Free firewood giveaway at Fort Tuthill County Park

FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Parks & Recreation is offering a free firewood giveaway to the public at 8 a.m. Saturday, November 18, at Fort Tuthill County Park near the archery range. The firewood giveaway is a result of recent forest thinning efforts to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires.

Approximately 25 cords of pine will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The wood will not be ready to burn this winter because it was cut this fall and is green. The wood is cut to firewood length (approximately 18” or less), but not split.

Future firewood giveaways will be in conjunction with local service organizations and chapter houses and will occur after November 18.

For more information on Coconino County Parks and Recreation: http://www.coconino.az.gov/parks.

District 3 County Supervisor Matt Ryan named Board Chair

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors named District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan as the next chair of the Board. He replaces District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta.

Ryan said he was looking forward to finishing out the 2017 as chair and serving the people of Coconino County.

“I’m enthusiastic about taking on this role for the County and feel privileged to have the support of my fellow supervisors,” said Supervisor Ryan, “I want to thank Supervisor Archuleta for providing such great leadership over the past 11 months. As a board, we will work to better the lives of our constituents. I look forward to continuing discussions on zoning and subdivision ordinances, ensuring resource conservation and continuing to focus on improving the County’s infrastructure. We will work to provide overall safety and ensure access to services for Coconino County citizens.”

The Board also named District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler as vice-chair. Ryan and Fowler began their leadership roles November 7.

“It was truly an honor to serve as Chairwoman of the Board and being able to share the excellent work of the County,” said outgoing Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “I’m proud of what we accomplished as a board over the past year as we improved service delivery, focused on customer service and enacted several justice reform initiatives. I am most proud of the County’s adoption of the Fair Chance Initiative, Ban the Box. This will give people who struggle to find work after incarceration an opportunity to apply for work with Coconino County without the negative stigma immediately associated with checking the criminal history box.”

Coconino County Offices closed Veterans Day

FLAGSTAFF — All Coconino County offices will be closed Friday, November 10 in observance of Veterans Day.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed, Dispatch, Patrol and Detention will conduct business as usual. Records will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency Dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.

Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2017. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 to leave a message and an officer will return the call. Please call 9-1-1 for any emergencies.

Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open during the holiday, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. The Fort Tuthill Bike Park is open. Drinking water has been turned off at all parks, but bathrooms are still available at Raymond, Peaks View and Sawmill County Parks. Water and bathrooms are available at Louise Yellowman County Park, located in Tuba City.

Adult Probation Department issues Naloxone for opioid emergencies

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Adult Probation Department recently issued Naloxone to all probation officers. Naloxone (sold under the brand name Narcan) is an opioid reversal drug used in suspected opioid overdoses.

The department trained all officers to recognize suspected opioid overdoses and how to correctly administer naloxone in the field. While numbers of reported overdoses are low in Coconino County, officers are now equipped to address them.

“Our probation officers routinely conduct home and field contacts with our clients, many of whom suffer from substance use disorders,” said Chief Probation Officer Sarah Douthit. “We wish to ensure that our officers are equipped to deal with crisis overdose situations with the hopes that we never have to deploy these resources. We believe in treatment and recovery and work with our clients to develop treatment plans to overcome addiction. This is one more tool to help in the community in which we live and work.”

In June 2017, Governor Doug Ducey issued a Declaration of Emergency to address the State’s ongoing fight against opioid abuse. Working with the legislature and the Department of Health Services (DHS), the Opioid Action Plan was created. Part of this plan created a DHS program to train and equip first responders with life-saving doses of naloxone at no cost to qualifying agencies.

Subaru donates delivery vehicle for Meals on Wheels

FLAGSTAFF – Subaru of America, Inc. donated a 2018 Subaru Outback to Coconino County Community Services Department in partnership with Meals on Wheels America. Keeping with its commitment to support local communities nationwide, Subaru of America and Flagstaff Subaru will present the vehicle to Coconino County during a special ceremony on November 6.

Each month, Coconino County Community Services drives an average of 2,515 miles to deliver meals, and the donated 2018 Subaru Outback will be rotated between all routes helping staff and volunteers to reach a total of 64 seniors and serve 1344 meals each month. The donated 2018 Subaru Outback is wrapped with Meals on Wheels America and ‘Subaru Loves to Help’ co-branding.

The public is invited to the ceremony at Flagstaff Subaru, 4910 E. Marketplace Drive.

County Parks and Recreation Receives Natural Resource Award

FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Parks and Recreation (CCPR) received the Natural Resource Award from Arizona Parks and Recreation Association for Rogers Lake Recreation improvements. Since 2011, CCPR has been incorporating recreation improvements at Rogers Lake County Natural Area while celebrating sustainability with residents and visitors.

