Local News

Firefighter Tyrone Bell, who died in the line of duty earlier this month due to complications from COVID-19, will be laid to rest Monday, Nov. 1, according to Verde Valley Fire District Chief Danny Johnson.

A Troupe of Ridiculous Thespians (ATORT), made up of Mingus Union High School students, recently announced their newest musical performance, “The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” according to a news release.

The Clarkdale Historical Society and Museum is slated to begin a “First Friday in Their Own Words” virtual series, with an episode featuring the Copper Art Museum, according to a news release.

The Clarkdale Town Council recently announced the selection of Susan Guthrie as their next town manager.

Clean water helped Liquos Corporation of Sedona mop-up first-place in the third-annual Moonshot Pioneer Pitch, Verde Valley, on Oct. 16.

The Verde Valley Fire District crews responded to a two-vehicle accident early Monday morning, Oct. 25, 2021, in the intersection of State Route 260 and Western Drive in Cottonwood.

Cowboy reenactors who performed a shootout with real guns and Hollywood blanks this weekend at the Mining Days event said they perform safety checks and never point their guns at other people during their skits.

Llory McDonald and Combo Deluxe be playing outdoors on the basketball court by the Sliding Jail at this year’s 46th annual Jerome Fire Department Auxiliary’s Annual Dance on Saturday, Oct. 30.

Artist Amy Gordon, far right, puts some finishing touches on the new mural at the Oak Creek Elementary School in Cornville on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. The mural, which was painted by students under the direction of long-time Verde Valley mural artist Joan Bourgue.

The Verde Independent wants to share with readers the stories of local residents’ service in the U.S. military in a special section that will publish in November in observance of Veterans Day.

A 25-year-old Gilbert man was arrested last week and charged with sexual assault stemming from multiple alleged incidents in Camp Verde involving a 15-year-old minor, according to a news release.

The City of Cottonwood’s Historic Preservation Commission is excited to announce the return of the Cottonwood Historic Property Tour in November, according to a news release.

The City of Sedona, in partnership with the Coconino National Forest, seeks to provide mass transit shuttle services at select trailheads located within the greater Sedona area to reduce traffic congestion, overflow parking in residential areas and improve pedestrian safety, according to a news release.

The Sedona Public Library is hosting a ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new branch in the Village of Oak Creek in November, according to a news release.

The Cottonwood Historic Preservation Commission and the Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission will be holding a joint special meeting Monday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. at the Cottonwood Recreation Center, 150 S. 6th Street, to discuss the a design review of Old Town Cottonwood.

A new multi-family development proposal in the heart of the city called the “6th Street Lofts” took another big step forward this week toward becoming a reality for the residents of Cottonwood.

The Jerome Fire Department reported another rescue on Mingus Mountain on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2021, during which a 66-year-old female broke her ankle on Forest Trail 106, according to the Jerome Fire Department.

Firefighter Tyrone Bell, who died Oct. 18 due to COVID-19 complications, was exposed during a call after coming into contact with patients who were coronavirus-positive, Verde Valley Fire District Chief Danny Johnson confirmed in an email to the Independent this week.

It’s tough for a kid to learn if they are cold, if they are hungry, if they don’t have a computer.

The spirits at the Jerome Ghost Walk are taking a second year off because of pandemic concerns, so the organizers switched to a daytime, outdoor event called Jerome Mining Days this weekend.

Soon children ages 5 to 11 will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and Yavapai County Community Health Services announced Friday that they’re ready for it.

In order to encourage local residents to be prepared for the flu season, Yavapai County announced another flu shot clinic in the Verde Valley coming this week, according to a news release.

The Prescott National Forest is looking for energetic, hardworking, fun-loving individuals and pairs of people to become volunteer hosts on the Bradshaw Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest, according to a news release.

The 2021 Blazin’ M Fall Fest is scheduled to get underway this weekend, with fun planned for the entire family, according to a news release.

The Camp Verde Community Library director wants to establish a 24-hour library branch in Verde Lakes, which will provide residents with books, WiFi and information during emergencies like last summer’s Backbone Fire.