LOOK QUICKLY – This mural on the east wall on the Little Green House in Sanderson has been hidden behind wallboard for years. And
it won’t be around for long. Gary Morgan is removing the building to make room for a proposed convention center and found this mural
when he removed the Styrofoam that covered it. The mural was painted by Harvey Rogers when he used the building as Harvey’s Café in
the 1960s.
MIDLAND – An old-fashioned West Texas dust storm blew through the area – literally – Tuesday, closing roads and limiting visibility
over a wide area and causing at least one fatality.
Over a wider area, tornadoes ravaged parts of Oklahoma, killing eight in Lone Grove
near Ardmore, hometown of Teresa Smith, CEO of Cactus Health Services of Sanderson.
Smith said her family survived the storm but she
did not know if she had friends among the victims.
Four 18-wheel trucks and a Honda Accord were involved in a collision at the height
of the dust storm on Interstate 10 near Balmorhea, killing one and injuring one other.
Terri Logan Trest, 59, of Soley AL, was killed in the accident and her husband, William James Trest, was airlifted to Odessa Medical Center where he was reported in “stable” condition Wednesday.
Some reports had said as many as 15 vehicles were involved but the Department of Public Safety recorded only the five vehicles.
Robert
Halpern, publisher of the Big Bend Sentinel in Marfa, reported that State Highway 17 was closed between Marfa and Fort Davis.
Wind blew over a tractor-trailer, blocking the travel lanes of the highway, he said.
Brewster County Judge
Val Beard
P. O. Box 1630
Alpine, TX 79831
432/819-2412
Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson
201 W. Ave
E.
Alpine, TX 79830
432/837-3488
County Commissioner
Ruben Ortega
P. O. Box 233
Marathon. TX 79842
432-294- J 096
Marathon
ISD Superintendent Conrad Arriola
N. 5th Street
Marathon. TX 79842
432/386-4431
Terrell County Judge
Leo Smith
P. O. Box 4810
432/345-2421
Terrell County Sheriff
Clint McDonald
P. O. Box 320
Sanderson, TX 79848
432/345-2525
Terrell County
ISD Superintendent
Gary Hamilton
P.O. Box 747
Sanderson, TX 79848
432/345-2515
‘Seed’ money sought
SANDERSON – The Terrell County Commissioners Court voted 3-1 Monday to apply for a $200,000 matching grant from the US Department of Agriculture to be used as “seed money” to grow new and existing businesses.
“We need to try to stimulate the growth of Sanderson and Terrell County,” County Judge Leo Smith said. “Towns and other communities all around us are doing it.”
Read more...Defense of fire threat suggested
SANDERSON – With a scant 12 hundredths of an inch of rain all year here and high winds, fire danger throughout Southwest Texas is extremely high this year.
“This fire season, perhaps landowners should to take a ‘defensive driving’ perspective on fire prevention and control,” County AgriLife Extension Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent Mark Carroll said.
Read more...PCSB new TC ‘depository’
SANDERSON – Pecos County State Bank is now the depository on record for Terrell County and Permanent School Funds after action Monday by County Commissioners Court.
Sanderson State Bank had the contract before it was closed in December and its assets taken over by Pecos County State Bank.
Read more...By MARK GLOVER
Contributing Editor
BIG BEND – The annual Pioneer Reunion at Panther Junction in the Big Bend National Park Saturday focused for the first time in its 20-year history on the Mexican side of the story.
Recounting the pioneer experiences of Mexican Families on both sides of the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande, speaker by speaker offered untold and often sensitive stories of the relationships of Mexicans with Anglos, blacks and Indians in the Big Bend.
Read more...Cancer ‘relay’ set for April 17
ALPINE – The American Cancer Society will sign up volunteers for its Cancer Prevention Study-3 at the Relay for Life here from 6 to 10 p.m. April 17, at Jackson Field at Sul Ross State University.
Anyone between the ages of 30 and 65 who has never been diagnosed with cancer and who will commit to the study for the long term may sign up.
Read more...Chili supper date set
SANDERSON – The Band Boosters have set the date for the annual Chili Super this year, to be from 6 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24.
This is the biggest fundraiser for the boosters, with funds providing a scholarship for a deserving senior or seniors.
Read more...
WASHINGTON, DC – US Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez plans a stop in Sanderson Monday on a swing through his district during President’s week.
