As many schoolchildren are off on Spring Break this week in the Verde Valley, let’s talk about keeping them safe.

As a people, the residents of the Verde Valley love to see their river as both wild and scenic. But there is much more attached to the official designation than a feel-good slogan.

Overseeing a taxing district is one of the most important, highest-obligation tasks in American governance.

Dean Harrison made an impact as soon as he arrived in the Verde Valley.

2022 in the Verde Valley was full of important stories and interesting occurrences, triumphs and tragedies, and it would be difficult to gauge for what major story the year will be most remembered. However, there were situations and decisions made locally that will have lasting impact on 2023 and beyond.

Expect this to be an annual treat.

Wouldn’t you love to have been a fly on the wall during Thanksgiving dinner in the homes of the contenders in Arizona’s statewide campaigns? And you thought anxiety, finger-pointing, arrogance, self-pity, jealousy and ill-humor were on the menu at your house!

Coming back from the dead is not as cool as it sounds.

If Proposition 310 is approved by voters in the General Election, fire districts in the Verde Valley will be among the most helped by the temporary tax.

So here we go again.

Twenty years ago, even a decade ago, talking about the future of the Verde River was all the rage.

As a tug-o-war continues between Arizona residents and the state Legislature over taxes, the Arizona Supreme Court touched on a simple truth. Don’t like what your lawmakers are doing? Elect new lawmakers.

The altered adage “Wine makes friends; water makes enemies” is appropriate this week as the battle over the Colorado River was at its greatest intensity.

The City of Cottonwood’s unique situation in this year’s election should be an inspiration for all to find the next-step leadership willing to step up.

Tuesday is Primary Election Day.

For all the pronouncements that it is for safety reasons, a new law going into effect in September could be more hassle than it’s worth.

A local resident trying to drive home down his narrow street encountered a group of tourists wandering down the pavement and gazing up at the old buildings, as unaware of him as a flock of wild turkeys. He had to honk and shout at them to get on the sidewalk.

A sad thing happened on the way to the election.

This time of year in Arizona is such a combination of warnings, it may be frustrating for newcomers and visitors. Wildfire warnings, heat warnings and now - right on the dot - monsoon warnings come in succession.

A decade ago, the Bell Trail was one of the best-kept secrets in the Verde Valley. Compared to the trails around Sedona, it had moderate use and it was not unusual for a pair of hiking buddies to be the only people on the main trail for miles.

Editorial: This year the Verde Valley saw first-hand the potential of the relationship between tribal police and federal agencies.

City councilmembers vote on this, that and the other week after week, month after month. But their primary decision-making responsibility is the municipal budget.

Under the guise of improving efficiency and removing politics, Camp Verde Town Council removed the Marshal’s Office from the supervision of the town manager.

Pity, fear, anger, disgust, trust – whichever way they react to the problem, Cottonwood residents see the problem is real.

Monday is the deadline for candidates to get their signatures and paperwork in to run for city and town councils. One of the first questions we ask of those that do so is, “Why are you running?”

The Title 42 Public Health policy is one of those cross-administration programs that was controversial under President Trump but has remained in place under President Biden.

It’s a fact of life that airplanes and helicopters are noisy. In Cottonwood, it’s also a fact that residential areas have grown up around the municipal airport in what used to be a more remote part of the city.

It is a question of trust, responsibility, finance and patience.

A bill quietly moving in the state Senate could turn more Arizonans into California drivers.

The grown-ups have shown up, but it’s a bit late in the day and anything but a sure answer to a crisis.

We are seeing yet another fallout of the failures of the community to lessen the spread of COVID-19 as nurses play hard-to-get.

If you’ve been feeling frustrated with politics and government crises – real or imagined – all around and just want your community to function the way it’s supposed to, Yavapai County has a plan.

They are thinking about it.

When the Omicron variant of COVID-19 first started spreading in Arizona, some businesses started going back to their most rigorous pandemic policies out of precaution.

An idea with support from a cross-section of people is always worth serious consideration.

What do Americans really think about the First Amendment?

A common theme emerges in talks about the present and future in Verde Valley communities. It’s an old theme but a goodie: Affordable housing.

Years from now, it may be instinctive to look back on 2021 with a cringe or, for many, a moan of mourning.

In 2020, there were 1,982 deaths in Arizona attributed to opioid overdose. That was a 45% jump from the year before, indicating the public health emergency declared by Gov. Doug Ducey in 2017 has not ebbed.

You know the polls, every few months, asking people in the street how they feel about their economic stability. Back in February 2020, barely into the battle with COVID-19, nearly half of the people CNBC pollsters spoke to said their No. 1 worry was the rising cost of living.

The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday, Nov. 2, sent state lawmakers a strong message: Don’t pile multiple, unrelated issues into a single piece of legislation.

Times certainly have changed.

Be careful what you wish for. That is a message that applies to Arizona’s stance on the Second Amendment.