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KNAU's Morning Rundown: Friday, February 26

It's Friday, Feb. 26. Round out your week with some of the day's top local headlines:

County To Launch More Vaccine Appointments; Spanish-Language Options

Coconino County officials say they’ll open registration for 700 new appointments at noon today to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The first-dose appointments will take place next week at Flagstaff’s Fort Tuthill vaccination site. The county also says it will unveil a Spanish-language registration system for residents — also set to launch today at noon. 

The new appointments come after county officials expressed frustration over limited vaccine supply; inclement weather in other parts of the country also hindered vaccine appointments last week due to delayed shipments. Registration information can be found on the county’s website, which also contains a COVID-19 information hotline.

Para español, visite está página y seleccione "select language" en la esquina inferior izquierda.

Yavapai Regional Medical Center Resumes Elective Procedures

Yavapai County continues to report a decrease in its COVID-19 hospitalizations as cases also decline across the state. Health Services Director Leslie Horton on Thursday announced 33 countywide hospitalizations in Yavapai Regional Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center combined. Yavapai Regional Medical Center announced Thursday its hospitals have resumed elective procedures amid the lowering case rates. The center had paused non-emergent surgeries and procedures in December.

Stanton Proposes Memorial Day For COVID-19 Victims And Survivors

U.S. Representative Greg Stanton says he’ll introduce a House Resolution to establish a memorial day for COVID-19 victims and survivors. Stanton’s resolution would designate the first Monday in March to commemorate those affected by the virus. The proposal comes after half a million people died from coronavirus complications in the United States. Stanton says he worked with Kristin Urquiza, who spoke of the pandemic at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Urquiza, along with Tara Krebbs, founded the non-profit Marked By COVID after both women lost their fathers to the virus.

Officer-Involved Shooting On Navajo Nation Leaves One Person Dead

The Navajo Police Department says officers were involved in a shooting Wednesday afternoon that left one civilian dead. Authorities report officers were pursuing an armed suspect in St. Michaels, near Window Rock. Police say they discharged a tire deflation device at the suspect’s vehicle during a pursuit; the suspect reportedly exited the vehicle and pointed a weapon at the officers, who were “forced to respond to the threat.” 

Yesterday’s report did not identify the suspect or officers involved in the shooting. Police say first aid was administered immediately and the suspect later died at a local hospital. No officers were injured.

Vaccines Make Their Way To Inmates, County Says 

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office says it will begin offering COVID-19 vaccines to inmates “immediately,” according to a statement released Thursday. Sheriff's officials say 180 inmates and 35 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 within the county’s Detention Facility. The facility in Flagstaff has an operating capacity of 477 beds, along with a short-term 24-bed facility in Page, according to the county. Researchers have long identified jails, prisons and other detention facilities as potential hotspots for the virus. County officials say vaccines will be administered first to inmates experiencing additional high-risk conditions, including diabetes, HIV, and hypertension.

Missing Person Last Seen in Mayer, Sheriff’s Office Reports

Yavapai County Sheriff’s officials are searching for a missing woman last seen in Mayer. Arizona, south of the Dewey-Humboldt area. Amber Spurlock, 34, was last seen on foot near Mayer’s east Central Avenue — Spurlock has black hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing a white sweater with maroon sweatpants and two braids. Authorities say she is a “vulnerable adult” and encourage individuals to contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with relevant information.

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