Tag Archives: COVID-19

The Coconino County Detention Facility Updated Court Commitment Schedule

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Flagstaff — The Coconino County Detention Facility started allowing individuals convicted and sentenced to serve jail time in Coconino County to self-surrender on April 4th. The Detention Facility had suspended the acceptance of court commitments when the COVID-19 Pandemic began as one way to keep the jail population down and keeping non-violent offenders out of jail to help mitigate the COVID-19 Virus from entering and spreading through the facility. Most jails in the state also implemented similar suspensions for the same reasons.

The acceptance of individuals to serve the obligated court commitment will continue to happen on a scheduled basis but we are lifting the daily cap of only 5-Court Commits.

The schedule will continue be done alphabetically by the first letter of the individual’s last name. Based on last name, individuals will have a seven-day period each month to be able to self-surrender to serve the imposed jail sentence. This schedule will remain until further notice and can be modified by the Sheriff’s Office if needed. Both the Flagstaff Detention Facility and the Page Temporary Holding Facility will follow the updated schedule which is listed at the end of this media release.

All other restrictions and suspensions will remain in place. Those continued restrictions and suspensions can be found in our multiple media releases that have gone out and are available on our Sheriff’s Office website and Facebook page.

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to stay up to date on the best practices and current available information and will adjust procedures as is necessary and appropriate.

Updated Self-Surrender Court Commit Schedule by last name.

A-H

OCTOBER 10, 2021 – OCTOBER 16, 2021
OCTOBER 31, 2021 – NOVEMBER 6, 2021
NOVEMBER 21, 2021 – NOVEMBER 27, 2021
DECEMBER 12, 2021 – DECEMBER 18, 2021
JANUARY 2, 2022 – JANUARY 8, 2022
JANUARY 23, 2022 – JANUARY 29, 2022
FEBRUARY 13, 2022 – FEBRUARY 19, 2022
MARCH 6, 2022 – MARCH 12, 2022

I-P

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 – OCTOBER 2, 2021
OCTOBER 17, 2021 – OCTOBER 23, 2021
NOVEMBER 7, 2021 – NOVEMBER 13, 2021
NOVEMBER 28, 2021 – DECEMBER 4, 2021
DECEMBER 19, 2021 – DECEMBER 25, 2021
JANUARY 9, 2022 – JANUARY 15, 2022
JANUARY 30, 2022 – FEBRUARY 5, 2022
FEBRUARY 20, 2022 – FEBRUARY 26, 2022
MARCH 13, 2022 – MARCH 19, 2022

Q-Z

OCTOBER 3, 2021 – OCTOBER 9, 2021
OCTOBER 24, 2021 – OCTOBER 30, 2021
NOVEMBER 14, 2021 – NOVEMBER 20, 2021
DECEMBER 5, 2021 – DECEMBER 11, 2021
DECEMBER 26, 2021 – JANUARY 1, 2022
JANUARY 16, 2022 – JANUARY 22, 2022
FEBRUARY 6, 2022 – FEBRUARY 12, 2022
FEBRUARY 27, 2022 – MARCH 5, 2022
MARCH 20, 2022 – MARCH 26, 2022

Coconino County Returns to Face Mask Requirement in County Buildings

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FLAGSTAFF – Based on current data and updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) recommends residents wear masks in indoor public places. In line with this recommendation, Coconino County will reinstate mask requirements in all county buildings effective Wednesday, August 4, at 8 a.m.

On July 27th, the CDC updated its COVID-19 guidance for fully vaccinated people, recommending everyone wear a mask in indoor public settings in geographic areas with substantial and high transmission, regardless of vaccination status. Coconino County COVID-19 case numbers have followed an upward trajectory over the past several weeks and the county is currently in “high” COVID-19 transmission.

“Vaccination is the path out of this pandemic, and is the best way to protect you, your family, and your community. We are in a race against time to increase vaccination coverage and stop other variants from developing. Unvaccinated individuals should get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. And while we are in substantial or high transmission, both the vaccinated and unvaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of Delta and protect others,” said CCHHS Director Kim Musselman.

The CDC masking decision was made considering data demonstrating that the Delta variant of COVID-19 infection is nearly twice as infectious as previous variants. While virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among the unvaccinated, some vaccinated people can get Delta in breakthrough infection and may be contagious.

