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Patagonia Regional Times
Letters to the Editor – Jan. 2024
The Town of Patagonia has now launched its new recycling program. It’s a simple one that I believe will prove to be phenomenally successful. Readers of this newspaper can ensure its success by following the rules of recycling in this program closely and supporting it with a donation. Especially if you live out of town, a donation would be a wonderful way to thank the town for footing the bill to transport and process your recyclables. Helping out during the collections is another way to help sustain it.
Town Council Notes – Jan. 2024
Jim Usevitch presented the Fiscal Year 2023 financial audit for the Town, without mention of problems or actions needed. Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance no. 23-03, amending the Town Code’s Chapter 3, Administration, Article 3-2-7, having to do with the Town Prosecutor. The change authorized the cost of prosecution fees in diversion or delayed prosecution agreements.
Cut and Run
Usually when a guy walks up to you at a street fair and asks if you would like a free mammogram, your first line of defense should be to cut and run. I’m not sure if it was because of the street fair or the bright pink t-shirt or the obvious lisp when he said “excuse me ladies,” but something made me stop and listen to what he had to say. After stuffing a flyer in my hand, he went on to say that “for this weekend only, free mammograms will be given in that RV right over there.” He gestured to a side street. I laughed. Nope, not taking my shirt off in a strange RV at a street fair. Nice try.
Celebration of Life to Be Held in Sonoita for Steve Getzwiller
A celebration of life for Steve Getzwiller of Sonoita will be held 1 to 3pm, Saturday Jan. 20 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 3142 S. Hwy. 83, Sonoita. Getzwiller, 74, who passed away August 23, 2023, is remembered for his contributions to Navajo weaving, particularly the development of weavers and promotion of the art form.
Christmas at the Empire Ranch
The second Saturday in December is the traditional time for Christmas at the Empire Ranch. This year was no exception and the weather was perfect for the 18 vendors to present their wares for attendees looking to do a little shopping for handmade Christmas gifts. A table loaded with baked goods greeted those touring the old ranch house with drinks also available to wash the tasty goodies down.
Thanks to you, PRT fundraising campaign a huge success
To our generous readers who donated to the PRT during our recent fundraising campaign, We Thank You! You have donated an astonishing $48,031 over the past two months! This record breaking amount is $11,000 more than we have ever raised before in our annual campaign!. $15,000 of the funds raised...
South32’s Risner Updates BOS, Public on Hermosa
The Hermosa mining project in the Patagonia Mountains was the focus of the Dec. 19 meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. The meeting started with more than one hour of public comments from community members, most of whom are opposed to the mining project. Following the Call to the Public, Pat Risner, president of the Hermosa project, updated the board on the $2 billion project’s progress.
Town Now Requires Licenses for Short-Term Rentals
On June 28, 2023, the Patagonia Town Council passed an ordinance regulating short-term and vacation rentals, requiring any residential properties that are rented on a daily or weekly basis to be licensed. The short-term housing covered by the license is intended for transient tenants, most often tourists, who occupy rental units for less than 31 consecutive days.
Robert Cabot Reflects on Turning 100
Have you ever considered what it might feel like to turn 100 years old? Robert Cabot has, now that his 100th birthday is only a month away. Capturing Robert’s life in a PRT article is a lot to ask. As he says, “There are many things that can happen in a life that lasts 100 years!”
Patagonia Schools Eye 4-Day Week Schedule
The Governing Board of the Patagonia School District (PSD) will decide on Jan. 17 whether the elementary and high schools will go to a four-day week starting in Fall 2024. “A four-day week is a great tool to retain and recruit teachers,” PSD Superintendent-Principal Kenny Hayes said. “Hopefully, it would reduce our absenteeism problem on Fridays, and consequently students would miss fewer days.”
A Plea for Music Education in Our Schools
Ahhh, ‘tis the season of joy, togetherness and love! No matter what the celebrant celebrates, one of the factors that is most loved about this time of year is the music. As I prepare for a Christmas Eve performance of our little group of fellow musicians, my thoughts are of the people and era that propelled me to this yearly, joyful event of harmony (mostly…we ARE amateurs) and the memories the music brings. Even the non-religious tear up at a beautiful rendition of ’Oh Holy Night’ or ’Silent Night.’ ‘The Hallelujah Chorus’ can evoke even more tears and the hair-standing-on-end reaction when sung by a choir backed up with a full orchestra. And the processionals that herald a big event complete with antiphonal brass echoing in the balcony? Wow! There’s a chills-all-over event!
Recycling Returns to Patagonia
Thanks to Mayor Andrea Wood and Town Manager Ron Robinson, recycling has returned to Patagonia and the surrounding area. While the location behind the Patagonia post office is the same, little else about this new recycling program resembles the county-operated program that preceded it. Most notably, patrons will actually be recycling rather than wishcycling. That will be true because the facility is fenced and town personnel and trained volunteers monitor what people bring to recycle, offering little opportunity for contamination to creep into the recycling stream.
Lobos Work to Solve Scoring Woes
The main issue facing the Patagonia High boys basketball team seems simple enough. Where it gets complicated is finding the solution. “We’ve got to find ways to score more points,” coach Nate Porter said as the Lobos prepared for the home stretch of their season following the holiday break.
Patagonia Girls Back on Track by Slowing Down
It’s one of life’s unassailable truths. And what’s true for the game of life also holds true for the game of basketball. Coach Ralph Padilla hopes that this lesson continues to sink in for the Patagonia High girls basketball team. The Lobos entered the holiday break with...
Recording Notification Service Available for Santa Cruz County Residents
Santa Cruz County, Arizona – The Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office announces the implementation of the Recording Notification Service, effective immediately. This new opt-in system will notify residents when their names appear in documents recorded with the Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office. The service is a requirement...
Supervisors Select New Justice of the Peace
Press Release On December 7, 2023, at a special meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, the Board of Supervisors voted to appoint Miguel A. Lopez as Justice of the Peace, effective December 11, 2023. Mr. Lopez was appointed to replace Justice of the Peace Emilio G. Velasquez, who retired on December 1, 2023.
Wellness Center Abruptly Closes, Food Pantry Remains Open
“The Food Pantry is open,” said Dena Ploetz, founder and president of Helping Hands Sonoita, the organization that oversees the Food Pantry at the intersection of Hwys. 82 and 83 in Sonoita, providing free food for residents of eastern Santa Cruz County. Recent turmoil at the newly established Wellness Center, which had been collaborating with the Food Pantry, has resulted in its abrupt closure. Wellness Center Director Daniel Blevins has formally resigned, and collaboration between the Pantry and the Wellness Center has ended.
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to Consider Appointment to Fill Santa Cruz County Justice of the Peace Vacancy
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors received five letters of interest, résumés and applications for the vacant Justice of the Peace position. The following individuals submitted the required documents by the deadline:. Dia Jada. Miguel A. Lopez. Greg Lucero. Adriana Olaiz. Omar Villa. The Santa Cruz County...
Developer’s Plans Worry Locals in Patagonia
Acting on complaints filed by a Patagonia resident, the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Arizona Department of Real Estate have initiated investigations into whether the town of Patagonia acted legally in approving a 16-lot residential development by Coronado Ridge Development Corporation in the Patagonia Eastside Addition. Town Manager...
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Patagonia Regional Times is a free monthly publication serving the Mountain Empire communities of Canelo, Elgin, Patagonia and Sonoita in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
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