Travis sets regional record

LEVELLAND – Travis Roberts of Sanderson qualified for state and is the new regional record holder in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 9:49.75, set at the regional meet here this week.

He also placed first in the 1,600–meter run with a time of 4:35.15.

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

SANDERSON – The West of the Pecos Motorcycle Run last weekend brought a number of bikers to Sanderson, hosted by Bastardos Malos of Del Rio.

Clad only in their underwear, Enrique Hernandez of Ciudad Acuña raced wheel-to-wheel against Jay Kelly to see who could go the slowest and Hernandez, like he has for several years, came out ahead – or was that behind? Hernandez is president of the Aztec Angels.

CHSI gets new boss

SANDERSON – Alex Gonzales of Fort Stockton is the new acting executive director of the Cactus Health Services in Sanderson and Fort Stockton.

Gonzales has had this title here for the past month.

Band concert set Thursday

SANDERSON – The Sanderson High School Band will perform a band concert at the High School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 13.

Band Director Eric Cooksey said the concert will include all grade levels.

SANDERSON — Children from Sanderson and the surrounding area learned fishing basics and reeled in fish for prizes during the Kid Fish event Saturday at The Nature Conservancy of Texas’ Independence Creek Preserve.

More than 90 children, parents and volunteers participated in the event, which included programs such as angler education, fish identification, game laws and herpetology.

ODESSA – Fourth grader Jacob Luevano of Sanderson won both gold and bronze medals at the Special Olympics here Saturday, winning gold for the second year in a row.

Jacob came in first in the softball throw, receiving the gold medal at Ratliff Stadium.

Fifth Graders ‘ace’ TAKS

SANDERSON – All Sanderson Elementary School fifth graders passed their TAKS tests last week.

The 100-percent passing rate for Beth Hamilton’s class was achieved in both the reading and math TAKS tests.

FORT STOCKTON - Edward Goebel, an engineer with roots in the region, has been selected as the new area engineer in the Texas Department of Transportation’s Fort Stockton/Pecos Area office beginning last week.

He succeeds Patrick Ryan, who recently moved to Jasper in East Texas. Ryan had served for five years in Fort Stockton.

Odessa District Engineer Mike McAnally, who is a native of Fort Stockton, said that Goebel, an engineer in the El Paso  District’s Alpine Area

Vote set on bonds

IRAAN – Voters here will go to the polls tomorrow, May 8, to consider a $15 million bond issue for the Iraan/Sheffield Independent School District.

Superintendent Kevin Allen said two previous issues would have provided new facilities. They failed by nine and five votes.

By LYN ROSAS

Business Manager

LUBBOCK – Katie Rubio, the daughter of Rene Rubio of Sanderson and Jeri Marin of Fort Stockton was part of a team that placed ninth out of 24 teams in the 4 x 100-meter relay at the Regional track meet here Monday.

Two sophomores and two freshmen make up Fort Stockton’s varsity team.

SANDERSON – A ribbon cutting Monday formally opened two new businesses in the “Old Tio’s” building at 220 East Oak at Third in Sanderson.

Papalote Antiques and Thangs has been in the western half of the building since it opened last year. Tis the Reason Flowers and Gifts moved to the eastern half in March.

SANDERSON – A one-man construction crew was at work this week installing a new sidewalk in front of the Buen Pastor Methodist Church at Third and Pine here this week.

David Flores of Fort Stockton put in forms for the sidewalk last week and had ordered cement at $100 yard plus $5.75 per mile for delivery from Fort Stockton.

Mountain preserve to open

FORT DAVIS — The Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve here will be open this weekend for hiking, camping, horseback riding, backpacking, picnicking, photography, birding and other outdoor activities.

The preserve 25 miles west of here will be open from 10 a.m. today, May 7, until about 3 p.m. Sunday, May 9. The event is free and open to the public.

By STEVE LANG

Sul Ross News and Publications

ALPINE – Sul Ross State University’s 11th and newest President accepted his charge with intentions of raising the bar – the Bar-SR-Bar.

Dr. Ricardo Maestas was inaugurated in ceremonies Friday at the Pete P. Gallego Center.

As noted by new Chancellor Dr. Brian McCall, he becomes the first Hispanic chief executive in the 90-year history of Sul Ross and the 99-year history of the Texas State University System.

State   Rep.  and  Sul  Ross

Race aids area causes

SANDERSON – The Big Bend Open Road Race last week contributed more than interesting cars and people to the community last week.

“Between the three-day breast cancer walk, the 4-H and the Scouts, we probably earned about $2,000,” Scout volunteer Tammy Truesdell told the News Leader this week. “That’s a lot of money that nobody in this town paid for.”

‘Handful’ attends TxDOT hearing

ODESSA – The Texas Department of Transportation here said “just a handful of transportation buffs” appeared for a public meeting Tuesday to talk about a long-range plan for the state’s transportation needs.

“It is difficult to get people excited about a blueprint for transportation 25 years into the future,” TxDOT spokesman Glen Larum said. “But this is a great opportunity for Texans to help the agency set priorities.”

SANDERSON – Longtime Sanderson Maintenance Supervisor Ruperto “Peto” Perez was honored this week for 24 years of driving without an accident.

“They worked hard to stay safe,” TxDOT District Engineer Mike McAnally of Fort Stockton said.

Other Texas Department of Transportation employees in Terrell County receiving safe operator, no-injury awards for accident-free driving included Jorge Estrada, Eddie Benavidez