HISTORIC WORK – Sanderson High School History Fair participants, from left, Ernestina Gonzales, Brianna Johnson, Kelly Lomas, Lindsey
Deason and Taylor Johnson took Best of Show and first place at the History Fair last week. The kids presented a documentary on singer
Johnny Cash.
SANDERSON – The question in essence was do you first decide what you want and then figure how to pay for it or do you decide how much
you have to spend and then figure out what you want.
The debate took more than an hour during a special Terrell County Commissioners
Court meeting Monday after County Judge Leo Smith suggested inviting Doug Sigel of Scott, Douglass & McConnico of Austin to meet
with commissioners.
Smith said Sigel told him the county could solve a financing conundrum by “splitting” the property set aside for
the convention center, thus allowing it to use “venue tax” receipts for part of it and county funds for the rest.
Smith wanted to invite
Sigel to meet with commissioners and explain financing options.
Attorney General Greg Abbott ruled in 2004 the county could use the
voter-approved venue tax “only” in connection with a “convention center.”
Smith said state law did not allow “co-mingling” of venue
tax funds with other county money and there was not enough in the venue tax fund to build a facility he would like to see.
He said the county could borrow funds against future venue tax receipts but, as a practical matter, that could not work.
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
By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manager
ALPINE – Two Sanderson High School groups won “2009 Best of Show” this year at the Regional
History Fair when judges couldn’t decide on one winner.
The honors come complete with a trip to Austin for state competition and a $500 scholarship to attend Sul Ross State University, where the regional competition was held.
Read more...By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manager
IMPERIAL - The Sanderson Eagles boys won first place and Eagle girls were second at the Longhorn Relays here last weekend.
Scoring the most points for the guys was Phillip Lascano, who won first place in the triple jump event soaring 39 feet, four inches and first place in the pole vault competition, clearing 11 feet, three inches.
Read more...RANKIN – Juliana Castro of Sanderson High School was named to the All Star Cast for her performance in the One Act Play at the zone
competition here this week.
Juliana played Delores Cantu in the play entitled “Our Lady of the Tortilla.”
The Sanderson offering was named alternate behind Comstock and Grandfalls at the UIL meet in Rankin this week.
Read more...‘Visitor Guide’ goes to press
SANDERSON – Terrell County Commissioners Monday approved a $6,035.52 bid from San Antonio Press for printing
of 10,000 copies of a full-color Visitor Guide featuring Terrell County attractions and services.
The 48-page magazine would be an update of the popular guide first produced by the Community Development Association but which has not been updated for several years.
Read more...Observatory open house planned
FORT DAVIS – The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory here plans an open house next week
as part of the Observatory’s year-long celebration of the International Year of Astronomy.
The open house will be from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the campus here. Admission is free.
Read more...Arts Evening tonight
ALPINE – Tenor Dr. Donald Callen Freed and pianist Dr. Justin Badgerow will give a recital as part of the Evening
of the Arts series at 6:30 p.m. tonight, March 27, in the Studio Theatre at the Francois Fine Arts Building.
The program will feature the Dichterliebe by Robert Schumann, a cycle of 16 songs with texts by Heinrich Heine.
Read more...Miriam second at tennis
BIG LAKE – Sanderson’s Miriam Nuñez placed second while Vicky Busch came in third place in girl’s singles at
the tennis tournament here this week.
In boy’s doubles, Casey Couch and L.A. Galvan placed fourth and Travis Roberts and Jacob Benavidez won consolation.
Read more...SANDERSON – The Terrell County Commissioners Court took a break from a special session Monday to tour the volunteer fire station.
Fire Chief Bobby Brotherton showed off the improvements to the extended building which he said saved the county more than $50,000 by using volunteer workers to build it with material supplied by the county.
Read more...SANDERSON – Fort Stockton city officials inspected the “Playscape” at Terrell County‘s Bicentennial Park here Monday with an eye to
putting something similar at a Fort Stockton swimming pool.
Terrell County acquired the facility that lets children play in various water jets they can turn on and off during hot summer months.
Read more...‘Trash-Off’ next week
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation said this week it hopes to gather more litter during the “Don’t
Mess with Texas Trash-Off” on Saturday, April 4.
During the event, volunteers across the state will clean roadsides, parks, waterways
and neighborhoods.
The Sanderson Chamber of Commerce, among other groups, plans to do its part. Members will meet at the Chamber’s stretch of US 285 starting about five miles north of Sanderson.
Read more...Sul Ross creates Evans scholarship
ALPINE – Sul Ross State University has established the J. Pat Evans Scholarship and Excellence Fund.
The account was established this month for the purpose of awarding scholarships and financial support to the Sul Ross Athletic Training Program and participating students.
Read more...Legion hosts dinner
SANDERSON – Texas Post 160 of the American Legion and the Legion Auxiliary last week treated seniors and new arrivals to Sanderson with a free spaghetti dinner served with salad, garlic bread, iced tea and desserts.
“Once again those in attendance brought their appetites and appreciation,” said Legion Adjutant Bill Hawn. “The county provided the senior bus, driven by Ron Valdez, to get attendees to and from the Legion Hall.”
Read more...JHS girls second at meet
IMPERIAL – The Fisher sisters and Melissa Gonzales paced the Sanderson Junior High Eagles girls to a second
place overall at the Buena Vista track meet here last week.
Danielle Fisher placed first in both the 200-meter dash with a time of 30.72 and the 400-meter dash, clocking in at 1:06.75.
Read more...Fort Davis bill approved
WASHINGTON, DC – US Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez has announced passage of HR 146, The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, which included language for the Fort Davis Historic site.
The bill includes more than 70 measures from the 110th Congress that had previously passed the House
Read more...Grant funds scholarships
ALPINE – Sul Ross State University has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Greater Texas Foundation to fund the 2009 Generation Proud Scholarship Program.
