The cities of Cottonwood and Flagstaff have been recognized for their economic development efforts. Cottonwood has received an Excellence in Economic Development award from the Arizona Commerce Authority for a 5 year development strategy. This strategy has an emphasis on the Arizona wine industry, it doubled employment in the Old Town area and has a projected economic impact of 10 million dollars by next year. The Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology in Flagstaff has also received an award. Project Ignite expands the reach of the Center, which is a small business incubator through additional resources, partners and connections. The results include more than 200 projected high wage jobs, with client companies reporting revenues of 6 million dollars. Governor Jan Brewer recently presented these and other awards to their recipients.
Dewey-Humboldt Town Hall will remain closed on Friday afternoons. Councilwoman Nancy Wright brought this issue up for discussion Tuesday night, stating the reasons for the closure were the Town being short staffed and a down economy. It had been suggested that with the economy improving, Town Hall be opened on Friday afternoons again. Councilman David Hiles reminded everyone Town staff is still in the office all day Fridays and that no one is taking the afternoon off. Town Manager Yvonne Kimball told Council the current Friday schedule is working well and that staff members are using the afternoon time efficiently and effectively. A motion to keep the afternoon closure in place passed 6 to 1, with Wright casting the opposing vote.
The Humboldt Unified School District won’t be holding a Board election in November. There were 3 candidates running for 2 two year positions and 2 candidates running for 3 four year positions. Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter explains how the scenario would play out. Brian Letendre ended up as a write-in candidate for a 4 year seat and as a result, there are 5 candidates for that number of seats. The Board of Supervisors cancelled that election earlier this month and J. Suzie Roth and incumbent Carm Staker will start 2 year terms on January 1st. Letendre, Gary Hicks and incumbent Richard Adler will start 4 year terms on that same day. Letendre has also been appointed to fill a term left vacant by former Board member Gary Marks earlier this year. That term ends on December 31st.
Three candidates are automatically being appointed to the Mingus Union High School Board. There were 4 candidates, Anthony Lozano, Robb Williams, Brenda Zenan and Rosalie Sperry seeking three 4 year terms. Sperry has pulled out of the race so the 3 remaining candidates will be serving on the Board starting at the first of the year. The Board of Supervisors has voted to cancel that November 6th election. There won’t be an election in the Hillside Elementary School District either. Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter has appointed Kelly Hill to a seat on the Board. That seat was vacant due to the resignation of Dallas Laone and the term expires on December 31st. Hill will serve longer than that, as he was the only candidate to qualify for the General Election. His appointment starts January 1st and runs until December 31st, 2014.
Seniors beware! Scammers are posing as Medicare representatives in an attempt to steal your personal information. Mary Hawkes, director of the Yavapai County Better Business Bureau office says callers offer free items such as a new Medicare card or medical supplies. Hawkes explains Medicare employees don’t make these types of calls. If you suspect Medicare fraud, you can call the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-447-8477 or the Arizona Division of Aging and Adult Services at 1-800-432-4040.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Prescott. The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Christmas in September fundraiser from 6 to 9 tomorrow night. Chamber Director David Maurer explains what the proceeds are used for. Maurer adds it costs a lot to light the Courthouse every year. For ticket information, call the chamber at 445-2000. Donations for the Courthouse Lighting can be made at any time at the Chamber Office, located on West Goodwin Street in downtown Prescott.
A restoration plan for the Upper Verde River is getting a funding boost. As part of a special session last night, the Prescott Valley Town Council approved an 85 thousand dollar grant agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. Town Water Resources Manager John Munderloh explains why Council had to do this on behalf of the Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition. He describes the focus of a restoration plan for the Upper Verde River that will be funded by the grant. Munderloh explains this plan is necessary due to concerns regarding overgrowth.
Munderloh says the Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition will be working with land owners in the river area as part of the initiative. The project, which intends to increase groundwater recharge from 2 to 3 percent of total precipitation, is scheduled to start next month. More than half the money would be awarded in the first year of the agreement that starts October 1st. The rest of the money would be awarded in year 2 if funding is available.
