June 27, 2008
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SANDERSON
– There may be a way after all to restore the Terrell County Courthouse to
its original appearance when it was first built in 1906. Architect
Monty Hunter said in a letter to County Judge Leo Smith that there was no money
from the Texas Historical Commission to fund repairs to the existing
courthouse, which has been remodeled twice in its 100-year history. However,
Hunter said, the THC has a program to restore the building to its original
design. “They
[THC] indicated the restoration is to bring the building back to the original
architectural form/features,” Hunter wrote. “If approved, THC funds 85
percent of the cost.” Texas
officials have expressed particular interest in the courthouses of the
state’s 254 counties and most have been restored to some state of their
original design. Smith
said the county has set aside $600,000 for courthouse repairs, which could be
used for the county’s 15 percent share. “That
would give us $4 million to do the project,” he said. “If we put another
$600,000 with it, we would have $8 million.” The
idea of restoring the building to its original appearance came up about a
year ago when county commissioners began discussing needed repairs to the
existing building. At
the time, it was generally agreed that going back to the 1906 building would
cost too much. ”I’d
like to see the courthouse look like the picture downstairs in the lobby,”
Commissioner Kenn Norris said at the time. The
building shown in that photograph was first built in 1906, one year after
Terrell County was formally established. It
was remodeled in 1934 and again in 1983. Terrell
County was created out of Pecos County in 1905. The courthouse was built the
following year for $25,000. for
fence By Mark Glover Marathon News Leader Border
Wall proponents applauded this week’s US Supreme Court decision not to act on
a lawsuit brought by The Sierra Club and The Defenders of Wildlife. The
case challenged the constitutionality of The Real ID Act, which allowed US
Homeland Security Chief Micheal Chertoff to sidestep more than 30 federal
laws including the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Endangered
Species Act. The
action will pave the way for the construction to begin on a wall along
portions of the US-Mexico border. Fourteen
House Democrats including seven committee chairs had filed a brief in support
of the environmentalist appeal. “Without
a comprehensive plan, this fence is just another quick fix,” said Rep. Bennie
Thompson, D-MS, one of the signers of the brief and head of the House
Homeland Security Committee. Rep.
Peter King, R-NY, said the Supreme Court decision was “a victory for common
sense and a victory for Americans who want secure borders.” King
was a co-author of the 2006 Secure Border Act that called for 314 miles of
border wall to be constructed. The
City of El Paso has also filed suit against the federal government and is
also challenging the constitutionality of The Real ID Act. The
suit is presently pending in federal court in El Paso. Another
legal challenge to the border wall is the Texas Border Coalition suit that
alleges that the federal government exercised imminent domain powers against
south Texas landowners without reasonable negotiation for fair market land
value. However,
this case is not expected to reach the Supreme Court before the end of the
George W. Bush Administration. Democratic
Presidential nominee Barack Obama has tentatively supported the border wall
construction but has stated that a “review” may be in order. Meantime,
the award to the winning bidder to construct 6.1 miles of border wall in
Presidio was scheduled to be announced this week. However,
US Border Patrol Marfa Sector spokesman Bill Brooks said “the bid awards for
construction have been delayed until next week. “The
US Army Corp of Engineers is handling the bidding process,” Brooks said.
