ODESSA – The federal “stimulus” package has freed up funding for a complete rebuild of US Highway 385 between Marathon and Fort Stockton, a road that has been heavily damaged by oilfield traffic.

Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Glen Larum told the News Leader the project has been completed and some $2.4 million in stimulus maintenance money will allow the work to be done.

“Everything is ready to go,” he said. “It is just sitting on the shelf waiting for the money.”

The Road Runner Open Road Race between Fort Stockton and Marathon in October, a spinoff of the popular Big Bend Open Road Race to Sanderson, was canceled partly because of the condition of the highway.

Larum said with money available, the project now is ready to go to bid.

Money for another area project was freed up by a state Safety Bond program first approved in 2003.

The TxDOT will build a “grade separation” at US 285 and Ranch Road 1776 about 15 miles north of Fort Stockton, the scene of several fatal accidents.

The state put up a four-way stop at the intersection in 2007 after a rash of fatalities but Larum said the four-way stop is only a “stopgap” measure.

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

MARATHON – The First United Methodist Church here hosted a community-wide pancake supper commemorating Shrove Tuesday last week, a day of special significance to many Christian congregations.

The word “shrove” is the past tense of the English verb “shrive,” a term which is perhaps foreign to most people of today.

It which means to receive absolution for one’s sins by means of confession and showing one’s sincerity by doing penance.     

Kids do well at relays

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

FORT STOCKTON – Mustang Junior Cito Hernandez ran a personal best in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.88 seconds as did his freshman teammate Edward Gonzales, who ran a 12.2 at the Comanche Relays here Saturday.

Rounding out the Mustang team effort were freshman Omar Grano in the 200, freshman Zach Gonzales in the 100 and the 200 and sophomore Jerek Lara in the middle distance events, the 400 and the 800. 

BCHC visits South County

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

ALPINE – The Brewster County Historical Commission sponsored a field trip to the southern portion of the county Saturday where approximately 40 people visited the old San Vicente town site as well as both the north and south cemeteries.

Former school teacher Melissa Forsyth of Terlingua pointed out the location of the foundation of the old school building which once stood at the site.

BCHC President Travis Roberts provided information on the old Comanche Indian Trail, which was also in the same vicinity.     

      Second ‘mixer’ at Pitaya verde

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

MARATHON – The second Chamber of Commerce “Mixer” was at Pi­taya verde, Marathon’s new store featuring “eclectic west­ern” clothing for both men and women, last week.

At their January meeting, the Marathon Chamber of Com­merce decided to host a social mixer each month, which would highlight a busi­ness in Marathon. 

Vinegaroon, scorpion square off

By MARK GLOVER

Contributing Editor

“Three bucks on the scorpion.” A bearded hombre waved his cash in the crowd as the greasy flow of the Rio Grande slapped at the pebbled banks of the island on which they stood.

“Got a buck here.”

The dealer grabbed the bill from the bettor’s hand and moved to the next.

Pastor, Marathon Baptist Church

MARATHON – Memorizing Bible verses is something Christians are often challenged to do.

You might remember going to Sunday school or vacation Bible school as a kid and learning a Bible verse to get a prize of some sort.

Unfortunately, we probably memorized those verses just long enough to get a prize and then quickly lost track of them.

I have been taught that scripture memory is an important discipline in the Christian walk.

               Library Friend

Several weeks ago, I told you that I had become a fan of Barbara Delinsky after I had read “The Secret Between Us,” her newest book. 

Last week, I went to the library to see what other books of hers were available and one entitled “Family Tree” captured my attention.

I must confess that I found this one as difficult to put down as the other one. 

Ordinarily that is not a bad thing. However, these days although I am officially “retired,” I find myself with four part-time jobs so I have to leave myself some time to actually work.