Circle Z Ranch is the PRT Weekly News Bulletin’s Premier Sponsor for 2025. We are grateful for their partnership. If you’re interested in sponsoring the Weekly News Bulletin, click here for more information.
Got an eye-catching photo or video? A community or nonprofit event announcement or report? Maybe a volunteer opportunity, or birth/graduation/wedding news, or an obituary? Share your news with the PRT’s Weekly News Bulletin’s 2,000 subscribers! Email us at prtadast@gmail.com
Photo of the Week
The Trail Riders of Southern Arizona recently presented the East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank with a $4,000 cash donation. The funds were raised during the off-highway motorcycle riders’ association’s Nov. 22 event, “There Will Be Dust XIII.” Pictured above, from left, are Food Bank Board member Tony Purifie, Trail Riders president George Wysopal, and Food Bank president Jim Staudacher, who thanked the Trail Riders “for their generous donation and ongoing support.”
News
Christmas season kicks off in sunny Sonoita
Jaimee and Miranda Cass promote the Mustang 4-H Club at Small Town Christmas with the help of their sheep Jolene, Pepper and Mocha. Photo by Pat McNamara 
A big turnout for the annual Small Town Christmas event in Sonoita meant that parking was at a premium. Not pictured: Santa Claus looking for a spot to leave his sleigh. Photo by Pat McNamara 
Vendors’ crafts and artwork for sale at the Small Town Christmas. Photo by Pat McNamara 
Small Town Christmas attendees shop and visit with each other. Photo by Pat McNamara 
Vendors’ tables at the Small Town Christmas. Photo by Pat McNamara
By Pat McNamara
Parking was at a bit of a premium at this year’s Small Town Christmas event, held last Saturday at the Santa Cruz County Fair and Rodeo grounds in Sonoita.
Approximately 40 vendors were on hand with their crafts and various wares along with food trucks, drinks, and booths offering various services and products, as well as activities for the kids. Of course Santa Claus also made an appearance; the line to speak with him was quite long as the tots awaited eagerly with their Christmas lists.
Meanwhile, the Mustangs 4-H Club’s booth was graced with various animals and birds as they promoted their organization and looked to add to their membership by offering close and personal interactions with their feathered and furry charges. A barrel race was also on the schedule to add to the excitement of this holiday season kick-off. It was all soaked up by the attendees, who busily shopped, visited and generally took advantage of the sunny, warm December day.
County sees wins in ongoing Gutfahr-related lawsuit against State, AZ Auditor General
In a news release last week detailing recent procedural wins in their long-running lawsuit against the State of Arizona and Arizona’s Auditor General, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors said they would continue to seek in court “accountability for the systemic failures that allowed a decade of theft [by former Treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr] to go undetected despite the Auditor General’s yearly audits of the County finances.”
Click here to read the full news release.
Annual audit features in lengthy agenda for Town Council’s Dec. 17 meeting
The Patagonia Town Council will hold its only regular meeting this month on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 6pm. As always, members of the public may attend the Council meeting in person or participate via Zoom: Meeting I.D. 957-511-4862, password 338501
Agenda items for this meeting include:
- Overview of the Fiscal Year 2025 audit by Jim Usevitch with Coby & Powell.
- Discussion and possible action to file an amicas brief to join plaintiffs, including Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, in requesting that the district court order the Forest Service to conduct a more thorough environmental review of exploratory mine drilling permits in Humboldt Canyon granted to Barksdale Resources, especially as to the risk of cross-contamination into the Patagonia watershed.
- Discussion and possible action to amend the Town Code to simplify construction valuation and reduce overall fees.
- Presentation regarding the February 6-7, 2026 Daydreamer footrace by event organizer Heidi Rentz Ault.
- Discussion and possible action to amend multiple section of the Town Code to repeal certain water and sewage fees and charges, replacing them with fees and rates adopted by resolution of the Council and deleting all references to Town Clerk/Treasurer and replacing with Town Manager.
Click here to see the meeting’s complete agenda.
SEFD Board to meet Monday, Dec. 22
The five-member Sonoita-Elgin Fire District Board of Directors will conduct a regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 22 at 9am at the Fire Station at 3173 N. Highway 83 in Sonoita. The meeting is open to the public. Doors will be open at 8:45am.
The meeting may also be attended via Zoom with Meeting ID 839 6668 2690
Click here for more information, including the meeting’s complete agenda.
Lobo girls win, boys lose in home openers
By Dave Lumia
After three weeks, 23 combined games and 1,200 miles traveled, the Patagonia High girls and boys basketball teams finally got to play in front of the home crowd on Thursday night.
