2016: The year in review, Part II

City workers demolished the old concessions stand at Barrow Field in Holbrook. The removal of the old building helped to beautify the Little League field, where the dugouts and field were rehabilitated, and a new concessions facility was built last year.

The Holbrook School District’s emphasis on a “Healthy Holbrook” paid off in more ways than expected as Hulet Elementary School was awarded a $100,000 grant from the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils to create a Don’t Quit! Fitness Center. The funds were used to transform the old gym at Hulet Elementary School into a fitness room for use by students at the school, as well as Holbrook Junior High School students.

The Navajo County Governmental Complex was placed on lockdown after Soloman Diaz, 47, reportedly gunned down two women, Ashley Utley, 25, and her mother, Sherry Quintero-Davenport, 45, in front of the Superior Court building following a child custody dispute.

Arizona Public Service Co. announced a change in leadership at Cholla Power Plant in Joseph City as Ed Seal moved from his position as plant manager to another position in APS’s Fossil Engineering department. The new plant manager, Richard “Rick” Nicosia, previously served as the division manager for APS’s Northeast Division.

August

Keira Brown, the daughter of Ryan Brown and the late Brenda Tsosie, was crowned the 2016-17 Holbrook Summer Dance Princess. Keira is 9 and a fourth grader at Hulet Elementary School in Holbrook. She represented Holbrook and the Summer Dance Group throughout the year at various pow-wows and local events.

No charges were filed against Winslow Police Officer Austin Shipley in the shooting death of Loreal Tsingine that occurred in March following a shoplifting incident. A review by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office found no evidence of criminal conduct on the part of Shipley.

Holbrook City Manager Ray Alley resigned unexpectedly, nine months earlier than anticipated. Assistant City Manager Randy Sullivan stepped in as the interim manager until the position could be permanently filled.

Holbrook High School graduate Samantha Perkins, who is now employed by the Centers for Disease Control, addressed teachers and staff at the Holbrook School District teachers’ assembly at the beginning of the school year on the success of her education.

George Joe, founder and CEO of Diné Media, was appointed as the District 2 representative on the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board. Joe is a resident of Dilkon and a graduate of Winslow High School.

Betsyann Wilson, executive director of NPC Friends and Family, reported that the organization had provided $74,900 in scholarships in the 2015-16 school year, more than triple bestowed in the previous year.

Winslow Police Chief Stephen Garnett retired from his position with the department. In his place the city hired a temporary administrator to determine what areas need to change, and what new programs and policies can be implemented to benefit both the public and the department.

Former Holbrook resident Lauren Freedman, who now lives in Los Angeles, gained fame as the voiceover for the new Xbox One S game console commercial.

The Navajo County Finance Department expressed concern regarding the decrease in sales tax revenues coming from the state. In the first month of fiscal year 2016, sales tax came in $86,000 less than expected. It was noted that if the declining trend in sales tax were to continue for the next 11 months, Navajo County could face a shortfall of $1 million.

September

Claude Endfield retired as coordinator for Northland Pioneer College’s Early Childhood Education program. The Navajo County Community College District Governing Board recognized her 28 years of service by awarding her Faculty Emeritus status Aug. 16.

Results of the primary election showed County Treasurer Debby Kester, County Recorder challenger Doris Clark and District III Supervisor Jason Whiting won and face no opposition in the November General Election. Those running unopposed in both the primary and general elections included County Assessor Cammy Darris, County Attorney Brad Carlyon, County School Superintendent Jalyn Gerlich, Division II Superior Court Judge Robert Higgins, Division III Superior Court Judge Dale Nielson and Division IV Superior Court Judge Michala Ruechel.

Former Holbrook resident and Holbrook High School graduate Kesha Ward Carter was promoted to plant director of the South Point Generating Station in Las Vegas, N.V.

The Junior Miss Pageant crowned new royalty, including Little Miss Jaycee Greer and Junior Miss Lexi Olson, both of Holbrook.

Winslow celebrated the unveiling of a new bronze statue in the likeness of Glenn Frey at the Standin’ on the Corner Park. Phoenix radio station KSLX covered most of the cost of making the statue, but Tom McCauley was instrumental in adding this tribute of the Eagle’s founder and co-writer of the town’s theme song, Take It Easy.

October

Two area ranchers, James O’Haco of Winslow and the late J. Charles Wetzler, were honored as agricultural pioneers when they were inducted into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame.

Kiana Rae Boyd, a 2016 graduate of Holbrook High School, was crowned Miss Southwestern Navajo 2016-2017. During her year serving as an ambassador, Kiana planned to promote the importance of education, and sharing traditional and cultural awareness.

