Gila Valley Rundown

EAC Helps Entrepreneurs Turn Ideas Into Action & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0700

A good business idea may get you started, but at Eastern Arizona College, one local program is helping Gila Valley entrepreneurs figure out what it takes to make that idea last.

Limited Visibility Preceded Fatal Morenci Mine Crash & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:28:19 -0700

This week: Heavy dust and limited visibility are emerging as significant factors in the July haul-truck crash that killed a longtime Morenci mine employee.

Graham County Backs Major Mining Land Swap & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: Graham County is backing a major federal land exchange tied to Freeport-McMoRan’s local mining operations — but county leaders say the deal needs safeguards for water, taxes, roads and public access before it moves ahead.

South32’s Hermosa Project Moves Forward & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 05:25:12 -0700

South32’s Hermosa Critical Minerals Project has cleared its final federal hurdle, opening the way for work on and beneath Coronado National Forest land near Patagonia.

Multiple Charges Follow Mount Graham Confrontation & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0700

A woman is facing multiple charges after a domestic dispute on Mount Graham that authorities say involved a knife, a damaged vehicle and conflicting reports of what happened.

Thatcher Teen Missing for Nearly a Month & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0700

A Thatcher teenager has now been missing for nearly a month, and his family is asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement.

Ranching Community Rallies Around Local Family & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: The southeastern Arizona ranching community came together at the Willcox Livestock Auction, raising more than 49-thousand dollars for a local family facing a devastating medical diagnosis.

Family’s Restored Property Ravaged by Monsoon & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0700

A powerful monsoon storm near Safford tore apart portions of a family’s home, crushed their car and scattered dozens of chickens after nearly two years of work restoring the property.

Richard Mack Reflects on Public Service & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: Former Graham County Sheriff Richard Mack is back with a new book, reflecting on constitutional government, national politics and the experiences that shaped his years in public service.

Local Food Initiative Earns Top Regional Honor & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:00:00 -0700

A Graham County business focused on strengthening the local food system has won the region’s top entrepreneurial prize and is now headed to a statewide competition.

Pima Considers Major Housing Development & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:02:16 -0700

This week: A proposed 120-home subdivision could bring new families, businesses and amenities to Pima as growth continues across the Gila Valley.

Safford Burglary Investigation Ends in Standoff & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: A burglary investigation in Safford turned into an hours-long standoff after a suspect barricaded himself inside a mobile home and refused repeated orders to surrender.

Greenlee County Drug Raid Leads to Three Arrests & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: A Greenlee County drug investigation that began with neighborhood complaints ended in a late-night raid, three arrests, and the seizure of cocaine, methamphetamine, cash and a firearm.

https://www.eacourier.com/news/three-arrested-after-greenlee-drug-investigation-raid/article_f4fa2728-7fc6-44d8-9460-d33f3d672d65.html

Court Upholds 20-Year Sentence for Morales & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: An Arizona appeals court has upheld Marty Morales Junior’s convictions and 20-year prison sentence for assaulting Graham County deputies during a 2024 arrest.

Morenci Dad Works From Afar as Son Awaits Transplant & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:00:00 -0700

Morenci miner Nick Beagley works hours away from his family while his 2-year-old son, Caspian, waits in Phoenix for a lifesaving kidney transplant.
Read more

Safford’s Gaethje Claims UFC Title & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: Safford’s own Justin Gaethje turned the White House lawn into the biggest stage of his career, capturing the undisputed UFC lightweight title in a stunning late-career triumph.

From Safford to the UFC’s Unusual Championship & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: Safford’s Justin Gaethje is taking his hometown pride to one of the most unusual championship stages in UFC history.

https://www.eacourier.com/sports/saffords-gaethje-fights-for-ufc-title-on-white-house-lawn-next-sunday/article_627a535a-ddae-45b6-a61f-641376795a5a.html

Graham County’s New Chamber Hire & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: A new Graham County Chamber hire is bringing military, mining, and data experience to a role focused on improving operations and community support.
Read more: https://www.eacourier.com/news/new-chamber-hire-brings-service-minded-approach-to-graham-county/article_e3606934-da93-423e-b35c-b33ca65ee6b0.html

A Fish Die-Off at Cluff Ranch Ponds & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 27 May 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: Heat, algae blooms, and low oxygen levels caused a major fish die-off at Cluff Ranch Ponds near Pima, delaying plans to develop the area into a strong largemouth bass fishing spot.
Read more: https://www.eacourier.com/news/heat-and-algae-bloom-blamed-for-fish-die-off-at-cluff-ranch-ponds/article_460ab4a7-596c-4df2-9bab-042c8c4b671a.html

Safford ECE’s Standout Year & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 20 May 2026 02:00:00 -0700

Safford High’s Early Childhood Education program is celebrating two new CDA-certified seniors and one freshman national FCCLA qualifier.

How Sarah’s Bull Pen Shows Up for the Community & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 13 May 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: Sarah Henderson turned Sarah’s Bull Pen in Safford into more than a bar, using it as a community hub for fundraising, mentorship, safety, and carrying on her family’s legacy.

Safford Spring Festival Hits a New High & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 06 May 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: The 2026 Safford Spring Festival had its best year yet, boosted by good weather, expanded grounds, new attractions, strong vendor activity, and growing support for local businesses.

Looking Back at 40 Years of GVAC & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: The Gila Valley Arts Council is celebrating 40 years of bringing performing arts to the community, reaching tens of thousands of children and helping to strengthen arts education across the Valley.

Thatcher’s Corner Farmers Market Takes Off & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: Thatcher’s Corner Farmers Market has quickly grown from 15 vendors to a full 50-vendor monthly event, giving local entrepreneurs, including kids, an affordable place to build small businesses.

De Paulo Named National Coach of the Year & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0700

Eastern Arizona College coach Angelica de Paulo was named 2026 NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year after leading the Gila Monsters to a 33-2 record and their first national championship.

Appeals judges review Van Raam conviction in Safford & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0700

Douglas Van Raam is serving a 7.5-year prison sentence in the 2023 Safford case, where police shot him after an armed confrontation. The Arizona Court of Appeals is now set to review his conviction after the April 9th deadline.

“No Kings” Protest Draws Crowd in Safford & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:00:00 -0700

More than 60 people joined Safford’s “No Kings” protest over the weekend on Highway 70 to voice opposition to the Trump administration.

Duncan opens a new skate park at Veterans Park & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: Duncan’s new skate park is opening as part of a broader effort to bring Veterans Park back into shape for the people who use it.

Tournament of the Copper Rose Fills Thatcher Park & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: The Tournament of the Copper Rose recently turned Thatcher Park into a stage for pageantry, swordplay, and hands-on history. Plus what’s happening in the days ahead and our top headlines.
Read more: https://www.eacourier.com/

5K Raises $15K for 9-Year-Old Cancer Patient & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:00:00 -0700

This week: A Safford nine-year-old has been in cancer treatment since October. Last month, over 150 runners raised $15,000 to help his family cover the cost… plus what’s happening in the days ahead and our top headlines.

Culver’s Breaks Ground in Thatcher & What’s Coming Up Around the Gila Valley

EA Media — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 04:22:22 -0800

This week: Culver’s broke ground on a new restaurant in Thatcher that’s expected to open by mid-summer… plus what’s happening in the days ahead and our top headlines.