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2 weeks ago | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
Cottonwood resident Jennifer Richards filed a legal action in Yavapai County Superior Court known as a petition of a writ of mandamus against the individual members of the Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission — Lindsay Masten, Randy Garrison, Daniel Comella, James Glascott, George Gehlert and Bob Rothrock, and Cottonwood Community Development Director Scott Ellis — on Feb.
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2 weeks ago | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
On March 27, U.S. District Judge Dominic Lanza tossed Stephen Gesell’s lawsuit against the city of Cottonwood out of federal court. Without a federal claim, Gesell, if he chooses to proceed, will have to file an entirely new lawsuit in Yavapai County Superior Court.
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4 weeks ago | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
Mingus Union High School District Governing Board President Dr. Misty L. Cox resigned Tuesday March 25. Yavapai County School Superintendent Steve King announced a non-partisan vacancy on the board, with the term ending Dec. 31, 2026.
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1 month ago | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
The Arizona Department of Transportation closed State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon from milepost 375, at Midgley Bridge, to milepost 395, at the top of the switchbacks, due to the winter snowstorm due to multiple vehicle slide-offs related to winter weather conditions and heavy snowfall. A notice was issued at 12:37 p.m. on Friday, March 7. Heavy snowfall in the area is making travel difficult and ADOT encourages motorists to delay travel plans until the winter storm passes.
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2 months ago | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
The Prescott National Forest and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management responded at 3 p.m., Monday Feb. 10, to a wildfire south of Mayer, near Pine Flats off Forest Road 67 for a 400-acre wildfire. The Prescott Hot Shots, several Engines, and a Type 2 crew are on scene and have begun suppression efforts. The Brady Fire isburning brush and grass. Smoke can be seen from surrounding communities including Prescott, Chino Valley, Prescott Valley, Crown King and possibly the Verde Valley.
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2 months ago | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
Stephen Gesell, the former Cottonwood police chief who was fired in September 2023, has experienced a major setback in his suit against the city alleging he was wrongly terminated. In a 23-page ruling issued on Dec. 5, U.S. District Judge Dominic Lanza rejected Gesell’s attempt to remove the city’s attorney from the suit. Lanza subsequently ordered both parties to file motions with regard to the city’s request the case be dismissed.
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Jan 1, 2025 | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
■ Following a report of sexual harassment of a female city of Cottonwood employee by Cottonwood City Councilman Derek Palosaari, a subsequent investigation discovered numerous incidents of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior toward at least six female city staffers involving Palosaari over a period of several months. Palosaari later expressed remorse to the first woman during a council meeting but did not address the testimony of the other victims.
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Dec 3, 2024 | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
Covering election results in Verde Valley is not as easy as one might think. Some races involve counting votes in both Yavapai County and Coconino County, which can be decisive in determining the results of a close election. We often have elected officials, or those supporting various ballot measures, contacting us by text and email on election night to see what numbers we have to make sure they’re reading the results correctly.
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Nov 13, 2024 | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
With final numbers still coming in from the Yavapai County Recorder, the Larson Newspapers Decision Desk has called the Yavapai County District 3 seat for Democrat Nikki Check, defeating Republican Lori Drake. Check had an opening lead of more than 1,000 votes at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, an hour after polls closed, but those votes only counted the early ballots mailed in before election day.
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Nov 8, 2024 | 
journalaz.com | Christopher Graham
There are six candidates running for three seats on the Mingus Union High School District Governing Board: James Ariola, Taylor Bell, Ashley Koepnick, Rev. Frank Nevarez, incumbent Carol Anne Teague and Joe Wegwert, Ph.D.Koepnick has a substantial lead in the race. Bell has the second-most number of votes. The race for the third seat is still up in the air.
