SANDERSON – Construction officially will begin tomorrow, Jan. 19, on a new, eight-unit residential complex at the corner of Mansfield
and Third Streets in Sanderson.
A formal groundbreaking is scheduled at 11 a.m. at the complex, being built by Terry and Sharon Wolfe,
who plan to retire in Sanderson.
“My husband and I are really looking forward to being a part of the community and working towards
retirement there as soon as we can,” Sharon Wolfe said. “The people that we have met made us feel very welcome and share in the desire
to see new housing and growth in the town.”
She said she noticed a housing shortage here on a recent trip and decided to invest in
the community.
“Probably our number one problem for any kind of economic development is a lack of adequate housing,” Chamber of Commerce
President Jim Street said. “This announcement is a lot more important than it might otherwise seem.”
La Hacienda de Dos Lobos project
will consist of two existing houses, a four-bedroom, two-bath house and a three- bedroom, two-bath house that will be completely remodeled.
The new buildings will consist of a 4-Plex with two-bedroom, two-bath apartments approximately 900 square feet each and a duplex with
one- bedroom, one-bath apartments of about 600 square feet each.
Each unit will have a carport to accommodate one car per unit. All
units will have all new GE appliances including a refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer.
All units will have
central heat and air conditioning.
Terry Wolfe is a 1969 graduate of Sul Ross and since then has been looking for a chance to return
to west Texas on a permanent basis.
Last year, the couple bought land near Dryden, “just to get a foothold in west Texas,” she
said.
Sharon and her sister went to Sanderson for a long weekend to look at the area and “while there, fell in love with Sanderson,”
she said.
The Wolfes both work for Bechtel Corporation. In his 18 years at the company, projects have taken Terry Wolfe to a variety of locations
in the US and Middle East, where he is currently.
Sharon also works for Bechtel Corporation and is currently working in Port Arthur.
When
the time for retirement arrives he and Sharon plan to make Sanderson their hometown.
After visiting the area, Sharon contacted her
husband and said she had found “the place we want to put our roots down.”
Sharon’s sister Linda Roberts also decided to buy a place
that she will rent until the time to retire and move in herself.
Sharon spread the enthusiasm to Glenn Wolf, a contractor from Alpine,
who in turn bought a small house, which will go in to the available housing pool after renovation.
Wolf will be the contractor for
all the renovation projects.
“We wanted to stay with the history of the town and Joel Dyer, who visits Sanderson regularly, has designed
the new construction to blend with the existing houses and railroad theme,” Sharon Wolfe said. “GW Construction of Alpine – Glenn
Wolf – is the builder.”
Sanderson State Bank is providing the financing for the project.
“Sanderson State Bank is proud to be given
the opportunity to provide construction and permanent financing for the renovation and construction of La Hacienda de Dos Lobos,”
bank President Larry Treviño said. “The financing illustrates the Bank’s commitment to the community. The Bank stands ready to meet
the housing needs of Sanderson and to encourage home ownership.”
Treviño said the Wolfes “see the charm and friendliness of Sanderson and have truly committed their hearts to the community.”
Sharon
Wolfe thanked Hazel Gully who sold the house and lot.
“Her enthusiasm and vision to see new housing in Sanderson motivated us
to pursue this project,” Wolfe said. “The Lemons Abstract Company, Marsha Monroe and Leila Cash were instrumental in pulling all the
paper work together and helping track down the owner of the corner property which successfully completed the plan to purchase the
additional land needed to complete the layout for the project.”
She also thanked Jack Marsicano “who has been ready to help and has
assisted in various tasks enabling us to get this project underway.”
The Sanderson Chamber of Commerce has organized the ceremony and
contributed refreshments.
SANDERSON – The Texas Oral Rabies Vaccination Program is continuing this year in Terrell County and throughout south and west Texas
in an effort to control the disease in wildlife populations.
Dr. Ken Waldrup of El Paso told County Commissioners Court Monday air
drops are under way with vaccine-laced bait for gray foxes over a wide area of West Central Texas, including Terrell County.
He said
the baits contain dog food with vanilla and molasses to attract the foxes. Inside is a cachet of vaccine, which should inoculate the
animal against rabies.
