By MARK GLOVER

Contributing Editor

ALPINE - An Air Ambulance airplane crashed and burst into flames approximately one mile from the Alpine Casparis Municipal Airport early Sunday morning, claiming the lives of all five people on board.

The twin-engine Cessna 421 was in route to Midland International Airport carrying 69-year-old patient Mary Folger and her husband, 79-year-old Guy Richard Folger, of Alpine.

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

ABILENE – Six Sanderson competitors won first place ribbons at the American Athletic Union West Texas National Qualifiers Meet at Elmer Stadium here Saturday and all 14 qualified for the AAU Junior Olympic Games at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA, July 31 to August 7.

Taking home first place medals were Cassie Woosley, Brandee Stegall, Brianna Lozano, Grace Jahn, Abby Carrasco, Jalen Chriesman and William Roberts.

Eagle Football schedule released

SANDERSON – The Sanderson High School varsity Eagles football schedule for this year will begin with a scrimmage with the Indians at Fort Davis at 10 a.m. Aug. 14.

But for the players, the action starts two weeks before that with “two-a-day” practices starting Aug. 2. 

‘Rec.’ camp held success

SANDERSON – The Terrell County Rec. Cross Country Camp in Sanderson brought students from area schools for two weeks of clinics with coaches from Hardin Simmons and McMurry Universities last month.

“The TC Rec Cross Country Camp was a great success and a rare opportunity for the athletes that attended,” volunteer Katie Roberts said.

ALPINE - Tax and budget protesters rallied at the Alpine Courthouse Saturday despite the rain. But organizers said the weather did minimize the size of the turnout.

The Tea Party Movement, for Taxed Enough Already, is a national movement that emerged on income tax day, April 15, last year after the Stimulus Bill and other actions of the new Obama Administration that greatly increased the national debt.

Families find fun on Fourth

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

SANDERSON – Local residents Ray Shoemaker took his sons David, Roy & Mikey Shoemaker to Fort Davis to partake in the July 4 weekend and with them was Angelina Hopkins.

Hopkins was able to spend one last weekend with boyfriend David before he joined the Navy on Tuesday.

July tax help seminars set

AUSTIN – The office of Texas Comptroller Susan Combs will offer ten tax seminars at various locations across the state this month.

The free taxpayer seminars are designed to help new and existing business owners understand their state tax responsibilities.

EPA seeks new Ozone rule

By MARK GLOVER

Contributing Editor

ALPINE - The state of Texas overall has reduced ozone levels by 22 percent over the last decade while population has increased 16 percent.

“That’s pretty substantial,” said David Brymer, division director of the Air Quality Division of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “But we’re being asked to do even more.”

Rain delays bond work

SANDERSON – Weather over the weekend slowed progress on a $14 million bond issue for Terrell County Independent School District but efforts were under way this week to make up for lost time.

Mid-Tex of Midland is the “contractor at risk,” responsible for oversight of all the projects on all campuses.

Biker killed in wreck

FORT DAVIS – A 44-year-old minister from Odessa was killed Monday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding lost control on a “sharp curve” on State Highway 17 10.8 miles north of here.

Michael Robert Graham was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Fred Granado of Fort Davis.

Trooper Shannon Hamby of Fort Davis said the victim was not wearing a helmet. The pavement was dry at the time of the accident.

Leadership seeks leaders

ALPINE – Leadership Big Bend is seeking applications for its 2011 class to develop leaders for the tri-county region.

“We do that by identifying those persons who want to be involved in the economic and community development of this area,” Leadership spokesman Kathy Bork said. “Leadership Big Bend provides a unique perspective of the Big Bend area and helps participants become more knowledgeable about Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio Counties.”

Town to lose EMS

PECOS – The Pecos Emergency Medical Service was mulling options this week when it learned a variance which allowed Balmorhea EMS to operate with only one certified technician on an ambulance will end Dec. 31 this year.

Pecos EMS Director Joe Tollett told the News Leader he is exploring options, which could include a “satellite” EMS station in southern Reeves County.

SANDERSON – The Sanderson High School Spanish Club visited Spain for a ten-day adventure last month.

Spanish Club members on the trip were Victoria Busch, Jessica Garza, Chris Marquez, Miriam Nuñez, Noemi Nuñez and Travis Roberts.

All now have graduated, Miriam having graduated in 2009. The others turned their tassels this year.

SandRidge to sell rights

OKLAHOMA CITY – SandRidge Energy last week announced that it has signed a letter of intent with a large independent oil and gas company to sell deep acreage rights in Oklahoma for $140 million in cash.

SandRidge has no associated proved reserves or current production from the deep rights located in the Cana Shale play in northwest Oklahoma and will retain the shallow rights to the acreage.

A ‘WOW’ of a book fest

ALPINE – The Alpine Rotary’s third annual Way-Out-West Texas Book Festival will launch here Thursday, July 29, with a sundown barbecue and belly dancing by the Mystic Gitanas.

Then will come two days of readings and performances for children and adults by David Morrell, Denise Chavez, Benjamin Saenz, J.P.S. Brown, Joel Nelson, D.J. Stout, James Evans and ten other authors.

‘Branding’ run tomorrow

ALPINE – The fourth annual “Branding Together” 5K run/ walk will be tomorrow, July 10, rain or shine.

The event at Kokernot Lodge, hosted by the Sul Ross State University Alumni Association, begins at 8 a.m. with registration fee of $20 per person. It is free to Sul Ross students with current ID.