(KGUN) — Canyon Vista Medical Center (CVMC) in Sierra Vista is the only southern Arizona hospital to get an 'A' rating from Leapfrog an organization that rates hospitals on patient safety “It means that you can be assured when you are coming here to Canyon Vista Medical Center that you are receiving the top quality care that you can be receiving,” said Director of Patient Safety Officials at CVMC say the journey to this Leapfrog score started in 2022 when they were able to re-institute and re re-implement new safety procedures that had gone away because of COVID “We had to re-teach a new generation of healthcare providers some of which were not nurses or respiratory therapists or pharmacists Retraining them on systems and procedures that prioritize patients and help put their families' minds at ease "We want to be able to deliver high-quality care close to home for everybody here in Cochise County,” Phillips said He and Blum say improved communication between medical staff patients and their families is leading to better care that's preventing illnesses and infections; ensuring the best care and speedy recoveries for patients "This is a hospital-wide award," Phillips said when you're at Canyon Vista Medical Center you are receiving top-of-the-line care—top-of-the-line Leapfrog ratings are based on public data and by information provided by the hospital. More information can be found on their website "We want to make sure that what we do here is of the highest quality,” Phillips said CVMC is the only area hospital that qualifies for the rating because of how many beds they have The other hospitals in the county are categorized as 'critical access' hospitals Phillips and Blum say keeping the 'A' rating is what’s best for the community they're joining a culture of best practice not just we learn this and we're going to let it slip away,” Blum said ——-Alexis Ramanjulu is a reporter in Cochise County for KGUN 9. She began her journalism career reporting for the Herald/Review in Sierra Vista, which she also calls home. Share your story ideas with Alexis by emailing alexis.ramanjulu@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook Report a typo AZ — Officials announced that approximately 500 soldiers from Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) are deploying to Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista in support of the Southern Border mission The deployment comes as part of an effort directed by the President of the United States to strengthen border security and protect the nation’s territorial integrity The 10th Mountain Division will serve as a Joint Task Force headquarters overseeing units from various military branches participating in the mission “The 10th Mountain Division stands ready to deploy our Soldiers,” said Lt the 10th Mountain Division will deploy ready forces to support the effort to take operational control of the southern border.” Northern Command in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) While the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters will be based at Fort Huachuca military personnel from multiple installations across the Joint Force will also be involved in operations across the southern border region These Fort Drum troops will join approximately 1,600 active-duty personnel who deployed earlier this year adding to the 2,500 service members already assisting CBP in border security efforts detailed itineraries regarding the soldiers’ travel and arrival are not being released at this time This story will be updated as more information becomes available From mountain communities touched by winter snows to riverside villages cooled by summer breezes these Southern Arizona towns boast relatively accommodating climates year-round Thanks to their strategic positioning and surrounding microclimates spare inhabitants from scorching summers or freezing winters while retaining spectacular Sonoran desert charm Oro Valley has been ranked among the best places to live in Arizona partly due to its mild weather compared to relatively hot conditions in the southern region of the state The friendly condition allows for several nature spaces that support activities throughout the year Canada del Oro Riverfront Park is an excellent example in the middle of the city for walkers and bikers and social amenities like basketball courts and shaded playgrounds The Oro Valley Aquatic Center reflects the joyous mood in the community where the old and young converge for refreshing dips and cordial social interactions Of the many events that occur around the year the Oro Valley Food & Arts Festival unites townsfolk with art and all-around fun during two days of festivities Ajo's beautiful weather makes it one of southern Arizona's prime small-town getaways It sits a few miles from the border and displays unique Spanish architecture The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a great example of old-world architecture in Ajo and a popular subject for visiting photographers The town is also known for its multiple parks and acts as a gateway to Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Sprawling over 800,000 acres of desert habitat this vast wilderness houses several species including bighorn sheep and desert horned lizards and beckons adventurers with desert recreation evidenced by the sophisticated building designs doting its historic downtown stopping by Art Under the Arches Fine Art Gallery introduces you to various fine art pieces by dozens of regional craftsmen and artisans Nicknamed the "Hummingbird Capital of the U.S.," Sierra Vista's fine weather draws thousands of bird species looking to establish a home in its lush canyons The Garden Canyon is among the many green areas in the town besides harboring birds and butterfly species provides an escape for bikers and hikers to explore the great outdoors Len Roberts Park offers a lovely urban oasis in the middle of the town where people love to picnic and savor a serene environment visitors can learn about Sierra Vista's military history The 19th-century army camp houses thousands of Indian and military artifacts and objects that tell the story of military involvement across the Southwest and hospitable endears itself to travelers on a southern Arizona itinerary The town's mild weather is influenced by the 250-acre namesake lake of the Patagonia Lake State Park which creates a microclimate that allows plants and other greenery to thrive This also makes it a prime recreational hub Regional history comes alive at the Pimeria Alta Historical Society Museum where guests can browse a fabulous exhibit of photos documenting Nogales' past and that of the surrounding Northern Sonora region downtown Nogales is a bustling corridor with smiley faces and lots of things to see and do you can pop into Caracu Latin Steakhouse and sample a sumptuous menu of delicacies like Pulpo Al Pastor and garlic bread Douglas' claim to fame is home to the first international airport in the country This allows it to boast a rich air travel heritage that is well preserved and presented at the Border Air Museum Strolling through this fascinating facility exposes you to a selection of antique aircraft and memorabilia documenting aviation heritage in the town and region The town's delightful weather lets tourists enjoy a hint of green at the Douglas Golf Club and RV Park This 18-hole course is a wonderful escape for golfing enthusiasts and features adorable woods lining the edges for a cozy atmosphere Douglas is also known for its respectable art scene The site blends the love for cars and the arts by displaying elaborate and sophisticated works of vehicle art Situated about 24 miles southeast of Tucson Vail is one of those southern Arizona towns endowed with beautiful weather for a fair share of the year You can tell this from the multiple green spaces in the area Guests visit this warm establishment to not only enjoy sweet-tasting wines but also soak in spectacular mountain views and a serene atmosphere Del Lago Golf Club invites beginners and experienced golfers to test their swing on a beautiful high desert course where the temperatures are 5 degrees cooler than the surrounding region those who fancy a proper adventure in the desert can venture into the 2,400-acre Colossal Cave Mountain Park and take advantage of biking you will also come across a butterfly garden and a petting zoo and hosts several golf courses that beckon visitors to spend quality time in the open spaces Canoa Ranch Golf Club is among the top local establishments This 18-hole course provides a pristine atmosphere with lush greens and enticing views of Elephant Head Mountain Green Valley's pleasant weather allows residents to enjoy Mother Nature's bounty weekly at the Heirloom Farmers Market which attracts vendors from the region with fresh farm produce and intricate handmade crafts Nature lovers will also want to check out Arid Garden which has a tranquil and intimate atmosphere The location has a delightful display of diverse arid vegetation This Pinal County community is best known for hosting the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, an hour southwest of Phoenix The site preserves a historic Hohokam village compound ruins with structures dating back to the Classic period You can discover more of Coolidge's colorful history at the Pinal Geology and Mineral Museum and other artifacts focusing on the region's geologic past don't leave Coolidge without sampling its delicious Mexican cuisine There are several eateries you can stop