Patagonia house a total loss in midnight fire, owner and pets escape unharmed
Firefighters from Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue and three neighboring fire departments were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjacent properties. Here’s PVFR’s official statement on the incident.
WHAT’S NEW?
Library lover leaves $400k to town ‘jewel’
The surprise donation, from a trust set up by the late Patagonia resident Judith Whitcomb, will be used for capital improvements.
Once trained, never bitten
Snake avoidance training helps dogs recognize and avoid snakes. Here’s how it works.
LOCAL NEWS
Library lover leaves $400k to town ‘jewel’
The surprise donation, from a trust set up by the late Patagonia resident Judith Whitcomb, will be used for capital improvements.
Future of Elgin Bridge still being considered
The Elgin Bridge is still standing. But for how long is anyone’s guess.
The road to the Hermosa mine CPBA
Following the Early Action agreement earlier this year, here’s what’s next in the Community Protection and Benefit Agreement process.
Sheriff’s Blotter (May, 2026)
A log of calls to the Sheriff’s office from eastern Santa Cruz County in April.
Notes from SEFD (May, 2026)
News and notes from the March and April meetings of the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District’s board of directors.
COMMUNITY
Pickup soccer focuses on fun for all ages and ability levels
A weekly pickup soccer game in Patagonia has picked up steam recently. “I didn’t know any of these guys,” said one new participant, “and now they’re part of my Thursday routine, meeting all these good folks.”
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.
Signed, sealed, retired: Martin Perez closes career as Patagonia postmaster
As Perez reflected on his 14 years as Patagonia postmaster, he thanked his customers and the community itself. “Most of the people around the world are against each other, bumping heads,” he said. “Not here.”
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.
Borderlands Restoration Network rebounds
Thanks to a groundswell of support, BRN ended 2025 with more income than it had originally budgeted for the year. Looking forward, it is not all smooth sailing.
SCHOOL NEWS
Lobos tennis comes up big despite long odds
David Clovesko-Wharton, in his fifth season as head coach, gives seniors Jaxon Yslava and Skylar Sanchez much of the credit for raising the program’s profile.
Senior Spotlights 2026, Part 2
Here is the second group of our profiles of the Patagonia Union High School Class of 2026.
Students, teachers and administrators embrace judicious use of AI
Local public school districts are approaching artificial intelligence as a useful technological tool.
With Patagonia Montessori School set to close, principal writes letter to community
PMES’s board of directors voted on March 19 to close the school at the end of the fiscal year. Here is a letter with background on the situation from Jessie Beebe, the school’s principal and superintendent.
Senior Spotlights 2026, Part I
This month, we begin our series of profiles of the Patagonia Union High School Class of 2026.
ARTS & CULTURE
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.
Check it out at the Library: Books on preparing for the last chapter of life
Patagonia Public Library is well stocked with resources to help you navigate difficult end-of-life issues.
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
Nature Journeys: Reptile resurgence!
The heat of May is primetime for our region’s reptiles, which includes 32 species of lizards, 43 species of snakes and five species of turtles.
Glimpses into our past: Rain Valley Ranch
A history of Rain Valley Ranch, stretching from the 1920s to the present day.
What is that? (May, 2026)
Before lasers, there was this.
Starstruck: Follow the stars
In times of strife – which seem to occur more often than not – our differences become focal points. That’s when, more than ever, it’s good to remind ourselves what we have in common.
Take a hike!: Mount Wrightson Trail
How to get from Baldy Saddle to the summit of Mount Wrightson — and what you’ll find when you get there.
OPINION
Channel your inner child and get the candy
It’s hard out here in the real world where the only thrills are breaking even on your taxes and paying off your car.
Letters to the Editor, May 2026
Letters from Daniel Blevins of Sonoita and Doug Morris of Sonoita.
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.
The PRT needs more writers
Help the PRT give the people something good to read: volunteer as a citizen journalist!
FROM THE PRT ARCHIVES…
Reflections on the Patagonia Opera House, 1935–1945
During the Depression, the Opera House provided relief from hard times and served as a community center for everyone. We had live theater, live music, dance performances and popular movies.
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.
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.