Sedona Red Rock News

09/05/2024

The larger-than-life monumental bronze sculpture of “Merlin” in the Old Marketplace parking lot roundabout in West Sedona disappeared this week.
But the disappearance is not theft, nor a magic trick by the great Arthurian magician of legend.
According to city of Sedona Arts & Culture Specialist Nancy Lattanzi, Sedona police officers were contacted by residents and were informed that the iconic sculpture was removed by the property owner to be restored.
“I reached out to PD who investigated,” Lattanzi stated in a text message. “The property manager had it taken to be restored. It was not stolen. Shows how meaningful art is & the impact it makes to us all.”
“Merlin” was sculpted by the late John Soderberg, Ph.D. [Oct. 13, 1950-May 13, 2023], who lived in Sedona and Camp Verde. The larger-than-life statue of the wizard Merlin was installed more than 35 years ago and has been an iconic sculpture in West Sedona.
“Merlin’s Chair” located 97 feet to the north-northwest, over a water feature at Old Marketplace, was also removed for restoration.
Soderberg’s younger daughter Misty Soderberg, herself a noted sculptor, said that the sculpture is the most iconic representation of her father’s work.

The larger-than-life monumental bronze sculpture of “Merlin” in the Old Marketplace parking lot roundabout in West Sedona disappeared this week. But the disappearance is not theft, nor a magic trick by the great Arthurian magician of legend. According to city of Sedona Arts & Culture Specialist ...

09/05/2024

September is National Fall Prevention Awareness Month and the Yavapai County Free Library District, Yavapai County Community Health Services and several local organizations will be marking it with “Stand Up to Falls,” a series of three fall prevention events.

The first will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Sedona Public Library.

September is National Fall Prevention Awareness Month and the Yavapai County Free Library District, Yavapai County Community Health Services and several local organizations will be marking it with “Stand Up to Falls,” a series of three fall prevention events. The first will take place from 9 a....

09/03/2024

Be aware of planned internet outages.
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, through Friday, Sept. 6, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Optimum will be performing maintenance updates to improve the service quality.
During this time, users may experience interruptions to their Optimum internet service.
Altice bought the Optimum brand and Cablevision for $17.7 billion in June 2016; Cablevision was combined with Suddenlink Communications to create Altice USA, now the fourth largest cable provider in the United States.
For more information about the outage, visit https://www.optimum.com/ or call 866-843-0688 or 888-822-5151

09/03/2024

The University of Arizona is beginning a planning process to expand future educational programming at its DK Ranch experimental station along Oak Creek in Cornville.

U of A College of Agriculture Dean Shane Burgess described DK Ranch as a “land laboratory” that has the potential “to be able to answer specific questions that the private sector could then use to be better at food security or food sovereignty.”

The University of Arizona is making plans to renovate and update its DK Ranch experimental station in Cornville after almost a decade of limited usage to provide more learning opportunities for local students and agriculturalists. The ranch, which occupies just over 45 acres along the west bank of O...

09/02/2024

The Sedona Arts Center is partnering with the Sedona Heritage Museum to present the Myrna Harrison Exhibition and Sale from Friday, Sept. 6, through Sunday, Sept. 29. An artist’s reception to kick off the exhibition will be held as part of Celebrate Sedona on Sept. 6. Music will be provided by a duo from the Sedona Symphony.

“The deserts in Arizona deeply move me, the color of it, the strength of it, its unusualness,” Harrison said. “I grew up in the coastal areas in New York and in California, and the landscape here is so different. It’s just very moving and much more intense than the landscapes on the coast, which tend to be gently rolling and green in color. Here, the rocks and particularly around Sedona, the way the mountains and the rocks look are just really exciting and expressive.”

The Sedona Arts Center is partnering with the Sedona Heritage Museum to present the Myrna Harrison Exhibition and Sale from Friday, Sept. 6, through Sunday, Sept. 29. An artist’s reception to kick off the exhibition will be held as part of Celebrate Sedona on Sept. 6. Music will be provided by a d...

09/02/2024

09/02/2024

Arizona voters will have 13 statewide ballot propositions to approve or defeat in November, the most since 2006.

