Flagstaff officials criticize Ducey after COVID-19 restrictions relax
Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy and the city council announced Friday that they have no plans to lift the face of the city over the proclamation. The decision comes after Governor Doug Ducey signed an executive order preventing local governments from enforcing COVID-19 restrictions. The ordinance allows district and city governments to enforce mask mandates only for public transport and in government-operated buildings.
Ducey’s order “is not in the best interests of public health and continues to undermine home rule,” the city council said in a statement on Friday.
The council asked the staff to further analyze the implementing regulation. Meanwhile, Flagstaff’s mask mandates are not being enforced, despite officials encouraging local businesses to use mask mandates. The city council will discuss the matter further tomorrow afternoon.
Meanwhile, Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty says she will likely sign a modified emergency proclamation today in response to the executive order. Moriarty encouraged Sedona residents to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing in public.
Variant Documented In South Africa Confirmed In Arizona, Says ADHD
Arizona health officials on Friday confirmed the first cases of a variant of COVID-19 originally documented in South Africa. The Ministry of Health and the Maricopa County Ministry of Health reported two new cases on Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first reported the variant in the United States earlier this year. According to the CDC, the variant should spread faster. According to the CDC, there is still no evidence that the South African-associated variant affects the severity of the disease. A compilation of research in Business Insider shows that Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are less effective against the variant.
Missing man found dead at Snowbowl, County officials are investigating
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a 57-year-old man was found dead in the Snowbowl. Vsevolod Mikhailovich Predtechenskiy was last seen by family members in Chandler on Saturday, March 27, before traveling to Flagstaff. Later that day, he contacted family members from the Snowbowl on Skype. Predtechenskiy was a frequent snowboarder who was familiar with the area, family members said.
Longer business hours, start of “drive-in” meetings on Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation on Friday introduced a new order to ease home restrictions as cases continue to decline. The recently changed regulations now allow for outdoor drive-in gatherings, although authorities say all attendees must stay in their cars and all attendees must wear masks during social gatherings. The new order also eases an ongoing curfew on reservations; Companies can now stay open an hour later. Tribal health officials reported seven new COVID-19 cases and no deaths related to the pandemic on Sunday.
National legislation aims to vaccinate veterans
Today is March 29th – nationally recognized as Vietnam War Veterans Day. President Joe Biden signed law last week that would allow veterans to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The law also allows caregivers and spouses to receive the vaccine from the VA. The law gives veterans living overseas and veterans who are normally not eligible for VA health care a priority for the vaccine. There are more than half a million veterans living in the state, according to the University of Arizona.
Missing girl, man everyone has found safe, says Navajo Police Department
The Navajo Police Department says a 14-year-old girl was brought to safety after being reported missing last week. In another case, officials announced that 32-year-old Santana Yazzie was also brought to safety after the NPD reported him missing on Saturday, March 27.
The NPD is still looking for 44-year-old Larry Tso, who was last seen by family members in Shiprock on October 27, 2020. Tso is 5 feet 7 inches with a medium build; He has brown eyes and black hair. Authorities say he has a tattoo with the letter “A” on the right side of his neck and another with a feather on the back of his right calf. Those with information can contact the NPD Shiprock District.
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