“Once the winning contractor is selected, border wall construction can begin
immediately.” opens
season tonight ALPINE – “Cowgirls,” the boot-stomping
musical, opens the 2008 Theatre of the Big Bend schedule tonight, June 27. “Cowgirls” will be performed on weekends, tonight through
Sunday, July 5 and 6 and July 11 through 13. All performances begin at 8:15 p.m. at Kokernot Outdoor Theatre. “Petra’s Cuento” will open Friday, July 18, with additional performances
July 19 and 20, July 25 through -27 and Aug. 1 through 3. “Pecos Bill and the Ghost Stampede” will be performed Aug. 7 to
10. For
admission prices, contact information, facilities and other details, visit
the Theatre of the Big Bend Theatre website at www.sulross.edu/tobb. Drought
dictates caution with fireworks Independence Day,
commonly known as the Fourth of July, is next Friday and, for many, fireworks
are an exciting part of Fourth of July celebrations. But a severe drought
in Southwest Texas has caused local governments to impose burn bans and to
prohibit fireworks as much as state law allows. Still, many are
expected to use fireworks in a traditional observance of the anniversary of
the singing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. “It only takes a spark
to start a wildfire,” said Tom Spencer, fire risk assessment coordinator for
Texas Forest Service. “Fireworks, especially aerial fireworks, can be the
source of that spark.” Terrell County issued
a total fireworks ban yesterday and asked Gov. Rick Perry to extend the ban
past July 5. Other bans are in
effect elsewhere in West Texas. As a result of the
drought – Sanderson has recorded less than an inch of rain all year – grass
and other vegetation have dried and are easily ignited. A very wet spring in
2007 caused the plants to grow, providing plenty of fuel, which then dried
out when the drought started last summer. Spencer recommends
keeping fireworks well away from dry grass and other flammable vegetation to
prevent accidental fires. The Texas Forest
Service recommends citizens adhere to all county and city fireworks laws and
restrictions, use fireworks outdoors, away from dry grass and buildings,
follow label instructions on how to properly discharge fireworks, only use
fireworks with close adult supervision, keep a bucket of water, wet towels
and a garden hose nearby, discard used fireworks – never try to relight them
– and allow used fireworks to cool thoroughly before handling to avoid
possible burn injuries. Texas Forest Service
urges those celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks to plan ahead and
limit use of fireworks to areas where accidental fire starts will not occur. “Everyone doing their part will help make sure
we all have a happy and safe Independence Day holiday,” Spencer said. Paisano
Camp SANDERSON
– Three Sanderson youth and one from Fort Stockton attended Paisano Youth
Camp near Alpine recently, compliments of First Baptist Church of Sanderson. Juliana
Castro, Kelly Lomas and Jimmy Rapp from Sanderson and Haleigh Melius of Fort
Stockton headed for Paisano for a week of camp with a theme, “No logo, no
theme, just Jesus.” “It
was amazing,” Juliana said. “I have a whole new perspective on my
relationship with Christ.” She
said she met some new friends and “had a blast.” Kelly
Lomas, going for the third year in a row said, “It was soooo awesome.” He
and Jimmy have been to this particular camp for three years and have made
many friends over the years. It
was at this camp where Jimmy and Kelly met Haleigh last year. Haleigh
went through some church changes and First Baptist of Sanderson was happy to
sponsor her, Pastor John Carnagey said. “I
had a lot of fun.” Haleigh told the News
Leader. ”It was awesome
and you could really feel God there. ”It
was nice to get away from the world and things like the phone and focus on
God,” she said. When
asked if she would go again, Haleigh replied, “If I have a ride, I’ll be
there.” “It was an experience that made my faith
even stronger,” Kelly said. When
asked if he would return, he simply said “fo sho.<sic>” He
and Jimmy both plan to attend as campers until they are too old, then plan to
return as camp counselors. “I
loved it,” Jimmy said. When
asked what going to this camp had done to his and Kelly’s friendship, he
replied, “It has made it friendship plus five. You must be a gamer to understand.” Kelly, Juliana and
Jimmy are all members of the local youth group 180º Revolution. Court
nixes ‘historic use’ for water AUSTIN
-- The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that “historic use” no longer applies in
determining use of groundwater. The high court ruled in favor of the Guitar Holding Company in
its lawsuit against the Hudspeth County Underground Water Conservation District
No. 1. The court ruled that a historic use permit applies not only to
the volume of water for that use but also to the actual purpose, whether it
be agricultural, municipal or industrial. The Groundwater
Resources Division of the Texas Water Development Board said the ruling means
that if a permit holder wants to change the use from say, agriculture to
municipal, the historic use permit no longer applies. GI
Forum creation WASHINGTON,
DC – Legislation introduced in the US House of Representatives this week
would express gratitude for the contributions of the American GI Forum on its
60th anniversary. The
Forum was founded in 1948 when Mexican-American and other Hispanic American
veterans returning home from World War II were denied the guaranteed
veteran’s benefits of education, medical care, housing and other basic
benefits provided by the GI Bill. The
full House of Representatives was expected to pass the bill this week. “As
we look toward passage of a new GI Bill for our veterans, it’s important to
recall the contributions of the San Antonio-based GI Forum for our veterans
that deserved the thanks and support of our nation but who had to fight for
what they deserved,” said US Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez, a member of the House
Veterans Affairs Committee and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’
Veterans Task Force. “Today,
I am proud to fight for the best in care for all of our veterans, including
those coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan and those who served in the
past,” said Rodriguez, who introduced the bill. Dr.
