Community projects are getting a funding boost thanks to the Yavapai County Community Foundation.  The Foundation has recently awarded more than 138 thousand dollars to support projects that serve the County.  Grants and Operations Coordinator Tracey McConnell says organizations must meet certain criteria. Funds have been developed by local donors.  McConnell explains one of those funds helps Police K-9 programs in Prescott, Cottonwood, Prescott Valley and Yavapai County. Other recipients include the Prescott Unified School District’s Hungry Kids Program, the Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition, the Yavapai Trails Association and the Sheriff’s Office Response Team. 

After almost 3 years, the Prescott Valley Civic Center is once again open for business on Fridays.  In October 2009, Center operations were scaled back to a 4 day work week due to a 5 percent decrease in Town employees’ salaries.  However, Town Manager Larry Tarkowski explains those furloughs are no longer in place for the current fiscal year. Some of the departments that are housed in the Civic Center include the Town Manager and Mayor’s offices, Human Resources, Town Clerk, Magistrate Court, Water and Sewer, Public Works and Parks and Recreation.

Even though the 2012 Fiscal Year is over, the Voucher Transit Program is continuing in Prescott Valley.  Previously, money from the state, along with a Town match has allowed taxi rides to be provided to people who have transportation needs.  The Northern Arizona Council of Governments’ Economic Workforce Development Division administers the Program, and spokeswoman Teri Drew says there’s a real need for it. Prescott Valley Public Works Director Norm Davis explains the Town has agreed to fully fund the program at 50 thousand dollars as of July 1st. The program started in October 2000 and will be in place through June 2013. 

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office had a busy 4th of July responding to fireworks calls.  Sheriff’s Office spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn says deputies responded to 20 calls in the area Wednesday night. D’Evelyn adds the people who were contacted claimed they didn’t know about the ban on fireworks use. A consumer fireworks ban is still in effect following approval by the County Board of Supervisors last month.  Although some areas have received moisture from recent rains, all open fires are also prohibited in Yavapai County.