Author: Tommy

Verde Valley AZ (June 8, 2020) – The suicide rate in Yavapai County is nearly 3 times the national average and is continuing to increase.   In 2019, 98 individuals committed suicide in Yavapai County, an increase of 17% from the 84 suicides in 2018.  Suicides are predominantly occurring amongst our senior population.  The age of decedents ranged from 18 to 95 with the average age being 62.1 years of age.  75 of the suicide 98 deaths involved individuals 50 years of age and older. 

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City of Sedona, major resorts, landmarks off limits to commercial helicopter overflightsSedona AZ (June 8, 2020) – In a major step forward for sustainability in red rock country, Sedona helicopter tour operators have agreed to “no-fly” zones encompassing the entire City of Sedona, it was announced today.  Under the agreement, several major resorts and neighborhoods outside the city limits are also included where tour helicopters will no longer overfly.  The City of Sedona, Yavapai County, the Sedona Airport Authority, Keep Sedona Beautiful, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, and helicopter operators Guidance Air and Sedona Air Tours announced the…

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Sedona AZ (June 7, 2020) – Summer is here and what better way to welcome it than a Green Light Dance Band concert at the Posse Grounds Pavilion in West Sedona on Friday, June 12.This year the city celebrates its 4thAnnual Red Dirt Concert Series at the park, an event that has steadily gained in popularity and serves as a launching for all the great events during the summer months Sedona is known for.The music starts at 5:30 p.m. with opening act Devin Angelet, a popular pianist and singer known for her command of voice and a plethora of music…

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Arizonans Urged to Take Prevention Steps to Protect Themselves and Their CommunitiesPhoenix AZ (June 7, 2020) – The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)  on June 6 released the latest data related to COVID-19 cases reported in the state and the status of hospital capacity in the state.COVID-19 Cases in ArizonaAs the total number of COVID-19 cases surpasses 1,891,690 nationwide, Arizona has reached 25,451 cases. COVID-19 related deaths nationwide total 109,192, with 1,042 deaths reported in Arizona. Nationwide the percentage of positive tests is at 11%, with 7.2% COVID-19 positive PCR tests in Arizona.“As this pandemic continues to spread across…

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Bill Nighy and Sam Riley star in mystery/comedy at the Mary D. Fisher TheatreSedona AZ (June 6, 2020) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to re-open its Mary D. Fisher Theatre with the Northern Arizona premiere of the quirky new mystery/comedy “Sometimes Always Never” showing June 12-18.The Mary D. Fisher Theatre is re-opening following CDC guidelines and social distance seating at a limited capacity with the approval of Governor Doug Ducey and his staff.Alan (Bill Nighy) is a stylish tailor with moves as sharp as his suits. However, he’s spent years searching tirelessly for his missing son, Michael,…

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Sedona AZ (June 6, 2020) – At 7:27 a.m. the morning of June 5, Sedona Fire District was dispatched to the 300 block of Acacia Dr. in the Chapel area for a reported structure fire.  Upon arrival, firefighters found a house, two vehicles, and a piece of powered equipment on fire.  The fire had also spread into some nearby brush and was beginning to burn a neighboring home.  Fire crews quickly went to work protecting the neighboring structure and confining the fire to the vehicles, equipment and the one structure.  “The smoke column was very impressive and was visible from quite a distance,” said…

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By Robert AlbrechtSedona AZ (June 6, 2020) – The Humane Society of Sedona’s Thrift Stores are now open! On Tuesday, May 26, we reopened our Paw Prints Thrift Store in the Village of Oak Creek (VOC) and Paws West Thrift Store at Harkins Plaza in West Sedona. We want you to know that even though we are now open there are significant changes that we have made to assure everyone’s safety and health. We are reopening with appropriate measures in place to limit COVID-19 exposure risks and help keep our community safe while either shopping or donating wonderful items to…

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By Darcy Hitchcock Co-Founder, Sustainability AllianceNeed a way to make sense of the pandemic and talk about it with your kids or employees? This short, three-chapter parable includes discussion questions for big people and little people both. View book. 

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Mary D. Fisher Theatre reopens with story of Marcel Marceau starring Jesse EisenbergSedona AZ (June 5, 2020) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to re-open its Mary D. Fisher Theatre with the Northern Arizona premiere of the critically-acclaimed new film “Resistance” — starring Academy Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg and Ed Harris — showing June 12-18.The Mary D. Fisher Theatre is re-opening following CDC guidelines and social distance seating at a limited capacity with the approval of Governor Doug Ducey and his staff.At the height of World War II, an aspiring Jewish actor — who would later become one…

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Cottonwood AZ (June 5, 2020) – Honorable Michael Bluff of the Yavapai County Superior Court has sentenced a 38-year old Cottonwood man to five years in prison for acts of domestic violence. On June 1, 2020, Ryan Christopher Wheeler was sentenced to the state prison on charges of Aggravated Assault, Criminal Damage, and Resisting Arrest.The events occurred on the morning of March 31, 2020, when Cottonwood Police Department officers responded to a physical domestic violence call in Cottonwood. On arrival, they found a female trapped inside a car while Wheeler was using a rock to break the car windows to…

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Sedona AZ (June 5, 2020) – In order to protect Oak Creek from pollutants, and as part of administering the Stormwater Quality Management Program (SQMP), the city of Sedona Public Works Department is requesting public comment on their SQMP. This public outreach also helps maintain compliance with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).  The SQMP identifies steps the city will take to enhance the quality of stormwater draining from its stormwater system. The SQMP also addresses activities that may result in stormwater pollution from construction sites, existing developments, government agencies, and residents or tourists. The plan does not, however,…

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By Virginia Volkman, Library DirectorSedona AZ (June 5, 2020) – Sedona Public Library has gradually been reopening and will continue to expand services in a safe and orderly manner in the coming weeks.We have been offering curbside holds pickup since May 6.  As we deliver materials we’re greeted with effusive thanks – gratitude to have DVDs, audio books, and books – for watching, listening, and reading pleasure – for inspiration, education, and entertainment.  And the recipients offer their thanks that we’re doing it in a cautious and safe manner.

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By Ted Grussing… I got an email from a friend today thanking me for the “cool” shot last night … snow and all of that sort of thing and it got me going through some old photos and I came across this photo of Corky on our bicycle built for two. Location, Bushard Street just north a bit from the beach in Huntington Beach and heading home on a snowy morning before going into the law office. Nearly every morning we biked about ten miles along the beach before going into the office. In our twenty five years in Huntington…

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Governor Ducey and his committee applaud festival’s plans and grants permission for re-opening; Festival will follow CDC guidelines with patron/staff safety prioritySedona AZ (June 4, 2020) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to announce that it will be safely re-opening its Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Friday, June 12 after receiving the approval of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and his committee.“We were honored by the enthusiastic support of Governor Ducey and his team,” said festival/theatre director Patrick Schweiss. “The board and staff — with significant input from our patrons and volunteers — have put a lot of thought…

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Phoenix AZ (June 4, 2020) – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) invites you to fish Arizona waters for free Saturday, June 6. It’s an ideal time to take out the family for some fun and relaxing outdoor recreation.Arizona’s Free Fishing Day is celebrated as part of National Fishing and Boating Week. On Saturday, no fishing licenses are required for persons fishing any public waters in Arizona.

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