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Photo of the Week
Camira Ranch in Sonoita, Sept. 26. Photo by Lore C. Hannon
News
County seeks input on new ‘Community Wildfire Protection Plan’ at open-house meetings
News release from Santa Cruz County:
Santa Cruz County is inviting residents and stakeholders to participate in a series of open-house-style public meetings designed to enhance wildfire preparedness and community safety. These meetings are part of the ongoing development of the Santa Cruz County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), a strategic initiative aimed at mitigating wildfire risks through collaborative planning and local action.
The CWPP is a vital framework designed to reduce wildfire risks within Santa Cruz County. Established under the 2003 Healthy Forests Restoration Act, the CWPP encourages communities to develop comprehensive plans that facilitate state and federal funding for fuel reduction and fire mitigation projects. The primary goal is to foster collaboration among local and state agencies, residents, and stakeholders to implement effective wildfire prevention strategies.
Santa Cruz County Emergency Management is leading this effort under a grant from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Upcoming Public Meetings:
October 6 – Sonoita/Elgin Open House at 6:00 PM Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
October 7 – Patagonia Open House at 6:00 PM Patagonia High School
Santa Cruz County encourages all residents to attend these meetings, learn more about wildfire preparedness in their community, and provide input that will help shape the future of the county’s wildfire protection efforts.
A health care provider works at a Valle del Sol community health clinic on Sept. 23, 2025. Valle del Sol’s sites serve low-income adults and children across the Phoenix area, providing services from preventive care to substance use and behavioral health treatment.Photo by Christopher Lomahquahu | AZCIR
By Jasmine Demers, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping federal tax and spending measure central to President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda, threatens to upend clinics like Mariposa’s Family Health Center in Patagonia.
Patagonia Council solicits public’s ideas on how to best spend road work funds
The Patagonia Town Council will hold a ‘Special Council Workshop’ on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 6pm. Members of the public may attend the Council meeting in person or participate via Zoom: Meeting I.D. 957-511-4862, password 338501
According to the agenda, the meeting will open with Council conducting a discussion on the use of “Surface Transportation Block Grant” funds. After the Council has concluded their discussion, the agenda reads, “the public will be asked for their ideas, keeping in mind the original use of road reconstruction and the current work area.”
Check in with District 3 Supervisor John Fanning Oct. 8 in Elgin
Lobos show resilience as they enter home stretch
Left to right: Monique Snell, Emma Lewton, Lulu Donnelly, Brianna Majalca and Amaya Somoza await a serve during their match against Lourdes earlier in the season. Photo by Dave Lumia
(Sept. 29, 2025) Sooner or later, the Patagonia High volleyball team was destined to come face to face with adversity.
The question was how would they respond.
Three days after Patagonia’s unbeaten season was derailed by a gut-wrenching five-set loss to Class 1A South region rival St. David, the Lobos found themselves in another treacherous spot—trailing 2-1 against another region rival, The Gregory School.
This time, they battled back for a 25-19, 22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-10 victory – improving their record to 8-1 and keeping themselves in the thick of the race to host a first-round match in the Class 1A state tournament.
Take that, adversity.
“What I’m most proud of is how my girls are competing overall,” coach Brenda Somoza said. “They fell apart in the last set against St. David, but that’s the only time this season they haven’t been able to bounce back. Their ability to stay mentally strong has improved so much compared to last year.”
Continued resilience will be needed as the Lobos enter the home stretch of their schedule. Several difficult opponents await, including a rematch at St. David on Oct. 15 and the regular season finale against San Simon at home on Oct. 24. Those two matches will likely determine the 1A South region title.
“The Gregory game was a mix of excitement and frustration, but I was proud of how the girls finished the last set strong and played their game,” Somoza said. “Serving really hurt us in that match, but overall I’m pleased with how our season is going so far. We still have a lot of work to do, especially with serving and serve receive, which continue to be our biggest challenges.
The Lobos have a veteran core led by seniors Brianna Majalca, Emma Lewton, Ximena Gonzales and Lulu Donnelly and junior Amaya Somoza, but Somoza has been pleased with how sophomores Monique Snell and Nicole Cabrera have stepped into larger roles.
“Monique Snell has been a huge scorer for us in both the front row and the back row, and we’ve been able to count on her in many different situations,” she said. “Nicole Cabrera has also stepped up, taking on the role of defensive specialist and doing an amazing job. Her serving is currently our most consistent, and she’s been a big asset to the team.”
Five of Patagonia’s eight games in October will be played on the road, with their remaining home games scheduled for Oct. 9 vs. Hayden, Oct. 21 vs. ASDB and Oct. 24 vs. San Simon.
