Category Archives: Counties

Arlington appointed County Legal Defender

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FLAGSTAFF — County Manager James Jayne has named Erika Arlington as the new County Legal Defender. The Board of Supervisors confirmed the appointment during the August 6 board meeting.

Arlington has been serving as the Interim Legal Defender since January. The Legal Defender’s Office fulfills the State’s constitutional obligation to provide legal services to persons who are indigent and face a loss of their liberty or family.

“After years of dedicated service to the County and community, we are extremely excited that Erika will continue her career with us as the Legal Defender,” said County Manager James Jayne. “During her tenure in the Legal Defender’s Office, especially as the Interim Legal Defender the past eight months, Erika has demonstrated the leadership and professionalism to head this department. She has the full support of the County Leadership Team and we look forward to partnering with her in this new role.”

Arlington has been with the County Legal Defenders Office since August of 2018. Prior to her time with the Legal Defender’s Office, she worked in the County Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, as Associate Faculty at NAU and in private practice. She is also a past President of the Coconino County Bar Association.

“I’m honored to represent the Legal Defender’s Office and the Citizens of Coconino County,” said Arlington. “I’m passionate about criminal defense and dependency representation and have found a tremendous amount of joy representing those clients. I look forward to working in collaboration with our awesome team to continue to provide excellent service to our community.”

Arlington earned her Bachelor of Arts at Sacramento State University, and her Juris Doctorate from the University of California Davis, King Hall School of Law.

Museum Flood Sunnyside Area Open House

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County and the city of Flagstaff are hosting an Open House to answer resident’s questions about potential flooding due to the Museum Fire. The Open House will be at 5:30 p.m. August 5, 2019 in the parking lot of the Peak School campus on Spruce Avenue (2229 E Spruce Ave.).

The County’s Flood Control District and city of Flagstaff officials will be available to answer questions regarding flood risk, mitigation, flood insurance and public safety.

Spanish interpretation will be available at the meetings. American Sign Language Interpretation is available upon request. If people require this or other types of accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact the call center at 928-213-2990 by 10 a.m. on August 5.

To sign-up for emergency notifications, please go to coconino.az.gov/ready.

WHO: Residents and property owners with questions about potential flooding due to the Museum Fire.
WHAT: Museum Flood Sunnyside Area Open House
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Monday, August 5
WHERE: Peak School Campus on Spruce Avenue (2229 E Spruce Ave.)

EOC Activated for Museum Fire

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FLAGSTAFF – The Flagstaff Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has bee activated in support of the 200-acre Museum Fire in the Dry Hills area northwest o Mount Elden. Over 180 firefighters and over a dozen aircraft are fighting the fire. The cause of the fire, that started at 5+ acres, is still under investigation.

Currently there are evacuation orders for Forest Road 420 to Highway 89 and Shultz Pass Road south of the private lands. The Red Cross has set up a shelter at Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff located at 3950 E Butler Avenue.

Juvenile Charged in 2018 Fires on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

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FOREST LAKES – A 16 year old male from Glendale, Arizona has lead guilty to starting 3 fires on the Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves Nation Forest outside of Forest Lakes, Arizona.

The fires were started on May 27 and 28, 2018 in the area of Forest Road 178. The first fire was started on May 27th and reported around 7:30 AM. The fire burned to about 11 acres before fire crews could contain and control the fire.The second fire was started on May 28th and was reported around 1:57 PM and burned a quarter acre before fire crews could contain and control the fire. The third fire was reported while fire crews were fighting the second fire. This fire was contained and controlled at a quarter acre. United States Forest Service fire crews and Forest Lakes Fire Department responded to the fires and conducted containment and suppression operations.

The resident USDA Forest Service Law Enforcement officer in Forest Lakes conducted the investigation and found evidence all three fires were human caused. Investigators were able to identify the suspect as a 16 year old male. The suspect had been with several family members camping in the area. The suspect made statements that he had piled sticks or branches in a pile and lite them on fire for his cousins. The suspect said he was fascinated with fire and enjoyed watching the colors, but also acknowledged he knew the destructive potential of fire.

The suspect was initially detained, arrested and later released to his parents on three federal counts of Causing Timber, Trees and Grass to Burn. The United States Attorney’s later referred the case to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office due to the age of the juvenile suspect. The Juvenile was ultimately charged with three counts of Reckless Burning under Arizona State Law. The suspect plead guilty to one count of Reckless Burning with two counts being dismissed. He was ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution for the cost of fire suppression.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office supports the Forest Service in the protection of our natural resources through partnership by patrolling forested areas, camp grounds, and fires detection and suppression activities.

