Verde Valley News – The ranks of the world’s healthcare heroes grew by 59 new Yavapai College-trained future registered nurses and nurse leaders this spring, many of whom celebrated the milestone with their loved ones at a traditional pinning ceremony May 1. The 48 associate of science and 11 bachelor’s degree earners who studied at the Prescott and Verde Valley campuses are the latest to emerge from YC’s acclaimed nursing program ready to serve their communities and/or continue their education. An overflow crowd was on hand for the joyous pinning ceremony in the Jim and Linda Lee Performing Arts Center…
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Yavapai County News – Since 2016, MATFORCE and over 35 other organizations and agencies have come together as the Yavapai County Overdose Fatality Review Board (OFRB) with the goal of determining recommendations to prevent accidental drug overdose deaths. Each year the OFRB compiles a report outlining overall findings on the cases that have been reviewed. This year the report reviews all overdose deaths for 2024, as well as trends for all overdose deaths from 2016 to 2024. For a fourth year, Yavapai County has maintained a 20% decrease in overdose deaths. But notable trends have appeared. MATFORCE Executive Director Merilee…
Arizona News – The Coconino National Forest is proposing changes to recreation fees at various recreation sites on the forest to help maintain highly-visited sites and standardize the recreation pass program for all forest visitors. Most recreation sites on the forest will not require a fee, with more than 67% of sites on the forest remaining free for general public use and enjoyment. The forest will continue to honor the suite of “America the Beautiful” Interagency Passes and Red Rock Passes at all standard amenity fee sites and provide several fee-free days throughout the year. Also, the Sedona Shuttle program,…
Sedona News – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Bob Trevino Likes It” showing May 23-29 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. Winner of an astounding 13 audience awards at prestigious film festivals, “Bob Trevino Likes It” — starring Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo — is inspired by the true friendship that writer/director Tracie Laymon found with a stranger in real life while looking for her father online. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oKtziqR0LI Often playing the role of caretaker to people like her father, who should be caring for her, Lily Trevino longs for familial connection. When…
Sedona News – On April 25, Keep Sedona Beautiful (KSB) presented its annual Awards of Excellence. This was the 53rd year that KSB has recognized businesses, organizations and individuals whose activities have contributed significantly to our communities. This year, awardees came from Cottonwood, the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona. The Ripple Effect Water Conservation Program received an environmental stewardship award for its collaboration between Arizona Water Company, Big Park Water, Yavapai County and the City of Sedona. The program educates residents and businesses about water conservation through social media and offers water audits to businesses. More information is available…
… Friday morning found me in Eric’s backyard, safely tucked in an enclosed blind waiting for the Lazuli Buntings and other travelers to show up. A large Yeti filled with espresso and tamed by an appropriate quantity of whole milk, sweetened by Stevia and vanilla extract provided the refreshments. The setups were only about thirty feet in front of me and over the course of a few hours I got 1500 shots … now reduced to 81 and here are two of them. Learn more about the Lazuli Bunting by clicking on the name. Amazing little creatures who pass through our area…
By Davy, S May is Mental Health Awareness Month—for 2025. May is also Stroke Awareness Month. Strokes, it can be assumed, are more approachable to treat than several serious mental disorders because the pathology of strokes are known, but those of several severe mental illnesses are not know. If therapy is applied at or around the source vessel[s] of a stroke, it is possible to have it treated, while recovery continues. However, it is different for many mental illnesses. For example, in a major depression, what is different, for what exactly, in the brain to result in the condition? This question…
SEDONA, AZ – May 11, 2025 — Good Day, Earthlings. Before we get into the digital confetti and self-congratulatory back-pats, a moment of heartfelt sincerity: Happy Mother’s Day to three incredible women—my mother Elaine, my radiant wife Donna, and every mom who’s ever juggled chaos with caffeine and a smile. You are appreciated more than a website refresh button during a Wi-Fi outage. Now, onto the news… Cue the fanfare and dramatically unnecessary drumroll: my new website, www.AllenElfman.com, officially launches Wednesday, May 14th, 2025. That’s right—I’ve entered the 2020s. I know, some of you are shocked I didn’t already have a personal site,…
By Tommy Acosta On September 7, 2021, my beautiful Mamasita, Aida, passed away peacefully at the age of 93. She loved Sedona and so many people here loved her as well. Charming, sweet, kind, engaging and loving, always poised and impeccably made up and dressed, blinged to the max, everyone immediately fell in love with her. She truly was a class-act lady. And carried herself with the dignity of a true Queen. Her strength of will was indomitable and she taught me to never give up, no matter what, no matter the hopelessness of any situation. When I was eight…
Yavapai County News – Friday, May 9th was a beautiful day with wonderful weather for the celebration of 11 children being adopted into their forever families at the Yavapai County Juvenile Justice Center. This year for Adoption Day families were greeted by the friendly critters from the mobile petting zoo from Hammer and Russell Ranch in Paulden (including a baby Highland cow); Chili Bean the Clown; YCSO’s Deputy Do-Right; Whiskie the Northern Arizona Wranglers team mascot, and miniature horses from Horses with Heart. There were amazing balloon creations provided by Adoption Day staple Cody Williams and face painting by the…
Camp Verde News – The Town of Camp Verde is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the FY25 Community Outreach Funds. A total of $50,000 has been allocated by Town Council to support non-profit organizations that serve and enrich the Camp Verde community. While the distribution of these funds was initially postponed due to fiscal constraints, careful management of departmental budgets and reduced expenditures has placed the Town in a position to proceed with this important initiative. “The Town Council remains committed to supporting organizations that contribute to the well-being of our residents,” said Town Manager…
Sedona News – Enchantment & Mii amo’s Managing Director Stan Kantowski, on behalf of the entire team, presented the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund with a $25,000 donation towards the rehabilitation and enhancement of Doe Mountain Trail. The Doe Mountain Trail project is a long-awaited dream for the Red Rock Ranger District and one of the major initiatives for fiscal year 2025. “Enchantment & Mii amo pride ourselves on ensuring the longevity of Sedona’s natural surroundings in order to allow coming generations to share the same experience and opportunity for exploration,” stated Enchantment & Mii amo’s Managing Director Stan Kantowski. He…
Sedona, AZ — The Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority cordially invites you to join us in celebrating Sedona Airport’s being named ADOT’s Arizona Airport of the Year! Who: The Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority Where: The Airport’s Terminal Building When: 14 May 2025, 2pm Achieving this Award is humbling and an honor. We are very appreciative. The airport has seen significant changes over the past few years and has more to go. Let’s celebrate our accomplishments! Please join us and our special guests to acknowledge being selected out of 67 Arizona public
Yavapai College continues to prove its powerful role as a transformative force in northern Arizona, announcing the graduation of 1,258 students in 2024-2025. This milestone reflects the College’s unwavering commitment to accessible, inclusive, and career-focused education across the region. The graduates were honored at Yavapai College’s 55th Commencement Ceremonies this past weekend at the YC Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale and the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. The data highlights a vibrant and diverse graduating class, comprising healthcare professionals, first responders, skilled tradespeople, business owners, and more, now credentialed and ready to help shape the future workforce of Yavapai County. The…
Cornville, AZ – On May 15, Yavapai County School Superintendent Steve King and Yavapai County Supervisors Nikki Check and Dee Jenkins along with representatives of USDA Rural Development and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools will join the Desert Star community to celebrate the completion of a long-awaited school expansion. “We have been planning this building project for over a decade,” says Board Director and Project Coordinator, Jennifer Young. “Of course, we were not planning on a pandemic and other major challenges for schools along the way. It was a bit of a wild ride, but with the help…