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Photo of the Week
Above: Lightning lights up the night sky during the July 6 storm. โMichael King, Sonoita
News
Santa Cruz Little League All-Stars win District, advance to State
The Santa Cruz Little League 8-10 Year Olds defeated Douglas 14-8 to win the District 8 championship on Monday night in Benson. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Santa Cruz celebrates after Owen Thomas caught a fly ball for the final out. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Coach Evan Raley rallies the troops after Santa Cruz fell behind 8-5. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Jax Raley slides home to score on a wild pitch in the third inning. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Chato Padilla delivers a pitch in the final inning. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Second baseman Jhett Hubbell throws to first base to retire a Douglas batter. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Santa Cruz fans whoop it up as the team closes in on the district title. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Chato Padilla throws to first to retire a Douglas batter. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Santa Cruz starting pitcher Brantley Orona delivers a pitch in the first inning. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Hatley Matthews takes first base after drawing a walk to lead off the sixth inning. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Jhett Hubbell prepares to throw out a Douglas batter in the fifth inning. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Third baseman Hatley Matthews throws across the diamond to record an out. Photo by Dave Lumia 
Coach Evan Raley fires up the team as they enter the final inning with a 9-8 lead. Photo by Dave Lumia
The Santa Cruz Little League 8-10 Year Olds defeated Douglas 14-8 to win the District 8 championship on Monday night in Benson.
Santa Cruz and its never-say-die roster of nine players from Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia will face Flagstaff in the opening round of the double-elimination state championship on Thursday at 5pm at the Stone Complex in Sierra Vista, 3324-3598 E. Tahoma Street.
Click here to read the PRT’s full report by Dave Lumia.
Scenes from the 4th in Patagonia
Bob Ollerton chauffeurs Grand Marshall Irma Sang into town. Photo by Robert Gay 
PVFR Chief Zay Hartigan flashes a peace sign. Photo by Robert Gay. 
The joy of bubbles. Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Three companies, one bull. Photo by Robert Gay 
Paraders carry the flags of the USA, Arizona and the Forest Service. Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Binx Selby 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Smokey the Bear flashes the peace sign. Photo by Robert Gay 
Brandi Montanฬez and son Mateo enjoy the 4th. Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Gama Leyva and Jan Herron enjoy BBQ at Patagonia Lumber Company. Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
The Patagonia Minstrels perform patriotic songs at the Town’s gazebo. Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Paton float designer Jeane. Photographer unknown. 
A classic Ford F100. Photo by Robert Gay 
A celebrant texts while she drives a float. No citation was issued. Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Binx Selby 
Butterflies on parade. Photo by Linda Jade Fong. 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Greetings from the buckboard – even the horses have beads. Photo by Robert Gay 
The pool’s underwater garden float. Photo by Robert Gay 
Bob Brandt waves from the PRAC float. Photo by Binx Selby 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Photo by Binx Selby 
Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
PRT managing editor Marion Vendituoli leans back in her chair and reads the paper for the 14th time. Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss. Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Cynthia Matus Morriss 
Patagonia Plants’ Mary McKay waves. Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Robert Gay 
The Blakely Ranch float looks ahead to Halloween. Photo by Robert Gay 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Binx Selby 
Families enjoy picnics and play soccer on the field as they await Patagonia fireworks to begin. Photo by Katrina Pahulu 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong
(Click arrow at side of image to see the next slide.)
Short agenda set for Town Council’s July 9 meeting
The Patagonia Town Council will hold its first regular meeting of the month on Wednesday, July 9 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 for this meeting include:
- Discussion and possible action by Council “to allow Town Manager [Ron] Robinson sign a proposal by CPE Consultants to design and manage construction of a sidewalk along the south side of SR82 from Third Avenue to Fourth Avenue. SB1162 was signed by Governor Hobbs extending the scope of work to Third Avenue for the STBG grant. The remaining STBG funds of $285,819.88 will be used for the project. Total fee, $34,315.00.”
- Update by Carolyn Shafer of Patagonia Area Resource Alliance on “status of legal actions to protect our natural resources.”
The next regular Council meeting will be held Wednesday, July 23.
Click here to see the full agenda for the July 9 meeting.
PUHS Class of 1970 holds reunion
The Patagonia Union High School class of 1970 held a reunion last Thursday, July 3 at MorQ BBQ and Bakery. Classmates present were (from left to right): Robert Lenon III, Byrd Moss, Bruce Wetten, Cynthia Matus Morriss, Cathy Bidegain Dukes, Olivia Lopez, Beverly Wright Mellor, Manuel Aguirre, Mike Mellor, Chris Ellefson and Karen LeFever. Also present, but not pictured: Bonnie Hill Pine.
