Latest news with #Flagstaff
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Top-Ranked Northern Arizona Brokerage JBRE & Co. Joins Real
Article content MIAMI — The Real Brokerage Inc. (NASDAQ: REAX), a leading real estate technology platform redefining the industry through innovation and culture, today announced that JBRE & Co., the No. 1 real estate team in Northern Arizona based on homes sold, has joined the company. Led by Justin Bemis, the nine-agent team serves Flagstaff, Sedona and Prescott and is on track to exceed $100 million in sales in 2025. Real now exceeds 29,000 agents. Article content Founded by Bemis in 2017, JBRE & Co. is known for delivering personalized real estate experiences through strategic marketing, full-service support and a team culture built on innovation, collaboration and care. The team's commitment to client-first service and tech-enabled systems has made it a go-to name in Northern Arizona real estate. In 2024, the team closed 138 transactions totaling $73 million in volume. Since its founding in 2017, the team has represented more than 670 buyers and sellers, with cumulative sales exceeding $310 million. Article content 'Justin and his team at JBRE & Co. bring exactly the kind of client-focused mindset we value at Real,' said Tamir Poleg, Chairman and CEO of Real. 'They've built a standout brand by investing in both people and technology—two pillars that define our company. As they continue expanding in Northern Arizona, we're proud to support their next chapter.' Article content JBRE & Co.'s marketing-forward approach and commitment to streamlined, high-touch service reflects Bemis' larger vision to reshape how real estate is experienced in regional markets. From leveraging digital tools to nurturing a strong referral network, JBRE & Co. is redefining what it means to deliver full-spectrum service outside major metro hubs. Article content 'In today's market, staying ahead takes more than just hustle; it takes a culture of collaboration—and that's exactly what drew us to Real,' said Bemis. 'Real gives us the platform to grow smarter and faster, without compromising the values that define our team. Flagstaff offers four seasons, a strong sense of community and a central location that makes it a top relocation destination. We're excited to connect with like-minded agents across Real's network and elevate what we offer our clients.' Article content About Real Article content Real (NASDAQ: REAX) is a real estate experience company working to make life's most complex transaction simple. The fast-growing company combines essential real estate, mortgage and closing services with powerful technology to deliver a single seamless end-to-end consumer experience, guided by trusted agents. With a presence in all 50 states throughout the U.S. and Canada, Real supports over 29,000 agents who use its digital brokerage platform and tight-knit professional community to power their own forward-thinking businesses. Additional information can be found on its website at Article content . Article content Some of the statements in this press release are 'forward-looking statements,' as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding agent growth. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risk of slowdowns in real estate markets, economic and industry downturns and Real's ability to attract new agents and retain current agents. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. They include the risks discussed under the heading 'Risk Factors' in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 6, 2025, and 'Risks and Uncertainties' in the Company's Quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended March 31, 2025, copies of which are available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Investor inquiries, please contact: Article content Ravi Jani Article content Article content Chief Financial Officer Article content Article content investors@ Article content Article content 908.280.2515 Article content For media inquiries, please contact: Article content Elisabeth Warrick Article content Article content Article content
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Top-Ranked Northern Arizona Brokerage JBRE & Co. Joins Real
