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Tributes for Ike Isakson
Neighbor Eva Acevedo (above) was among the townspeople paying tribute to former Patagonia mayor and Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue (PVFR) chief Ike Isakson as a procession of firetrucks and emergency vehicles (below) made their way down Naugle Avenue last Friday.
A public memorial service for Isakson will be held this Saturday, Jan. 17, at 11am at Patagonia Union High School, with attendees invited “to share stories and memories that celebrate the remarkable life [Ike] lived.”
In cooperation with the Isakson family and PVFR, the PRT is preparing an extended salute to Ike for our forthcoming Feb. 2026 issue. If you have any remembrances (or photographs) of Ike that you would like to share with the community in the pages of the PRT, please email your submission to editor@prtnews.org by Tuesday, Jan. 20.
County schedules meetings to ‘clear the air’ on Hermosa discharge levels
In the first of three public meetings intended to “clear the air” about the levels of a toxic metal found in water discharged from South32’s Hermosa Project site in the Patagonia Mountains, Hermosa Project President Pat Risner disputed reports that the mining company attempted to mislead the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) regarding an October reading in excess of allowable levels.
Addressing the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7, Risner said “We think there [is] a lot of context and information that’s missing or not being provided, or in some cases been misconstrued.”
The Jan. 7 meeting was the first of three scheduled in response to concerns about the levels of antimony, a naturally occurring metal, found in water being pumped out of the ground at the Hermosa site.
District 3 Supervisor John Fanning told the PRT that the county scheduled the meetings “in order to kind of clear the air and not only to find out if there was an error, where that error occurred, but also to make sure that no one is negatively affected health-wise when it comes to antimony.”
The next two meetings will be held on Jan. 21 with a representative from ADEQ and Feb. 4 with hydrogeologist Chris Gardner. Both will begin at 9:30 a.m. in room 120 at the County Complex at 2150 N. Congress Drive in Nogales.
At the Jan. 7 meeting, Risner discussed concerns surrounding the apparent “misreporting” by South32 of a spike in the concentration of antimony in a sample collected on Oct. 3.
Click here to read the full article.
Patagonia Town Council sets agenda for Jan. 14 meeting
The Patagonia Town Council will hold its first regular meeting this month on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 6pm. As always, members of the public may attend the Council meeting in person or via Zoom: Meeting I.D. 957-511-4862, password 338501
Agenda items include:
- Chris Gardner, hydrogeologist with Friends of Sonoita Creek, will present findings in water discharge from South32 Hermosa mine.
- Discussion and possible action to approve a $33,290 contract with KE&G Construction to replace the corroded steel wet well cap with an aluminum cap and remodel the outdoor electrical control panel at the wastewater treatment plant.
- Discussion and possible action to re-appoint Judge Miguel A. Lopez as court magistrate pro-temp effective for one year. Requested by presiding magistrate Concepcion Bracamonte.
For more information, including the Jan. 14 meeting’s complete agenda, click here.
Lobos continue late-season push for state playoff berth
Senior Gus Varela paced the Lobos with 13 points in Tuesday night’s victory. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Junior Kannon Shore drives toward the basket. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Senior Jaxon Yslava hits the deck to try to corral a loose ball. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Freshman Troy Hawkins leads the Lobos on a fast break. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Diego Padilla and Marco Vasquez apply the defensive pressure. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Patagonia coaching staff Terrell Harper, Nate Porter and Ryan Shore during a break in the action. Photo by Dave Lumia
By Dave Lumia
Six days. Four games. Three victories.
Not perfect, but the Patagonia Lobos will take it. It beats the heck out of 32 days, no victories, which directly preceded the current flurry of activity for the boys team.
The most recent victory was a 45-36 verdict over Andrada Polytechnic on Tuesday night. Senior Gus Varela scored 13 points to lead the Lobos, who had some shaky moments while top offensive performer Kannon Shore sat out most of the second half with foul trouble.
“Gus was good tonight,” coach Nate Porter said. “He’s been out for a while, so it’s good to have him back and give us some buckets.”
The Lobos have won three consecutive home games since returning from the Christmas break, beating Andrada, Superior (55-50 on Saturday) and San Simon (53-26 last Thursday). Interspersed among the victories was a 65-32 loss to The Gregory School on Monday night in Tucson. Gregory is the defending 1A state champion and is currently ranked third among 1A schools.
Click here to read the full article.
‘Potluck Presentation’ lecture series resumes at Research Ranch
By Steven Prager, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Director
Potluck Presentations are back at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch of the National Audubon Society! On Friday, January 9, nearly 40 folks braved muddy roads to share a meal, build some community, and kick off the 2026 season right. For this session, potluck participants enjoyed hearing from Chris Prewitt, Project Manager for the University of Arizona’s Frog Project, as he explored their effort to eradicate invasive American bullfrogs from the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Babacomari River and the surrounding region for the benefit of native Chiricahua leopard frogs.
Once common in Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico, the Chiricahua leopard frog has declined throughout its range due to a combination of invasive species, habitat loss and disease. Today, the species is federally listed as threatened.
Next month, potluck attendees will learn a bit more about North America’s rewilding history, beginning at the Research Ranch in 1971 when Ariel Appleton, matriarch of the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, began raising Bolson tortoises, the largest terrestrial reptile in North America and today an endangered species, on the property. Ariel raised about 30 tortoises over the years, including the famous Gertie, who probably hatched about the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.
