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Tom Tracey

Stories by Tom

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2016: The year that was in Clarkdale
Blossoming festival scene, environmental and historic preservation, uptick in housing and business brighten 2016

CLARKDALE – The Town of Clarkdale wraps-up 2016 with a blossoming festival scene, recognition for its environmental and historic preservation and an uptick in housing and business development.

By Tom Tracey December 29, 2016
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The year that was in Jerome
Leaning wall, tourism outreach resolved while impact of vacation rentals, water supply, new mayor unfold

JEROME – The Town of Jerome managed to not only survive, but thrive in 2016. Despite its infrastructure woes, it earned recognition by the Arizona Office of Tourism as the second most visited site in the Verde Valley (next to Sedona).

By Tom Tracey December 27, 2016
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CLARKDALE – A new website entitled “Experienceclarkdale.com” has been launched by the Clarkdale Downtown Business Alliance in the hopes of promoting and facilitating local tourism.

By Tom Tracey December 8, 2016

TEMPE – A survey of 13 to 17-year-olds by Junior Achievement (JA) and Opinion Research Corporation revealed over half (51 percent) expect to pay more than $100 on gifts, with one in seven (15 percent) saying they plan to spend $250 or more.

By Tom Tracey December 6, 2016
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75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor leaves only five survivors
Japanese bombing of U.S. Fleet took 2,403 lives, injured 1,178

At 7:48 a.m. Dec. 7, 1941, over 350 Japanese fighter planes, bombers and torpedo planes descended on the U.S. Pacific Fleet docked in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. By the end of the two hour sneak attack, 2,403 Americans lay dead and 1,178 had suffered wounds. Nearly half the casualties occurred aboard the ship USS Arizona.

By Tom Tracey December 6, 2016
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Clarkdale has holiday events covered
Town of 4,000 offers flurry of festive fun

CLARKDALE – Never let it be said that there is nothing to do in Clarkdale this December. The town of about 4,000 residents is serving-up a platter of holiday events for 2016.

By Tom Tracey December 1, 2016
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After nearly six months of searching, the Town of Jerome selected Kyle Dabney as its new Zoning Administrator during an Executive Session at its Nov. 22 council meeting.

By Tom Tracey November 26, 2016
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Holiday spending expected to rise $25 billion this year
Black Friday discounts on average of 39 percent expected

Retailers are anticipating a $25 billion hike in holiday sales this year compared to last, with sales expected to rise from $631 billion to $656 billion, according to The National Retail Federation (NRF).

By Tom Tracey November 23, 2016
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The analysts at WalletHub.com asked eight business school professors to share their best Black Friday shopping tips. Here’s a summary of their top ten tips for maximizing bargains:

By Tom Tracey November 22, 2016
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Newly-elected Council member Dee Jenkins, general manager/financial analyst at Quintus Inc. in Camp Verde, announced the Nov. 3 passing of Quintus Founder and Chairman of the Board Dick Cook, 87 during her first meeting Nov. 16.

By Tom Tracey November 17, 2016
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Two new members welcomed to Camp Verde Town Council
Farewell to departing Vice Mayor Bruce George, Councilmember Carol German

Camp Verde Town Council celebrated welcomes and farewells during its Nov. 16 meeting as the Oath of Office was given to new-elects and Certificates of Recognition to those departing office.

By Tom Tracey November 17, 2016
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The Town of Camp Verde is seeking volunteers to serve on its Board of Adjustments and Appeals and Planning and Zoning Commission.

By Tom Tracey November 15, 2016
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An outbreak of property crime in the vicinity of the Dollar General store at 1191 W. SR 89A has been reported by the Clarkdale Police Department.

By Tom Tracey November 15, 2016

VERDE VALLEY – Yavapai College Education Now! Scholarship Fund scholarships are available for Yavapai County high school students.

By Tom Tracey November 15, 2016
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Members of the public are invited to attend “Explore YC: Verde Valley Campus” on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 601 Black Hills Drive, Clarkdale.