All but two of the measures have been written by lawmakers. A major driver of the lengthy list is lawmakers in the Republican majority wanting to avoid potential vetoes by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs of certain measure if passed as legislation. Ballot propositions sent to voters cannot be vetoed. Hobbs, who was sworn in on Jan. 2, 2023, quickly set the record for the most vetoes by the governor of Arizona in April 2024, her 185 in 16 months surpassing that of the previous record-holder, fellow Democrat Janet Napolitano, who vetoed a total of 181 bills while in office from 2003 to 2009.

This is the first in a series about the propositions that will appear on the general election ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Arizona voters will have 13 statewide ballot propositions to approve or defeat in November, the most since 2006. All but two of the measures have been written by lawmakers. A ma....

09/01/2024

Following a February decision by the U.S. Forest Service to file an application with the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw 10,024.3 acres of National Forest System land in Oak Creek Canyon from new mining and geothermal claims for the next 20 years, the two agencies have opened a public comment period.

They will be holding an online public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. to discuss the matter.

Following a February decision by the U.S. Forest Service to file an application with the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw 10,024.3 acres of National Forest System land in Oak Creek Canyon from new mining and geothermal claims for the next 20 years, the two agencies have opened a public comment....

08/31/2024

The city of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department’s free Red Dirt Concert Series will take place every Friday in September from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Posse Grounds Pavilion at the Barbara Antonsen Memorial Park at Posse Grounds Park.

“We’ve got a bunch of brand new acts that I’m really excited about,” Parks and Recreation Special Events Coordinator Jason Vargo said.

The city of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department’s free Red Dirt Concert Series will take place every Friday in September from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Posse Grounds Pavilion at the Barbara Antonsen Memorial Park at Posse Grounds Park. “We’ve got a bunch of brand new acts that I’m really excit....

08/30/2024

The Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a conditional use permit to allow the Cloth & Flame event venue to continue operating at the old Masonic lodge on Airport Mesa through the end of 2025.

While more than 60 neighbors asked the commission to deny the permit on the grounds of noise, the applicants provided evidence to demonstrate that the maximum noise levels allowed at their events would be 50% below the city code maximum.

The Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-1 on Aug. 20 to grant a conditional use permit to the Cloth & Flame event venue operating at the site of the former Sedona Masonic lodge on the property of the Sedona Airport. Vice Chairwoman Charlotte Hosseini was the dissenting vote. Public Comment...

08/30/2024

The Coconino National Forest announced on Thursday, Aug. 15, that acting Red Rock Ranger District District Ranger Alex Schlueter has been selected to fill the position permanently, starting Sunday, Aug. 25.

Taking over for Amy Tinderholt, who was promoted to a remote position with the Forest Service’s enterprise team as a recreation planner in February, Schlueter served as interim deputy district ranger and has been the deputy district ranger since July 2021.

The Coconino National Forest announced on Thursday, Aug. 15, that acting Red Rock Ranger District District Ranger Alex Schlueter has been selected to fill the position permanently, starting Sunday, Aug. 25.  Taking over for Amy Tinderholt, who was promoted to a remote position with the Forest Servi...

08/30/2024

Members of Sedona Fire A Shift at stations 3 and 6 receive a life-saving award for reviving an individual in cardiac arrest, resulting in a positive outcome and hospital release.

Verde Independent Sedona Red Rock News U.S. Forest Service - Coconino National Forest Northern Arizona Healthcare Verde Valley Sedona.Biz KAFF News KVRD Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona International Association of Fire Fighters ABC15 Arizona FOX 10 Phoenix azfamily 3TV CBS 5 12News Sedona Arizona - The People's Suggestions Sedona & East Verde Valley AZ Traffic/Weather/News City of Sedona Government

08/29/2024

The Sedona Red Rock High School boys’ varsity swim season will start on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 4 p.m. at the Posse Grounds Community Pool with the Scorpions facing off against Prescott Varsity and Gilbert Christian.

“We’re going to four qualifier meets this year, as opposed to just two last year. We’ll have three home meets,” Head Coach Jodi Thornton said. “We already have [a] great team with the older kids, they’re working on dives with the younger kids right now. I’m looking forward to the season. Everybody’s got some level of swimming experience or athletic experience, which isn’t required, but I think they’ll do good. It’s going to be a fun season.”