Enhancements to the natural area were intended to engage the visitors and designed sustainably by using repurposed materials. The award acknowledges the hard work, ingenuity and dedication that CCPR staff has made.

“I’m proud of our Parks and Recreation team for the work that they do and congratulate them on their award and recognition from the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association,” said Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, Liz Archuleta. “Striving for a healthy, close-knit community, while taking steps to improve the environment is something that we take great pride in at Coconino County.”

The awarded sustainable features completed by CCPR staff in the natural area in 2016 and 2017 include:

  • A watchable wildlife viewing platform that overlooks the lake.
  • A 6-mile trail system and two trailheads with parking at the county natural area.

Other environmentally friendly improvements CCPR has made to the natural area include:

  • A ramada structure built from recycled lumber that diverts rainwater to a water feeder for birds, bats and small mammals.
  • Two trailheads and parking lots made from milled asphalt that came from a Highway 89A alignment project near Fort Tuthill County Park.
  • Trail surface made from repurposed, engineered crushed stone originating from a renovation project from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.

Please visit the improved county natural area for some watchable wildlife opportunities during the fall season.

Timberline Fernwood Neighborhood Watch

Please note the new 6:00 pm start time for the monthly Timberline-Fernwood Neighborhood Watch meetings.

Nominations open for 2018 Coconino County Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year

FLAGSTAFF – The sixth annual Coconino County 2018 Teacher of the Year and first annual Rookie Teacher of the Year Award nominations are now open. These awards recognize the contributions of state-accredited, full-time teachers from pre-kindergarten – 12th grade in Coconino County.

The Teacher of the Year awards recognize three exceptionally skilled and dedicated teachers, and rookie teachers, who have gained respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues. These teachers inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn and are passionate about education.

Teachers must be nominated or self-nominated to be considered for either award. If nominated, teachers submit a detailed essay application with letters of support. The top six candidates for each award will then be interviewed. The Teacher of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the year, as well as two ambassadors for excellence and two Rookie Ambassadors for Excellence will be selected by a panel of judges.

All finalists will be recognized at the awards event in the spring and will receive cash prizes. The Teacher of the Year will receive an automatic nomination for the Arizona Teacher of the Year Award and various other prizes. The event is made possible through sponsorships by businesses and community members.

Superintendent Risha VanderWey invites the public to nominate any outstanding teachers in Coconino County. Nomination forms can be found on the Superintendent’s website at www.coconino.az.gov/celebrate. Nominations must be received by Nov. 6 at 5 p.m.

For more information contact the School Superintendent’s Office at 928-679-8070.

2017 Sustainable Building and Water Conservation Tour

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sustainable Building Program is hosting the annual Sustainable Building and Water Conservation Tour in partnership with the City of Flagstaff Sustainability and Water Conservation Programs, Willow Bend Environmental Education Center and the Coconino Plateau Watershed Partnership. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 30 starting at the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center, 703 E. Sawmill Rd. Flagstaff.

The tour will offer perspectives from homeowners, builders, and installers about costs, processes, and the economic and environmental benefits of building sustainably. This tour is a part of the Flagstaff Festival of Science and the American Solar Energy Society’s National Tour.

Six of the buildings included on the tour will demonstrate water conservation methods such as rainwater harvesting for irrigation and potable use, greywater reuse, low-flow fixtures and xeriscaping. A tour of a tiny house on wheels will also be on-site.

The self-guided tour is free, with a suggested donation of $5 to support Willow Bend’s environmental education programs in local schools. Tour packets will be available at Willow Bend the day of the tour.

The tour is made possible through the following partners’ contributions: AP Sawmill & Lumber Products, Coconino Community College, Ezra Builders, Flagstaff Skylights, Loven Contracting, PWMA, Solar Design and Construction, and SolarTerra Design.

For more information visit www.coconino.az.gov/sustainablebuilding or contact (928) 679-8882.

Low-cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) is sponsoring a low-cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 23 at the Coconino Humane Association, 3501 E. Butler Ave.

Rabies vaccinations will be $10 (dogs and cats). Fees for other vaccinations will vary and will be cash or check only. The Kaibab Veterinary Clinic will provide services.

CCPHSD Animal Management will also be offering the opportunity to license your canine companion for $12 altered and $25 unaltered. Spay/neuter vouchers ($30 value) will also be available for canine owners current with rabies vaccinations and licensing.

Arizona State law requires all dogs to be properly vaccinated and licensed. The CCPHSD strongly recommends that cats be vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord of animals and humans. It is caused by a virus present in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to humans through contact with the live virus.

For more information, call the CCPHSD Animal Management Program at 928-679-8756 or visit www.coconino.az.gov/health.