Rodriguez will at the Round House Café from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday.
He will meet with constituents to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, military and veteran’s issues and other concerns about the economy including rising food prices, and job security.
“It’s important to me to visit with people from all over my district to tell
Read more...
SAN ANGELO – Georgianna Escamilla-Valdez of San Angelo, daughter of Diana Escamilla of Sanderson, has been nominated to attend the
International Scholar Laureate Program Delegation on Nursing in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa this summer.
The nomination states she was chosen based on her exemplary leadership skills and outstanding academic performance as a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.
Read more...
‘Windmill' seen for TC landfill
SANDERSON – Wind-generated energy was one possible solution to putting a building at the Terrell County Landfill to house the landfill attendant who also serves as the animal control officer.
The building would house the animal control facility, letting the dual purpose officer have an office for both of his responsibilities.
Read more...By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manager
SANDERSON – The Sanderson Eagles took on the Buena Vista Longhorns in the final game of the
regular season Friday.
The girls barely lost in a nail biting 45-43 final that had the crowd on the edge of their seats or on their
feet.
With 30 seconds left, the Eagles pulled within a point but then lost by two.
Read more...SJHS girls in third place
SANDERSON – The Sanderson Junior High girls came out third in the district championship but the boy’s team
was eliminated last weekend.
In the first round, the girls defeated the Longhorns from Buena Vista by a score of 24-19.
Melissa Gonzales held high score with 10 points.
Read more...SANDERSON – Sanderson Elementary and Junior High School students have agreed on “Toys Go Out” by Emily Jenkins as a nomination for the Texas Bluebonnet book festival, announced this week.
Elementary students picked the book as first place. Runner up was “Lawn Boy” by Gary Paulsen.
Read more...Lock in
college costs now
AUSTIN – Enrollment ends this month for a chance to lock in the cost of college.
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs reminded parents that the current enrollment period ends Feb. 28 for the Texas Tuition Promise Fund, the state’s new prepaid college tuition program.
Enrollment opened in September for the program, which allows families to lock in college tuition and required fees at current prices of Texas public colleges
Read more...Beware, it’s Friday the 13th
By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manger
For the superstitious, today is Friday the 13th, an event that will appear two more times this year.
“Experts” – if there can be such a thing as a “Friday the 13th expert” – say this is the most widespread superstition in the United States today.
Read more...SANDERSON – It’s time once again for the annual History Fair and a total of 30 students from Sanderson High School and Junior High
will participate this year.
The statewide theme for this year’s fair is individual history.
From the junior high, Mason Blackmon will prepare an individual documentary on World War II Fleet Commander Adm. Chester Nimitz.
Read more...ALPINE – Eight Sanderson High School students participated in “Sully Super Saturday” at Sul Ross State University here over the weekend.
Making the trip were Jonathan Calzada, Casey Couch, Lindsey Deason, L.A. Galvan, Brianna Johnson, Taylor Johnson, Alan Marquez and Ernestina Gonzales.
Read more...Eagle boys win, girls lose
By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manager
Ari Ybarra of Monahans played a French horn solo and participated in ensemble in the Monahans Band competition Saturday.
Ari played “Dance of the Bears” for her solo and received a division I, which allowed her to earn her letter.
Read more...Texas involved in giant telescope
AUSTIN – The University of Texas at Austin and McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis have joined with eight other astronomical research organizations from three continents in signing the Founders’ Agreement to construct and operate the 25-meter Giant Magellan Telescope at Las Campañas Observatory in the Andes Mountains of Chile.
Read more...Writer Round Up set
ALPINE – Writers will gather for the 18th Annual Writers Round-Up April 24, 25 and 26 at the Paisano Baptist Encampment
between here and Marfa.
Professional authors highlighting the retreat will include Dr. Barney Nelson, creative non-fiction writing professor at Sul Ross State University and author of numerous books on the west illustrated with her own photography.
Read more...Evening of arts to feature soprano
ALPINE – The Sul Ross State University Concert Artist Series will feature soprano Dr. Jamie Reimer as part of the Evening of the Arts series at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, in Marshall Auditorium.
Read more...SANDERSON – Friends, co- workers and neighbors chipped in more than $1,800 Monday to help pay medical expanses for one of Sanderson’s
newest residents.
Kodi Alana Dominguez was born to Mark and Kim Dominguez on Dec. 27, about three months premature.
