CAN I? – Ellie Montalvo inspected some jewelry up close Saturday while her mom, Johnnie Ann Montalvo, center, Maria Rodriguez, left and Mayra Rodriguez looked on. It was all part of the Prickly Pear Pachanga at the Community Building and Bicentennial Park across the street.

SANDERSON – The Prickly Pear Pachanga last week was considered a success with more than 100 attending lectures, bidding on a silent auction, competing in various cactus-themed events and dining on an eclectic menu of Bavarian, Mediterranean and French cuisine.

Sanderson Arts and Education Alliance President Terry “Tex” Toler said speakers during the day were among the most popular attractions of the day-long event.

Among the presenters was Dr. Martin Terry, founder of the Cactus Conservation Institute.

He answered the question of why Sanderson was chosen as the Cactus Capital of Texas when prickly pear cactus occurs all over the state.

Terrell County is a “convergence zone” with cacti from all over, he said.

“You can really boldly claim that and be proud of it,” it said. “It is not something you just made up.”

Terry also led a group of cactus “aficionados” into the field to inspect Terrell County cacti in their natural environment.

“The group observed first-hand the abundance and variety of our pointy assets growing within one particular five- square-foot area, prickly pear, mamalaria, strawberry pitaya, claret cup, eagle's claw, horse crippler and dog cholla,” Toler said.

He said 110 people were served the meal Saturday evening, prepared by the A&E volunteers.

“There was even a family from Missouri that was just driving through,” he said. “They saw the Pachanga sign and asked what that meant. 

      Read more...

Pachanga 'in the books'

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

 

 

 

DEL RIO – Sanderson seventh grader Abby Carrasco won another Cross Country meet here Saturday, pacing her junior high girls team to a second place overall.     Read more...

Abby wins  first at Del Rio

BREATHER – Brianna Johnson of Sanderson caught her breath after running in the cross country race at Del Rio. The SHS girls placed second overall.

No Amtrak suspension seen

SANDERSON – Reports that Amtrak might eliminate Sanderson as a stop on its thrice-weekly passenger train were refuted Wednesday.     Read more...

Amendment, bond issue reviewed

Early voting starts statewide Monday for eleven amendments to the Texas Constitution. Terrell County voters will also decide on a $1.6 million school bond issue designed to keep more tax money at home.     Read more...

By RYAN ROSAS

Special to the News Leader

SIERRA BLANCA – The home team Vaqueros gave the Sanderson Eagles their usual tough ballgame Friday but the Eagles came from behind to prevail 50-48 in a game that went almost to the wire Friday.    Read more...

Project Graduation rules set

SANDERSON – The Terrell County School Board Monday adopted new guidelines to be used for the annual Project Graduation, an all-night, chemical free party for graduating seniors on graduation night.     Read more...

SANDERSON – In honor of Fire Prevention Week, the Sanderson Volunteer Fire Department went to Sanderson Elementary School for a small presentation and “showing off” of their equipment Wednesday.

Read more...

Flu shots will be available

SANDERSON – After trying for six weeks, the Cactus Health Clinic will soon have seasonal flu shots available for a $10 donation. If patient cannot pay the $10, it will be free of charge.     Read more...

By KIM RAPP

Production Manager

SANDERSON – A huge over-the-road progression from here to the SandRidge Energy/Oxy Petroleum Century plant near US 285 37 miles north of here was delayed because of “red tape:” this week.

Read more...

Kerr Building study gets OK

SANDERSON – After postponing action last month to clear up a legal question, Terrell County Commissioners approved a $3,350 contract with McClanahan and Associates of San Angelo Monday to study the Kerr Mercantile Building as a possible “convention center” site.    

Action was deferred at the Sept. 28 meeting because a question arose about whether the county could pay for a study on private property.     Read more...

By ANNA LaFLEUR

News Leader Writer

SHEFFIELD – A caravan of camels, a horse drawn buggy, a mule and reenacted confederate soldiers slowly made their way from Fort Lancaster to Sheffield on their way to Fort Stockton Saturday.

Read more...

Sales tax way down in county

AUSTIN – Sales tax receipts in the latest reporting period are down for Terrell County by 90 percent for the month and 30 percent for the year to date.     Read more...

