If everyone gets “merit pay,” does it really mean you’re doing a good job? Read more
So far, the Coldwater Fire up near Lake Mary Road and Highway 87 is a fire scientist’s dream. Read more
When it comes to broadband, the message is, “If you build it, they will come.” Read more
If you have ever had something stolen you know how difficult it can be to get it back. Read more
A new festival is planned for Main Street in September. Read more
I have only just discovered the night. Read more
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
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
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
By July 4th, Main Street could have a complete set of street lamps, but not all the town councilors voted in support. Read more
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
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
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
They rope, they race and they ride. Read more
Arizona this weekend started its fire season after all, with the 7,500-acre Mountain Fire burning toward Horseshoe and Bartlett lakes. Read more
A pickup truck carrying bicycles started a chain-reaction wreck on State Route 87 Thursday afternoon, said Payson Fire Department officials. Read more
The Payson School Board really, really hopes the Arizona Legislature will resume paying for all-day kindergarten classes. 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
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
Wow. Read more
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
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
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 whomever wishes to stop by Rumsey Park ramada 5 and eat c… Read more
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 council said it needs more information before making a c… Read more
My older grandkids catch a lot of fish with their fly rods. Read more
Early on the morning of May 19, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) maintenance supervisor Brett Rupp was driving west on State Route 260 east of Payson when he spotted something out o… 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 almost sold out. Read more
After years of negotiations, Gila County schools and libraries will receive $17 million from the federal E-rate program to bring broadband cable to their locations in Payson, Pine, Tonto Basin… Read more
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 the National Park Service. Read more
Through the end of June, Payson police officers are warning drivers to put away their cell phones while on the road. Read more
Tonto Basin’s population could swell by 300 if a proposal to build a slew of “tiny houses” is approved. 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 and trail to visitors from July 1, 2019, through Au… 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
The Town of Payson irked at least one resident when it ripped up the sidewalk near the playground in Green Valley Park. Read more
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 monster — and don’t forget the exploding hot dog. Read more
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 — but gave the state’s schools much less than they’d… 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
“Facts matter, science matters,” said Coconino County Supervisor Art Babbott as he showcased his independent bid for Arizona House District 6 candidate before several hundred Rim Country Democ… Read more
Life isn’t about beating others, but setting and then besting your own personal records. 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
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
A broadband line from Show Low is coming. Read more
Robert Horne of Kaitie’s Closet couldn’t be more appreciative. 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
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
Visitors to Rim Country are now welcomed by an electronic sign at the Chamber of Commerce. Read more
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
The inaugural Job and Volunteer Fair, organized by the Payson Roundup, attracted more than a 100 job seekers May 2. Read more
Rebecca Sigeti, 61, will serve six years in prison followed by seven years of supervised probation for embezzling $841,000. Read more
Astronaut, fighter pilot and Senate candidate Mark Kelly brought his campaign to Payson last weekend, accompanied by his wife — former Congres… Read more
Payson School Board member Shane Keith this week resigned his seat after the district hired his wife as an English teacher, creating a conflic… Read more
I don’t believe in letting some weather forecaster run your life. So when Tom Osterday said he could take me out in his little boat and prove … Read more
Police say they arrested a man last month for sleeping naked in the park. Read more
If you have not as yet seen the previous two John Wick films staring Keanu Reeves, just go right on ahead and watch this one. Read more
Rain, hail, snow and wind — last week had it all before the traditional kick-off to the summer months — Memorial Day weekend. Read more
A proposed budget plan, including a FY 2020 capital appropriation of $1.25 million from the State Parks Revenue Fund to construct a new pedest… Read more
What the heck: It’s already the end of May. Read more
Phoenix Internet now offers Internet services in Payson. Read more
Payson continues to stash money in its long-depleted reserve fund, thanks to a boost in its sales tax rate, according to its March financial t… Read more
A wildfire is burning slowly south of Payson. Read more
To celebrate Firewise Week, the Forest Park Homeowners Association rented a dumpster for residents to toss clippings and brush. Read more
The race for the state House seat representing Rim Country should have lots of plot twists and intrigue in 2020. Read more
A man shot three times at a local gas station is thanking the community for their support and asking that people pray for the man who shot him. Read more
It’s not one thing that attracts people to the rodeo. Read more
Calling all Payson residents: May 30 offers a chance to weigh in on the Town of Payson’s roughly $19 million general fund budget. Read more
Police are still looking for two alleged Winslow kidnappers that were on the loose for several hours in Payson Friday night. Read more
Rim Country water customers couldn’t block a 52 percent rate increase. Read more
Three years after the Arizona Attorney General’s Office filed charges against former Pine-Strawberry Water Improvement District treasurer Mike… Read more
Playing songs from Mötley Crüe to the ethereal Mark Williams with some jazz thrown in, the bands from Rim Country Middle School and Payson Hig… Read more
Converting a coal-burning power plant to biomass could produce 84 megawatts of electricity annually by 2022 — likely saving a faltering effort… Read more
Becky Friend, hospice care consultant for the Compassus program in Payson, has been recognized for her outstanding performance and inducted in… Read more
The USDA Forest Service, Tonto National Forest and Payson Ranger District have announced overnight camping restrictions along six stretches of… Read more
Don’t say the Payson Town Council doesn't want to do anything with its sales tax windfall. Read more
An SUV flipped on North Beeline Highway Wednesday afternoon after another driver reportedly clipped the rear end of the vehicle. Read more
The East Verde’s dwindling, but Roosevelt Lake’s filling rapidly. Read more
Paula VanBuskirk held up the wide-eyed, scaled, slightly slimy crappie for me to see. Read more
The sawmill whistle is still silent, but Main Street will have new blacktop in a few weeks. Read more
A Payson Unified School District bus driver was arrested Monday morning after reportedly crashing a school bus while intoxicated. Read more
TONTO NATIONAL FOREST – “There’s a certain element of trauma that comes when you are removed from your comfort zone and taken to a place you d… Read more
The Maverick Fire is burning near Hells Hole in the Mazatzal Wilderness. It is creeping along the ground within the Willow Fire Scar. Smoke ma… Read more
Social media marketing was the topic at the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon at the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino on May 7. Read more
When the Payson Town Council voted to increase town staff salaries, it also approved a new steps system designed to keep fire and police offic… Read more
Sen. Sylvia Allen’s (R-Snowflake) plan to raise the state’s sales tax to generate more money for education continues to move through the legis… Read more
Arizona doesn’t have a state budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. Read more
No more drought. Read more
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