Audubon Certification effort gains momentum at Pusch Ridge Golf Course Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf report steady progress toward Audubon Sanctuary certification, an effort that blends environmental stewardship with community involvement. Volunteers and course staff are working through 18 identified projects, ranging from wildlife and habitat inventories to water conservation planning and public education. New signage, plans for bat and bird houses, a proposed butterfly garden, and outreach to nearby HOAs and the Oro Valley Town Council all point to a long-term commitment to improving environmental practices on the course. With the planning phase complete and six certification categories still ahead, organizers describe growing momentum and continue to welcome volunteers to help move the effort forward. (Source: Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf January newsletter)
Fiber expansion moves into contract phase at Rancho Vistoso
The January Vistoso Community Association newsletter highlights an important next step in bringing fiber-optic service to Rancho Vistoso. After the Town approved Ripple and Wyyerd to install the “last mile” of fiber, the VCA Board is now negotiating contracts with both companies to protect HOA infrastructure in the public rights-of-way, including landscaping, decorative rock, and irrigation systems. The Board is scheduled to vote on the contract language at its January 29 meeting, a decision that will help shape how high-speed internet is rolled out while safeguarding community assets. (Source: Community Association January newsletter)
The Town of Oro Valley has released its Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, offering residents a clear and accessible overview of the Town’s financial position. Unlike the more detailed and technical Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the PAFR summarizes key information such as revenues, expenditures, net assets, debt, financial ratings, and historical trends in a format designed for the general public. The report is intended to help residents better understand how the Town is managing its finances. Download the report here. (Source: Town of Oro Valley media release)
ASDB move to Copper Creek Elementary causes “Heartburn” for ASDB families
Plans to relocate the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) Tucson campus to the soon-to-be-closed Copper Creek Elementary has created frustration and concern among ASDB families and students. After the Amphitheater School District voted to close Copper Creek and ASDB signed a five-year lease to operate there, many ASDB parents said they felt shocked and dismayed by both the closure and relocation announcement and expressed uncertainty about how the transition will affect their children’s education. At Monday's community meeting, ASDB parents voiced disappointment that the session ended early amid heated exchanges, saying they left with more questions than answers about services, transportation and the future of specialized support. The session ended early after parent emotions ran high and the discussion became heated, prompting organizers to close the meeting before all questions from families could be addressed. Some parents said they were skeptical about how ASDB’s collaboration with local districts will work and worried about accessibility challenges for families who rely on consistent, tailored support as their children adjust to the new campus setting. Families also raised concern that the move would separate deaf and blind students who are currently educated together on the Tucson campus, disrupting long-standing programs and peer support networks. It is alleged that only deaf students will attend Copper Creek and that visually impaired students will go to a cluster site at TUSD. (Source: Various local news reports)
Oro Valley business growth and community planning advance side by side
Recent Town updates point to steady economic activity alongside continued community planning. In December, Oro Valley issued eight new business licenses spanning storefront, office, and home-based enterprises, while several tenant improvement permits signal new activity at key centers such as Oro Valley Marketplace. At the same time, construction continues on the 320-unit Oro Valley Marketplace Apartments, with utilities underway and a pedestrian tunnel nearing completion. These development updates appear alongside reminders in the Town’s Vista newsletter encouraging resident participation in long-range efforts such as the OV Trails Connect Master Plan and the Path Forward process, reflecting a parallel focus on near-term growth and long-term community priorities: (Source: Town of Oro Valley, January 2026 Economic Development Update and January/February 2026 Vista Newsletter)
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