Read more...Ari excels at band competition
By MARK GLOVER
Contributing Editor
BIG BEND – They rode through the narrow passage in the hot, dry desplobado, the scope of their European
garments long since reached as they sweated what little fluid remained in their gaunt frames.
“Agua,” the head rider spoke just above a whisper.
Read more...By JASON HENNINGTON
Sul Ross News Writer
ALPINE – This city’s Centennial School building provided a “picture perfect” setting for a donation to Sul Ross State University.
Alpine Chamber of Commerce manager and local artist J.R. Smith painted a portrait of the Centennia
Read more...HELLO, MOM? – Terrell County Sheriff Clint McDonald tried out a new telephone in the county jail this week. Inmate Communications
provided the telephone for inmates, freeing jail personnel from having to watch as a prisoner makes his state-mandated phone calls.
The telephone accepts only collect or pre-paid calls and the county reaps 43 percent of the fee.
GEARUP GIRLS – Brianna Johnson, left, and Taylor Johnson, no relation, were among eight Sanderson GEARUP students who attended “Sully
Super Saturday” at Sul Ross State University Saturday. The program started when the students were seventh graders in 2005 and will
follow them through graduation in 2011 and on to college. See story below.
GEARUP BOYS – Four boys, from left, Jonathon Calzada, Casey Couch, L.A. Galvan and Alan Marquez were among eight Sanderson GEARUP
students who attended “Sully Super Saturday” at Sul Ross State University Saturday. The program started when the students were seventh
graders in 2005 and will follow them through graduation in 2011 and on to college.
Photo by Annette Harris
TRAVIS UP – Sanderson Eagle Travis Roberts added to his already significant height by leaping for a shot in
the basketball game against Buena Vista Friday. Phillip Lascano, 10, looked on. Longhorn Joey Acosta, 23, tried to block the shot
while Kolton Reid, 25, Adrian Perales 33, and Eric Gomez, 13, looked on. The Eagles won 64-53 in spite of four three-pointers among
14 points by the diminutive Eric.
GEARUP GIRLS – Lindsey Deason and Ernestina Gonzales were among eight Sanderson GEARUP students who attended “Sully Super Saturday”
at Sul Ross State University Saturday. The program started when the students were seventh graders in 2005 and will follow them through
graduation in 2011 and on to college.
PROGRESS – Second Street in Sanderson was blocked for a while Monday as workmen poured flooring for the new high school addition to
the Sanderson Junior High School building. The work is part of a $14 million bond issue approved by Terrell County ISD voters in May,
2007.
PROFESSOR PAUL – Paul Briones of San Antonio, a science teacher and host of the “Professor Paul 24-7 Show,” was a speaker at the annual
Pioneer Reunion at Panther Junction in the Big Bend National Park Saturday. The discussion focused for the first time in its 20-year
history on the Mexican side of the story. Briones said the story had been known only to “our grandmothers” but is now coming to light.
VIEW FROM THE GAP – This view of the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park was taken from Persimmon Gap. The gap and the nearby
Chisos and Caballos Mountains tell a geologic story that goes back some 300 million years, give or take a few weeks.
KODI’S KIN – Mother and sisters of Kodi Dominguez presided at a benefit dinner Sunday to offset expenses incurred with Kodi’s premature
birth. Posing with pictures of Kodi and her dad Mark were, from left, Kailey, Kylie and mom Kim.
ENDOWMENT – A portrait of Centennial School painted by J.R. Smith will benefit the Centennial School Endowment. Prints will be sold
with proceeds going to the fund. The school was acquired by Sul Ross State University in 2001 after serving the Alpine ISD for more
than 50 years.
YOUNG READERS – Taking part in Sanderson Elementary School’s Bluebonnet book festival this month included, from left, Hunter Truesdell,
Noah Aguilar and Lauryn Carroll.
JUNIOR READERS – Sanderson Junior High School readers participating in the Bluebonnet book festival this week included, from left,
Danielle Fisher, Ashley Barron, Mason Blackmon, Abby Carrasco, Jalen Chriesman and Joey Carrasco.
BLUEBONNET READERS – Jesse Roberts, right, read all 20 books in a list of books in the Bluebonnet book festival recently. Also taking
part, from left, were Olivia Adauto, James Castro, and Valentine Shindel. Elias Hafner, front, clowned for the camera.