The Sedona Red Rock High School boys’ varsity swim season will start on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 4 p.m. at the Posse Grounds Community Pool with the Scorpions facing off against Prescott Varsity and Gilbert Christian.  “We’re going to four qualifier meets this year, as opposed to just two last y...

08/29/2024

EDITORIAL: After about five years of discussion and planning, the Sedona microtransit system is launched Thursday, Aug. 29. We encourage residents to try it out. Download the TransLoc app and see if the microtransit system works as intended.
Take some trips to stores, or to Uptown or go see a friend across town you would normally drive to visit. Take a microtransit shuttle to and from work one day. See how the app works and if it’s user-friendly. Sedona has an older population that stereotypically has some trouble with apps and digital devices, so see if you can manage the app and take a ride. We and other residents want to know if the city’s microtransit system, in the hands of actual users, operates as promised.
Once you’ve taken a few rides, write to us about your experiences. Did the shuttles arrive on time and as promptly as advertised? Did you get to and from your destinations with ease or difficulty? Did you enjoy not having to drive in Sedona’s traffic, or will you go back to driving your own vehicle? Did other users on your trip have any problems, or was their ride smooth? Was the $2 fee worth the effort? Would you recommend the shuttle service to others? Would you ride again?
Once you’ve considered your views, send them to us in a letter to the editor at [email protected]. Mention how many times you rode, approximately where you went and on which days you used the service.

Barring any last-minute delays after press time, the city of Sedona will officially be rolling out its new on-demand, curb-to-curb microtransit program on Thursday, Aug. 29, pun intended. This service, first proposed back when Sandy Moriarty was still Sedona’s mayor, and formally presented in the ...

08/29/2024

David Price, a current member of the Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board and the chairman of the city of Sedona’s Tourism Advisory Board, filed with the Yavapai County Department of Elections on Friday, Aug. 23, to withdraw from the race to retain his seat on the school board this November.

Price said on Aug. 23 that he also planned to resign from the TAB on Monday, Aug. 26.

David Price, a current member of the Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board and the chairman of the city of Sedona’s Tourism Advisory Board, filed with the Yavapai County Department of Elections on Friday, Aug. 23, to withdraw from the race to retain his seat on the school board this Nov...

08/28/2024

On Aug. 13, the Sedona City Council gave an additional $201,938 of public money to J. Banicki Construction to complete work on the pedestrian underpass at the Schnebly Hill Road roundabout.

Associate city engineer Bob Welch explained that the increased costs stemmed from a calculation error and design changes made by city staff. Welch previously estimated that Banicki will make a profit of 25% on the deal.

During its Aug. 13 meeting, the Sedona City Council gave an additional $201,938 of public money to J. Banicki Construction, the firm hired to build a pedestrian underpass under the Schnebly Hill Road roundabout, to complete lighting and handrail work on the sidewalk. Agendized as a consent item, th...

08/28/2024

It’s a new year and a new region for Sedona Red Rock High School volleyball. The Sedona Red Rock High School Scorpions’ 2024 volleyball season will start at home on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. against the Mayer Wildcats.

“Sierra Williams and Amy Brefeld, they’re my captains, and they’ve been playing since fifth grade,” coach John Parks said. “They have the right attitude. They are top-notch students. They always come to practice. They always work hard. They’re always great to younger girls. Always trying to help out, and it’s what you want in every single player and it’s what you want in captains.”

It’s a new year and a new region for Sedona Red Rock High School volleyball. The Sedona Red Rock High School Scorpions’ 2024 volleyball season will start at home on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. against the Mayer Wildcats.  “Sierra Williams and Amy Brefeld, they’re my captains, and they’v...

08/27/2024

Although the Sedona Red Rock High School girls’ varsity swim team had two seniors graduate last year, one of whom was record holder Sarina McCullough, the team’s 2024-25 practice season is off to a strong start.

“We already have great team culture, ”Head Coach Jodi Thornton said. This year’s girls’ varsity lineup consists of senior Yemayasil Guadarrama, junior Angelina Paley and sophomore Zinnia Mykkanen, who are led by senior Alana Schrader.

