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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! Please submit materials by Monday, 5 p.m. to prtadast@gmail.com.
Photo gallery of the week
Emma Matus Voss and service dog Buddy with performers from Ballet Folklorico of Mexicayotl Academy of Excellence. Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
Photo by Marilyn Miller 
Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
Steve Finch, Michael Collins, Elvia Miranda, Marilyn Miller and Rene Miranda. Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
Emma Matus Voss, Buddy and Naomi Quiroga enjoy the music. Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
Marilyn Miller, Judge Miguel Lopez, Samantha Collins, Elvia Gallaher, Steve Finch, Emma Matus Voss and Nancy Droeger. Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
Dancers with Buddy. Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
Gary Nabhan looks for a seat. Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
The food line. Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
The drinks area. Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss 
Photo by Cindy Matus Morriss
Here are 13 photos from Community Homes of Patagonia‘s 4th Annual Cinco de Mayo Home Repair Fundraiser last week. The housing nonprofit’s event, held at the Town Gazebo in Patagonia, featured a spectacular performance by Ballet Folklorico from Mexicayotl Academy of Excellence of Nogales, Arizona. All photos are by Cindy Matus Morriss unless otherwise noted.
News
Canceled: This Saturday’s ‘Produce On Wheels’
in Sonoita
From Gardenia Moffett:
Produce On Wheels in Sonoita is canceled for May. There will be no POWWOW this Saturday, May 16. Hope to see you all on Saturday, June 20, for the last POWWOW of the season.
Agendas, notices for upcoming Town of Patagonia meetings, hearing and workshop
Wednesday, May 13, 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.: Town of Patagonia public hearing on “bio-diversity and the nature based economy” with regards to the Community Protection Benefit Agreement with South32 Hermosa, City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County (hearing notice here)
Wednesday, May 13, 6:00 p.m.: First regular Town Council meeting of the month (Agenda and zoom info here)
Thursday, May 14, 10:00 a.m.: Monthly meeting of the Town of Patagonia’s Sonoita Creek Flood & Flow Study Committee (Agenda and zoom info here)
And, on May 20, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.:
County sets May 16 community meeting
in Patagonia regarding updating
Comprehensive Plan
From Santa Cruz County:
Santa Cruz County is updating our Comprehensive Plan — and your voice matters! Join us to learn more, and share what you love about where you live, your concerns, and your ideas for the future. Help guide decisions that will shape our county for years to come. All are welcome.
Patagonia/Sonoita/Elgin:
9:30am – 11:00am, Saturday, May 16, 346 Duquesne Ave, Patagonia
In-person meeting at Cady Hall in Patagonia.
May 24 and 25: Memorial Day Flag Honors
in Patagonia
By Murphy Musick
The veterans of our small town and remote area gave so much for our country. I feel a need to honor them every year on Memorial Day. This honor was historically done by local service groups, particularly our local VFW. Over many years this group of veterans and their supporters aged until the local VFW had so few members that the group dissolved in 2015. I had been volunteering to put out flags with the VFW for the past 30 years and have personally been placing flags since then with help from a few friends.
On Sunday, May 24, at 9:00 a.m., I invite all people to help with this honor. We meet at the center of the cemetery, team up and have fun looking at each and every headstone to determine any clues as to their military service and if their flags need to be replaced. The flags look beautiful and it is surprising how many there are.
Maybe I will see you at the cemetery.
Sunday, May 24 at 9:00 a.m.: Memorial Day Graveside Flag Replacement
Monday, May 25 at 9:00 a.m.: Memorial Day Flag Ceremony at the Flagpole
Sponsored by The Patagonia Museum
Mining news round-up
- The Patagonia Area Resource Alliance held a standing room-only “community informational meeting” on Monday, May 4, at Cady Hall in Patagonia, timed to coincide with the release of the U.S. Forest Service Final Environmental Impact Statement on South32’s Hermosa project. A video recording of the two-hour meeting, as well as supporting documents and a full slide deck for all of the speakers, is available from PARA.
- PARA and 14 other environmental groups have filed official objections to the Forest Service’s FEIS in a 251-page letter. For more, see “Az enviros ask Forest Service to withdraw federal approval of South32’s Hermosa Mine” by Paul Ingram at the Tucson Sentinel.
- Santa Cruz County has filed a 34-page response to the FEIS, which is viewable here. County officials discussed their response at an 80-minute public meeting on April 15. An audio-only recording of that meeting is available here.
- The Town of Patagonia did not file a response to the FEIS, according to Town Manager Ron Robinson.