Hector P. Garcia, a US Army Major and veteran of World War II, established
the American GI Forum in Corpus Christi 60 years ago to address the concerns
of Mexican-American veterans who were segregated from other veterans
groups. Garcia
initially formed the group to request services for World War II veterans of
Mexican descent who were denied medical services by the United States Department
of Veterans Affairs. The
Forum soon spread into non-veteran’s issues, advocating for the civil rights
of Mexican-Americans. The
GI Forum's first campaign was on the behalf of Felix Longoria, a Mexican-
American private who was killed in the Philippines in the line of duty. Upon
the return of his body to Texas, he was denied funeral services by a mortuary
because of his race. Garcia
requested the intercession of then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, who secured
Lon-goria’s burial in Arlington National Cemetery. The
case brought the American GI Forum to national attention and chapters were
opened throughout the country. Ten
years ago, in 1998, Congress officially recognized the GI Forum with a
charter. The
GI Forum’s motto is “Education is Our Freedom and Freedom Should be
Everybody’s Business.” The Forum currently
operates chapters throughout the United States with a focus on veteran's
issues, education and civil rights. |
Courthouse
repairs would include facia panels on the roof that are wearing out, doors
that need work and other “small things” that need to be repaired, Smith said
last year. “Right
now, in case of a fire on the second floor, all we have is a fire extinguisher,”
he said. “I’d like to see a two-inch pipe running next to the elevator with
fire hoses on both floors.” Hunter
provided a partial list of repairs and their projected costs recently. But he
has not completed all of the estimates. SANDERSON – Next Friday, the nation will pause in one
of the most patriotic holidays of the year to mark the 232nd anniversary of
the signing of the Declaration of Indepen-dence. With the official holiday falling on a Friday,
Sanderson organizers have opted for a two-day observance Friday and Saturday,
July 4 and 5. It all begins at 10 a.m. Friday, July 4, as entrants
for the annual Fourth of July parade begin lining up on School Street just
west of Sanderson State Bank. The parade is sponsored by the American Legion and the
Legion Auxiliary. Parade Chairman is Monica Graham. The march will begin at 11:30 a.m. down Oak Street, or Highway 90, to the
Legion Hall where a barbecue lunch will be served beginning at 12 noon, also
sponsored by the Legion and Legion Auxiliary. An adult plate will sell for $7 and child plates are $5. Take-out plates
also will be avail-able. Then the observance will move to the Courthouse square where vendors will
be on hand to sell tacos and tamales, barbecue, pizza and other delecacies. At 3 p.m., the Terrell County Historical Commission will conduct the
Old Timers Reunion with prizes for the oldest man and woman present. The TCHC will also unveil an historic marker at 5:30 p.m. at the site of
the Terrell County World War I airfield near where the present Wool
Com-mission building now stands. The first day of the two-day bash will conclude with the first of two
street dances on Hackberry between the Court-house and Sanderson High School.
