2024 Year in Review: Part I

Atlas Global entered into the initial phase of its mega-site project in Winslow, aiming to bring about transformative changes to the area. According to Daniel Lupien, one of the principals of Atlas Global, the first crucial step involved finalizing the development agreement with the City of Winslow. Atlas Global was pursuing the acquisition of 1,200 acres of land south of the airport that was owned by the city. They already owned about 1,800 acres of land around the city and had approximately another 3,100 was in escrow for a total of 4,100 acres, Once the land is secured, Atlas Global planned to submit a comprehensive site plan for pre-application, with the goal of gaining full support from the Southside community. Along with those efforts, a significant number of residents, mainly from the Southside and Coopertown neighborhoods, expressed their deep concerns regarding Atlas Global Development’s plan for an I-40 tradeport within the city.

The Tribune publisher Shawn White presented at Good Morning Winslow, noting that the newspaper has been in business in Navajo County for 115 years, serving the communities of Winslow, Holbrook, Snowflake, Taylor and portions of the Navajo Nation. “Every single major event that has happened over the past 115 years we have had our hands on. We’ve been able to discuss some of the biggest developments coming to Winslow and the surrounding areas and we plan on doing the same in the future.” He acknowledged that many newspapers across the country have closed but that The Tribune is looking to continue for another 115 years, serving the residents of Navajo County.

Law enforcement agencies from Phoenix assisted Navajo County Sheriff’s Office as they executed numerous warrants in both Joseph City and Phoenix in an effort to gather more information regarding the disappearance of then 17-year-old Jarrett Brooks. Jarrett was reportedly last seen on the morning of July 4, 2023, at his home in Joseph City. Despite numerous searches by law enforcement and citizens, no clues have been presented as to his whereabouts. According to information from NCSO, the agency investigated hundreds of tips and leads, with no credible information to date.

The Navajo County Board of Supervisors conducted elections for officers, resulting in a new leadership lineup. Jason Whiting assumed the role of chairman, while Fern Benally was chosen to serve as vice chair.

The City of Holbrook was in the process of hiring a new city manager with Randy Sullivan in the position of interim city manager until the ideal candidate is selected.

Holbrook Police Chief Nathan Christensen reported that due to being short staffed, Officers are at times working 48- to 60-hour weeks. It was noted that assaults against officers increased from two in 2022 year to seven in 2023. Chief Christensen credited this to lack of fear of repercussions from seeing mainstream media showing people receiving light sentences and not really being held responsible. Christensen stated that on average each officer took 907 calls during 2023, broken down to almost 19 calls each week. The department had seven officers including Chief Christensen.

Northland Pioneer College’s District Governing Board selected Rosabel “Rosie” Sekayumptewa to represent the Navajo County Community College Board for District 2 of the college’s coverage area, which encompasses portions of the Navajo and Hopi reservations north of the I-40 corridor including Dilkon, Indian Wells, Greasewood, and Keams Canyon. Also included in District 2 are the portion of Holbrook north of I-40, Joseph City and the area of the Winslow Levee.

Franklin Caldwell was selected as the Winslow Chief of Police. The selection process involved various panels, including a peer panel with other police professionals, a citizens panel, a council panel and a public meet and greet. Each panel ranked the candidates after interviewing them, with the decision based on the candidate who ranked the highest across these panels.

Projects outlined at Holbrook Unified School District for 2024 and financed by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III and Impact Aid funds included HHS science lab remodel, estimated $1.3 million; HHS marquee, estimated at $50,000; HHS wrestling room floor, actual cost of $79,135; repaint HHS gym, estimated at $50,000; HHS gym floor, estimated at $257,000; and end of life evaluation of the Hulet Elementary School building, estimated at $10,000.

For the first time in its 66-year history, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Hashknife Posse had a woman rider taking part in the annual Pony Express Ride. Navajo County Deputy Betty Starns was with the Sheriff’s Office for seven years and was born and raised in Show Low.

