As I have mentioned before, we are always looking for citizen input. Lately, some of what we’re hearing isn’t always making sense – people want us to fix our roads but they don’t want to pay for it. Back in May 2019, the Town of Chino Valley held an election asking the citizens for a property tax for a road maintenance program. The amount per taxpayer was fairly cheap, and gave the town the ability to maintain our 153 miles of roads every seven years. The initial proposal had a sunset of 20 … [Read more...] about Struggling with the Costs of Road Maintenance
Preparing for Fire Season
Despite ongoing cold temperatures, it is always important to remember in our area that fire season is right around the corner as we approach late spring and early summer. While we are always thinking ahead and working hard to be prepared, it in no way means we can let our guard down. In fact, Prescott Fire Chief Dennis Light points out that, historically, some of the biggest campaign fires that have occurred in Arizona immediately followed a wet season. We are fortunate to have a number of … [Read more...] about Preparing for Fire Season
Solar Systems Inspire Composer
Fascinated by solar scenes he had experienced while visiting Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff and the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) campus in Prescott, Curtis Peacock composed “Starkeeper Sonata” last summer. Peacock, who teaches humanities at ERAU and is the band director at BASIS School in Prescott, explained that he and his wife, Lyndi, and his parents had been attending astronomy programs in both Flagstaff and Prescott. “My parents, … [Read more...] about Solar Systems Inspire Composer
World-Class Astronomical Facilities Collide
Effects of the collaboration between Lowell Observatory and the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) are going to be “astronomical,” said Planetarium Director Eric Edelman. Edelman is referring to the recently-formed partnership between the two world-famous scientific facilities. In brief, Lowell Observatory and ERAU are going to partner in sharing research and public programs about the cosmos. Edelman says he has met several times with … [Read more...] about World-Class Astronomical Facilities Collide
Region Celebrates Airport Terminal Construction
After years of planning, an official groundbreaking for the $15 million passenger terminal at Prescott Regional Airport had more than 200 invited guests applauding and cheering on the afternoon of Jan. 7 Dignitaries from Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley joined state and federal officials in the ceremonial tossing of dirt to initiate the construction process. Prescott Regional Airport Director Robin Sobotta praised the support she and the city received from Federal Aviation … [Read more...] about Region Celebrates Airport Terminal Construction
Capturing the Big Moments
The images captured by professional photographer Tracy Fultz reflect the heart and soul of the artist behind the lens as much as the people in front of it. “Photography is a vessel to share happiness,” said Fultz, owner of Blushing Cactus Photography in Prescott. “It’s about building relationships and being a part of meaningful moments in the lives of others. I love capturing human emotion and telling stories through my photos.” Fearing for her life in an abusive relationship in Tennessee … [Read more...] about Capturing the Big Moments
NAU Foresters Search for Resilient Trees to Restore Panama’s Tropical Dry Forest
Smoke rises from picturesque rolling hills on Panama’s Azuero Peninsula. Cows, goats, chickens and horses move about cleared pastures. From a Los Santos mountain vista, Ruth Metzel of Pro Eco Azuero points out different land uses – a teak plantation, large burns and pastures, and pockets of dry tropical forest. “This is the area we hope to reforest and connect in the upcoming years.” Intense pressure to create open pastures for agriculture and cattle ranching is contributing to deforestation. … [Read more...] about NAU Foresters Search for Resilient Trees to Restore Panama’s Tropical Dry Forest
Cobras, Vipers, Spiders and Stingrays Move into the Desert
Touted as “the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions,” the celebrity-studded Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event offered a week of stunning rides, from vintage Corvettes to Retro-Mods to first production 2021 series, like the Lexus LC 500 Convertible fresh off the assembly line. The massive annual January car show also offered northlanders an almost blinding glitzy break from winter during its week-long run in the desert. Nine collections – the most ever offered by Barrett-Jackson – … [Read more...] about Cobras, Vipers, Spiders and Stingrays Move into the Desert
Over the Moon with Soft Skills
Jessica Watkins is a 31-year-old, unassuming, small-framed geologist with an easy smile and former member of a Division I national champion rugby team. She is many things, including an astronaut-in-training, but she’s not a pilot…yet. When NASA selected her from a field of 1,800 applicants to be one of 13 individuals being trained for possible space travel to destinations like the Moon and Mars, how well she could handle a jet did not top the list of preferred competencies. She was chosen for … [Read more...] about Over the Moon with Soft Skills
Former Green Beret Tackling Jail Issues
The coming weeks and months will be demanding and intense, says Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chair Craig Brown. Requests continue to come in for more services and facilities. That, he says, coupled with what looks to be an aggressive political year, will heat up the governmental landscape. “The major issue we supervisors will face in the next month is looking toward the estimated $70 million bond issue to pay for a new jail in Prescott. Some have said we need to spend more, but I am … [Read more...] about Former Green Beret Tackling Jail Issues