December 2025

MATFORCE provides the community with both in-person and virtual parenting skills events

Yavapai County, AZ – MATFORCE, a primary prevention organization, is dedicated to preventing youth substance use. This November, they are hosting two complementary events designed to enhance parenting skills and offer additional support to parents within the community.

Parenting in the 21st Century: Strategies for Thriving in Today’s World Presented by Beth Dunn, MS, LPC, in partnership with Acorn Montessori School, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at Acorn Montessori School, 7555 E. Long Look Drive, Prescott Valley.

Parenting has evolved, and this workshop is essential for all parents and caregivers. This interactive and inspiring session will help you focus on the most crucial aspects of parenting: Being Present, Communicating Effectively, Nurturing Growth and Accountability and Balance.

This free community event does not require registration. For questions, contact MATFORCE at (928) 708-0100 or at info@matforceaz.org. This event is in collaboration with Acorn Montessori School.

Parenting the Love and Logic Way®: This virtual 5-week course will be held on Tuesdays, November 18th and 25th, and December 2nd, 9th, and 16th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and will be facilitated by Kimberly Gregory.

The Love and Logic manner of parenting highlights the importance of a strong, loving connection between parents and children to encourage positive behavior and sound choices.

In this class, the facilitator will tackle common daily challenges faced by parents and caregivers. Strategies will be shared to help parents discipline children while preserving their love and respect, foster personal responsibility and effective decision-making in children, build lasting relationships, and reinforce positive behavior.

Registration for this free event is required, and the registration deadline is Friday, November 14, 2025. For more information or to register for this Parenting the Love and Logic Way®course, email MATFORCE at info@matforceaz.org or call (928) 708-0100. Seating is limited for this free, virtual class.

MATFORCE is a community organization that educates and raises awareness about substance abuse issues, and advocates for policy change throughout Yavapai County. With over 300 active volunteers, MATFORCE encompasses the belief that stopping drug use before it starts through primary prevention strategies is an essential part of building healthier communities. Programs of MATFORCE include drug prevention education in schools, the Yavapai Reentry Project, Trauma Lens Care, public awareness and education campaigns, and advocating for policy change at the state and local level. For more information about MATFORCE visit matforce.org or our family of websites: MarijuanaHarmlessThinkAgain.org | OpioidOD.com | YavapaiReentryProject.org | TraumaLensCare.org | SACLAz.org | NaloxoneAZ.com | TalkNowAZ.com | LearnMoreAZ.org | TheNewMeth.com | CommunityReentryProjectsAZ.org | AZDrugSummit.org

Sparklight Donates Computing Technology to Benefit Arizona Nonprofits, Families in Need

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (Nov. 25, 2025)  – Sparklightﾮ, Prescott’s hometown internet provider, is helping bridge the digital divide for Arizona students with a technology donation of over 200 laptop computers, 65 desktop computers and 15 tablets to Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology (AZStRUT). The devices will be refurbished and distributed to schools and nonprofits across the state.

AZStRUT, a nonprofit organization based in Tempe, works to provide free technology expanding internet access to Arizonans in need while promoting sustainability through the reuse of electronic equipment. Sparklight’s donation aligns with the organization’s shared mission to enhance digital access for students and families who might otherwise go without essential technology.

“At Sparklight, we believe that connectivity is more than just access to the internet — it’s access to opportunity,” said Jay Macleod, Sparklight Senior Regional Director, Southwest. “By supporting organizations like AZStRUT, we’re helping to improve digital literacy and ensure that every Arizonan has the chance to thrive in today’s connected world. We’re proud to play a role in empowering our neighbors statewide.”

For AZStRUT, the donation helps fill an immediate need.

“Laptops and desktops are the most vital devices to get into the hands of students and families in need,” said Jared Bodine, AZStRUT Executive Director. “Sparklight’s donation will make a notable impact by helping us provide the tools people need to learn, connect and succeed. We’re deeply grateful for their partnership and ongoing investment in Arizona communities.”

Sparklight’s donation is part of the company’s broader commitment to strengthening the communities it serves through digital inclusion and community support initiatives. In addition to technology donations, Sparklight provides grants to STEM programs and awards more than $250,000 annually in grants through its Charitable Giving Fund to nonprofits across its 24-state footprint.

For more information about Sparklight’s high-speed internet services, visit www.sparklight.com and business.sparklight.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

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About Sparklight  
Sparklight is a leading broadband communications provider delivering exceptional service and enabling more than 1 million residential and business customers across 24 states to thrive and stay connected to what matters most. Through Sparklight®, the brand our customers know and trust, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity – we’re transforming it with a commitment to innovation, reliability and customer experience at our core. 

