

By Tommy AcostaDo you deserve a second chance? Yes, everyone does, and the organizers of the Two Fer Tuesday philanthropic group are ready to help released inmates adjust their way back into society.The group is supporting the Yavapai Re-entry Project that helps prisoners coming out of Yavapai County prisons return back to normal life.The group is asking members of the community to donate toiletries the former inmates would need when starting over again, such as shampoo & conditioners, sanitary napkins, makeup removers, floss, deodorant, loofas, lotions, wash cloths, hair brushes, bar soup, towels, totes, Chap Stick, Ibuprofen, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors…

The City of Sedona has opened a Web page covering the Rafael Fire and available resources. Click site below to learn more.

Flagstaff AZ (June 25, 2021) – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has announced a “GO” notification for all residents in Garland Prairie South. This Includes the residences off of Boy Scout Camp Road, Arbor Lane, Thomas Loop Rd., Leisure Drive, Bluebird meadow Road, Dog Haven Place, Tanner Ranch Road, and other roads in that area. Finish gathering necessary items and leave the area immediately.THIS IS AN EVACUATION ORDER. Danger in the area is imminent and life threatening.

Winner of Audience Choice Best Comedy Award returns to Mary D. Fisher Theatre Sedona AZ (June 25, 2021) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona encore of the award-winning comedy “Queen Bees” showing July 2-8 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.“Queen Bees” was the highest-rated film by the audience at the recent Sedona International Film Festival, where it earned the Audience Choice Best Comedy Award. It is making a theatrical return by popular demand!The film boasts an award-winning, stellar ensemble cast, including Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, Ann-Margret, Loretta Devine, Jane Curtin and Christopher Lloyd.

By Tommy Acosta(June 25, 2021)An act of God has stepped in to mitigate Sedona’s traffic problem where City officials failed.A plethora of fires burning in both Maricopa and Yavapai counties has led to the closure of the national forests, making it illegal for campers and hikers to enter them.With no places to explore, hike or camp in the Greater Sedona area and the possibility dangerous fires can cause death and injury to those caught in a sudden flare up, Sedona can expect visitors will stay home with no reason to come to Sedona for now.The forest closures will also impact the…

 The Rafael fire has moved away from Sedona, advancing into Sycamore Canyon and moving on top to the Mogollon Rim on both the Kaibab National Forest on Sycamore Point and Coconino National Forests near Casner Mountain. On the Prescott National Forest, the southwest corner of the fire has not advanced west or south for the last two days. Yesterday to the north on the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests, fire crews identified road systems to utilize as fire line to stop the spread north and westward towards identified values at risk. On the southeast portion of the fire in Sycamore Canyon…

By Ted Grussing… a great white egret takes to the air leaving the very cool early spring water of Lake Pleasant behind … crystalline and icy looking water droplets trail from the feet as they leave the surface of the water. Destination unknown.

Kelsey Grammer, Julia Stiles and Janeane Garofalo star in film at Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (June 24, 2021) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of the acclaimed new drama “The God Committee” showing July 2-8 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.An official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival, “The God Committee” is a timely medical drama starring Kelsey Grammer, Julia Stiles, Colman Domingo, Janeane Garofalo and Dan Hedaya.An organ transplant committee has one hour to decide which of three patients deserves a life- saving heart. Seven years later, the committee members struggle with…

By Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community OutreachGroton CT (June 24, 2021) – A Rimrock, Arizona, native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS California, one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered submarines.Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel White, a 2018 Camp Verde High School graduate, joined the Navy three years ago. Today, White serves as electronics technician (navigation). “I wanted to do something important and see more of the world,” said White.According to White, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those he found in Rimrock.“A lot of my lessons came from my time as high…

Sedona AZ (June 24, 2021) – The Sedona Heritage Museum is continuing their latest temporary exhibit, a display of ‘all things purple’ from the permanent collection.  “Purple – the Color of Magic” is a whimsical look inside the Museum’s Collection Room. The Exhibits Committee decided to take a light-hearted approach to this exhibit as a response to the past year of stress created by the COVID pandemic, among other national and community stresses.

Sedona AZ (June 24, 2021) –  Cottonwood Area Transit (CAT) and Verde Shuttle (formerly Lynx) public transportation services will resume fare collection, effective July 1, 2021.The City of Cottonwood City Council approved updated fares, effective on July 1, 2021. The new fare chart may be viewed online at http://cottonwoodaz.gov/161/Cottonwood-Area-Transit-CAT.

Sedona AZ (June 24, 2021) – The Cornelius Veterans Hospital Benefit Raffle carries on with the help of the Rotary Club of Sedona Village. During the July 4th weekend, area Veterans and Village Rotarians will gather at Clark’s Market in the Village of Oak Creek to sell raffle tickets which benefit Veterans in long term care at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Prescott.For 17 years the benefit raffle, organized by veteran John Cornelius, has contributed to the comfort and quality of life for Veterans at the VA Hospital in Prescott. The services provided with these funds go beyond the…