Grant Evans, the Navajo County capital projects manager, delivered a detailed presentation on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) Challenge, an initiative overseen by the Arizona Commerce Authority. He stressed the importance of accurately identifying eligible properties in Navajo County for the BEAD program to ensure its effective implementation. The process included a crucial challenge period, allowing internet service providers, local governments and non-profits to review and, if necessary, contest the list of addresses deemed eligible for BEAD funding by the Arizona Commerce Authority. This phase was vital to guarantee that all properties in Navajo County, especially those outside of reservation areas and categorized as unserved or underserved, are accurately identified for broadband development.

February

Romeo Clarence Massey Jr., 45, pleaded guilty in Navajo County Superior Court to the 1996 cold case murder of Jody Hemphill, 28, in a music store in Lakeside. Massey, a resident of Whiteriver, pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the second degree and one count of robbery. He was arrested in June 2023, after the Pinetop-Lakeside Police Department, which has reviewed the case numerous times since 1996, obtained and analyzed new evidence that led investigators to Massey. The murder victim, Hemphill, a resident of Lakeside, was found stabbed to death on Nov. 6, 1996, behind the counter of the Mountain Edge Tapes & CD’s store, where he was an employee. Massey was sentenced to 25 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Thells Baker won the 10 to 11-year-old boys state hoop shoot competition held by the Arizona Elks in Apache Junction, shooting 21 out of 25 free throws. He advanced to the West Regional in Boulder City, Nev. Thells joined the other state champs traveling to Nevada on the Junk-Food Express to take on state champions from Hawaii, Calf., Guam, Utah, Oregon and Washington.

For the first time in over 30 years, a U.S. Senate hearing was held in Flagstaff with Senator Mark Kelly leading the session. This hearing put the spotlight on Arizona’s flood and water management efforts, focusing, amongst other things, on the $100 million Winslow Levee project. Senator Kelly and Colonel Andrew Baker, commander of the Los Angeles District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, delved into the project’s timeline and its implications for the community. Colonel Baker provided an update on the project’s progress, stating, “We still have some big-ticket items remaining. We have our hydrologic modeling and cultural and environmental coordination. All these efforts will feed into the final plans and specifications of the project.” This indicates the remaining work to be done before the project can move forward, with an estimated 2.5 to 3 years required to complete the design and pre-construction phase, aiming construction commencing near the beginning of 2027.

In 2023, Educators for Excellence polled thousands of teachers about their experiences and workloads and found that while 80% of teachers are likely to spend their entire careers in the classroom, only 14% of teachers would recommend the job to others. These striking statistics come as no surprise for educators who have been dealing with the pitfalls of school staffing shortages for years now with little to no reprieve.

A ceremony was held at Vargas Field in Winslow, where the city unveiled a monument in honor of Art Griffith, who stood as a towering figure in the Winslow community, not just for his monumental contributions as the baseball coach and history teacher at Winslow High School from which he retired in 2021, but also for his indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those he taught and coached.

The Navajo County Community College Governing Board approved a motion to make summer tuition free for the next three consecutive years, starting with the 2024 summer semester. The decision will result in an approximately $128,000 revenue reduction each year but will be offset with state appropriations for Maintenance & Operations (M&O) that uses Full Time Student Equivalent (FTSE) for its funding formula. FTSE used in the funding formulas are two years in arrears. After two years, the anticipated increase in enrollment is expected to increase state appropriations helping to offset the tuition reduction.

March

Travis Udall, scheduled to take over as CEO of Little Colorado Medical Center in Winslow in May, was introduced at Good Morning Winslow, and spoke about his background working at the schools in Holbrook for 13 years and then was the superintendent in Round Valley and on the hospital board, which after retiring from education he was appointed to run the hospital in Springerville before being recruited to work at LCMC. “One of the things that we are going to emphasize at the hospital is to improve and strengthen the partnerships with the community,” he stated, expressing his commitment to making LCMC a trusted and dependable healthcare provider for the communities it serves.

Navajo County Economic Director Chris Pasterz shared a win for the local economy with the first tourist focused RV park in Winslow in over two decades. Pasterz also proudly announced the successful hosting of two federal funding summits in Navajo County, aimed at enhancing workforce and job creation initiatives.

