Author: Tommy Acosta

Supplies to Benefit Verde Valley Domestic Violence and Drug Rehab SheltersPrescott AZ (April 10, 2020) – MATFORCE is hosting a one-day drive for much needed supplies on Tuesday, April 14 from 9 AM to 4 PM. The drive will benefit the Verde Valley Sanctuary, Steps to Recovery in Cottonwood, and Lighthouse Sober Living in Camp Verde.Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney and Chair of MATFORCE, said, “Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in domestic violence during these difficult times. Levels of anxiety and stress are rising as families are living in close, shared spaces without the normal release valves that school…

Prescott AZ (April 10, 2020) – The Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) at Yavapai College—in association with the Northern Arizona Council of Governments; the City of Prescott; the Town of Prescott Valley; the City of Cottonwood; the Town of Camp Verde; the City of Sedona; the Town of Chino Valley; the Arizona Commerce Authority; Local First; the Arizona Department of Economic Security; and local Chambers of Commerce—is hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, Apr. 14 at 2 p.m. entitled “The Yavapai County Business Assistance & Displaced Employees Community Forum,” with a question and answer session to follow.

With many staying home, agency starting some restrictions earlierPhoenix AZ (April 10, 2020) – With many people staying at home during the current public health situation, lighter traffic has created an opportunity for the Arizona Department of Transportation to expand the times when construction and maintenance crews can advance improvement projects. ADOT typically does much of its major freeway work at night and on weekends to reduce the inconvenience for drivers. But with traffic lighter than normal, crews can start earlier and some projects are adding work on weekdays.

By Judy Poe, Assistant DirectorSedona AZ (April 10, 2020) – Just because you’re sheltering in place, doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of a wealth of library services – you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Sedona Public Library provides a host of digital offerings, from downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, and popular magazines, to streaming movies, children’s books, The Great Courses, and more.  What? No library card? No problem! If you live in Sedona or the Village of Oak Creek, visit the library’s website (sedonalibrary.org), choose “How Do I…?” from the top menu, and choose “Get a Library…

Sedona AZ (April 10, 2020) – In keeping with precautions to prevent the spread of corona virus including mandated stay at home for Sedona, there will NOT be a regular monthly meeting of the Oak Creek Apples Macintosh Users Group (OCAMUG) in April, 2020. Monthly meetings will not resume at least until Sedona is open again. The OCAMUG is exclusively an educational institution for the public on the use of Apple Computers and other iOS devices, including maintenance, security, and software applications. OCAMUG is a 501.c.3 organization and donations are tax deductible. Membership in the Oak Creek Apples is open to anyone who…

By Ted Grussing… I took this shot of a drake widgeon in mid-February with the new 1DX MK III … a few more pixels and another great camera from Canon. I used a spot focus on this shot and did not employ the new tracking system which is how I did most of my shooting with the 1DX MK I. Mostly I use the full array of focus points with auto tracking now, but there are some situations that it simply will not work well. One of those situations is a small target on the move against a cluttered background…

More than 2,600 masks delivered to assisted care facilitiesPhoenix AZ (April 9, 2020) – The Arizona Department of Transportation has reallocated more than 2,600 N95 respirator masks to two state-operated assisted care facilities to help address a need for personal protective equipment during the current health situation.ADOT delivered 1,440 masks to the Arizona State Veteran Home in Phoenix and 1,200 masks to the Arizona Pioneers’ Home in Prescott following a call for the protective gear from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and Governor Doug Ducey.

Prescott AZ (April 9, 2020) – Leslie Hoffman, Yavapai County Recorder, would like to remind citizens that if they have questions about their voter registration record or status to call the County Recorder’s office at 928-771-3248 and speak to one of the voter registration specialists.This is the time of the year when special interest groups will begin contacting the public by phone and/or mail to urge them to register. Some of these notices or mailings can be misleading or assertive, please realize these are not from the Recorder and do not represent the Yavapai County Voter Registration Office.When you have…

Phoenix AZ (April 9, 2020) – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich and United States Attorney Michael Bailey today announced the formation of a joint federal, state, and local task force to combat coronavirus-related fraud. The COVID-19 Fraud Task Force brings together a dozen partners from across the state, with the goal of combining resources and information to better investigate and prosecute wrongdoers that seek to profit from the public health crisis. The mission of the Task Force is to streamline the government’s response to reports of fraud related to COVID-19 in Arizona. By working together across all levels of government, the Task…

Sedona AZ (April 9, 2020) – Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued an Executive Order that beginning April 9, 2020, anyone entering Arizona through any airport from areas with substantial community spread of COVID-19 must self-quarantine for 14 days.

Phoenix AZ (April 9, 2020) – The Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) and Valley of the Sun United Way have collectively distributed over $2,068,987 in grants to nonprofits over the last three weeks. These funds ensure nonprofits throughout Arizona receive the necessary support to assist those enduring the greatest economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.The most recent round of ACF grantmaking totaled $1,423,987 and was distributed to 104 nonprofit organizations providing immediate relief across the state. These community organizations are addressing a wide range of needs during the COVID-19 crisis, including food security, healthcare, health wellbeing, mental health, eldercare, childcare, education…

By John Roberts, Sedona Resident(April 9, 2020)Wondered if there is anyone who believes a causative connection exists between these two. If so how about writing the editor the name and address for the source and explain the connection with facts.Those who own a portion of the Brooklyn Bridge need not reply. 

Yavapai College Performing Arts Center’s ‘Stage to Screen’ Streaming Party Begins with Jesus Christ Superstar Friday April 10Prescott AZ (April 9, 2020) – The stages may be empty for now. But the spirit of theatre is alive – and streaming.Yavapai College Performing Arts Center is joining legions of music and performance halls around the world by presenting filmed editions of great stage productions. YCPAC’s Stage to Screen Watch Party will blend a local, Zoom-led Curtain Talk with an iconic musical production, every Friday at 5 p.m., wherever you call home. The entire event is free of charge.Stage to Screen premieres…

Preliminary Results: $4.7 Million Directly to Nonprofits, $142,000 for Emergency Relief Fund Phoenix AZ (April 9, 2020) – Even at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on the state’s economy and putting hundreds of thousands of people out of work, Arizonans showed the depths of their generosity and selflessness by donating nearly $5 million to the state’s nonprofit organizations during Arizona Gives Day 2020. Last year, the event raised $3.6 million.   Hosted by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers Forum and presented by FirstBank, preliminary results of the 24-hour online fundraising event showed that 32,440…

By Darcy Hitchcock Co-Founder, Sustainability AllianceSedona AZ (April 8, 2020) – Learn a new skill during the pandemic. This is hands-down the simplest bread recipe; a five-year-old could do it. No kneading or bread maker involved. Wow your family with this healthy, whole wheat bread recipe.