The PRT Newsletter for the Week of August 7, 2024
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News
Read the Text of the County’s Civil Lawsuit Against ex-Treasurer Liz Gutfahr
Santa Cruz County’s 135-page complaint in their lawsuit against ex-Treasurer Liz Gutfahr, family members, and others, is available to read/download here.
Here’s an excerpt from the lawsuit’s introduction:
This case concerns an egregious breach of the public trust. From approximately 2014 through March 2024, former Santa Cruz County Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr embezzled at least $39 million from the County and its taxpayers. This money came almost entirely from the County’s savings account, which was supposed to generate interest on behalf of all County-affiliated entities, like school districts, County departments, and others. Instead, these funds were surreptitiously wired by Gutfahr to corporate entities and bank accounts she controls.
Gutfahr was able to evade detection for so long through accounting tricks and outright fabrications. Among other things, the County has identified at least five doctored “investment statements” submitted by Gutfahr to auditors. And Gutfahr routinely
overstated the County’s “daily outstanding warrants” — i.e., money that has been paid but not yet posted — in order to cover up the wire transfers to herself.The sum of it all is this: for more than a decade, Gutfahr used County funds as her own personal piggy-bank to fund an opulent and extravagant lifestyle — purchasing several ranches, vehicles, and more.
Click here to read the rest of the lawsuit’s text.
Fanning Defeats Bracker in County Supervisor Primary
The Santa Cruz County Elections Department has released its final update on the unofficial results of the July 30 primary election.
Challenger John Fanning has defeated two-term incumbent Bruce Bracker in Santa Cruz County District 3 Supervisor’s Democratic primary. Fanning received 1,467 votes; Bracker got 905. Fanning will face Republican challenger Jesus Jerez in the Nov. 5 general election.
We now have results for two other offices that were formerly too close to call. In County District 1 Supervisor’s Democratic primary, incumbent Manny Ruiz lost to challenger Luis Carlos Davis by just ten votes, 601-591. There will be no recount. Davis will face Republican Mike Melendez and Independent Louie Parra in November.
In the contest for the Democratic nomination for County Justice of the Peace, Adriana Olaiz has defeated Miguel Lopez, 2,687–2,614. Olaiz will face Independent Rachel Sedgwick in the general election.
Click here for the PRT’s full summary of the July 30 Primary Election results.
Come Meet the New Pastor in Town
Everyone is invited to a Welcome Potluck on August 18 to meet the new pastor and his family as well as new staff members at Patagonia Community United Methodist Church.
Pastor Sailosisavu Koloto—who goes by “Pastor Losi”—is a Bay Area Californian with family roots in the South Pacific country of Tonga who has just moved to the southern Arizona desert. Come share your stories of javelinas and monsoons with Pastor Losi, his wife Nikki and daughter Marion. Marion is a freshman at Patagonia High. This will also be an opportunity to greet the new staff at PCUMC, including Secretary Cynie Murray, Accompanist and Choir Director Jackie Heyen and Technical Director Doug Gann.
The Welcome Potluck will take place on Sunday, August 18 at 11:45am in Thurber Hall, 387 McKeown Ave in Patagonia. The Methodist potluck invitation is always, “Please bring a dish to share or just bring your appetite!”
And Now, a Spotted Skunk Standing on Its Head
From our friends at Sky Island Alliance (SIA):
FotoFauna highlights from June are in — and if you haven’t seen a rattlesnake hug a water bowl or a spotted skunk stand on its head, here’s your chance. Check out this video [above] from our Wildlife Specialist Miguel Enríquez.
A little background for those who are new: FotoFauna is a growing network of 290 individuals and organizations in the Sky Islands, with wildlife cameras set up in the U.S. or Mexico. It’s easy to get started. Just set up a wildlife camera in your backyard and submit an online monthly checklist of species you observe. In addition to being fun and another way to form community, the data will help us study when and where wildlife is present so we can better protect their habitats.
Over the past couple months, SIA Wildlife Program Manager Eamon Harrity has been working on an update to our interactive FotoFauna dashboard, so y’all can click all the things and learn more about wildlife in our region. Have a look today, and big thanks to the 290 individuals and organizations who are partnering with us in this community science effort.
If you’re not yet part of our network but are interested in setting up a wildlife camera of your own, it’s easy. We’ll walk you through the steps.
A Note From the PRT on Local Highway Closures
This past Monday morning, an accident on Highway 83 involving an overturned big rig temporarily closed traffic in both directions. This in turn caused quite a bit of confusion in the area, as folks tried to get updates on when the highway would re-open.
In response, the PRT contacted the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), who, within minutes, gave us an official statement as to the highway’s status, which we posted on our Facebook page and across various community Facebook groups. This post was then updated as we received further news from various sources, including local residents.
