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News
217 missing mail-in ballots recovered in Phoenix; investigation continues
By Dave Lumia and Carrie White
An incomplete investigation into undelivered primary election ballots in Santa Cruz County has revealed that 217 unopened and unused early ballots were mistakenly received at an Amazon Returns facility in Phoenix.
County Recorder Anita Moreno issued a news release on Monday evening saying the 217 ballots are not representative of the greater number of voters who contacted the Recorder’s Office requesting a replacement ballot due to nondelivery. Moreno’s office said the investigation is ongoing into additional missing ballots, and she urged anyone who has not reported a missing ballot to notify her office.
Anita Moreno
“I know there’s people out there that couldn’t care less, the election is over, let’s move on,” Moreno told the PRT. “No. It’s important that we find out exactly who didn’t get their ballot. We can’t follow up to something we don’t know.”
The total extent of missing ballots is unknown, but Moreno said her office has received about 22 calls from voters in the Sonoita-Elgin area, primarily Democrats, who did not receive ballots, and none of those ballots were among those returned from the Amazon facility.
“If you look at those 217 ballots, none of these ballots match up with the list of individuals from Nogales, Sonoita, Elgin area who reported that they did not receive their ballots, so they’re still out there,” Moreno said, adding that she is aware of issues with voters in the Canelo area.
Service commemorates 100th anniversary of Lon Parker’s murder
By Carrie White
One hundred years after William Llonzo “Lon” Parker’s murder, the emotions of July 25, 1926, are still raw.
Parker, a veteran of World War I, was gunned down as a Border Patrol Inspector pursuing a liquor smuggler in the Huachuca Mountains.
On July 25, 2026, Parker was remembered at a memorial cite off of Brushy Canyon Road, about two miles from where the shooting took place. The service was attended by more than 100 people – Border Patrol, family and those whose association with the events of that day were more recent.
Byrd Lindsey, left, and Jim Maloney, nephews of fallen Border Patrol Agent Lon Parker, attend the Memorial Service on July 25. (Photos by Carrie White)
Byrd Lindsey holds the flag given to him by members of the U.S. Border Patrol after its ceremonial unfurling.
A boulder with plaque commemorates the life and death of Lon Parker, killed in the line of duty by a liquor smuggler in 1926.
Border Patrol Honor Guard perform the traditional three-volley rifle salute, a tradition at services for fallen agents.
Border Patrol Honor Guard members stand in attention during the service for a fallen comrade.
The Horse Patrol Unit out of Naco left before sunrise to attend Lon Parker’s Memorial, commemorating 100 years following his murder.
Border Patrol agents stand in attention at the ceremony held in the Huachuca Mountains for fallen agent Lon Parker.
Canelo Cowboy Church Pastor Steve Lindsey served as master of ceremonies for the Lon Parker Memorial Service.
Duane Dotson of the Green Valley Hiking Club shows the refurbished marker that will be returned to the site of Lon Parker’s murder.
Jim Grasky, a border patrol agent from 1972 to 1996, greets Byrd Lindsey.
Duane Dotson of the Green Valley Hiking Club falls into that latter category. While hiking in the area, Dotson found the marker that commemorated the site where Parker was shot. It has been refurbished and will be reinstated in its original location in the fall.
Parker, a descendant of the family that homesteaded in Parker Canyon, was one of the original 450 inspectors hired when the Border Patrol formed under the Department of Labor in 1924. Parker exemplified the qualities needed for the rough work. He was a cowboy first —riding, shooting and tracking were all second nature.
Circumstances of his valor became known following an investigation into his death. His name still invokes a call to courage in Border Patrol ranks.
A more detailed story on the memorial will be available in the August/September edition of the PRT.
Border wall construction claims ancient cottonwoods
Historic cottonwood trees along the U.S.-Mexico border near Lochiel are toppled on Monday to make way for a double border wall. (Photos by Erick Meza, Sierra Club)
Historic cottonwood trees along the U.S.-Mexico border near Lochiel are toppled on Monday to make way for a double border wall. (Photos by Erick Meza, Sierra Club)
Historic cottonwood trees along the U.S.-Mexico border near Lochiel are toppled on Monday to make way for a double border wall. (Photos by Erick Meza, Sierra Club)
Historic cottonwood trees along the U.S.-Mexico border near Lochiel are toppled on Monday to make way for a double border wall. (Photos by Erick Meza, Sierra Club)
Cottonwoods became the focus of border wall resistance such as this banner on the Mexican side. (Photo by Robert Gay).