The Real Brokerage Inc. (NASDAQ: REAX), a leading real estate technology platform redefining the industry through innovation and culture, today announced that JBRE & Co., the No. 1 real estate team in Northern Arizona based on homes sold, has joined the company. Led by Justin Bemis, the nine-agent team serves Flagstaff, Sedona and Prescott and is on track to exceed $100 million in sales in 2025. Real now exceeds 29,000 agents. Founded by Bemis in 2017, JBRE & Co. is known for delivering personalized real estate experiences through strategic marketing, full-service support and a team culture built on innovation, collaboration and care. The team's commitment to client-first service and tech-enabled systems has made it a go-to name in Northern Arizona real estate. In 2024, the team closed 138 transactions totaling $73 million in volume. Since its founding in 2017, the team has represented more than 670 buyers and sellers, with cumulative sales exceeding $310 million. 'Justin and his team at JBRE & Co. bring exactly the kind of client-focused mindset we value at Real,' said Tamir Poleg, Chairman and CEO of Real. 'They've built a standout brand by investing in both people and technology—two pillars that define our company. As they continue expanding in Northern Arizona, we're proud to support their next chapter.' JBRE & Co.'s marketing-forward approach and commitment to streamlined, high-touch service reflects Bemis' larger vision to reshape how real estate is experienced in regional markets. From leveraging digital tools to nurturing a strong referral network, JBRE & Co. is redefining what it means to deliver full-spectrum service outside major metro hubs. 'In today's market, staying ahead takes more than just hustle; it takes a culture of collaboration—and that's exactly what drew us to Real,' said Bemis. 'Real gives us the platform to grow smarter and faster, without compromising the values that define our team. Flagstaff offers four seasons, a strong sense of community and a central location that makes it a top relocation destination. We're excited to connect with like-minded agents across Real's network and elevate what we offer our clients.' About Real Real (NASDAQ: REAX) is a real estate experience company working to make life's most complex transaction simple. The fast-growing company combines essential real estate, mortgage and closing services with powerful technology to deliver a single seamless end-to-end consumer experience, guided by trusted agents. With a presence in all 50 states throughout the U.S. and Canada, Real supports over 29,000 agents who use its digital brokerage platform and tight-knit professional community to power their own forward-thinking businesses. Additional information can be found on its website at Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding agent growth. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risk of slowdowns in real estate markets, economic and industry downturns and Real's ability to attract new agents and retain current agents. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. They include the risks discussed under the heading 'Risk Factors' in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 6, 2025, and 'Risks and Uncertainties' in the Company's Quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended March 31, 2025, copies of which are available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at It is not possible for management to predict all the possible risks that could affect Real or to assess the impact of all possible risks on Real's business.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Piestewa Games Honor The Legacy Of A Fallen Native American Hero
Lori Ann Piestewa is the inspiration behind the Piestewa Games, a three-day athletic event featuring ... More competitions in five sports (with a sixth, Powerlifting, taking place in the fall). Athletic Competitions Continue To Honor A Hero's Legacy The highly anticipated annual Piestewa Games (formerly the Lori Piestewa Native American Games) at the Arizona Athletic Grounds did not disappoint. The event brings together sports teams from Native American communities for spirited team and individual competitions. A record number of athletes (3,523) and coaches (552) participated in Baseball, Basketball, Slow-Pitch, Wrestling and Fastpitch, new to the lineup this year. The traditional Powerlifting competition is scheduled later this year in Flagstaff. Fastpitch softball made its debut at the Games this year, with 9 teams, 135 athletes and 18 coaches. The Games honor Hopi tribal member U.S. Army Specialist Lori Piestewa who, in 2003, became the first Native American woman killed in combat while serving in the U.S. Military. Just 23 at the time, the Tuba City, AZ native died after her convoy was ambushed in Iraq. She left behind two small children, Brandon and Carla Whiterock, and a community determined to never forget her sacrifice. The tournament is a tribute to the late veteran and a source of pride and unity for the Native American community, many of whom share personal histories. It fosters camaraderie, rekindles old friendships, and motivates younger athletes. Multiple generations have now competed in the Games and return to either coach or watch their kids carry on the tradition. Lori's spirit was a powerful force throughout the three-day tournament, going beyond the visual representations of her life in photos, on banners, shirts and merchandise. It