By Tom Tracey November 13, 2016
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Changing of the guard in Jerome
Lew Currier welcomes new Mayor Frank Vander Horst, council members Jay Kinsella, Hunter Bachrach

Members of town council were sworn-in during the Nov. 8 meeting of Town of Jerome council, with outgoing Mayor Lew Currier swapping seats with incoming Mayor Frank Vander Horst.

By Tom Tracey November 13, 2016
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What is described as an historic general election nevertheless drew 20 percent fewer voters in Arizona this year. Barely 55 percent voted in 2016, 74 percent in 2012 and 78 percent in 2008 according to the Arizona Secretary of State.

By Tom Tracey November 10, 2016
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Mystery of Jerome drought unlocked
40-year warming trend stalls water-recharging snowfall

Gasps erupted at a Nov. 8 Jerome council meeting when Kristin Uhlman, consulting hydrogeologist and executive editor, National Ground Water Association unveiled a chart revealing stark changes in precipitation and temperature that appear to be effecting the town’s current and future water supply.

By Tom Tracey November 10, 2016
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Military skills in civilian life
How are local vets faring in the local job market?

No doubt, the military provides skill training, but does this training translate into civilian life?

By Tom Tracey November 10, 2016
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Election results for District 6 State Senate candidate Democrat Nikki Check Bagley showed her within 100 votes of incumbent Republican Senator Sylvia Tenney Allen in Yavapai County voting- - but shy the 2,816 statewide votes needed to claim the seat from her, according to the Yavapai County Recorder’s Office.

By Tom Tracey November 10, 2016
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Popular shooting area may be converted to hiking trails
Forest service mandated to clean-up lead, contaminants

The days of ripping an off-road vehicle into the nearby open range, shooting-off a couple rounds and chucking an empty can may be fading - - especially if the site is being encroached by subdivisions and found to be contaminated.

By Tom Tracey November 8, 2016
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Arizona has earned the dubious ranking of 13th most overweight state in the U.S., according to research website WalletHub.com, rising three places over last year’s ranking of 16 out of 51.

By Tom Tracey November 5, 2016
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Outgoing Jerome mayor to share parting words Tuesday
Currier to continue as councilmember, new mayor as yet to-be-determined

Mayor Lew Currier will give his outgoing remarks Tuesday, Nov. 8. as a new mayor of Jerome is elected by council - - traditionally, the top-vote getter from the Aug. 30 primary.

By Tom Tracey November 5, 2016
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CLARKDALE – At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, the Town of Clarkdale will hear an update on Yavapai College’s Verde Valley Campus by Dr. James Perey.

By Tom Tracey November 5, 2016
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Yavapai County Recorder Leslie Hoffman would like to remind voters that all early ballots need to be submitted to the Yavapai County Recorder’s Office, a vote center or a drop-box no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8.

By Tom Tracey November 4, 2016
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Homeowners should expect to pay more for flood insurance
As Feds drop subsidies, high-risk homeowners see 15 to 25 percent price hikes in years to come

Updated floodplain mapping and decreased government subsidies are going to make flood insurance more expensive in the Verde Valley, as well as more likely to be required.

By Tom Tracey November 3, 2016
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Forest service cleanup of Clarkdale to be explored Thursday
Freeport-McMoRan not the only remediation taking place

CLARKDALE – The public learns of still another environmental cleanup during a Prescott National Forest informational open house Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse to discuss the effects of its Blowout Creek Project on the Town of Clarkdale.

By Tom Tracey November 1, 2016
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CLARKDALE –The Town of Clarkdale was presented with a 2016 Program Excellence Award in Community Sustainability from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) during the Oct. 25 council meeting.

By Tom Tracey November 1, 2016
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JEROME – For those wishing to pay their respects to a Jerome icon, The Don Robertson Memorial has been announced for Saturday, Nov. 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town softball field.

By Tom Tracey November 1, 2016
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Random acts of kindness coming Verde Valley-wide
SedonaKind believes ‘each act of kindness, no matter how small, can create an unforeseen ripple effect’

VERDE VALLEY – SedonaKind.org is a group of volunteers who believes that each act of kindness, no matter how small, can create an unforeseen ripple effect that can make the world a better place to live.