‘Financial Peace’ told in seminar

By KIM RAPP

Production Manager

SANDERSON – Thursday nights have come alive in town for some of us with a class at 6 p.m. each Thursday in the Fellowship Hall at The Calvary Baptist Church.     Read more...

TCISD ‘above standard’in FIRST

SANDERSON – The Terrell County Independent School District was rated “Above Standard Achievement” in the latest Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, administered by the Texas Education Agency.    

The school scored 65 in the “FIRST” report, a requirement set forth by the Texas Legislature in 2001 to monitor schools’ financial performance.    Read more...

MIDLAND – Private First Class Joachim R. Nevarez and Seaman Isaac A. Nevarez have both joined the United States military.

The twin brothers graduated from Midland High school in May.

Read more...

By KIM RAPP

Production Manager

SANDERSON – Halloween will officially be known as “Fall Fest ‘09” this year. It will be on Saturday, Oct. 31, which conveniently falls on the actual holiday this year.     Read more...

Honor Roll released

SANDERSON – Four Sanderson High School seniors and seven juniors were among 13 high schoolers who made the all “A” honor roll for the first six weeks of the school year, it was announced this week.

Seniors are Clarissa Brotherton, Blakeney Chriesman, Travis Roberts and Darren Seidel.

Eleventh graders included Cameron Baker, Casey Couch, Ernestina Gonzales, Brianna Johnson, Julianna Larrinaga, Cordell Lawson, Kelly Lomas and Noemi Nuñez.      Read more...

WHEELS UP – Crews from Barnhart Crane & Rigging of Houston lifted eight-wheel “bogies” into place this week to prepare a rig with a huge cargo. The “outrigger” wheels will be used on bridges to spread the load over as much as 338 wheels to move two giant tanks to the “Century Plant” being developed by SandRidge Energy and Oxy Petroleum 37 miles north of Sanderson.

Photo by Annette Harris

INTO THE BREACH – Jonathan Calzada, 21, headed into the line after getting the handoff from Joe Hopkins, 10, in last Friday’s Sanderson Eagle win over Sierra Blanca. Vaquero James Perez, 34, tried to stop him.

SENIORS – Sanderson High School senior footballers headed to midfield for the coin toss at Sierra Blanca last week. They were, from left, David Shoemaker, Jacob Benavidez and Darren Seidel. The Eagles edged the Vaqueros 50-48 in their first district game.

Photo by Annette Harris

SIDELINES – Eagle sophomore Robert Montalvo, 9, headed for the sidelines Friday in the Sanderson 50-48 squeaker over Sierra Blanca. Joe Hopkins, 10, looked for a block on Vaquero Lance Rose, 9.

‘Red tape’ delays ‘Century’ tanks move

HOT STUFF – Brooklin Zuniga and Al Johnson checked out the fire truck this week under the direction of Fire Chief Bobby Brotherton. The Sanderson Volunteer Fire Department visited Sanderson Elementary Wednesday during Fire Prevention Week.

KINDA AWESOME – Gabby Aguilar thought the fire truck at Sanderson Elementary was “kinda awesome” after a closer look Wednesday. Fire Chief Bobby Brotherton guided the students on a quick look during fire prevention week.

WALK FOR A CAMEL -- Gil Tafolla Hernandez of San Antonio walked a camel in a procession from Fort Lancaster to Fort Stockton last week. The camels, and lots of reenacters, will be in Fort Stockton this weekend for Living History Days.

THEM BONES – Mark LaFleur was an amateur archeologist last week. Fort Lancaster provided mock bones in a sand pile for kids at the Community Center in Sheffield during the march of camels from Fort Lancaster to Fort Stockton.

WORLD’S A STAGE – Mark and Elia LaFleur of Sanderson inspected a stage coach at Sheffield last week. The stage was part of a procession of camels from Fort Lancaster to Fort Stockton.

‘Fall Fest’ set for Halloween

I HEAR THAT TRAIN A COMIN’ – Four-year-old Ely Farley made a Halloween train with a little help from Mom, Missy Escamilla. Ely’s pre-K teacher, Tanna Lowrance, asked the students to make anything with pumpkins and Ely showed his true colors.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN – Jesse Roberts, left, won the cactus garden contest at Prickly Pear Pachanga Saturday. Arts and Education Alliance President Terry “Tex” Toler gave Jesse a certificate and a check for $50.

Twins both in military