Although it is of course difficult to instantly confirm and publish accurate information in such situations—and then distribute this information quickly to all who need it—the PRT will do our best. To stay informed about serious local highway closures, please follow us on Facebook or look for our posts in various Facebook groups. And, please send any local highway closure queries or tips to us via Facebook Messenger, or via email at prtadast@gmail.com
Remember When?
Over the last two years, we’ve posted over 2,800 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Take a walk down memory lane with this article from September, 2015…
Surviving August
By Ann Katzenbach
September 4, 2015
Usually I like the monsoons, but there haven’t been enough air-clearing storms and the heat and humidity have been stultifying. When it gets over 100, I sometimes wonder if my lungs will work. Life in this high desert is precarious.
Did you know that as part of our mission, the PRT does not charge to publish obituaries?
Please support the PRT — every dollar counts!
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming events in this newsletter, pleas submit a link to your event page or poster/flyer, or a brief description of the event. Poster/flyer submissions require an image in JPEG format, along with a brief description of the event. Email your submission to prtadast@gmail.com by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date.
School Announcements
Here is the Lobos’ 2024 Soccer Schedule:
| Aug. 20 | Bisbee (H) | 4 p.m. |
| Roadrunner Invitational Aug. 23 Aug. 24 | Rumsey Park, Payson Round Valley Pima Winslow Basis Flagstaff | 10:40 a.m. 6:40 p.m. 1:20 p.m. 5:20 p.m. |
| Aug. 26 | at St. Augustine | 5 p.m. |
| Sept. 3 | at Pima | 6 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | at Highland Prep West | 6 p.m. |
| Sept. 24 | at St. Augustine | 4 p.m. |
| Sept. 26 | Benson (H) | 6 p.m. |
| Oct. 3 | at Bisbee | 4 p.m. |
| Oct. 11 | The Gregory School (H) | 6 p.m. |
| Oct. 17 | Pima (H) | 6 p.m. |
| Oct. 18 | Highland Prep West (H) | 4 p.m. |
| Oct. 22 | Willcox (H) | 6 p.m. |
Here is the Lobos’ 2024 Volleyball Schedule:
| Aug. 28 | at Bisbee | 6 p.m. |
| Aug. 29 | Tombstone (H) | 6 p.m. |
| Sept. 4 | San Manuel (H) | 6 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | ASDB (H) | 5 p.m. |
| Sept. 7 | at Hayden | 3 p.m. |
| Sept. 10 | at Baboquivari | 5 p.m. |
| Sept. 19 | at Valley Union | 5 p.m. |
| Sept. 21 | Ray (H) | 6 p.m. |
| Sept. 24 | at St. David | 6 p.m. |
| Sept. 27 | at The Gregory School | 5 p.m. |
| Oct. 8 | Baboquivari (H) | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 9 | San Simon (H) | 6 p.m. |
| Oct. 14 | Valley Union (H) | 6 p.m. |
| Oct. 16 | St. David (H) | 5 p.m. |
| Oct. 19 | Superior (H) | 6 p.m. |
| Oct. 21 | Lourdes Catholic (H) | 5 p.m. |
| Oct. 22 | at ASDB | 5 p.m. |
| Oct. 25 | at San Simon | 5 pm. |
| Oct. 29 | at St. David | 6 p.m. |
Local Items of Interest
The summer 2024 Bowman-Stradling History Center newsletter can be accessed HERE. It is filled with upcoming events, new acquisitions and news of the center’s annual community project, refurbishment of the Elgin Cemetery.
The Patagonia Senior Center recently received a grant from Delta Dental of Phoenix to help seniors with dental expenses. Vouchers are provided for up to $350 to participating dentists. If interested, please call the senior center at (520) 394-2494.
The Patagonia Museum has joined the Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle fundraiser. The grand prize is a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. 100% of proceeds sold by the Patagonia Museum will benefit the museum. Please contact a board member of the museum to buy your chance(s) to win. Click here to learn more about the grand prize. To learn more about the additional prizes that are available, click here. Museum Members, save the date – Oct. 19, from 4-8 pm for a complimentary meal, refreshments and entertainment at the museum facility.
Raffle for the Elgin Cemetery Refurbishment Project. Click here to learn more.
The Arizona Rangers Sonoita Company meets the third Thursday of each month at the SEFD training room in Sonoita. For more information contact Lt. Phil Burdine at (520) 990-4390
Employment Opportunities
Farmers Markets
Patagonia Farmers and Crafts Market – Thursdays 10am-12pm by Red Mountain Foods.
Sonoita Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings 9am-12pm at the Sonoita Post Office parking lot (NW corner of Hwy 82/83)
Sierra Vista Farmers Market – Thursday 10am-2pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales.
Church Events and Schedules
St. Therese Parish in Patagonia
Patagonia United Methodist Church
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