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News
Maya Donnelly, Miguel Lopez prevail in Democratic primaries
Gowan, Diaz win Republican vote for Legislative District 19
By Dave Lumia
Incumbent Maya M. Donnelly defeated challenger Sonia Sanchez in the Democratic primary for Santa Cruz County School Superintendent in Tuesday’s primary election, while Miguel A. Lopez ousted incumbent Adriana Olaiz in the race for County Justice of the Peace.
Republicans did not field a candidate in either race, so barring unusual circumstances, Donnelly and Lopez will be elected to office in the November general election.
In the lone contested Republican race for local voters, David Gowan and Lupe Diaz will be on the ballot for State Representative in District 19 after outpolling Cheryl Caswell. Diaz is an incumbent, while Gowan is attempting to switch chambers after being term-limited as State Senator. Diaz and Gowan will be challenged by Democrats Jackie Anderson and Aiden Swallow in the heavily Republican district.
In unofficial vote totals posted by Santa Cruz County, Donnelly received 2,148 votes to 1,865 for Sanchez, while Lopez had a 2,290 to 1,750 advantage over Olaiz. The Justice of the Peace race is a reversal of Olaiz’s narrow victory over Lopez in 2024.
The county’s results are expected to become official on Thursday, after tabulation of verified and accepted Late Early Ballots.
In the District 19 primary, which includes voters from Cochise, Greenlee, Graham, Pima and Santa Cruz counties, Gowan has 16,718 reported votes (43.97 percent), Diaz has 12,199 (32.09 percent) and Caswell has 9,101 (23.94 percent).
For Patagonia voters, incumbent Andrea Wood was unopposed in the mayor’s race, as was newcomer Caleb Weaver for a seat on the town council. Voters also approved Proposition 416, which allows the town council to set an alternative spending limit following a mandatory public hearing, rather than a state-mandated spending limit. The measure passed by a vote of 135-38.
In the highest profile statewide races, Republican Andy Biggs won the race to face incumbent Katie Hobbs for Governor, Alexander Koludin will challenge Adrian Fontes for Secretary of State, and Warren Peterson will take on Kris Mayes in the Attorney General’s race.
Incumbent Tom Horne was unseated by Kimberly Yee for the Republican nomination for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Yee will Face Democrat Teresa Leyba Ruiz in the general election.
Santa Cruz County’s preliminary results show a voter turnout of 20.27 percent, with Democrats at 36.47 percent and Republicans at 25.78. Independents make up more than a third of the county’s registered voters.
County approves legal counsel for defendants in Auditor’s Gutfahr embezzlement complaint
By Dave Lumia
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved authorizing the retention of outside legal counsel for current and former county employees and their spouses named as defendants in a civil complaint filed by the Arizona Auditor General in relation to the embezzlement of county funds by former treasurer Elizabeth Gutfahr.
Robert May, civil bureau chief for the County Attorney’s office, called the complaint “one more example” of the Auditor General’s pattern of “filing frivolous litigation” and explained that because the employees were sued in their official capacities, the authorization of outside counsel is necessary to protect the county from increased legal risk and financial exposure.
“The employees were sued in their official capacity even though they were cleared by the FBI and Department of Justice of any wrongdoing in the Liz Gutfahr embezzlement,” May said at Wednesday’s meeting of the Supervisors.
The suit, filed in April in Maricopa County Superior Court, names former Chief Deputy Treasurer Maria Acuña, former Senior Secretary Gloria Patricia Ibarra and tax clerk Susan Gonzalez and their spouses as defendants, as well as Gutfahr, her husband, David, son, Davian, and niece, Ashley Moreno. Acuña, Ibarra and Gonzalez are accused of personally benefiting from Gutfahr’s crimes, and Acuña is alleged to have helped facilitate them.
Gutfahr pleaded guilty to embezzling approximately $38.7 million in county funds over a 10-year period and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay more than $51 million in restitution. Gutfahr is the only person who has been criminally charged in connection with the theft.
The county sued the Arizona Auditor General in 2024, claiming gross negligence in failing to discover the missing funds in its annual audits, and the state has responded with a series of cross complaints. The county’s original suit was declared null and void in March due to a violation of the state’s Open Meeting Law, but the county refiled in June along with a motion to consolidate all previous findings in the matter “out of the concept of judicial efficiency.”
“This new complaint is now another attempt by the Auditor General to avoid their own responsibility,” May said.
Gary Levine of Rio Rico was one of two citizens to speak against using public funds to defend the employees at Wednesday’s board meeting: “Consider the optics and the message that you would be sending to county residents, who, I can tell you from personal experience, already have a great level of mistrust of the integrity and honesty of our county government. You would be throwing gasoline onto the fire to now use their taxpayer dollars for those individuals.”