The masking recommendation was updated to ensure the vaccinated public would not unknowingly transmit the virus to others, including those not yet eligible for vaccine, such as young children, or immunocompromised loved ones. Data demonstrate that the vaccines are preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death and are effective against the Delta variant.

In alignment with the CDC guidance, the County is requiring face masks be worn by employees and the public while in county buildings to protect customer and employee health and safety.

 Effective Wednesday, August 4, county employees and visitors shall wear masks in public and common areas of all county buildings. Masks will be provided when needed as supplies allow.
 County employees shall practice COVID-19 prevention practices including proper hand washing and physical distancing

V Bar V Heritage Site, Red Rock visitor center to reopen next week

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FLAGSTAFF — The V Bar V Heritage Site and the Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center will both reopen to the public beginning next week.
V Bar V Heritage Site:
The V Bar V Heritage Site, located at 6750 N. Forest Road 618 in Rimrock, will reopen on June 18.
Operating hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Monday.
COVID-19 restrictions include group size limitations and requested mask usage for unvaccinated individuals.
Either an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass or a Red Rock Pass (available on site) is required for access to the heritage site.
V Bar V is a rock art/ ceremonial site that features more than 1,000 petroglyphs and is largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley.
Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center:
The Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center, located at 8375 Highway 179 in Sedona, will reopen June 14.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday, and noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The Arizona Natural History Association Gift Shop will be open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Several COVID-19 restrictions will be in effect. Capacity inside the building will be limited to 20 visitors at a time, and social distancing is encouraged. Visitors who have not been vaccinated are asked to wear a mask, and visitors who wish to remain outside are welcome to call 928-203-2900 for assistance, or to visit the informational kiosk outside the building next to the parking lot.

Flagstaff & Williams Justice Court Pilots New Online System

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FLAGSTAFF/WILLIAMS — Among the many consequences of COVID-19 are its effects on the criminal justice system, including the safety of participants who appear in court.

Flagstaff and Williams Justice Courts are piloting a procedure that allows criminal defendants the opportunity and choice to appear by remote online methods while still being aware of all their legal rights and protections along the way.

Known as Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), the Flagstaff and William Justice Courts are pilot courts for the new state-designed system. ODR allows defendants cited for criminal traffic or other misdemeanors to receive a full advisory of their legal rights when charged with a misdemeanor offense, including the right to be presumed innocent, the right to an attorney, the right to a fair and impartial trial, have a “not guilty” plea entered and begin the process of pretrial discovery and discussion with the prosecutors, all on a remote basis.

With ODR’s emphasis on full disclosure as to what a criminal misdemeanor entails, defendants have the ability to opt into this alternate procedure and resolve the case more efficiently and promptly. To learn more about ODR or to search for a case and register, visit courtinnovations.com/AZ301.

CDC EVICTION MORATORIUM REMAINS IN FORCE IN ARIZONA DESPITE RULING BY TEXAS FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

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PHOENIX — The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) moratorium on evicting renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic remains in effect in Arizona and across the U.S. despite a Texas Federal District Court judge’s ruling that the protection is unconstitutional, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC).

The ruling by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Baker in Terkel v. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention only applies to the specific plaintiffs in the suit “and has no impact on other renters,” said Cynthia Zwick, executive director of the anti-poverty organization Wildfire. “The suit was not brought as a class action, meaning that the district court decision is not binding on any other landlords, tenants or courts.”

In filing a notice of appeal, the U.S. Justice Department announced that “the moratorium remains in effect.” Without an extension, the moratorium is scheduled to end on March 31

Three other Federal district court judges in Georgia, Louisiana and Ohio have issued rulings rejecting claims by landlords that the moratorium was unlawful or unconstitutional.

“The CDC eviction moratorium provides vital protections for struggling renters during the pandemic, and is an essential public health measure,” Zwick said. “Evictions put lives at risk and strain our already overstretched public health system. We all have a stake in ensuring that tens of millions of renters don’t lose their homes.”

The Census Bureau reports that nearly one in five renters are behind in their rents, with the numbers disproportionately high among Black and Latinx renters. Congress has approved $25 billion in emergency rental assistance and is expected to approve another $20 billion.

“The CDC’s eviction moratorium has helped stop the spread of COVID-19, but the recent Texas ruling adds more confusion to an already stressful time,” said Joan Serviss, Executive Director of the Arizona Housing Coalition. “What we really need is Congress to put an end to these disputes and pass meaningful rental assistance to scale with the crisis.”

