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Nanci Hutson

Stories by Nanci

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At 102, Dewey resident Bert Grey is in an exclusive club: one of only about 1% of the nation’s World War II veterans still able to share memories of the days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

By Nanci Hutson March 18, 2023
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Prescott-area philanthropists Jim and Linda Lee never had the chance to meet Robby Miller.

By Nanci Hutson March 18, 2023
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New Senior Referral Network posthumously extends ‘Hometown Halo’ honor to woman devoted to senior care
Founder, owner of Senior Connection Debbie Stewart remembered as ‘tiny whirlwind’ committed to answering needs — big and little — of seniors, their caregivers

A tiny, but mighty woman was posthumously honored this week for devoting a big chunk of her life to helping people in the greater Prescott community navigate the challenges of care for elder loved ones.

By Nanci Hutson March 18, 2023
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At the installation ceremony for Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation on March 23, The Rev. Patty Willis will be treated to a special musical extravaganza — a performance of a homegrown interfaith choir birthed before a pandemic shut them down.

By Nanci Hutson March 16, 2023
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Granite Peak UU Congregation minister to be officially installed March 23
The Rev. Patty Willis welcomes time to celebrate congregation, community connection

In the four years since her call to ministry in Prescott, The Rev. Patty Willis at Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation has proven to be a gentle, yet persistent voice for community connections built around diversity, inclusivity and multi-view conversation.

By Nanci Hutson March 16, 2023
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The process to hire a new Heritage Middle School principal in Chino Valley has so far not garnered the candidates district leaders expected, and so the search is on again.

By Nanci Hutson March 15, 2023
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PUSD required to answer allegations of open-meeting-law violation related to newly adopted social studies curriculum
State Attorney General’s ‘Open Meeting Law Enforcement Team’ investigating the matter

Within the month, the Prescott Unified School District’s legal counsel will file a response to a state Attorney General’s investigation into whether or not district leaders violated open meeting law related to selection of a newly adopted K-12 social studies curriculum.

By Nanci Hutson March 14, 2023
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HUSD loses yet another key district leader
Executive Director of Operations/HR Kort Miner accepts high school principal job in Glendale

For the last 14 of a 32-year career, Kort Miner has called Humboldt Unified School District his educational home: three years as the Bradshaw Mountain High School assistant principal, eight years as its principal and three years as the district’s executive director of operations and human resources.

By Nanci Hutson March 14, 2023
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CVUSD board approves spending $1M for 17 new staff positions
Also agree to develop policies needed to start armed security team for school campuses

The Chino Valley Unified School District last week voted unanimously to spend $1 million to hire 17 new staff members for next year, a move the district superintendent praised as a “significant commitment.”

By Nanci Hutson March 13, 2023
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Singer, songwriter, educator and mental health treasure hunter David Simmons is gifted with a unique superpower — one he shares because he knows creativity is the heart of hope and resilience.

By Nanci Hutson March 13, 2023
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Late 12-year-old boy, French horn player honored with uniform fundraiser
Miller family, who lost son in hiking tragedy, start GoFundMe to purchase new uniforms for BMHS marching band

Twelve-year-old Robby Miller loved playing the French horn in the Glassford Hill Middle School Band.

By Nanci Hutson March 11, 2023
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Santé Ceolin’s French accent speaks to his roots — Italian born and from age 6, raised in France before he eventually landed in Phoenix in 1955; America and the state of Arizona his new forever home.

By Nanci Hutson March 9, 2023
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PUSD offered grant for 6 two-bedroom units of workforce housing
District leaders want manufactured homes ready at start of 2023-24 school year

Prescott Unified School District leaders are elated they have been selected to pilot a workforce housing project expected to enable them to entice teachers who otherwise might look elsewhere due to market rents and housing prices beyond their financial reach.

By Nanci Hutson March 9, 2023
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Survey defines key priorities in PUSD superintendent search
Academic performance, funding, keeping politics out of classrooms among most important to community

A two-week Prescott Unified School District superintendent search survey closed with what their consultant suggests was “extensive participation, with 847 responses to questions ranging from the type of leader district employees and the community desire for the district to the challenges ahead.

By Nanci Hutson March 8, 2023
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All teachers and other certified employees who work for the quad-city public school districts are expected to be delivered contracts this week and next as a means for area district leaders to start planning on how to fill potential vacancies from retirements and resignations.

By Nanci Hutson March 8, 2023
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On a bustling afternoon at the Launch Pad Teen Center in Prescott, there is a short line of customers standing before the counter of the Moon Café awaiting their beverage and snack choices; a couple are awaiting heartier lunch fare, as this café is continually expanding its menu to suit its clientele.

By Nanci Hutson March 7, 2023
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Tuesday, March 7, the Prescott Unified School District and Humboldt Unified School District’s governing boards will be seeking approval to distribute contracts to existing certified faculty, the bulk of those are classroom teachers.

