17 minute read

Assessing Broadband Needs Story Cycle Captures COVID-19 Views

Survey to Evaluate Broadband Capabilities for Rural Populations

By Ray Newton, FBN

Adirect consequence of the shutdowns and isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has been “front and center awareness of the criticality of broadband and its significance in issues such as emergency management, education, health care and work access – and many others,” according to Teri Drew, regional director for the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) in Prescott.

“The intensity for creating broadband awareness has prompted us with NACOG to sponsor a major survey throughout Coconino, Yavapai, Apache and Navajo Counties. That survey will help us develop a strategic blueprint for improving connectivity and digital equity among our citizens,” she explained.

Drew defined broadband infrastructure as the cabling and electrical systems that wire homes and businesses into local and regional telecommunication and cable companies. “Communications networks and the internet are linked together, making it possible to interconnect local users with internet, telephone, television and other similar services.”

Bandwidth describes how much information can be transmitted in a network. “The more bandwidth, the fewer bottlenecks to slow the flow of information,” she said.

Drew and her NACOG colleagues with the Economic and Workforce Development program have partnered with Magellan Advisors, an industry-leading broadband company, to assess broadband availability in the four counties that comprise NACOG.

“Our primary goal is to gather information from residents and organizations within our various communities – large and small – so we can better understand their unique needs. To do that, we’re asking residents and businesses in all the communities to participate by taking what we have called the ‘NACOG Broadband Survey,’” she said. “It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. It should be completed by the person in your residence or organization who chooses or uses and pays for services in that location.”

Julia Sawyer, Drew’s executive assistant, emphasized that data collected during surveys will not be used for any purpose other than developing the strategic plan. “If a person feels uncomfortable with a question, that question can be skipped. All we want is to gather demographic and statistical data so that we can compare information with census data and interpret the statistical relevance of responses. Privacy is absolutely assured.”

Participating in the survey will continue until probably the end of June, Sawyer said. The survey is totally online, so only those with access to the internet can participate.

Once survey data has been compiled, NACOG hopes to apply for state and federal grants, examine current and future infrastructure needs in the region, identify unserved and underserved areas, conduct a needs assessment, look for public-private partnership opportunities and design conceptional networks.

PART OF A BIGGER SCHEME

What is happening in NACOG and the other regions in Arizona is part of a national effort. A recent announcement from the Federal Communications Commission indicates the FCC plans to provide low-income households across the nation with assistance to help them cover internet costs.

A $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is available to households that participate in existing low income and pandemic relief programs offered by high-speed internet providers. The same is true of subscribers to the FCC Lifeline Program. That includes those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, Medicaid and support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

A Pew Research Center study found that 53% of Americans believe the internet has been an essential tool during the pandemic. However, as many as 42 million citizens may not have access to high-speed internet.

NACOG is one of several organizations trying to help people by getting them connected, especially in rural areas. But the NACOG territory is diverse – from the northeastern borders of the state to Central Arizona. Officials say with nearly 48,000 square miles and 561,000 people, the use of broadband has become critically important.

“We are committed to the economic recovery and resilience of Northern Arizona. Please help us, through this survey, continue to be a vital resource to community resources, elder care, childcare, mobility and transportation planning and, certainly, economic and workforce development,” said Drew.

Teri Drew, regional director at NACOG, is spearheading a major survey to collect data to be used to develop a broadband strategic plan for the region. Photo by Ray Newton

FBN

For more information, call 928-778-1422 or visit nacog.org.

Wildfire preparation protects you, the community and first responders.

Together, we can be prepared for wildfire season. Providing safe, reliable energy is our top priority. That’s why we work year-round to prepare for wildfires. These extra precautions could result in longer than usual outage times. For example, our crews will visually inspect lines before restoring power, or power lines may be temporarily taken out of service to protect firefighters. Working together, we will be prepared. Here are some things you can do: • Clear vegetation around your home and throw trash away properly. • Sign up for local emergency alerts and visit wildlandfirersg.org to create a preparedness plan. • Visit aps.com/outagecenter or use the APS mobile app to view our outage map, sign up for text and e-mail alerts, plus find outage preparedness tips.

Downed Power Lines Stay at least 100 feet away and call 911 first, then APS at (602) 258-5483 (metro Phoenix) or (800) 253-9408 (other areas).

Please visit aps.com/wildfiresafety for more information.

Did you know? know?

Housing Materials have increased by over 33% since the start of 2021.

Our 2021 home (4br 2ba) is under construction but under funded!

in partnership with

We need your help.

Donating Over $190,000 since 2017

towards Flagstaff affordable home ownership and a new home building program at Coconino Community College.

