Gila Valley Rundown

A former Graham County sheriff’s deputy could lose his Arizona peace officer certification after an internal GPS review documented nearly one thousand incidents of excessive speeding in just 76 days.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.