The Sedona Police Department will conduct a live test of portable emergency sirens on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, between 1 and 3 p.m. The test is part of a pilot program to launch a new Emergency Siren System in Uptown.

There is something magnetic about Soldier Pass. Maybe it is the way the red rock glows after sunrise, or the echo of footsteps through canyons carved by time itself. Whatever it is, Soldier Pass remains one of Sedona’s most iconic hikes, blending geological drama, quiet forest stretches, and a hint of adventure for those who like to explore beyond the main path.

The Sedona City Council’s October 14 meeting agenda lists an executive session that has already drawn public attention for its vague but serious subject matter. According to the posted agenda, the council plans to meet privately “to discuss or consider the disciplining of a public officer,” citing Arizona Revised Statutes §38-431.03(A)(1) and (3). The same session will also include discussion of the employment or appointment of Richard Speer to fill the Presiding Magistrate J

A major project aimed at protecting both drivers and wildlife is coming soon to the high country north of Sedona. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), working in partnership with Arizona Game and Fish, has announced plans to construct the Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass along Interstate 17 near milepost 327 between Kelly Canyon and Munds Park. The $21-million project will create a safe crossing for animals and help reconnect important habitat.

Sedona City Council will once again consider changes to its short-term rental ordinance during its October 14 meeting, marking the second round of revisions to Chapter 5.25 of the city code this year. The new item, listed as AB 3258, proposes amendments to Sections 5.25.030 and 5.25.110, which regulate operating requirements and penalties for license suspension or revocation.

As the weather cools and the leaves start to turn, I find myself thinking less about the beauty of fall and more about the people who will soon be sleeping outside in it. Every year, as Sedona heads into winter, families without stable housing struggle to stay warm, and some do not survive the season. We have lost community members before to the cold. It is heartbreaking that we may face the same again if nothing changes.

Few hikes capture the spirit of Sedona quite like Devil’s Bridge Trail, one of the area’s most photographed and beloved destinations. Rising from the red rock desert just northwest of town, this natural sandstone arch stretches dramatically across a canyon.

Autumn in Sedona transforms the red rock landscape into a living painting of gold, amber, and crimson. The cooler air and warm sunlight make this the perfect season to explore the trails that define the heart of Red Rock Country. Whether you’re looking for a quick scenic escape or a half-day adventure, these five hikes showcase the very best of Sedona in the fall.

From casual roadside favorites to refined dining with a view, Sedona’s culinary scene continues to impress both locals and visitors. These five standout restaurants define this year's staff choice, best of 2025. Each offering something distinctly Sedona, from comfort classics to creative flavor and presentation.

  Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow has resigned, effective September 30, ending his term more than a year early. The announcement, delivered by email to city leadership, leaves Vice Mayor Holli Ploog temporarily serving as acting mayor until the council votes on a longer-term replacement later this month. The appointed interim mayor will hold the seat until the November 2026 election.

There are some places in Sedona where the land seems to perform for you, revealing one view after another like scenes in a storybook. The Merry-Go-Round Trail is one of those places. At just 1.4 miles out and back, with about 288 feet of elevation gain, it may be short in length, but it carries the drama and beauty that make Sedona’s trails unforgettable.

The City of Sedona continues to exclude Oak Creek Chronicle, LLC from its official media distribution practices, despite repeated requests. The Chronicle has asked multiple times through the City Clerk’s office to be added to the same practices that provides local outlets with press releases, manager’s briefings, and meeting packets. To date, no acknowledgment or response has been given.

Sedona is supposed to be a designated Dark Sky Community, and for good reason. The stars above this valley are one of our greatest treasures, and many of us have lived here long enough to remember when the night sky still looked the way it should. Along with that designation, the city has long had rules about lighting and noise. We also have ordinances that are supposed to keep things reasonable for residents who actually live and sleep here.

There’s something about hiking in Sedona that always feels like coming home. Growing up over in Prescott, I spent my youth wandering trails that smelled of pine and dust, but the red rocks of Sedona have a magic all their own. The Airport Loop Trail is one of those places where you can lace up your boots, step onto the path, and feel like you’ve been dropped right into the heart of this landscape.

Sedona has long carried a reputation that stretches beyond its red rocks and hiking trails. To some, it is a spiritual center with portals and vortexes that open into other dimensions. To others, it is a hotspot for unidentified aerial phenomena. Over the years, the city has developed a mystique that blends folklore, strange sightings, and whispered stories of things the official maps never mention.

When residents raise questions about Sedona’s city budget, one theme consistently emerges: salaries and operational costs consume nearly half of the city’s annual spending. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Parks and Recreation Department, where three senior employees have together received more than six hundred thousand dollars in total compensation since 2021.

As a teenager growing up in Sedona, I feel like kids and families in this community are being forgotten. Every day I hear my friends say the same thing: “I can’t wait to turn 18 and move away.” That is not how it should be. A hometown should be a place that makes you want to stay, to build a future, and to feel like you matter.

For families and casual hikers who want a taste of Sedona’s beauty without committing to an all-day trek, Huckaby Trail is a perfect pick. Stretching about 5.6 miles out and back, this moderately challenging hike combines red rock vistas, lush creekside shade, and the peaceful sound of flowing water.

For decades, Sedona has been a haven, a place where people come to connect with nature and find a sense of community. My family has lived here for generations, and I've watched this town evolve, but recently, I feel like our very soul is being sold off, one short-term rental at a time.

Tlaquepaque, a name that resonates with the rich artistic soul of Sedona, is more than just a shopping center; it is a living tribute to the architecture and artistry of Old Mexico. The village’s story begins in the early 1970s with the vision of Abe Miller, a successful businessman from Nevada who fell in love with both the art of Mexico and the stunning landscape of Sedona.