March sales tax report mixed in Verde Valley -
VERDE VALLEY - As it has been typical for many months during recent years, the Arizona Department of Revenue's sales tax report for March was mixed throughout the Verde Valley. In retail sales tax collections, Cottonwood and Jerome were both up over the same month last year, while Camp Verde and Clarkdale were down.

School board seats to be decided in 2012 election -
VERDE VALLEY - Persons interested in running for local school boards in the Verde Valley and Sedona have until Aug. 8 to file paperwork and return signed petitions.

New maps refining Verde Valley floodplain -
The Yavapai County Flood Control District is steadily working its way through a long list of revisions to its Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) flood insurance maps.

What is that Buzzing? -
Jim Rondeau, a local resident and bee swarm removal expert, assisted Montezuma Rimrock Fire and helped his community with the bee removal. The bee keeper uses a vacuum to transfer the bees to his hives. The branch was saturated with honey. -- Jon Hutchinson

Conditions in place for severe wildfire season -
"It's an early start for us," says Don Muise, deputy fire staff officer for the Coconino National Forest, "June is typically our critical month, but we are starting to get into critical conditions already,"

State jobless rate drops to 8.2 percent -
PHOENIX -- Arizona's jobless rate plummeted last month.

Private, parochial school voucher law signed into law by governor -
PHOENIX -- A new law signed this week by Gov. Jan Brewer could give an estimated 100,000 children in Arizona schools a check from the state to go to a private or parochial school instead.

Lawmakers approve 'sponsored research' tweak to public records law -
PHOENIX -- Arizona lawmakers are hoping a newly enacted tweak in the state's public records law leads to a new influx of companies willing to pay state universities to do research for them.

State deal may close books on 31-year-old lawsuit -
PHOENIX -- State officials signed a deal Thursday with mental health advocates that could finally end a 31-year-old lawsuit against the state.

New state election law unwanted and unneeded -
It is difficult to remember a bill coming out of the Arizona State Legislature that left as much uncertainty in its wake as HB 2826, the election consolidation bill. Signed by Governor Jan Brewer this week, the law calls for all cites, towns, school districts and community college districts in Arizona to hold their elections on even numbered years, with primary elections in August and the general elections in November.

Judge denies motion for new judge in death penalty case -
PRESCOTT- Yavapai County's presiding judge has denied a defense motion in the Cesar Garcia-Soto murder case asking for a change in judge, saying that the attorney who filed the motion does not have legal standing to do so and that he didn't prove the current judge is biased against the defendant.

DUI checkpoint this weekend -
COTTONWOOD -- Cottonwood Police along with several other law enforcement agencies will conduct a DUI checkpoint this weekend. The checkpoint is to take drunk and drugged drivers off the roadways and to increasing public awareness of the problems and dangers that "under influenced" drivers have on the commuting public and the surrounding community.

Challengers sweep Sedona Fire recall election -
SEDONA -- Three of five board members have been swept from office by a recall vote in the troubled Sedona Fire District. One of the new board members is the former Sedona Fire Chief, and now the current Chief of the Verde Valley Fire District, Nazih Hazime. Diane Schoen and Corrie Cooperman were also elected in the sweep.

Camp Verde joins firefight -
CROWN KING -- Camp Verde Fire District is now part of the Gladiator Fire suppression. At 6 a.m. Wednesday, a three-person crew from the Camp Verde Fire was dispatched to the wildfire near Crown King. Camp Verde Fire and several agencies from around the state have been called as the fire has grown to over 5240 acres.

Metals dealers reminded of laws -
COTTONWOOD -- Cottonwood Police Department Detectives have issued a friendly notice to precious metal dealers, reminding them of the provisions of Arizona Revised Statute §44-1602. Compliance with the provisions of this statute help everyone involved, including precious metal dealers, local law enforcement as well as the community.

Clarkdale brush fire -
CLARKDALE -- A brush fire flared in a wash off Broadway Wednesday in a wash near Geary Heights Road off Broadway near the Moose Lodge. Clarkdale Fire Chief Joe Moore says the fire rekindle from a controlled burn the day before. Fortunately, residents above the fire spotted the smoke, called a neighbor to help and dialed 911.

Cornville Assn. elects new officers -
The Cornville Community Association has announced the selection of officers for 2012: Nikki Lewis, president; Jim Lyons, vice president; Ted Luke, treasurer; Debbi Segall, membership chair; and Community Events Coordinator Gregg Law.

Verde Village board back up to speed -
VERDE VILLAGE -- The Verde Village Property Owners Association finally has new board members for another term, according to Margaret Haddock, who returns for her second term as president.

Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Wraps Up Teacher Appreciation Week -
Last week, the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District celebrated teachers' "unwavering commitment" to students and the community. The student-centered and purpose driven school district owes its successes to its teachers and other employees, which gives C-OC the ability to make students its No. 1 priority.

Bennett to speak to Chamber Tuesday -
COTTONWOOD - Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett will be the guest speaker for the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Tuesday. The monthly luncheon will be held at the Cottonwood Recreation Center from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Free workshop on How to Start Your Own Business -
The Business Assistance Center of Cottonwood will sponsor a free workshop May 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on How to Start Your Own Business. Bill Bolin will lead the workshop.

Whiskey Row Fire Fundraiser May 20 in Prescott -
Gabriel Rhodes, son of the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame member the late Danny Rhodes, will help kick off the Whiskey Row Fire Fundraiser at noon May 20. Rhodes is the drummer for the MODS, the last band to perform live at the Bird Cage Saloon on Whiskey Row before a recent fire destroyed the saloon and two other businesses.

City Begins Work on West Mingus Avenue Improvements -
A fluttering severed yellow ribbon, officially signaled the start of construction to rebuild West Mingus Avenue, place a roundabout at the Willard intersection and upscale water and effluent re-use lines in the area.

Steppin' Out at American Heritage -
For the fourth year in a row, students from Camp Verde and Cottonwood American Heritage Academy went toe to toe in a ballroom dancing contest. With Cottonwood's victory this year the series is evened up at two apiece. Deven Deering and Maizzie Jasman were the top sixth grade couple from Camp Verde. Raul Urbin and Skylar Parker of Camp Verde and Aiden Caruso dancing with both Faith Trout and Annie Kramer of Cottonwood took top honors for fifth grade. Cody Irvin and Kenny Perez dancing with Jazmine Rocha, Summer Breeze and Beth Cathcart took top high school honors. Photos by Sandy Lawson.

How much money is enough in Yavapai County? -
A Yavapai County family headed by one adult with two children (one attending school and the second preschool-aged) must earn at least $43,163 per year ($20.44 per hour) to adequately meet the family's basic needs without public or private assistance.