By Yonas Rahman Although the Sedona Red Rock High School girls’ varsity swim team had two seniors graduate last year, one of whom was record holder Sarina McCullough, the team’s 2024-25 practice season is off to a strong start.  “We already have great team culture, ”Head Coach Jodi Thornton...

08/27/2024

Phoenix attorney Troy P. Foster has filed a notice of claim against the city of Sedona on behalf of former Sedona Deputy Police Chief Ryan Kwitkin, who was terminated on July 10.
The notice demands compensation of $360,000 to forgo litigation, but does not include an explanation of how this total was calculated.
Sedona City Attorney Kurt Christianson stated the city accepted service of the claim on Aug. 19. The city has 60 days to respond to the notice or it will be automatically denied. If the claim is denied formally by the city or automatically after the 60-day window, Kwitkin will be free to file a lawsuit against the city.
Following an outside investigation from March to May that cleared the Sedona police chief of eight allegations brought by Kwitkin and two other staffers, the independent investigators recommended the city investigate Kwitkin for misconduct, based on statements made by SPD staffers. The city of Sedona investigated 13 allegations about Kwitkin, 10 of which were substantiated, one of which was partially substantiated and two of which were not substantiated. Kwitkin refused multiple times to be interviewed.

Phoenix attorney Troy P. Foster has filed a notice of claim against the city of Sedona on behalf of former Sedona Deputy Police Chief Ryan Kwitkin, who was terminated on July 10. The notice demands compensation of $360,000 to forgo litigation, but does not include an explanation of how this total wa...

08/27/2024

The Sedona City Council voted unanimously to raise sewer fees by 3.6% on Aug. 13. Council members assured residents that more increases would be coming once city staff complete a rate study next year.

Public comment was uniformly opposed to the rate hike, with residents questioning whether the levels of service provided by the plant are commensurate with the fees.

The Sedona City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 13 to move forward with increasing wastewater fees. The council followed the fee increase with a hearing on also increasing development impact fees to more than double their current levels. During the fiscal year 2025 budget planning process, council...

08/26/2024

The full budget for the Sedona-Oak Creek School district for the coming fiscal year, initially reported as being set at $8.015 million, will total $10.79 million including all expenses.

The Aug. 9 story “SOCSD approves $8M budget” stated incorrectly that the Sedona-Oak Creek School District’s fiscal year 2025 budget, approved on July 9, would be $8.015 million. Total budgeted expenditures for the year will be $10,788,711. SOCSD Finance Director Stacy Saravo later clarified th...

08/26/2024

As of Friday, Aug. 9, the Sedona-Oak Creek School District had canceled its girls’ soccer season for the second consecutive year due to lack of interest.

“We initially had eight to 10 players express interest, but only four ultimately signed up,” Sedona Red Rock High School athletic director Pedro Ortega Sr. said in regard to the program. “We held several meetings and gave the players time to recruit among themselves, but in the end, they decided they didn’t have enough interest to move forward.”

As of Friday, Aug. 9, the Sedona-Oak Creek School District had canceled its girls’ soccer season for the second consecutive year due to lack of interest. “We initially had eight to 10 players express interest, but only four ultimately signed up,” Sedona Red Rock High School athletic director P...

08/26/2024

On Thursday, August 8, Gov. Katie Hobbs [D] visited Clarkdale for Local First Arizona’s annual Arizona Rural Policy Forum at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse to talk about the state government’s spending in rural communities.

“Earlier this week, we announced that we were going to reactivate the Greater Arizona Development Authority,” Hobbs said. “This is a program that provides financial assistance for rural infrastructure projects. This will provide opportunity to leverage existing funds that are essential to infrastructure. And the previous iteration of this program from 1997 to 2014, the GADA … set $575 million for public infrastructure investment through 84 projects statewide. So [we’re] looking to build on that record of investments.”

On Thursday, August 8, Gov. Katie Hobbs [D] visited Clarkdale for Local First Arizona’s annual Arizona Rural Policy Forum at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse to talk about the state government’s spending in rural communities. “Earlier this week, we announced that we were going to reactivate the ....