Disc Jockey James Poe will provide music for dancing from 8 p.m. till
midnight. The Friday street dance is courtesy of Sanderson State Bank
and the Sanderson branch of the Pecos County State Bank. Also Friday night will be the 1983 Sanderson High School Class Reunion. Events Saturday, July 5, will begin with the American Legion breakfast
from 7 to 9 a.m. at Legion Hall. A $6 “donation” is sug-gested. Children under ten years old can eat for
free. Then it’s back to the Courthouse Lawn for the Pink Elephant Silent
Auction from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, also sponsored by the American Legion
Auxiliary. The American Legion will provide BBQ sandwiches at the Courthouse Lawn
from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The price of $5 includes chips and drink. There will be another Old Timer’s Reunion at 2 p.m. and the Friendship
quilt will be on display. The Sanderson Culture Club will conduct its annual Home-made Ice Cream
Contest at 2 p.m. Terrell County’s home-grown band Dewey and the Terrell County Bs will
provide music for the street dance from 9 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday. The usual fireworks demon-stration during the dance will be a “no show”
this year because of the drought con-ditions. The celebration
ends Sunday morning, July 6, with the American Legion Breakfast from 7 to 9
a.m. to
be honored SANDERSON
– The top walkers in the annual “Walk Across Texas” program will be honored
at a “wrap up” party from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 30, at the Pavilion in
Bicentennial Park. The
event aimed at physical health was launched here April 4. Top
prizes will go for the top three walkers, both individual and group. Awards
and refreshments will be offered at the Monday event. The
Texas AgriLife Extension Service sponsors the “walk” in which participants
team up to each walk a share of the distance across the state. “Start
a healthy habit,” Extension Family and Consumer Services Agent Evans Kott
said. “Enjoy a little friendly competition, get fit, spend time with your
kids and have fun.” For more
information, contact Karen Sanchez at 432/345-2508. Cactus
Chat: Group visits Alamo City By Kim Rapp News Leader Production Manager SANDERSON
– Diana Escamilla and grandson Christopher McDonald traveled to San
Antonio recently to meet up with Escamilla’s
daughter, Georgianna Valdez & husband Bryan from San Angelo. They
were toting daughter Bryianna and
the purpose of the trip was see the new home of Alex Escamilla and family, wife Pamela and two boys Kiasen
and Bryce. While
there, they enjoyed Sea World and eating out. And, of course, they had to hit
the mall before coming home. Three
students from the University of Texas in Austin were spotted passing through
town this week. Vicky Huang, Travis Katon
& Sze Huei Yek were out on Highway 90 looking for lizards by day
and enjoying Sanderson by night. The
three are studying to be biologists. The
girls are actually majoring in ecology evolution behavior to become
“integrative biologists,” which should take five to six years of schooling. Katon,
who is just 20 years old, is from Houston, 25-year old Huang hails from Austin and Sze
Huei Yek, who is 30 years old, traveled all the way from Malaysia to
attend UT. Huang
thinks Sanderson is a “nice break from the city, it’s quiet, I like it,” she
said. Katon describes
lizard hunting as “challenging and fun” and he really likes the people in
town. “They have all been so nice to us,” he said. Yek said her
favorite part of Sanderson was “the fried chicken from Town & Country,”
although, she didn’t say much in my interview with them. Her
milk shake from Dairy King was melting fast. Members of the Hagelgans family went to Jacksonville, NC, last weekend to
attend a second memorial service for Joseph
Hagelgans. Roxy Cravens
took daughters Haley Hagelgans &
Jakelynn Cravens. Also
in attendance were Lupe Hagelgans
of Sanderson, Billie Jo Bailey
& daughter Lexie Coe of
Bonifay, FL, and Lupe’s niece, Annette Harris of Massachusetts. Ice
Cream Contest to be ‘double good’ SANDERSON
– A youth division will be included again this year at the annual Fourth of
July Homemade Ice Cream Contest, sponsored by The Sanderson GCWF Culture
Club. “Including
the youth of Sanderson helps keep our historic West Texas culture alive and
in the memories of those who participate as they make and serve delicious
homemade ice cream on a hot July afternoon to help celebrate our nation's
birthday,” organizer Becky Norris said. “The monies raised by donations and
ice cream sales are then used to fund the Sybil Savage Scholarship. “The
Sybil Savage Scholarship is presented to a deserving graduate of Sanderson
High School each year by the Culture Club to help with their college expenses,”
she said. The
contest will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 5, during the two-day Independence
Day Observance. In
addition to the youth division for those 18 and under, there is an adult
division. The
first, second and third place winners of each division will receive cash
prizes. Everyone
is eligible to enter and compete except club members. Contestants
should have their cream at the Culture Club booth on the front Courthouse
lawn by 3 p.m. that day. Each contestant will be given an entry number at
that time. The
flavor of the ice cream should be written on, or attached to, the freezer. After
judging is completed, the ice cream will be severed in new, larger 12-ounce
cups for $2 each. “Out-of-town
contestants are very welcome to compete and everyone is encouraged to eat and
enjoy,” Norris said. “The funds earned will go to the Sybil Savage Scholarship
fund. Donations to the fund are also very welcome and will be accepted.” Those who have
questions or need help should contact Norris at 432/345-2640 or 432/940-9541. ALPINE
– Program Council members from 1976 to 2004 will be honored during Sul Ross
State University’s annual “Branding Together” alumni and friends reunion,
scheduled July 18 to 20 here. Hosted by the Sul Ross Alumni Association, “Branding Together”
is open to all alumni, past and current faculty, staff and friends of Sul
Ross. A Friday night social, campus tour, Saturday Branding Together
fun and games, 5K run/walk and “Branding under the Stars” at the Reata patio
with music by Tunes of Texas are among planned activities. Registration and entry forms are available online at www.sulross.edu/mybarsrbar. target
of plan AUSTIN
– The US Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety have joined
forces to begin cracking down on commercial truckers who knowingly smuggle
illegal weapons, drugs or humans across the Texas-Mexico border. Gov.