“We get two questions about the bait,” he said. “First they ask if the baits are poisonous and, when we say
no, the second question is, ‘Why not?’”
The 2008 aerial distribution involves about 250 flights by five Raytheon Beech King Air aircraft
from Dynamic Aviation Group of Bridgewater, VA.
Several volunteers dropped 400 baits by hand in Sanderson this week.
Two rabies “epizootics,”
the word for epidemics in animals, began in Texas in 1988 involving dogs and coyotes in South Texas and gray foxes in West Central
Texas.
The government effort to control the disease began in February, 1995, when the Texas Department of State Health Services initiated
the ORVP.
Waldrup said 3.2 million baits were dropped last year over 25,000 square miles.
Each year, the distribution of vaccine results
in a total flight distance equal to four times around the world, TDSHS said.
County Judge Leo Smith noted that, at $1.25 per bait,
if 10,000 baits were dropped in Terrell County alone, that would mean a $12,500 commitment by the state to the issue in Terrell County
alone.
TDSHS said the gray fox ORVP has resulted in a decrease in rabies in the animals from 244 cases reported in 1995 to 22 cases
in 2004, eight in 2005, 45 in 2006 and 61 through November of last year.
“The Texas ORVP has achieved a level of success that could
not have been anticipated during the early development work done in 1993 and 1994,” the agency said in a prepared statement. “All
available resources for the West-Central Texas ORVP will be applied in such a manner as to achieve the most effective and efficient
outcome for the control of the rabies epizootic in gray fixes and the protection of the public health.”
Waldrup said the affect of
rabies on humans is serious and “usually deadly.” Human contact with the disease “is not to be laughed at at all.”
He said if a person
encounters a rabid animal, it is important that it be killed and sent off for testing. Testing can be done in the TDSHS lab in El
Paso or Austin.
“If there has been exposure to a human or animal, it needs to be tested right away,” he said. “If it’s just acting
funny, you can freeze it” for testing later.
Waldrup said trappers have freezers for that purpose and the frozen animal can last six
months or more.
He cautioned people not to shoot the animal in the head so as to preserve the specimen.
SONORA – Kendrick Harrell, who owned 4-H Auto in Sanderson before moving to Ozona and then Sonora, was found dead at his home here
Tuesday.
Harrell, whose son Jason is a former News Leader employee, was found in his house trailer.
He was a 1973 graduate of Sanderson
High School.
Details were very sketchy at press time. Texas Ranger Brooks Long of Ozona did not return phone calls after repeated
attempts.
Sonora Police Chief Mike House was not available for comment.
Harrell was an employee of Robert Mittel Dozing Company of Sonora.
Phone calls to Mittel were unsuccessful.
The Devils River News ran a story in its edition this week saying only an unidentified body
had been found.
Indications were he had been shot to death but this had not been confirmed at press time.
SANDERSON – Two sophomores on the Sanderson High School Eagles football team made All-State in Texas Six-Man football, it was announced
this week.
Posted on the Texas Six Man Website Tuesday, Ryan Rosas and Jacob Benavidez were named to the Division II All-State Football
Team.
Ryan made all district, all region and the San Angelo Standard Times All West Texas team.
This week, he was chosen as First Team
Defensive Cornerback.
Jacob made all district and all region before being named to the Division II All-State Football Team as Second
Team Offense as Special Teams.
Ryan is the son of Ruben and Lyn Rosas of Sanderson. He is currently getting prepped for golf and plans
to play tennis as well.
Jacob Benavidez is the son of Eddie and Dora Benavidez of Sanderson. He was chosen as the Hugh O’Brien Youth
Leadership Ambassador and is currently playing basketball.
“I am honored to be chosen at such a young age, a sophomore,” Ryan said.
“We
are only sophomores and still have two years left,” Jacob said. “We are looking forward to next year and hope to advance further.”
SANDERSON – Terrell County Commissioners agreed Monday to support the annual Buzzard Rally with a $1,500 contribution, the same amount
it provides to other community activities such as Pachanga and Fourth of July.
The American Legion Riders Post 160, a division of the
American Legion, has agreed to take over sponsorship of the annual rally, to be April 4 to 6 this year.
The county had not contributed
to the rally in the past because it was sponsored by a private individual.
