Road-weary Lobos ranked 4th in 1A volleyball
Patagonia is ranked fourth in the initial state volleyball rankings for Class 1A schools. A leaky gymnasium roof has enabled the Lobos to play just two home matches in the season’s first five weeks.
Monitoring the air in eastern Santa Cruz County
The AirSMART Network is a community air-quality monitoring project, using relatively small, low-cost sensors capable of providing frequent, real-time measurements of particulate pollution and other atmospheric conditions.
WHAT’S NEW?
Activists schedule ‘Day of Action’ on Oct. 4 in Lochiel as Forest Service issues closure order
Border-wall protests continue in the Lochiel area as the U.S. Forest Service closes off a strip of borderland ‘to protect public health and safety.’
ADOT posts display boards for Babocomari Bridge project
A series of 11 display boards outlining the Babocomari Creek Bridge project in Elgin has been posted for public viewing by ADOT.
LOCAL NEWS
Trump administration sued to stop Hermosa mine expansion in Patagonia Mountains
Two environmental organizations filed suit challenging approvals by U.S. Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service, alleging violations of Endangered Species Act.
General Election debate: Arizona Attorney General
Republican Warren Peterson is challenging incumbent Kris Mayes for the position of Arizona Attorney General.
Engineers present costs, implications of 4 alternatives for Babocomari Bridge
HDR Engineering has presented cost estimates and a summary evaluation for four alternatives for the future of the Babocomari/Elgin Bridge.
General Election debate: Superintendent of Public Instruction
Candidates Terry Leyba Ruiz (D) and Kimberly Yee (R) debate their positions for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Border Patrol’s preferred site appears to be next to Elgin Elementary
Maps provided by Customs and Border Patrol to Santa Cruz County appear to show that a parcel adjacent to Elgin Elementary School is its preferred site for a new Border Patrol facility.
COMMUNITY
Photo Gallery: Sonoita-Elgin Fire District commemorates 20 years of service
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District commemorated 20 years of service to the community with a birthday celebration on Monday at the district’s station house in Sonoita.
Photo gallery: Community Confab
A total of 27 nonprofits representing arts, cultural, environmental and community service organizations, to name just a few, gathered at the Patagonia Lumber Company on Sunday to share information about their missions, services and ways to get involved.
No escaping the hopping menace
It’s been an especially prolific (and annoying) grasshopper season in eastern Santa Cruz County, and the only consolation is that cooler weather should tame the onslaught.
Sunflowers spread their cheer, and much more
Sunflowers are providers not only of roadside beauty. They also serve as pollinators and are an excellent source of seeds for birds and wildlife.
‘Best Little Rodeo’ enjoys another big weekend, thanks in no small part to stock broker
Spectacular weather, rough-and-tumble livestock and daring cowboys and cowgirls make for another record-setting Sonoita Rodeo.
SCHOOL NEWS
Road-weary Lobos ranked 4th in 1A volleyball
Patagonia is ranked fourth in the initial state volleyball rankings for Class 1A schools. A leaky gymnasium roof has enabled the Lobos to play just two home matches in the season’s first five weeks.
Patagonia-St. David volleyball showdown postponed until Oct. 19
The Lobos lost three of four matches at the Epic Small School Invite in Scottsdale, but the rugged competition helped prepare them for Wednesday’s showdown vs. region powerhouse St. David.
Lobos claim Cochise Classsic title, remain undefeated
Patagonia sweeps four opponents to win the Cochise Classic tournament, overcoming poor first set to knock off 2A ALA-Sierra Vista in championship match.
Lobos battle past Tombstone in season opener
Lobos overcame a fourth-set collapse to open the volleyball season with a 25-14, 15-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9 win over Tombstone in their season opener.
County salutes top teachers
Santa Cruz County honored 21 educators who were selected as Teacher of the Year at their school, including Kyndra Ortiz of Sonoita Elementary, Audrey Doles of Patagonia Elementary and Elliote Codding of Patagonia High.
ARTS & CULTURE
Yarn-ing for a relaxing hobby? This club might be for you
Gather your yarn and acquaint yourself with the Knitting and Crocheting Club, which meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Patagonia Library.
Celebration marks Empire Ranch’s 150th birthday
The Empire Ranch will celebrate its 150th birthday on Aug. 22 with historical presentations, tours, exhibits, book signings, musical entertainment and, of course, birthday cake.
What the heck? Oddities of the Arizona Trail
Anyone missing a giant metallic cylinder? It can be reclaimed along the Arizona Trail in the vicinity of Casa Blanca Canyon.
Cookbooks are troves of story and wonder
Take home one of the 132 cookbooks listed on the Patagonia Library catalog, pour yourself a glass of iced tea and settle in for a lovely summer afternoon of beauty and inspiration.
Connecting with Patagonia ancestors
A mixture of Hohokam and Trincheras pottery sherds found in Patagonia suggest possible occupation of the area around the Patagonia Museum from the period of 900-1300 CE.
OPINION
Taxation without representation
Eastern Santa Cruz County taxpayers short-changed again by county’s unwillingness to preserve historic Elgin Bridge.
Hermosa Mine approval sets dangerous precedent for entire country
The Hermosa Mine Project poses serious risks to natural resources, public health and the local economy in Patagonia and Santa Cruz County, and the rushed approval process sets a dangerous precedent for how large-scale mining projects are reviewed and approved across the country.
Letters to the Editor, August 2026
Ernesto Portillo’s favorite town; fond memories of Pete Robbins; a stable and healthy Social Security solution.
CPBA survey is needlessly complicated
Pay no attention to the off-putting form, fellow citizens, and express your concerns in whatever means work for you.
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.
COLUMNS
Starstruck: Good news from Orion
Just when you think good news is impossible to find along comes the Orion Molecular Cloud-2.
Take a hike: Cave Creek South/Crosses Canyon Trail
The Cave Creek South/Crosses Canyon Trail is an easy 2.5-mile round trip that begins approximately eight miles west of Highway 83 off of Gardner Canyon Road.
Super El Niño summer
An abundant variety of Sky Island species have prospered from this summer’s El Niño conditions.
Glimpses Into Our Past: Huachuca District Ranger Robert Thompson
Robert Thompson was the second district ranger for the Huachuca Forest Reserve, serving from 1922 until 1930.
Take a hike!: Crest Trail
If you’re looking for some high-elevation adventure, the Crest Trail is a good choice. Here’s why.
FROM THE PRT ARCHIVES…
Robert Cabot Reflects on Turning 100
Nearing his centenary, the Patagonia author is still happy to be here: “I am slipping away slowly, but grateful that my basic mind is still working.”
Sonoita water customers face rate shock, water shortages
Over the last year, customers of the Sonoita Valley Water Company have been dealing with water shortages, low water pressure and leaking lines. Now they’re facing a doubling of their rates, too.
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.
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.
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.