The Patagonia girls treated the locals to a 38-33 victory over Hayden, rallying from a six-point second-half deficit, but the boys team left its shooting touch on the road and was soundly defeated by a 51-22 score.
Senior Emma Lewton stole the spotlight in the girls game, notching 12 steals and 24 points to lead Patagonia. Eleven of her points came in the final quarter as the home Lobos held off the visiting Lobos despite having to play the final 21 seconds with four players. Patagonia suited up only six due to injuries and was forced to play short-handed after two starters fouled out.
Lewton herself finished the game with four fouls and was constantly double-teamed by Hayden, but she thrived under pressure. “She’s the kind of kid who can handle it,” coach Michele Shadrick said.
Click here to continue reading this article.
A hairy rug comes by for a drink
From Borderlands Wildlife Preserve:
Enjoy a compilation of recent wildlife sightings with one of our cameras at Borderlands Wildlife Preserve. We caught a pair of curious canines staring at the camera, an impassable red bobcat that stopped for a drink of water and a hairy rug, also known as an American badger.
For more on American badgers in our region, see this recent post by Aspen Theis, Watershed Restoration Program Coordinator for Borderlands Restoration Network.
Obituary
Public Service Announcements
To submit an announcement, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Borderlands Produce on Wheels this Saturday in Sonoita
From the Vine Church:
This SATURDAY, Dec. 20, Sonoita Produce on Wheels & Local Market, at the VINE Church 8-11 AM
Borderlands POWWOW in Sonoita is always on the third Saturday of the month. At POWWOW it is a $15 contribution for 70 lbs. of produce. No residential or income requirements.
At the same time, we have Local Marketside vendors. At our local market, you’ll find wonderful homemade goodies/coffee/breads/jams, and gift items. If you’d like to share your handcrafted or homemade local goods at the market, we’d love to have you. – please text/call gardenia at 602.292.1616 to reserve a No-Fee spot.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for this Sonoita Produce on Wheels (POWWOW)!
If you’d like to lend a hand, this is what you would be doing… Sorting and Packing fresh produce, and assisting participants as they go through our farmer’s market style line. The shifts are 6:30 – 9:30 AM AND/OR 8:30 – 11:30 AM. *Those who volunteer for a shift will receive a complimentary unit of produce. If you’d like to give back to your community in this way, please call/text gardenia 602.292.1616 and let us know which dates and shifts you’re able to volunteer. AND if you know of any youth in the community who would like or need volunteer hours, we can provide documentation for those who would like to volunteer ;D Thank you all in advance! What we do, we do together!
Follow @SonoitaAZCommunityMarket on FB & IG to see our Veggie Varieties Friday afternoon!
Arizona Rangers to distribute Christmas dinners on Monday, Dec. 22
The Sonoita Company of the Arizona Rangers have announced they will be distributing Christmas dinners on Monday, December 22 from 10:00am to 11:30am the parking lot by the Scoop and National Bank of Arizona in Sonoita.
School News and Youth Events
To report school news or list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
The Elgin PTC is looking for volunteers for the Community Ugly Sweater Party on Friday, December 19. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FADAB28AAFAC52-60871443-ugly#/. Questions can be directed to the PTC at elginptc@elgink12.com. Thank you!
Upcoming Events
To list an event, please submit an image file 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!
Christmas Eve service at the Patagonia Community Church (387 McKeown Avenue) will be at 7pm on Wednesday, Dec. 24. They write: “Please come and join us at the jewel box on the corner for an evening of special music and a closing candlelight procession. You do not want to miss this special service. “
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
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.
Crossroads Quilters: Are you a textile artist (weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting)? The Crossroads Quilters invites all interested textile artists to our meetings. Bring a project to work on and enjoy a morning of information sharing and camaraderie. We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 9am at the Sonoita Bible Church, 3174 N. Highway 83. For more information email: alisbunting@gmail.com
Overeaters Anonymous: The OA Sky Islands Recovery group meets every Wednesday 11am-12noon at the East Santa Cruz County (ESCC) Food Bank at 772 Harshaw Ave in the meeting room at the end of the driveway. For additional meeting info, 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.
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
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
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Our Advertisers
For information on advertising in the PRT’s print edition, Weekly News Bulletin, website or a custom package, contact Priscilla Bolanos at prtads@gmail.com or 520-313-6062.
Want to know when a new PRT Weekly News Bulletin is out? You can receive an email the moment our Weekly News Bulletin is published every Wednesday. Click here to join the PRT email list.