Johnny Sandifer of Del Rio had been the sponsor in recent
years but declined to be involved this year.
Legion Commander Forest Stumberg appeared before commissioners to assure them the Legion
post has “unanimously” endorsed the project.
It will be the same as previous years except it will be centered around Legion Hall instead
of Sandifer’s Bar.
Except for last year when rains kept attendance at a minimum, the rally has brought hundreds of bikers to the area
each April.
Commissioners agreed the participants contributed significantly to the economy of the community through motel rooms, meals
and other services.
In other action, commissioners agreed to buy property around the old Wool Commission and the O’Bryant house on
Highway 90 at Wilburn east of Town and Country Truck Stop for $9,800 plus costs for an animal control facility and 4-H livestock facilities.
Bids
will be sought to remove the old filling station at Oak and Second to make room for a proposed Convention Center.
County Judge Leo
Smith said architect Monty Hunter had suggested removing all the buildings on the property but there was some thought the old “Little
Green House” west of the filling station might be used in the project.
Matt Lusk is nearing completion of the removal of the old house
behind the filling station.
Commissioners agreed to buy a 1,000-gallon propane tank for the courthouse generator for $2,400 from United
Fuel of Odessa.
Dr. J.P. Schwartz, medical director of Cactus Health Services, Inc., was named as the “health authority” in case of
a “catastrophe” in the county.
The court also approved the purchase of two warning sirens for the county for $36,000.
And annual contracts
for appraisal services and assessment and collections with Terrell County Appraisal District were approved.
Commissioners appointed
Smith and Commissioner Kenn Norris to continuing to serve on the district’s board of directors for a two-year term and named Roy Deaton
as the member at large.
Tammy Truesdell of Terrell County Recreation told commissioners there will be a banquet Jan. 31 in honor of
the children participating in this year’s activities.
Children’s basketball will begin Feb. 7 and continue through March.
And Road
and Bridge Supervisor Mike Sanchez was authorized to spend “not to exceed” $60,000 in the budget for a used “blade” and/or other equipment
needed for his department.
SANDERSON – Beginning March 1, businesses in Sanderson will pay $35 for each trash dumpster on their water meter as a result of action
Monday by County Commissioners.
Dryden customers will continue to receive the service without charge for two years.
The trash fee is
on the bill from Terrell County Water Control and Improvement District Number One and Dryden does not get water from the district.
Residential customers in Sanderson will continue to pay $19 per month or $16.50 for those more than 64 years old.
After considerable
study, commissioners agreed paying by the dumpster was the only fair way of assessing fees for trash collection.
Commissioner Kenn
Norris conducted a study of trash fees, which showed businesses pay from $19 to $49 per month without much consideration of how much
trash is being generated.
Norris said Town and Country Truck Stop has seven dumpsters for $49 per month while businesses with only
one are paying from $19 to $49 per month.
It was agreed the number of dumpsters will be determined by the amount of trash generated.
The
fee will be $35, whether the dumpster is a “poly cart,” a half-yard or three-yard capacity dumpster.
The business will be able to determine
the size of dumpster and the rate will be based on the number of containers.
Who pays the rate will be determined by the water connection.
Norris’
figures indicated the new rates would allow the county to collect an estimated $21,000 per year as opposed to the present $17,280
under the present rates.
But County Judge Leo Smith noted the new rates will still be short of the total cost to the county by about
$60,000.
In November, for example, the county took in $7,452.50 in trash fees but paid out $13,796.04.
Smith said Dryden citizens originally
opposed the construction of new streets in town but since they were completed he had not received any complaints.
“The new roads are
very nice,” Norris said. “They will improve that little community tremendously.”
But he suggested Dryden continue to get free trash
pickup “for a selected time” and recommended January 1, 2010, to start assessing fees.
AUSTIN – The State of Texas has a helping hand for the Texans who would like to quit smoking.
State Sen. Carlos Uresti said there are
three million Texans who smoke and the state has resolved to help them stop.
The Texas Department of State Health Services will provide
$550,000 this year, up from $250,000 last year, for the American Cancer Society’s Quitline.
The toll-free number, at 877/YES-QUIT offers
a multilingual service 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist with chewing tobacco and smoking cessation.