08/25/2024

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake gave a stump speech followed by a question-and-answer session at American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 93 in Camp Verde on Friday, Aug. 9.

“What are they going to try to tell us, [Vice President] Kamala [Harris] got 200 million votes?” Lake immediately continued. “There’s only so much they can push their false narrative … [former President Donald Trump] told me this one day I called them. I said, ‘You’re not going to believe it. I have been to like this city and that city and these crowds are just unbelievable. I don’t see anybody who’s for the other side.’ He said, ‘Kari, 80% of the country is with us.’ And I thought, well, maybe he’s exaggerating a tiny bit … That was about a year ago. I really believe 80% of the country is with us.”

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake gave a stump speech followed by a question-and-answer session at American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 93 in Camp Verde on Friday, Aug. 9.  Lake defeated Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the GOP primary by 15.7 percentage points and will face U.S. Rep. Ruben...

08/24/2024

“Ever since I was little, I just was keen on the concept of being a police officer or law enforcement,” Sedona police recruit Andrew Cecere said. “I know they can sometimes get a bad rap. But, my older cousin was a cop and I always admired him. And I kind of followed his footsteps. He did the Navy, and I enlisted. I remember talking to him about doing it and he was a police officer forever.”

Cecere is a 2006 graduate of Sedona Rock High School, where he played varsity tennis with his twin brother, John Cecere. His family originally moved to the area from Boston in the late 1990s. He later graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in criminal justice.

“Ever since I was little, I just was keen on the concept of being a police officer or law enforcement,” Sedona police recruit Andrew Cecere said. “I know they can sometimes get a bad rap. But, my older cousin was a cop and I always admired him. And I kind of followed his footsteps. He […]

08/23/2024

Sedona's planned microtransit service is tentatively scheduled to launch on Aug. 29 after two years of delays, which were attributed by Transit Administrator Robert Weber to the greater importance of securing a federal grant over providing a public service.

Weber is projecting an average demand for the service of 150 trips per day. Fares will be $2, or $1 for seniors or other discounted passengers, with an estimated per-trip cost of $35.26. Curbside pickup will not be available in Uptown.

The city of Sedona is planning to launch its long-awaited microtransit service on Thursday, Aug. 29, although that launch date may be subject to adjustment. Sedona Transit Administrator Robert Weber explained that the two-year delay in launching the service was largely attributable to the city’s d...

08/23/2024

Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board candidate Q&A: April Payne

Age: 43 Time in the Verde Valley: “I was born and raised in Sedona. It has been a great joy to raise my own family in this wonderful community, surrounded by family and lifelong friends.” Background: “I am a property manager with Rentals of Sedona.” Q: Why are you qualified to serve on...

08/22/2024

Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board candidate Q&A: Randy Hawley

Age: 76 Time in the Verde Valley: Since 2012 Background: “Retired educator. I worked in public school education for 42 years. I served as a teacher, guidance counselor, elementary, K-8 and middle school principal and district office associate superintendent. I served in several highly rated school...

08/22/2024

Some recent monsoon cloud photos submitted by Jerome Helfrich, a 91-year-old 16-year Sedona resident, from his home in West Sedona

08/22/2024

Staff at the Humane Society of Sedona received a phone call on Aug. 9 from a resident inquiring about how to make a payment of $1,200 for emergency surgery on their missing cat.

“We were confused because we didn’t, to our knowledge, have an injured cat,” HSS Executive Director Jennifer Brehler said.

Later that evening, Brehler continued, “I was up front with another employee and a man and woman pounded on the window, and we opened it up. They were not in panic, but pretty urgent. They got a very similar phone call … and the [scammer] was saying, ‘Your animal came into the Humane Society of Sedona. It’s severely injured. We need to do surgery right away, but you need to give us $1,700 before we can start surgery. And if we don’t do surgery, your dog’s going to die.’”

Staff at the Humane Society of Sedona received a phone call on Aug. 9 from a resident inquiring about how to make a payment of $1,200 for emergency surgery on their missing cat.  “We were confused because we didn’t, to our knowledge, have an injured cat,” HSS Executive Director Jennifer Brehl...