The PRT Newsletter for the Week of March 19, 2025
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Photo of the Week
“The vast San Rafael Valley, dwarfing my van.” — Chris Gore, Patagonia
News
Memorial Events Set for Congressman Grijalva
Residents Tell Officials What They Want to See in Hermosa Project Community Protection and Benefits Agreement
(Left to right) External Affairs manager Simon Chavez of South 32, Santa Cruz County Manager Jesus Valdez, Santa Cruz County District 3 Supervisor John Fanning and Patagonia Mayor Andrea Wood listen in as residents outline their priorities for a Community Protection and Benefits Agreement. 
Patagonia resident Chuck Klingenstein presents his concerns while other residents await their turn at the mic. Seated at right is Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado. 
Pam Lemke of Tubac addressed the need for underground power lines as Patagonia’s Ann Gosline looks on.
By Dave Lumia
Approximately 70 people turned out Monday night at Patagonia High School for a “Community Listening & Engagement Session” on the proposed South32 Hermosa Project Community Protection and Benefits Agreement (CPBA), previously referred to as a “Good Neighbor Agreement.”
The session was designed to provide a forum for residents to address the signatories to the agreement—Santa Cruz County, the town of Patagonia, the city of Nogales and South32—and express their opinions on what should be included in it.
At least 16 residents addressed representatives of the four CPBA signatories during the 90-minute meeting. Their concerns included the need for transparency in communications, the need for independent monitoring of water, air and soil samples, the desire for underground power lines to mitigate wildfire risk, and general danger to the environment and ecosystems.
Representatives from the four signatories present at the meeting included Patagonia Mayor Andrea Wood, Santa Cruz County District 3 Supervisor John Fanning, Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado and South32 External Affairs Manager Simon Chavez.
More coverage of the meeting will be available in the April edition of the PRT.
Lobos Show Improvement, But Wins Remain Scarce
By Dave Lumia
The win total remains stuck at one, but the effort is on the upswing for the Patagonia High baseball team.
The Lobos put together a solid defensive showing and got strong pitching from D.J. Castro and Kannon Shore, but a lack of timely hitting led to a hard-fought 5-3 loss to unbeaten Valley Union on March 12. The setback left them with a 1-4 record as they took a week off for spring break.
Patagonia held 2-1 and 3-2 leads before Valley Union rallied for two runs in the fifth inning and one in the sixth. The Lobos scored twice in the second inning when Noah Gallardo doubled home Miguel Albarran and later scored on a wild pitch. After Valley Union tied it up, Johnny Fields scored to put them back ahead in the bottom of the fourth. The Lobos put multiple runners on base in the final three innings, including a double by Albarran, but were unable to bring any of them home.
The five runs allowed by Castro and Shore were the fewest allowed by the Lobos this season. The defense was also improved over their previous two games—an 8-0 loss at Fort Thomas and a 16-5 loss at Baboquivari.
Coach Ryan Shore said he’s pleased with the team’s effort, if not the win-loss record. “We had a little regression in the fundamentals, but we got back on track against VU,” he said.
The big challenge at the plate is cutting down on the strikeouts: “We need to make more contact and put pressure on the opposition to make a play,” he said.
Patagonia returns to action on Tuesday, March 25, with a home game against Hayden.
Upcoming Patagonia Museum Activities
The Patagonia Museum will conduct a highway cleanup on Thursday, March 20, at 10am. Please meet at Beaty Lane and Highway 82 a few minutes before 10am for a brief safety meeting.
Docent training sessions will be conducted on Saturday, April 12. At 9am, in front of the railroad depot a guided walking tour will commence. At 10:30am, a presentation on the history of Patagonia will be held in the Patagonia Public Library. At 1:30pm a brief tour of the museum will take place. All are welcome to attend all or any of these sessions with no commitment to docent duty.
Good Eats
An adult Desert Cottontail grazes native grasses at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary, finding ample sustenance despite the current drought. — Vince Pinto
Obituary
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
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.
We are a mustang and a mule who need your help for approximately 1 hr./day to feed, water & pick up manure. Mon.-Thurs. $25. day. Sonoita 520-975-9920
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
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