Each caller
is paired with a personal phone counselor who will help the smoker establish a quit date and tackle everything from early cravings
to possible relapses, in six scheduled sessions.
They also offer self-help literature and local support programs
to keep smokers on track long after the Quitline experience.
“Of course the best way to quit is to never start, which is why
I introduced a bill this past session that would raise the legal age to buy tobacco to 19,” Uresti said. “Senate Bill 448 would have
helped to push tobacco out of high schools where students can easily sway an older friend to make a purchase for them.
“Ninety percent
of all adult smokers begin smoking while they are in their teens,” he said. “Studies indicate that the longer we keep teens from smoking,
the fewer adult smokers we will have in the future.”
Uresti said he will keep pushing for the legislation.
He said Quitline is not just
for people who already use tobacco products.
Information is also available for parents who want to prevent their kids from picking
up the habit.
“The Decision is Yours” is a pamphlet containing graphic comparisons of a healthy lung and a smoker’s lung, which DSHS
and the American Cancer Society hopes will deter youth from smoking and potentially becoming one of the 24,000 Texans who die from
tobacco-related illnesses each year.
SANDERSON – Every January is School Board Recognition Month in Texas and Sanderson ISD has made a note to recognize its school board
members.
“Education fosters success,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “From grade school to university, a solid education establishes the
foundation on which we build futures of achievement and advancement, futures that give fruition to the fulfillment of dreams and expectations.”
Serving
on the Terrell County School board are President Ada Lee Robbins, Vice President Eddie Benavidez, Secretary Johnnie Couch and members
Sandy Pierce, Cheryl Seidel, Neto Calzada and James Chapoy.
“Members of school boards, men and women who share a commitment to serve
their communities, dedicate themselves to ensuring that students are given every opportunity to excel through education,” Perry said.
“In collaboration with others including educators, governmental officials and the citizens of the districts they serve, school boards
are essential members of the education community.”
The Terrell County school board meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday in the High School
Library.
There will be a public hearing at this month’s meeting Monday, Jan. 21, on the 2006-07 Academic Excellence Indicator System
and the 2006-07 School Report Card.
“As citizens who serve children and their communities, individual school board members face
complex and demanding challenges,” Perry said. “Yet few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’
responsibilities.”
WICHITA FALLS – Terrell County 4-H Volunteer leaders Bobby Stegall and Johnny Odgers completed a rifle shooting sports class here
last week.
The course is designed to teach volunteers the proper safety and shooting techniques needed for a 4-H shooting sports program.
Terrell
County Extension Agent Mark Carroll said the responsibilities of shooting sports leaders are to learn and practice high standards
of safety, learn and practice cooperative coaching techniques, learn and practice 4-H teaching techniques, invest time, energy and
spirit, focus on helping youth develop and learn and be a strong, positive role model.
Plans are being made to start the shooting sports
program in the next few weeks.
Contact Carroll at 432/345-2291 to sign up for the program.
By LYN ROSAS
GRANDFALLS – The Sanderson Lady Eagle varsity team defeated the Grandfalls Cowgirls here Tuesday,
51-33.
The boys’ team lost to the Cowboys in the second game 42-35.
Hot from three-point range for the girls was senior Hannah Black
with four big ones. She scored nine more points, making her high scorer for the game with a big 21.
Senior Jenny Hernandez followed
with 10. Sophomores Sarah Sivils dumped in another nine and Blakeney Chriesman added eight.
The Eagles played a rough and physical
game with the Cowboys but ended up on the down side of the scoreboard.
The high scorer was junior Phillip Lascano with 15. Sophomore
Darren Seidel followed with seven, two three-pointers and one free throw that was the result of a technical call on the Cowboys.
Adding
more to the board were Jacob Benavidez with six, Davis Stumberg with four, Jimmy Rapp with three and Cordell Lawson with one.
In earlier
action, the Lady Eagles totally dominated the Lady Mustangs 70-31 Friday in Marathon.
Blakeney Chriesman and Sarah Sivils shared top
honors with 16 points apiece.
Holding at 13 points apiece were Noemi Nuñez and Hannah Black.
Juliana Castro put six points on the board,
Jessica Garza had four points and Miriam Nuñez scored two for the Ladies.