The Native American Christian Academy Warriors ran in the league cross country championship and successfully defended their crown by winning yet another title against six other teams.

The Winslow City Council approved the sale of approximately 15 acres in the Pioneer Acres Subdivision for the development of an equestrian center. The owners, Albert J. Jenkins and Penny M. Bowers, intend to use the property for commercial horse boarding, and equestrian clinics and shows.

The funds tallied from the Pedal the Petrified bike race at Petrified Forest National Park totaled $40,500, a total of $16,700 more than was raised the previous year. The ride hosted 250 bicyclists and was organized by the Northland Pioneer College Friends and Family, with the proceeds to be use as scholarships for NPC students.

NPC President Jeanne Swarthout announced that she would retire at the end of June 2018. Dr. Swarthout has been employed by the college since 2001 and has served as president since 2007.

November

The Navajo County Board of Supervisors approved a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for additional time and $1.4 million more in funds from the City of Winslow and the county to complete the feasibility study required to move forward on rebuilding the levee in Winslow. The total cost of the feasibility study, once completed, is now expected to be around $14 million, half of which is covered by the federal government and sponsored funds from the Corps of Engineers.

Sydney Walters, a 2014 graduate of Holbrook High School, was crowned as 2016-17 Miss Native American University of Arizona.

Holbrook native Paige Peterson was named interim Navajo County finance director following the departure of James Menlove. Peterson has worked for the county since 2012.

Winslow Police Officer Austin Shipley resigned after being placed on paid leave following the shooting death of Loreal Tsingine. His resignation came a week after the completion of an internal affairs investigation by the Mesa Police Department that determined no wrongdoing.

The local results of the November General Election showed Sheriff KC Clark retaining his position and Derrick Leslie winning a seat on the Navajo County Community College Board for District 5. Joseph Hartnett, Sharon Greenwood and Allen Leonard filled three vacancies on the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board.

The Navajo County Public Health Department reported a significant increase in reports of infectious diseases in Navajo County. In 2015 there were 665 cases reported and 2016 the number of cases jumped to 1,295.

The Navajo County Board of Supervisors honored fallen Show Low police officer Darrin Reed, who was fatally shot after responding to a disturbance call on Nov. 8. Reed was well known to many at the county as he worked 10 years as a county sheriff’s deputy prior to working for the Show Low Police Department.

December

Kaylynn Lyons was selected as Miss Winslow Native American 2016-17. She is the daughter of Terri Crocker and Kelleigh Lyons, and a senior at Winslow High School.

Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology students Treavor Cly, Trishane Cly, Zach Hartnett and Reginald Yazzie of Winslow High School, Kelsey Farr of Joseph City High School, and Juwan Cummings, Kohl Potts and Hershal Skeet of Holbrook High School took home third place in the Best Welding Fabricated Project category from a field of 12 of the top welding programs in the Southwest.

Students nominated to the All-AZ Academic Team from Northland Pioneer College included Jayden Gubler and Talaina Fisher representing the Holbrook-Painted Desert Campus, and Kimberly Baber and Barbara Hawkins, representing the Winslow-Little Colorado Campus. The nomination entitled awardees to tuition waivers for up to 60 credits at any Arizona university.

Local poet and retired Hulet Elementary School aide Bea Darbe published her first book of poems entitled, With Each Word-I Follow.

Holbrook High School graduate Mike Gardner was featured for his accomplishments as a lobbyist with Triadvocates, the top government relations firm in Arizona, and his service on the board of directors of the Arizona Education Foundation.

Winslow Unified School District Superintendent Lance Heister announced he would be retiring in April 2017 after 30 years of service as a school superintendent, with eight of those years at WUSD.

Eight candidates submitted their council packets and met the requirements to run for three four-year terms on the Holbrook City Council. The candidates include incumbents Wade Carlisle, Earl Kester and Richard Peterson, Armando Aguilera Sr., Lena Alley, Louis Baldonado Jr., Paul Garcia and Frank Lucero.

The Hopi High School cross country team earned its 27th consecutive state title, making it the second longest consecutive championship title in any high school sport in the state and fourth in the nation.

Students attending Northland Pioneer College were taking advantage of the grant and scholarship offerings provided by the NPC Friends & Family. The total amount awarded for the 2016-17 academic year to date was $33,810, but that amount was expected to grow to $48,300 by the end of May. This is a dramatic increase since Wilson took over operations just a few years ago when the highest annual disbursement was $4,498 by fall 2014.

The Joseph City Unified School District Governing Board welcomed TC Fish and Jeremy Miller as new board members with the departure of Julie Davis and Jennie Miller.

Ferral Knight was re-elected as president of the Holbrook Unified School District Governing Board. Claudia Jackson was elected vice president.