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Patagonia Regional Times
Borderlands Wildlife Preserve Celebration
Over 70 people gathered at the new Casa Blanca Canyon Trailhead of the Arizona Trail on the morning of Nov. 12 to celebrate the permanent protection of 1,200 acres of high value conservation land. Formerly known as Three Canyons Development, the land is now called the Borderlands Wildlife Preserve. Ron...
Rotary Casino Night Raises Funds for Service Projects
Mountain Empire Rotary Club held its last fundraiser of the year, a Game of Thrones themed Casino Night on Nov. 5 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Tickets to the event included food, with a special dish of paella, prepared by members of the Nogales Sonora Industrial Rotary Club, who are currently partnering with Mountain Empire on a school desk refurbishing project.
Town Council Notes – Nov. 2022
The Call to Public heard four comments, all in opposition to the current use permit proposal of Ron Ochoa for the Paseo Verde project, now described as an ‘eco lodge.’. Randy Heiss voiced concern about offsite impact of the project, pointing out that the County’s Planning and Zoning Commission had requested a meeting with the developers which has not yet happened. Councilor Stabile added that the Town had required engineering approval of the access road, an extension of 4th Ave., and that the developer had produced no plans to date, nor answered the Patagonia Volunteer Fire Department’s letter stating that the access road was inadequate for fire prevention, beyond stating the access road would be done to code.
Let’s Cook for the Holidays With the Elgin/Sonoita Cowbelles
“I got this recipe about 35 years ago. It is my favorite oatmeal cookie recipe. It makes enough to eat, fill the cookie jar, share with neighbors and friends and put some in the freezer.”. Marie Pyeatt, Ranch Woman and Cowbelle. Ingredients:. 2 cups raisins. 1 cup chopped walnuts. 2...
Growth in Short-Term Rentals Impacting Patagonia
The growth of short-term housing, e.g., Airbnbs and VRBOs, in Patagonia is a good news/bad news story. On the plus side, Town Manager Ron Robinson says the short-term rentals facilitate more people coming to Patagonia who support local businesses and no doubt increase the Town’s sales tax revenue. On...
Locals Flee Verizon for AT&T
What’s the reason for the spotty reception Verizon customers are experiencing in the Patagonia area? Is it interference from new towers across the border? Is the tower on Red Mountain being overwhelmed by a bigger tower built by AT&T? Are we now getting our signal from Sonoita? Sierra Vista? Or are we just in a “less-than-optimal” service area?
Forest Service Alerts Public to Safety Concerns Due to Unauthorized Activities Along the Border
Tucson, Ariz. (Nov. 30, 2022) – Protecting public welfare and ensuring a high-quality visitor. experience are among the Forest Service’s highest priorities. Last month, the State of Arizona initiated an unauthorized project to install numerous shipping containers in the Coronado National Forest which may be creating safety hazards. The State’s project, currently located in the vicinity of Copper Canyon south of National Forest System Road 61 in the Sierra Vista Ranger District, continues to expand, with attendant construction equipment and unauthorized armed security personnel on-site. The Forest.
Foes Line Up Against Ducey’s Container Wall
The state of Arizona is transporting shipping containers to the U.S.-Mexico border for the purpose of filling gaps in the border wall. Governor Doug Ducey claims the U. S. government has been slow to implement its plans to fill the gaps, so in order to protect the citizens of Arizona he is stepping in with a temporary solution. The Governor has been pushing the project, most likely in violation of federal law and despite warnings from the Coronado National Forest and the Bureau of Reclamation.
A Depressing Christmas Story
Every year about this time I get a lump in my throat. I start out strong in November looking forward to the holidays only to settle into the melancholy of memories of Christmas past. As a kid I had a strong belief in Santa Claus, fostered by my parents and...