by which specializes in all types of flavorful toppings on tacos and tortillas This small town in Graham County counters the scorching conditions in southern AZ by being proximal to Roper Lake State Park This 400-acre oasis harbors a 32-acre lake and miles of trails that attract different types of adventurers From hikers and bikers to anglers and campers the reserve is a lively recreational hub in Safford More opportunities in the great outdoors await at Glenn Meadows Park a popular gathering spot for the community with paved pathways and picnic areas on well-maintained grounds supporting leisurely activities you can hit the downtown corridor to discover a vibrant neighborhood with fun pursuits for first-timers Shane's Place is a wonderful option if you want to taste the nightlife It serves great food and beer in a festive environment with DJ music These beautiful southern Arizona towns above demonstrate how climate can vary dramatically between locales, even within the desert region of the United States Whether benefitting from the elevated setting of Oro Valley which remains balmy amid surrounding scorching valleys or nestled along Nogales' moderating international border each profiled community hits the coveted sweet spot for enjoyable weather for most of the year Their hard-to-beat climates undoubtedly make them perennial favorites for residents as much as visitors seeking sun and fun without temperature extremes photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com (KGUN) — A Sierra Vista military family is searching for their three-month-old Fluffy French bulldog named Maisie Maisie is an emotional support animal (ESA) who has been missing for over a week A message no pet parent ever wants to receive “That morning I received a text at 4:50 in the morning that Maisie had gotten out," said Sherene Martensen The Martensens have been searching for their dog who went missing on December 5th while in training The trainer last saw her on the Southeast side of Tucson by East Irvington Road and South Brandywine Drive Martensen says her family is devastated without Maisie The three-month-old puppy is her 13-year-old son Colton’s emotional support animal Maisie joined the Martensen family in October 2024 as a birthday gift for Colton “Colton had been asking for a French bulldog for years," said Martensen Above & Beyond Therapy says ESAs can help people with autism with their routine and structure, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety and sensory stimulation “His emotions are really big and he can't control them," Martensen said he's a lot calmer and he's able to regulate just a little bit better.” Martensen is an active-duty soldier in Fort Huachuca and now spends most of her free time driving to Tucson and Vail to search for Maisie “I would love to just get a hotel up here and stay until I find her but that’s not the reality," said Martensen "I’m in the military and if I’m gone for too long Martensen thanks the community for their support and help with looking for Maisie “We’ve had a great outpouring of help and I truly appreciate it like we just want to find her," Martensen said Maisie was wearing a bandana with colors similar to the collar in the photo below The Martensens can be reached at (214) 771-6342 and/or (214) 771-6341 Shults was named the 2025 UIL Boys Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year after leading Keller to a sweep of the Texas 6A state titles Maisey O’Donnell was a two-time diving champion for Concord-Carlisle High School and had plans to dive in college for Williams College Fairbanks spent the last 25 years as head coach of the girls’ program at Hutchinson and was the head coach of the boys’ program during two separate stints The NFHS approved a permissive rule that will allow high school state swimming associations to adopt the use of backstroke ledges in competitions Richard Sybesma was the head coach of TCU swimming & diving for 38 years a longer tenure than any head coach in school history After winning the Kansas state title in the 100 breast He announced yesterday that he officially beat it Campbell McKean won two events at the Oregon High School State meet in February who served as assistant coach to Bill Shaffer this past season will take over his father’s role as head swimming and diving coach May 17th, 2024 High School, News, Previews & Recaps 2024 NIAA 4A State Swimming and Diving Championships The 2024 NIAA Nevada High School State Swimming and Diving Championships have kicked off with swimming action happening at the Pavilion Center Pool in Las Vegas The series is split up into three classes: 3A (and under) which did not begin until 2022 following two cancelled state meets in 2020 and 2021 from the COVID-19 pandemic To qualify for each class’ respective state meet the top four finishers from each individual/relay event move on from each class’ two regional championships The 4A finals session concluded on Thursday with all three classes (3A/4A/5A) contesting their 1-meter diving competition at UNLV on Friday Saturday morning will showcase class 3A’s finals while the evening will sound off the 5A finals the Doral Red Rock dominated for the girls team title over runner-up Southeast Career Tech the Sierra Vista boys also commanded a lead for their title over Basic High School Powering the Doral Red Rock girls to the 2024 team title was their 3-for-3 relay sweep Emery Vannah crushed a 30.54 on the breaststroke leg to propel their first relay win Following Foothill’s Italia Ingle flying to 26.06 on the butterfly leg Durango’s Lauren Taylor made a freestyle comeback for her relay to place second over Foothill Vannah was back to overwhelmingly win the 200 free at 1:54.03 way ahead of runner-up Maryliam Reyes of Mojave (2:07.98) and Doral Red Rock teammate Evey Lum (2:15.16) Lum and Vannah were back for Doral Red Rock in the 200 free relay with Vannah anchoring in 23.26 to aid their relay winning time of 1:48.82 putting down a 23.67 to contribute to Durango’s runner-up time of 1:49.42 Lum was also member of the winning 400 free relay for Doral Red Rock (4:15.20) It was Spring Valley who took second place at 4:21.84 just ahead of Southeast Career Tech (4:23.38) Vannah took on a second 4A title in the 100 back After swimming neck-and-neck the whole race Cheyenne’s Roxanne Guimary touched out Durango’s DeLuna by 0.03s for second place Foothill’s Ingle was another double 4A state champion following her blazing fly leg on the medley relay ahead of Doral Red Rock’s Wegner (2:14.44) and Cheyenne’s Guielsie Borbon (2:17.78) with Durango’s DeLuna taking second at 1:00.81 Cheyenne’s Borbon later won the 500 free at 5:15.10 with Mojave’s Reyes grabbing another runner-up finish at 5:37.73 Green Valley’s Isabella Aiello was the double freestyle sprint 4A state champion joining Ingle and Vannah in winning two titles each with Cimarron-Memorial’s Delaney Johns taking second at 25.65 with Doral Red Rock’s Wegner taking another second-place finish at 54.75 Cimarron Memorial’s Johns clinched her own 4A state title at 1:06.01 Sierra Vista’s team win was aided by Hayden Tellier‘s accomplishment of not only two 4A titles but defending both of those state titles from last year but not without a big 25.48 freestyle closer from Bonanza’s Jaydon Castro settling for a tough second place at 1:57.91 Tellier then also had a close race in the 100 fly touching out Legacy’s Bam Silvestre by 0.02s Castro took third in 53.29 while Doral Red Rock’s Maksim Nazarov took fourth at 53.49 Mirchev defended his 100 free 4A state title Legacy’s Andrei Fajardo took second place at 50.91 Tellier and Mirchev then hopped into the winning 200 free relay for Sierra Vista at 1:33.63 with both swimmers nailing 22.7’s on their legs Basic’s Andrew Cooper was also a double 4A champion Taking second place was Legacy’s Silvestre (1:50.69) touching out Silverado’s Daniel Barlow (1:51.09) much faster than his 2023 winning time of 4:39.02 More than 30 seconds after Cooper touched the wall Foothill’s Afonso Campanico finished second at 5:12.88 with Sierra Vista’s Brecken Jaeger in third at 5:15.21 Doral Red Rock’s Kristian Cholakov also defended his 2023 4A state title in the 100 breast this year at 1:00.27 a hair faster than last year’s 1:00.50 top mark Legacy’s Fajardo touched out Green Valley’s Nathan Jobin for second it was Jobin who touched out Chaparral’s Joshua Masakha for the win and brothers Isaac Vannah and Parker Vannah gave Doral Red Rock two relay wins They first won the 200 medley relay at 1:43.83 with Nazarov leading off in 24.38 on backstroke and Cholakov splitting 28.16 in breaststroke Sierra Vista (1:44.93) and Legacy (1:47.43) finished second and third respectively both powered by sub-24 fly legs from Sierra Vista’s Tellier (23.90) and Legacy’s Silvestre (23.08) They then won the 400 free relay at 3:33.04 with Nazarov’s 51.50 lead-off and Cholakov’s 51.66 split giving Doral Red Rock a 17-second winning margin Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Nick has had the passion for swimming since his first dive in the water in middle school Nick had expanded to IM events in his late teens but memorable NCAA Div III swim experience at Calvin University More from Nick PecoraroSee All Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our latest updates Match Expires at Midnight GIVE NOW Southeastern Arizona is an ecological crossroads the Rocky Mountains and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts all come together The abrupt rise of mountains like the Huachucas