“My goal for this team hasn’t changed, and I believe that if we keep playing the way we have been, we’ll be able to reach it,” Somoza said. “Every player brings something unique to the team. When one is struggling, the others step up to support and cover, which truly shows the value of teamwork.”
Oct. 1 update: The Lobos defeated Valley Union 25-16, 25-16, 25-12 at home on Tuesday, Sept. 30 to improve their Region record to 4-0.
New arrivals at the the Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve
A Bobcat kitten peers back at mom before crossing Sonoita Creek.
A Coues White-tailed doe has given birth to twin fawns.
Two female Javelinas with their pair of “reds” cross a Mesquite bosque. Baby Javelinas are called “reds” due to the reddish color of their fur which turns brown, gray or black as they mature.
Know your shelled reptiles
Encountered just north of Patagonia: a Sonoran Desert tortoise? Or an ornate box turtle? Hint: look at the eye color.Photo contributed by PRT reader
When we talk about Sky Islands biodiversity, understandably turtles rarely come to the fore. Given the sere aspect of many local habitats we are rather depauperate in members of the order Testudines, making an encounter with one rather rare and exciting. The Arizona portion of the Madrean Archipelago—another, more accurate, moniker for our Sky Islands region—hosts a mere five species of these iconic beasts. Our three species of mud turtles— Arizona, Yellow, and Sonora—are highly aquatic, though also able to traverse land when local water holes dry up. The other two members of the order live a strictly terrestrial existence. It is to them we turn our attention. The photo above was taken just north of Patagonia and was sent to me with the question: is this a Sonoran Desert tortoise? If not, what is it?
Both the Sonoran Desert tortoise and the ornate box turtle roam the Sky Islands with minimal overlap in their ranges. The box turtle reaches its southwestern U.S. limits within the Sky Islands, whereas the tortoise’s hits its southeastern-most parameters near Tucson. There may have been, however, a historic population of Sonoran Desert tortoises in extreme southeast Arizona and the adjacent bootheel of New Mexico. Today, it is extremely rare to find the two species in the same area. Near Patagonia, there have been reports of tortoises that may represent individuals in a sparse population near town. A reptile survey in Sonoita Creek State Natural Area below Patagonia Lake in the mid-2000s found a lone tortoise near the creek, again potentially hinting at an outlying population of these lumbering reptiles from their better-known range. Otherwise, any shelled, truly terrestrial reptile with a shell you find in Santa Cruz County is almost undoubtedly an ornate box turtle.
What distinguishes the turtles from the tortoises? Size alone can easily separate the two species. The maximum length of the box turtle, as measured by their carapace or upper shell, is just under six inches—less than half the maximum length of a Sonoran Desert tortoise, which can reach 16 inches. Of course, size alone is a poor way to distinguish the two species, given the frequent overlap between various age classes. Box turtle eye color is a striking red in males and a paler orange in females. Further, the markings on the head of a box turtle are intricate and colorful. Tortoises have dark brown eyes that do not “pop out” at the observer from a rather dull, brown head. Continuing this theme, box turtles indeed have rather ornate, mostly linear markings—often yellowish—on their carapace that likely serve as camouflage. Tortoises possess mostly brown carapaces with circular patches on certain areas tinted with ochre.
A Sonoran desert tortoise at Catalina State Park.Note the tinges of ochre on the shell.Photo by Vince Pinto
An Ornate Box Turtle at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary, displaying the bright linear markings on its carapace that are characteristic of the species.Photo by Vince Pinto
Box turtles, living up to their name, can pull completely within their shell, even fully closing their hinged plastron or lower shell both in front and back—the so-called “box” look. Such a retracted box turtle has all four legs as well as its head and tail safely ensconced within its shell. Sonoran Desert tortoises are able to pull their heads into their shell, yet have a static plastron that keeps their legs and head mostly retracted, yet visible when in a fully defensive posture. Ecologically speaking, Sonoran Desert tortoises are strict herbivores, consuming a variety of wildflowers, cacti, grasses, and fruits. In contrast ornate box turtles are confirmed omnivores with various invertebrates a crucial part of their calories, particularly dung beetles. These are added to by wild plants, fruits, carrion, and even small, rather helpless vertebrates!
So, if you are lucky enough to encounter either a Sonoran Desert tortoise or ornate box turtle in our local haunts, there is no need for confusion after careful examination of the beast at a respectful distance. Periodically, we stumble upon an ornate box turtle at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary, each sighting akin to seeing a spectre, so under the radar are these reclusive reptiles. Keep in mind that you should NEVER handle either species—or any wild creature for that matter—as this not only unduly stresses them, even leading to the spread of deadly diseases in their populations. Admire from afar!
