Cottonwood News Archives

COTTONWOOD -- Remember when Christmas was a season of pure enchantment, toy land fantasies and winter wonderlands? Remember when it was a time of hope, of new beginnings? A time of angels announcing glad tidings of great joy to shepherds in a field and wise men following a star to bring gifts to heaven's Child? Well, we remember, too! But it's not just a memory anymore.

Antique stores have a little something for everyone, even the person doing the shopping.

Late Saturday evening, Yavapai County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a vehicle accident on Beaverhead Flats Road at mile post 5, just outside of the Village of Oak Creek.

A dozen ADOT Motor Vehicle Offices have been targeted for closure to help the road department balance its need to cut $100 million from its budget.

When it comes to giving the gift of music, there's no need to head to the city, or to a big-box store or even to go online.

Thekla Hutyrova and Gavin Furrey traveled to Philadelphia, PA two weeks ago to compete in the AmeriKicks International 2009 World Tournament, which was held in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

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A shocking welcome to the Old West that leaves both Kat and Nell Sinclair questioning their dreams and the hope for true love. You may be a fan of Mona Hodgson's children's books. Now you can become a fan of her historical fiction as well. She is celebrating the exciting debut of her first novel for adults, "Two Brides Too Many," in an unprecedented, exclusive agreement between one of the world's largest publishing houses and with the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart. See KudosAZ.com for more information.

Yavapai County Community Health Services announces the cancellation of the Saturday (Nov. 28th) H1N1 High Risk flu shot clinics due to inadequate supply of vaccine and lack of further vaccine delivery this holiday week. The Saturday clinics were scheduled to be held at...

Come to Old Town this weekend for an evening of blues, country and folk music from Arizona music legend Hans Olson. Old Town Center for the Arts will host this special concert on Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, November 28th at 7:30 PM. See KudosAZ.com for more.

Little about the Forest Service administration would change if the Red Rock Ranger District were to be designated as a National Scenic Area under the current draft legislation, the District Ranger told the Cottonwood City Council Tuesday.

While the state is hacking away at budgets for education and social services to stay afloat, Cottonwood's Finance director and Administrative Services manager told the Cottonwood Council that some serious belt tightening and an increase of fees is needed and, potentially even staff layoffs, to get through this tough economy slide.

Sure, you can go to a big box store and find the same things everyone else is buying, or you could individualize your holiday giving, while still saving some green.

Yavapai County Superior Court jurors found Byron Dean Ferguson of Cottonwood guilty Wednesday on charges of kidnapping and attempted child molestation after a four-day trial.

Yavapai County Community Health Services will offer H1N1 flu vaccination clinics in Prescott Valley and Cottonwood for high-risk groups from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov.

Where can you Spend It Here? Check your local chamber: Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce - 567-9294 Clarkdale Chamber of Commerce - 634-9438 Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce - 634-7593 Jerome Chamber of Commerce - 634-2900 Sedona Chamber of Commerce - 204-1123 Thursday, November 19, 2009 Shop locally and benefit the whole community Casey Rooney will ...

The Camp Verde Marshal's Office ordered the entire Camp Verde School District complex into lockdown on Monday following a call made by someone claiming to be armed and on the high school campus.

Editor: Last week I was driving around like I always do with my dogs. I'm sure a few of you have seen me.

The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Monday unanimously approved a zoning amendment to the county's light-pollution ordinance, but split 2-1 on another zoning amendment that lets property owners use park model trailers as a primary home in residential neighborhoods.

No doubt you've heard of Toys for Tots. But what about gifts for grandmas and grandpas? The Elderly Christmas Gift Program began five years ago as a way to ensure older people living alone were not forgotten during the holiday season.

A double rainbow graced the Mingus foothills Friday morning, giving significance to a mutual agreement over future annexations by Cottonwood and Clarkdale.

Yavapai County Community Health Services will hold H1N1 flu vaccination clinics for high-risk priority groups on Saturday, Nov.

Rules changing for reductions in force, salaries
COTTONWOOD - The news for Arizona school districts isn't good. In fact, when it seems that it can't get any worse, it likely will. Much worse. That was the daunting message delivered Thursday night to the Mingus Union High School District Governing Board by Tim Carter, Yavapai County School Superintendent. Carter is making the rounds of all county public districts to let the school boards know what's coming.

The celebration over the successful passage of the Mingus and Cottonwood-Oak Creek budget overrides will be short-lived. The latest budget projections from the state show Arizona’s sinking government ship is beginning to go down like the Titanic. That means we should all expect more across-the-board budget cuts and the resulting loss of government services. K-12 education will be among the hardest hit.

Verdenews.com Column:
If you like to see perfect examples of what it means to get your money's worth on an investment, make a point of attending one of the two remaining shows of the Mingus Union High School production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" this weekend. The Mingus theater troupe's final two showings of the William Shakespeare classic will take place Nov. 13-14, 7 p.m., at the new MUHS auditorium.

VERDE VALLEY -- A press conference was planned this (Friday) morning to announce an agreement between Clarkdale and Cottonwood over lands that neighbor each other on both the north and south sides. The two councils have finally agreed to draw a line past which neither municipality would annex.

