The PRT Newsletter for the Week of Sept. 18, 2024
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News
County to Consider Permit for New $40-60 Million Dude Ranch in Sonoita
By Marion Vendituoli
Next Thursday, Sept. 26, the Santa Cruz County Planning and Zoning Commission (SCCP&Z) will consider a request for a conditional use permit (CUP) to develop a dude ranch with a capacity for approximately 150 guests on a portion of the Babacomari Ranch located in Sonoita.
The 28,000-acre ranch, which stretches from Sonoita into Cochise County to the east, is the largest contiguous private land parcel in Arizona, according to the ranch’s website. The 65 descendants of Frank and Sallie Brophy, who bought the ranch in 1935, are hoping to lease a portion of the ranch located on the west side of SR83 in Sonoita to outside equity investors who would develop the property.
The application to the Commission states that “the owner envisions a Western-style vacation…that will immerse guests in the Western lifestyle that will include upscale lodging, food and beverage experiences, horseback riding, guided hiking, camping, yoga, wellness center (spa) services, weddings, celebrations, retreats, local area tours, and more.” The buildings would be located in the center of the 2,200 acre pasture and would be at least nine-tenths of a mile from any residential structures.
The family is engaged in talks with Russell True, the owner of several guest ranches, including the White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Tombstone Monument Ranch in Tombstone, and Rancho De La Osa Guest Ranch in Sasabe, to have him operate the ranch in Sonoita. At this point no agreements have been signed, according to Jeff Hampton, the former president of the Arizona Land & Water Trust, who is helping the Brophy family with the project.
Hampton estimates that the proposed guest ranch will be three times bigger than the Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia, and will cost $40–60 million to build.
Click here to read the full article.
New AI-Powered Song Reflects on Allegations Against Ex-County Treasurer
Last Friday, Rio Rico bard Bill Poulsen released a video for “The Ballad of Elizabeth Gutfahr,” a catchy mid-tempo country pop song recounting the allegations against the former Santa Cruz County Treasurer involving the disappearance of $39.4 million in County funds under her watch.
The lyrics to ‘The Ballad of Elizabeth Gutfahr’ are by Poulsen—but listeners may be surprised that everything else, including the vocals, is computer generated.
South32 Donates Hundreds of Pounds of Beef to Food Bank
The East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank, Inc, which serves clients in the eastern half of Santa Cruz County, Arizona is very pleased to announce receiving a donation of hundreds of pounds of frozen beef by South32 Hermosa.
On August 25, South32 employees Miguel Lamadrid, Elisa Rodriguez and Chris Gray delivered packages of frozen meat that will be distributed to our clients and community partners in the coming months. They previously donated a large freezer to store the meat as the food bank’s freezer space was somewhat limited.
This donation will help our community improve the lives of community members who experience food insecurity in a way that was not possible previously.
We thank South32 Hermosa for joining us in helping achieve our vision: No one goes hungry in East Santa Cruz County.
Crickets and Grasshoppers Beauty (and Song) Pageant
We’re still looking for great photos (and videos!) of this year’s crickets and grasshoppers to share with the 2,000+ readers of this newsletter. Please email your entries to prtadast@gmail.com — the higher the resolution, the better. Thank you!
Help Clean Up the Highway This Friday
On Friday, September 20, at 7 am, the Patagonia Museum will host a highway cleanup on Highway 82, Milepost 18-19. Please gather a few minutes before 7am at the ramadas on Beaty Lane, the west end of Doc Mock Park, for a brief safety meeting.
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School Announcements
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming events in this newsletter, pleas submit a link to your event page or poster/flyer, or a brief description of the event. Poster/flyer submissions require an image in JPEG format, along with a brief description of the event. 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!
Local Items of Interest
The Patagonia Senior Center recently 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.
The Patagonia Museum has joined the Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle fundraiser. The grand prize is a 2024 Jeep Wrangler. 100% of proceeds sold by the Patagonia Museum will benefit the museum. Please contact a board member of the museum to buy your chance(s) to win. Click here to learn more about the grand prize. To learn more about the additional prizes that are available, click here.
On Saturday, October 5, at 10:30am, in the Patagonia Town Park Gazebo, the Daughters of the American Revolution will honor Anne Stradling (1913-1992) as a Woman in History.
On Saturday, October 19, from 4pm to 8pm, the Patagonia Museum Board of Trustees will host a Member Appreciation Dinner. Jim Koweek will provide the entertainment. Please save the date and if you are not a museum member please consider joining.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the upcoming academy classes for Patrol Deputy, Adult Detention Officer, and the Communications Division (Dispatch).
Starting Salaries:
Deputy: $49,595.00/Year
Detention Officer: $42,766.00/Year
Dispatch: $42,766.00/Year
Please complete an application and submit it to the Santa Cruz County Human Resource Office. Application Link: https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/documentcenter/view/3602
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)
Sierra Vista Farmers Market – Thursday 10am-2pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales.
Church Events and Schedules
St. Therese Parish in Patagonia
Patagonia United Methodist Church
Our Advertisers
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.