- On May 1, South32 executives announced that the company was increasing the capital outlay for the Hermosa project by about $1.1 billion to a new total of $3.3 billion and was delaying first ore production to mid-fiscal year 2028. For more, see “South32 Lifts Taylor Capex to $3.3B, Pushes First Hermosa Production to FY2028 Amid Inflation, Tariffs” at Marketwatch.
- On May 6, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality awarded South32’s Hermosa project a waiver on water quality certification having to do with complex Clean Water Act regulations. For more, see “State regulators approve South32 water certification waiver” by Alessandra De Zubeldia at the Nogales International.
Support the PRT – the best source for local news in eastern Santa Cruz County
While the Patagonia Regional Times print edition, website, Facebook page and Weekly News Bulletin are available for free to readers, we rely on the contributions of engaged community members, like you, to ensure local news is published. Please help us continue the vital work of reporting on the local stories that shape our lives and keep our community strong by donating during our spring campaign.
Below, volunteer writer Sondra Porter shares her own reasons for supporting the PRT.
When my husband and I bought our home in Patagonia 20 years ago, we knew just three things about the town: it was friendly, scenic and full of birds. As birders, we wanted a place to enjoy new sightings and escape the long, cold Alaskan winters we’d lived through for most of our adult lives.
We quickly fell in love – with the warm weather, the endless birds, and the simple joy of walking to our daily destinations after years of driving everywhere. But we wondered: How could we truly understand this place and get involved in the community? Bulletin boards at the stores and post office gave us hints about local happenings, but we still felt isolated at first.
All that changed when we began spending nearly the whole year here in 2009 and the Patagonia Regional Times started publishing. The paper became our lifeline. Through both the print edition and the online Bulletin, we learned not only what was happening around us, but also uncovered the deep, rich history of the area.
I’ll never forget reading about the Tin Shed Theater in the PRT. I started attending plays and when I saw the opportunity I volunteered as an assistant director. That experience connected me more deeply with Patagonia and showed me the power local news has to spark real community engagement. It didn’t stop there. I went on to join the Crossroads Quilters, helped at local fundraisers for KPUP and took part in an Audubon project, all after learning about them in the PRT Bulletin.
That’s what this paper is about, bringing people together with thoughtful coverage of local events, government, and the heritage that grounds us here. While so many news sources are closing across the country, we’re incredibly fortunate have a nonprofit, volunteer-driven newspaper to keep us informed and connected.
Every issue brings us updates from local schools, town council plans, nonprofit efforts, environmental news, and so much more. Even better, the weekly online Bulletin shares the latest events and urgent news, making it easy to stay involved.
None of this is possible without your support. Thanks to readers and donors like you, the PRT continues to inform and unite our community. Please support our Spring Fundraising Campaign, your gift truly makes a difference.
Whether you give $10, $25, $50 or $100, every donation goes directly toward bringing you the stories that matter most. To contribute, send a check to Patagonia Regional Times, P.O. Box 1073, Patagonia, Arizona 85624, or donate online by clicking here.
Thank you for helping keep local news alive and strong in eastern Santa Cruz County.
Sondra Porter
Volunteer Writer
Patagonia Regional Community Fund awards nearly $31,000 to nonprofit organizations
From the Patagonia Regional Community Fund:
The Patagonia Regional Community Fund grant cycle recently awarded grants totaling $30,700 to nine nonprofit organizations supporting the local community. Housed at the Arizona Community Foundation and guided by a dedicated group of volunteer reviewers, the fund reflects the heart and priorities of eastern Santa Cruz County.
This year’s grants support a wide range of efforts that touch lives across generations—from creative arts programs and educational opportunities for youth to vital services for seniors, hands-on community gardening, and resources that help local families thrive.
Grants were awarded to the following nine organizations for the stated purposes. These organizations were celebrated at the annual grant celebration on April 2, at the Patagonia Museum.
Click here to read the complete news release.
Thank you from CHOP
It’s hummer time
Obituary
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 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 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!
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!
The Patagonia Volunteer Fire Department Annual Steak Fry is set for Saturday, June 27th, 2026!
Mark your calendars and stay tuned — more information will be coming in the following weeks. We can’t wait to see everyone there for another great community event!
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.
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. The next walk will be May 23, sign up at https://tucsonbirds.org/?mec-events=patoncenter5-23-26
-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
To advertise in the PRT’s print edition, Weekly News Bulletin or website – or a custom package – contact Priscilla Bolanos at prtads@gmail.com or 520-313-6062.
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