The capture of the third of three escaped murderers from Arizona State Prison – Kingman has quieted fears of law-abiding citizens, but the daring escape leaves northern Arizonans questioning the benefits of prisons in their local neighborhoods. Prisons bring positive economic impact to a community. But do jobs created by prisons balance the negatives? During a time when states and municipalities are having difficulty balancing budgets, added revenues from correctional … [Read more...] about The Big House: Cost vs. Risk in Small Town AZ
Winslow
Wind Sidelining Truckers in Northern Arizona
Ah, the weather. Everybody talks about it, but nobody ever does anything about it. That old joke has a bitter edge for truckers crossing I-40 during Northern Arizona’s windy season. Though the area has always been prone to spring and fall winds, it is only over the last two years that authorities have had to close I-40 in the interest of public safety because of wind and blowing, choking dust. In 2008, wind and dust-related closures were confined to I-10. But from March to June 2009, … [Read more...] about Wind Sidelining Truckers in Northern Arizona
Ranchers and Restaurateurs Bringing Local Beef to the Table
Cowboy is a verb in this neck of the woods,” said Karen Landis of the Double O Ranch near Seligman. She and husband Mike “cowboy” for a living. “There’s more beef raised here [per section] than elsewhere in Arizona,” said the rancher, who is allowed to run eight cows per section (640 acres) of land. Like many Northern Arizona ranches, much of Double O’s grazing land is leased from public agencies such as Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Forest … [Read more...] about Ranchers and Restaurateurs Bringing Local Beef to the Table
Car Dealerships Speeding Towards a New Normal
We continue to bump along the bottom,” said LaVelle McCoy, president and CEO of McCoy Motors in Flagstaff. “Fortunately,” he added, “I don’t see it getting any worse.” Whether it gets any better, however, depends on many factors. What is certain is that McCoy isn’t alone for this ride. Car dealerships in Arizona and elsewhere are confronting the “new normal.” The first quarter of 2010 saw a worldwide significant decline in car sales due to the credit crunch and a global economic crisis that (if … [Read more...] about Car Dealerships Speeding Towards a New Normal