“The $1.9 trillion aid package that the U.S. House of Representatives passed this weekend includes $26 billion in additional emergency rental assistance, among multiple forms of housing-related support,” she added.

Wildfire is coordinating efforts to distribute funding to qualifying renters. For information about qualifications, go here.

For more information about Wildfire, go to www.wildfireaz.org. For more information about the Arizona Housing Coalition, go to www.azhousingcoalition.org.

Eric Clapton and Van Morrison release anti-lockdown songs

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This month, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison released an anti-lockdown song called Stand and Deliver. Eric Clapton performed the blues-style song written by Van Morrison. The songs are released under the label of “The state51 Conspiracy.”

Previously Van Morrison released songs entitled “No More Lockdown,” “Born to Be Free,” “As I Walked Out.” The song rebellion was started by Van Morrison to support his Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund to help musicians hurt by shutting down concerts.

New COVID-19 Guidance Material Available

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PAGE – The Centers for Disease Control and the Arizona Department of Health Services announce that they have published new guidance materials that address businesses, workplaces, summer camps, schools, institutes of higher learning, restaurants, and more. These new guidance documents focus on promoting behaviors to reduce the spread, maintaining healthy environments and operations, as well as preparing for when someone gets sick. This guidance information and more may be found at https://www.coconino.az.gov/2374/Guidance.

Page City Officials Planning, Preparing for Reopening

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PAGE – City of Page officials are formulating plans in preparation for re-opening our government and community while adhering to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Governor Ducey’s office.

Retail vendors were permitted to begin curbside service on May 4th. Yesterday, Governor Ducey provided additional guidance on re-opening businesses in Arizona. On May 8th, salons and barbershops can reopen with limited occupancy and following other guidelines from the CDC.

On May 11th, dine-in restaurants will be allowed to re-open, again following guidelines from the CDC. City government offices are preparing for staff to move back to the workplace on a metered basis over the next few weeks that will allow adherence to social distancing guidelines in order to ensure employee wellness.

More information is available at: https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2020/05/governor-ducey-adhs-release-guidelines-retail-businesses-and-customers.

Further information from the CDC on Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html.

City of Page urges citizens to adhere to COVID guidelines

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PAGE – The City government continues to monitor the COVID outbreak in Coconino County. Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) is still the lead government agency addressing the epidemic in our county, and the City of Page recommends that community members continue to closely adhere to recommended prevention guidelines.

According to the latest statistics, Coconino has had 242 postive cases and 876 test negative. There have been 21 deaths from the Chinese virus COVID-19 in Coconino County. Flagstaff and Page both have 45 cases. The Tribal communities have been hit hard with 150 cases.

Testing will be available in Tusayan on Thursday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1 Chlinic Road, Grand Canyon. In Williams, the next testing session will be held at the clinic on Friday, April 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Only those with symptoms and in high-risk categories should be tested.

Additional resources, including a data search by ZIP code may be found at: www.azdhs.gov and https://tinyurl.com/wc8af3e.

Easter may be dead; Jesus is not

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Message in the window of Pince Country makes Christian message clear; He is Risen.

WILLIAMS – While President Donald Trump expressed hope that the country would be open in time for the celebration of Easter—and being attacked by most media for doing so—that is not going to happen. That has not stopped businesses from expressing Christian greetings and the Williams Recreation Center from creating a new “Easter Egg” hunt.

Although many businesses in Williams remain closed due to the Gubernatorial edict, you can still purchase candy and Easter trappings at the grocery outlets in Williams. Restaurants are still decorating windows to express hope and spread an important message in this troubling time.

The doors of Anna’s Cafe are adorned with palm and windows with Easter decorations.

Williams Western Wear window.


The Williams Recreation Center and Williams Unified School District #2 have suggested an egg hunt to run from April 8 up to Easter Sunday. They encourage people to make eggs and place them some where in view of the street. Paper eggs on doors, windows, hanging from trees, and so forth. People can then drive and kids can try to spot them from the backseat of the car. Parents should be cautioned that seat belts and child safety seats are still required.

There are atheists and some Christians expressing joy that Easter seems to be dead. Some Christians are upset with the pagan symbols of the holiday such as the egg and rabbit which are symbols of fertility in pagan religions.

Indeed the universal message of the Holy Bible does seem to be lost even as this is supposed to be the whole message of this time of year. The Christian message this time is supposed to reflect is that the grave is empty. Jesus has risen.