SANDERSON – The Sanderson Eagles ended their 2009 season at home last Friday by taking on the Eagles.

The Texas Leadership Charter Academy, formerly known as the Tree of Life Christian Academy, also uses the Eagle mascot. They came to town only to lose to the hometown Eagles 68-39 here.

SANDERSON – It was on the 11th hour of the day of the 11th Month 91 years ago that the “war to end all wars” came to an end.

To mark the date, the nation and much of the world observe the date and Sanderson was no different.

Round ball is back for Eagles

COMSTOCK – The Sanderson Eagle varsity girls basketball team defeated the Comstock Panthers in the first game of the new season here this week, outscoring the hosts 41-23.

Top scorer for the Eagles was Sarah Sivils, accumulating 17 points before fouling out.

Blakeney Chriesman hit the hoop for 11 points, Amber Bon and Noemi Nuñez both added six points to the tally and Juliana Castro sank a free throw adding one point.

Tax decline continues

AUSTIN – Sales tax receipts for Terrell County continued their free fall last month but at a slightly lower decline than the month before.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced that Terrell County took in $16,235.83 last month, a decline of 63.5 percent from $44,545.37 in the same month a year ago.

Drug testing extended

SANDERSON – Random drug testing, which has been required for all Terrell County employees operating equipment that needs a commercial driver’s license, has now been extended to all non-elected county employees.

Terrell County Commissioners Monday approved the change, effective immediately, and named Road and Bridge Supervisor Mike Sanchez to coordinate the project.

By ANNA LaFLEUR

News Leader Writer

SANDERSON – Residents here might remember when the Princess Theater was open and some might remember when the railroad changed this sleepy town forever.

Sanderson seems to be growing again. Several new businesses have opened lately.

SANDERSON – For several years, Terrell County has not billed for ambulance service but it’s not just because the county is generous.

Bills had been submitted to Medicare and private insurance companies for payment before but the Medicare number has been misplaced and no one seems to know how to get a new one.

Gallery Night coming

ALPINE – The 16th Annual Artwalk Alpine Gallery Night will be next weekend at the railroad caboose downtown.

Featured artist will be Wayne Baize, a longtime member of Cowboy Artist of America.

Also featured during two days of free events will be music by Ray Wylie Hubbard of Austin.

Hymn festival planned

ALPINE – The Sul Ross State University Music Department and First United Methodist Church of Alpine will host a Festival of Hymns at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the church at 208 E. Sul Ross Ave.

The festival will feature vocal solos, organ and piano duets and original works as well as traditional hymns. The public is invited.

Harrell suspect returned

SONORA – Jose Manuel Garza, 29, has been returned from a Mexican penitentiary and is now in Sutton County Jail here, charged with capital murder in the death early last year of Sanderson native Kendrick Harrell.

Sheriff Joe Fincher said Garza had been in a Mexican prison but was extradited to Texas to stand trial late last month.

It’s Friday the 13th

By KIM RAPP

News Leader Production Manger

For the superstitious, today is Friday the 13th, an event that appeared three times this year.

“Experts” – if there can be such a thing as a “Friday the 13th expert” – say this is the most widespread superstition in the United States today.

Conference to focus on region

ALPINE – More than 30 speakers are scheduled to discuss aspects of research during the 16th annual Center for Big Bend Studies conference at Sul Ross State University this weekend.

The two-day conference in the Morgan University Center will focus on the history, culture, and archaeology of the borderlands region of the United States and Mexico, with an emphasis on the Trans-Pecos and north-central Mexico.

Plats  for subdivision denied

SANDERSON – Terrell County Commissioners Monday denied two subdivision replats after a public hearing Monday.

Ranch Enterprises of Del Rio sought to further subdivide several lots in the Paint Mare and Meyers Canyon ranches north of Dryden into lots as small as 66 acres.

Student conquers barriers

By JASON HENNINGTON

Sul Ross News Writer

ALPINE – Student leaders face challenges such as balancing studying, social time and extracurricular activities, among other things. 

But most students do not have to learn a new language, adapt to the environment of a new country, devote their time to volunteering or lead a body of students at a state university.

Three inducted in Hall of Honor

ALPINE – Maurice Stephens of Denton, Janna McHazlett of LaGrange and April Ramirez of Corpus Christi were inducted into the 2009 Sul Ross State University Athletic Hall of Honor Saturday.

The honors at the annual induction banquet during Homecoming increases Hall of Honor membership to 112.

Grant to aid communication

SANDERSON – A law enforcement officer in Terrell County needs to talk with a counterpart in Val Verde orCrockett County so he goes to the Internet, sends his message and it goes to the recipient via a tower at the Terrell Gas Plant 60 miles east of Sanderson.

SANDERSON – Our town won out over the scenic Flagstaff, AZ, lately.

Loli Ortiz, a member of the extensive Calzada family. and husband Manny Ortiz visited Sanderson recently.

FSA election on now

FORT STOCKTON – Ballots are being mailed for the US Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency in Texas and Pecos and Terrell Counties.

FSA Executive Director Cullene F. Heritage said Dec. 7 is the deadline for eligible voters to return ballots to their local FSA offices.

ALPINE – Melissa Ramirez and Rolando Hernandez, both of Presidio, were crowned Sul Ross State University’s 2009 Homecoming Queen and King last week.

MOUNT LOCKE – When Bill Wren isn’t discovering super-novae in the inky skies over McDonald Observatory, he’s busy making sure those skies stay dark.

ALPINE – Drs. Hobson and Kern Wildenthal, whose higher education careers began with Sul Ross State University degrees, received the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Awards Saturday.

DMV gone

SANDERSON – Because of “system issues,” the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has suspended service here.

“We stopped going back in August due to system issues” Melissa Rangel told the News Leader.

Anyone needing a driver’s License or other services needs to travel to Fort Stockton.

‘40s Radio Hour’ tonight

ALPINE – The highly acclaimed “The 1940's Radio Hour” will be presented this weekend at the Granada Theatre in downtown Alpine. Curtain times are 8:15 p.m. tonight, Nov. 13, and tomorrow and 2 p.m. on Sunday.