Coconino County

Thomas Pristow has been named as the new Coconino County Health and Human Services Director. Pristow is currently the deputy commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. He oversees support services for the state’s child welfare, Medicaid, homelessness, child support, behavioral health, and public health. He directs a staff of three-thousandFull Story

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors has adopted the county’s $215-million dollars budget. The board approved the plan Tuesday. This fiscal year’s budget includes additional investments in capital financing, flood control and forest restoration. It also invests in economic development, continued funding for teacher professional development and adds resources to address behavioral health costs suchFull Story

A third lawsuit filed against Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll by the ACLU regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees, has been dismissed. Coconino County Superior Court Judge Mark Moran ruled Thursday the latest lawsuit lacked standing to bring action. The suit was filed by Jose Montelongo-Morales, claiming he was held unlawfully pursuant to an immigrationFull Story

Coconino County announced Monday they will merge three departments into one. The Public Health Services District, Community Services and the Career Center will all become the Health and Human Services Department. County Supervisor Liz Archuleta said Monday “we’re very confident that combining these services into one department will improve access to these vital services.” TheFull Story

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Department responded to more than 500 calls over the Memorial Day Weekend. Officials say among the calls they received, six were due to fire, 23 emergency situations and 23 disturbing the peace calls. Deputies responded to six off-road accidents, conducted over 140 traffic stops resulting in 29 moving violation citations. SearchFull Story

Coconino County Emergency Management is conducting a test of the emergency notification system on Memorial Day. The test will help ensure that the system is up to date. County officials are urging residents to sign-up to receive emergency notifications. The test will be conducted between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. During the test residents shouldFull Story

Coconino County health officials are urging people to protect themselves against rabies. The Coconino County Public Health Service District says if you are bitten or have had contact with an animal suspected to have rabies, to seek immediate medical attention. Prior to symptoms appearing, rabies is a preventable viral disease, that’s most often transmitted fromFull Story

Coconino County Courts are hosting Law Day this Friday at the Coconino County Courthouse. This year’s theme is: “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society.” The theme provides an opportunity to explore the ways the First Amendment has shaped American law and society. Throughout the day, local middle school and high school students will participate inFull Story

Repairs to a four-mile stretch of Townsend-Winona Road will get underway this week. The county secured the $1.4-million emergency maintenance contract for the project and it was approved by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The project includes milling and installing of asphalt on the travel lanes and shoulders of the road betweenFull Story

Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies discovered a dead body Saturday at Bly Pit in the Blue Ridge area. Investigators were called to the scene at around 3:30 p.m. and located the body of a female. The body was slightly decomposed. The body was taken to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s office to identify the body. DetectivesFull Story