By Tom Tracey October 31, 2016
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‘UFOs Over Arizona’
Book explores 80 incidents, some in Verde Valley

With high-profile UFO sightings such as the Paradise Valley UFO crash, the Phoenix Lights and the Travis Walton Abduction making global headlines, Arizona was ripe for a cataloging of incidents under one cover.

By Tom Tracey October 27, 2016
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The fate of the Sliding Jail in Jerome remains a slippery slope, despite an Oct. 25 council meeting that was intended to bring both sides together on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding.

By Tom Tracey October 27, 2016
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‘The Sequel Awakens’ -- 2nd annual Cottonwood Comic Book Show returns to Cornerstone Church
Features animator from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, writers from DC Comics, Marvel

VERDE VALLEY – The 2nd Annual Cottonwood Comic Book Show - ‘The Sequel Awakens’ returns Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 412 N. 10th St., Cottonwood. Featured are comic creators, comic book vendors and a variety of panels.

By Tom Tracey October 24, 2016
Changes in flood mapping to effect construction, insurance, mortgages in Verde Valley
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seminar to be held Nov. 1

Living along the Verde River offers a world of possibilities; however, one of these possibilities includes flooding. Due to recent changes in the mapping of flood plains, a FEMA Stakeholder Workshop Seminar is being held Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cottonwood Recreation Center.

By Tom Tracey October 22, 2016
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Economic forecast for Verde Valley economy? Partly sunny skies
‘I feel like this region gets it’ says economic expert Jim Rounds

During its Annual Speaker Event at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse Oct. 21, the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO) received a forecast by Rounds Consulting Group giving a glimpse of sunlight even as economic clouds continue to roll-in.

By Tom Tracey October 22, 2016
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Don Robertson’s engine may have stopped revving on Monday, but the pistons that he brought to Jerome will continue to ring out throughout the valley as his family says the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town will remain open and operating as a tribute to the man’s life-long work.

By Tom Tracey, Vyto Starinskas October 18, 2016
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Despite a solid contingent of civic-minded youth seeking to ban tobacco sales to those under the age of 21, Clarkdale Town Council decided to delay a vote on the proposed ordinance until its concerns could be clarified at its next regular meeting.

By Tom Tracey October 18, 2016
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Clarkdale soil remediation: Top 10 questions & answers
Freeport Minerals rep updates council, public

CLARKDALE – A briefing on the replacement of possible tainted soil resulting from historic smelting operations in Clarkdale took place at an Oct. 11 town council meeting. Project Manager Alicia Voss of Freeport Minerals Corporation presented a map of the affected area and answered questions on the minds of residents.

By Tom Tracey October 15, 2016

CLARKDALE – When the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance (NAZBA) International Blues Competition (IBC) was announced as a “rain or shine” event, Mother Nature chose “rain” - - but that didn’t stop a record crowd from enjoying the Oct. 8 event at Clarkdale Town Park.

By Tom Tracey October 15, 2016
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Jerome Declares Emergency: Town under mandatory water restrictions
Drought, livestock, vineyards, pipes named as possible culprits

JEROME - During an emergency meeting June 22, the Jerome Town Council imposed mandatory water restrictions effective immediately as they struggle with half-empty water tanks continuing to deplete at a rate of half a foot a day.

By Tom Tracey June 23, 2016
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Joe Neri and his rockin' blues band, Blues Dawg, will perform at the Martini Bar in Sedona, on Thursday, July 30, from 7-10 p.m.

By Tom Tracey July 29, 2009
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The Sedona Heritage Museum presents Michael Peach in a performance of "Voices of the Verde" at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Sedona Heritage Museum.

By Tom Tracey July 29, 2009
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Like the sun, the wind, and the moon, music has been a constant in the history of mankind, springing forth from our world's music makers over the ages, an element of nature unto itself.

By Tom Tracey July 29, 2009
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The Gypsy Jam open mic, one of the busiest and dynamic performance events in Sedona, encourages classical musicians to test their improv skills in front of a live audience every Monday at The Gypsy lounge at Ken's Creekside.

By Tom Tracey July 7, 2009
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