Back to profile

Nanci Hutson

Stories by Nanci

Tease photo
MatForce, partners celebrate three-year drop in Yavapai County accidental overdose deaths
Leader pledges to honor the reviewed individual histories to spare future lives

After revealing the annual Yavapai County Overdose Fatality Review Board’s results for last year — a report that for the third year in a row showed a drop in accidental drug overdoses — MatForce Executive Director Merilee Fowler earned praise for the compassion her agency shows in addressing tragic reality.

By Nanci Hutson March 28, 2024
Tease photo
Aetna and Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Group have until April 1 to reach new contract
Impasse does not impact Dignity Health YRMC hospitals in Prescott or Prescott Valley

With a looming deadline of midnight March 31, Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Group and Aetna insurance have yet to negotiate a new in-network contract for their patients.

By Nanci Hutson March 28, 2024
Tease photo
‘Almost, Maine’ is Bradshaw Mountain High School Theatrical Troupe’s final show of the 2023-24 school year
Opening night is April 4 at 7 p.m. in the Glassford Hill Middle School auditorium

An exuberant group of Bradshaw Mountain High School thespians gathered outside the Glassford Hill Middle School auditorium last Friday for what was to launch rehearsals for what for some seniors will be the final performance of their high school careers.

By Nanci Hutson March 27, 2024
Tease photo

With an aim of offering every school in the district some additional leadership support, Humboldt Unified School District completed the hiring process for assistant principals so that elementary, middle schools and the high school all have the administrative support to enable the highest-caliber instruction.

By Nanci Hutson March 27, 2024
Tease photo
Prescott VA employee honors her Vietnam veteran father’s legacy
Encourages all area Vietnam veterans to attend VA-hosted Vietnam Veteran Day on Friday, March 29

On Sandy Perez’ wrists are tattoos – the left wrist reads “Daddy’s girl” and the right “Sand.”

By Nanci Hutson March 26, 2024
Tease photo
Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters hires non-profit leader as new executive director
Kristen Kerns shares ‘passion’ for enriching the lives of Yavapai County youth

The new executive director for Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kristen Kerns, is no stranger to the Prescott community or non-profit agencies devoted to enriching the lives of the most vulnerable, be it children and teens, abused and discarded animals or veterans in crisis.

By Nanci Hutson March 25, 2024
Tease photo

Humboldt Unified School District leaders are seeking faculty, staff and community help as they “embark on the exciting journey” of a district reorganization intended to offer its 5,500 or so students new academic, athletic and social enrichment opportunities.

By Nanci Hutson March 25, 2024
Tease photo

U.S. VETS Prescott’s new executive director, Bryan Campbell, is well-versed from a 20-year career as a United States Marine who served multiple tours of combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan in what it means to be a leader.

By Nanci Hutson March 23, 2024
Tease photo
MatForce leader delivers preliminary findings March 28
Registration required, but free for 11 a.m. virtual presentation

MatForce Executive Director Merilee Fowler is a dogged advocate for sparing lives through a combination of substance abuse prevention education, advocacy and review of overdose deaths as a means to detect trends and create new consider new ways to combat addiction and its consequences.

By Nanci Hutson March 21, 2024
Tease photo

Prom season is a rite of passage for many high school juniors and seniors.

By Nanci Hutson March 21, 2024
Tease photo
PHS student athletes delivering strong peer-to-peer substance abuse prevention
Two high school classes this week informed about the dangers of vaping devices and marketing

When it comes to convincing teens reasons why they might not want to do something risky with their body, it seems like that message might be better heard from a peer rather than someone from their grandparents’ generation.

By Nanci Hutson March 20, 2024
Tease photo
Prescott VA hosts Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration on Friday, March 29
Leader welcomes all Vietnam veterans, family members and community supporters

The Northern Arizona Veteran VA Health Care System Medical Director Steve Sample is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant colonel who knows what it is to endure combat for the sake of ensuring this nation’s freedom.

