Camp Verde Journal

Danny Johnson, right, fire chief for Verde Valley Fire and Copper Canyon Fire and Medical districts, described the next steps for the newly adopted Verde Valley Fire Authority. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers The newly named Verde Valley Fire Authority was agreed upon unanimously at a special joint meeting between the Verde Valley Fire and Copper Canyon Fire and Medical districts boards on July 28.

With the management of the Camp Verde Equestrian Center turned over to the town following Camp Verde Arena Association’s requirement to vacate the property on March 31, the future of the Fort Verde Days rodeo event is in question.

Yavapai College's Clarkdale Campus. Daulton Venglar/Larson Newspapers After a 3-1 vote on July 29, with District 2 representative Deb McCasland opposed, Yavapai College Governing Board considers Lisa Rhine, Ph.D., as effectively resigned following the news of her acceptance as president of Central Arizona College. The board then voted 4-0 to promote Doug Berry, Ph.D., as acting president.

The Asylum Restaurant, operating in the Jerome Grand Hotel, closed suddenly on July 27, according an announcement made on social media July 28. Courtesy photo The Asylum Restaurant is no more, as its last day of operation in the Jerome Grand Hotel was July 27. The hotel’s owners, Larry Altherr and Ken Elliott, announced on social media on the morning of July 28, that “effective immediately,” the restaurant is closed.

Edwin “Ed” Thomas Mitchell, 93, died in his home in Cottonwood on July 19. Mitchell was preceded in death by his father, Kermit Mitchell; his mother, Agnes Mitchell; and his stepmother, Faye Davidson.

Friends of the Verde River volunteers help prepare its new River Center for the grand opening on July 11. More updates about the River Center’s grand opening celebration this October will be shared in the coming months. Courtesy photo Friends of the Verde River’s new River Center is getting a fresh look. On July 11, a team of community volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help prepare the space for its future opening.

A big poplar Sphinx Moth, Pachysphinx occidentalis, lands during a Butterfly Enthusiasts of Northern Arizona mothing event on July 22, during National Moth Week. James T. Kling/Larson Newspapers Members of the Butterfly Enthusiasts of Northern Arizona flock to insects like moths to lamps. That’s why after sunset on July 22, the club set up two black lights hanging against a white sheet at Riverfront Park in Cottonwood.

A Camp Verde Marshal’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 17 after observing a vehicle allegedly speeding at 1:19 a.m. on June 25, and arrested the driver, Floyd Anthony Lee, 48, on drug and weapon charges and the passenger, Sarah Marie Gold, on drug charges. “During the stop, K-9 Deputy Chopper conducted a free-air sniff of the vehicle and gave a positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics,” CVMO posted to social media.

The boys in blue will be serving up free hamburgers, hot dogs and activities for National Night Out. The Clarkdale Police Department is hosting the event on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Clarkdale Town Park, 1001 Main St. Participating law enforcement agencies include the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, the Jerome Police Department and the Yavapai Apache Police Department.

David Jolkovski After graduating with a BFA in photojournalism from the Corcoran College of Art + Design, David worked as a photographer for community newspapers in New Jersey and Phoenix and freelanced for the New York Times and The Washington Post. Prior to joining the Sedona Red Rock News, he worked as staff photographer for a nongovernmental organization working in the Caribbean and Central America.