Winslow Unified School District partnered with the City of Winslow for student internships aimed at providing junior and senior high school students with real-world work experience. City Councilmember Jim MacLean and City Manager David Coolidge were instrumental in bringing the program to life, setting aside funds to ensure its operation lasts for at least two years.

April

Two area students were recognized at United Way of Northern Arizona’s Annual Campaign & Community Luncheon held at Little America in Flagstaff. Tyra Dixon, a senior at Joseph City High School and Bobbi Seaton, a junior at Holbrook High School, teamed up to collect data and gain insight into the needs of youth in rural Arizona as part of an internship they took part in. The data they collected was presented to UWNA and other organizations who recognize the vital role of youth well-being in ensuring a bright future for local communities and are seeking ways to meet that goal.

Winslow City Council Chief Financial Officer Margaret Dyer informed the council that despite expenditures aligning with the budget, the city was currently facing a revenue shortfall, leading to a deficit of $1.2 million as of the end of February. Dyer attributes the deficit due in part to the state’s flat income tax policy enacted in 2022, which has diminished the city’s revenue share from the state’s net income tax proceeds. This issue is compounded by a slower than expected increase in the city’s sales tax revenue according to Dyer. She mentioned that there was a boost in sales tax near the holiday season, but it had been pretty flat ever since. Dyer reassured the council that projects would remain unaffected due to prior fund allocations and the securing of grant monies.

Winslow Mayor Roberta “Birdie” Cano along with council members Melissa Nelson, Darcey McKee and Jim MacLean traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the League of Cities annual meeting. During this visit, Mayor Cano had the opportunity to meet with President Joe Biden. She was one of roughly 20 people selected out of thousands of mayors and elected officials nationwide to meet President Biden.

The Holbrook council discussed the potential of moving forward with the idea of a proposed community park and pond. The idea of the park was proposed by Interim Manager Randy Sullivan in 2017 to be developed on donated land located north of Hopi Drive and west of 13th Avenue on the west end of town. If developed, the site would include a fishing pond, amphitheater, walking paths, and more. Stantec Engineering, an international firm, provided a study on the potential park at no cost, including an artist’s rendition and data for the area. When city management changed hands in 2019, the idea was removed from consideration. Now that the city is under a different administration, the concept has resurfaced.

Students at Joseph City Elementary School, under the direction of Principal Darrell Mosier planted a lilac bush as a memorial to April Sartain-La Grange. Sartain taught for 17 years at Joseph City Elementary and passed away in April of 2022.

Northland Pioneer College President Chato Hazelbaker resigned from the college to accept a position as president of Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, Colo.

May

Lisa Salazar, the director of Holbrook Extended Care, was recognized for her 39 years of exemplary service to the senior citizen community of Holbrook by the Congressional Office of Eli Crane.

In a move that sparked immense excitement across Navajo County, Mike Budenholzer, originally from Holbrook, was appointed as the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns. This appointment marks a notable chapter in Budenholzer’s distinguished coaching career. Growing up in Holbrook, Budenholzer’s basketball journey began in the local Holbrook public basketball courts, setting the foundation for his future in the sport. He competed for Holbrook High School in multiple sports including basketball. His coaching career, known for strategic depth and a focus on both strong defense and dynamic offense, has seen him rise to prominence in the NBA. Prior to his new role with the Suns, Budenholzer led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA Championship in 2021. His approach to the game has garnered respect and admiration across the league.

The Joseph City Lady Wildcats came home state champions after a 26-4 victory over Bagdad in the 1A state title game. The Wildcats were unstoppable, with 19 hits and six home runs. The 26 runs broke the all-time state record for a championship game, regardless of classification. This was the ninth softball championship in school history and first since 2010.

Holbrook High School seniors vied for the title of Mr. Roadrunner with Connor Winn taking the crown. Also competing for the title were Darnell Nez (who won first runner-up), Octavio Rodriguez (second runner-up), Hunter Love, Anu Pittman, Larin Nez, Judah Pack and Isaiah Hicks. The contestants compete to raise funds to support HHS’ Travis Yazzie Scholarship.

Rylan DeSpain, Avery Hartnet and Lana Westover were each announced as Winslow High School valedictorians, with Kiernan Marquez and Talan Henling announced as salutatorians.