Our robust infrastructure and cutting-edge technology don’t just keep our customers connected; they help drive progress in education, business and everyday life. We’re dedicated to bridging the digital divide, empowering our communities and fostering a more connected world. When our customers choose Sparklight, they are choosing a team that is always working for them — one that believes in the relentless pursuit of reliability, because being a trusted neighbor isn’t just what we do — it’s who we are. 

Prescott Valley Announces Open House for Former Wheelhouse Facility at the Fairgrounds

     The Town of Prescott Valley is hosting a community Open House at the Town-owned facility

formerly known as The Wheelhouse, located near the Fairgrounds on 10401 State Route 89A.

The event will take place onsite at the Fairgrounds facility on Sunday, November 16, from 3:30-

5pm.

     This Open House provides an opportunity for residents to tour the facility, meet Town

representatives, and learn more about the Town-owned facility project. Attendees are

encouraged to share their ideas, ask questions, and provide feedback on what they envision for

the future of the Fairgrounds facility.

All community members are welcome. For more information, please contact Bobby Kieren,

Parks & Recreation Director, as 928-759-3036.

People Who Care Volunteer Orientation Meetings

Your time and kindness can change lives! By volunteering with People Who Care, you can help non-driving older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those with vision loss access healthcare, food, companionship, and even use household technology. Your support empowers our Neighbors to live independently and thrive in their own homes. We offer flexible volunteer options and mileage reimbursement to support our volunteers as they serve. To get more information, please join us at our monthly volunteer orientation.

Our monthly volunteer orientation meetings will be held on Wednesday, November 19^th, and Wednesday, December 17^th, at our Prescott office, located at 1580 Plaza West Drive. Call now to register for an orientation meeting, 928-445-2480. Please join us and become one of the People Who Care!

Prescott Valley Town Council Approves Significant Water Project Grants

The Prescott Valley Town Council approved two substantial grants at the October 23, 2025 Council

meeting, paving the way for innovative water conservation and public health initiatives crucial to

the Town's sustainable future. These projects, funded through state programs, underscore

Prescott Valley's commitment to responsible water management and ensuring safe, reliable

drinking water for its residents.

The first project, focusing on stormwater recharge, will be funded through the Water Infrastructure

Finance Authority (WIFA) with a total of $664,358, structured as a 60 percent loan and 40 percent

grant. This funding will support the construction of test basins designed for stormwater recharge.

One of these basins will feature Parjana’s IRIS system, which will be compared to a control basin

without the system. The primary objective of this project is to significantly increase the speed at

which stormwater infiltrates into the ground, thereby enhancing groundwater replenishment and

reducing the potential for valuable water loss through evaporation.

The second critical initiative addresses drinking water quality through the State Revolving Fund –

Drinking Water program, receiving $4,170,000. This substantial funding is provided as a loan with

an impressive 90 percent principal forgiveness, demonstrating strong state support for the project.

The funds will be used to install advanced PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) treatment,

specifically through an ion exchange system, at the Quailwood Well #3. This installation is vital for

effectively removing PFAS contaminants, ensuring the continued safety and quality of Prescott

Valley’s drinking water supply.

These projects represent significant steps forward in Prescott Valley’s efforts to conserve water

resources and protect public health, leveraging state partnerships to bring cutting-edge solutions

to the community.

Yavapai College Named Among 2025 Top Women-Led, Employee-Friendly Workplaces

College also cited for professional development opportunities

Prescott, Arizona (October 23, 2025) – Yavapai College has been named a Top Woman-Led Workplace and listed as a Top Workplace in the categories of Employee Appreciation, Well-Being, and Professional Development by Energage, an independent organization that builds and brands top workplaces.

Top Workplace awards are based solely upon employee feedback captured on the Energage Workplace Survey. Energage collects data from more than 23 million surveys at over 70,000 organizations, making it the most accurate employer recognition benchmark program available. In March, Yavapai College was named one of the ‘Top Workplaces of 2025 by USA Today.

“We have worked hard to build a culture at Yavapai College where our faculty and staff can flourish and continue to grow in their careers, because when our workforce is thriving it has a positive impact on the quality education we are providing to our students, said Dr. Lisa Rhine, President of Yavapai College. “It is an honor to be recognized for the commitment Yavapai College has to building an organization where our faculty and staff thrive.”

Yavapai College was cited for particularly strong numbers among Woman-Led Workplaces, Employee Appreciation within the workplace, Employee Well-Being, and Professional Development opportunities. The Top Workplaces program has a 17-year history of surveying and celebrating people-first organizations nationally and across sixty regional markets. Details about how Yavapai College builds a great workplace culture are available here.

Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over one hundred degrees and certificates, four baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.

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