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.

Meteorologists assist ADOT in responding to extreme weatherFlagstaff AZ (February 26, 2019) – As last week’s monster winter storm approached, leaders from the Arizona Department of Transportation and the National Weather Service watched conditions on traffic cameras along state highways and discussed how best to stage equipment and personnel while getting critical information to drivers.A collaboration between the agencies that grew out of this storm will have a National Weather Service meteorologist stationed at ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center when significant storms threaten, sharing forecasts and helping inform decisions on where snowplows and other resources are needed most.

Read More

Sedona AZ (February 26, 2019) – Working artists in the Verde Valley will be opening their private studios to the public for the 16th Annual Sedona Spring Open Studios Tour, which will be held the weekend of April 26-28, 2019. This wonderful, biannual self-guided event is presented by the Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition (SVAC) and is always free to the public. The Tour runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, and from 12-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.

Read More

Sedona AZ (February 26, 2019) – Enjoy Country Hits you know and the stories behind them by Glen Campbell’s band leader Jeff Dayton on Sunday March 3rd at Sound Bites Grill at 7 p.m.Nashville’s Jeff Dayton has played with the best Country stars. With three decades of backing the greats in popular music from Willie Nelson to Glen Campbell, Kenny Chesney to Mac Davis, Lee Greenwood to Vince Gill, Nashville songwriter, producer and guitarist deluxe Jeff Dayton brings a wealth of music and tales from the charts straight to your hearts in this American Troubadour Show.

Read More

By Ted Grussing… this rock serves as a great reminder to have a cup of coffee … or my preferred espresso shots. From this angle it doesn’t look much like a coffee pot, but that is the name given to this formation on the NW side of Thunder Mountain. I took the shot yesterday from the end of the runway on Airport Mesa and am grateful for the 4 wheel drive as they had not yet plowed the taxiways, although they were plowing the runway and today a lot of the airport was cleared. Took the shot with the Nikon…

Read More

By Karen WalkerTrain outside my windowCarry me,Over frozen bridges,Past snowcapped peaks,Back to my home in the saguarosWhere my husband waits for me

Read More

Sedona AZ (February 25, 2019) – Have you been concerned about voter suppression in Arizona? With more polling places being closed and new laws being passed to prevent voter fraud, is there a disproportionate impact on minority voters?Join the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley Voter’s Education program, Monday, March 18, 2019, 3:00PM-4:30PM at Yavapai College, Room 34, 4215 Arts Village Drive, Sedona in a lively discussion on these and other voting matters. The program is a partnership with OLLI and is free and open to the public.

Read More

Sedona AZ (February 25, 2019) – It’s that time of year again.  Music in The House welcomes back Gary Simpkins and Loose Change for a return performance at the Sedona Hub.  Gary will be joined by Kris Baldwin on bass along with a pocket full of “loose change” surprise guests. As always he will have plenty to say and plenty to sing about. With smooth voice and ringing guitar style, Simpkins pulls you into his songs of the ’60’s and holds you there.  Opening for Gary will be Cat Ransom, a newcomer to the Music In The House stage and…

Read More

ADOT, AZDPS: Snow-play next to highways is dangerous and illegalFlagstaff AZ (February 23, 2019) – While there’s plenty of snow in the high country thanks to this week’s powerful storm, drivers should resist the temptation to park along state highways to play in it, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona Department of Transportation.Highway shoulders are for emergencies only. By law, you must exit highways and park in designated areas beyond the highway right of way before building that snowman.The reasons come down to safety: Other drivers may be distracted by your vehicle; other drivers may pull…

Read More

Flagstaff AZ (February 22, 2019) – UPDATED – Winter weather and crashes have closed multiple highways in northern Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Drivers should delay travel across northern Arizona during the current winter storm because heavy snow or crashes could make roads impassable. There is no estimated time to reopen any highways and additional closures are possible depending on weather and crashes.The following highways are closed [as of 11:30am, February 22]:

Read More

Prescott Valley AZ (February 22, 2019) – Yavapai Silent Witness’ 2019 Catch 22 campaign which began February 1, 2019 is underway. Every day through February 22, 2019, the Sheriff’s Office will share information about a wanted fugitive from the program. A direct tip to Silent Witness resulting in the arrest of the fugitive within 90 days of the announcement will result in a $500 cash reward.NAME: Daniella Brianna Hernandez, 28Charges: ID Theft, Credit Card Theft, and Fraudulent Use of a Credit CardDescription: DOB 12/04/1990, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes

Read More

By Cheryl Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the VillageSedona AZ (February 22, 2019) – Recent suggestions were so well received that I decided to continue to offer reading recommendations.  I asked several patrons who frequently visit the Village library to suggest titles and authors. These titles were not necessarily published recently.

Read More

By Ted Grussing… has a place and duties to fulfill in this world … we all work or we perish … and I just love the messiness of it all as in this photo we have a tiny Honeybee burrowing into a cactus flower collecting pollen to bring back to the beehive, providing food for the colony and at the same time he is pollinating the flower which ensures that it will continue on into the future. In addition if the hive is part of a Bee Keepers operation then it instrumental in providing a very nutritious food for humans.…

Read More

Prescott AZ (February 21, 2019) – During a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Agency Award ceremony last month, 4 Detention Officers were recognized for saving the life of an inmate in medical distress. On November 16, 2018, Detention Officer’s Brandon Rouse, Paul Balm, Jacob Liptow and Sgt. Shane Chaves, responded to an alert of an inmate possibly having a seizure.Officers attempted to wake the concerned inmate without success while noticing white foam and blood around his mouth. Upon further evaluation, the inmate had no pulse and was not breathing.

Read More

Camp Verde AZ (February 21, 2019) – Camp Verde Community Library is hosting free health screenings Wednesday, February 27th between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm in the Terracotta Room.  These non-fasting screenings for cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure are sponsored by Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) and Verde Valley Medical Centers.

Read More

Mormon Lake AZ (February 21, 2019) – Yavapai Silent Witness’ 2019 Catch 22 campaign which began February 1, 2019 is underway. Every day through February 22, 2019, the Sheriff’s Office will share information about a wanted fugitive from the program. A direct tip to Silent Witness resulting in the arrest of the fugitive within 90 days of the announcement will result in a $500 cash reward.NAME: Cory Edward CargillCharges: Endangerment, Criminal Damage, and Leaving the Scene of an Injury AccidentDescription: DOB 01/08/1988 (31), 5 feet 6 inches tall, 150 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes

Read More