from the surrounding arid grasslands creates “sky islands” that harbor tremendous habitat diversity and form stepping stones to the tropics This combination of factors gives Ramsey Canyon Preserve its notable variety of plant and animal life including such southwestern specialties as Apache and Chihuahua pines elegant trogon and Rivoli’s and Anna’s hummingbirds northeast orientation and high canyon walls provide Ramsey Canyon with a moist cool environment unusual in the desert Southwest maples and columbines line the banks of Ramsey Creek Communities ranging from semi-desert grassland to pine-fir forest are found within the vicinity of Ramsey Canyon Preserve Ramsey Canyon and the Upper San Pedro River Basin are situated within the Apache Highlands ecoregion which encompasses central and southeastern Arizona southwest New Mexico and the northern Sierra Occidental of Mexico The preserve serves as a southeastern Arizona program office—a base for TNC’s work with regional partners on large-scale projects such as fire management stream restoration and protection of rare species The Nature Conservancy and these partners achieve much greater success than any one entity working independently Multiple partners also ensure a broader perspective and more enduring conservation solutions Ramsey Canyon Preserve is about 90 miles southeast of Tucson Take Highway 92 south from Sierra Vista for six miles and turn right on Ramsey Canyon Road The preserve is at the end of Ramsey Canyon Road Need help finding our preserves? Download directions (.pdf 143 kb) to the six Arizona preserves open to the public These spaces are available on a first-come There is no parking along the road below the preserve The preserve Visitor Center includes visitor parking visitors may learn about the preserve and its wild residents the Upper San Pedro River Program and The Nature Conservancy by viewing interpretive exhibits or simply enjoying the beauty of the lower canyon See additional guidelines under the “Preserve Regulations” heading below The best months for birding at the preserve are April through September brief afternoon rainstorms can be a daily occurrence Occasional snows from late November through late March bring a dramatic change in the scenery temperatures at the preserve are 10-15 degrees cooler than those in Tucson The diverse wildlife and habitats of Ramsey Canyon may be viewed from the Hamburg Trail This open-ended route parallels Ramsey Creek through the preserve before climbing 500 feet in a half-mile series of steep switchbacks These lead to a scenic overlook in the Coronado National Forest one mile from the preserve headquarters the trail continues upstream and enters the Miller Peak Wilderness Area Want to volunteer at Ramsey Canyon Preserve? Fill out this volunteer application form and email to Dorothy Boone at dboone@tnc.org In consideration of the canyon’s plants and animals we ask all visitors and guests to observe the following regulations: Contact Ramsey Canyon staff at 520-378-2785 or ramsey@tnc.org Tag @tnc_arizona on Instagram and share your photos with us when you visit Friends and neighbors have embarked on an effort to ensure that Ramsey Canyon Preserve is cared for forever They have created an endowment that will protect and maintain the preserve and enhance conservation in the upper San Pedro River Basin We invite you to join their ranks by donating to the Ramsey Canyon Preserve Stewardship Endowment Your gift to the endowment will permanently stay in the endowment fund The earnings from your gift will be used to support the preserve and its conservation mission To learn more about the endowment, please contact Mark D. Ryan at mdryan@tnc.org Overnight at Canyon Rose Suites ($155-$350/night) in Bisbee. The 1900s furniture factory turned boarding house turned present-day hotel offers five spacious guest rooms that feel like city dwellings with character – hardwood floors, sunny windows with downtown views and walkability to everything. 520-432-5098, canyonrose.com and designers have captured all sides of the Valley with award-winning and insightful writing and investigative features keep our 385,000 readers in touch with the Valley's latest trends Ariz — Ron Hyde has wanted a history museum in Sierra Vista since 1995 And while he had been tossing around the idea of starting his own it wasn't until late 2023 when that ball finally got rolling "We actually looked at over 40 facilities before we found this location," said Hyde curator of the Southern Arizona Museum of Science and Technology Hyde has been working in close connection with Roger Weller a former professor of geology at Cochise College and the Huachuca Mineral and Gem Club to get the museum started "We're hoping to revitalize this area and showcase the fact that Cochise County is absolutely full of beautiful minerals and fossil life and all sorts of Natural History," said Hyde "And so we want people to come down here and recognize what a hidden gem Sierra Vista is," said Hyde Weller is also helping on the mineral side of things using his history with geology to help Hyde get the museum started "Our two goals with this museum is STEM education you have to get kids interested at a young age and it stays with them their entire life," said Weller And then so we're looking at improving our local economy Another one of the things that we're looking at The museum is open Wednesday thru Sunday from 10 a.m They have a suggested donation for guests: More information can be found on their Facebook page ——Blake Phillips is a reporter for KGUN 9 During his college tenure at the Missouri School of Journalism Blake worked for the NBC affiliate KOMU-TV in Columbia He is excited to return to a place he calls home and give back to the community in which he grew up Share your story ideas and important issues with Blake by emailing blake.phillips@kgun9.com (KGUN) — Former President Donald Trump made a visit to Arizona's southern border in Cochise County Thursday He arrived at the Sierra Vista airport around 11 a.m. then headed to the border for a tour and remarks to the press Trump's visit comes three weeks to the day after his running mate JD Vance made a similar visit to the Arizona-Sonora border near Naco KGUN 9 will be providing coverage of his visit throughout the day Trump also has a rally planned in Glendale Southern Arizona border appearances by both Trump and Vance within a month of one another highlights immigration as a top concern in this presidential race. Democrats, including Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, continue to lay partial blame on the former president for his role in the failed bi-partisan border bill earlier this year "This is the most hypocritical thing I've ever seen in politics," Kelly said in a virtual interview with the press Wednesday "A guy who talks about this issue all the time when we finally had a chance to address it with strong legislation he told Republicans in the Senate they were not allowed to vote for it." Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows that migrant arrests along the border are dropping relative to recent numbers In July, CBP says they saw 56,408 migrant encounters along the southwest border—the lowest number, they say, since September of 2020. President Biden issued an executive action in June that restricts asylum requests Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller credits the administration's new policy—which allows them to turn away asylum seekers—with the lower numbers they're now seeing but the area continues to see the highest numbers of border apprehensions in the country (KGUN) — The establishment of Fort Huachuca in the late 1800s brought a diverse population to southeastern Arizona Mexicans and members of the Yaqui tribe fled suppression from the Mexican government and war 'you know who you are today because of the events in your past'," said Sierra Vista resident "Certainly the Hispanic culture was important in building Sierra Vista.” you see the names of the people who helped lay the foundation for the city on engraved in brick children and babies buried at the cemetery The Fry family has a sectioned off part for their own family but allowed other people to be buried outside their plot because there wasn't another cemetery close by "These individuals helped build this community their stories are forgotten” said Henry Hauser Museum Curator Two of the people in the cemetery are Serapio Valenzuela Jr who migrated to Arizona from Mexico in the 1800s They and their friends came to the area to work as wood cutters for Camp Huachuca Marta Messmer is Valenzuela’s granddaughter "I could have not imagined living in a tent your whole life,” she said “Whatever job that brought him money to help with the family Laguna and the other wood cutters would go into the mountains to cut the trees bringing the wood back down for use by soldiers to build houses and burn for light and heat “They contributed a lot to the foundation of this city with the work that they did and just bringing their families here and establishing themselves they helped build this community,” Miller said Women also came to the area looking for a new life working in the very limited jobs they were able to Messmer says it wasn’t until working with her dad to preserve Fry Pioneer Cemetery that she learned the impact her family had on Sierra Vista realized how important that was,” she said Messmer says he dug the graves before the burials and it was his map they used to mark the graves during the restoration