was felt in the joy of the crowd, the enthusiasm of the athletes, and the shared sense of community and purpose among everyone on site. What began as a grassroots extension of the Grand Canyon State Games has expanded considerably since coming under the auspices of the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC). The organization's mission is to bring sporting events to Arizona, assist in the promotion of existing events, and support youth and amateur sports programs. Executive Director Nikki Balich explained that their motto – Impact Arizona – emphasizes serving quietly and impacting loudly, with meaningful, respectful, and community-driven activities. Rez Ball on the Court Basketball drew the largest field of competitors, with 197 teams, 2,364 athletes and 394 coaches. The sport carries deep historical and cultural significance for tribal communities. 'Rez Ball' has become synonymous with a high energy, aggressive style of play that athletes developed in off-site Native boarding schools and brought back to their reservations. Many of the basketball participants are return competitors and have played with their teams for ... More years Brandon noted that the origins of rez ball style are rooted in the tradition of long distance running, particularly among the Navajo and Hopi tribes. 'When you run cross country, you're basically getting conditioned to run up and down the basketball court,' he explained. 'Native Americans kind of came up with the concept of run and gun. All you did was run up and down the court until the other team got tired.' The Stay Sober Elite boys basketball team, composed of sophomores from the White Mountains, won the JV Division Championship at this year's Games. The team name, Stay Sober Elite, reflects a mission to promote sobriety and positive choices among Native youth who face challenges of drugs and alcohol in their home communities. Their interim coach, Dan Butterfield Jr., is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and a Veterans Administration employee. Coach Butterfield emphasizes the importance of earning the trust of his players and, in turn, his ... More players learning to trust each other. 'Addiction's a big thing,' he said. 'And some of the parents that are running this, they've beaten addiction, and they've come back and now they're out there sending positive vibes to the community. And in return, their children are seeing that and want to carry on that legacy and want to share that.' Butterfield, a fellow Tuba City native, has a very personal connection to the Piestewa family. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC at the same time Lori lived there during her ex-husband's Army posting, prior to her own enlistment. She gave birth to her two children in North Carolina, and for three years became the go-to babysitter for Butterfield's son, who was the same age as Brandon. The well-respected coach, described by his players as 'loud but knowledgeable,' laughingly recalls an experience with Lori that left a lasting impression. The two were driving to Myrtle Beach from Fort Bragg when she suddenly stopped the car to avoid hitting a turtle crossing the road. Rather than simply moving it to the side of the road Lori chose to rescue it and give it a name – Myrtle the Turtle. That adopted turtle came back to Tuba City with Lori and, according to Butterfield, lived a long and happy life, passing away just a few months ago. Family Affair Lori's family is the heart of the tournament, playing a vital role in planning and bringing the Games to life by promoting unity, diversity and empowerment through sports. Her mother Percy, a petite 77-year-old bundle of energy, addressed the fact that the Games are not Native-only, but are open to anybody. Her daughter, in fact, was both Hopi and Hispanic which makes inclusivity a core value to the family. 'Lori's legacy was to bring people together, any ethnicity, any background. And that's what we do in these games,' she emphasized. 'We want everyone to feel included to come together and participate in good sportsmanship, camaraderie, and also for the youth to go to the next level, achieve their dreams, and play in a wonderful facility that they don't normally get to.' (L-R) Carla Whiterock, Percy Piestewa, baseball player Ramon Moreno, Coach Moses Cota and Brandon ... More Whiterock. Percy and her late husband Terry raised Lori's children, who were just four and three years old when their mother died. After the kids were grown and Terry had unfortunately passed away, Percy's irrepressible energy led her back into the workforce. Four years ago, she took a position as an advocate assistant with Victim Witness Services in Flagstaff, helping people in crisis. Percy and Terry filled two essential roles in Brandon and Carla's lives taking on the responsibility of grandparents (spoilers) and parents (disciplinarians). 