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Down and dirty at the Petrified Mud Run

Folks got down and dirty during the Petrified Mud Run in Holbrook last weekend. The two-mile course provided obstacles and lots of mud for participants to make their way through on a not-so-typical Saturday morning. Several people were…

By Shawn White · Oct 27, 2026 · 5:11 pm
02

WUSD moves to raise wage of business manager

Winslow Unified School District’s Business Manager Casey Hancock announced that he is resigning and as a result the…

Tuesday, 5:11 pm
03

Bull market on the Hashknife land

This 1880s photo of Hashknife cowboys shows some of the rough, hard-working men who rode for Aztec Land…

Tuesday, 5:11 pm
04

Area residents report not receiving mail-in ballots

Several Joseph City residents have reported to The Painted Desert Tribune that they have not received their early…

Tuesday, 5:11 pm
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Photo by Amanda NicholsFFA members including (front row, left to right) Greenhand Officers Calla Tatman, Amelya Marsh, Selena Campos, Kelton Chairez, Chapter Officer Elexis White (back row) Chapter Officers Savanna White, Kristen Newby, Jade McNeil, Caleb Vowell, Hunter Germain and Elizabeth Moses welcome first year agriculture students who received their degrees.

Snowflake FFA welcomes 42 new Greenhand members

By Amanda Nichols · Oct 14
By L. Parsons Paul Watson who has served Navajo County for 31 years retired on Oct. 15. Last week, during the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Watson was presented with honors from his friends and family, the supervisors and co-workers. Watson most recently worked as the Economic Development Director and Assistant County Manager of Navajo County. According to Human Resources Director, Eric Scott, “He started with the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and was there for 19 years, even serving as the town manager. He also served as the town manager for Snowflake for seven and a half years.” Many county employees sang Watson’s praises, beginning with Scott. “I have noticed that his character is very strong, he stands up for what he believes in. He has a calm demeanor and he has a great sense of humor. He is a great leader and has been a great asset to Navajo County.” Navajo County Manager Glen Kephart had this to say, “We are extremely grateful to you and for your service to the communities in this region. It has been my honor to work with you as a partner and to mentor under you.” The Mayor Stephanie Irwin of Pinetop-Lakeside presented Watson with a gift and said, “We appreciate the groundwork he laid in our community.” Hunter Moore, natural resources policy advisor to Governor Doug Ducey also had words of congratulations for Watson and said, “He has helped to shape policy in this state. It has been a remarkable experience to work with him.” Chip Davis of Congressman Tom O’Halleran’s office also thanked Watson for his dedication to protecting natural resources and serving Navajo County and the White Mountain region. District III Jason Whiting was also very appreciative of Watson’s leadership and friendship. In an emotional speech, Whiting said, “I admire you; I appreciate you and I wish you well in your next chapter.” Many others spoke about Watson, the general consensus was that he has been important to the region and will be missed in the day-to-day operations. Watson was emotional as he recounted the time he has spent in Navajo County, explaining that he was the City Manager of Pinetop-Lakeside when the Rodeo Chediski Fire tore through the mountains. “I have dealt with the closing of the paper mill and the devastation that caused for families who worked there and now Navajo County is closing NGS (Navajo Generating Station). So, I would just warn anyone not to hire me,” Watson said jokingly. “What I will remember most is the value of people and the value of relationships. It is in the toughest times that you see the best of man. I truly have been blessed to see the best of people.” Watson will not be leaving the county entirely. He will be working in a consulting capacity beginning Oct. 15. In other business, the Board of Supervisors: * Accepted the warrant and voucher report for September 2019 for invoices over $1,000. * Adopted a resolution cancelling the elections for Pinedale, Porter Mountain and Ski-Hi domestic water improvement districts and appointing the candidates or deeming the position vacant. * Approved one back tax land parcel sold over the counter in the amount of $1,323. * Approved Desierto de Colores Ballet Folklorico’s request for $250 in AARF funds. * Approved the purchase of vehicles in the amount of $26,271 with funds from the State of Arizona’s Constable Ethics, Standards and Training Board equipment grant program. * Approved a letter to be sent to Governor Doug Ducey regarding elimination mandated county payments to support the state operated and managed Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) signed by all 15 Arizona counties. * Approved contracts signed by the city manager for professional services with Painted Sky for Shumway Road in Snowflake for signing and striping plans in the amount of $6,040, services with Ironside Engineering and Development for the Buck Springs Road in Pinetop Speed Study in the amount of $9,100, a drainage study at Pond Road in Lakeside in the amount of $8,600, and Lone Pine Dam Road at Highway 160 improvement plans in the amount of $48,400. * Appointed Karen Silverstein Edmondson, Ben Dixon, Alice Zah, Shannon Doreen Thompson and Steven Guy Sheck as Democratic Precinct Committeemen for their respective precincts. * Approved a client services agreement between the Navajo County Women Infant Children (WIC) program and Languares Inc. for American Sign Language services. * Approved a professional services agreement between the county and Alyssa Lemmon, RN to perform public health nursing duties on an as needed basis from Oct. 1- Dec. 31, 2023, at $35 per hour. * Approved an agreement signed by the city manager with SirisDynix for SMS texting to library patrons in the amount of $1,250. * Approved a liquor license owner transfer to Cheryl Harmon at Moose Henri’s Grille Corks and Taps located at 4207A Highway 260 in Lakeside. * Moved into executive session to receive legal advice from the county attorney regarding an undisclosed settlement agreement in the U.S. District Court Case, Navajo Nation v. Katie Hobbs. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the Board chambers located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.