of the cemetery back in 2019 Messmer has many family members and family friends buried at the cemetery "They all wanted to be here," Messmer said "I probably would have chosen to bury my father here also Burials at Fry Pioneer Cemetery stopped decades ago and the cemetery is now designated as a historic place the federal government The City of Sierra Vista will again be hosting its Dusk with the Dead event at the cemetery on Saturday according to the Sierra Vista Facebook page The event gives people a chance to learn more about the people buried at the cemetery and their contributions to the city Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send" You will then receive an email that helps you regain access Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 5 million WordPress sites The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence Click here to learn more: Documentation 6 May 2025 0:25:18 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); Cochise College debuted its training driving track Monday marking the completion of the newest infrastructure addition to its Southeast Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy The roughly five-acre concrete track cost the college $4.85 million dollars The track will provide cadets with a safe place to practice evasive driving agility and demonstrate control of high-speed maneuvers It's located behind Sierra Vista Fire and Medical Services Station 3 off of Giulio Cesare Ave “We take the outsides of corners to make sure when we’re coming through the corner we have more visibility all the way through race car drivers — they’re going to want to take the inside and cut around those corners," said Nathan Drake a Detective with the Sierra Vista Police Department and Instructor at the Southeast Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy you’re going to go to the outside of the turn because it’s called a late apex and go to the inside of that turn you’re going to slow them back between the cones." The second and third phases of the Southeast Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy include the construction of an indoor shooting range and dorms for cadets Rottweiler said Monday that the college will break ground on these projects in late September of this year The indoor shooting range will be constructed in the space that is currently designated as parking lot B of the Sierra Vista Campus which will be just across Loop Road from the north entrance onto the campus The dorms will be constructed on the North-East side of campus just south of the University of Arizona's College of Applied Science and Technology as well as the other phases of the academy's expansion Public funds the college has received come from the state's Rural Aid Allocation and Prop Cochise College’s Vice President for Administration Dr Wendy Davis said in January that a private donation has also contributed to the financing of the dorms The Southeast Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy launched in 2019 as a partnership between Cochise County Sheriff's Office and Sierra Vista Police Department according to Cochise College President Dr over a hundred law enforcement professionals have been trained and are working in our community," Rottweiler said Monday evening we are on the cutting edge in training the next generation of first responders." ARIZONA NEWS 10:28 AM | Updated: 7:57 pm A hummingbird peruses its next sip in Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary Saturday Often affectionately called "the hummingbird capital," the city of Sierra Vista wants to make the nickname official BY ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP) — Often called the “hummingbird capital,” the Arizona city of Sierra Vista wants to make the nickname official The Sierra Vista City Council is planning to consider a resolution proclaiming the city as a hummingbird hub council members will ask their legislative representatives to push the same resolution at the statehouse “Making the moniker official will help elevate the uniqueness of our area to those who aren’t familiar with either Sierra Vista or its nickname,” said Judy Hector the city’s marketing and communications manager about 75 miles (121 kilometers) southeast of Tucson and surrounding nature preserves such as Ramsey Canyon Preserve and the San Pedro House are known for hosting the colorful birds Experts say more than 15 of the known 26 species of hummingbirds in North American can be seen in the region The area is touted by the Arizona Tourism Office as one of the seven must-know spots for avid birders The Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory regularly conducts a study of hummingbirds on a migratory route alongside the San Pedro River the observatory holds a hummingbird banding event at San Pedro House during the spring and fall migrations Volunteers can get a close glimpse of hummingbirds as they are measured It has served to get the community engaged even if they aren’t passionate bird-watchers said having the moniker be formally recognized could increase tourism Bird-watching on average brings a total economic impact of $1.4 billion each year in Arizona Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here Wildfire Today Patrick Gladics was working as a Helicopter Manager in Sierra Vista A Bureau of Land Management firefighter who was reported missing on May 14 was found deceased May 16 in Sierra Vista Patrick Gladics was staying at a hotel while working out of the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport in southern Arizona as a helicopter manager The Coronado National Forest reported that the Sierra Vista Police Department with the assistance of Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue found the body of the 38-year-old firefighter shortly before 12:30 p.m Gladics was found deceased in the desert area west of Walmart in Sierra Vista SVPD Special Operations detectives responded to investigate the scene The case is being referred to the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office for further investigation His BLM vehicle had been located at the Walmart in Sierra Vista on Monday Video surveillance showed him on foot heading north toward the open desert from the parking lot at about 5 a.m The 11,620-acre San Rafael Fire is near the US/Mexico border 20 miles southwest of Sierra Vista. The latest entry on Inciweb was on May 15, reporting that the fire was 100 percent contained and was staffed by five people. Another fire in the area, the 112-acre Locklin Fire 20 miles southeast of Sierra Vista We send out our sincere condolences to the family Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment the BLM and fire service lost a great young person Sierra Vista is a city of over 45,000 people US Army Fort Huachuca is immediately west I would think south tip in AZ is remote and not populated My thoughts are with his family and friends My deepest condolences to the family and crew of Mr your heroic fight to stop this inferno will be remembered Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email — The Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce is investing in the area by supporting economic Chamber CEO Melany Edwards-Barton and her team created a 5013c foundation to help fundraise and apply for grants to support economic One of the ways they are achieving their goal is by helping create a science and technology business incubator here in Sierra Vista Edwards-Barton said she approached the City of Sierra Vista and the idea flourished into the first science and technology business incubator in rural Arizona “We had to have a foundation so that we can raise funds or go after grants to help support economic development and workforce development in this area," Edwards-Barton said "And that’s part of the reason we created it The local organizations are working with the University of Arizona's Center for Innovation to find young businesses who could benefit from the mentorship program with the ability to work in the incubator building space. People who have a innovative science or technology-based business can apply to be a part of the incubator program on the Sierra Vista Area Chamber's website "Through a collaboration and sponsorship with the City of Sierra Vista and the Southeastern Arizona Chamber Foundation UACI is offering a sponsored year at the incubator for three deserving startups with a committed team that is working to solve a significant business or social challenge in the science and technology industry This prize package will also include office space at with the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Sierra Vista The total prize package is valued at $5,000 per company." Each sponsor will determine which application will award the $5,000 prize to and will be looking for applicants to show they are committed to impacting the local economy and workforce in a positive way Edwards-Barton said science and technology was chosen as the theme for the businesses because of Fort Huachuca being in the county and because Cochise County has two colleges with highly rated cybersecurity programs Edwards-Barton said one of the reasons the chamber wanted to create a foundation is because the money is paid out by the local sponsor and to be a part of the incubator they had to be able to fund the prize for a business Edwards-Barton said they raised almost $20,000 which will allow them to possible sponsor multiple businesses it’s so important because opportunity matters," Edwards-Barton said."And