USDA is expanding access to innovative online food purchase program  U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced approval for Arizona and California’s request to provide online purchasing of food to SNAP Households in the States of Arizona and California.  This approval will allow the States to expedite the implementation of online purchasing with currently authorized SNAP online retailers with a target start date later this month. California’s SNAP participation is over 4 million individuals, more than 2.2 million households, and totals more than $6 billion annually in federal funding. Arizona’s SNAP participation is nearly 800,000 individuals, almost 380,000 households,…

Recent state and federal actions have expanded eligibility and benefit amounts for Arizona workers impacted by COVID-19. On March 20, Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order, later followed by the signing of legislation, ensuring those who are out of work or facing a loss of hours because of COVID-19 have access to unemployment benefits. The order: Waived the one-week waiting period after an employee loses a job before they apply for unemployment benefits; and Temporarily suspended work search requirements for those receiving unemployment benefits. The order also expanded who is eligible to receive unemployment benefits to include: Individuals whose employer has permanently or…

KINGMAN – The Mohave County Fairgrounds property in Kingman is being eyed as a possible isolation and quarantine center. Department of Public Health Director Denise Burley told county supervisors Wednesday that the Fairgrounds could possibly be used if needed during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  Fairgrounds Manager Tim Woods confirmed, before the Board meeting began, that he has had recent communications with county officials. “The Fairgrounds has always been in the emergency management plan for Mohave County because of the size of the buildings, the way we are set up, parking and location,” Woods said. “Right now we are going over…

Governor Doug Ducey on Tuesday, April 7, issued an Executive Order allowing Arizona restaurants to repackage and sell grocery items they have on hand, including items not normally packaged and labeled for resale. Governor Ducey’s order comes in the wake of the Food and Drug Administration’s recent decision to provide temporary flexibility for nutrition labeling of packaged food. “Even with dine-in and carry-out options still available to patrons, many Arizona restaurants are struggling due to COVID-19,” said Governor Ducey. “Today’s Executive Order provides flexibility for restaurant owners to safely sell prepared and bulk foods or supplies they have on hand…

It may be early summer before officials know whether current spending plan needs to be adjusted MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave County is no different than any other government organization that is trying to gauge possible budget impacts associated with the economy-crippling COVID-19 pandemic. Financial Services Director Coral Loyd said the landscape is uncertain, sometimes changing daily, or even by the hour. The good news, Loyd said, is that the county got off to a strong start during the first half of the current fiscal year with incoming revenue building a bit of an initial cushion for any conceivable coronavirus catastrophe….