Author: Tommy Acosta

Tommy Acosta is the publisher, editor, and lead opinion writer of Sedona.biz, the hyperlocal cyber magazine known as "The Voice of Sedona and the Verde Valley." He writes on local issues, politics, national affairs, culture, and personal reflection, often with a provocative or satirical tone.In addition to his work as a writer, Acosta is a working musician and reflexologist. He has written extensively about the challenges Sedona's musicians face, noting their low pay despite the town's vibrant music scene.Acosta describes himself as a "political actualist," rejecting strict party affiliations and instead focusing on how people are manipulated by political processes. His coverage spans local Sedona issues, tourism, short-term rentals, cultural events, community building, as well as national commentary and critiques of political figures, sometimes through imaginative pieces like "What Would Tommy Do?"Acosta is deeply engaged in Sedona's cultural and spiritual community, advocating for local musicians, artisans, and businesses, and writing about Sedona's unique identity as a spiritual and artistic hub.

Sedona AZ (August 12, 2020) – The Sedona Historical Society announces that their newest and third historic photo collection is now available for view and research as part of the Arizona Memory Project. Entitled “Arizona’s Little Hollywood”, the 80+ photos chosen represent only a portion of the photos held by the Society that capture memorable moments in Sedona’s film-making history.During the golden era of westerns, almost every major studio and every famous film star came to Sedona to make a movie, most of them westerns. After World War II, it was not uncommon for two film crews to be in…

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Sedona AZ (August 12, 2020) – Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced that businesses previously required to pause operations may fill out a form to reopen in certain capacities in qualifying counties. Because Yavapai County currently qualifies as a county with moderate transmission by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), gyms, movie theaters, and bars that have a food permit may reopen by filling out this attestation form stating they are in compliance with these ADHS mitigation requirements for businesses. Along with filling out the attestation form, reopening businesses must follow the occupancy listed in the moderate transmission benchmark below:

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Camp Verde AZ (August 12, 2020) – Join Catholic Charities Community Outreach Services in the Key Lime Room at Camp Verde Community Library between 10:00 am and 11:30 am on Tuesday, September 1st, and Tuesday, October 6th to learn about Veteran’s Services, Housing Issues, Mental Health Services, and other available community resources.

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Sedona AZ (August 11, 2020) – The COVID-19 pandemic cannot stop us from learning! Join OLLI Sedona•Verde Valley Online for “A Virtual River Trip Through the Grand Canyon,” a slide illustrated adventure, as we journey down the Colorado River for 280 miles through the Grand Canyon. Our emphasis will be on the many geologic features seen on what is normally a 7- to 16-day trip. We will also explore a few of the archaeological sites along the river. Register now for this fund raising event, which is open to all, at a cost of only $15 (additional gifts are welcome)…

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Sedona AZ (August 11, 2020) – The city of Sedona will move forward with both short term and long term action items as part of the response to a sewage spill into Oak Creek on Aug. 4, 2020.In the short term, the city will go beyond compliance with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requirements and take additional measures to assess and mitigate impacts to the creek and nearby properties. This will include continued e. Coli testing at multiple locations along the creek, engaging community partners to discuss impact concerns, and finalizing new safety plans created by the contractor for…

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By Leslie HoffmanYavapai County RecorderPrescott AZ (August 11, 2020) – Our office is receiving many calls from voters regarding mailers they are receiving implying they are not registered to vote. Though we highly encourage our citizens to register to vote, these mailers are not being sent from the Yavapai County Recorders/Voter Registration Office. These are being sent by third party organizations with the intent of encouraging participation in our elections.

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Messages focus on turn signals and speedingPhoenix AZ (August 11, 2020) – A mystery person and a husband-and-wife team of a hero hiker and a kindergarten teacher are the winners of ADOT’s Safety Message Contest.More than 5,500 votes were cast by the public for the 12 message finalists. The top two vote-getters and winners are:SIGNAL ANDREADY TO MINGLERED FISHBLUE FISHSPEEDING’S FOOLISH

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Cottonwood AZ (August 11, 2020) – Northern Arizona Hospice has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a “Superior Performer” for achieving an overall caregiver and family satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20 percent of all eligible SHP clients for the 2019 calendar year.Northern Arizona Hospice is a hospice partner of Verde Valley Medical Center and part of a joint venture partnership with LHC Group, a national provider of in-home healthcare services with 32,000 employees operating locations in 35 states and the District of Columbia.

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Toley Ranz, teacher of kindness, tolerance and self-esteem, is aiming to help even more kids (and parents) by moving entirely online. Brand new “Stuck at Home” program is ready to change some lives in the face of the pandemic.Sedona AZ (August 11, 2020) – Since its momentous launch, the Toley Ranz Foundation and its popular namesake character have helped hundreds of children and families overcome bullying through their unique support program. The world is increasingly digital, and that’s never been more accurate than what we’ve seen the past few months. Online shopping, schooling, entertainment and way of life have become…

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By Ted Grussing… reality … especially on the hot days of summer in Arizona unless you are in the higher elevations of the state. So lets use this shot of Humphreys Peak in January to do so … thoughts of heat and air conditioning disappear replaced by thoughts of crackling fireplaces in warm houses and hot coco.

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Prescott AZ (August 10, 2020) – David Michael Getzen, 59, of Cottonwood, was sentenced on July 31, 2020, to a total of 1.5 years in the Arizona state prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Impersonating a Peace Officer, both class six felonies.The events occurred on October 4, 2019, when Getzen called the Yavapai County jail claiming to be an FBI Agent. In the call, Getzen said the detention facility needed to “surrender” two sheriff’s deputies. Getzen also threatened to “shoot the place up” and shoot Judges Michael Bluff and Tina Ainley, both Yavapai County Superior Court judges, as…

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Cottonwood AZ (August 10, 2020) – On Saturday August 8, 2020, at approximately 12:05 AM, the Verde Valley Fire District responded to the report of a Residential assignment in the 1300 block of Ocotillo Dr.VVFD was dispatched to the report of a residential fire. The fire was located in the rear of the home. Crews had to remove part of the exterior wall to access the fire. The fire was extinguished with the use of hose lines and power tools. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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Sedona AZ (August 10, 2020) – The Verde Valley is home to many quality cultural heritage sites and museums. Many of these are struggling to stay open, if they have been able to open at all, and to pay their bills.According to a survey by the American Association for State and Local History, one-third of museums feel there is a “significant risk” of closing permanently, or they “didn’t know” if they would survive this time of crisis. Regional museums are navigating a similar unknown future.

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Money raised goes to charitable Arizona causesPhoenix AZ (August 10, 2020) – Arizonans now have more options to show their support for charitable and other worthy causes with five new specialty license plates that debut today.Specialty plates are available online through ServiceArizona.com. Most cost $25 each year, with an additional $25 per year if the plate is personalized.

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