when we’re talking about leadership development We can’t grow leaders without opportunities.” The third aspiration for the Southeastern Chamber Foundation is to provide leadership development opportunities for young leaders Edwards-Barton said they are moving their leadership program to the foundation so they can provide scholarships for individuals to participate in the 10-month program Edwards-Barton said she hopes this new foundation helps show residents and people from outside the area that their are opportunities for growth and businesses in southeastern Arizona (KGUN) — Former President Donald Trump is set to make a visit to the border in Cochise County Thursday Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa confirmed with KGUN 9 today McCaa says the visit will include a tour of the border in an as-of yet unspecified location Trump is set to hold a rally in Phoenix after the border tour Trump's visit follows a border tour by his running mate JD Vance. During Vance's tour of the border near Naco, Ariz., Vance gave remarks to the press saying Vice President Kamala Harris is to blame for current troubles at the border The Harris-Walz ticket also made a recent trip to Arizona part of its tour of battleground states after the announcement of Minnesota Gov Tim Walz as the Vice President's running mate Harris addressed immigration policy during her rally in Glendale She has yet to make a border visit as part of her presidential campaign KGUN 9 will have full coverage of next week's visit Cox high-speed internet is coming to the town of Huachuca City by the end of the summer in an effort to expand to rural areas in southern Arizona Cox Communications announced plans to expand its high-speed internet TV and security services to Huachuca City and southeast Sierra Vista last year Construction began in January and will run through July with the project completion expected around Aug This expansion to both areas will add 2,000 homes and businesses and more than 34 miles of fiber-optic cable in southern Arizona Cox Communications said in a press release The company committed $2.7 billion nationally to its network including expanding its reach to rural communities in Arizona Huachuca City Mayor Johann Wallace said the town has limited internet options that are typically offered through major wireless providers many residents rely on their phones for internet access which can be impeded by data caps “I’m really happy for the quality-of-life improvement for the residents here,” he said about the expansion of 1G broadband service to Huachuca City Wallace said this project is fully funded by Cox Communications He highlighted how Cox will offer packages for low-income families a boon for the 27% of the town's residents who live below the poverty line  Some of these programs include the Affordable Connectivity and the Connect2Compete program for students “A lot more people in this community are going to have the ability to access good internet at a reasonable price that they may not currently have access to,” Wallace said Expanding to rural areas in southern Arizona can be challenging because of its remoteness rocky terrain and native plant preservation the Phoenix market vice president with Cox Communications the permitting and inspection process for broadband networks can be “overwhelming” for smaller communities and the approvals and permitting process can take over a year to complete Wallace said he hopes the presence of broadband in Huachuca City will attract more businesses to the area The town is not only known for being close to Fort Huachuca but also known for being a safe and quiet town with notable sunsets While the landfill brings revenue to the town he hopes broadband will help diversify Huachuca City's economy “We do that by bumping up the sales tax revenues through new businesses coming in,” Wallace said about decreasing the town's reliance on revenues brought in by the landfill business “If we don't have the infrastructure for it So that all ties back to having good power Coverage of southern Arizona on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is funded by the nonprofit Report for America in association with The Republic Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com Wildlife specialists are on the lookout after a man was attacked by an animal when he attempted to get into his car after a hike in Ash Canyon The animal was determined to be a coatimundi — pronounced ko-ah-ta-muhn-dee — a raccoon-like animal native to the Americas found as far north as Flagstaff and the far northwestern region of Colombia according to the Cochise County Sheriff's Office The man told sheriff deputies that he noticed the animal sitting on the hood of his car as he was wrapping up his hike March 23 The hiker shouted and waved his arms to scare the animal away the animal tore off the vehicle's windshield wiper before jumping down and attacking the man Rabies: Arizona counties warn of 31% rise in rabies cases, urge caution around wildlife The man was eventually able to get inside of his vehicle but not before the animal left multiple scratches and bites that required medical attention He received rabies vaccine treatment at a local hospital as a precautionary measure before traveling back to his home in Tucson A USDA Wildlife Specialist was unable to locate the animal but the search for coatimundi will continue 2024A woman has died after being hit by a car in southeast Fresno.FRESNO (KFSN) -- A woman has died after being hit by a car in southeast Fresno Police say it happened before 12:30 am Tuesday in front of the Mosqueda Community Center on Butler near Sierra Vista Witnesses told police the woman was walking in and out of the road when she was hit by a car The driver stayed at the crash scene and is being investigated for possibly being under the influence of either drugs or alcohol In the video player: Firefighters share the do's and don'ts of fireworks (KGUN) — As the sun sets this Fourth of July the Southern Arizona night will be lit up with red You won’t have to drive far if you're in Southern Arizona to find a firework display City of Tucson 27th annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration Tucson is yet again hosting its most popular Fourth of July celebration the city’s annual fireworks show atop Sentinel Peak begins at 9 p.m. If you don’t have a relative who lives downtown with a nice big backyard from which to view including the Tucson Convention Center Parking Lot B The large lot on the west side of the TCC with access from Cushing Street and Granada Avenue will be open for free viewing of the show beginning at 4 p.m Food trucks will be on-site and open at 7 p.m Boyz will be performing at the MSA Annex at 7 p.m Additional viewing areas will be available with free access for viewing at the City - State Garage Other parking options include $8 per vehicle access at Mercado Parking Lot A and $15 per vehicle at Mercado Parking Lot D accessible from Avenida del Convento and South Linda Avenue just west of I-10 and south of Congress Street Visit the City of Tucson website for more information is getting a head-start with its fireworks The casino will also be celebrating its 30th anniversary Enjoy the show from the grassy lawn of the Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater Rancho Sahuarita Independence Day Celebration: Family The folks at Rancho Sahuarita are also choosing to celebrate the Fourth of July a day early with an event set to take place at Sahuarita Lake Park the Town of Marana will be holding its Star-Spangled Spectacular with festivities starting at 5 p.m Barbecuing and glass containers will not be allowed with a July 4th celebration set for James D the event will feature live entertainment from the band Heart and Soul and emcee Frank Powers There will be jumping castles and bumper balls Added bonus: The Oro Valley Aquatic Center Fourth of July Diamonds in the Sky Celebration at Kino Sports Complex Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium will play host to a baseball game between the All Stars USA Sunbelt College and the Mexican College All Stars from the Mexican Baseball Fiesta league with a fireworks show immediately following the game The first pitch will be thrown at 6:30 p.m Admission is one nonperishable food item for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona or a $1 donation The concession stands will have $1 hot dogs and drink specials Palo Verde Neighborhood 4th of July Parade The Palo Verde Neighborhood is hosting its 60th annual Fourth of July Parade will feature live music from The Manhattan Dolls will be hosting games and activities for kids Ben's Bells Temporary Tattoos will be there offering "Be Kind" flower signs To watch the parade gather on Seneca Blvd and Palo Verde Blvd along Catalina High School Cochise County’s night sky will be filled with fireworks this Fourth of July Look in any direction after the sun goes down and you are likely to see a dazzling display of color and light taking place before your eyes Sierra Vista is hosting its 57th Annual Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks Event at Veterans Memorial Park on July 4 with events and activities taking place all day long starting at 9 p.m The fireworks display kicks off at 8:05 p.m Benson is celebrating its 100 years with an Independence Day celebration A number of local bands and festivities will be available at Lions Park head over to Lions Park for the yearly Water Fight held by the Benson Fire Department The city has also