By Nanci Hutson March 6, 2023
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Granville students, families treated by PTO to magic, mystery of science
Two-decade entertainer relies on scientific principles to provoke student learning

Strands of one Granville Elementary student’s silky blond hair spiked arrow straight above her head.

By Nanci Hutson March 6, 2023
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If you are a Prescott parent, grandparent, teacher, volunteer, business, civic leader or taxpayer, then the Prescott Unified School District Governing Board wants to hear from you about what you want in your next superintendent.

By Nanci Hutson March 4, 2023
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HUSD launches search for new superintendent
Final choice expected in early May, with start date of July 1

Amid some laughs and the creative use of sticky notes, magic markers and white boards, the Humboldt Unified School District this week tackled the very serious business of hiring their top educational leader.

By Nanci Hutson March 4, 2023
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The Prescott High School Band and Orchestra will host a fundraising Olive Garden spaghetti, salad and breadsticks dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9.

By Nanci Hutson March 4, 2023
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In 2015, Paula Sedillo Wise opted to parlay her family-inspired community outreach into a mission that today provides new shoes, socks, backpacks and children’s books to more than 3,000 children each year.

By Nanci Hutson March 4, 2023
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Three finalists have been identified to fill a vacancy on the Yavapai College District Governing Board for District 3, Yavapai County Tim Carter announced on Tuesday, March 1.

By Nanci Hutson March 2, 2023
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American Legion Post 6 Honor Guard commander passes leadership baton
Promises to continue honoring veterans with guard ‘until I’m pushing up daisies!’

A humble, patriot and United States Army veteran devoted to honoring military heroes of all branches across America’s rich history, both in life and death, privately and publicly, Dan Tillmans has invested more than a half century with Prescott’s city’s American Legion Post 6 Honor Guard.

By Nanci Hutson March 2, 2023
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HUSD Governing Board kicks off superintendent search with special meeting tonight
Meeting to be held in Vista Training Facility at district complex, livestream on YouTube channel

With the selection last week of the national superintendent search firm McPhearson & Jacobson LLC, the Humboldt Unified School District Governing Board is poised to launch the official search.

By Nanci Hutson March 1, 2023
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The local chairman and co-founder of the Arizona School Board Watchdogs and the two Prescott Unified School District Governing Board members opposed to a new K-12 social studies curriculum are seeking state intervention to overturn its adoption and require educators to begin a new selection process.

By Nanci Hutson March 1, 2023
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At his turn in a short, buffet-style lunch line, eight-year Vietnam-era United States Army veteran Walter “Butch” Scharff, 70, glides his portable wheelchair as he selects his customized salad and soup.

By Nanci Hutson February 28, 2023
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The assistant principal of a metropolitan high school in Las Vegas, Nevada emerged as the top choice from three candidate finalists to become the new Chino Valley High School principal for the 2023-24 school year.

By Nanci Hutson February 27, 2023
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HUSD Governing Board selects national firm with local consultant for superintendent search
Contract expected to be finalized March 1; multiple opportunities for district, community feedback in process

In a 3-2 vote to launch its search for a new superintendent, the Humboldt Unified School District Governing Board, at a special meeting Thursday, Feb. 23, opted to select a national firm with a local consultant, one of four firms considered for the job.

By Nanci Hutson February 25, 2023
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The Humboldt Unified School District Governing Board will have a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, in the Vista Room for the sole purpose of determining how to proceed with a search for a new superintendent.

By Nanci Hutson February 22, 2023
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At 86, retired hospice nurse Rae Ann Lund is a seven-year, stipend-volunteer senior companion who admits she regained a zest for life by befriending homebound seniors and sharing in their stories.

By Nanci Hutson February 22, 2023
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Robust, provocative conversation between teachers, principals, students, parents, grandparents, business leaders, clergy and elected official was the centrifugal force of Humboldt Unified School District’s Summit 2023 intended to offer insights so as to prepare kindergartners for life beyond their 2035 commencement.

By Nanci Hutson February 21, 2023
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One year after neighboring Prescott High School launched a pilot project with Yavapai College, Bradshaw Mountain High School, in the Humboldt Unified School District, will be offering academically advanced juniors and seniors a chance next year to attend Yavapai College to earn high school and college credit.

By Nanci Hutson February 20, 2023
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HUSD Governing Board approves 4 new high school courses
Board members praise offering more choices/engagement of student learners

In the spirit of offering students more choice and 21st-century career focus in their learning experience, Bradshaw Mountain High School Principal Brett Dahl earned big kudos from a new governing board member Tuesday night, Feb. 14, after presenting four new courses for both freshman and upperclassmen.

By Nanci Hutson February 20, 2023
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Search for new PUSD superintendent kicks off Tuesday
Timeline is 12 to 14 weeks before Governing Board makes final selection

In a show of solidarity for what they have been repeatedly advised is the most important decision they will make as school district leaders, the five-member Prescott Unified School District Governing Board voted unanimously Friday morning on the key search process steps in selecting a new superintendent.