By Nanci Hutson March 19, 2024
Tease photo
Prescott spelling phenom Aliyah Alpert emerges as 2024 Arizona Spelling Bee champ
The win poises her for second, and final, chance to win National Scripps Spelling Bee in May

For the second, and last time, Aliyah Alpert of Prescott will have a chance to wow viewers on a national stage with her penchant for spelling words most people would be clueless to find even armed with an electronic dictionary.

By Nanci Hutson March 18, 2024
Tease photo

A once rebellious teenage girl in Colorado credits the adults in her life who were able to see beyond the adolescent tumult and push her to be someone better, a role model and leader for others.

By Nanci Hutson March 16, 2024
Tease photo
Bradshaw Mountain Middle School earns rave reviews from HUSD Governing Board
In public participation, board encouraged to consider technology to inform parents of students’ library reading choices

Standing tall in a pair of tan spiked heels, Bradshaw Mountain Middle School Principal Samantha Opperman is always proud to highlight her “small, but mighty” school of star students, faculty and staff.

By Nanci Hutson March 14, 2024
Tease photo
The Coalition for Compassion and Justice’s Paloma Village project in North Chino Valley back on track
Leader of Prescott-based agency hailed for her ‘social impact’ work

Coalition for Compassion and Justice Executive Director Allison Lenocker is psyched about manhole covers.

By Nanci Hutson March 14, 2024
Tease photo

In observance of March as Women’s History Month, the Sharlot Hall Museum in downtown Prescott has plenty of exhibits and lectures for locals and tourists to visit and explore, including the Territorial Women’s Memorial Rose Garden.

By Nanci Hutson March 14, 2024
Tease photo

Chino Valley Unified School District’s soon-to-be Superintendent Cindy Daniels recognizes that this coming year will require some numbers-crunching across-the-board to adjust to less federal grant money, limited staff increases and some decreased school enrollment.

By Nanci Hutson March 13, 2024
Tease photo
HUSD arranges EPA samples to be taken on Humboldt Elementary site over spring break
School soil and water samples part of town Superfund Site surveillance

The Humboldt Elementary School in Dewey-Humboldt built on former Iron King Mine property is one of the Environmental Protection Agency targeted properties for soil and water samples this week.

By Nanci Hutson March 12, 2024
Tease photo
PUSD Governing Board offered presentation on Beyond Textbooks online resource for instruction and intervention
Conn encourages district research potential use of UVC lighting in HVAC units for infection control

Prescott Unified School District leaders have invested in what they consider an educational secret weapon when it comes to offering teachers intervention strategies to improve proficiency goals for their students.

By Nanci Hutson March 12, 2024
Tease photo
New HUSD middle school to be named Pronghorn Ridge
Campus will be current home of district administrative offices on North Robert Road

Drum roll! And the winner of the Humboldt Unified School District’s 2024-25 contest to name its new sixth-through-eighth-grade middle school is: Pronghorn Ridge.

By Nanci Hutson March 11, 2024
Tease photo

With a focus on enhancing academic achievement, Humboldt Unified School District Governing Board members voted to approve the selection of several new assistant principals for the district’s elementary and middle schools, with the new elementary positions an effort to enable principals to engage more with instruction.

By Nanci Hutson March 9, 2024
Tease photo

Called a “veteran volunteer extraordinaire,” United States Army Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient Dennis Spicknell devoted his retirement years to veterans and families.

By Nanci Hutson March 9, 2024
Tease photo
AAEC homeless liaison earns top state award for serving students in need
Andrea Popejoy selected for annual McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison of the Year Award

At the Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Early College High School in Prescott Valley, Andrea Popejoy is touted as a trustworthy advocate for the entire campus family, a beloved leader valued for her compassion, guidance and willingness to go above and beyond for anyone in need of anything.

By Nanci Hutson March 7, 2024
Tease photo
Dignity Health YRMC leader clarifies critics’ perceptions of health alliance
Dr. Torres confirms YRMC mission of patient-focused care now, into future

No one ought to be surprised that Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s biggest cheerleader is none other than its president and chief executive officer, Dr. Anthony Torres.

