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Rio Rico High School Students Lend a Helping Hand to Santa Cruz County Animal Care & Control

The holiday season is all about giving back, and over the past couple of weeks, students from Rio Rico High School have demonstrated remarkable compassion, energy, and community spirit. Two student groups, Rio Rico Wrestling and the National Honor Society, volunteered their time and talents to support Santa Cruz County Animal Care and Control, making a meaningful difference for both pets and people.

SCC Seeking Economic Development Specialist

Santa Cruz County invites qualified individuals or firms to submit Statements of Qualifications to provide professional economic development consulting services to assist in implementing the County’s strategic economic and workforce development initiatives. 

Santa Cruz County Welcomes New Community Development Director

Please join us in welcoming Colin Bishop to Santa Cruz County. Colin brings a wealth of experience in science, leadership, and community service. 

ADEQ Opens Arizona’s First LABrary to Bring Science to the Community The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and the local community, celebrated the grand opening of Arizona’s first LABrary, an innovative community-based science resource center located at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia.

Protect People, Pets, and Pipes this Winter People Limit time outside, prepare for outages, and check on vulnerable individuals. Pets Keep pets indoors, warm, and dry.  Make sure their food and water don't freeze. Pipes Insulate pipes, open sink cabinets for warm airflow, and disconnect outdoor hoses.

Help Fight Invasive Plants

Come out, put on some gloves, grab a shovel, and help control non-native invasive grasses! The Tubac Nature Center, in partnership with the Tucson Bird Alliance, is sponsoring monthly volunteer work events to remove invasive grasses along the Santa Cruz River in Tubac.  One of the main target species is Johnson grass. Introduced to North America to feed cattle, it has spread far and wide, choking out native species, offering little to support our birds and wildlife, and increasing the risk of wildfires. It can grow over 6 feet tall and looks a bit like a corn plant. At the monthly work events, experts from the Nature Center and Bird Alliance will help you learn about Johnson grass and other invasive species, and teach you how to properly remove them to prevent them from growing back. The events are on the third Wednesday of every month from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Ron Morriss Park in Tubac.  This work is funded in part through a grant from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. [Photo caption: Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) © Seth Ausubel]

Members of the Board of Supervisors and county staff were thrilled to stop by the Santa Cruz Council on Aging for their annual Thanksgiving dinner. The room was filled with great cheer, music, and wonderful company, and we even had the chance to briefly visit with Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva!

University of Arizona Students to Share Tree Planting Project Details and Photos

University of Arizona students will join the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors virtually on December 3 to share the tree planting plans they’ve been developing over the past several months to plant 300 to 500 new trees along the west frontage road in Rio Rico.  The presentation will be available on the Santa Cruz County YouTube Channel.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors

9:30 am, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 2150 N Congress Drive, Ste 120, Nogales
The meeting can also be viewed on the Santa Cruz County YouTube Channel.  The latest agenda is available in the Agenda Center. 

Toy Drive

9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Saturday, December 6, 2025, Family Dollar, Rio Rico
SCC Emergency Management and Tubac Fire District are hosting a toy collection. For more information, call Brenda Herrera at (520) 375-8002.  

Christmas Light Parade

6:00 pm, Saturday, December 6, 2025, Downtown Nogales, AZ
The annual Christmas parade will begin at Memorial Park, run south on Morley Avenue, and end north on Grand Avenue at Banks Bridge. 

Luminaria Nights de Tubac

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, December 5-6, 2025, Tubac Village, Tubac, AZ
Luminaria Nights de Tubac is the annual celebration of the holiday season in the historical Village of Tubac. The streets are lined with glowing luminarias, and the stores are open until 9:00 PM. Come enjoy delicious treats, shopping, music, and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there.  Bring the family!  

Christmas in Elgin

10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday, December 7, 2025, Sonoita Fairgrounds, Sonoita 
Over 40 local vendors, food vendors, jumping castles, yard games, a talent show, and a visit from Santa from 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM.

Blood Drive

9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Rio Rico Community Center, 391 Avenida Coatimundi, Rio Rico
For more information, call (520) 281-7880 or email rrcommunitycenter2017@gmail.com.

Sonoita Small Town Christmas

10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday, December 13, 2025, E, 475 Elgin Rd, Elgin 
Great artisans, festive decorations, seasonal music, and raffle items. 

Santa's Garden of Lights

5:30 pm, Sunday, December 14, 2025, Rio Rico Community Center, 391 Avenida Coatimundi, Rio Rico
Enjoy this free community event, featuring cookies, hot cocoa, festive photos, performances by local dancers, and a visit from the Gingerbread Man.

Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors

9:30 am, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 2150 N Congress Drive, Ste 120, Nogales
The meeting can also be viewed on the Santa Cruz County YouTube Channel.  The latest agenda is available in the Agenda Center. 

Santa at Patagonia Lake

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Saturday, December 20, 2025, Patagonia Lake State Park, Patagonia
Activities include ornaments, crafts, a cakewalk, and Santa Claus himself!

Christmas Day

December 25, 2025
Merry Christmas! The offices of Santa Cruz County will be closed in observance of Christmas Day.

New Year's Day

January 1, 2026
Happy New Year! The offices of Santa Cruz County will be closed in observance of New Year's Day.