Arizona is facing a significant teacher shortage, according to Expect More Arizona, with more than 2,000 unfilled positions in the past academic year alone. Local business leaders say the lack of teachers is having a detrimental impact in local classrooms and, thus, the workforce. “In the Flagstaff region, we all want a diverse economy and diversity among thriving industries. After all, that will benefit all of our residents,” said Mike Thomas, vice president of operations with Kinney … [Read more...] about Leaders Say Teacher Shortage is Hurting Business
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Prescott Valley Civic Center Circle Renamed Skoog Boulevard
During an impromptu “town council” meeting called by Prescott Valley Vice Mayor Lora Lee Nye during a Nov. 11 gala honoring retiring Mayor Harvey Skoog, Town Council members unanimously approved a motion to rename Civic Center Circle as Skoog Boulevard. The estimated 450 people attending the dinner heartily endorsed the motion with a standing ovation. The 79-year-old Minnesota native had been a Town Council member and mayor for 26 years. Prescott Valley now has an estimated population of … [Read more...] about Prescott Valley Civic Center Circle Renamed Skoog Boulevard
Printpack Investing More Than $40 Million in Prescott Valley Plant Expansion
Ground has been broken, construction begun, new technologically sophisticated equipment ordered, and new job announcements prepared – all at Printpack Inc., one of the largest employers in the Quad Cities area. The economic impact of the manufacturing company’s expansion is estimated to be greater than $40 million. Lonnie McKinley, the Prescott Valley-based plant manager and long-time Printpack executive, said increased manufacturing demands on the current facilities “…have exceeded our … [Read more...] about Printpack Investing More Than $40 Million in Prescott Valley Plant Expansion
Construction Brewing for Lazy G
Handcrafted local beers, accompanied by “comfort food with a twist.” That is what owners Jim and Jean-Marie Bellington say will distinguish their Lazy G Brewhouse when it is finished this spring. “We want to build our fan base – one pint at a time – in a comfortable, friendly park-like setting,” quipped Jim Bellington before a group gathered to celebrate the start of the new establishment. The couple broke ground for construction of the 5,000-square-foot single-story brewery and … [Read more...] about Construction Brewing for Lazy G
Arizona’s Christmas City Twinkling through the Holidays
When the late Rose Mofford, then governor of Arizona, named Prescott “Arizona’s Christmas City” in 1989, she may not have envisioned the celebration that would grow. Prescott now is recognized nationally as a festive place to be for the holidays, attracting thousands every year. In the Quad Cities, the season started Saturday evening, Nov. 24, with the Holiday Light Parade and dozens of colorfully decorated entries. Organized by the Prescott Downtown Partnership, events culminated with … [Read more...] about Arizona’s Christmas City Twinkling through the Holidays
Footsteps and Tire Tracks – On the Moon?
Calling it “…the biggest challenge I ever had was when I was asked if we could build a Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) to be used by astronauts,” Bill Tinnin and his colleagues said, ”Sure, why not?” At the time, he was a mechanic at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) office in Flagstaff That was 62 years ago. It was a small piece of the now world-famous Project Apollo that put the first man on the moon. It all started when then-President John F. Kennedy told Congress in May 1960 that the … [Read more...] about Footsteps and Tire Tracks – On the Moon?
Displaying Historic Cottonwood Homes, Buildings
The City of Cottonwood and the Cottonwood Historic Preservation Commission are hosting the 5th Annual Cottonwood Historic Home & Building Tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3. The tour will showcase a number of homes and buildings from Cottonwood’s early days as a mining and agricultural community. Volunteers will provide detailed information on each structure and building. Shuttle transportation is provided between the newly remodeled Cottonwood Community Club House to the homes … [Read more...] about Displaying Historic Cottonwood Homes, Buildings
K9 Teams Sniffing Out Explosives, Chasing Bad Guys, Protecting Soldiers
On Veteran’s Day and every day, Samantha Maghamez honors her grandfather, Webb Bisbee, a World War II Army Air Corps parachute soldier, who inspired her to choose a military career in service of her country. Master Sergeant Select Maghamez trains military working dogs at the 341st Training Squadron on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Her students are German shepherds, Belgian malinois, Dutch shepherds, Labrador retrievers and sometimes terriers. “Here at the school house, we work … [Read more...] about K9 Teams Sniffing Out Explosives, Chasing Bad Guys, Protecting Soldiers
Increasing Number of Baby Boomers Booking Trips on Airbnb
Senior guests who are over 60 are now the fastest-growing age group using Airbnb, according to a new study by Airbnb. Typically thought of as a service for millennials, the online marketplace that allows people to rent out their homes, spare rooms or other properties announced that the number of seniors who have ever booked on Airbnb grew 66 percent in the past year alone. The study also showed that Northern Arizona is one of the top destinations for 60+ Arizonans who use Airbnb. Airbnb … [Read more...] about Increasing Number of Baby Boomers Booking Trips on Airbnb
Finding Your Inner ‘Buddha’ Without Letting Your Freak Out
If you have not tried mountain biking lately, technological advances and beefy tires, combined with world-class trails, challenging knobs and hills, stunning views, Southwestern sunsets and colorful characters take this outdoor adventure to a whole new mesa in the red rock country. The Enchantment Resort, tucked into Boynton Canyon in west Sedona with access to more than 300 miles of Coconino National Forest trails, has been building its mountain bike program for the past eight years. … [Read more...] about Finding Your Inner ‘Buddha’ Without Letting Your Freak Out