The path forward: Business as usual or managed growth?
A new County-commissioned report lays out proposals for economic development in Sonoita-Elgin, including an emphasis on ‘agritainment.’ But is this what the community wants?
WHAT’S NEW?
Sudden closure of Montessori school concerns community members
For many in Patagonia, the closure raises broader questions about what led to the school’s sudden decline – and what happens next for the students and families it serves.
Our friend Phil
In the wake of Phil Caputo’s passing, the PRT invited local friends, neighbors and admirers to share their reflections on the renowned author with our readers. Here are some of the many responses we received.
LOCAL NEWS
Santa Cruz Little League builds upon last season’s surprising success
The Santa Cruz minor leaguers went 12-0 in the regular season, while the major leaguers finished with a 9-3 record. With both teams heading to the District 8 tournaments later this month, here’s a look at how the season has gone so far.
Town collects community input for CPBA priorities
Patagonia Mayor Andrea Wood said community members had helped town officials establish protection priorities as the Town grapples with the impact of the Hermosa mine.
Sheriff’s Blotter, June 2026
A log of calls to the Sheriff’s office from eastern Santa Cruz County in May.
New three-year contract, raise approved for county manager
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday on a new three-year contract for County Manager Jesus Valdez, whose annual salary will now be $194,000.
Accidents piling up on SR 82
An 11-mile stretch between Sonoita and Nogales has seen four significant emergency incidents in the past three weeks. Here’s brief summaries of each incident, plus tips on how to be alerted to emergencies affecting our area.
COMMUNITY
West-loving barber keeps things simple in new Sonoita location
‘Almost 70 year old’ Clark Wilson is welcoming customers into his Old West Barber Shop for a haircut, a beard trim and some friendly conversation.
Meet Patagonia Deputy Town Manager Carmen Fuentes
The Town’s newest employee brings decades of experience in city government to the job. Here’s what she’s looking to achieve in her new position.
The Coffee Ladies – more than a coffee klatch
Members of the Patagonia Coffee Ladies don’t really drink coffee, but they do exchange news, go on outings and help those in need.
Notes From SEFD, June 2026
News and notes from the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District Board of Directors’ May meeting.
Q&A with Alexis Stark, site manager at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds
The Paton Center’s new site manager reflects on her early months at the Center, sharing her impressions of the Patagonia community, the sense of connection she sees among visitors and volunteers, and the priorities she has set for the site.
SCHOOL NEWS
2026’s graduating classes
Graduation class and ceremony photos for Patagonia Union High School, plus photos of Sonoita Elementary’s eight grade graduates and kindergarten graduates.
Valedictorian: Valeria Castellanos
A self-taught artist, star basketball player and owner of a 4.2 GPA, Valeria Castellanos says the key to much of her academic success was simple: Don’t procrastinate.
Salutatorian: Skylar Sanchez
Skylar has tried a bit of everything during his years at Patagonia Union High School, and closes that chapter of his life as salutatorian.
Donor ‘pays it forward’ with $25K scholarships for two PUHS grads
Brianna Majalca, a graduating PUHS senior, and Brianna (Young) Hubbell, a 2021 graduate, have been selected to receive the Michael R. Snyder Living Trust Scholarship.
Lobos wrap up banner year in athletics
All five PUHS varsity teams qualified for the Class 1A state championships this year — quite an accomplishment for a school with only 80 students. Here’s a look at how it happened.
ARTS & CULTURE
Check it out at the Library: What’s new?
The Library has a collection of over 2,000 DVDs, with new ones being added all the time.
A coffee shop moment becomes a children’s book
Two strangers of very different ages reading together at The Quail Covey inspired one of them — Patagonia resident Joe Ciofalo — to write a book.
Celebrating 1940s Patagonia and Santa Cruz County
A retrospective festival – happening in April and May – explores the 1940s through the voices and sounds that shaped our area’s cultural history. Here’s an overview of the era, and a schedule of the festival’s events.
What is that? (May, 2026)
Before lasers, there was this.
Great trees of Eastern Santa Cruz County: The regal Fremont cottonwood on the Empire Ranch
Possibly germinated before Arizona statehood, this regal behemoth is approximately seven feet wide at the base.
COLUMNS
Glimpses into our past: The Thurber Ranches
During the 1930s and ’40s, Harold Bernard ‘H.B.’ Thurber purchased a total of 1,600 acres and leased over 8,000 acres in the Sonoita area. One of the best known ranchers in the area, he was often referred to as ‘Mr. Hereford.’
Nature’s strip malls
Even though most of them only briefly harbor water, our regions’ seemingly countless arroyos hold great value to local wildlife.
Take a hike!: Crest Trail
If you’re looking for some high-elevation adventure, the Crest Trail is a good choice. Here’s why.
What is that?: ‘Log in’ and make history
Former Patagonia Elementary students, teachers and staff are invited to autograph the new ‘Patagonia Lobo Memory Tree’ at the Patagonia museum.
OPINION
By the bucket
There’s a restaurant in Tucson that sells spaghetti by the bucket and I think that is hilarious. Well, after driving past it countless times on our way to Costco, Zach and I finally gave By the Bucket a try.
Letter to the editor, June 2026
Can anything be done about all the accidents that keep happening on Highway 82? Binx Selby of Patagonia has an idea.
Marshal talks should put ‘horse before the cart’
We need a thorough discussion of law enforcement needs before Patagonia relaunches a Town Marshal’s Office.
The PRT needs more writers
Help the PRT give the people something good to read: volunteer as a citizen journalist!
FROM THE PRT ARCHIVES…
Wilson’s donuts
Wilson could make or find anything, and solve employee, customer or logistics issues—whatever no one else could figure out. When Dad needed skilled cattle horses for the ranch — and word was that the best and cheapest were to be found in Mexico — Wilson and I got the assignment.
Community response ‘amazing’ during Sawmill Fire
When the Sawmill fire tore through Sonoita, displacing 400 people and leaving behind 47,000 acres of charred landscape, people from across Arizona and beyond responded to help out the community and the firefighters working to put out the fire.
Small, affordable houses
Can a 300-square foot house meet a need for affordable housing in Patagonia? A ‘tiny house’ built by local developer Todd Lipton and contractor Kevin McKay at 446 Duquesne showcases the concept.
Patagonia Lake Park gets a facelift
A new marina, new rental boats, a pavilion with wine and microbrews, and rental cabins are planned.
Town looking to close Marshal’s Office
At its June 23 meeting, the Patagonia Town Council will vote on a proposal to close the Marshal’s Office on June 30. Going forward, law enforcement would be supplied by the County Sheriff’s Office.