added a splash zone to Patagonia Street Admission is free. Visit the Benson website for more information. Click here for more on the city turning a century old Tombstone hosts a small-town July 4th celebration with evening festivities and food vendors at Medigovich Field off of Mountain View Road Bisbee keeps things interesting with several events you won’t find anywhere else including coaster races at the Warren Cutoff at 8 a.m. a drilling and mucking competition at noon The City of Willcox and the Willcox Fire Department will present a 4th of July Fireworks Display at Willcox High School football field More information on Fourth of July safety can be found here. With a little over a month left of the 2024 monsoon rainfall totals are exceeding expectations and providing much-needed relief to dry areas “Most of our area has improved greatly on the drought monitor from the beginning of the year,” he said “That includes the wintertime precipitation because we had good wintertime precipitation and above normal for most of the monsoon for most of our area.” Tucson has received about 5.5 inches of rain Here's a look at rainfall totals so far this Monsoon. Tucson is above normal with Sierra Vista at normal and Safford and Nogales below normal. Expect dry conditions today with storm chances returning Friday into the weekend. #azwx pic.twitter.com/yTno7GtHxw Other parts of Southern Arizona remain dry but so far the wet year has brought areas near the Chiricahuas and southern border up from extreme drought to severe drought classification Zell said climate models were leaning towards a below average season with less than a 30 percent chance of an above average monsoon this year The monsoon in Arizona officially ends Sept (KGUN) — Mary Ann Cleveland Way is a popular cycling spot there is just a small bike lane alongside the road “I hold my breath sometimes when I see a car approaching behind me because a lot of people are doing other things while driving and are not paying attention,” says Donna King The city of Tucson is currently working on a new bike lane on the north side of Mary Ann Cleveland "safe and comfortable walking and biking connections to the Houghton Town Center spokesperson for the Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility But Mary Ann Cleveland is also a part of El Tour de Tucson's 2024 route questions about construction being finished in time for the race have been raised Frazelle confirmed the project is on schedule saying November 12th is the expected completion date More information on the project can be found here Southeast Arizona was overrun with all of these types of either keeping the peace or disturbing it are all still evident more than a hundred years later I began my tour of Arizona’s Wild West at Willcox originally a giant cattle ranch just 50 miles west of the New Mexico state line A scenic two-lane road of sweeping curves took me to Chiricahua National Monument This small park preserves some spectacular rock formations in the “sky island” of the Chiricahua Mountains Homesteaders Neil and Emma Erickson built a house near the rocks in 1887 and Neil went on to become the first ranger for the forest preserve During the hour I spent walking on one of the trails a rattlesnake and several species of birds On the opposite side of the Willcox Playa (dry lake) a gravel spur road leads west five miles to reach Cochise Stronghold but beware: drinking water may not be available Cochise Stronghold was named after the chief of the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians who holed up in this natural fortress in the 1870s and successfully fought off invaders for 15 years Chief Cochise escaped both times and lived out his life in freedom A back road north of Cochise Stronghold took me through a gap in the Dragoon Mountains and emerged on Interstate 10 just east of Benson I turned south onto State Route 80 and proceeded to the famous Tombstone—the “Town Too Tough To Die.” There I parked among many other motorcycles and joined a throng of tourists trooping up and down the town’s wooden boardwalks cold beer and hyperbole were all in plentiful supply Actors costumed in 1880s garb called out to visitors to attend one of three daily “shoot-outs” staged around town A real fake gunfight featuring Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday seemed intriguing I bought an ice cream and sat in the shade Visitors appeared to enjoy the corny re-enactments of outlaw drama but to me the place screamed “tourist trap,” so I decided to move on I rode over 6,030-foot Mule Pass and coasted into Bisbee Bisbee prospered as a mining town for nearly a hundred years When the copper mine finally closed in 1975 Bisbee reinvented itself as a tourist attraction Old brick buildings along the main streets were converted into art galleries After devouring a delicious sandwich at the Bisbee Coffee Company I looked at a rack where handbills advertised mine tours Bisbee has successfully morphed into a genuine resort destination State Route 92 parallels the Mexican border for a few miles before reaching Sierra Vista a town that serves the military population of Fort Huachuca Strange noises emanating from my motorcycle caused me to venture into town to locate a motorcycle shop I purchased some chain lube and applied it in the parking lot outside and I continued on more quietly with my tour lured by a brown sign that indicated a National Historic Landmark before I located a museum (closed) and a slew of historic buildings The pamphlet I picked up explained that the buildings surrounding the central parade ground at Fort Huachuca have retained their original vintage 1880s exterior appearance Heading back out toward Benson on State Route 90 I made a detour through a wide sea of thorny desert brush to reach a hidden woodland oasis Known as the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area this thin ribbon of green provides a rare year-round water source followed by the Sobaipuri culture in the 1600s first occupied the San Pedro River corridor Chiricahua Apache defeated a Spanish attempt at colonization in the 1770s The silver strike near Tombstone in 1877 led to another wave of settlement by white people The Fairbank ghost town is all that remains of this era A short path from the ghost town led down to the river I enjoyed a much-needed break amidst cool rushing water lush greenery and towering cottonwood trees My last stop on this scenic ride was at Kartchner Caverns State Park The extensive limestone cave system was discovered in 1974 but its existence was not made public for some 14 years while it was carefully explored and mapped The result is a display of pristine formations which can only be viewed via organized tour Cameras and backpacks are not allowed inside the cave a large campground provided a convenient place to stay The hot showers in the bathroom worked great and a nearby nature trail provided an opportunity for an early morning walk I ventured into the cave’s Big Room to gawk at its wonders with about 15 other people Emerging from the darkness after the tour into blinding sunlight and warm spring weather I was pleased to have found so many interesting places to stop along this 250-mile tour of Arizona’s Wild West Great article Kathleen… beautiful part of Arizona… have to get down there when the weather cools off some and website in this browser for the next time I comment We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences More information about our Cookie Policy on our Privacy Policy An official website of the United States government Open Search  Mobile Menu more than 45,000 acres of rolling grasslands and woodlands in southeastern Arizona are protected under the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (NCA) The region’s oak-studded hills connect several "sky island" mountain ranges and lush riparian corridors Cienega Creek forms the lifeblood of the NCA and supports a diverse plant and animal community It is also rich in historic and cultural resources.  which is dedicated to preserving the historic buildings and surrounding landscapes Las Cienegas is located 45 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona. From Tucson drive southeast on Interstate 10 to exit 281. Head south on Arizona Route 83. Near milepost 40 Unique and rare vegetative communities including five of the rarest habitat types in the American Southwest: cienegas (marshlands) and semi-desert grasslands. The Las Cienegas NCA could also be a Mecca to fans of classic films about the old west. John Wayne Jimmy Stewart and others have made such classic films as “Red River,” “Duel in the Sun,” “Hombre,” “Winchester 73,” “The Big Country” and many others on or near the Empire Ranch. The historic Empire Ranch remains a working cattle ranch now operates under an innovative rangeland management style unique to the area You do not need a permit to visit the national conservation area. However, commercial, competitive, and large organized group events require a special recreation permit. Vehicles must remain on designated routes. Hazards include poisonous snakes, africanized bees, and potential encounters with illegal users of public lands. Recreational activities on state trust land require a permit from the State of Arizona Some of the rooms at the historic Empire Ranch headquarters are wheelchair accessible through the front breezeway entrance Visitors will also find ADA-compliant parking spaces and restrooms at the site Primitive camping is allowed on existing sites only. Camping