Posters from binational events were added to the same cottonwood “lado” (on the other side). (Photo by Robert Gay)
Before the arrival of construction equipment, campers ceremonially wrapped cottonwoods, known by indigenous tradition as
“grandmothers,” with protective prayer flags and ribbons. On July 22, a grandmother communes with a grandmother. (Photo Robert Gay)
Since Fisher Sand and Gravel’s beginning in the San Rafael Valley in September
2025, the construction work has generally moved west across the San Rafael Valley. Approaching
Lochiel, the second wall had begun by Jully 25, with Santa Cruz River’s band of trees to
the rear. (Drone photo John Darwin Kurc)
Further east, construction has paused at the steep climb to Montezuma Pass. At the ridge in the background,
the first mile of Arizona Trail remains closed indefinitely. (Photo Russ McSpadden)
Moving west from Lochiel, the clearing of the 60-foot strip deeded to the U.S. Government in 1907 as the “Roosevelt Reservation” has
proceeded along the Coronado National Forest toward the rocky south ridge of the Patagonia
Mountains. (Drone photo by Jeff Wirth)
Looking eastward from Kino Springs at the double wall. (Courtesy of Paul Ingram and the Tucson Sentinel)
Crews from Fisher Industries began toppling historic cottonwood trees in the Santa Cruz River basin on Monday to make room for the double border wall in the San Rafael Valley, part of a 27-mile, $309 million million project authorized by the Department of Homeland Security. The videos were shot by Ruben Peralta from La Noria on the Mexican side of the border.
Patagonia Pool announces fall season hours
The Patagonia Regional Aquatics (PRAC) center has announced its schedule for the Fall season, which runs from August through Oct. 30.
Lap Swim will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Water Aerobics will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:45 a.m. to noon.
Open Swim will be Friday from Noon to 4 p.m.
Fall season passes are $100 for adults and $25 for teens. Punch cards are $45 for adults and $27 for teens. Entrance fees are $5 for adults, $3 for teens, first responders and veterans, and free for ages 12 and under.
PRAC reported that 47 students registered for summer swim lessons, and 70 percent completed the program.
Santa Cruz County has scheduled a Truth in Taxation public hearing for Wednesday, Aug. 5, on property tax increases for Fiscal Year 2026-27. The meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room 120 in the Santa Cruz County Complex, 2150 N. Congress Drive, Nogales.
In a press release dated July 21, 2026, the county said it intends to increase primary property taxes by 0.98 percent and secondary property taxes by 2.03 percent.
County Finance Director and Deputy County Manager Mauricio Chavez explained that the county’s primary property tax rate of $3.9465 is $0.03 less that a year ago, but the increase that taxpayers will experience is based on higher assessed values. “Some owners will see a rise in their propeerty taxes,” Chavez said. “Tax rates are going down but assessed value is going up, which is what you normally see in a good economy.”
The average increase calculates out to $5.41 per year per $100,000 in assessed value. For a home valued at $300,000, the annual increase would be $16.23. For a home assessed at $500,000, the increase would be $27.05.
The increase is estimated to add $248,748 to the county’s general fund. Overall, property taxes will generate $18.876 million in revenues.
For the 2026-27 Fiscal Year, the county is putting forth a budget of $155.8 million, with $47.2 million in expenditures from the general fund. Expenditures from the general fund support the county’s core government operations, including public safety, courts, finance, public works support, general government services and elections.
Wednesday’s hearing will follow the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors at 9:30 a.m. Both events can be viewed remotely at www.youtube.com/@santacruzcountyarizona/live.
Fanning to hold community check-in on Aug. 4
Santa Cruz County District 3 Supervisor John Fanning will hold a community check-in on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 8 to 10:30 a.m., at the county annex in Sonoita, 3147 Highway 83. Community residents are invited to pop in, say hello, learn about issues or share their concerns.
To submit an announcement, please emailprtadast@gmail.com.Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
From Santa Cruz County:
JP-East Justice Court services are available every first and third Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sonoita Community Space/County Building. We provide civil services, including small claims, civil complaints, evictions, orders of protection and weddings — bringing access to justice closer to Elgin, Sonoita, Canelo and Patagonia. We’re here to serve our community with fairness, empathy and integrity. Call: (520) 375-7661.
School News and Youth Events
To report school news or list an event, please emailprtadast@gmail.com.Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.To list an event, please submit by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Get ready to go back to school
School is back in session at Elgin Elementary and Crossroads Christian Academy and begins next week in Patagonia. Here are the dates to know for Lobos and their families.
