Wineries, Restaurants Hit Hard by Closures Photo by Marion Vendituoli Rune Winery by Kat Crockett Rune was operating six days a week and business was good until the first case of COVID-19 hit the County on March 20. By order of Governor Ducey, they shuttered their tasting room and offered bottles “to go” on weekends […]
Kat Crockett
Posted inLocal News
New Code Will Impact Farmers Markets
Research indicates that the popularity of local farmer’s markets is growing, supported by the demand for organic foods and focus on sustainability. They support healthy communities and reconnect people to their food system. Fresh sustainable produce means better health and lower obesity rates. Families in need can use food stamps at the market, placing cash […]
Posted inLocal News
Update on County Health Code and Fee Schedule
Following a public discussion on the proposed SCC Health Code and Fee Schedule on Dec. 18, eight county residents addressed the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and requested the code and fees be postponed and/or not implemented. Three winery owners requested a delay until proposed legislation at the state level to exclude wineries was adjudicated. Notwithstanding, […]
Posted inOpinion
New Health Code Headed for Approval
The county is moving forward on adopting a proposed health code and, in advance of the state, the 2017 FDA Food Code. The FDA Code establishes definitions; sets standards for management and personnel, food operations, and equipment and facilities; and provides for food establishment plan review, permit issuance, inspection, employee restriction, and permit suspension. Nearly […]
Posted inOpinion
The Future of Santa Cruz County
The largest private sector employer in Santa Cruz County is the produce industry. For over 100 years, the Nogales port of entry was the major entry point for fresh produce from Mexico to the US, but recently lost that long time success to Hidalgo, Texas. Arizona’s share of fresh produce imports declined from 44.7% to […]
Posted inLocal News
County Drafts New Health Code
SCC Health Director Jeff Terrell recently issued a draft 66-page health code, new fee schedule, and food rating system impacting food establishments county-wide. The county is also adopting the 2017 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code. “The major change in the proposed code will be the requirement for a certified food manager to be […]
Posted inLocal News
Legislative Committee Formed to Study County Boundary Changes
After the defeat last year of House Bill 2486, Representative Gail Griffin and Sonoita resident Darcy Mentone carried the torch to establish a new committee under the powers of the legislature to form study groups. Senate President Karen Fann and Speaker of the House Russell Bowers have established a Joint Ad Hoc Committee on County […]
Posted inLocal News
Secession Bill Fails
By a 16-13 vote, the AZ State Senate killed a plan that would have created a committee to study realigning the boundary between Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties. Three Republican Senators Carter, Farnsworth, and Mesnard voted no on the measure and Senator Boyer (R) abstained. Prior to the vote in the Senate, the bill passed […]
Posted inOpinion
Dalessandro’s Arguments Flawed
As a resident of East Santa Cruz County, I am disappointed that HB2486 to formulate a study committee on County boundaries between Cochise and Santa Cruz failed in the Senate this week. The arguments presented by Senator Dalessandro to influence a “no-vote” are flawed and misrepresent this part of the county. I am offended by […]
Posted inLocal News
Secession Bill Moves Forward
HB 2486, the first step towards the secession of eastern Santa Cruz County, was approved by the Arizona State Senate Committee of the Whole on April 9. State Representative Gail Griffin, who represents District 14, encompassing Cochise and Greenlee County, and part of Pima and Graham counties, authored the bill to create a joint study […]