The measure was approved following an executive session of nearly 90 minutes. Board chairman John Fanning, who represents eastern Santa Cruz County, said he understood the public’s concerns, but “if we do not move forward in this direction, no action equals greater risk to the county.”
A press release issued by the county states: “Failure to take this action could expose the County to increased legal risk, greater financial costs and the potential expense of decisions based on incomplete or incorrect allegations. The Board’s action is intended to safeguard County resources and protect taxpayers from unnecessary financial exposure.”
De La Ossa chapel clean up a family event
Oscar De La Ossa applies putty to the San Antonio De La Ossa Chapel frames in Lochiel, one step toward window installation. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Alan De La Ossa (left) and Sean Coate prepare meat for the family cookout that followed chapel cleanup and repairs. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Friends and family assisting in Saturday’s chapel repairs in Lochiel were (from left) Maureen De La Ossa, Jody Savage, Jolene De La Ossa, Liz Salazar Leon and Gloria De La Ossa Lorta. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Mindy Coate handles the repair of one of the Lochiel chapel windows, which was broken due to vandalism last year. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Wanda De La Ossa (left) and Audra Parker work to remove cobwebs and mice droppings from the interior of the adobe chapel. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Relics, a reminder of the connection between those in heaven and the faithful on earth, were removed for a thorough cleaning. Photo by Dave Lumia
By Carrie White
The San Antonio De La Ossa Chapel got a thorough cleaning Saturday thanks to 25 members of the De La Ossa, Lorta and Quiroga families who descended on Lochiel ready to work. And picnic.
Included in the cleanup was the replacement of windows broken last year when the chapel was vandalized. Additionally, there was floor washing, wall wipe-downs and relic dusting — all completed before meat was thrown on the grill.
While little of the De La Ossa family’s five acres has changed since it was deeded back to them last year, the road leading to the family century could require modification as a result of the double border wall being built just yards from the chapel and cemetery. While the construction will not impede access to the chapel, it could impact access to the cemetery where generations of family members are interred.
But on this day, the festivities were not to be hindered by worry or weather (the rains held off just long enough for everyone to pack up). After all, a picnic overlooking the scenic San Rafael Valley is something to be savored.
Opinion: CPBA survey is needlessly complicated
By Chuck Klingenstein and Sarah Klingenstein
We have been involved and concerned Santa Cruz County citizens in the Community Protection and Benefit Agreement (CPBA) process for the South32 Hermosa Mining Project. All along, we have been trying to follow the very piecemeal information shared with Santa Cruz County residents. Now we have been asked by the potential Signatories, The City of Nogales, the Town of Patagonia, Santa Cruz County and South32, to fill out a survey found online at https://cpba-hermosa.org/survey/.
After looking at the survey several times, we are surprised at how complicated, cumbersome and incredibly lengthy it is.
Click here to continue reading.
Quarterly update from Hermosa on agenda for Patagonia Town Council meeting
The Town of Patagonia will hold a regular Town Council meeting Wednesday, July 22 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.
Items on the meeting’s agenda include a quarterly update from Pat Risner, president of South32 Hermosa.
Here is the meeting’s full agenda:
SEFD board sets agenda for July 27 meeting
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District Board of Directors will conduct a regular meeting on Monday, July 27, at 9 a.m. 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
Here is the meeting’s agenda:
Canelo Hills ladies’-tresses grow only in the Southwest’s vanishing ciénegas. Can they be rooted there again?
By Melissa L. Sevigny, High Country News
Arizona’s rarest orchid, when not in bloom, resembles a blade of grass. It vanishes easily in the lush greenery of the Canelo Hills Cienega Preserve — even to the eyes of the botanists who plant it.
On a mild April morning, after a decade of preparation, a group of scientists gathered at a desert wetland cradled in southern Arizona’s hills to reintroduce a federally endangered orchid. Aside from the researchers’ chatter, the only sounds were water trickling from a spring and boots squelching through mud.
Steve Blackwell, conservation biologist at the Desert Botanical Garden (DBG), ventured into the wetland, using tussocks of grass as stepping-stones. He wanted to see if a small test plot of orchids planted months before had survived. He returned at a run, fists pumping the air. “I found one!”
The rest of the team, made up of orchid experts from DBG and the North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC), followed him to a soil moisture sensor stuck into the boggy ground. He pulled aside sedges and grasses to reveal a thin, grass-like leaf.
“We did it, guys,” NAOCC technician Hope Brooks said.
“Now we just gotta do 360 more,” Blackwell replied.
