- https://sperryr.com/resources/Cottages-Trail-IMG_1507.jpeg
Sedona and Verde Valley News Headlines
FAQ
September
Birthstone - Blue Sapphire
Astrological Signs - (Virgo, 8/22 to 9/22) thru (Libra, 9/23 to 10/22)
Flower of the Month - Aster
Full Corn or Harvest Moon
See Instructions for "Releasing Negative Energy During The Full Moon
September's full corn moon is so called because this is when crops are gathered at the end of the summer season. At this time, the Moon appears particularly bright and rises early, letting farmers continue harvesting into the night. This moon is also sometimes named the barley moon, and it is often the nearest full moon to the autumnal equinox, earning the title of 'harvest moon'.
September Quote
“By all these lovely tokens, September days are here.
With summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer.”
— Helen Hunt Jackson
~ ~ Special Months Featured For September ~ ~
National Suicide Prevention Month
National Back to School Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Autumn Fun Month
National Pain Awareness Month
Prostrate Health Month
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
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September Calendar
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2nd
Bashes - Senior 10% Discount
4th
Last Q Moon 12:51 AM
7th
Labor Day
September 11th
Remembering Those Souls Who Perished on 09/11/2001
12th
Remembering Adeline Moran's Birthday
September 14th
Remembering Ryan J. Sperry on the anniversary of being laid to rest…
See more at RyanJSperry.com
26th
Full Harvest Moon - 9:49 AM
This is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. Its bright moonlight rises soon after sunset, traditionally giving farmers extra evening light to bring in crops.
Above - Rick & Sheri - Wailea Beach Resort June 4, 2026
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Below - Pocket Fire - Started on June 19, 2026 - 7 miles above Sedona
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Parks and Recreation Events and Programs Calendar
Many events and programs that have been postponed or cancelled are in the process of reassessing the health and safety needs of the community. Check with the Parks and Recreation Department for further updates.
Also check with other organizations not affiliated with City of Sedona for more information and future status of respective events and programs.
Parks and Recreation Office
525 Posse Ground Rd., Sedona AZ 86336: (928) 282-7098
Parks Maintenance Office: (928) 203-5057
Email: SedonaRec@sedonaaz.gov
Report maintenance issues or concerns using Sedona Citizen Connect
It is the mission of the Sedona Parks and Recreation Department to provide diverse year round leisure opportunities.
Every Friday at 5 PM to 8 PM
Red Dirt Concerts —> 5 PM Every Friday in May
Every Friday at 7 PM
Summer Cinema Series Movies in the Park
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There are programs for all people. You can check out the facilities here.
Calendar of Events
Sports, Classes, and Camps
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The links below are not affiliated with the City of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department but are available to the residents of Sedona.
AYSO (Soccer) website - (888) 808-5354
Cub Scouts email
Sedona Little League - Email Coco Minner, (928) 302-8699
Check for Updated Schedule for Swordfish Swim Team
Sedona Swordfish Swim Team
Schedule and Information
Splash Pad: The splash pad located at Sunset Park is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 1 through September 30. Water features are activated on a timer with the push of the button.
Adult Summer Softball League: Check with the Parks and Recreation Department for the disposition of Summer Camps in Sedona.
Summer Camps: Check with the Parks and Recreation Department for the disposition of additional Summer Camps in Sedona. The current sports, specialty classes and programs are listed below.
—-PARKS AND RECREATION CALENDAR—
FIND ALL AVAILABLE SPORTS HERE
**Sedona City Parks**
**Camps and Classes**
Challenge Soccer Camp
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Yappy Hour |
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~ Other Sedona News ~
Sedona’s Chamber of Commerce tackles Pocket Fire Recovery
SEDONA, Ariz. - By Joseph Giddens - July 31, 2026 Red Rock News
Fund launches with $25K gift to relieve Pocket Fire economic damage
The Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau announced the formation of a charitable foundation at its Economic Outlook and Leadership Forum on Friday, July 24, at L’Auberge de Sedona, seeded with a $25,000 donation that will go toward Pocket Fire relief.
The gift was announced by Chamber CEO David Key and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501(c)(3) and will focus on economic development, workforce development and arts and culture.
The initial gift comes from the Stevenson family, the Sedona hoteliers who one Ambiente, and is directed to the Red Rock Recovery Fund.