Supervisors change online participation protocols after recent disruption
From Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisorsโ Clerk of the Board:
July 2, 2025 – Effective immediately, members of the public will no longer be able to participate in Board meetings virtually. While meetings will continue to be broadcast live online, those who wish to provide comments or participate must attend in person. If you cannot attend the meeting in person and wish to provide comments, you may email the Clerk of the Board the day prior to the meeting by 5:00pm.
This change follows a recent incident that disrupted an online meeting. In response, the Board is taking proactive steps to prevent future disruptions and ensure meetings are conducted safely and efficiently.
To support this effort, the Board is transitioning to a new virtual meeting format that eliminates speaking and content-sharing capabilities. The new format is a view-only platform, meaning public call-in or Zoom participation will no longer be supported.
Despite these changes, the Board remains firmly committed to transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement. The virtual link for public viewing of all meetings will be included on all official meeting agendas.
Community members may view the meetings live on YouTube at youtube.com/@santacruzcountyarizona/live.
If you have a question or comment you would like to share with the Board, you may email the Board in advance at clerkoftheboard@santacruzcountyaz.gov.
We appreciate the communityโs understanding and cooperation as we work to maintain safe and productive public meetings.
So THIS is where our front birdbath water goes
“Although this little guy is cute, I do NOT want them this close to our house!” โSally Reichardt, Sonoita
Monsoon rains bring out the giant mites
By Vince Pinto
Red Velvet Mites are a quintessential monsoon specialist species. Measuring in at only a third of an inch in length, they are nevertheless โgiants among their raceโ: most mites are, pun intended, mighty small. When summer rains fall in sufficient quantities, the kings and queens of termites often come out to breed. They form at least part of the food of these slow-moving predatorsโhence, their coincidence with specific rain events such as this one at Ravenโs Nest Nature Sanctuary.
Despite their normal absence from our Sky Islands landscapeโthey dwell underground outside of monsoon seasonโVelvet Mites can become quite abundant. In fact, one entomologist flying over a mountain in southeastern Arizona noticed that a particular area had a pink hue. Incredibly, at ground level he discovered that a surfeit of these mites was responsible!
Unlike some other mitesโthink chiggersโVelvet Mites are harmless. Humans can get irritated skin from the oils they release, though this is only possible if you pick one up. Better to observe these unique members of our Sky Islands fauna on their own terms. On the other hand, in India the oil from the Giant Red Velvet Mite is considered an aphrodisiac. Proceed at your own risk and peril. The oils released by the Mites serve as an effective predator deterrent, given how slow and obvious these arachnids are.
The late Justin O. Schmidt, an adjunct scientist with the University of Arizona Department of Entomology, was renowned for his expertise with venomous and poisonous invertebrates in the Sky Islands and beyond. In controlled experiments he was unable to get a variety of captive predatorsโincluding Horned Lizards and Toads which normally can devour highly toxic preyโto consume even a single Velvet Mite. Undeterred, he sampled one himself, concluding that the sensation was that of hot jabanero peppers and intensely bitter quinine. Weโll take his word on that.
School News and Youth Events
Free lunch program for kids in Patagonia continues through July 24
From Elgin School:
Parents – please update your students enrollment for the upcoming school year! If you do not have access to ParentVUE, please schedule an appointment to utilize a school computer during business hours.
Contact Melissa Paul at (520) 455-5514, ext. 300, or mpaul@elgink12.com for:
โข Questions regarding the registration process
โข Issues with ParentVUE
โข To schedule an appointment to use a school computer if you do not have access to one
โข To schedule an appointment to drop off documentation
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming event in the PRT Weekly News Bulletin, 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!
From PCAA and SCFPA:
Our Movies & Music series ends with an airing of โThe Talented Mr. Ripleyโ at the Tin Shed Theater on July 18 at 6pm. $5 donation would be appreciated.
Follow this critically acclaimed viewing with some great music in the courtyard of the Opera House on Sunday, July 20 at 7pm when the U of A Brass Quintet will bring down the house. https://rebrand.ly/musicfc3427 Admission to the musical event is $15 if purchased online by 5pm on the day of the event. Admission will be $20 at the gate.
Recurring Events
Saturday, July 12: Food Bag Distribution at Food Bank in Patagonia
From East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank:
Come visit the Food Bank on Saturday, July 12 between 8:30am and 10:30am and pick up your supplemental food bag. 772 Harshaw Ave, Patagonia
From the 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
Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Sonoita Bible Church โ Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Doors open at 6:30. Highway 83, Sonoita. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
- Patagonia Methodist Community Church โ 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.
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
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 Veteranโs 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, 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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