The July 21 election will show whether Sedona still believes in representative government — or whether organized outrage has become the city’s new political force. By Bear Howard & Associates Sedona, AZ –The July 21 election will reveal whether voters trust representative government, or whether direct-democracy outrage has taken control of the city’s future. There is an old American argument hiding inside Sedona’s 2026 election. It is the argument between representative government and direct democracy. Do we elect people to study hard issues, sit through endless meetings, hear from experts, balance competing interests, and make decisions for the long-term health…
Author: Tommy Acosta
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SEDONA, Ariz. – The city and their contractor, Cactus Asphalt, will execute an asphalt pavement preservation project starting the week of June 8, 2026 and extending until the end of the month, on the following streets: Roadrunner Drive White Bear Road Cardinal Lane Sinagua Drive Apache Trail Navajo Trail Tonto Road Elberta Drive Orchard Lane Blue Horizon Road Rhapsody Road Pastoral Place Windsong Drive Harmony Drive Concord Drive N Star Lane Mule Deer Road Pinon Jay Way Moonglow Drive Raven Road Grey Mountain Drive Stardust Lane Rainbow Drive Rim Shadows Drive Rim Shadows Circle Canyon Shadows Drive Pinon Shadows Circle…
By Amaya Gayle Gregory Sedona, AZ — A thought has been niggling at me for the past couple of days. I can see the bigger picture, the hurt and pain, the wounds, the raw open sores people carry, so I tend to tread lightly. I understand the wounds are speaking not the true being, so I am kind as best I know how. But this thought has been hanging around: If I was standing in Nazi Germany in 1930s with the ability to see where our lives were headed, would I be kind to those who supported the new dictatorship,…
By Rabbi Alicia Magal Sedona, AZ –The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, located at 100 Meadowlark Drive off Route 179 in Sedona, is a welcoming, egalitarian, inclusive congregation dedicated to building a link from the past to the future by providing religious, educational, social and cultural experiences. The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, concerts, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Office telephone: 928 204-1286. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom. We offer support in times of sorrow, and celebrate…
By David Stephen June, 2026 is Brain Awareness Month. The biggest opportunity in psychiatry is to explain mental disorders, addictions, withdrawal effects, side-effects by electrical and chemical signals in the brain. This will also explain human intelligence. How does the brain organize information? Or, whatever is in the external world, what makes up the configuration or formation of it, within the cranium? And how can it be used to explain everything through psychiatry, neurology and human intelligence? There are two options to — conceptually — define how the human brain works: ions and molecules. How so? If the passages [channels] of…
Enjoyable, fearless and unexpected whodunit fights patriarchy in surprising ways The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Unidentified” showing June 19-25 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jijpvDnis-o “Unidentified” is a Saudi murder mystery from the award-winning director of “Wadjda”. Sparked by the discovery of the lifeless body of a teenage girl in the desert; When no one claims the body, Noelle Al Saffan — a newly divorced, true crime aficionado who recently lost a child of her own — gets obsessively involved. Despite a ticking clock that seemingly guarantees the girl’s senseless death…
A small-town community joins together to celebrate patriotism over partisanship Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona theatrical premiere of “Flag Day” showing June 12-18 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. One flag. Many voices. In “Flag Day”, a small-town community joins together to celebrate patriotism over partisanship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1n6d5ZJCt8 Set in the small farming community of Three Oaks, Michigan — home to the nation’s largest Flag Day parade — “Flag Day” is a verité portrait of ritual, identity, and belonging in an era of deep political division. Somewhere between tradition and transformation lies…
SEDONA, Ariz. – The city of Sedona issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting private entities to share their interest and ideas for the restoration and operations of the Sedona Cultural Park Amphitheater, a 5,500-seat outdoor performance venue located on city-owned land in West Sedona called the Western Gateway. The outdoor amphitheater was in operation primarily as a music venue from 2001-2003 and hosted nationally recognized artists. The city purchased the property in 2022 and is now exploring options to bring the venue back as a cultural and economic asset for residents and visitors. The city is seeking responses from…
Sedona, AZ –As businesses continue to navigate a variety of situations involving employees, customers, and visitors, workplace safety remains a top priority. To help support our members, the Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Sedona Police Department to offer an Employee Safety Training led by Commander Penner and Detective Guastalli. This practical, interactive session will cover:• De-escalation techniques and communication strategies• Personal and workplace safety best practices• Handling disruptive or challenging individuals• Recognizing potentially threatening behavior• When and how to engage law enforcement• Developing workplace safety plans and procedures This training is recommended for business owners, managers,…
Celebrating NARTA Class 60 and 30 years of NARTA training Prescott, AZ, – The Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy at Yavapai College graduated 19 new peace officers Thursday, June 4, during a command inspection, commencement and swearing-in ceremony at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center. The milestone event marked NARTA’s 60th graduating class and 30 years of preparing peace officers to serve communities across northern Arizona and throughout the state. “The profession you are entering is one of tremendous responsibility. Every day, peace officers are called upon to make difficult decisions, often in challenging circumstances and under intense pressure,”…
“The July 21 election is about more than candidates. It is about whether Sedona chooses stability, Home Rule, and responsible leadership — or risks creating uncertainty at the very moment confidence matters most.” Opinion by Al Comello, Sedona Resident Sedona, AZ — The July 21 election is about more than candidates. It is about whether Sedona chooses stability, local control, and responsible leadership—or accepts uncertainty at a time when confidence matters more than ever. Sedona’s property values are supported by more than its red rock scenery. They are supported by confidence: confidence in public safety, infrastructure, city services, financial stability,…
Sedona, AZ — My name is Rich Gay. I’m a 65-year-old Uptown Sedona resident who moved here 4.5 years ago with my wife because of the extraordinary natural beauty and small-town character that still inspire us every day. As the founder of a software company that managed large, complex projects, I bring proven skills in project management, fiscal responsibility, and delivering results. I’m running for City Council as part of the Sedona Residents First slate alongside Henry Silbiger for mayor, Lita Loesch Boyd, and Jean-Christophe Buillet. Together, we believe it’s time to put Sedona residents and local businesses first—before tourists,…
By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ — The music is humming, the wine is flowing, and the aromas of authentic Italian cuisine fill the air at BV’s Italian Kitchen, one of Cottonwood’s hottest destinations for dining and live entertainment. Drawing music lovers from throughout Cottonwood, Sedona, and the Verde Valley, BV’s has quickly built a reputation as the place where great food and great music come together beneath the stars. Now featuring six nights a week of outstanding local entertainment paired with delicious Italian specialties, BV’s has established itself as one of the region’s premier venues for an unforgettable evening of…
[SEDONA/VERDE VALLEY, AZ] Unify Sedona Verde Valley and the Sedona International Film Festival invite the community to a special Pride Month premiere screening of documentary The Dads on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in Sedona. Inspired by the Emmy Award-winning short documentary of the same name, The Dads follows a community of fathers of transgender and nonbinary children as they navigate the challenges of supporting their families amid a growing wave of anti-transgender legislation and social division in the United States. Filmed over the course of a year, the documentary captures intimate…
Organizations unite to premiere important films for Pride Mont Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to partner with Unify Sedona to present “My Sunnyside” on Wednesday, June 3 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in observation of Pride Month. “My Sunnyside” premiered to rave reviews at the recent Sedona International Film Festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9o4dl-VzrA True love can surprise you when you’ve already lost hope of finding a partner. Allie, a trans woman, and Jo, a trans man, knew from the first moment that they would be together. As the relationship of these two New Yorkers evolves through…