Verde Independent

01/12/2026

Verde Valley residents demonstrated in several protests and vigils in Cottonwood and Sedona during the weekend. On Sunday, January, 11, 2025, about 120 people turned out at corner of State Route 260 and Main Street in Cottonwood to bring attention to the shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE police officer in Minneapolis last Wednesday. There were also candlelight vigils held in Cottonwood and Sedona held Saturday and Sunday evenings. Story and Saturday’s Verde Independent. (VVN/Vyto Starinskas)

01/11/2026

One of the issues that Chuck Merritt, chairman of Chino Valley Planning and Zoning, brought up is that ERAU training flights in Cottonwood and Clarkdale have brought many complaints from those residents. Merritt asked how this is different.

After hearing from more than 50 speakers, Chino Valley Planning and Zoning voted unanimously, with two absences, to continue the issue of whether to recommend to the town council a

01/10/2026

The result of this will directly affect public safety, according to the supervisor's agenda. Fewer prosecutors means it will take more time to process cases, increasing jail costs. Slowing down case resolution means victim's time for uncertainty will increase and risks the decay of evidence and availability of witnesses.

YAVAPAI COUNTY – The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors voted to table creating a new deputy attorney position within the County Attorney’s Office in the wake of a mass prosecutor

01/10/2026

Here’s what the Arizona regulatory agencies said about what a data center would have to do to get approved in the Camp Verde area.

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles about Camp Verde residents’ concerns about a data center that was proposed in their area.

01/10/2026

“80 nowadays is like the new 60 or something. You know, people are living to be 105 and 107,” Betty Wolters said.

COTTONWOOD — Betty Wolters retired after 23 years of teaching health careers at Tuba City High School in the Navajo Nation and moved to Cottonwood. For Wolters, retirement doesn’t mean

01/10/2026

The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, that the Town should keep the Heritage Pool operating and find funding for a new pool at the Sports Complex.

CAMP VERDE – The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, that the Town should keep the Heritage Pool operating and find funding for a

01/10/2026

On Dec. 5, 2025, the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association hosted the 2025 Stars of the Industry event in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Pines Inn & Suites won the 2025 Sustainability Award.

The award honored Martha Bruening for her leadership and meaningful contributions to sustainability.

COTTONWOOD — Anna May Cory, CEO of The Pines Inn & Suites, said she was ready for the community to know how much Pines Inn values sustainable practices. On Dec.

01/10/2026

Don Dickinson, an 80-year-old resident of Verde Santa Fe, is set to run his 75,000th mile at the RunSedona half marathon on Feb. 7. That’s the same distance as three times around the world.

CORNVILLE – Don Dickinson, an 80-year-old resident of Verde Santa Fe, is set to run his 75,000th mile at the RunSedona half marathon on Feb. 7. That’s the same distance

01/10/2026

On the afternoon of January 3rd, Jerome Police and Fire personnel responded deep into the Wood Chute trail on Mingus Mountain for a UTV rollover involving two occupants. The JFD crew assessed and treated both patients during a lengthy extrication process, and thanks to the help of the DPS Ranger, Yavapai County SAR and Lifeline both patients were airlifted off of the mountain for further treatment. This is a great example of Multiple agencies working together to save lives. Remember to practice safe driving whether you are on the highway or deep into an off-road trail. Jerome Fire Photo

01/09/2026

The Verde River was graded a “C+” by the Friends of the Verde River, a nonprofit, on its second watershed report card, released on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The C+ equated to a 58%. This is a 1% improvement from 2020. The Friends of the Verde River assessed the river in three main categories: water, habitat and communities, using 17 indicators. Water had a slight decrease in score to 48% as well as community, declining to 62%. Habitat improved significantly, from 54% in 2020 to 63%. FOTVR reports this was because of improved upland habitat condition and riparian birds. Recreation also saw a high score of 80% to 100% on the report card. By OLIVIA MAILLET, The Verde Independent Dec 23, 2025. Story:

VERDE VALLEY – The Verde River was graded a “C+” by the Friends of the Verde River, a nonprofit, on its second watershed report card, released on Wednesday, Dec. 17.