Join Tucson Bird Alliance’s restoration team in enhancing and maintaining habitat around the Paton Center grounds [in Patagonia]. Events will focus largely on invasive species removal and weeding but could include any of the following activities:
Update: Road reconstruction on SR 83 in Elgin tentatively set to begin Tuesday, Oct. 14
From Santa Cruz County:
ADOT announced a reconstruction and pavement rehabilitation project on SR 83 between Black Oak Drive to Lower Elgin (mileposts 31 and 29) will tentatively begin Tuesday, Oct. 14. For more information, visit the project website
School News and Youth Events
Click flyer to register online
County Justice Project seeks Patagonia, Sonoita and Elgin youth for fall internship program
The Santa Cruz County Justice Project (SCCJP) is inviting high school juniors, seniors, and college students from Patagonia, Sonoita, and Elgin to apply for its Fall 2025 Internship Program. SCCJP is a local nonprofit organization seeking to make the legal system easier to understand and more accessible for everyone in Santa Cruz County. This hands-on internship will empower youth to contribute to real-world justice initiatives and help develop resources addressing domestic violence, housing challenges, and civil disputes. For more information, including how to apply, visit sccjpaz.org/internships or email info@sccjpaz.org.
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!
Click flyer for more info
Celebrate the harvest season with us in our new recently completed greenhouse! This new greenhouse is by far our fanciest and was funded by the US Fish and Wildlife department in 2024 through the Burned Area Rehabilitation program to support native plant material development for restoration. We will have some food, beverages, and music. Bring any additional snacks or drinks to share. Camping available at the nursery. To sign up for camping click the link on the events page on borderlandsplants.org.
Come hungry and support your local heroes at the Patagonia Fall Festival! All proceeds go directly to supporting Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue. Your support helps us keep serving and protecting our community! Stop by, grab a meal, and show your love for your volunteers. See you there!
A Benderly Concert Event at the Benderly-Kendall Opera House
Do you want to hear the piano sing? Then join us for this memorable performance of the romantic and poetic music of Spanish composer Enrique Granados. In his debut performance at the Opera House, pianist Edmundo Santacruz will perform several major works by Granados, including selections from the “Danzas Espanolas, Valses Poeticas and the exquisite Allegro de Concierto—the Maiden and the Nightingale.”
Prepaid admission is $30 – adult or $15 – student. You can pay online until noon on the day of the concert (using your preferred credit/debit card or PayPal) or by sending a check to SCFPA PO Box 875, Patagonia AZ 85624. Tickets purchased at the door on the day of the concert are $35/$20 (if seats are available)
Recurring Events
The Patagonia Library Spice Club is back in business with a new twist!
The monthly meeting begins with a discussion of the medicinal qualities of the spice, followed by an esteemed Patagonia chef talking about the culinary uses. When the hour is over, the participants are invited to sample an assortment of dishes made with the spice of the month. Our September spice was oregano and the dishes made by our chef were incredible.
Please join us in the Library on the next 3rd Friday, October 17, at 2pm when we will feature “Comfort Spices for Comfort Food.”
Free samples of the spices, along with an assortment of recipes, are available throughout the month. —The Patagonia Library Team
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.
Responsibilities: Receives supervision and direction from the Library Director or designee. Greets students and assesses each one for subject area and grade level; groups students in areas by grade level. Works one-on-one with students that have difficulty with subject at hand or with expressing themselves. Group students, no more than three to a group, if they are compatible and are working on similar projects. Alerts the Children Services Coordinator if they have a problem or need advice. While waiting for students, shelves books so they can show students where the materials are. Must have basic secondary knowledge of Math, English, and general Science courses. Skills in defining problems, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions.
Education, Certification and Requirements: Must be attending high school (junior or senior) and have good grades (A’s and B’s) OR have graduated high school and currently attending local college. Valid AZ Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with children. Knowledge of how to use computers. Familiarity of the way materials are stored in the library and willingness to learn the library system. English and Spanish language fluency.
Salary/Classification: Part-time position; FLSA non-exempt; $15.79 per hour
Close Date: Interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply by submitting acompleted City of Nogales Employment Application and resume to the Human Resources Department. This position is Open Until Filled.
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.comor 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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All proceeds go directly to supporting Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue. Your support helps us keep serving and protecting our community! Stop by, grab a meal, and show your love for your volunteers. See you there!