The Eagles next action will be tonight against Rankin in
Sanderson. First tip off will be at 5 p.m.
SANDERSON – The Marathon Junior High Colts dominated the junior Lady Eagles here this week.
The Colts scored first and never looked
back, defeating their hosts 29-14.
At the end of the first period the score was 6-2. By halftime, the Colts had doubled the Eagles,
leading 16-8.
After three, the Colts were up 24-10 and the final tally was 29-14.
Two players for the Colts made all their points. Krystal
Aguilar and Julia Ramirez battled it out for top scorer. Krystal had 15 while Julia bagged 14.
Sharing top score for the Eagles were
eighth graders Ashley Hagelgans and Isabel Rivera with six points apiece.
The Colts, led by Coach Gracie Galindo, visited Dairy King
for supper before heading home.
The junior high Eagle boys attended a basketball tournament in Grandfalls last weekend.
In their first
game, they lost to the Longhorns from Buena Vista 49-17.
Scoring for the Eagles was Shawn Stegall with five points, Taylor Roberts,
who hit the net twice for four points, Daniel Luevano also scored four points and Dryden Baker and Jalen Chriesman had two points
apiece.
The second game put the Eagles out of the running when they lost to Fort Stockton in a nail bitter, coming up short, 27-24.
Leading
the boys with high score was Shawn Stegall with 10 points, followed by Jalen Chriesman with seven.
Daniel Luevano scored three points
while Dryden Baker and Taylor Roberts had two points apiece.
Trisha Nichols is coach of the girls and the boys are led by Leighton
Conway.
ALPINE – The Regional Office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Den-ton and the Texas Department of Transportation will
co-host a four-day course titled “Managing Floodplain Development through the National Flood Insurance Program” here this spring.
The
course at Kokernot Lodge at Sul Ross State University March 31 through April 3 is designed to train local government floodplain administrators
in their responsibilities of ensuring that people and property are protected as much as possible from the destructive effects of major
flooding events.
Other individuals who also participate in managing flood risk are also invited to attend.
That could
include engineering professionals, county and city officials, and others.
There is no cost to attend the course. Required enrollment
is 20 to conduct the class.
Enrollment is through the Texas Floodplain Management Association at www.tfma.org and enrollment
must be performed online at this site.
The cities of Alpine, Balmorhea, Fort Stockton, Marfa, Presidio and Toyah as well as Brewster,
Jeff Davis and Presidio Counties actively participate in the NFIP.
SANDERSON – People will still be able to pick treasures from the county landfill but they will need permission from the county to
do so.
County Commissioners Monday ratified a rule proposed by County Judge Leo Smith that people wanting to salvage something from
the landfill need a letter from his office granting permission.
“I can sit at my house [at the edge of town] and watch something like
a washing machine pass by on the way to the dump,” he said. “A few minutes later, that same washing machine is on its way back to
town.”
He said the machine may be used for one part and again be abandoned only to have to be carried back to the dump.
“I don’t mind
people taking something they really need,” he said. “But we need some control.”
He said if someone can salvage a part off an abandoned
item and save some money, he is all for it.
But he said he does not want to see people taking an entire machine to get one part.
The
court also agreed to advertise for bids for excavation services to dig a pit at the landfill.
SANDERSON – For those who haven’t yet noticed, members of the local Girl Scout Troop Number 141 have fanned out across town selling
cookies.
Scout Leader Gina Garza said the cookie sale this year also helps support US military forces overseas.
“While placing your
cookie order for this year, please consider buying an extra box or two to donate to our military troops overseas,” Garza said. “You
can do this by writing in the number of packages you wish to purchase for donation in the very first column labeled ‘Cookie Share.’”
She
said Corina Castro will help the troop mail the donated cookies to Afghanistan. Castro’s daughter, Jaime Castro Taylor, is stationed
there.
“The scout troop will be taking orders through the end of January,” Garza said. Cookies will be delivered the first
week in February.
Garza said if no girl scout has taken an order, it can be placed by calling her at 345-6753.
SANDERSON – A total of 15 students from Sanderson, along with several adults, will travel this year to El Paso, Dallas, Washington
and Europe.
Going the furthest is Jessica Garza, daughter of Jerry and Gina Garza.
