Region Briefs | Diné, Acoma receive part of HUD’s $73.9 in block grants

WASHINGTON

The Navajo Nation and Acoma Pueblo are among tribes receiving part of the more than $73.9 million in Indian Community Block Grant-American Rescue Plan awards to 68 tribal communities.

The Navajo Nation will receive $3.4 million for 69 cistern and/or septic systems, install drain fields, and repair water lines all to improve sanitation services.
Acoma Pueblo will receive $1 million to for high-speed internet and connectivity.

The Monday announcement, made during a press call with HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman, underscores the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to deliver COVID-19 relief to tribes.

These funds will help protect the health and safety of tribal communities, particularly low-and moderate-income individuals and families, by expanding access to safe housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities, said a HUD news release.

HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman said, “HUD understands its responsibility to Indigenous communities. These awards will provide critical funding to tribes to help them prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.”

The announcement came just before the White House Tribal Nations Summit began. The summit, held Monday and Tuesday, built upon President Biden’s commitment to strengthening the federal relationship with tribal nations.

The summit fulfills a commitment to reinstate the Tribal Nations Conference that was held annually throughout the Obama-Biden administration.

Coconino Co. sheriff receives $30,000 to fight impaired drivers

FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has received a $30,000 grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for DUI/impaired driving enforcement, the sheriff’s office reported Monday.

The grant will reimburse the agency for overtime and equipment for patrols and efforts to prevent impaired drivers by alcohol and/or drugs.

The sheriff’s office is dedicated to aggressive traffic enforcement with the specific goal of making streets, roadways, and highways safer for the citizens of Arizona.

During 2020, the office saw a record number of fatal and near fatal crashes along with unprecedented visitation on the public lands within the county.

Many of these crashes involved drivers who were impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. With the passage of Proposition 207, an increase in marijuana impaired drivers was seen and the office expects this trend to continue.

Sheriff Jim Driscoll has made impaired drives a top priority. Deputies have received specialized training and two attended Drug Recognition Expert training.

Public hearings on draft maps for AZ congressional, legislative districts

PHOENIX – The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will host in-person, public input on the adopted draft maps for Arizona’s nine congressional districts and 30 state legislative districts in Prescott Valley and Kykotsmovi, Nov. 12 and 19.

Citizens have numerous ways to provide input:

• Attend in-person meetings to provide comments – draft map hearings (Nov. to Dec.) schedule: Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. at Prescott Valley Public Library; satellite location at Hopi Veterans Center.

• Pre-register for public comment during virtual town halls on Nov.12, 19 and Dec. 3. The virtual meetings start at 12 p.m. (MST). All pre-registration must be completed by no later than 11 p.m. on day of meeting.

• Provide online feedback on draft congressional maps and draft legislative maps.

• Provide comments from the IRC website “Contact Us.”

• Email us at ircadmin@azdoa.gov

The adopted draft maps are the third of a four-phase process to draw new district boundaries. After a 30-day public comment period, the IRC will meet again to establish final district boundaries. This fourth and final phase is expected to conclude in December 2021.

NM reminds drivers to ‘Take a Ride on Us’

SANTA FE – As Thanksgiving celebrations involving alcohol begin, the New Mexico Department of Transportation and its partners are promoting the “Take a Ride on Us” program designed to combat drunk driving.

The ‘Take a Ride on Us” sober ride program offers 2,500 participants an Uber credit of up to $10, one ride per person, in the Albuquerque metro area through 3 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 29.

The Uber app code is: THANKS2021 and was available for download beginning Monday.

Tips are not included, and refunds are not provided for trips costing less than the $10 credit. The code is also not valid for use with Uber Eats.

In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NMDOT are conducting a social media blitz this Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 25, to remind drivers, “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.”

The campaign delivers lifesaving messages to the public and encourages positive actions that can help reduce impaired driving on the roadways.

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