Gila Valley Rundown

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.

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.

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.

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.

This week: A proposed 120-home subdivision could bring new families, businesses and amenities to Pima as growth continues across the Gila Valley.Read more: https://www.eacourier.com/news/morales-loses-appeal-of-convictions-for-assaulting-deputies/article_ebe10c39-af19-42a6-a6b9-5037b27230b8.html

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.Read more: https://www.eacourier.com/news/burglary-suspect-barricades-self-inside-trailer-before-tear-gas-deployed/article_54351e8f-cb56-4775-bcca-baf993b6563e.html 

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 

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.Read more

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

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

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

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 

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

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.Read more: https://www.eacourier.com/news/a-passion-to-pour-sarahs-bull-pen-owner-sarah-henderson-has-built-more-than-a/article_971b4f0c-1934-4dd5-821b-94018d217454.html

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.Read more: https://www.eacourier.com/

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/ 

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.

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.