BBORR spawns replica

PRESIDIO – The popular Big Bend Open Road Race between Sanderson and Fort Stockton, which completed its 13th running in April, has spawned another race.

The Marfa-Presidio Open Road Race is planned for 45 miles along US Highway 67 between the two Presidio County cities in October.

SANDERSON – The sun just peeked over the hills early Monday, signaling the start of the 2010-11 school year here and across the state.

The Sanderson Eagle football team got the first of its “two-a-day” workouts of the new season, staring at 7 a.m. Monday, preparing for the first scrimmage in less than two weeks and the first home game just a month away now.

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

FORT WORTH – Terrell County Sheriff Clint McDonald and six other Texas border sheriffs met with Texas Gov. Rick Perry here recently to discuss border security at the Sheriff’s Association of Texas conference.

“Perry pledged his support to the border, to border sheriffs and their day-to-day problems,” McDonald said.

SANDERSON – Roy Engeldorf, owner of the Outback Oasis Motel here and a local reptile maven, is eager to see a new state law that would allow tourists to return for snake spotting and to educate more people about snakes with his exhibits.

He said snake hunters from all over the world have all but ceased coming to west Texas to view snakes that can only be found in certain areas.

Canseco will visit Sanderson

SANDERSON – Francisco “Quico” Canseco of San Antonio, the Republican nominee facing US Rep. Ciro Rodriguez in November, will be here Thursday to meet with local voters.

“Traditionally, the August recess is used by congressmen to meet with people and address their concerns – usually at town hall meetings,” Canseco said. “So far, there is no word from Ciro Rodriguez that he will be holding a single town hall event while he is in Texas during the recess, probably because we know what happens when people disagree with Ciro at a Town Hall Meeting.”

Museum grants available

AUSTIN – The Texas Historical Commission said this week applications for its History Museum Grants program are now available on the THC web site.

“The intent of this grant program is to improve the standard of collections care in small history museums,” THC said. “Museums may apply for up to $1,000 for collections-related conservation and preservation services, supplies and equipment.”

USGS water survey begins

FORT STOCKTON – The US Geological Survey has started the independent 3.5-year groundwater study in the west half of Pecos County and portions of Brewster, Reeves and Jeff Davis counties. 

The Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District is coordinating the study with the City of Fort Stockton, Pecos County, Brewster County and Pecos County Water Control and Improvement District Number One.            

Booster elections delayed

SANDERSON – The Band Boosters delayed its election of officers at the first meeting of the year Monday.

“There was a great turnout at the meeting but we still lacked enough people to hold an election at that time,” Band Director Eric Cooksey said.

TxDOT explores road plans

ODESSA – The second public meeting by the Texas Department of Transportation to gain public input into the development of the Statewide Long- Range Transportation Plan 2035 was yesterday, Aug. 5, in the large conference room of the Odessa District office on at 3901 East Highway 80 here. The first meeting was in May.

The purpose of the second meeting was to present a plan update and to solicit additional comments and input to aid in the final development of the 25-year plan. 

MARFA – The US Border Patrol will use American mustangs in its mission of patrolling the US-Mexico border in the vicinity of Big Bend National Park and the nearby Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Chief Patrol Agent John J. Smietana, Jr., of the Border Patrol’s Marfa Sector and Lieutenant Ken Watson of the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s State Park Police met last week to execute an agreement that would allow the Border Patrol’s Presidio Station agents to use horses stabled in the state park.

WASHINGTON – John A. Wessels of Denver has been named Intermountain regional director for the National Park Service.

NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis said Wessels will be responsible for leading 5,000 employees and 92 national parks visited by more than 42 million people annually.

Wessels, who serves as the region’s associate director for administration, business and technology, assumes his new position in Denver this month.

“John has an incredible track

SandRidge production growing

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sand-Ridge Energy this week announced increased activity for the second quarter of 2010.

The company which has a major presence in the West Texas Overthrust in Southwest Texas, said it increased oil drilling wells from 11 rigs in the first quarter of the year to 19 in the second quarter.

Student faces assault charge

ALPINE – A 20-year-old Sul Ross State University student was free on $50,000 bond this week, charged with aggravated sexual assault in connection with a July 25 on-campus incident.

Cody Parker of Midland, was arrested Wednesday, July 28, by a University Department of Public Safety officer following an investigation of the incident.

Cowboys new champions

ALPINE – The Big Bend Cowboys blasted in a dozen runs in the seventh inning in a 14-1 rout over Las Cruces to win the 2010 Continental Baseball League championship here Saturday.

Justin Lucero’s three-run homer lifted the Cowboys to a 6-4 win in Thursday’s opener at Kokernot Field before the Vaqueros built an early 4-0 edge en route to a 4-3 triumph Friday.

Odgers learn leadership

SAN ANTONIO – Eliza Odgers and Doodle Odgers of Sanderson were among 135 high school students that took part in the Texas Brigades summer leadership camps this summer.

The Texas Brigades’ mission is to empower high school youth with skills and knowledge in wildlife and fisheries, habitat conservation, land and water stewardship, team building, communication and leadership to become ambassadors for conservation.

SR to aid TSU centennial

SAN MARCOS – Dan Blocker, Dan Rather, Janis Joplin and George Strait will be among noted personalities featured in the upcoming Texas State University System's centennial observance.

Sul Ross State University in Alpine, a member of the TSU system, will participate in the event.

Davis Preserve open

FORT DAVIS — The Nature Conservancy will offer another open preserve day next week at its Davis Mountains Preserve near here.

It will be open for hiking, horseback riding, backpacking, picnicking, photography, birding and other outdoor activities from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Saturday, August 14. The event is free and open to the public.

Sports specialist resigns

ALPINE – Sul Ross State University Sports Information Specialist Travis Hendryx has resigned to accept a teaching position in Kansas.

Hendryx, who began at Sul Ross in August, 2004, was recently hired as an adult education instructor at Barton Community College at Great Bend, KS. He will begin his new duties Aug. 17.

SANDERSON – Terrell County deputies are investigating an unidentified skeleton found on a ranch about ten miles north of Pumpville in eastern Terrell County last week.

Chief Deputy Kenneth Turner said the bones were discovered late Friday, July 23, and deputies and US Border Patrol agents responded early the next morning.

Trey George recovering

By LYN ROSAS

Business Manager

HOUSTON – Trey George, Big Bend Cowboys star and Continental Baseball League’s most valuable player, was recovering at Herman Memorial Hospital this week from severe injuries suffered in a beating in June.

Doctors said they were amazed that he survived such a fracture to his neck, which most do not.