Retiring Assistant County Manager Paul Watson gets proper send-off

By L. Parsons · Oct 14
Photo by China CassidySue Dixson shares some of her many acrylic paintings and a new one she recently completed with water color, (bottom right) a different method than her usual acrylic.

Local artist shares her love of nature through painting

By China Cassidy · Oct 14
Photo by Amanda NicholsIt was a sweet surprise for board member Shea Flake who received a birthday treat from Administrative Assistant Tohna Rogers after the business of the meeting was over.

SUSD board reviews annual financing report

By Amanda Nichols · Oct 14
Photo by L. ParsonsMayor Tom McCauley (left) presented members of the Winslow Fire Department (left to right), Dustin Cole, Michael Lawrence, Derek Begay and Nolan Horn with a proclamation declaring the week of Oct. 6-12 as Fire Prevention Week in Winslow.

Winslow council addresses commercial truck parking

By L. Parsons · Oct 14
Samuel Molina

Fugitive arrested following lengthy stand-off with police

By Tribune Staff · Oct 14
A few years ago, Holbrook High School Assistant Principal and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director Dr. Charles Haussman and HHS physics and math teacher Joel Daniels began to develop a shared vision of building an engineering program at HHS. With the support of Principal Lance Phaturos, Superintendent Dr. Robbie Koerperich, HHS math specialist Rick Hurst, and the Holbrook Unified School District Governing Board, that vision became a reality for the 2019-20 school year. The State of Arizona permits a high school engineering program of study to be managed and taught through a CTE platform. The program of study allows Algebra II to substitute for Engineering I. As a result, HHS students who had completed Algebra II were provided an opportunity to take an Engineering II class this school year. Currently, 13 students are enrolled in the inaugural Engineering II course with plans for an additional Engineering III to be offered next school year. At this moment, the Engineering II students are constructing prototype wind generators and experimenting with various turbine blade materials and turbine blade dimensions. The students are also making extensive use of a 3-D printer to facilitate their work. Once selecting the most efficient wind turbine model, the innovative Roadrunners will then design and build a larger version to power a new class project.

HHS adds engineering to its curriculum for 2019-20

By Tribune Staff · Oct 8
City of Winslow

Domestic violence has no boundaries

By L. Parsons · Oct 8
Photo courtesy of the Bread of Life MissionLaw enforcement officers with the Holbrook Police Department and Navajo County Sheriff’s Office gave generously both of their time and money at the Bread of Life Mission banquet. Pictured here are (left to right) Sheriff David Clouse, HPD Chief Nathan Christensen and Eric Luhmann who assisted with the sound system for the event.

Bread of Life Mission’s annual banquet was a great success

By Tribune Staff · Oct 8
Riders enjoyed the spectacular views of the Petrified Forest while taking part in Pedal the Petrified.

Pedal the Petrified bridges history through annual scholarship ride

By Tribune Staff · Oct 8
Photo by Amanda NicholsSnowflake council members (left to right) Allison Perkins, Hunter Lewis, Mayor Lynn Johnson, and Councilman Byron Lewis were in great spirits as the town council meeting came to a quick close last week.

Council extends mill and overlay on Snowflake Blvd.

By Amanda Nichols · Oct 8
Photo courtesy of Winslow Police DepartmentThis in-store video snapshot shows the two suspects that robbed a Winslow Circle K this week.

Suspects sought in armed robbery at local Circle K

By Tribune Staff · Oct 8