“The recent Pocket Fire reminded us how quickly unexpected events can affect the people who make Sedona such a special place,” the family wrote in a prepared statement. “We are especially grateful that this fund will live beyond the Pocket Fire, creating a lasting resource to support Sedona’s workforce and local businesses whenever future disasters or unforeseen hardships impact our community. We hope our contributions inspire others to join us in strengthening the resilience of the people and businesses that are at the heart of Sedona.”
The forum’s panel featured Sedona Mayor Holli Ploog and Yavapai County Supervisor Nikki Check [D-District 3].
Much of the fire discussion centered on Oak Creek Canyon and the West Fork closures, which are in Coconino County rather than Yavapai.
Check said Coconino County Economic Development Director John Saltonstall is administering disaster relief loan applications.
Ploog pointed to the creation of the city’s Know Your Zone evacuation plan and the hiring of Chance Wnuck as Sedona’s emergency manager in November as major steps taken ahead of the Pocket Fire’s June 19 ignition.
For more info
Sedona Election Information
Primary - July 21, 2026
Call of Election
PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE CITY OF SEDONA
PRIMARY ELECTION DATE: TUESDAY, July 21, 2026*
GENERAL ELECTION DATE: TUESDAY, November 3, 2026
Notice is hereby given that the City of Sedona will hold elections as follows:
Primary Election: Completed July 21, 2026*
- Mayor Seat (2-year term),
- Brian Fultz - elected Mayor with 52.28%
- 3 Councilor Seats (4-year terms)
- Jean-Christophe Buillet 21%
- Tony Hauserman 20%
- Melissa Dunn 20%
- Prop 400 Home Rule approved
- Prop 403 - Sedona Cultural Park/Western Gateway approved - The residents want this area to be a non-residential open space for cultural and recreational purposes.
General Election: November 3, 2026
Andy Biggs - R will run against Katie Hobbs - D for Governor
For More info on the upcoming election in November
City Clerk’s Office
102 Roadrunner Drive, Sedona, Arizona 86336
*Due to proposed emergency legislation to avoid missing federal deadlines to send ballots to military and overseas voters, the primary election date was moved up by one week from August 4, 2026, to July 21, 2026.
*Any candidate receiving a majority of all votes cast at the Primary Election will be declared elected without running at the General Election.
For more information, call the Clerk’s Office at 928-282-3113.
Plan Sedona - Western Gateway Master Plan
Find out more information at PlanSedona.com
The Western Gateway is a 41-acre property owned by the City of Sedona and site of the former Cultural Park amphitheater that operated from 2000-2003. It is also the site of the Western Gateway Trailhead (Girdner Trailhead) parking for the National Forest Western Gateway 25+ mile trail system.
Community feedback is crucial in shaping the Master Plan, which will establish a framework for how the city’s Western Gateway property can serve community needs for generations to come
Links…
Alternative Concepts
CFA Plan
Community Plan
Maps
International Dark Sky Communities
The Verde Valley is Dark Sky Compliant
Sedona ~ Village of Oak Creek ~ Cottonwood ~ Camp Verde
These communities are Dark Sky compliant.
Dark Sky Issue
The Information posted is from 2024 and remains current. It explains why we are a Dark Sky Community.
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Looking For A Trail That Meets Your Needs?
Below you will find a link that will help you decide on a the right hike for you. There are sliders for Popular to Hidden Gems - Easy to Difficult - Flat to Elevated - Quick Jaunt to Full Day - Worth A Look to Great Views. After choosing your preference, you will see trails that match your criteria with a percentage (top right of image). Enjoy your hiking experience!
Here is the link for Sedona Trail Finder.
https://www.sedonaaz.gov
SEDONA, Ariz. –
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See In-depth Solutions Tailored Just for you.
+ Real Estate Authority
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Sedona Headline Links
SOCSD Board votes bonus for superintendent By Red Rock News Staff — The Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board approved a year-end bonus for its superintendent amid ongoing discussions about leadership compensation. .————————
Photos of the Year 2025 By Red Rock News Staff — A curated gallery of standout community and event photos capturing memorable moments around Sedona throughout 2025. .————————
Arizona State Parks and Trails offers free admission Jan. 1 By Red Rock News Staff — Kicking off the New Year with free park entry and special first-day hikes at Arizona State Parks, including areas near Sedona. .————————
Sedona Fire District Station 4 to open in 2027 By Red Rock News Staff — An update on the planned new Station 4 facility and timeline as the Sedona Fire District expands its infrastructure. .————————-
Council OKs new Sedona Police Department cars By Red Rock News Staff — The Sedona City Council unanimously authorized the purchase of 13 new police vehicles to upgrade the department’s fleet. —————————
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Text to 911
SEDONA - If your mobile device has the function for texting, you can now text to report an emergency. Verde Valley dispatch centers now have the capability to receive and respond to text.