Jessica was nominated for the People to People Student
Ambassador Tuition Program to Europe this summer.
She is having an ongoing fundraiser that includes one that will not cost anything
to donors.
She has made arrangements to be paid for inactive old and used cell phones and used ink cartridges.
This provides a way
to get rid of old phones and cartridges that are just taking up space and helping Jessica at the same time.
She currently has drop-off
locations at Sanderson State Bank and Terrell County Courthouse.
She asked people to call her at 345-6753 and she will pick up the
phones or ink cartridges.
Jessica will pack and ship the used items periodically over the course of the next several months.
Lauren
Ashley Hagelgans was accepted to attend the National Young Leaders State Conference in Dallas June 26 through June 29.
Ashley was nominated
by one of her teachers, Trisha Nichols, and was recognized for her scholastic merit, maturity and responsibility to represent Sanderson.
The 369 members of the United States Congress who serve on an Honorary Congressional Board of Advisors reviewed the students nominated
Nationally.
Ashley will attend a series of press conferences.
Jacob Benavidez was nominated as the ambassador to the Hugh O’ Brian
Youth Leadership Conference and is scheduled to attend his conference in El Paso this summer.
Twelve students will travel to Washington,
DC, during spring break March 15 through 19.
The trip is the brainchild of Adam Portillo, the kids’ teacher and coach.
The kids have
already paid for their trips through raffles, concession stands and donations and a grant from the Abell-Hanger Foundation of Midland.
Portillo
submitted a grant application for $10,000 in October. The foundation answered back with an $8,000 donation to help fund the trip.
All in all there will be a total of 28 people making the trip.
There are many items on the scheduled itinerary including the Smithsonian
museums and a sightseeing tour of Washington, the US Capitol Building and other sights.
Portillo also thanked Sanderson Tire,
Travis and Katie Roberts, Southwest Airlines, True Value of Alpine, the parents and the students for their hard work and their contributions
in making this trip possible.
“I am looking forward to this trip because of the history aspect of it and I believe the students will
have fun and remember this trip for the rest of their lives,” Portillo said.
SANDERSON – A 90-day limited burn ban is now in effect for Terrell County, approved by County Commissioners Court Monday.
County Judge
Leo Smith read a resolution saying the court “finds that circumstances present in all of Terrell County create a public safety hazard
that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning.”
The burning restrictions can be terminated if the court determines the danger has passed.
The
order still allows “outdoor BBQing provided fires are contained as well as an allowance for all types of welding.”
Also exempted from
the ban are activities related to public health “that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.”
They include
firefighter training, public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations, planting or harvesting of agricultural crops or burns
conducted by a prescribed burn manager.
Smith noted that very dry conditions in the area have created a condition in which wildfires
are likely.
Less than a tenth of an inch of rain fell on Sanderson Monday night after the burn ban was enacted but the light rain is
not expected to provide any significant relief to the fire danger.
MARFA – US Border Patrol agents here and Sierra Blanca seized more than a ton of marijuana in separate instances Friday and Saturday.
Sierra
Blanca agents found $632,800 in marijuana in the trailer of an 18-wheeler as it came through the Interstate 10 checkpoint about 1
a.m. Friday.
The 791 pounds was hidden in 15 cardboard boxes among the freight in the trailer.
During the immigration inspection, a
Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics.
The driver of the truck, a US citizen from Florida, and his passenger, a US
citizen from El Paso, were arrested.
Saturday evening, Marfa agents noticed a pickup coming up FM 2810 from the south and turning
west on Highway 90 in Marfa.
Agents, with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, followed the vehicle about 25 miles
west of Marfa when DPS attempted to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation.
The vehicle turned around and headed back to Marfa.
About ten miles from the city, officers tried to stop the vehicle with tire deflation devices.
The truck was able to continue into
town on its rims before it was stopped with assistance from the Presidio County Sheriff’s office and the Marfa Police Department.
The
pickup contained 1,249 cellophane tape wrapped bundles of marijuana weighing 1,466 pounds with a street value of $1,173,040.
The driver
is a US Citizen from Odessa, accompanied by an undocumented alien from Mexico.
The men, the marijuana and the vehicles were turned
over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.