'They did a terrific job balancing that out,' said Brandon gratefully. 'I always give them so much credit because it wasn't easy.' Percy, however, laughed off any notion that it was struggle noting instead that as the next to oldest of 18 kids, she did a lot of sibling raising. Brandon graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2022 with a degree in exercise science and was honored with the prestigious Gold Axe Award, which recognizes graduating seniors for exceptional achievements in academics, service, and leadership. He earned a master's degree in educational leadership and is on the staff of NAU's Office of Veteran and Military Services. His entrepreneurial younger sister Carla is a successful self-employed aesthetician working in Flagstaff and Page. Athleticism runs in the family, making their involvement with the Games especially fitting. Lori excelled at softball and volleyball; Brandon and Carla were multi-sport athletes; and even Percy played softball, was a member of the high school trampoline team and taught aerobics for a time. Brandon is an avid powerlifter who was instrumental in adding the strength sport to the Games in 2023, and he has served as commissioner since the beginning. Wrestling returned to the Games this year, with 72 athletes and 12 coaches. The family was constantly on the move during the Games, greeting folks, presenting medals and sharing details about Lori's vibrant and full life. While her service and sacrifice was one extraordinary chapter, she did have a life before that and the family hopes people will see her as a real person, not a headline or a hashtag. Said Brandon, 'We want (the athletes) to get to know our mother and who and what they're playing for. It makes the competition more fierce when they realize that they're playing for something greater than themselves.' Educating participants and their families about the long history of Native American veterans is another important element of the Piestewa Games. Native people have the highest per-capita involvement of any population to serve in the U.S. military, with an estimated 20,000+ active and reserve members and nearly 150,000 veterans in the U.S. Percy encourages kids, especially, to learn more. 'So go home and ask your veteran family members about their terms of duty and what they've represented because so many of our veterans got left out and if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here.' The competition among girls teams was fierce. Next Up The family's short-term goal is to revive the cross country competition, paused for the past three years. It's a sport with major cultural connections to Indian Country. 'It's been very important since my sister and I were younger,' explained Brandon, noting it was a cherished family tradition. 'Our family would run, even my grandfather, and as much as I don't like getting up early, we would always get up early to run with him.' ASEC organizers hope to eventually elevate the Games by establishing qualifier tournaments across the country, starting with basketball. Their short-term need is more mundane – exposure software across all sports to enhance participant experience and streamline operations. Explained Balich, 'We need software to help us run the games because everything is hand done. It's costing us too much in staff time and is very frustrating for everybody involved. That worked five years ago. That doesn't work today.' Corporate sponsorship would put some short- and long-term goals within reach. It's difficult to imagine a more positive association for a potential sponsor, especially taking into account the economic impact of the Games. Last year they generated an estimated $7 million for the local economy, through hospitality, transportation, retail, taxes and other ancillary items. But Balich is quick to emphasize that any sponsorship would have to be based on authenticity and integrity, not corporate exploitation. 'Especially in the Native space, we're looking for the right sponsors. I don't want a sponsor that's there to exploit the Native Americans, I want the right sponsor who wants to better the lives of human beings.' Ultimately, ASEC and the Piestewas are dedicated to increasing representation for the Native community. As Brandon concluded, 'It's about bringing people together, honoring our mom's legacy and making sure that the Native youth have a have a bigger picture of goals in life, and how to achieve them.' There was a sense at the Games that many young participants initially didn't know much about Lori but have since learned who she was and what she stood for. It's knowledge they'll take back to their communities and share with their schoolmates who ask about the portrait on the Piestewa Games teeshirts they take home. The Games were infused with Lori Piestewa's spirit.
