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Photo of the Week
“I caught this shot off South River Road. It was amazing to see the water running!” —Elizabeth of Sonoita
News
Democrat Grijalva trounces Republican Butierez in race for open Congressional seat
Former Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat, handily defeated Republican Daniel Butierez in a special election Tuesday to succeed her late father Raúl Grijalva in Congress. The elder Grijalva died in March.
Adelita Grijalva’s victory was called by the Associated Press shortly after polls closed Tuesday evening. With 87% of the votes counted, Grijalva has won 68.6% of the vote, Butierez has 29.8%. Two third party candidates have garnered the remaining votes.
Grijalva campaigned in the heavily Democratic Arizona Congressional District 7 as a progressive in the tradition of her father, receiving enthusiastic endorsements from national figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She will assume office after being sworn in sometime in the next few weeks, and is expected to defend her seat in the midterm election in November, 2026.
Elgin Club chimney damaged in lightning strike
By Dave Lumia
The Elgin Community Club chimney was struck by lightning over the weekend, causing considerable damage and some last-minute scrambling to get the building suitable for Tuesday’s Congressional District 7 special election.
The strike was believed to have occurred Friday or Saturday night, and the damage was discovered Monday when the Santa Cruz County election staff and poll workers arrived to set up the voting center. Several large pieces of debris littered the parking lot, and a large chunk of the chimney remained precariously perched on the clubhouse roof. In addition, electricity was short-circuited for much of the building.
Poll workers Janet Veta and William Schock coordinated response efforts with county officials. The danger areas in the parking log were taped off, and electricity for most of the building was restored in time for the poll opening at 6 a.m., though the voting center was without air conditioning.
The club’s board of directors was meeting Wednesday to consider next steps in restoration efforts, which are expected to be covered by the facility’s insurance. The clubhouse was built in 1932, and the chimney and fireplace were built in 1939 by Stone Collie and Ernest Axton.
Patagonia Town Council to discuss proposal for new $100,000 veteran’s memorial
The Patagonia Town Council will hold the second of its two regular meetings this month on Wednesday, Sept. 24 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
According to the meeting’s agenda, Council is scheduled to discuss and possibly approve a proposal to “build a veteran’s memorial to be on the northeast corner of Town Hall as depicted in the concept drawing. The approximate cost is $100,000 for construction.”
“The Town will not fund the entire project,” Town Manager Ron Robinson said in a written reply to an inquiry regarding the agenda item. “Mayor [Andrea] Wood has contacted our lobby group in Phoenix for the State Legislature to provide the funding. Even though they are not in session yet, we already have a potential bill sponsor.”
No further details on the project have been made public.
Additional agenda items for the Sept. 24 meeting include:
- A proposal to increase the monthly payment to DeMenna Public Affairs, a Phoenix-based lobbying and government relations firm, by $500 “due to the amount of work added with legislatures.” The Town currently pays the firm $1,000/month.
- A proposal to schedule a special Council work study session “to determine how the remaining surface transportation block grant funds are to be used.”
- A proposal to apply for an EPA grant for the design of three water infrastructure projects amounting to $200,000-$500,000. If the design is funded and the design and budget for the project is accepted, “the next phase is the construction grant under the Border Environmental Infrastructure Fund.”
Click here to see the complete agenda.
Lobos volleyball suffers ‘heartbreaking’ loss to St. David
By Dave Lumia
Close, but not quite there yet.
St. David is a perennial volleyball powerhouse and the team to beat in the Class 1A South region, but after winning their first seven matches of the season, the Patagonia Lobos set their sights on toppling the Tigers from their perch.
Their first attempt at doing so came Tuesday night at Patagonia High. The Lobos got off to a strong start but couldn’t sustain their effort throughout the match, falling by scores of 25-15, 22-25, 25-19, 17-25, 5-15.
“It was a heartbreaking game,” coach Brenda Somoza said. “We played so well the first four sets, then we fell apart.”
The game was classified as nonregion, so while it counts in Patagonia’s overall record, it’s not reflected in the 1A South standings. The teams will have a rematch in St. David on Oct. 15 that will factor into the region standings.
In the meantime, the Lobos have no time to sulk. They host two key region matches over the next six days: Friday night against The Gregory School, and next Tuesday against Valley Union. Gregory is 6-1 overall and is another strong contender. Both matches start at 5 p.m.
Somoza hopes Tuesday’s heartbreak will strengthen the Lobos for the tough matches to come.
“We have to move on and look forward and get better from our mistakes,” she said.
Game and Fish looking for new commissioner
From Sky Island Alliance:
In case you missed it, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission has a new vacancy and is accepting applications until Sept. 30. If you know of folks who’d be a good fit, please share! This is a volunteer position and crucial for deciding future policies affecting wildlife across the state. To learn more and apply, visit: https://ow.ly/KMPp50WXMk2.
Headed out to Madera Canyon? Bring your own water
From the Forest Service:
Effective Immediately: Due to ongoing drought conditions within Madera Canyon, Nogales Ranger District, visitors are asked to voluntarily reduce water use. Bring all the water needed for your next picnic, camping, hiking, birding, or recreational opportunity with you. Do not rely on potable water being available in the canyon.
Attack of the nomadic army ants
By Vince Pinto
Army ants of several species inhabit our Sky Islands region, lending their unique natural history to an area rich in it. The particular colony in the video above was recently on the march at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary, catching my eye as I inadvertently strode over them. While the workers possess stingers, I have never run afoul of these peculiar ants. To me they seem strange by virtue of their nearly blind status, as well as the fact that they almost exclusively prey upon the eggs and larvae of other ant species—no easy task.
During a typical raid, thousands of workers—armed with sharp mandibles and potent stingers—venture aboveground from their subterranean lair seeking prey. Some local nomadic army ant colonies can surpass 100,000 members—strength in numbers for their lethal attacks. Exploratory ventures to the nest holes of other ant species helps to establish which ones are the best to invade. I have witnessed army ant columns splaying out across the landscape, as other ant species employed their best defenses. Some prey species simply plug their nest entrance effectively enough to prevent efficient excavation. Others use chemical defenses, while some bite or use their own stingers to repel the invaders. My favorite tactic that I once observed was for the assaulted ants to carry their brood up to the top of a rock. Since the army ants are poor climbers and have virtually no powers of sight, such a ploy seemed to work at times. Perhaps the most bizarre defense against this nightmarish ant assault is deployed by one local ant species which uses a caste of flat-headed workers as living manholes, plugging any nest entrances with their otherworldly flat heads!
How potent are army ant attacks on other ant species? More than once I have seen even large, well-established red harvester ant nests not only pillaged of their brood, but also utterly wiped out by these lethal hordes.
At the end of a raiding party, the army ants bring any booty back to their bivouac site where they take up temporary residence until, once again, they “break camp” in order to find their next underground retreat.
Public Service Announcements
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
County Justice Project seeks Patagonia, Sonoita and Elgin youth for fall internship program
From Santa Cruz County Justice Project (SCCJP):
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.
Recognizing that traveling to Nogales can be a challenge for eastern county residents, the program will offer flexible participation options, including remote work, carpool coordination, and adjusted meeting times. 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!
Meet Supervisor Fanning Oct. 7 in Elgin
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!
October 19, 3pm: Edmundo Santacruz
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.
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.
From City of Nogales/Santa Cruz County Library:
Homework Tutor (Sonoita Library)
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 a completed City of Nogales Employment Application and resume to the Human Resources Department. This position is Open Until Filled.
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 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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