The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. with the potluck dinner beginning at about 5:30. The presentation will immediately follow the meal. Don’t miss out – RSVP here!
TBA spotlights winter birding along Harshaw Creek Road
From Tucson Bird Alliance (TBA):
Trying to figure out the next birding hotspot to check out this winter? Join Luke as he looks at a couple of Southeast Arizona locations where you should go birding this next month and gives you the info to make it the best experience possible. In this session we’ll discuss Oit Par Trailhead in Marana and Harshaw Creek Road in Patagonia.
Public Service Announcements
To submit an announcement, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
ADOT restarts SR 83 lane restrictions in Sonoita, will continue through April
From Arizona Department of Transportation:
Lane restrictions along State Route 83 between Black Oak Drive (milepost 31) and Lower Elgin Road (milepost 29) in Sonoita will restart Jan. 13 and continue through April for a pavement rehabilitation project.
Motorists can expect the following restrictions:
- Daily lane restrictions on east- and westbound SR 83 between mileposts 31 and 29 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Rolling lane restrictions as crews work through multiple sections of the project area each day.
- Flagging operation in the project area
- Speed limit of 25 mph in the work zone
Drivers should allow extra travel time, use caution, be prepared to slow down, and merge safely when approaching and traveling through all work zones.
Schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.
BLM offers permits to collect dead and downed mesquite west of Cieneguita Campground
From the Bureau of Land Management (BLM):
The Bureau of Land Management Tucson Field Office is offering firewood permits for collecting downed, cured mesquite at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area until March 1, 2026!
Mesquite firewood is available because of the BLM’s ongoing grassland restoration program at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. Invasive mesquite trees are downed to encourage growth of native grasses and improve wildlife habitat for wildlife, such as the pronghorn antelope.
- Permits are $1 per cord (1 cord minimum, 2 cord max)
- Valid for 30 days or until March 31, whichever comes first
- Collection is limited to dead and downed mesquite west of Cieneguita Campground (past the closed cattle gate). No live trees or other species allowed. Permits do not authorize collection on private or State lands. Wood availability is not guaranteed.
Learn more: https://ow.ly/GfAt50XTb5g
County warns residents of email payment scam
From Santa Cruz County:
Santa Cruz County officials are alerting residents to a scam involving fraudulent emails that appear to come from County departments and request payment. Santa Cruz County has documented one fraudulent event and will work with the Arizona Attorney General’s office on any investigation.
If you receive an email requesting payment from any Santa Cruz County department, you may verify its legitimacy by calling the County and confirming directly with the department before making any payment. Santa Cruz County will never request payment through email links or wire transfers. If you have confirmed with the County that it is fraudulent, please report it to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
Scam emails may look official and use department names, logos, or urgent language to pressure you to act quickly. Always check the sender’s email address, as fraudulent messages often come from addresses that do not match official Santa Cruz County domains.
If you receive a suspicious email:
- Do not click on any links.
- Do not provide personal or financial information.
- Do not send payments by wire transfer.
- Contact Santa Cruz County and confirm the request with the relevant department before responding.
- Residents can verify payment requests by calling 520-375-7800.
Santa Cruz County is committed to protecting resident information and encourages everyone to remain vigilant against scams.
More information on fraud and scams can be found on the Arizona Attorney General’s website: https://www.azag.gov/consumeruds.
Remember When?
We’ve published over 3,500 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Take a walk down memory lane with this article from just about ten years ago…
Baking altar bread at Santa Rita Abbey
Feb. 4, 2016
Five days a week, sisters at Santa Rita Abbey in Fish Canyon gather in their unpretentious cinder-block manufacturing facility. As a family of white-tail deer pass by out their window, they start the day’s run of communion wafers. From 8:30 am to 4 p.m., with a break for lunch, the sisters are busy at their work stations.
The ten sisters who reside at Santa Rita Abbey are part of the Cistercian Order of Strict Observance, an order dating back a thousand years. Each abbey must be self-supporting. In the early years after the abbey’s establishment in 1972, the sisters sold handmade crafts and paintings to “keep the peanut butter on the table,” says Sister Victoria. Since 1978 they have been making and selling “Cistercian Altar Breads.” These wafers, called “hosts,” are 100% whole wheat with no additives.
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.
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!
Friends of Patagonia Library are hosting their annual trivia night fundraiser on Saturday, February 7 at Cady Hall. Players can buy individual tickets or reserve a table by contacting the Patagonia Library. 520-394-2010
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
This SATURDAY, January 17th Sonoita Produce on Wheels & Local Market, at the VINE Church 8-11 AM – first come, first serve!
Borderlands POWWOW in Sonoita, AZ is always on the third Saturday of the month. – please text/call gardenia at 602.292.1616
*At POWWOW it is a $15 contribution for 70 LBS of produce. No residential or income requirements.
If you’d like to join the Community Volunteer Team or become a Market Vendor, please text/call gardenia 602.292.1616. 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
Follow @SonoitaAZCommunityMarket on FB & IG to see our Veggie Varieties Friday afternoon!
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. Thank you all in advance! What we do, we do together! GM
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.
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 Community 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.
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