Developer’s Plans Worry Locals in Patagonia
Resident Lonnie Goff is in a legal dispute with town government over a stalled real estate development in his neighborhood. It’s part of a larger argument about the nature of future growth in the town.
Read more…WHAT’S NEW?
International Teachers Join Local Schools
Unable to find suitable candidates locally, public schools in Elgin and Patagonia are filling teacher vacancies through international recruiting. Here’s in-depth profiles of our schools’ new teachers, hailing from India, Cuba/Mexico and the Philippines.
Read more…‘Everything Is Free’ at New Wellness Center
A team of volunteers will work to improve physical and mental well-being in the community at the newly opened Frank Adams Wellness Center in Sonoita.
Read more…LOCAL NEWS
Panel Hears From South32 on Manganese
The mining company said it is looking to site two processing plants, probably in different locations. A new program to limit exposure of manganese to local communities and the environment is also underway.
Read more…Bicyclist, County Grader in Collision on Harshaw Road
It was Loren Mason-Gere’s good luck that a woman in one of the trucks just behind the machine had medical training and first-aid supplies which she quickly deployed.
Read more…State Auditor Finds Faults in County Operations
The Arizona Auditor’s report revealed a number of deficiencies in Santa Cruz County administration. “This year we got beat up a little more than normal,” said Supervisor Bruce Bracker.
Read more…Patagonia Recycling Set to Return
Thanks to the Town of Patagonia, the community will soon see the return of a drop-off recycling service that actually works.
Read more…ADEQ Discusses Hermosa Permits at Patagonia Town Council Meeting
At a sparsely attended meeting, ADEQ staff gave a status update on the water and air quality permitting process for South32’s mine project.
Read more…COMMUNITY
150 Served at Community Thanksgiving Dinner
About 20 volunteers from the Corner Scoop, the Wellness Center and the Vine Church put the free dinner together at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. All the food was donated.
Read more…Christmas Eve at the Kolbes
Fondly known as the ‘eggnog party,’ the Christmas Eve celebration at the Rail X Ranch was more than a tradition, it was a ‘must do’ annual event.
Read more…Veterans Remembered at Local Ceremonies
Veterans Day was observed at two local events this year, one at the Elgin School and the other at the Patagonia Cemetery.
Read more…Postcard Bridges Elgin’s Past and Present
Terri Basinger Powers got a surprise when she flipped over the 66-year-old postcard of the old Elgin Store she’d purchased for sale on eBay.
Read more…SCHOOL NEWS
International Teachers Join Local Schools
Unable to find suitable candidates locally, public schools in Elgin and Patagonia are filling teacher vacancies through international recruiting. Here’s in-depth profiles of our schools’ new teachers, hailing from India, Cuba/Mexico and the Philippines.
Read more…Patagonia Girls Hope to Clear State Tournament Hurdle
“There’s no reason we can’t make it to state,” coach Ralph Padilla said. “If we don’t it’s because something went wrong, someone got injured.”
Read more…Busy Schedule Provides Early Lessons for Lobos
With six games in seven days, spread out from Nogales to Bagdad to Tucson, the Lobos were in for some rapid-fire early season lessons.
Read more…PUHS Player Named to All-Region Team
Patagonia High School senior Jenny Vasquez capped her final volleyball season by being named to the 1A Tucson Southeast All-Region First Team.
Read more…ARTS & CULTURE
Patagonia Art Walk
The 2023 Patagonia Art Walk, held Nov. 24 and 25, featured 19 local businesses, restaurants and artists.
Read more…Migration Quilts on Display in Tucson
Quilts created from migrant children’s artwork—and response ‘welcome’ quilts from Patagonia school children—are on display now at the Arizona History Museum.
Read more…Western Heritage Celebrated at the Empire Ranch
The 22nd annual Cowboy Festival drew over 2,000 for two days of events, demonstrations, music, talks, food and drink.
Read more…Growing Up
In a new novel based on his own life, local author Stuart H. Brody charts the path from idealism to wisdom—accompanied by Hubert Humphrey.
Read more…COLUMNS
The Elgin Cemetery
A census of those likely buried at the Elgin Cemetery, which was probably established in 1912. Approximately 19 graves are evident at the cemetery, but only four have headstones.
Read more…The Magic of the Geminid Meteor Shower
For two days in December, the Geminids may deliver a wonderful counterbalance of amazement against all the things that weigh us down.
Read more…A Trip to the Silver Leaf Mine
An exploration of an old digging in the Santa Rita Mountains includes a visit to the old headquarters for a curious hydraulic mining operation.
Read more…Mercurial Nature
What do various species of wildlife do to keep their body temperatures at optimal levels when the mercury plummets?
Read more…OPINION
Give
I miss when it was easier to ask a stranger to dinner. Or to trust that lonely couple who live in their Buick to spend the night at your mother’s house on Christmas. I miss when it was okay to leave food and water out for migrants.
Read more…A Rodent’s Revenge
Making the transition from suburban to country living hasn’t exactly been a comedy of errors. More like a series of educational misadventures.
Read more…A Bloody Pendulum
Bear with me, just once more. I promise not to mention Jews again for one full year.
Read more…Levowitz’s Criticism of Israel Unfair, Indefensible
What Mr. Levowitz is really saying is that Israel bears blame for the monstrous massacre committed against it.
Read more…FROM THE PRT ARCHIVES…
The Birth of the Tin Shed
Here’s the story of how a filthy, oily garage was converted by a group of volunteers—with no funding—into a beloved community theater.
Read more…A Thanksgiving Success Story
In addition to the tradition of eating turkey on Thanksgiving, in southern Arizona we have an opportunity to observe an ancestor from which our favorite meal evolved: our local wild turkey, the Gould’s turkey.
Read more…The Enduring Tradition of Lucia Nash’s Legacy
When Lucia Nash bought the Circle Z Guest Ranch in 1976, she was motivated by fond memories of being a guest there in the 1930s—and by the fact that the property was about to be sold to developers.
Read more…Business Owners of Patagonia, Circa 1918
J.W. Miller’s arrival in Patagonia around 1915 did not go unnoticed—he was reputed to be “the tallest, best natured man in Patagonia.” By 1920, he was manager of the Patagonia Lumber yard.
Read more…Sonoita Man Completes 13-Year Ride
Bob Peterson and his horse NP have completed the 1,350-mile Chief Joseph Appaloosa Trail Ride. The grueling event, done in 100-mile segments each year, traces the route the Nez Perce tribe took as they tried to escape the U.S. Calvary in 1877.
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