By Nanci Hutson March 6, 2024
Tease photo
PUSD Governing Board approves proposed 2024-25 school budget
Contracts distributed to determine all returning employees on Wednesday, March 6

In what is an early, philosophical vote on the proposed Prescott Unified School District 2024-2025 budget, the Governing Board on Tuesday night, March 5, voted 4-1 to approve a plan that will give a three-percent across-the-board raise to all employees.

By Nanci Hutson March 6, 2024
Tease photo
PUSD Governing Board given presentation on A-F letter grades
District superintendent Clark Tenney praises performance and pledges more success in the future

Prescott Unified School District Testing Coordinator Renee Steingraber reviewed the state’s A-F letter grade system at the Tuesday, March 5 Governing Board meeting.

By Nanci Hutson March 6, 2024
Tease photo
School district elections in Yavapai County get underway
Some incumbent candidates remain undecided on seeking new terms

The first day for Yavapai County Governing Board candidates to collect packets at the Yavapai County Education Service Agency was Monday.

By Nanci Hutson March 5, 2024
Tease photo

The heartbreak of the COVID-19 outbreaks in Yavapai County proved devastating for families who lost loved ones to the virus, as well as to health care providers seeking to mitigate the suffering from a global pandemic.

By Nanci Hutson March 5, 2024
Tease photo

A white and blue ceramic sneaker. An Egyptian scarab printed on black construction paper. Charcoal portrait sketches. A weaved wall hanging framed between branches. A cardboard canvas of friendship lost.

By Nanci Hutson March 4, 2024
Tease photo
Badger Buddies help elementary students as role models, mentors in Prescott schools
Prescott High School club offers some a chance to give back to early alma maters that played role in where they are today

One Wednesday lunch period each month, Prescott High School senior and baseball team captain Jack Burton takes a trip down memory lane — he returns to his elementary alma mater Abia Judd Elementary School to spend recess time with first graders.

By Nanci Hutson March 2, 2024
Tease photo

The Prescott Unified School District Governing Board will be asked to give its preliminary nod to a proposed budget package for the 2024-25 school year at its Tuesday, March 5, meeting at 5 p.m. in the Washington School district office’s first-floor conference room.

By Nanci Hutson March 2, 2024
Tease photo

Maggie’s Hospice in Prescott Transitional Care Specialist Mary Lou Hyatt counts it a “blessing” to be part of family’s final journey with a loved one diagnosed with a terminal illness.

By Nanci Hutson February 29, 2024
Tease photo
Prescott High celebrates CTE Month with lunch fair, visit to Mountain Institute CTED campus
More than 25 programs with dual credit, industry certifications available to explore

Prescott High School Career and Technical Education Director Tiffany Boehle is all smiles after a week of introducing hundreds of students to career fields they can explore at no cost while earning college credits and industry certifications to benefit them wherever their paths might lead in the future.

By Nanci Hutson February 29, 2024
Tease photo
Katee Norris, a labor and delivery nurse, finds ‘passion’ in helping others find their path
Time as PASS program director one of the ‘greatest gifts in my life’

Ask many a past guest at Prescott Area Shelter Services and they will say the agency proved a lifeline/lifesaver for them after striking a rock bottom that left them homeless and hopeless.

By Nanci Hutson February 28, 2024
Tease photo
HUSD Governing Board unanimously approves 2024-25 restructuring
Plan will have two 6-8 grade middle schools, expands preschool and merges existing middle school into high school campus

Come the start of the 2024-25 school year, Humboldt Unified School District will have a new school configuration that district leaders and Governing Board members expect will enhance and invigorate academic opportunities while promoting a culture that better connects students to their schools.

By Nanci Hutson February 28, 2024
Tease photo
Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott schools invite community to celebrate Leap Day
Thursday includes ‘leaps’ into history, youth art and music

Ever wonder how this nation ended up with a February Leap year once every four years?