Local M3F contributors

108 Excavating, Behmer Roofing, Buchanan Construction, Cruise Mechanical, Demers Glass, Major League Painting, N.J. Shaum, National Bank of AZ, Speedie & Associates, Waste Management, Yavapai Mechanical

Other M3F contributors

ABCO West Electrical, Adobe Drywall & Paint, AME Southwest, Alliance (Diageo), Architectural Component Services, Inc., Arizona Control Specialists, Aspen Construction, Inc., ATS Electric, Inc., Barrett-Homes Contractors, LLC., California Pools and Landscape, Caretaker Landscaping & Tree Removal, C2 (Holly Steel), Castaldi, Climatec LLC., Colt Builders Corp, Commercial Wallboard Systems, Coreslab Structures, LLC., Desert Ridge Glass, Inc., Desert Structures, Inc., Dickens Quality Demolition, DP Electric, Inc, Diversified Roofing, Fine Line, Gunsight, HACI Mechanical, Hilton Cabinets, Hilton Efune Hilty's Electrical, Immedia, Insurica, Integrated Lath & Plaster, Integrated Masonry, Integrity Electrical Services, J&M Glass, JBS Plumbing, JJ Sprague of Arizona, Inc., K2 Electric, Keystone Concrete, L&H Mechanical, Inc., LeBlanc Building Co, Maplewood Cabinetry, Metro Fire Equipment, Milam Glass Co., Mission Underground, MKB, NW Capital Management, Norcon Industries, Paul Johnson Drywall Inc., Pena Acoustics, PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., Procon Professional Concrete, Premier Demo, Quality Floor Covering, RCI Systems, Inc., ReSource, Rite Way Thermal, Roofing Southwest, Ronning Landscaping, Inc., Ryan Mechanical, Saguaro Steel, Spectrum Mechanical & Service Contractors, LLC, Star Roofing, Stehl Corp, Stone Cold Masonry, Suntec, Torrent Resources, Inc., Tuscano Building & Stone, Walters & Wolf Construction, Wholesale Floors, Wilson Electric Services Corporation

Learn how you can donate, volunteer, or support at

www.habitatflagstaff.org/ways-to-give

Michael Sean Comerford made a Route 66 stop outside the Harley E. Russell Shop in Erick, Oklahoma.

Courtesy photo

Cycling Miles to Capture Milestones

Chicago writer completes Route 66 journey on a bicycle, documenting COVID-19 accounts for The Story Cycle

By Betsey Bruner, FBN

It was a winter of discontent, as the COVID pandemic began to peak in January, followed by the Polar Vortex storm that hovered over much of America in February, shutting down electrical grids from Texas to much of the Midwest.

At this historic moment, journalist and author Michael Sean Comerford, 62, had a dream: to record this unprecedented year as it unfolded.

“Bicycling along Route 66 is slow. Everywhere I stop, I interview people about COVID. By March, we were going to cross the milestone of a year since the CDC declared COVID a ‘pandemic.’ We were heading toward 500,000 reported COVID deaths. Milestones were going to be marked while I was on the project if I left immediately.”

Leave immediately is what Comerford did, departing in the snowy last week of February from Chicago on a mission to gather stories about the pandemic as he rode his bicycle 2,500 miles along the U.S. Route 66 corridor.

“I made a snap decision to go,” he said, equipping himself with a military-grade laptop, a Nikon Z50, a minus-15-below sleeping bag, a four-season tent and a lot of batteries.

Last, he “bought a $200, 40- to 50-yearold Panasonic Sport LX [bike] from a Polish immigrant in the Northside of Chicago from a Craigslist ad,” he said.

His plan was to interview people in the small towns and urban centers along the “Mother Road,” videotaping their widely divergent stories and opinions and dubbing his project, “The Story Cycle.”

Interviews were shared on YouTube through a partnership with the University of Florida’s Samuel Proctor Oral History Program.

The journey would take him through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

It ended May 10, after 75 days and 100 interviews, under the “End of the Trail” sign on the Santa Monica Pier.

“Through Arizona, I rode through Lupton, Sanders, Chambers, Holbrook, Joseph City, Winslow, Winona, Flagstaff, Parks, Williams, Seligman, Kingman to Oatman,” he said. “In Arizona, I met hotel owners who were taking in long-term residents to make up for the lack of tourism. I saw lines in front of Walmart and home supply stores and upscale grocers.”

He noted that many people said they were saving a lot of money during the pandemic.

