Deep Sky brings home Governor’s Cup from Arizona Wine Competition
The 2026 competition reflected another banner year for Sonoita-Elgin winemakers.
WHAT’S NEW?
Sulphur Springs has first rate hike since 2016
A Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative rate hike averaging 8.83% has prompted frustration and confusion for customers.
Animals testing positive for rabies, County says
Here is the latest alert issued by Santa Cruz County Health Services, in English and en espaňol.
LOCAL NEWS
Sheriff’s Blotter for March, 2026
A log of calls to the Sheriff’s office from eastern Santa Cruz County in March.
Focus shifts to protections following early actions agreement
Patagonia and Santa Cruz County officials caution that approving the agreement with South32 was the easy part of a longer process.
Town Council sets April 8 hearing regarding citizens’ concerns about air protections in CPBA
Here is the official notice.
Open meetings violation in Gutfahr case leads to ruling of ‘null and void’
Here’s an analysis of what this ruling means, and what’s likely to happen next.
Patagonia Mayor Wood to run unopposed for third term
Caleb Weaver will be running unopposed in the July 21 primary election for the Town Council seat being vacated by Steve Finch.
COMMUNITY
Sonoita-Elgin Merchants Chamber of Commerce gets a fresh start
Pieces are falling into place to create a win-win for community members and merchants.
Coming off a successful fundraiser, Patagonia pool reopens
The Patagonia pool will offer lap swimming and water aerobics three times a week starting April 13.
Get involved!
April 19-25 is National Volunteer Week. In our area, much of what we take for granted runs on or is significantly operated by volunteers. Here’s a directory of local organizations that you can get involved in.
Big turnout for ‘No Kings’ demonstration in Patagonia
Over 220 protesters turned out last Saturday for the two-hour demonstration along Naugle Avenue. Here’s a slideshow of photos of the event.
The long awaited tick study update
In 2021 the communities of Elgin, Sonoita and Patagonia began collecting ticks, gifted them to me, and they were shipped to the CDC to test for the bacteria that causes a form of spotted fever. Here’s an update on the CDC’s findings thus far.
SCHOOL NEWS
Senior Spotlights 2026, Part I
This month, we begin our series of profiles of the Patagonia Union High School Class of 2026.
Lobos baseball ranked 15th heading into final month
The Lobos have a 5-4 record with eight games remaining as they try to qualify for the state tournament for the first time since 2021.
From the balcony to the gridiron: PUHS presents a new take on ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Patagonia Union High School is organizing its first theatrical production in almost four years.
Botz tunes up, turns on the school music program
Nick Botz, the Patagonia schools’ new music instructor, follows a teaching philosophy in which students “learn music through play.”
Lobos have high hopes for boys tennis season
The squad is led by seniors Jaxon Yslava and Skylar Sanchez and juniors Alex Ruskowitz and Louis Reyes, who are joined by two newcomers: senior Lenin Albarran and sophomore Jorge Sotello.
ARTS & CULTURE
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.
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.
Check it out at the library: The Puzzle Exchange
Your library card isn’t just for books. You also can borrow puzzles.
Whose car was this on?
True or false: A woman might have driven a car with this license plate in Patagonia in the 1930s.
Verse against the machine
Longtime environmental advocate Russ McSpadden’s first book is a collection of poetry drawing on his experiences in the borderlands.
COLUMNS
Take a hike!: Carrie Nation Trail
This trail, easily accessible on the west side of the Santa Ritas, takes hikers through a very popular birding area, where it is common to see the elusive elegant trogon.
Nature Journeys: Every season at once
The soaking autumn and winter rains and our unnervingly warm winter have brought forth a profusion of life across the Sky Islands.
Notes from SEFD: Distinguished Action pins awarded to SEFD team
Five Sonoita-Elgin Fire District members who saved a community member’s life in December have been awarded Commendations for Distinguished Action.
Glimpses into our past: The Fryer Family
Here’s the story of the Fryer family, who homesteaded what would become the Little Outfit Ranch in the San Rafael Valley. A tin box of Harry Fryer’s “important” papers provides a glimpse of life in the 1930s.
Starstruck: Light and darkness
Throughout April, and well before typical bedtimes, the beautiful and awe-inspiring constellations Orion, Gemini, Ursa Major, Taurus and Leo can all be seen from our Southern Arizona backyards sitting below the majestic sky islands.
OPINION
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.
ESA program raises concerns about equity
School choice must be balanced with accountability, transparency and a firm commitment to equity for all students.
My (former) life of crime
Shocking confessions of childhood misdeeds — and a request for forgiveness.
Letters to the editor (April 2026)
Letters from Cynie K. Murray and Dick Bauerbach.
The PRT needs more writers
Help the PRT give the people something good to read: volunteer as a citizen journalist!
FROM THE PRT ARCHIVES…
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.
Sonoita neighbors upset by deer hunters
Two Representatives from AZ Game and Fish met with more than 50 residents after complaints were raised about hunters seen taking a deer in the Sonoita Hills area.
Locals share memories of growing up in Patagonia
Maureen De La Ossa, Cynthia, Matus-Morriss, Emma Matus-Voss, German Quiroga and Sylvia Benedict shared memories of their early years here during the May 3 “Living Treasures” event at Patagonia Public Library.
Taxes, secession topics at Sonoita town hall meeting
More than 100 Sonoita and Elgin residents gathered on Nov. 12 at the Sonoita Fairgrounds to discuss property taxes and the possibility of joining Cochise County.
Rotary Park opens in Sonoita
The Sept. 29 opening ceremony for the Fred Sang Memorial Park was the culmination of eight years of hard work by the Mountain Empire Rotary Club.