The PRT Newsletter for the Week of March 12, 2025
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News
Patagonia Town Council to Consider Water and Sewage Rate Increases, New T-Mobile Antenna at Tonight’s Meeting
The Town of Patagonia Town Council will meet Wednesday, March 12 at 6pm.
The meeting is scheduled to include a public hearing on a proposal to increase user rates for water and sewage. Under the proposal, water and sewage fees would increase by 80% over the next six years, with a 25% discount for low income households and a 50% discount off the base rate for householders when their house is unoccupied. (For more information and background on the proposal, see “Patagonia Considers Water, Sewer Rate Hikes” by Lynn Davison from the February 2025 issue of the PRT.)
In the public hearing portion of tonight’s meeting, Town Manager Ron Robinson will make a presentation on the proposal. Members of the public will then be given an opportunity to comment. The hearing will be followed by a possible Council vote on the proposed rate increases.
Also on the agenda for tonight’s meeting: discussion and possible action to allow the construction of a new “wireless communication facility” for T-Mobile on an existing ballfield light pole at PUHS.
Tonight’s meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in Town Hall Council Chambers at 310 McKeown Avenue. It can also be attended via Zoom; the meeting I.D. is 957-511-4862 and the password is 338501.
Click here for more detailed information on the meeting, including the full agenda.
A Timberdoodle Comes to Patagonia
By Tom Brown, Site Manager at Paton Center for Hummingbirds
Last week, the Patagonia area got a very unusual visitor in the form of an American woodcock. Affectionately known as a “Timberdoodle” to many, this small secretive bird is actually fairly common in the eastern United States, but this is only the second recorded visit to Arizona by this species.
The bird was first spotted on Saturday, March 1, between the Paton Center for Hummingbirds and The Nature Conservancy in an area local birders call “the Cut-bank.” This is an area where the creek comes very close to the road, causing some erosion, and allowing some of the only views of the flowing water along the entire Blue Heaven Road. Given the small size of this bird, the small window of viewing opportunity, and how well it is camouflaged, it is quite miraculous that it was ever spotted. In addition, the bird is rarely ever seen during the day, and usually only then when it is flushed, or spooked from cover.
The American woodcock is a short squatty bird, with an intricately patterned back, buffy lower parts and a very long bill that it uses to probe the muddy ground for worms. If you have ever had the chance to see the locally common Wilson’s Snipe, this bird is similar, just shorter and fatter, giving the appearance of having no neck.
One unusual feature of the woodcock is the location and size of its eyes: they are slightly oversized for the size of its head and located high on the head, and far enough back that they can be seen when the bird is looking straight away from you. This has caused quite a few interesting comments from local birders who are getting their first looks at the bird, as it walks away from them.
After several days of allowing hundreds of excited birders to get really good views, our American woodcock has quietly disappeared. As we come into the peak of breeding season for this species, it is heartbreaking to know that it has almost no chance to find a mate. But I do hope it enjoys the stay here, as it wanders peacefully up and down Sonoita Creek, enjoying the peace and tranquility of the protected area between the Paton Center and The Nature Conservancy.
Donors ‘Desperately Needed’ for Blood Drive at Our Lady of the Angels in Sonoita This Sunday
Reminder: South32 Hermosa Project Community Protection and Benefits Agreement ‘Listening Session’ This Monday, March 17 in Patagonia
From the Feb. 26 press release from Santa Cruz County, Nogales, Patagonia and South32:
Representatives from Santa Cruz County, Nogales, Patagonia, and South32 are working together to develop a Community Protection and Benefit Agreement (CPBA) for the Hermosa project. Through regular working sessions, the group is focused on creating an agreement that ensures the project is developed, operated and closed with sustainable protections and benefits for the community.
To ensure community voices are heard in the development of the CPBA, representatives from Santa Cruz County, Nogales, Patagonia, and South32 invite residents to participate in two upcoming Community Listening & Engagement Sessions:
Monday, March 17 – Patagonia High School, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday, March 18 – Americana Hotel, Nogales, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
These sessions provide an opportunity for residents to share their perspectives and offer feedback on key topics related to the CPBA. While representatives will be there to listen, these sessions are not structured as Q&A forums. Instead, all input gathered will be reviewed and considered as part of the agreement’s ongoing development. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
To read the complete press release, click here.
Ready to Sting
With warming weather and a scattering of rain, March is starting to unveil some hidden species of fauna—like this Stripe-tailed Scorpion, ready to bring pain to the unwary, captured on video this week by Vince Pinto at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary…
School News and Youth Events
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming event in this newsletter, please submit a poster/flyer in JPEG or PNG format. Email your submission to prtadast@gmail.com by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Recurring Events
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for this Sonoita Produce on Wheels (POWWOW)! We cannot continue Produce on Wheels without you! If you’d like to lend a hand, this is what you would be doing: sorting and packing fresh produce, and assisting participants as they go through our farmer’s market style line. The shifts are 6:30 – 9:30 AM AND/OR 8:30 – 11:30 AM. *Those who volunteer for a shift will receive a complimentary unit of produce.
If you’d like to give back to your community in this way, please call/text gardenia 602.292.1616 and let us know which dates and shifts you’re able to volunteer. Thank you all in advance! What we do, we do together!
THIS SATURDAY Sonoita Produce on Wheels & Local Market, at the VINE Church Saturday, March 15th, 8-11 AM
Borderlands POWWOW in Sonoita, AZ is always on the third Saturday of the month. At the same time, we have Local Marketside vendors. At our local market, you’ll find wonderful homemade goodies/coffee/breads/jams, and gift items. If you’d like to share your handcrafted or homemade local goods at the market, we’d love to have you. – please text/call gardenia at 602.292.1616 to reserve a No-Fee spot.
*At POWWOW it is a $15 contribution for 70 LBS of produce. No residential or income requirements.
If you’d like to join the Community Volunteer Team or become a Market Vendor, please text/call gardenia 602.292.1616. AND if you know of any youth in the community who would like or need volunteer hours, we can provide documentation for those who would like to volunteer.
AA: Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Doors open at 6:30. Highway 83, Sonoita. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
- Patagonia Methodist Community Church – Thursdays at 6:30pm. 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact Dave at 207-249-8302.
Overeaters Anonymous: to find a meeting go to oasouthernaz.org. Contact Adrienne H. for more info 520-404-3490.
The Patagonia Senior Center has 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.
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
Family Health Care Amigos/Purple Elephant, a certified charity, seeks a dependable part-time furniture mover for approximately ten hours a month at $20 per hour. Please call 520.256.7213 to set up an interview.
Santa Rita Abbey has a new part time job opening in its altar bread bakery. Position is Monday through Friday mornings assisting with the manufacturing of Communion Hosts. Contact Sister Pam for further details. 520-455-0481 (no text messaging) or cistercianab@gmail.com.
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
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Our Advertisers
For information on advertising in the PRT’s print edition, weekly newsletter, website, or a custom package, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