“As for the business side of The Story Cycle, business owners should know that some people are suffering a complete collapse of their finances, but many are saving money for more purchases as things open up. There are reasons for optimism, and people are proud to be survivors.”

He also observed pent-up economic energy among most of those he interviewed and a desire to return to normal.

“The whole project is about how people ‘adapt’ to COVID,” he said. “So, new and small businesses are doing the same. Zoom meetings were the norm. Some businesses invested in new air-flow systems. I found hundreds of variations in the signs I saw outside retail establishments, as people found creative and courteous ways to say, ‘Please wear a mask and socially distance.’”

He also documented innovation.

“Several people started businesses after losing their last job. I’m betting that many people want to return to work but to a job they can feel passionate about – more fulfilling.”

Responses changed as the year progressed.

“In February, the vaccines were rolling out, but COVID deaths were spiking,” he said. “In May, vaccinations were slowing down, COVID restrictions were lightening, and the CDC said vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks inside.”

As the economy rebuilds, Comerford reports some businesses, like bicycle shops and home building stores, are doing much better. “There’s

One pill,

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ One pill, Once a day, Protects you against HIV. Call us to learn more.

One pill, Once a day,One pill, Once a day, Once a day, Protects you against HIV. One pill, Once a day, Protects you against HIV. ____________________

LOVE IS CONTRACTIBLE, Protects you against HIV.Call us to learn more.Protects you against HIV. Call us to learn more. 1 in 7 people with HIV

TOUCH IS CONTAGIOUS Call us to learn more. ____________________ Call us to learn more. ____________________ do not know they have it. LOVE IS CONTRACTIBLE, TOUCH IS CONTAGIOUS LOVE IS CONTRACTIBLE, TOUCH IS CONTAGIOUS CATCH FEELINGS, NOT HIV!LOVE IS CONTRACTIBLE, TOUCH IS CONTAGIOUS LOVE IS CONTRACTIBLE, TOUCH IS CONTAGIOUS CATCH FEELINGS, NOT HIV! CATCH FEELINGS, NOT HIV! PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is the use of Anti-HIV medicines to keep HIV negative people from becoming infected. PrEP Pills are shown to be safe and ____________________ 1 in 7 people with HIV do not know they have it. 1 in 7 people with HIV do not know they have it. ____________________ 1 in 7 people with HIV do not know they have it. 1 in 7 people with HIV do not know they have it. ____________________ Most STDs CATCH FEELINGS, NOT HIV! PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is the use of Anti-HIV medicines to keep HIV negative people from becoming infected. PrEP Pills are shown to be safe and effective at preventing HIV infection. No Insurance, Not Enough Insurance – NO PROBLEM PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is the use of Anti-HIV medicines to keep HIV negative people from becoming infected. PrEP Pills are shown to be safe and effective at preventing HIV infection. No Insurance, Not Enough Insurance – NO PROBLEM we have you covered! CATCH FEELINGS, NOT HIV! PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is the use of Anti-HIV medicines to keep HIV negative people from becoming infected. PrEP Pills are shown to be safe and effective at preventing HIV infection. No Insurance, Not Enough Insurance – NO PROBLEM PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is the use of Anti-HIV medicines to keep HIV negative people from becoming infected. PrEP Pills are shown to be safe and effective at preventing HIV infection. No Insurance, Not Enough Insurance – NO PROBLEM we have you covered! effective at preventing HIV infection. No Insurance, Not Enough Insurance – NO PROBLEM we have you covered! Concerned about discretion in our small-town community? ____________________ Most STDs are asymptomatic, meaning YOU WILL NOT KNOW YOU HAVE ONE. ____________________ Most STDs are asymptomatic, meaning YOU WILL NOT KNOW YOU HAVE ONE. ____________________ FREE personalized PEP & PrEP ____________________ Most STDs are asymptomatic, meaning YOU WILL NOT KNOW YOU HAVE ONE. ____________________ Most STDs are asymptomatic, meaning YOU WILL NOT KNOW YOU HAVE ONE. ____________________ are asymptomatic, meaning YOU WILL NOT KNOW YOU HAVE ONE. ____________________ FREE personalized PEP & PrEP Navigation Services! we have you covered! Concerned about discretion in our small-town community? Using your smartphone, snap a picture of our QR code and be immediately directed to our site, where you can register and have a test kit mailed to you. In the kit you will receive STD testing, HIV testing and tele-med PrEP services, in the privacy of your home or office. It is quick, simple and you will receive services, regardless of your ability to pay or insurance status. ____________________ FREE personalized PEP & PrEP Navigation Services! Call us today, for a free, confidential HIV test! Prescott: 928 776 4612 Concerned about discretion in our small-town community? Using your smartphone, snap a picture of our QR code and be immediately directed to our site, where you can register and have a test kit mailed to you. In the kit you will receive STD testing, HIV testing and tele-med PrEP services, in the privacy of your home or office. It is quick, simple and you will receive services, regardless of your ability to pay or insurance status. Check out our website at: www.northlandcares.org Navigation Services! Call us today, for a free, confidential HIV test! Prescott: 928-776-4612 Cottonwood: 928-649-0833 4612 4612 4612 4612 4612 46124612 4612 46124612 we have you covered! Concerned about discretion in our small-town community? Using your smartphone, snap a picture of our QR code and be immediately directed to our site, where you can register and have a test kit mailed to you. In the kit you will receive STD testing, HIV testing and tele-med PrEP services, in the privacy of your home or office. It is quick, simple and you will receive services, regardless of your ability to pay or insurance status. ____________________ FREE personalized PEP & PrEP Navigation Services! Call us today, for a free, confidential HIV test! Prescott: 928 776 4612 Concerned about discretion in our small-town community? Using your smartphone, snap a picture of our QR code and be immediately directed to our site, where you can register and have a test kit mailed to you. In the kit you will receive STD testing, HIV testing and tele-med PrEP services, in the privacy of your home or office. It is quick, simple and you will receive services, regardless of your ability to pay or insurance status. FREE personalized PEP & PrEP Navigation Services! Call us today, for a free, confidential HIV test! Prescott: 928-776-4612 Cottonwood: 928 649 0833 Using your smartphone, snap a picture of our QR code and be immediately directed to our site, where you can register and have a test kit mailed to you. In the kit you will receive STD testing, HIV testing and tele-med PrEP services, in the privacy of your home or office. It is quick, simple and you will receive services, regardless of your ability to pay or insurance status. Check out our website at: www.northlandcares.org Call us today, for a free, confidential HIV test! Prescott: 928-776-4612 Cottonwood: 928-649-0833 4612 4612 4612 4612 4612 46124612 4612 46124612 CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.NORTHLANDCARES.ORG

