Radio Advertising: A New Era of Digital Integration

5/7 Cottonwood Parks & Recreation will close Riverfront Park, starting tomorrow,

May is designated as Wildfire Awareness Month, aligning with a national effort to raise awareness, promote proactive safety measures, and help protect lives, property, and first responders in anticipation of wildfire season. “Wildfire is a constant threat in our region, and preparedness is something every household can take part in,” said Mary Mallory, Chair of the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. “Whether it’s creating defensible space, packing a go-bag, or making a family communication plan, the actions we take today can make a life-saving difference when a wildfire strikes.” Yavapai County uses a zone-based evacuation system, with each zone assigned a unique name (e.g., YCU-1045). Residents are encouraged to visit protect.genasys.com to look up their zone, write it down, and share it with their household. Genasys Protect also displays real-time updates during emergencies, including evacuation statuses, road closures, and shelter locations. A direct link to the platform will be included in emergency alerts. The County follows the Ready, Set, Go! model to guide residents before and during wildfire threats. We are always in the “Ready” phase, which means now is the time to build a go-bag, make a communication plan, and prepare your home. If your zone is placed in “Set,” it’s time to stay alert and be ready to evacuate. “Go” means leave immediately—don’t wait. Residents should also take steps to create defensible space by clearing brush, dead vegetation, and debris from around homes and maintaining a five-foot ember-resistant zone. Home hardening steps like cleaning gutters and screening vents can improve a structure’s chances of survival. Your go-bag should be specific to your needs. Pack essentials like medications, food, water, important documents, chargers, extra clothing, and pet supplies. Understand that evacuations may last a few hours or several weeks—prepare accordingly. Family emergency plans should identify where you will go if evacuated, such as the home of a friend, family member, or an emergency shelter. The American Red Cross will provide sheltering for residents displaced by wildfire. Plan for how you will communicate with family members if you are separated, including identifying a designated meeting location outside the evacuation zone and choosing an out-of-area contact everyone can check in with. If your household has multiple vehicles, decide who will drive each and what route you’ll take. If you have pets or livestock, plan now for how you’ll transport them. Practice loading animals in advance and make sure trailers or crates are accessible. Local partners like Animal Disaster Services (ADS) and Large Animal Shelters and Emergency Readiness (LASER) provide free emergency sheltering for pets and barn animals. Equine Emergency Evacuation (EEE) and other organizations can assist with transportation when needed. Residents are urged to sign up for local and county alerts at YavapaiReady.gov/ENS and make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on mobile devices. “Preparedness doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it starts with small, doable steps,” said Ashley Ahlquist, Yavapai County Emergency Manager. “By sharing practical tools and real stories from our own communities, we hope to empower every resident to take action and feel confident before wildfire season peaks.” Throughout May, YCOEM will be sharing tips, resources, and local stories across social media to support community preparedness.

5/7 Applications for a vacancy on the Camp Verde Parks and Recreation Commission are due by tomorrow, May 8.

The federal requirement for domestic airline travelers to have a federally compliant form of identification takes effect Wednesday, May 7. If you plan to use your driver license or state-issued ID card for air travel this summer, visit an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office or selected authorized third party locations to get your Arizona Travel ID at least two weeks beforehand. Without the Arizona Travel ID or other form of federally compliant identification such as a valid U.S. passport, you’ll risk missing an airline flight. The star in the upper right corner of an Arizona Travel ID shows that the holder has met federal standards requiring extra documentation. This includes: Proof of identity: a birth certificate or U.S. passport Social Security number: just the number, not the card Two documents proving Arizona residency, such as rental or bank statements and credit card or cellphone bills in your name with your current Arizona address You can walk into an office for this service, but we suggest scheduling an appointment at azmvdnow.gov. The Arizona Travel ID costs $25 and is valid for eight years. The new Arizona Travel ID card will arrive in the mail within 10-14 days. Now that May 7 is here, you can join 2.77 million Arizonans who have already upgraded to the Arizona Travel ID  to be ready to fly. For information on how to obtain an Arizona birth certificate please visit the Arizona Bureau of Vital Records‘ website. For more information and a full list of qualifying documents, please visit azdot.gov/TravelID.

5/7 The Prescott Valley Police Department is no longer using Nixle for emergency alerts.

5/7 Tonto National Forest issued the final update on the lightning caused Ow Fire, east of Payson.

5/7 The Stronghold Fire, south of Chochise, is now 85% contained at 2,138-acres.

5/7 Wickenburg Police are investigating a shooting. Officials say at 1-pm Tuesday,

5/7 Sunday afternoon, YCSO Search and Rescue, responded to a call for help on Granite Mountain in Prescott.