Students learn life/career tools under the hood
Patagonia High School’s automotive program has progressed to include a hands-on experience in car rebuilding.
WHAT’S NEW?
Patagonia to get new primary care provider, clinic upgrades
The tricky part for Mariposa Health has been providing the continuity of care that the community needs.
County voters approve spending limit increase
Voters approved a spending limit boost for Santa Cruz County by a margin of 60-40.
Special notice to Readers: Phishing alert
LOCAL NEWS
Attorney General supports independent water monitoring
The Arizona Attorney General’s office issued a statement to Calabasas Alliance acknowledging community concerns regarding groundwater dewatering and water-quality impacts associated with the South32 Hermosa Project.
Citizens study roadkill to document need for safe wildlife crossings
Two-year data collection project enlists ‘Roadkill Rangers’ tp map wildlife deaths on Highway 82.
The monsoon, the megadrought, and fire season
Southern Arizona is not even close to being out of long-term drought conditions.
Vigilance is key in guarding against New World screwworm
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Arizona Department of Agriculture announced that the state had its first case of screwworm.
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COMMUNITY
Pleased to meet you
Gerald Gay is the new managing editor of the Patagonia Regional Times.
Our commitment to you: Relentlessly local
Help us continue to provide the local news coverage you depend on by contributing to our NewsMatch fundraising campaign. Every dollar donated gets matched up to $12,000.
Winding path leads to newest Sonoita tasting room
The opening of Rancho Castillo tasting room on Highway 82 in Sonoita was the culmination of a zigzagging journey that began when winemaker Brett Wagner was barely old enough to attend school.
Halloween 2026
The weekend’s heavy rains did nothing to dampen the spirits of the costumed-revelers young and old.
Attending Veterans Day ceremonies at Patagonia Cemetery
The community is invited to participate in Veterans Day ceremonies at the Patagonia Cemetery.
SCHOOL NEWS
Help wanted: School board members
The commitment to sitting on school boards has been in short supply in Santa Cruz County in recent years.
Lobos sweep Joseph City, advance to state quarterfinals
Lobos move on to face Rock Point on Friday in Scottsdale.
Lobos’ 4 seniors accumulate 4 seasons of success
The four seniors on the Patagonia High volleyball team have all contributed to the program’s four seasons of impressive success.
Local schools earn A’s and B from state while improving scores
The annual reporting of Arizona Department of Education letter grades for school districts show ‘A’ grades for Sonoita Elementary and Patagonia Union High School districts and a ‘B’ for Patagonia Elementary, matching the grades from 2025.
Homecoming 2026: Sights and sounds
Patagonia Union High School students took to the streets on Thursday for the 2026 Homecoming Parade.
ARTS & CULTURE
Empathy Project looks to expand its inspirational mission
The Patagonia Empathy Project kicked off its fall events by honoring Dolly Parton and her legacy on Oct. 15 at the Tin Shed Theater.
A fault slipped, the earth shook, water flow diminished
I have to admit to being more than a little skeptical about a book whose premise is that an earthquake, with an epicenter that was 120 miles away in Bavispe, Sonora, Mexico, could have a continuing impact on the flow of groundwater in my…
Building an Empire: Book examines life of ranch owner
Rancher Walter Vail’s life is documented from his move west to Empire Ranch
Silly or serious, the kids’ books are all right
Check it out: Patagonia Public Library offers wide selection of book series to keep your kids coming back for more.
Romanian Rotarians experience Southern Arizona hospitality
From Romania to Southern Arizona, Rotary friendship took center stage as visiting Rotarians spent several days discovering local history, culture and communities.
OPINION
Letters to the editor
Letters from the community.
An ode to Fall
Last week fall came to eastern Santa Cruz County. I knew the page had turned when I woke up. The air was lighter and cooler — even inside. Looking out the window, the number of hummingbirds fighting around feeders had diminished.
Letter to the Editor: We don’t need another Border Patrol Station
With all the heightened security at the border, there is absolutely not enough illegal migrant traffic north from Mexico to justify an ugly station blemishing our beautiful grasslands.
Heartbreak among the cottonwoods
I didn’t want to see what was happening to my childhood playground of Lochiel. It’s like visiting a hospice room. The patients are dying.
COLUMNS
Glimpses into our past: John and Florence Oliver
Historian Alison Bunting looks at the lives of John and Florence Oliver.
Starstruck: Pegasus, Pisces, chaos and climate
Chaos in space is a wondrous thing; here on earth, we must find the desire and genius to mitigate against it.
So much to be thankful for: Just look around
Sometimes thankfulness comes easily. Sometimes, you have to look for it.
Take a Hike: Armour Spring Trail #71
Wayne Tomasi leads readers on a hike down Armour Spring Trail #71.
Nature Journeys: Autumn orthopterans
This November is shaping up to be prime time for observing a wide diversity of orthopterans (grasshoppers and their kin).
FROM THE PRT ARCHIVES…
Robert Cabot Reflects on Turning 100
Nearing his centenary, the Patagonia author is still happy to be here: “I am slipping away slowly, but grateful that my basic mind is still working.”
Sonoita water customers face rate shock, water shortages
Over the last year, customers of the Sonoita Valley Water Company have been dealing with water shortages, low water pressure and leaking lines. Now they’re facing a doubling of their rates, too.
Wilson’s donuts
Wilson could make or find anything, and solve employee, customer or logistics issues—whatever no one else could figure out. When Dad needed skilled cattle horses for the ranch — and word was that the best and cheapest were to be found in Mexico — Wilson and I got the assignment.
Small, affordable houses
Can a 300-square foot house meet a need for affordable housing in Patagonia? A ‘tiny house’ built by local developer Todd Lipton and contractor Kevin McKay at 446 Duquesne showcases the concept.
Town looking to close Marshal’s Office
At its June 23 meeting, the Patagonia Town Council will vote on a proposal to close the Marshal’s Office on June 30. Going forward, law enforcement would be supplied by the County Sheriff’s Office.