By Nanci Hutson February 18, 2023
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Final day of HUSD “Penny War” to benefit Hungry Kids Project is Friday
Community invited to continue offering financial support to weekend meal endeavor

All Humboldt Unified School District students, faculty and staff have one day left to scour their piggy banks for “pennies” intended to donate the district’s Hungry Kids Project that benefits children in need with weekend meals.

By Nanci Hutson February 16, 2023
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Chino Valley community invited to meet principal candidates for both high school, middle school
Sessions scheduled for Heritage Middle Feb. 22 and Chino Valley High on Feb. 23

Chino Valley Unified School District will have two new principals next year — and the selection process for the new leaders at Chino Valley High and Heritage Middle School has narrowed to six candidates, with two of the middle school candidates also vying for the high school post.

By Nanci Hutson February 16, 2023
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Thumb Butte Medical Center reopens under new ownership
New owners reaching out to clinicians, patients amid turmoil over center’s fate

A week of confusion over clinical operations at the Thumb Butte Medical Center off Willow Creek Road were clarified on Wednesday, Feb. 15, with a formal notice that the medical practice is now under new ownership by Prescott Medical Investment, LLC.

By Nanci Hutson February 15, 2023
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Chino Valley Unified School District Governing Board President Cyndi Thomas said she can imagine a time when the notion of armed security guards on school campuses would have seemed preposterous.

By Nanci Hutson February 14, 2023
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In its 17-year legacy of substance abuse prevention with focuses on youth education, trauma impact, positive parenting, mental health, mentoring and overdose fatality reviews — to name a few — MatForce and its Yavapai County coalition leaders and volunteers have emerged as “prevention champions.”

By Nanci Hutson February 14, 2023
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The top agenda item for the Humboldt Unified School District Governing Board at 5:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14, will be accepting the resignation of Superintendent John Pothast and voting on hiring a search consultant to begin the process to hire a successor.

By Nanci Hutson February 13, 2023
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U.S. VETS Prescott Executive Director Carole Benedict was delivered a big surprise last weekend — Gov. Katie Hobbs’ staff called her to let her know she was selected for two tickets to the 57th Super Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sunday, Feb. 12.

By Nanci Hutson February 11, 2023
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HUSD’s three-year superintendent to retire at end of 2022-23 school year
Resignation submitted for Governing Board vote on Tuesday, Feb. 14

The Humboldt Unified School District received an unexpected, stunning announcement on Friday afternoon: Superintendent John Pothast is resigning his position as of the end of the school year.

By Nanci Hutson February 11, 2023
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PUSD board votes 3-2 to accept TCI social studies curriculum for 2023-24
Controversy prompts 200 people to attend voting session — 50 speakers divided almost in half between critics and opponents

The concerted effort of a citizens’ group to defeat Prescott Unified School District’s educator-endorsement of a new, K-12 school curriculum failed to convince a majority of the Governing Board that it is historically inaccurate and will “brainwash” students with anti-patriotic sentiments and activism.

By Nanci Hutson February 8, 2023
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Long hours of negotiations over the course of the last week between Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona dissolved on Wednesday afternoon.

By Nanci Hutson February 8, 2023
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Some 50 speakers voiced a mix of opinions on a proposed, new K-12 Prescott unified School district social studies curriculum during a three-hour Prescott Unified School District Governing Board meeting Tuesday night, Feb. 7.

By Nanci Hutson February 7, 2023
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Yavapai College District 3 is seeking a new board member upon the resignation of Paul Chevalier, who stepped down on Jan. 30 and the application deadline to the Yavapai County superintendent’s office is Feb. 23 with an appointment to be made by March 10.

By Nanci Hutson February 6, 2023
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BCBSAZ tries to quell fears over contract impasse with Dignity Health YRMC
Negotiations for new contract extended through Tuesday, Feb. 7

Progress on a new contract between Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has yet to lead to an agreement that will maintain in-network coverage for some of the insurance carrier’s members.

By Nanci Hutson February 6, 2023
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PUSD board to debate, vote on new K-12 social studies curriculum
Citizens’ committee is asking board to reconsider district educators’ selection

With expectation of a large crowd for the Prescott Unified School Governing Board’s debate and potential vote on a new K-12 social studies curriculum at 5 p.m. Tuesday night, Feb. 7, district leaders will be opening up the Washington School gymnasium to accommodate interested guests.

By Nanci Hutson February 6, 2023
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With questions abounding over who will or will not be impacted if Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona are unable to settle on a new in-network contract by close of day Monday, Feb. 6, officials for the insurance carrier expect to go live this weekend with a new website to help their customers determine more about their coverage and options.

By Nanci Hutson February 5, 2023

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