Photo by Annette Harris

ALMOST THERE – Sanderson Eagle quarterback Jacob Benavidez, 3, came close in last week’s game against Fort Davis, being stopped at the six by an unidentified Indian. Coming to Jacob’s aid were Eagles Darren Seidel, 58, and Joseph Hopkins, 10. The other identifiable Indian was Gerry Aufdengarten, 19.

SANDERSON – Terrell County Commissioners Monday approved a $5.355 million budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 and a total tax rate of 37.38 cents per $100 valuation to pay for it.

The budget envisions total income of $5,355,103 for the coming year and expenses of $7,604,706.

At first glance, the budget would appear to be in a deficit but Treasurer Lynda Helmers said the county for several years has budgeted for anticipated expenses that may not occur so there is enough money on hand to cover unexpected events.

She said the budget total also does not include funds left over from the previous year.

She estimated the fund balance at the end of the year to be “a little over $1 million.”

The county has operated this way for several years and normally collects more than actual expenses.

The tax rate was approved unanimously. The motion to approve included wording saying the tax would bring in “the same amount of revenue” as the current year.

 

While the rate is higher, property values are lower so an individual taxpayer can expect to pay an amount very close to the amount he paid in the current year.

The rate includes a “maintenance and operations tax” – essentially everything except debt service – of 32.94 cents and an “interest and sinking fund” – or debt service – rate of 4.44 cents.

Commissioners also approved a salary schedule for the coming year that includes a six-percent increase for all county employees.      Read more...

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

 

FORT DAVIS – The Sanderson Eagles have exchanged “45s” in the first three games of the season, losing the opener to Grady at Lenorah 46-0.

But they came home the next week and beat the Cowboys from Grandfalls-Royalty 69-24 before a packed Homecoming Crowd.  Read more...

 RUNNIN’ LADY EAGLES – Four Sanderson High School ladies placed high in the Bear Cross Country Meet Saturday. Posing for a “photo op” were, from left, Danielle Fisher, Jessica Garza, Vicky Busch and Noemi Nuñez.

 

 

 

Eagles do well at cross country

By KIM RAPP

Production Manager

BALMORHEA – Paced by Sanderson senior Travis Roberts, the Eagle guys from Sanderson High won first place at the first cross-country meet here last weekend.

Travis placed first with a time of 17.006. He set several records at events last spring.   Read more...

Cell phones ban gets OK

SANDERSON – When proper signs are in place, it will be illegal in Sanderson to use a handheld device such as a cell phone in a school zone.

Texas House Bill 55, which became effective Sept. 1, allowed local jurisdictions including cities and counties to ban the devices in school zones but signs had to be erected before the enforcement could begin.     Read more...

Amendments reviewed

As part of a continuing series on the 11 Texas Constitutional Amendments to be decided by the voters on Nov. 3, we will take Propositions Three and Four this week.

Proposition Three would allow state enforcement of uniform property appraisal standards and procedures.   Read more...

SANDERSON – Sanderson Elementary was one of two schools across the state chosen to receive school supplies this year from First Choice Power of Fort Worth.

Donated supplies include backpacks, binders, rules, scissors, pencils, index cards, folders, paper, pencils, dividers, pens, crayons and glue sticks.    Read more...

Sales taxes off

SANDERSON – Sales tax receipts in Terrell County were off 46.4 percent in the last reporting period and nearly 25 percent for the year to date.

In addition, Terrell County has to rebate more than $81,000 it received from a taxpayer last year who paid under protest and later won his case.   Read more...

Mom, son rescued in desert

SIERRA BLANCA – A coordinated search by law enforcement officers resulted in the rescue of a Mexican woman and her 12-year-old son who were stranded in the desert near here last week.

The 31-year-old woman used a cell phone to call the Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office about 7 p.m. Wednesday.    Read more...

Public Lands Day next week

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Big Bend Friend

BIG BEND – For the first time, Friends of Big Bend National Park will host a volunteer event as a part of National Public Lands Day next week.

The event will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 26, across the United States in national parks, monuments and other public lands.     Read more...

More burglaries reported

SANDERSON – The arrest of nine Mexican nationals last month may have solved a series of burglaries of hunters’ cabins in north Terrell County but three more have been reported in different areas.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Turner said two burglaries were reported south of Dryden in the last two weeks and there was another north of Independence Creek.   Read more...

West Texas to get ‘stimulus’ funding

WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly $1.7 million in Community Development Block grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the Stimulus plan, will come to West Texas.

“The infrastructure of our communities is what determines the quality of life for our residents,” said US Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez in announcing the grants. “When streets routinely flood and basic services are in jeopardy, which often occurs in our border communities, government can step in and help.”  Read more...

It’s ‘GEARUP’ Day

ALPINE – Sul Ross State University will join the national observance of GEARUP Day today, Sept. 18.

There will be an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Sul Ross GEARUP office in Room 104 of the Morelock Academic Building.   Read more...

Photo symposium will feature locals

ALPINE – The “Shooting the West” Photography Symposium next week will feature three Alpine photographers.

Rocky McBride and Sul Ross State University staff members Dennie Miller and Jason Hennington, will be among featured presenters at the symposium Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 24 to 27, at the Vic and Mary Jane Morgan University Center.   Read more...

OUT IN FRONT – Luis Garza placed third in the junior high division of the Bear Cross Country Meet in Balmorhea Saturday. Also competing at the junior high level was Joseph Carrasco.

Indians scalp Eagles

Photo by Annette Harris

RUNNING ROOM – Sanderson running back Ryan Rosas, 23, headed for running room early in last week’s Eagle game against Fort Davis. Jacob Benavidez, 3, had just handed off. Indians, including Stetson Chandler, 9, moved in to stop the run.

PLAY IT – Jimmy Davis, left, and Ernie Ayers sat in with Oliver O’Bryant at this week’s Toe Tappin’ Tuesday at the Bicentennial Park Pavilion. John Dewey Stutes also played with the old friend from Alpine. “Oliver & Friends” have been makin’ music for about 10 years.

FCP donates school supplies

SUPPLIES – First Choice Power Marketing Manager Catherine Carleton, left, and Business Development Manager Mya Griffin of Fort Stockton presented school supplies to Sanderson Elementary students Monday. Among the recipients of the goodies, from left after Carleton were Teja Anderson, Katie Jahn, Kailey Dominguez, Kenny-Mae Pacheco, Lauryn Carroll and Cori Hilton.

COUNTY ANNEX – Terrell County Commissioners Monday agreed to paint and buy new garage doors for its new “annex.” The county acquired the old Border Patrol headquarters for $50,000. More improvements to the building and its adjoining garage await decisions on just how the facility will be used. The Border Patrol moved to new facilities further west two years ago.

PAVILION PATH – Terrell County Commissioners this week agreed to provide a sidewalk from the curb to the entrance to the Pavilion in Bicentennial Park. Another will lead from the west entrance south to the alley. Rest rooms and gutters were discussed for later action.

BIG HOLE – The big hole at the east end of Eagle Stadium will stay there, at least for the time being. The School Board was to award bids for a new field house Monday but the meeting was postponed. Architect Monte Hunter said he was not ready to make a recommendation.