By Nanci Hutson February 27, 2024
Tease photo
Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Group negotiating new contract with Aetna
In-network coverage at hospital or with providers is not canceled

Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Group is currently in contract negotiations with Aetna insurance. The deadline to complete negotiations is March 31.

By Nanci Hutson February 26, 2024
Tease photo
HUSD superintendent to recommend Glassford Hill Middle School interim principal for permanent job
Jared Friedrich to be recommended to Governing Board for the post at March 7 meeting

Humboldt Unified School Superintendent Christine Griffin announced late last week the new Glassford Hill Middle School principal she will recommend to the Governing Board is Jared Friedrich, who she hired in January amid a change in leadership to serve as the interim principal.

By Nanci Hutson February 26, 2024
Tease photo
HUSD to vote on restructuring Feb. 27
Special meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

In her first year as the Humboldt Unified School District superintendent, Christine Griffin is wasting no time when it comes to implementing what she considers sound educational practices able to enhance student learning and school culture with new academic, athletic and career education opportunities.

By Nanci Hutson February 24, 2024
Tease photo
Construction continues on two Highway 69 health care facilities
Dignity Health YRMC expects clinic to open in late summer or early fall; Exceptional Healthcare building nearby hospital

On the corner of North Lee Boulevard across from the Pine Ridge Marketplace, Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center has nearly completed its newest, free-standing specialty clinic space that hospital leaders expect to open later this summer or early fall.

By Nanci Hutson February 22, 2024
Tease photo

The complexion of the school district governing boards across the tri-city area – Prescott, Humboldt and Chino Valley Unified — may change dramatically after the election this fall.

By Nanci Hutson February 21, 2024
Tease photo
Acorn Montessori educator in Prescott Valley selected as Teacher of the Year
Gretchen Donnell also eligible for Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Year grant

In second grade, Prescott Valley Acorn Montessori gifted elementary and middle school teacher Gretchen Donnell created a classroom business selling designer paper slippers to fellow students.

By Nanci Hutson February 20, 2024
Tease photo
Teen Center leader shares perspective on showing ‘love’ in community, country
Teen walks the talk through ‘Walk and Talk’ podcast series

Meet Toby Chang. A BASIS Prescott senior, Toby serves on the Launch Pad Teen Center Advisory Council and its three-year “Better Together” campaign.

By Nanci Hutson February 19, 2024
Tease photo

An avowed prankster with a penchant for magic and vintage toys, Prescott boy-turned-adult Brad James long dreamed of the day he might open his very own store featuring toys that don’t run on batteries but rather on the minds and creativity of the child able to buy or pick it out as a specialty gift.

By Nanci Hutson February 17, 2024
Tease photo

In kindergarten, my loyal companion was a fluffy golden lion with plastic eyes, a long tail and plastic mouth with wire whiskers and a pull string so he could speak 11 phrases such as “I’m Larry Lion…Ooh, I scared myself … I’m ferocious, aren’t I? … I like children … I’ll protect you.”

By Nanci Hutson February 17, 2024
Tease photo

Chino Valley High School leaders this week were proud to boast to the district’s Governing Board members about their student participation in a robust, career and technical education program.

By Nanci Hutson February 15, 2024
Tease photo
Chino Valley school board endorses piloting two new curriculums
High school to offer new diploma distinctions to reflect academic and career education excellence

Chino Valley Unified School District’s top instructional coach Julie Bryce was a happy lady Monday night.

By Nanci Hutson February 14, 2024
Tease photo

In the first hour of Sharlot Hall Museum’s celebration of Arizona’s 112th birthday, some 10 people, including a both local and visiting adults, with a couple families expecting to join, participated in the museum’s first Arizona trivia quiz.

By Nanci Hutson February 14, 2024
Tease photo

At 4 a.m. on Friday morning, U.S. VETS Prescott Executive Director Bryan Campbell was helping the kitchen crew with breakfast for some of the 130 or so homeless veterans who now live at the Liberty Pointe transitional and permanent supportive housing complex on Whipple Street.

By Nanci Hutson February 13, 2024

Prev