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Patient dies from the ‘Black Death' plague less than 24 hours after symptoms first emerged
Unlike the more common bubonic type, pneumonic plague infects the lungs and spreads from person to person via airborne droplets PLAGUE ALERT Patient dies from the 'Black Death' plague less than 24 hours after symptoms first emerged Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PERSON has died from plague just 24-hours after they showed up at hospital with symptoms, health officals have said. The victim was rushed to Flagstaff Medical Center in Arizona, US, showing severe symptoms, and died the same day, an email seen by local media suggests. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 An unidentified person has died from the plague in the US An autopsy later confirmed the presence of Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes plague. Officials said the individual had pneumonic plague, the rarest and most dangerous form of the disease. Unlike the more common bubonic type, pneumonic plague infects the lungs and spreads from person to person via airborne droplets. Without urgent treatment, it can kill within just 24 hours, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warns. No further details about the patient have been released. It is the first confirmed plague death in Coconino County, in northern Arizona, since 2007, when a case was linked to contact with a dead animal carrying the infection. The Coconino County government said the risk to the public of exposure remains low. "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased," Patrice Horstman from the county's Board of Supervisors Chair, said in a statement. "We are keeping them in our thoughts during this difficult time. "Out of respect for the family, no additional information about the death will be released." The Black Death The plague is infamously responsible for the 14th-century Black Death that wiped out half of Europe. It remains on both the WHO and UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) priority pathogen lists due to its potential to cause a pandemic. Though now rare and treatable with antibiotics, plague can still be deadly. Pneumonic cases in particular are fatal in up to 90 per cent of patients if left untreated. There are several forms of plague. Bubonic plague, the most common form, is usually spread through the bite of infected fleas. 2 The disease can cause tissue to turn black and die Credit: Wikipedia The disease can be transmitted to humans either by flea bites or through direct contact with infected animals, including pet dogs and cats. The main symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, usually in the neck, groin, thighs, or armpits. These swollen nodes, called buboes, can cause surrounding tissue to turn black and die, a symptom believed to have inspired the name "Black Death." Septicemic plague occurs when the infection spreads to the bloodstream. It can develop on its own or as a complication of bubonic plague, causing symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, shock, and bleeding into the skin and organs. Pneumonic plague, the most severe form, infects the lungs and can spread rapidly between humans through airborne droplets. It often starts as bubonic or septicemic plague that has spread to the lungs if left untreated. Symptoms include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and sometimes coughing up blood. Pneumonic plague requires immediate medical attention. Last week, officials from the Coconino County Health Department reported several prairie dog deaths northeast of Flagstaff, which can be a sign of the disease. However, health officials have since confirmed that the recent human plague death is not connected to the prairie dog die-off. Risk to Brits is 'very low' The WHO estimates between 1,000 and 2,000 cases occur globally each year. On average, seven human plague cases are reported in the US each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meanwhile, plague is no longer found in the UK, and the risk of imported cases is considered 'very low,' according to government guidance. However, Covid jab scientists are developing a Black Death vaccine over fears the disease could re-emerge and kill millions. The team behind the Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine said they had made progress on an injection that could prevent bubonic plague from developing The last significant British outbreak occurred in Suffolk in 1918, though a few isolated cases have been suspected since. Recent infections have been reported in countries including the US, Peru, China, Bolivia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Russia.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arizona resident dies of pneumonic plague, the first deadly case in area in nearly 20 years
An Arizona resident died of pneumonic plague, becoming the first person to succumb to the disease in the area in nearly 20 years, according to officials. The victim, who was not identified, lived in Coconino County, which includes Flagstaff, local officials said. The last recorded death in Coconino County was in 2007. Only about seven people are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and most cases are concentrated in the western states. Us Measles Cases Hit Highest Level In More Than 30 Years, Cdc Data Shows In the U.S., it's most likely to be found in rural areas of northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, southern Colorado, California, southern Oregon and western Nevada, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease is most commonly found in Africa. Read On The Fox News App The Bubonic Plague Influenced Evolution Of The Human Immune System, New Study Suggests Pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, is the deadliest form of the disease. Although the plague killed millions of Europeans during the Black Death of the 14th century, it is now easily treated with antibiotics. Pneumonic plague causes severe pneumonia and respiratory failure, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Bubonic plague is the most common form of the disease, affecting the lymph nodes. Septicemic plague is the least common form of the disease and affects the bloodstream. The plague is usually transmitted through flea bites from wild rodents or contact with an infected animal, and it can even spread person-to-person through the air. The Arizona Department of Health Services did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: Arizona resident dies of pneumonic plague, the first deadly case in area in nearly 20 years
