Gila Valley Rundown

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.