Life Among the Humans: The Sleep of Reason Breeds Monsters
The Constitution guarantees your right to be a dunce. Like a bathroom that hasn’t been recently cleaned, the world today is littered and malodorous with lies. Thanks to the gonzo Internet, this is a time of mass hysteria, when beliefs whose roaring flames are fed by fantasy, not fact.
New Park Celebrated
The community of Patagonia formally celebrated the dedication of Doc Mock Park on Nov. 12. An appreciative crowd of about 50 gathered around the gazebo and the Welcome Center caboose to hear remarks from the project’s many partners. Master of Ceremonies Caleb Weaver, Chair of the Town’s Tree and...
Breaking News – Arson Suspect Cunningham Given Conditional Release, in Plea Negotiations With Federal Prosecutors
Robert I. Cunningham, Jr. of Patagonia, has been released on his own recognizance after a hearing held in U.S. District Court on Nov. 21. Also, on that date, Judge Lynnette C. Kimmins ordered a 60-day extension on the deadline to indict, after an unopposed motion by the defendants. The parties argued that they needed the time to explore the possibility of a pre-indictment plea offer.
Protesters Block Container Wall Construction at Border
A group of 15 protesters from Elgin, Sonoita, Sierra Vista, Phoenix and Colorado blocked construction of Gov. Doug Ducey’s cargo container wall yesterday near the USA-Mexico border in the San Raphael Valley. The federal government and environmental advocacy organizations contend construction of the $95 million wall is illegal. Various...
Former Owner of Local Restaurant Arrested
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that local resident Robert Cunningham was arrested last week near the international border. Cunningham is the former owner of Cunningham’s Ranch House Restaurant, located in Sonoita, that burned down on May 11, 2017. At the time of the fire, Fire Department...
20th Annual Patagonia Art Walk Set for Nov. 25-26
Beautiful downtown Patagonia will be a celebration of art and fine craftsmanship at the 20th Annual Patagonia Art Walk. The annual event takes place on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 25th and 26th, from 10 am – 4 pm. The Art Walk will showcase the work of...
Patagonia Town Council to Discuss “Paseo Verde Econolodge” Project in Special Meeting at 6pm Tonight
Via https://patagonia-az.gov/public-notices/council-minutes/ …. NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PATAGONIA TOWN COUNCIL. PURSUANT TO A.R.S. 38-431.02, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PATAGONIA TOWN COUNCIL AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE PATAGONIA TOWN COUNCIL WILL HOLD A. SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD. AT 6:00 P.M. NOVEMBER 16,...
Borderlands Receives Major Grant
The Biden-Harris administration and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) joined public- and private-sector partners last week to announce nearly $91 million in grants through the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC). The 55 new grants announced will support landscape-scale conservation projects in 42 states, three US territories, and 14...
A Note to the Community from the Patagonia Volunteer Fire and Rescue
We swung for the fences this year anticipating record sales of cheeseburgers and beer. While our efforts were well received the weather seemed to keep many neighbors and customers away. We have lots of sleeves of hamburger patties we’d like to sell to our friends and neighbors. $20 gets you a sleeve of 18 quality one-third pound frozen ground beef patties. Of course this means we didn’t complete the fundraising to pay off the new water truck, so any contributions towards this goal will be appreciated. Denise Bowden is our treasurer and is available at the South32 office to accept donations. Or checks can be mailed to PO Box 497, Patagonia, Az 85624.
Local and State Election Results as of Nov. 9, 2022 (unofficial)
2022 Arizona midterm Local and State Election Results as of Nov. 9 (unofficial). 34.2% of the registered voters in Santa Cruz County turned out for the 2022 midterm elections held yesterday. Local races of interest:. Judge of the Superior Court, Div. 1:. Tom Fink – 5114 votes,. Jose Luis...
Local News Is Essential, So Is Your Support
November marks the beginning of the Patagonia Regional Times’ annual fundraising campaign, that time of year when we ask our community to step up and help us continue our mission to provide local news for our community here in Eastern Santa Cruz County. Our reporting is community driven and...
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