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The image above was taken in 2020 when The Cottages At Coffeepot was certified for the first time. Each year since this time, the Cottages remain certified as a “Firewise Community”
Sedona Fire District engineer Cooper Carr, left, firefighter Josh Combs, Captain Angel Morales, Aaron Casem, prevention and mitigation officer for the Arizona Department of Forestry, Catherine Knox, head of the Firewise steerage committee, HOA board member Caroline Oreel, HOA board president Gila Hager-Sherman, SFD Fire Marshal Jon Davis, HOA board member Bill Baridon and SFD Battalion Chief "Buzz" Lechowski recognize the Cottages at Coffeepot neighborhood as the only Firewise USA site in the Sedona Fire District on Saturday, Dec. 5. 2020
Are You Prepared For A Wildfire?
Post Date: 02/01/02/2025
SEDONA, Ariz. –
The City of Sedona as well as neighboring communities is surrounded by forrest areas such as the Coconino Forrest. We need to be prepared for wildfires.
My community “The Cottages At Coffeepot” was the first community in Sedona to become Firewise.
Sedona - Red Rock News by Ron Eland 12/20/2020
Knox and the 33 other homeowners that make up the Cottages at Coffeepot HOA are being recognized as the only homeowners association or community within the Sedona Fire District to become Firewise certified.
Firewise teaches people how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together and take action now to prevent losses. It’s now a program within the National Fire Protection Association.
Being that three-fourths of their hosing development is bordered by the U.S. Forest Service, Knox said she and the others realized that they needed to do something to help with fire mitigation in the event of a wildfire.
“Everybody was onboard — it was truly a collaborative effort,” she said.
While their neighborhood is now Firewise certified, their work is far from complete.
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Fast Forward to 2025
Our community has to maintain proficiency in this area to continue to be certified. We have to show that we continue to maintain our landscaped areas by removing the overgrown brush and debris that can catch fire.
Periodic inspections are made by our architectural committee working with the homeowners.
Learn more at NFPA.org
Here is an abbreviated checklist of areas to check and things to do…
- Roof Debris, Gutters, Skylights, Soffits and Eaves, Decks, Clear debris - 5ft from structures, Yards, Woodpiles, Propane Tanks, Garabage Cans and Recycling Bins, Garage Doors, Chimneys, Flammable Materials, House windows, shutters and curtains, Have firefighting tools ready and nearby, House Numbers.
KSB also has a page dedicated to helping residents prepare for a wildfire. You can find out more information at www.keepsedonabeautiful.org/fire.
The page has a wealth of information on topics like:
- Understanding the emergency response plans for jurisdictions in the Verde Valley
- Making your property Fire Safe
- How to sign up for emergency notifications
- What to include in your Go Bag should you need to evacuate.
Go to www.firewise.org to assist you in making your home FIREWISE. It will help you to stay safe from wildfire. Visit that link of call the Sedona Fire District at 928.282.6800 for more information.
Sedona Food Bank HHH.mp4 - A Vimeo Video
Sedona Food Bank continues to help end hunger
SEDONA, Ariz. – The Sedona Food Bank continues to assist community hunger needs and help keep the Sedona Food Bank shelves stocked.
Donations accepted Monday thru Thursday 7:30a to Noon.
Food is distributed on Wednesday form 8:30a to 11:45a and from 3:15p to 5:15p
Other Donation Barrel Locations can be found on the website —> Click Here.
Desired food donations include non-expired items such as cereal, canned soup, peanut butter, brown rice, pasta, bottled and canned sauces, canned fruit and vegetables, broth and stock, and condiments.
This is an Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program learn more at this link —> Click Here.
Dining - Restaurant Information
Restaurants are open for dine-in if they choose to have service. The link below will provide a list of restaurants with hours of operation as well as food service options. There is a phone number and Web information.
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Splash pad image courtesy of Sedona Parks and Recreation and City of Sedona eNotifications. Other information taken from webpage.
The COVID-19 information and website links are courtesy of the Government of Sedona, Yavapai County, and State of Arizona. You can find out more at the Sedona Government page.
SperryR.com and Ricks World Sedona along with SellSedona.com are providing this information as a convenience and make no claims as to its accuracy or reliability and any future changes that will inevitably occur due to this ongoing pandemic.
Please check with the corresponding agency before finalizing any medical decisions.