Cindy Barks

Prescott

City, Community and Transportation Reporter at The Daily Courier (Prescott, AZ)

Reporter for @TheDailyCourier, covering the City of Prescott, transportation, and other community happenings.

Articles

Prescott had the best of all worlds, still does

1 week ago | dcourier.com | Cindy Barks

Over my 33 years of working as a reporter for The Daily Courier, I always considered myself lucky to have a front-row seat to the community's happenings, changes and controversies. During that time, I covered as many as 700 City Council meetings, 16 city elections, nine presidential-year elections, and countless community events - from triumphs to unimaginable tragedies. Along the way, I wrote more than 15,000 articles consisting of millions of words.
New Splash Trail underway in Prescott's Granite Dells

1 month ago | dcourier.com | Cindy Barks

Pools of water dot the route of Boulder Creek, forming a scenic blue chain along the orange-hued granite rock formations that are the backdrop for a new trail being built in Prescott's Granite Dells. Soon, hikers and mountain bikers will have access to the trail - aptly named the Splash Trail because of the many little ponds that form along the granite valley after rain or snowstorms. Follow Cindy Barks on Twitter @Cindy_Barks. Reach her at 928-445-3333, ext. 2034, or [email protected].
Rezoning request for 106-unit apartment complex on Marina Street postponed until May 13

1 month ago | dcourier.com | Cindy Barks

Reduced parking requirements for apartments designated as senior citizen units raised concerns for Prescott City Council members this week, and ultimately caused a delay in a rezoning request for a 106-unit apartment complex planned for Marina Street. After a two-hour discussion Tuesday, April 8, during which 16 local residents spoke, the City Council voted 5-0 to table the request for the rezoning of a 0.6-acre parcel of property at 500 Marina St. until the council's next meeting on May 13.
Longtime Prescott champion Elisabeth Ruffner honored with plaque along newly renamed Elisabeth Creek

1 month ago | dcourier.com | Cindy Barks

In a powerful full-circle moment, family and friends of long-time Prescott advocate Elisabeth Ruffner dedicated a plaque last week along Prescott's Peavine Trail, right in the midst of the Granite Dells that Ruffner spent a lifetime enjoying and preserving. Ruffner, who died in 2019 just shy of her 100th birthday, was honored recently with the renaming of the former "No Name Creek" to "Elisabeth Creek."Follow Cindy Barks on Twitter @Cindy_Barks. Reach her at 928-445-3333, ext.
Applications for Prescott City Council vacancy due to city by April 23

1 month ago | dcourier.com | Cindy Barks

Under a timeline that was approved by the Prescott City Council this week for applications to fill the vacancy of Councilwoman Cathey Rusing, applications must be filed by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 23. In a news release on Wednesday, April 9, the city noted that the timeline is based on the City Council's decision during a meeting on April 8. Follow Cindy Barks on Twitter @Cindy_Barks. Reach her at 928-445-3333, ext. 2034, or [email protected].
City opens application process April 9 for vacancy on Prescott Council

1 month ago | dcourier.com | Cindy Barks

Prescott residents interested in filling a two-and-a-half-year vacancy on the Prescott City Council will be able to apply over the next two weeks to be considered for the position. During a voting meeting on Tuesday, April 8, the Prescott City Council agreed to a schedule for filling the vacancy created last week when Councilwoman Cathey Rusing resigned from the council in order to run for the Prescott Mayor position. Follow Cindy Barks on Twitter @Cindy_Barks. Reach her at 928-445-3333, ext.
$204M Embry-Riddle bond issuance gets Board of Supervisors approval

2 months ago | verdenews.com | Cindy Barks

PRESCOTT — A $204 million bond refinancing by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University got Yavapai County approval this week, despite concerns raised by officials and residents in Clarkdale about noise from the university’s flight training. In a 3-1 vote on Wednesday, April 2, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors approved the issuance of bonds not to exceed $204 million for projects on Embry-Riddle’s Prescott and Daytona Beach, Florida campuses.
Eight candidates slated for Prescott's Aug. 5 primary ballot

2 months ago | dcourier.com | Cindy Barks

With the deadline for filing petitions to run for Prescott Mayor and City Council occurring on Monday, April 7, the city's August 2025 primary ballot is now set, with two mayoral candidates and six council candidates. City Clerk Sarah Siep reported Monday afternoon, April 7 that the eight people who had earlier made appointments with her office to file their petitions for mayor and council all met the minimum requirement of gathering at least 650 signatures.
Highway 89 infrastructure improvements, Marina Street apartment rezoning up for Prescott Council review Tuesday

2 months ago | dcourier.com | Cindy Barks

Two long-discussed issues - the roadway and utility-line improvements that are being studied for Highway 89 through the Granite Dells, and a rezoning that would allow for a 106-unit apartment complex on Marina Street - will be among the matters the Prescott City Council will consider this week. The City Council will conduct three meetings on Tuesday, April 8: a 9 a.m. closed-door executive session; a 1 p.m. public study session; and a 3 p.m. voting meeting.
$204M Embry-Riddle bond issuance gets Board of Supervisors approval

2 months ago | dcourier.com | Cindy Barks

A $204 million bond refinancing by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University got Yavapai County approval this week, despite concerns raised by officials and residents in Clarkdale about noise from the university's flight training. In a 3-1 vote on Wednesday, April 2, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors approved the issuance of bonds not to exceed $204 million for projects on Embry-Riddle's Prescott and Daytona Beach, Florida campuses. Follow Cindy Barks on Twitter @Cindy_Barks.