Coconino County Offices closed in honor of Memorial Day

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FLAGSTAFF — All Coconino County administrative offices will be closed Monday, May 27, 2019 in honor of Memorial Day.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Monday, May 27, Dispatch, Patrol and Detention will be operating under normal schedules. Records will be open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. May 27. 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’s parks and natural areas will remain open Monday, May 27, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill County Park will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. Coconino County parks and natural areas’ trails, ramadas, picnic areas and watchable wildlife sites/viewing platforms are open. Fort Tuthill Campground and Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course will remain open.

Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday, May 27. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 and leave a message and an officer will respond. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

County tests Emergency Notification System

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Emergency Management is conducting a test of the emergency notification system between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Monday, May 27. This will help ensure that the system is up to date.

County officials are encouraging all residents to sign-up to receive emergency notifications. During the test, residents should receive a message verifying they have been entered into the emergency notification system. People that did not receive a message can sign-up at coconino.az.gov/ready. For questions or assistance call 928-679-8311.

Public Health Officials urge precautions against rabies

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Officials are urging people to protect themselves against rabies.

CCPHSD advises individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they are bitten or have had contact with an animal suspected to have rabies. Postexposure prophylaxis, a series of injections, may be recommended to prevent disease. Once symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in humans.

Prior to symptoms appearing, Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite, scratch or lick of a rabid animal. Most animal rabies cases reported to the CCPHSD each year occur in wild animals like foxes and skunks.

People are urged to take the following precautions to protect from rabies:

  • Avoid wildlife, especially those exhibiting unusual wildlife behaviors which can include; showing no fear of humans, aggressive behavior, staggering and/or acting sickly and nocturnal mammals active during daytime.
  • Keep all pets current on vaccinations and obey leash laws.
  • Always keep pets away from wild animals.
  • Never pick up, touch or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, even if they do not appear sick or aggressive.
  • Report any wild animal exhibiting erratic or aggressive behavior.

Pet owners should seek medical care from their veterinarian and call the appropriate authorities if their pet is bitten by wildlife.

Call Coconino County Public Health Services District Animal Management at 928-679-8756. In an emergency, call 911.

For more information on rabies visit www.azhealth.gov/rabies.

Coconino County Courts host Law Day

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Courts are hosting Law Day at the Coconino County Courthouse at 200 N. San Francisco Street in Flagstaff. The proceedings will begin at 8:45 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2019.

This year’s Law Day theme is “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society.” The theme provides an opportunity to explore the ways the First Amendment has shaped American law and society. Law Day activities in Flagstaff are coordinated by Coconino County Superior Court, the Coconino County Bar Association and local attorneys. The theme is selected by the American Bar Association each year.

Throughout the day, local middle and high school students will participate in Moot Courts. Students prepare, present and argue cases with the assistance of local attorneys in front of a Superior Court Judge. This opportunity shows students the complexities of the legal system.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation during the April 17 regular meeting declaring May 3, 2019 as Law Day in the County. This was in accordance with the nationally recognized day for commemoration.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate in all activities for this year’s Law Day.

Superintendent seeking applicants for multiple Governing Board Seats

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Risha VanderWey is seeking applicants for appointment to five school districts. One seat is vacant in the Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry, and Technology (CAVIAT) Education District in Fredonia, Fredonia-Moccasin Unified School District, Grand Canyon Unified School District, Coconino Community College District #5 and three seats are open in Maine Consolidated School District.

Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district.

Application information:

Download the application at http://www.coconino.az.gov/schoolboardapplication
Deadline to submit is 5 p.m. on April 30
Submit by email to aterhaar@coconino.az.gov (live signature original required)
Submit by fax to 928-526-1469 (live signature original required)
Mail/Drop off: Coconino County School Superintendent, 2384 N Steves Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

An advisory committee may be assembled consisting of district residents and a current board member to conduct interviews and assist Superintendent VanderWey in the appointment process.

For more information, please call the Office of the Coconino County School Superintendent at 928-679-8070 or email: aterhaar@coconino.az.gov.

Fort Tuthill County Park cleanup event

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting a volunteer park cleanup event on Saturday, April 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Fort Tuthill County Park in celebration of Earth Day.

Volunteers, of all ages, are asked to wear close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, a hat, and to bring gloves if they have them. Parks & Recreation will supply trash bags and trash pickers. The event will begin at the parking lot next to the Bike Park at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and snacks, followed by an orientation from Parks & Recreation staff.

For more information on the event, visit http://www.Coconino.AZ.Gov/Parks/Volunteer or call the Coconino County Parks & Recreation Department at 928-679-8000.