Cottonwood Journal Extra

08/21/2026

Yavapai College has until February to provide its regional accreditation agency, the Higher Learning Commission, evidence and documentation on why its accreditation should be maintained.
If the HLC were to revoke its accreditation, students would be unable to transfer class credit or receive federal assistance to pay for tuition, Yavapai College Director of Academic Initiative Megan Crossfield said during a meeting on Aug. 11.

Yavapai College has until February to provide its regional accreditation agency, the Higher Learning Commission, evidence and documentation on why its accreditation should be maintained. If the HLC were to revoke its accreditation, students would be unable to transfer class credit or receive federal...

08/21/2026

In June 2026, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31-year-old Chester Cox, of Cottonwood, after investigating child molestation allegations reported years after the incidents occurred. The initial six charges, including three of s*xual conduct with a minor, two of molestation of child and one of continuous s*xual abuse-child, were filed shortly afterward. Cox is currently being held with no bond.
YCSO detectives executed search warrants of Cox's electronic devices and reportedly found hidden video-recording devices placed in areas under the suspect’s control, including inside his classroom and a private single-use connected restroom at Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary School in Cottonwood. Detectives have identified several minor children who were secretly recorded in the classroom and restroom and appeared to be unaware of the recordings.
On Aug. 21, Cox was booked on additional charges, including numerous counts of surreptitious videotaping and s*xual exploitation of a minor.
Based on the evidence reviewed so far, detectives do not have reason to believe that the material discovered has been distributed. All impacted families have been contacted by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and have been provided information, resources and victim‑rights information.

In June 2026, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31-year-old Chester Cox, of Cottonwood, after investigating child molestation allegations reported years after the incidents occurred. Cox was arrested on multiple counts of s*xual conduct with a minor and child molestation and is currentl...

08/21/2026

We're proud to have helped the Arizona Daily Sun to continue pressing on this important issue.

Put another way, on an average day through the first seven months of 2026 CCSO personnel ran about 17 searches while outside law enforcement agencies ran more than 16,000.

08/20/2026

A chief use of the 2025 Flock camera contract that Cottonwood police cited to gain a $213,992.80 grant from the Arizona Department of Public Safety was to “enhance law enforcement services and programs that reduce human trafficking within the state.” Based on public records obtained from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office’s Flock data, CPD has not used that county’s camera network for human trafficking interdiction.
The Cottonwood Police Department ran 649 searches of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office’s license plate reader network in the first seven months of this year, 16 searches for s*x crimes and four for kidnapping.

Trafficking is 0.37% of Coconino County Sheriff’s Office’s ALPR searches A chief use of the 2025 Flock camera contract that Cottonwood police cited to gain a $213,992.80 grant from the Arizona Department of Public Safety was to “enhance law enforcement services and programs that reduce human t...

08/18/2026

Updated: Aug. 19: An officer-involved shooting took place during a domestic violence incident at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, on Yavapai-Apache Nation tribal land in the Clarkdale area.
"I can tell you all officers are safe," Clarkdale Police Chief Randy Taylor said of the incident, which included two Yavapai Apache Police Department officers and two Clarkdale Police Department officers on scene. "[But] the person that was shot — I don't know what his condition is."
YAN Police released a press release on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 19: "Upon arrival, the responding officer encountered an adult male armed with a large knife. The officer ordered the individual to drop the knife, and the individual withdrew toward the residence," YAPD wrote. Additional YAPD officers and officers from the Clarkdale Police Department subsequently arrived to assist."
The individual later re-emerged from the residence armed with the knife and began advancing toward officers. Officers issued repeated commands for the individual to drop the weapon. A CPD officer used their Taser in an attempt to stop the individual, but the device was ineffective.
The individual continued advancing toward officers while armed with the knife. A YAPD officer then fired two shots. One round hit the individual in the shoulder.
Officers immediately provided first aid at the scene. Verde Valley Fre and Medical personnel responded and transported the individual to a local hospital.
Clarkdale police officers were providing backup to YAPD officers, Taylor said, and because the incident took place on tribal land, the FBI is investigating the incident.
The Yavapai-Apache Nation will provide additional information as it becomes available and can appropriately be released.

Original Post: An officer-involved shooting took place around 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, on Yavapai-Apache Nation tribal land in the Clarkdale area, according to Clarkdale Police Chief Randy Taylor.
“I can tell you all officers are safe,” Taylor said of the incident, which included two Yavapai-Apache Nation officers and two Clarkdale Police Deparrtment officers on scene. “[But] the person that was shot — I don’t know what his condition is.”
Clarkdale police officers were providing backup to YAPD officers, Taylor said. Because the incident took place on tribal land, the FBI is investigating the incident, Taylor said.
“We are currently in process of compiling information to share about the incident,” Yavapai-Apache Nation Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communications Treyson Fulmer stated when reached for comment on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 18.

08/17/2026

The $30 million bond for the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District will be on the November ballot as Proposition 409 and the district announced Wednesday, Aug. 5, plans to discuss the bond with voters.

COCSD Superintendent Jessica Vocca said she’s currently organizing public events, the first of which will be during the Rotary Club of the Verde Valley on Thursday, Aug. 13, from 12:10 to 1 p.m., at Calavera restaurant at 717 S. Main St.

Initial enrollment student count currently higher than projected The $30 million bond for the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District will be on the November ballot as Proposition 409 and the district announced Wednesday, Aug. 5, plans to discuss the bond with voters. COCSD Superintendent Jessica Vocca...

08/16/2026

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. Summer is the height of trauma season, when hospitals frequently see increased demand for blood due to serious injuries and other medical emergencies. The blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. An emergency blood and platelet shortage declaration on July 13. Despite thousands of people who have stepped up to help, donations are still not keeping pace with hospital demand, and the situation has escalated. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer. Emergency blood shortage status continued through July and continues into August.

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. Summer is the height of trauma season, when hospitals frequently see increased demand for blood due to serious injuries and other medical emergencies. The blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. A steep decline in blood donations sinc...

08/14/2026

After several residents spoke at the Aug. 4 Cottonwood City Council meeting about Flock Safety cameras in the city, council voted unanimously to add a discussion to a future meeting.

The motion, brought by Vice Mayor Felicia Coates, included “an opportunity for the community to learn more about the Flock system, how all the data is retained, safeguards and some of the other issues.”

Read more about Flock ALPRs and cameras below.

After public pushback, City Council places ALPRs on a future agenda After several residents spoke at the Aug. 4 Cottonwood City Council meeting about Flock Safety cameras in the city, council voted unanimously to add a discussion to a future meeting. The motion, brought by Vice Mayor Felicia Coates,...

08/14/2026

At approximately midnight on the morning of Thursday, Aug. 13, a Camp Verde Marshal’s Office deputy conducted a civil traffic stop on a vehicle traveling on Interstate 17 near State Route 260 in Camp Verde. The vehicle was being driven by 22-year-old John Sanchez, who was traveling from Phoenix, Arizona, with a female passenger.
While conducting a K-9 search, Sanchez fled and CVMO began a pursuit with speeds reaching more than 100 mph. CVMO determined that female passenger was attempting to exit the vehicle and had called 911, reporting that Sanchez would not allow her to leave.
Arizona Department of Public Safety deployed spike strips on Interstate 17 near Mile Marker 328, disabling the vehicle’s tires and Sanchez fled on foot, but was arrested.
He is being charged with kidnapping, endangerment, possession of ma*****na, possession of ma*****na for sale, transportation or sale of ma*****na, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of dangerous drugs for sale.
For the full story, click the link below.

At approximately midnight on the morning of Thursday, Aug. 13, a Camp Verde Marshal’s Office Deputy conducted a civil traffic stop on a vehicle traveling on Interstate 17 near State Route 260 in Camp Verde. The vehicle was being driven by 22-year-old John Sanchez, who was traveling from Phoenix, A...