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Photo of the Week
Radiant blooms on the Arizona Trail in the Huachucas. Photo by Yuri Ouskov
News
Bending ’round the poles
Above: Lexie Miller of Sonoita competes in pole bending at the Arizona High School Rodeo Association event at the Sonoita Fairgrounds last Saturday. Photo by Dave Lumia
Tonight’s Patagonia Council meeting set to include hearing, possible vote on proposed $4.3 million annual budget
By Jay Babcock and Marion Vendituoli
The Town of Patagonia will hold a regular Town Council meeting Wednesday, May 14 at 6pm in Town Hall Council Chambers at 310 McKeown Avenue. The meeting, which is open to the public, can also be attended via Zoom: meeting I.D. is 957-511-4862, password is 338501.
During tonight’s meeting, the Council will conduct a public hearing on the Town’s proposed $4.376 million budget for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1, 2025. The hearing will include public comments and discussions by Town Council, and will be followed by Council discussion and a possible vote to formally adopt the budget.
Although this budget was previously discussed at a 48-minute Town Council study session on April 2—which was attended by two members of the public in person and one on Zoom—and is the subject of a public hearing tonight, it has not been made available on the Town’s website. A single page summary was printed as part of a notice of public hearing in the April 25, 2025 edition of the Nogales International.
The budget—prepared by Town Manager Ron Robinson and given tentative approval by a unanimous Council vote on April 9—proposes $4.376 million in expenditures during Fiscal Year 2026. Expenditures, as listed on Schedule E in the document, include:
Fire Contract: $70,008
Parks: $246,898
Library: $283,990
Law Enforcement: $456,095
Administration: $1,709,261
Other items on the agenda for tonight’s Council meeting include:
Discussion and possible action to dissolve the Patagonia Public Library Advisory Board and recognize “the authority of the Town Manager to appoint in his discretion a Library Operational Advisory Committee.”
Discussion and possible action to approve Town Manager Robinson to “sign a service contract with Finest Tree Service of Tucson for tree trimming in the Library garden area in the amount of $2,200.”
Discussion and possible action to “approve Town Manager Robinson signing a construction agreement with James Conway to make Reservoir Road improvements in the amount not to exceed $37,632. The road has been unused for about 15 years and it has [deteriorated].”
For more information on the tonight’s Council meeting, including the full agenda, click here.
Cassina Farley stands inside the Arizona sycamore, hollowed out by a long-ago fire, but still alive.Photo by Zach Farley
The PRT’s new “Great Trees of Eastern Santa Cruz County” series continues in our May issue with an entry from longtime PRT columnist Cassina Farley talking about one of her favorite local trees from childhood: the Hollow Tree of Harshaw Townsite, which is still alive—and still big enough for four kids to fit in. Click here to read Cassina’s article.
Do you know a great tree? Share it with us! It can be any tree in Eastern Santa Cruz County. (You don’t have to disclose the tree’s exact location unless you want to.) Tell us what makes the tree great to you: maybe it’s the tree’s size, shape or age; or its leaf color; or the animals and insects who inhabit it; or the special events or family traditions associated with it; or perhaps something more personal. Whatever it is, please share it with us. Submit photos (or artwork!) and text to Assistant Editor Jay Babcock at prtadast@gmail.com.
Let’s celebrate our area’s natural splendor and heritage!
Memorial Day is coming
The PRT has compiled a list of names of veterans who are buried in local cemeteries in Duquesne, Elgin, Lochiel and Patagonia to recognize these men and women for their service and sacrifice for our freedom. Click here to download a PDF of “Honoring Those Who Served.”
FotoFauna highlights from April are in, and it was a good month for bobcats! Also, a squirrel attempts to fly. An owl rolls its eyes. And several dozen birds test the limits on capacity at the local pool. Check out the video and, if you live where the wild things are, consider joining us.
FotoFauna is a growing network of 307 individuals and organizations in the Sky Islands, with wildlife cameras set up in the U.S. or Mexico. It’s easy to get started. Just set up a wildlife camera in your backyard and submit an online monthly checklist of species you observe. In addition to being fun and another way to form community, the data will help us study when and where wildlife is present so we can better protect their habitats. To learn more, visit: https://ow.ly/5C3o50TTLT7
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!
Click flyer to send email to register
Click flyer for more info
Click flyer to email info@mightyboots.org to register or for more info
Recurring Events
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.
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.
Click flyer for more info
Click flyer for more info
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)
For information on advertising in the PRT’s print edition, weekly newsletter, website or a custom package, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
Private collector interested in buying good quality minerals from the Patagonia area and other Arizona locations. Please contact Bob Stewart, 315-440-2786 (Sahuarita)
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