The Winslow City Council approved a memorandum of understanding, officially joining the ambitious Zero40 project, which aims to transform 1,124 miles of Interstate-40 into a greener and more sustainable transportation corridor. This initiative is part of a broader effort led by the New Mexico Environment Department, along with other key partners like the City of Kingman and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, to develop a network of Clean Transportation Centers (CTCs) equipped with advanced clean energy technologies.

After more than a year of public discourse and anticipation, the first official submission of the Winslow Commerce and Industrial Park Planned Area Development (PAD) was made to the city. This extensive proposal, crafted by Atlas Global Development Group LLC, outlines the future transformation of approximately 1,618 acres into an industrial and commercial hub. The plan aims to leverage Winslow’s strategic location, including proximity to major transport routes and the Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport, to attract significant business opportunities and economic growth. This recent submission marks a crucial step forward in the realization of a multi-billion-dollar project that promises to reshape the economic landscape of Winslow. This initial submission is to receive comments and to make drafts and was not expected to be passed by city council in its initial form.

The Holbrook High School valedictorian for 2024 was Vyktorianna Bowler with Channing DeSpain announced as salutatorian.

The Navajo County Community College Governing Board accepted a grant from the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity Quality Jobs in the amount of $472,000. The funds from the grant were earmarked to purchase equipment for the firefighting program, welding and a new commercial driver’s license (CDL) training program.

The Joseph City High School valedictorians were Ava Hancock and Kayle James, with Madyson Powers named salutatorian.

The Snowflake High School valedictorian was Kaja Brimhall, with Zachary Hall as salutatorian.

The Holbrook City Council approved a city manager contract with Sharon Jakubowski Wolz. Jakubowski Wolz is a seasoned executive leader with a diverse background spanning the public, private and nonprofit sectors. She holds a master’s degree in business management and a Certified Public Manager distinction. Wolz has excelled in various roles, from serving as interim city administrator in Walsenburg, Colo., to town manager in Kearny.

June

The Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe reached a historic milestone for water security in northeastern Arizona. In a momentous act of tribal solidarity, all three tribes approved a settlement agreement with state parties and other non-Indian water users to resolve the tribes’ respective claims to surface water and groundwater in northeastern Arizona. These parties of the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Settlement Agreement concluded intensive, months-long negotiations, decades in the making. But the settlement must be formally approved by each of the parties’ leadership and ratified by an act of federal legislation before the tribes can enforce their water rights.

Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting fell under investigation of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. The investigation involved the alleged misuse of public monies, and threatening and intimidating a political opponent. In a letter submitted to the Apache County Board of Supervisors, Attorney General Kris Mayes stated that her office served a warrant on the Apache County Attorney’s Office on June 3, and another warrant was also served at Whiting’s home address.

The Navajo County Historical Society announced the relocation of the historic APA 800 locomotive to the Historic Navajo County Courthouse in Holbrook. The APA 800, a rare RS36 locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1962, is one of only 40 engines of its kind ever produced. Today, fewer than a handful remain, making this locomotive a valuable piece of rail history. The Apache Railway generously donated the APA 800, which is currently painted green but will be restored to its original Aztec silver with red accents. The locomotive measures 57 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 15 feet high. To prepare for the move, the locomotive has been gutted, reducing its weight from 240,000 pounds to 166,000 pounds.

The Holbrook City Council approved a zone change for Parcel 109-13-008A to agriculture to allow for the intended use of leasing out a portion of the parcel to Daniel Hutchens for the development of a motocross track, which would cover approximately 110 acres. The parcel is located on the south end of Holbrook, behind the Public Works building west of Highway 77 and north of Highway 377. Hutchens explained the need for an organized racetrack in Northern Arizona, mentioning long travel times being an upward of over seven hours roundtrip to visit others in the state.

The Arizona Commerce Authority awarded Northland Pioneer College (NPC) a 2024 Economic Resources Transition Grant to relocate and build a new center in Kayenta. The $8.9 million grant will facilitate the economic revitalization of the Kayenta area by expanding NPC’s program offerings, educational services, and economic development resources within the region.