Kent Callaghan of Callaghan Vineyards in Elgin won eight awards at the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) on March 5. He earned Gold for 2018 Tannat; Silver for 2018 Petite Verdot and 2019 Love Muffin; and Bronze for 2019 North and South, 2019 Dry Grenache Rose, 2018 Petit Manseng, 2018 Claire’s, and 2015 […]
Kat Crockett
Posted inLocal News
SEFD Boards Discuss Budget, Chief’s Retirement
The Sonoita Elgin Fire District Board (SEFD) held a public meeting on April 19, focusing on the 2021-2022 budget. A draft budget was approved on April 26, which has been posted on their website for public review and comment for 30 days. The Board will then consider public input, tweak the draft if necessary, and […]
Posted inCommunity
Meet the PRT Writers
Introducing the writers who regularly contribute articles and columns to the Patagonia Regional Times. Look for more profiles in upcoming issues. Kat Crockett My wanderlust began in Hawaii, the second of five children. Dad was a career Naval Officer and mom a nurse who graduated from Patagonia High School in 1948 after grandpa moved there […]
Posted inLocal News
Tax Assessment Appeal Deadline April 29
SCC residents should have received their Notice of Value (Property Assessment) from the SCC Assessor. If not, contact their office at (520) 375-8030 to request a copy. Higher property assessment values means a higher tax bill, so it is important to review the Notice of Value and correct any errors or over-assessments. Notices provide the […]
Posted inLocal News
SEFD Overpayment Audit Received
At the SEFD Fire Board meeting on March 22, Chair Chris Johnson announced that the audit on overpayments to Chief DeWolf was completed by Walker & Armstrong, LLP. Chief Joseph DeWolf was terminated on January 5, 2021 for directing or allowing and accepting an increase in pay of $300 per week without obtaining SEFD Board […]
Posted inLocal News
Investigations Reveal Unauthorized Payments, Toxic Work Environment
A synopsis of the investigative report received by the Sonoita Elgin Fire District (SEFD) Board in late January, prepared by Green and Baker of Scottsdale, indicates that from late summer through fall, 2020, current and former SEFD employees and community members submitted letters (some anonymously) to the Board regarding SEFD employees Joseph DeWolf, Mark Bennett, Kathe […]
Posted inLocal News
Permit Issued for Sonoita RV Park
A public hearing was held on Jan. 28, 2021 to adjudicate a request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the property owner at 3244 SR 82 in Sonoita to build an RV Park with four units. The 0.64-acre property for the RV park (of a total of 1.15 acres in the parcel) is located behind […]
Posted inLocal News
Local Wine Tourism: Surviving the Pandemic
James Callahan offers wine tastings in an outside patio area at Rune Wine in Elgin. The Winery has had to adapt to meet the challenges of keeping the business afloat during the COVID crisis. Photo by Marion Vendituoli It’s been a long and complicated trek from total closure to partial reopening for the Sonoita-Elgin wineries. […]
Posted inLocal News
Local Vintners, Distillers Win Awards
Several Sonoita/Elgin Wine and Spirit producers have once again earned national recognition this year. Callaghan Vineyards received notable mention in Forbes Magazine in November for its 2017 Petit Manseng, a grape originating from southwest France. Deep Sky Vineyards was awarded 89 points by Wine Spectator for its 2016 Constellation. Arizona Wine Growers Association recently awarded […]
Posted inLocal News
SEFD Board Receives Toxic Workplace Report
SEFD Board members Reba Webber and Chairman Chris Johnson study the report on the investigation into charges of a toxic work environment at the Sonoita Fire Station at the Jan. 26 Board meeting. Photo by Marion Vendituoli During a special meeting on Jan. 8, 2021, the Sonoita Elgin Fire Board voted unanimously to sustain the […]