CORNVILLE -- Musicians and friends will gather in Cornville Sunday to benefit one of the "musical family." There will be great music and plenty of food, prizes and fun. Becky Wilson of Cornville was celebrating her birthday Oct. 25, horseback riding with close friends. Suddenly, her horse spooked and Becky took a fall. She broke a rib and her back was broken in several places. See more on verdenews.com.

COTTONWOOD -- Two construction workers from the Phoenix area were arrested Tuesday in the Super 8 Motel in Cottonwood and charged with possession and use of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

CAMP VERDE -- During the last of week of October, Yavapai Sheriff's Office detectives got information from jail intelligence unit about an inmate plan to smuggle drugs into the Camp Verde jail. Officers monitored phone calls of inmate John Altman, 24, who made plans to get drugs at the county courthouse in Prescott and bring them to the jail.

Even though lawsuits are beginning to appear over the Sweat Lodge deaths at Angel Valley, the criminal investigation into James Arthur Ray's Spiritual Warrior session is far from over. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office has released a new advisory about the investigation that asks the public to be patient with the plodding investigation.

Yavapai County Community Health Services will be holding High Risk H1N1 mass vaccination flu clinics in Prescott Valley at Bradshaw High School's East Campus at 6411 North Robert Road and Cottonwood at the County Complex, 10 South 6th Street this coming Saturday from 9am-1pm. Those at high risk for H1N1 influenza and eligible for the vaccine at this time are...

It's a wedding to die for. Join us for the crime of your life as the Verde Valley Senior Center celebrates its 30th year of providing home-delivered meals and community dining services to local and surrounding communities. You are cordially invited to My Big, Fat Mafia Wedding. The evening begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Senior Center, 500 E. Cherry St., Cottonwood. See more on KudosAZ.com.

Local singer-songwriter Don Whitcher to open show
Western songwriter Kerry Grombacher will appear in concert at the Old Town Center for Arts in Cottonwood at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15. Opening the show will be local favorite Don Whitcher. See more on KudosAZ.com.

Get your socks knocked off with Eric Williams and the Cruisers, with some great 50's music, sock hop style. On Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., Eric Williams and the Cruisers will take the stage at the Old Town Center for the Arts in Cottonwood. Joining the Cruisers will be local bluesman, impresario, and bookstore entrepreneur Joe Neri. See more on KudosAZ.com.

National touring instrumental fingerstyle guitarist Bill Dutcher will showcase his latest release, "Finding Time", at the Old Town Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. Bill's concert will be the culminating event for a day of activities in Old Town Cottonwood that features the second annual 'Walkin' on Main' event. See more on KudosAZ.com.

COTTONWOOD -- It's the second Saturday of November and that's time to pull up your bib and enjoy that mouth watering BBQ and all the fixings and dance to the music. And enjoy all the folks who come too. That's the way Zeke would have liked it. Saturday marks the 18th annual Zeke Taylor BBQ, the increasingly popular fundraiser for the Clemenceau Heritage Museum.

COTTONWOOD -- "Close the street, We're gonna' have a party here."
Walkin on Main is coming back to Old Town and it is a 'tasty bit.' Its art, wine, history and music in healthy equal doses. What a way to pass a Saturday. Main Street, the cultural Mecca of Cottonwood, turns into a pedestrian mall; traffic is turned away between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. so you can stroll through the fun at your leisure. The music stage over here will keep you entertained all afternoon. See more on KudosAZ.com.

I didn't know that Gary Chamberlain was a Vietnam Vet until I went to interview him on November 11, 2009 at Randall's Restaurant in Cottonwood about his fight against litter along Hwy 89A between Sedona and Cottonwood.

Those who attended the gathering admire the new Verde Lynx van, equipped with an ADA low floor ramp entrance and a programmable monitor.

On Friday night at the Cave, the Mingus football team dominated Grand Canyon Region newcomer, Mohave 48-18 and defended their crown as GCR Champions. Not only did Mingus win the region title, but also improved to 10-0 on the season.

COTTONWOOD -- The Cottonwood City Council may pick up an agreement with Clarkdale over its earlier proposed Forest Service annexation and other future additions. The annexation of eight square miles of Forest Land northwest of Cottonwood collapsed recently when the city discovered there was no taxable landowner in the proposal, as required in state law.

CAMP VERDE - It's high-tech and upscale: The new Camp Verde Superior Courthouse is ready for judges to dispense justice. "We've needed this for the past five years," said Deborah Schaefer, court administrator. "This is long overdue." It took four years of planning and about 14 months to build the $11.7 million courthouse at 2840 N. Commonwealth Dr. behind the old courthouse in Camp Verde.

Editor: Just a couple of weeks after moving to Sedona, I had an unexpected midnight surprise.

A teenager was charged Friday with killing a nun after allegedly breaking into her trailer home on the Navajo Indian reservation in search of cash or valuable items.

Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Jerome all had special activities to usher in this year's Halloween for trick-or-treaters. Jerome had their first ever Parade Down Main Street, Clarkdale featured a costume contest in the park, and Cottonwood held their annual Trick or Treat on Main and Fall Carnival in Activity Park. See this verdenews.com video by Jon Pelletier.

Saturday's mass vaccination clinic still possible
COTTONWOOD - Yavapai County health officials Thursday canceled the H1N1 vaccination clinics scheduled for area schools on Friday. The cancellations were due to an inadequate supply of vaccine.

The Cottonwood City Council Tuesday agreed to pursue another annexation. The Quail Canyon development is a gated project with about 64 house lots, each two acres in size. This time, an important water well would also be acquired in addition to the annexation; a well that eventually is expected to also supply Verde Village 6 and 7 with their water needs.

Development plan will test waters with county P&Z
CORNVILLE -- A crowd gathered at the Cornville fire house Wednesday night to hear about plans to build a retirement community for 300 people on 42 acres along South Aspaas Road. The buzz circulating around Cornville brought out a large crowd to hear about the high-density project.

CLARKDALE -- Family members on Friday identified an unknown man found June 25 in Clarkdale as 49-year-old James Inocencio from Midlothian, Texas. Volunteers from an out-of-state group who help in missing person cases contacted Yavapai Sheriff's office detectives after they found a missing report in Texas that closely described the unidentified man found in Clarkdale.

Rep. Mason says budget is ‘smoke and mirrors’
CLARKDALE - "We have to reverse the thinking at the state Legislature," Rep. Lucy Mason (R-District 1) told the Clarkdale Town Council. She made a budget presentation to the council during a special meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Mason said the Legislature cannot keep thinking it needs to find more money. "It is smoke and mirrors," she said, "and all it does is create debt."

Members of two Arizona tribes will soon get the chance to do something that other state residents cannot: Walk or drive across the international border without a passport.

For many in the Verde Valley, especially commuters, the arrival of a regular Cottonwood-to-Sedona bus system is a dream come true.

The Verde Valley Sinfonietta is pleased to begin its 2009-2010 Fifth Anniversary season with concerts Saturday evening, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. in Cottonwood, at the Emmanuel Fellowship Church, 1580 E. Fir St., and Nov. 8, at 2:30 p.m. in Sedona at the Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, 390 Dry Creek Rd. Tickets are... Learn more on kudosAZ.com.

COTTONWOOD -- The Mingus Union High School Thespian Troupe will present William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream for five performances beginning Nov. 6 in the school's newly remodeled auditorium. Shakespeare is tough for any actor. It can be... Learn more on kudosAZ.com.

COTTONWOOD -- Cuff your pant legs, put on your bobby socks and be-bop the night away with 50'S & 60'S rock 'n' roll from SKY DADDY AND THE POP ROCKS performing this Friday night at The Gathering. Sky Daddy & the Pop Rocks play invigorating rock and roll, surf and ... Learn more on KudosAZ.com.

Old Town Cottonwood -- Thanksgiving isn't the same old holiday anymore, especially when The Abandoned Minds improv troupe comes to stir up the giggles. Old Town Center for the Arts presents an evening of laughter with "Thanksgiggling" performed by the Abandoned Minds Improv troupe. Learn more on kudosAZ.com.

VERDE VALLEY -- Smoke pouring over the top of Mingus Mountain is part of the huge Grapevine Prescribed burn now under way by the U.S. Forest Service. The burn schedule began Tuesday with 2,200 acres burned. A total of 7,000 acres of chaparral brush and ponderosa pine are to be charred through Friday. Learn more on verdenews.com.

The Yavapai County Board of Health met Tuesday to discuss H1N1 swine flu clinics in Yavapai County and distribution of vaccine. "Usually we have zero cases of the flu at this time of year, but this year we have thousands of lab-confirmed cases of the flu," said Richard Resendes, director of Yavapai County Community Health Services.

Margins very narrow in both school districts
COTTONWOOD - As of 7:18 p.m. Tuesday, Yavapai County's election summary report showed both budget override extensions for Mingus Union High School and Cottonwood-Oak Creek School districts passing by narrow margins. The extensions in both districts will continue the...Watch for updated results on verdenews.com.

Police converged on a motor home in the Rio Verde RV Park Monday afternoon. Cottonwood police spokesman Gareth Braxton reports that the incident was a threats-suicide type situation.

Fry's Food & Drug has opened a fuel center at the Cottonwood store's location at 1100 S. Hwy 260.

One win away from another Grand Canyon Region Title
The Mingus Union football team steam-rolled over another Grand Canyon Region opponent Friday night in a 42-0 win over Coconino. The Marauders hit the road to face the Panthers, and after a slow start on offense, the Marauders scored five touchdowns in the second quarter to put the game away.

County is still waiting for vaccine shipment
COTTONWOOD - The scheduled H1N1 flu vaccine clinic for Tavasci Elementary School - the first of five scheduled clinics for Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District between Nov. 3 and Nov. 13 - has been put on hold, according to Barbara U'Ren, district superintendent. The Tavasci clinic was scheduled for Tuesday.

City Council members spent Thursday in a retreat at the Cottonwood Public Safety Building.