The Canelo Hills ladies’-tresses, one of the most endangered orchids in the United States, contributes to that diversity. But only a few hundred remain in the wild, and none had been seen at the Canelo Hills Cienega Preserve, where the species was first documented in a scientific publication, since the early 2000s.
Click here to continue reading.
Public Service Announcements
To submit an announcement, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
From Santa Cruz County:
JP-East Justice Court services are available every first and third Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sonoita Community Space/County Building. We provide civil services, including small claims, civil complaints, evictions, orders of protection and weddings — bringing access to justice closer to Elgin, Sonoita, Canelo and Patagonia. We’re here to serve our community with fairness, empathy and integrity. Call: (520) 375-7661.
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. To list an event, please submit by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Get ready to go back to school
School is back in session in less than two weeks. Here’s a roundup of activities provided by local schools to get the young folks and their parents prepared.
Thursday, July 23 — Meet the Teacher, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, July 27 — First Day of School
Tuesday, Aug. 18 — School Pictures
Monday, July 27 — Freshman Orientation, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, July 29 — Open House and Meet the Teachers, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 3 — First Day of School
Monday, July 27 — First Day of School
Info for families regarding public schools’ meal programs
Press release from Patagonia Union High School District:
Patagonia Union High School District will be participating in the School Breakfast Program and/or National School Lunch Program As part of this program, Patagonia Union High School District will offer healthy meals every school day to Patagonia Union High School and Patagonia Elementary School students.
Patagonia Union High School District is approved to operate Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2 or 3, so meals will be provided at no cost to all children.
For more information, you may call Joy Quiroga at 520-394-3000 or e-mail at jaquiroga@psd0620.org.
Press release from Sonoita Elementary School District:
Sonoita Elementary School District #25 announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program. Elgin School offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.75; lunch costs $3.00. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $ .30 for breakfast and $ .40 for lunch.
To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households may fill out the application and return it to the school unless your children qualify for free benefits (see below). Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children and what is required to complete on the application. Applications also are available at the Elgin School Office. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. An application for free or reduced-price benefits cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.
Here is the complete SESD press release:
From Elgin School Parent Teacher Club:
The Elgin PTC is looking for new members to join our team and help make our school an even more amazing place for our students, staff, and families! Whether you can volunteer a few hours a month or help with a specific event, there is a place for everyone in the PTC! Interested in learning more? Send us a message at Elginptc@elgink12.com. We’d love to have you join our flock! Together, we can help Elgin soar even higher!
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!
In response to the forthcoming closure of the Santa Cruz Humane Society, the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County Animal Control are sponsoring a 5K and pet adoption event from 6 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 at Karam Park, 159 N. Morley Ave. in downtown Nogales. The Humane Society is looking to rehome about 30 animals prior to closing this fall due to lack of sustainable funding. The adoption fee for a dog or cat is $10 and includes Parvo/Distemper shot for dogs or RCP vaccination for cats.
From Borderlands Nursery & Seed:
Our second bilingual Native Plant Propagation & Nursery Management Workshop of 2026 is coming up on Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and we only have a few spots left for participants!
Join us for an informative class to learn about all things related to running and managing a native plant nursery, such as propagating native plants from both seeds and cuttings, seed and plant sourcing, plant lists, dormancy, mechanical scarification, temperature stratification, transplanting, pot sizes for retail vs. restoration needs, irrigation, soil type, timelines, and more. The nursery will also be open for shopping.
Sign up at borderlandsplants.org
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Fresh vegetable distribution Mondays at the Patagonia Senior Center
Come with friends and pick up your weekly fresh vegetables from East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank every Monday at the Patagonia Senior Center (100 Quiroga Ln, Patagonia) at 10:30am. Take what you need and give what you can.
The Sonoita Food Pantry at The Vine Church is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Monthly bird walks at the Paton Center
From the Paton Center:
Fun news: we will now be having regular monthly Paton Center bird walks led by docent Wayne Smith on the fourth Saturday of every month! Join us for a relaxing morning featuring short, easy walks (less than a mile total) along trails like the Cuckoo Corridor and Gray Hawk Birding Trail. We’ll also spend some unhurried time enjoying the activity around the bird feeders.
-Alexis Stark, Paton Center Site Manager
Boat tours at Patagonia Lake State Park
Every Saturday and Sunday, $7 per adult, $5 per child (13 years and under)
- 9 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
- 10:15 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
- 11:30 a.m. Lake Discovery Tour
- Twilight Tour on Saturdays only. Time varies.
Call the park to make your reservation: 520-287-2791
Boat rentals are available at the Patagonia Lake Marina.
Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Highway 83, Sonoita. Doors open at 6:30. 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
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A 2026 CORE Grant from the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona provides the Patagonia Regional Times with valuable operating support.