Dr. Nancy Knows How to Heal, Inspire, Motivate

New talk show features entrepreneurs, inventors, business owners

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

Six stories up, with a birds-eye view of Valley landmarks like Old Town Scottsdale, Papago Park and the Four Peaks on the eastern skyline, Dr. Nancy Gaines-Dillard, DNP, celebrates the launch of her latest endeavor with Arizona Hall of Fame Broadcaster Dave Pratt, Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame Kicker Nick Lowery and a studio full of celebrities, innovators, entrepreneurs and patients.

Looking and moving more like a high-fashion model than a medical doctor, Dr. Nancy, as she is affectionately known, has joined Pratt, CEO and founder of Star Worldwide Networks, to deliver the Dr. Nancy Knows talk show, a television program that broadcasts inspiration, motivation and hope. “I want to bring awareness to viewers and share what people are doing to improve their community,” she said.

It is here that Bukola Somide has come to discuss her latest invention. Somide is a computer scientist dressed in a tutu and carrying a beautiful, smart doll she invented, named Somi. Somide explains her “incessant desire to give back to the community” and her observation that women and women of color are vastly underrepresented in her field. She started a scholarship to help young women, but then realized she would have to reach girls long before they get to college.

“I needed to work backwards to bring awareness of computer science and the benefits of it to the younger generation – the high schoolers, middle schoolers and elementary schoolers – if I’m to increase the number of young black girls who will be thriving in this field,” she told Dr. Nancy.

The entertaining and educational Somi doll teaches computer science concepts through her voice box. Somide also created “Somi the Computer Scientist: Princess can Code” storybook. “I want young girls who love princess stuff to know it’s ok to like being a princess, but it’s also ok if you want to pursue computer science.”

Dr. Nancy Gaines-Dillard, DNP

Long-time Valley personality Dave Pratt, talk show host Dr. Nancy Gaines-Dillard and Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame Kicker Nick Lowery gather in Scottsdale to launch the Dr. Nancy Knows television program. At the event, Pratt was honored for his success with his Star Worldwide Networks. Photo by Bonnie Stevens

Continued on page 39

Water Damage Fire Damage Smoke Damage Mold Removal Biohazard Clean Up Trauma Pest Cleanup Reconstruction Rebuild

Flagstaff’s most trusted name in emergency restoration!

Emergency: 877-714-0050, 928-714-0050 Business: 928-714-0003 MammothRestorationAZ.com info@MammothRestorationAZ.com Follow Us:

This article is from: