Firefighters continue to battle the Woodbury Fire, currently at 36,490 acres, zero percent contained. Read more
DILKON – Neda Billie has been waiting to turn on the lights for 15 years. Read more
WASHINGTON – Gov. Doug Ducey touted Arizona’s first-in-the-nation universal licensing recognition law at the White House Thursday to a receptive audience of governors and the president, who we… Read more
The latest official update on the Woodbury Fire reports that crews continued to monitor the eastern edge of the fire where it has slowly moved onto Iron Mountain. In the southwest corner near … Read more
Teacher merit pay
If everyone gets “merit pay,” does it really mean you’re doing a good job? Read more
Firefighters were called to the Payson Senior Center Tuesday morning after staff saw smoke coming from a cooler on top of the building and smelled what they thought was burning electrical wires. Read more
So far, the Coldwater Fire up near Lake Mary Road and Highway 87 is a fire scientist’s dream. Read more
Smoke being emitted from the Coldwater Fire just south of Clints Well and along the Beeline Highway has hovered over Pine-Strawberry for days causing burning eyes, runny noses and wheezing for… Read more
If you have ever had something stolen you know how difficult it can be to get it back. Read more
Realty Executives has welcomed agent Kim Anderson to Realty Executives Northern Arizona. Read more
A new festival is planned for Main Street in September. Read more
The Philanthropic Educational Organization’s STAR Scholarship for 2019 went to Perla Luna, a student at Payson High School, May 14. Read more
Night skies
I have only just discovered the night. Read more
Override
With arts classes, maintaining class sizes and nearly 10 percent of its operating budget on the line, the Payson School Board voted this week to seek a voter extension of its budget override. Read more
Donations
The Mogollon Sporting Association once again came through for Rim Country’s kids, with nearly $9,000 in donations to sports programs to the Payson school district. Read more
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When it comes to broadband, the message is, “If you build it, they will come.” Read more
A breast cancer diagnosis inspired a group of friends to recently host a neighborhood party for Jodi Jenkins. Read more
Payson Councilor Steve Smith on June 12 filed an open meeting law violation complaint with the Arizona attorney general against the mayor and three council members. Read more
Coconino National Forest leadership has issued a temporary closure order for public safety for the Coldwater Fire area where interior pockets of unburned fuel will continue to have fire activity. Read more
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By July 4th, Main Street could have a complete set of street lamps, but not all the town councilors voted in support. Read more
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The Payson Unified School District’s transportation department is in turmoil, with the crash of a bus whose driver was cited for drunk driving, the departure of the transportation manager and … Read more
Teacher pay
Recent increases in teacher pay haven’t come close to lifting Arizona to the national average, according to a national survey released last week by Expect More Arizona. Read more
I love fish and fishing. I like trying to figure out how I can improve my fishing success based on what I learn about the fish I am fishing for. Read more
Editor’s note: From the June 4, 2019 Roundup — “Distracted driving law takes effect — the Payson Town Council on April 11 approved a new law that bans drivers from using handheld cell phones w… Read more
dermatology certified nurse practitioner, payson dermatology Read more
Does feeling tired, sluggish, and not at your optimal energy level describe you? Here are some natural ways to boost your energy: Read more
There are a number of myths about cataracts and cataract surgery, the following is from Prevent Blindness (preventblindness.org). Read more
June is National Men’s Health Month. On average, men die five years younger than women, and die at higher rates from nine of the top 10 causes of death, according to an article by Men’s Health… Read more
Broadband advocates on Thursday will try again to convince the Payson Town Council to add $90,000 to next year’s budget to help update the infrastructure for reliable high-speed internet. Read more
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They rope, they race and they ride. Read more
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Arizona this weekend started its fire season after all, with the 7,500-acre Mountain Fire burning toward Horseshoe and Bartlett lakes. Read more
The internet is no longer a tool business owners can wait to figure out, it is time to set up a website and get on social media. Read more
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A pickup truck carrying bicycles started a chain-reaction wreck on State Route 87 Thursday afternoon, said Payson Fire Department officials. Read more
political agenda
The Payson School Board really, really hopes the Arizona Legislature will resume paying for all-day kindergarten classes. Read more
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The Payson Patriotic Events Committee is organizing a ceremony for Flag Day, Friday, June 14 at the Veterans Memorial at Green Valley Park. Read more
Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct two prescribed burns this week south of Flagstaff on Tuesday (June 11) and Thursday (June 13). Read more
PHOENIX – The more than 500,000 military veterans in Arizona now have greater access to health care options beyond those available from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A nationwide program… Read more
In this, the last Fox produced “X Men” film, a big structural problem comes to the moviemakers. Like the Marvel movie creation, “Captain Marvel,” what can you do with a character with what amo… Read more
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Under the stars of a clear June evening at a home off of Tyler Parkway, Time Out Shelter supporters wiped away tears as they watched a video on the state of the 28-bed shelter, the only one in… Read more
A group of local farmers, artisans and cooks have launched an open air market. Read more
Adults and children alike grooved to the music as Sol DeVille kicked off the Payson Summer Concert Series at Green Valley Park Saturday night. Read more
With too many inexperienced and ill-equipped hikers making the hike into Fossil Creek during the hot summer months, the Forest Service announced last week it is closing the trail from Strawber… Read more
The Tonto National Forest will waive fees at day-use recreation sites on Saturday, June 8, in honor of National Get Outdoors Day. Read more
As the number of measles cases approaches 1,000 throughout the country, Gila County has had no cases reported, according Michael O’Driscoll, director of the county’s health and emergency servi… Read more
Good fire, bad fire
Wow. Read more
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The Payson Town Council this week moved money around to add $560,000 for a splash pad and other capital projects to the town’s budget for 2019. Read more
Several Julia Randall Elementary students snagged a free bike on the last day of school. Read more
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The Arizona Game and Fish Department will close the Page Springs, Canyon Creek and Tonto Creek fish hatcheries to the public during select dates for pavement repairs. Read more
Fire managers on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest have determined a lightning-caused fire that began May 30 is ideal for managing and will allow the fire to fu… Read more
IN THE PARK »
For 16 years, the local Dutch oven group — PA-DOG — has served up meals made in Dutch ovens on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to whomeve… Read more
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Backers of a plan to bring redundant high speed internet to Rim Country took their case to the Payson Town Council on Thursday, but the counci… Read more
My older grandkids catch a lot of fish with their fly rods. Read more
Just 10 months after it opened, Pasta G’s Ristorante Italiano has closed. Read more
Early on the morning of May 19, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) maintenance supervisor Brett Rupp was driving west on State Route … Read more
If the words “inspiring, unforgettable teacher” summon images of a Hollywood hero, read a few of the glowing nominations below for 2019 Gila C… Read more
Gila County hosts an auction of cars, trucks, tractors, floodlights and more June 8 in Globe. Read more
Arizona author Annemarie Eveland has received a daunting range of training over the years — but arguably no class was as quickly put to use as… Read more
Annemarie Eveland, leaning over litter, learned a wide variety of skills in training with the Tonto Rim Search and Rescue Team, including how … Read more
Make sure to tarp, cover or secure your trash — and bring coins or $1 bill if you’re hauling a load to Buckhead Mesa Landfill on Saturday, Jun… Read more
Have feral cats? Happy Tails Mobile Vet clinic is now offering low-cost spay and neuter surgery for feral cats. Cat and dog surgeries must be … Read more
If you’re planning to attend the third annual Chari-Tea High Tea with Friends event June 9 and don’t have your ticket yet, hurry. The event is… Read more
Thirteen students received scholarships to attend Gila Community College (GCC) this fall. Read more
Eastern Arizona College Small Business Development Center presents webinar "Social Media for Small Business" from noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, June 13. Read more
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After years of negotiations, Gila County schools and libraries will receive $17 million from the federal E-rate program to bring broadband cab… Read more
Gila Community College announced the Payson honor students for the Spring 2019 semester. Read more
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Monument economics »
The 40,000 visitors to Tonto National Monument pump $3.6 million annually into the region’s economy, according to a just-completed analysis by… Read more
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Through the end of June, Payson police officers are warning drivers to put away their cell phones while on the road. Read more
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Tonto Basin’s population could swell by 300 if a proposal to build a slew of “tiny houses” is approved. Read more
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A local favorite is back. Read more
When we think of great music collaborative pairs we think of Rogers and Hammerstein, Learner and Lowe or Rogers and Hart. Read more
The Tonto National Forest, in coordination with the Coconino National Forest, will implement a temporary closure of Fossil Springs trailhead a… Read more
Pinal and Gila counties could have been siblings. Read more
“I can’t believe we’re at a chimney fire this late in May,” said Payson Fire Chief David Staub. “Usually we’re responding to wildfires.” Read more
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The Town of Payson irked at least one resident when it ripped up the sidewalk near the playground in Green Valley Park. Read more
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Visitors to the Pine Firewise Day not only learned how to protect their homes from wildfire, they met a vulture named Voldemort and a Gila mon… Read more
State Schools budget
The state’s new $11.8 billion budget nearly doubled the reserve fund, increased spending by 11 percent and cut taxes by nearly $500 million — … Read more
From Louis Vuitton and Coach purses to clothing, shoes and jewelry — a new store, Consign Your Design, at 706 N. Beeline Highway, has it all. Read more
Two kidnapping suspects from Winslow who ran from Payson police earlier this month have been arrested, according to the Winslow Police Department. Read more
A 73-year-old woman driving home from work Tuesday escaped serious injury when her vehicle rolled east of Payson, officials say. Read more
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Babbott
“Facts matter, science matters,” said Coconino County Supervisor Art Babbott as he showcased his independent bid for Arizona House District 6 … Read more
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Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm grew from a simple question, “What won’t elk eat?” It turns out they won’t eat lavender. Read more
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A concerned Kathlene Thomson kept an eye on the weather forecast. Read more
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Life isn’t about beating others, but setting and then besting your own personal records. Read more
The first Payson Farmers Market of the year took place from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 25 in the Sawmill Theatre Shopping Center. The weekly… Read more
Payson High School graduates donned their caps and gowns – not for graduation – but for high fives and good vibes. Read more
Update: As of 438 p.m. all lanes are clear according to ADOT. Read more
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While unseasonable wet weather delays the wildfire season, the Payson Police Department went ahead with its annual surprise evacuation drill o… Read more
Arizonans who have medical marijuana cards are legally entitled to buy and use gummy bears, candies, extracts, tinctures and resins of the pla… Read more
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A broadband line from Show Low is coming. Read more
The Payson campus of Gila Community College celebrated the graduation of 16 students at their 2019 Commencement held at First Church of the Na… Read more
Robert Horne of Kaitie’s Closet couldn’t be more appreciative. Read more
Gila County has received $1.16 million from the 2019 Secure Rural Schools Act (SRS) funds. Read more
Just a year after a pedestrian bridge was rebuilt at one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rim Country, it needs to come out. Read more
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Tears filled Corrine VandenBerg’s eyes as she gazed at a colorful new mural that adorns the front of Payson Elementary School. For her, it is … Read more
In the Superman tradition an alien foundling gets blasted off to Earth to save the cute little guy's life. We get a hint of this re-casting of… Read more
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Visitors to Rim Country are now welcomed by an electronic sign at the Chamber of Commerce. Read more
Override election
A fretful Payson School Board this week asked for a resolution to be brought to them at the next board meeting to seek voter approval to conti… Read more