Wednesday, July 29 — Open House and Meet the Teachers, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 3 — First Day of School
Info for families regarding public schools’ meal programs
Press release from Patagonia Union High School District:
Patagonia Union High School District will be participating in the School Breakfast Program and/or National School Lunch Program As part of this program, Patagonia Union High School Districtwill offer healthy meals every school day to Patagonia Union High School and Patagonia Elementary School students.
Patagonia Union High School District is approved to operate Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2 or 3, so meals will be provided at no cost to all children.
For more information, you may call Joy Quiroga at 520-394-3000 or e-mail at jaquiroga@psd0620.org.
Press release from Sonoita Elementary School District:
Sonoita Elementary School District #25 announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program. Elgin School offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.75; lunch costs $3.00. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $ .30 for breakfast and $ .40 for lunch.
To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households may fill out the application and return it to the school unless your children qualify for free benefits (see below). Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children and what is required to complete on the application. Applications also are available at the Elgin School Office. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. An application for free or reduced-price benefits cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.
The Elgin PTC is looking for new members to join our team and help make our school an even more amazing place for our students, staff, and families! Whether you can volunteer a few hours a month or help with a specific event, there is a place for everyone in the PTC! Interested in learning more? Send us a message at Elginptc@elgink12.com. We’d love to have you join our flock! Together, we can help Elgin soar even higher!
Upcoming Events
To list an event, please submit an image file 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!
Click flyer to go to online registration page
In response to the forthcoming closure of the Santa Cruz Humane Society, the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County Animal Control are sponsoring a 5K and pet adoption event from 6 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 at Karam Park, 159 N. Morley Ave. in downtown Nogales. The Humane Society is looking to rehome about 30 animals prior to closing this fall due to lack of sustainable funding. The adoption fee for a dog or cat is $10 and includes Parvo/Distemper shot for dogs or RCP vaccination for cats.
Our second bilingual Native Plant Propagation & Nursery Management Workshop of 2026 is coming up on Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and we only have a few spots left for participants!
Join us for an informative class to learn about all things related to running and managing a native plant nursery, such as propagating native plants from both seeds and cuttings, seed and plant sourcing, plant lists, dormancy, mechanical scarification, temperature stratification, transplanting, pot sizes for retail vs. restoration needs, irrigation, soil type, timelines, and more. The nursery will also be open for shopping.
Click flyer for more info and to purchase membership
Click flyer for more info
Click flyer for more info
Click flyer for details
Recurring Events
To list an event, please emailprtadast@gmail.com.Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Fresh vegetable distribution Mondays at the Patagonia Senior Center
Come with friends and pick up your weekly fresh vegetables from East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank every Monday at the Patagonia Senior Center (100 Quiroga Ln, Patagonia) at 10:30am. Take what you need and give what you can.
The Sonoita Food Pantry at The Vine Church is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Fun news: we will now be having regular monthly Paton Center bird walks led by docent Wayne Smith on the fourth Saturday of every month! Join us for a relaxing morning featuring short, easy walks (less than a mile total) along trails like the Cuckoo Corridor and Gray Hawk Birding Trail. We’ll also spend some unhurried time enjoying the activity around the bird feeders.
-Alexis Stark, Paton Center Site Manager
Boat tours at Patagonia Lake State Park
Every Saturday and Sunday, $7 per adult, $5 per child (13 years and under)
9 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
10:15 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
11:30 a.m. Lake Discovery Tour
Twilight Tour on Saturdays only. Time varies.
Call the park to make your reservation: 520-287-2791
Boat rentals are available at the Patagonia Lake Marina.
Alcoholics Anonymous:
Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Highway 83, Sonoita. Doors open at 6:30. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
Patagonia Methodist Community Church – Thursdays at 6:30pm. 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact Dave at 207-249-8302.
Crossroads Quilters: Are you a textile artist (weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting)? The Crossroads Quilters invites all interested textile artists to our meetings. Bring a project to work on and enjoy a morning of information sharing and camaraderie. We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 9am at the Sonoita Bible Church, 3174 N. Highway 83. For more information email: alisbunting@gmail.com
Overeaters Anonymous: The OA Sky Islands Recovery group meets every Wednesday 11am-12noon at the East Santa Cruz County (ESCC) Food Bank at 772 Harshaw Ave in the meeting room at the end of the driveway. For additional meeting info, go to oasouthernaz.org. Contact Adrienne H. for more info 520-404-3490.
To advertise in the PRT’s print edition, Weekly News Bulletin or website – or a custom package – contact Priscilla Bolanos at prtads@gmail.comor 520-313-6062.
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A 2026 CORE Grant from the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona provides the Patagonia Regional Times with valuable operating support.