may not exceed 14 consecutive days. You must camp at least 0.25 mile from cattle and wildlife water holes. You will need to bring your own water and firewood. The nearest lodging is available in Sonoita and in Patagonia. Campfires are allowed except during periods of extreme fire danger A gas station and a variety of restaurants and services are located in the town of Sonoita First aid is available at the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s office in Sonoita. The nearest hospitals are located in Sierra Vista The national conservation area includes a working cattle ranch There is no trash pick up; you will need to pack up all trash. A Land Use Plan completed in 2003 calls for an interpretive trail and program at the historic ranch headquarters. The area is a travel corridor for undocumented immigrants traveling from Mexico. Please report all suspected illegal activities to BLM or local law enforcement authorities Stay safe by avoiding contact with persons exhibiting suspicious behavior or engaged in dangerous activities An official website of the Department of the Interior — Does a job at the border patrol appeal to you Do you want to know more about the border patrol Events are happening soon in Tucson and Sierra Vista A Southeastern Arizona Hiring Fair will be in Sierra Vista on Friday March 22 at the Cochise College Downtown Center from 10am-2pm The event at the U of A will be a Veteran Career Fair on March 21 It will take place at the Student Memorial Center from 12pm-3pm The border patrol writes that there critical hiring needs for entry level employees at the following places: To apply for border patrol jobs online, visit www.cbp.gov/careers/apply-now February-March weather in NW Montana can be brutal giddy thing suggested a month-long trip to SE Arizona we lugged our camp trailer) and headed south blustery weather — temps in the 30-40s° F winds 10-30 mph — even a dusting of snow on the valley floor (!) and heavier snowfall in the mountains Despite cool temps and often relentless winds I’ll limit Part 1 to a couple habitat types with birding hotspots noted and some photos of the birds seen I’ll table the rest for a future DC or Daily Bucket These were among my favorite sites to bird especially Sweetwater Wetlands for its beautiful ponds I visited 3 times and always saw a different assemblage of birds Patagonia Lake was another favorite for all the waterbirds and the chance to search for a couple species on eBird’s Rare Bird Alert (Snowy Egret This habitat category includes the iconic saguaro/ocotillo/cholla forests surrounding Tucson;  scrubby-shrubby associations of palo verde and creosote bush; and the arid grasslands around Sonoita These classic Sonoran Desert habitats were especially fun to bird due to openness In Part 2 I’ll report on the birds seen in SE Arizona’s pine-oak woodlands and mixed-conifer forests Not signed up for Daily Kos yet? Create a free account Harris' trip to Douglas, Arizona – about 120 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona and home to the state's second busiest port of entry – comes as a new poll released Friday by USA TODAY/Suffolk University found Trump leading Harris by 6 percentage points The difference is within the poll's plus or minus 4.4% margin of error Harris will deliver a speech at the border calling for tougher border restrictions according to a senior Harris campaign official who discussed the trip on the condition of anonymity she is expected to slam Trump for encouraging Republican senators earlier this year to kill a bipartisan border bill backed by the Biden administration that included tough new restrictions for asylum seekers and additional resources for Border Patrol agents Harris has accused Trump of lobbying for the bill's defeat because he realized it would "fix a problem he wanted to run on." But Trump has hammered Harris on the Biden administration's immigration policies and her role in addressing root causes of migration to the southern border has been a weak area for Democrats and Harris "The worst border crisis in the history of the world," Trump said Thursday in New York More: Kamala Harris to visit southern border as immigration remains election liability President Joe Biden narrowly carried Arizona – which has 11 electoral votes up for grabs – by less than 11,000 voters over Trump It was the first time Arizona voted for a Democratic presidential nominee since Bill Clinton carried the state in 1996 But the USA TODAY/Suffolk poll found Harris trails Trump 47%-43% in Maricopa County a bellwether and largest county in the state that includes Phoenix Trump's current polling lead over Harris in Maricopa County is within the 5.4% margin of error Trump campaigned at the U.S.-Mexico border last month in Sierra Vista Harris previously visited the southern border during a 2021 trip to El Paso Immigration – historically a losing issue for Democrats in elections – remains a liability for Harris even as she's gone on offense by emphasizing Trump's role in defeating the bipartisan border bill. The Harris campaign is also set to release a new television ad that will begin airing Friday in Arizona and other battleground states that says Harris will "secure our border" as president More: Harris, Trump to take part in dueling Univision town halls of Hispanic voters Although the Harris campaign has focused efforts to galvanize Latino voters in key battlegrounds like Arizona the vice president’s support among Latinos in Arizona is lagging behind the national level Less than half – 47% – of Latino voters in Arizona said they support Harris Trump has the support of 29% of Latinos in the state Arizona has around 1.3 million eligible Latino voters accounting for about one-quarter of the state's electorate Nationally, Harris holds a larger lead among Latino voters, 57%, compared to Trump at 39%, according to a report from Pew Research Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrion and Rebecca Morin @RebeccaMorin_ Some of the reasons for the increased pronghorn population in the Sonoita-Elgin area southeast of Tucson are fence modifications and coyote control A herd of pronghorn — commonly known as antelope — in the Sonoita-Elgin area has grown from fewer than 100 animals in 2012 to more than 300 today The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Antelope Foundation rebuilt the herd by employing grasslands restoration predator control and translocations of pronghorn from healthy herds elsewhere Game and Fish records note that there were 81 pronghorn in the area in 2012 when the Antelope Foundation received a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant for grasslands restoration projects there Hart noted that Game and Fish officers and foundation volunteers recently counted 318 pronghorn in the area The restoration work included removal of mesquite trees and prescribed burns Predator control involved trapping or shooting more than 100 coyotes limited in duration and specific to the time of year when fawns are being born,” Hart said “They are very vulnerable then,” soon after birth The largest translocation of pronghorn brought 41 of the animals from New Mexico in 2014 “We swapped out Gould’s turkeys” from Arizona in exchange for the pronghorn Fence modifications were another element in bolstering the pronghorn population “Pronghorn antelope are the fastest land animal in North America capable of running up to 60 miles per hour (but) they are hesitant to jump over objects,” according to a Game and Fish news release many area landowners agreed to barbed wire fence modifications involving removal of the bottom strand and replacement of it with a smooth wire placed 18 inches off the ground The modifications enabled the pronghorns to go under fences and move more freely throughout the area.” Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@tucson.com or at 573-4192 Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community Visitors can touch and feed stingrays at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Doug takes advantage of every good photo op he finds in nature Some oppose chopping down 'iconic' tree on public land Sollers Cabin sits in a clearing among pines and Douglas firs Hundreds of fledglings have left nest early — perhaps due to heat Monsoon rains bring brilliant fuchsia blooms on pincushion cacti — with a soundtrack by birds and insects Watch toads flirting and mating in a pool at Sabino Canyon rattlesnakes and great blue herons are among the many wild creatures that enliven Southern Arizona Wildlife officers are seeking volunteers to monitor bats that visit hummingbird feeders Warm summer weather and monsoon rains have brought beauty to Madera Canyon Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Most motorists cross southern Arizona in cruise-controlled oblivion via the super slabs known as Interstates 8 and 10 sandwiched between the freeways and the Mexican border is a motorcycling mecca replete with great historic towns curvy roads and wonderfully moderate temperatures for most of the year The region has the added draws of an emerging wine industry several national monuments and the romance of the Old West the Rhine Valley—these regions conjure images of rolling vineyards all are popular motorcycle tour destinations It is logical that motorcyclists gravitate to wine regions—many of the same geographical traits that make for delicious wines contribute to fantastic motorcycling roads Southeastern Arizona is no exception to the rule of the vine I start my tour in the real epicenter of this Arizona vineyard region The area south of Willcox is fertile ground (literally) for the Southwest’s wine industry I chatted with Jim Graham of Golden Rule Vineyards He told me that much of the region’s winemaking success is attributable to its higher elevation and wide temperature swings with daytime highs in the 90s and nighttime lows in the 60s While those wide temperature swings create great grapes they also necessitate riding gear preparedness on the part of touring motorcyclists My winter ride begins in crisp 40-degree morning temperatures and morphs into the 70-degree range in the afternoon I leave the Willcox wine region with a carefully packed bottle of 2013 Lucky Prospector red wine and motor southwest on my BMW R 1200 GS through the vineyards The ribbon of asphalt traces through grasslands and high desert The endgame of this first leg is the historic Wild West town of Tombstone The famous site of the gunfight at the O.K The town unapologetically caters to visitors’ fascination with the historic event Characters in period costumes roam the streets and gunfight reenactments are frequent and entertaining The ride south of Tombstone is twisty and beautiful The terrain transforms from open grassland to rugged mountains and canyons After carving through this stone majesty for miles The picturesque community has a very different feel from that of Tombstone It is a thriving art and tourism hamlet of wonderfully narrow streets lined with turn-of-the-century brick buildings the massive Lavender Pit Mine site is both an awe-inspiring and somewhat unsettling sight The ride out of Bisbee on State Route 92 parallels the Mexican border in close proximity for several miles before a turn to the north toward Sierra Vista The road is rolling and the views are panoramic West of Sierra Vista sits the historic Fort Huachuca The Army fort was home to many of the “Buffalo Soldiers” in the early 1900s and is still an active military installation I have to show identification to ride through the military reservation to the west toward Sonoita State Route 83 is one of the best motorcycling roads in the area so the minor hassle of military check-points is a small price to pay The road skirts the Huachuca Mountain Range and is an amazing roll through low trees the winding road leads to Sonoita and Elgin the last of the southern Arizona wine regions on the tour Half a dozen wineries and more than 10 tasting rooms dot the area and each has its own flair and ambience Leaving Sonoita spells the end of southern Arizona’s wine country State Route 82 takes me southwest over more beautiful terrain via sweeping corners and topographic variations The quaint town of Patagonia is a great rest stop on this leg and later Patagonia Lake State Park is a worthy side trek the environment becomes more desert-like as I roll toward the international border The bustling border town of Nogales offers a cultural mix that is rich Multihued buildings and multilingual residents make a stop near the border crossing a lesson in the true nature of a transition zone I walk the streets and stop at an authentic Mexican restaurant for lunch before starting the next leg of this tour The first leg north of Nogales is a jaunt on Interstate 19 After a few leg-stretching miles on the freeway I head west on Arivaca Road at the tiny town of Amado This stretch begins at the largest steer’s skull I have ever seen which is actually the stylized entrance to a saloon which is a small ranch town built amongst the remains of a former Pima Indian village there is only the lightest of traffic in this area it is also undulating in rollercoaster fashion which makes it a blast to ride my route takes a direct westward bend at Three Points The most remarkable scene on this stretch is towering Kitt Peak and the glowing white domes and structures of the Kitt Peak National Observatory The road to the observatory is serpentine and fun as it leads up the mountain Both the road and the historic facility are worthy of the side trip The road ultimately cuts through the Tohono O’odham Nation Reservation and it’s time to take a short northern ride on Route 85 and rest I roll into the only real civilization in this region; the small The home of many of the active Border Patrol agents in southern Arizona walls of local businesses are decorated with vibrant murals and the palm-treed town center is quaint and attractive I find an historic public school that has been transformed into The Sonoran Desert Inn and Conference Center It’s a delightful hotel just off the main drag I walk back to the highway and enjoy a great hamburger and craft beer at the 100 Estrella Restaurant Ajo has much more to offer than the dot on the map would hint it’s time to head toward the border for the grand finale of this southern Arizona tour A few miles into my due-south ride on Route 85 I am welcomed to the area by a pair of low-flying fighter jets The roar of F-16s is a reminder that I am now riding near an active Air Force bombing range The ride begins as a lonely and barren desert ride but transforms slowly into a visually stunning roll through a full palate of desert foliage in the shadows of impressive rocky outcroppings saguaros stand like massive exclamation marks as I near Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument My plan is to test the dirt chops of the big GS on a 40-mile loop ride through the heart of the national monument riders on street-only mounts will need to don hiking boots rather than dual-sport tires to explore the area After a quick stop at the park’s visitor center kick my tires and finally begin my ride on the park’s Puerto Blanco Drive The majority of the road is a one-way loop in a counterclockwise direction My ride begins as a fun paved wind through a small portion of the national monument and then the road becomes an intermittent mix of pavement and graded dirt for a stretch of several miles It is as if the road engineers designed a warm-up section for guys on big dual-sports After the last small paved stretch is history there are signs that remind me that I am in an area that requires vigilance the monument’s proximity to the border makes it an active drug and human smuggling zone the loop on which I am embarking was closed for years due to the threat of border violence It has since been deemed safe enough for ingress and exploration whimsical organ pipes and a myriad of other desert plants punctuate the multi-hued environment The northern and western portions of the loop ride prove to be moderately challenging for the big GS and its street-biased tires care and due diligence make the rocky and sandy sections fun and passable Historical sites and geological wonders dot the route The final stretch of the loop on Puerto Blanco Drive is a sandy ride that parallels the U concrete-filled iron pipes line the border to my throttle hand Just past the border barrier is Mexican Federal Highway 2 Tecate beer trucks carry the Mexican-brewed libation along the highway just a long stone’s throw away my dusty BMW rolls back onto Highway 85 just one mile from the border The 40-mile dirt loop was a sometimes challenging always beautiful and thoroughly memorable ride The same could be said about the entirety of the southern Arizona tour This is a ride to be enjoyed in all seasons except the dog days of mid-summer (AP) - Snow was falling early Wednesday in the Tucson area and other communities across southeastern Arizona YES this is southern #Arizona! We’re near #Vail with weather coverage. @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/qEJJVQdGme The state Department of Transportation reported whiteout conditions on State Route 90 near Sierra Vista and said it was sending plows to Interstate 10 in the Benson area The National Weather Service said snowfall by midmorning was beginning to decrease in Nogales in Santa Cruz County but was expected to intensity in Douglas in Cochise County as the morning went on Snowfall also was forecast in the White Mountains of east-central Arizona Forecasters issued a winter storm warning for the region until 5 p.m Residents who live in Sierra Vista Southeast and Hereford don't have many options when it comes to dining particularly picking up a quick bite of fast food most people drive all the way into Sierra Vista to grab a meal or pick something up on the way home Even pizza delivery isn't possible for those who live far enough out of the city limits Picking up food from most fast-food restaurants in and around Sierra Vista means it will likely be cold by the time your family gets the chance to dig in There will finally be another fast-food option on the Sierra Vista giving McDonald's a run for its money. The new Taco Bell is being built in the lot between Papa's 50s Diner and King's Cabinets on Highway 92 near Canyon de Flores The restaurant is expected to be a drive thru and take out only option Taco Bell announced it would be going to a drive thru only model in many of its locations The new Canyon de Flores Taco Bell will follow this model allowing residents to pick up meals on their way home or into town it should provide a little relief for busy families looking for a simple solution to dinner between weeknight practices and marathon homework sessions Construction has begun on the new restaurant but no word yet on when they plan to begin hiring or when they anticipate opening their doors A new Taco Bell is coming to the Sierra Vista area, but the restaurant model will be very different from what we're used to.\nRead More