The grant will provide 25 $1,000 scholarships to first-generation students for the 2009-10 academic year.
Read more...By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manager
SANDERSON – Beth Drake came here on a vacation and “loved it” so she decided to stay.
She came to us a while back from Stanwood, MI, and was recently hired as the new EMS secretary.
Read more...AT ALTITUDE – Sanderson High School senior Phillip Lascano won first place in the pole vault competition at the Longhorn Relays in
Imperial Saturday, clearing 11 feet, three inches. He also placed first in the triple jump event soaring 39 feet, four inches as the
Eagle boys racked up another first place overall.
OOPS – Beverly Barnes, portrayed by Blakeney Chriesman, accidentally took a bite out of the sacred tortilla that the Virgin Mary appeared
on in the play Our Lady of the Tortilla. Dahlia Cruz, played by Julianna Larrinaga, consoled Aunt Delores Cantu played by Juliana
Castro while Tim Hopkins as Nelson Cruz looked on.
FOR SHAME – Nelson Cruz, played by Tim Hopkins, was embarrassed by his family in front of his girlfriend Beverly Barnes, portrayed
by Blakeney Chriesman. Looking on were Juliana Castro as Delores Cantu and David Shoemaker as Eddy Cruz. The One Act Play cast performed
the play this week for the community.
ON TOUR – Terrell County Assistant Fire Chief Richard Montalvo explained improvements to the fire station additions to County Commissioners
Yolanda Lopez, left, and Della Fuentes Monday. The court recessed from its special meeting to tour improvements to the station performed
by volunteers, saving the county more than $50,000.
BARGAIN BUY – This pumper was on display at the Terrell County Volunteer Fire Department Monday when county commissioners toured the
extended building. The truck with 23,000 miles on the odometer was acquired from Fort Stockton for $10,000. It carries enough hose
to reach every house in town from a fire hydrant.
PLAYSCAPE TOUR – Fort Stockton city officials inspected the Terrell County “playscape” this week. Recreation Director Paul Casias,
left, and Mayor Ruben Falcon met with Terrell County Swimming Pool Supervisor Mike Sanchez while Fort Stockton Street and Parks Supervisor
Ed Muñoz looked on.
DRIVE IN – This house belonging to Andy and Valerie Romo and daughter Arissa in Monahans was heavily damaged recently when a
pickup driven by a drunk driver smashed into it recently. The dining area and den were completely destroyed. Damage was estimated
at $50,000 but no one was injured. Andy Romo is the son of Josie Hernandez of Monahans and grandson of Tony and Edelmira Calzada
of Sanderson.
AT THE TAPE – Darren Seidel beat Cito Hernandez of Marathon in the 4 X 200-meter relay race last weekend in Imperial. Darren and his
team placed fourth and the Mustangs were fifth in the race. Sanderson placed first overall in the meet.
MILE RUN – Angelina Hopkins won the 1600-meter run at the Longhorn Relays last weekend in Imperial. The Eagle girls placed second
and the boys first at the Longhorn Relays. The teams head to Grandfalls tomorrow, March 28, for the Gusher Relays.
SHOWIN’ SOME LOVE – Ernestina Gonzales, left, and Juliana Castro showed some love to Slapjack, aka, Kenneth Little, at the Jackalope
hockey game last weekend. The Eagle band was invited to perform and was glad to oblige. Slapjack is the Jackalope mascot. Yes, that’s
supposed to be a Jackalope.
By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manager
ODESSA – A funny thing happened last weekend. The Sanderson Eagle band went to a fight and
a hockey game broke out.
The band was invited to play at an Odessa Jackalopes hockey game as they faced the Laredo Bucks.
Read more...'Turkey Fest’ feeds fish at the fort
SHEFFIELD – An estimate 320 people feasted on a free fish dinner with all the trimmings at the first annual “Turkey Fest” at Fort Lancaster State Historic Site Saturday.
The “Turkey Fest” is sponsored by the Friends of Fort Lancaster and the Crockett County Dear Fest.
Read more...Trial set in Marathon death
ALPINE – T.J. Dunlap, 68, of Presidio will go on trial April 27 for murder here in the death last year of Richard Lyn Purdy, 48, of Lubbock in downtown Marathon.
The shooting occurred after the running of the Big Bend Open Road Race between Sanderson and Fort Stockton.
Read more...MEET THE JACKALOPE – Sanderson High School Band Director Eric Cooksey said hello to Jackalope mascot Slapjack at the hockey game Saturday.
The Eagle band was invited to perform at the game, which was almost a free-for-all with fights throughout. But band members all got
along.
LONG VISIT – Beth Drake told “Cactus Chat” this week she came to Sanderson on vacation and “loved it” so much, she decided to move
here. Drake has been hired as a part-time secretary to Terrell County Emergency Medical Service to help bring records up to date.
Her kids will contribute three to Terrell County School’s enrollment.
Career Fair next week
ALPINE – The Career Life Center at Sul Ross State University will host its 2009 Spring Career Fair here Tuesday, April 7.
The fair, featuring a wide range of employers, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Espino Conference Center, located on the second floor of the University Center.
Read more...‘Skywarn’ training set next week
ALPINE – The Big Bend Amateur Radio Club will host “Skyward” training by the National Weather Service next week.
The training by the NWS Midland Office will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in Room 201 of the Warnock Science Building on the Sul Ross State University campus
Read more...COUNTY ANNEX – Terrell County Commissioners Monday agreed to tender an offer to the US Border Patrol for its old facility west of
Town & Country in west Sanderson Monday. The Patrol vacated the old station when it built a new one in Lomita Terrace further
west. The county could use the building as an ambulance station, record storage or just more office space.
