Author: Tommy

Sedona AZ (April 27, 2020) – On April 26, 2020, around 9:36 AM, cyclist Betty Winick (66 years old) collided with a vehicle driven by Robert Bemis (78 years old) while both were traveling north on State Route 179 near the traffic circle at Chapel Road. The collision occurred as the vehicles were entering the area of the traffic circle were the bicycle lane ends. The bicycle collided with the right side of the vehicle and veered off the roadway to the right and crashed to the ground.

By Holli Ploog, Sedona Resident(April 27, 2020)How do we reopen our economy safely? What costs and risks as a society are we willing to accept? What will it take to accomplish even the narrowest relaxing of stay-at-home restrictions?There is so much unknown about this virus and it’s potential for reoccurrence. A vaccine or treatment does not appear imminent. We can’t wait 18 months or longer before we reopen our schools and businesses. Businesses may not survive in the interim.

Sedona AZ (April 25, 2020) – Verde Valley leaders from Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona and Yavapai County issued the following statement to residents:There is not a person in the Verde Valley who can escape the effects of COVID-19. From job loss, to isolation from friends and family, to those on the front lines working every day to provide essentials, this is truly an unprecedented time. It’s important that residents know that the local governments in the Verde Valley have been working together with state, county and federal officials, hospitals, first responders, schools, area non-profits and businesses during the…

By Tommy AcostaSedona AZ (April 25, 2020) – Sedona was once known as the hugging capital of the world.Everybody hugged in Sedona. We hugged each other. We hugged the trees. We hugged the red rocks. We hugged our pets. We hugged the vortexes. We even hugged cactus.Now, it’s all over. No more hugs other than what we now call virtual hugs where we hug the air between us when we meet or say goodbye.The fear became painfully apparent to me (as one who fears nothing but his ex-wife) when I met a friend in the parking lot of our local…

Prescott AZ (April 25, 2020) – A Rimrock man, arrested on April 13 in Cottonwood by PANT (Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking) for possessing a large number of fentanyl pills with intent to sell, has been sentenced to 3 years prison. On Tuesday, April 21, 2020, Dylan Ray Mills pled guilty to the crimes of attempted Possession of Narcotic Drugs (Fentanyl) for Sale, a class three felony, and 3 counts of Personal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (methamphetamine related), all class six felonies. Following his guilty plea, the Honorable Tina R. Ainley of the Yavapai County Superior Court immediately sentenced Mills to…

Rimrock AZ (April 25, 2020) – Earlier this month, a YCSO detective received information that 67-year-old Kenneth Spradlin from Rimrock, a convicted sex offender, had failed to register as required. The last documented registration record shows an address in Phoenix in 2008. Attempts to locate Spradlin since that time were unsuccessful. Spradlin has an extensive criminal history, including serving prison time in California for a sexual assault. Additionally, he was the subject of a theft investigation by YCSO deputies in October of 2019 in Rimrock. Deputies did not know his sex offender status at the time. 

Smart Window Creations is now a Certified Sustainable Business at the Innovator/Silver level from the Sustainability Alliance. Sedona AZ (April 25, 2020) – With summer approaching, you may want to contact Smart Window Creations, Inc. to update your window coverings and keep out the damaging  heat and UV rays. Owner Aileen Smart uses only Hunter-Douglas products because of their quality and sustainability. “They’re all made in US,” Smart explains, “And the products are GREENGUARD Gold Certified so they won’t fill your home with toxic chemicals.”

Cottonwood AZ (April 24, 2020) – On April 16, 2020, just after midnight, detectives from the Partner’s Against Narcotics Trafficking, P.A.N.T., task force, assisted in a drug investigation stemming from a traffic stop conducted by a YCSO deputy on HWY 260, Camp Verde. The investigation resulted in the arrest of 3 suspects. Driver Steven Lee Carns, 51, who was charged with three counts of Possession of a Narcotic Drug for sale, Possession of a Dangerous Drug for sale, Possession of Marijuana, and five counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Carns has been released pending court action. Mayvi Garcia, 24, was…

By Robert AlbrechtSedona AZ (April 24, 2020) – “This past month, we have been in regular contact with hundreds of other shelters across America in addition to leaders in the Animal Welfare industry. We have been learning what they are going through so we can prepare. One of the most important things we have learned is that as the infection rate increases, so does the number of animals that are ending up in shelters. The main reasons for this are because the owner has been hospitalized, died, or can no longer financially care for their animal. The COVID-19 pandemic has…

So far, 39 bites recorded statewide in 2020Phoenix AZ (April 24, 2020) – As Arizonans get out to experience the trails and outdoors, it is important to remember that Arizona is home to 13 species of rattlesnake. The ones encountered most often are the Western diamondback, Mojave, black-tailed and sidewinder. Thomas Jones, amphibians and reptiles program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said: “Arizona has more rattlesnake species than any other state, and we can all celebrate that amazing biodiversity.”

Clarkdale AZ (April 24, 2020) – Yavapai College has announced that it will invest its nearly $2.4 million awarded from the CARES Act to scholarship money for returning students, the YC student emergency fund and to support its online learning infrastructure.Half of the money, or nearly $1.2 million, in federal stimulus dollars awarded to the College will be distributed directly to returning YC students as scholarships to be used for summer semester classes. A portion of these funds will be dispersed to the student emergency fund for applicants to use for emerging technology needs, food, or other emergencies.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act makes grants availablePhoenix AZ (April 24, 2020) – To help rural transit providers that have seen drops in ridership and revenues due to the current public health situation, the Arizona Department of Transportation has submitted a grant application to make $35.7 million in emergency federal funding available for operating expenses and other pressing needs. The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes $25 billion for public transportation through the Federal Transit Administration, including $2.2 billion for programs serving rural areas. This funding will support operating and capital expenses, planning and expenses…

Funding will be Used to Enhance Statewide Public Health Activities to Reduce Transmission Phoenix AZ (April 24, 2020) – The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced that Arizona will receive $12.4 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support the public health response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This is in addition to the $16.2 million already received from the CDC during this response. ADHS will work with local public health departments to enhance and implement statewide plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Arizona. Key funding priorities will include identifying cases, contact tracing and follow up activities,…

Phoenix AZ (April 24, 2020) – In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, grantmaking organizations across Arizona have begun distributing grants from special funding sources totaling more than $33 million for nonprofit agencies to address financial challenges resulting from cancelations and postponements of fund-raising events, programs and cultural offerings.An Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits survey of 501(c)3 agencies throughout the state projected the financial impact of those cancelations and postponements to be more than $40 million.

By Darcy HitchcockCo-Founder, Sustainability AllianceSedona AZ (April 24, 2020) – Many of our Earth Month events have been cancelled or postponed but some people are getting creative. Events are being offered online. We were able to replace this sustainable home tour with an article. Learn about this net-zero energy home in Sedona.