Rick Perry directed the DPS to work with Border Patrol in an initiative
dubbed “Texas Hold ‘Em” to revoke the commercial driver licenses of those
convicted of felony smuggling. “The
vast majority of Texas truckers are law-abiding citizens who work incredibly
long hours to feed their families and keep our economy moving,” Perry said.
“But there are those who are breaking the law to make a quick buck. “And
to those law breakers, we are sending the message, ‘If you knowingly smuggle
goods across the Texas border, you will lose your license and your
livelihood,’” he said. Chief
of the Border Patrol, David V. Aguilar praised the new initiative as an effective deterrent to active
smuggling and to identify illegal activity. “This
program is a collaborative effort,” Aguilar said. “It is a crucial
enforcement component to help bring security to the Texas border.” Texas
border security operations have put mounting pressure on Mexican crime
cartels and other crime organizations to find alternate ways of smuggling
contraband into the state. This
includes recruiting commercial drivers to transport contraband, including
drugs and humans, across the border in return for bribes. Due
to these increased illegal recruitment efforts, the Border Patrol recognized
the need to establish a process ensuring DPS receives the necessary court
documents to suspend violators’ driver licenses upon a felony smuggling
conviction. Perry
has instructed DPS to work with Border Patrol to enforce the law. In
the first eight months of fiscal year 2008, Border Patrol agents in Texas
intercepted 423 tractor trailers resulting in the detainment of more than
1,800 undocumented immigrants and more than 112,000 pounds of illegal drugs. In
the Marfa Sector, which includes Terrell and Brewster Counties, 175 truck
drivers have been caught smuggling drugs or humans in the last 18 months. “DPS,
in cooperation with the US Border Patrol, is pleased to have established this
process for reporting felony convictions for commercial drivers who have
committed felonies by transporting drugs and/or undocumented aliens in a
com-mercial vehicle,” Chief of DPS Driver License Division Judy Brown said.
“Taking action to revoke the privilege of these drivers will further assist
our efforts to increase safety on the public roadways and to increase the
security of our nation’s border.” The
Texas Hold ‘Em initiative includes revoking CDL privileges for felony
convictions, increasing awareness of smuggling penalties, initiating a public
service announcement campaign and creating a “tipster” hotline and offering
rewards for information leading to felony smuggling convictions. Texas
Hold ‘Em is a permanent program that will serve as a standard operating
procedure across all five border sectors within the state. Holocaust
survivors By Jason Hennington Sul Ross News Writer ALPINE
– Summer for Sul Ross State University students in the McNair Scholars
Program means research ranging from interviews with Holocaust survivors to
evaluating water quality to studying new dental practices. Through the McNair Program, 21 Sul Ross students have the
opportunity to prepare for graduate school including research projects. Jamie Rios of Roma has interviewed Holocaust survivors. His project, “A Survey of Holocaust Survivors: Transitions of
Life from Nazi Germany to Texas, from 1933-1948,” involves learning about the
ways Holocaust survivors’ lives have changed. “I’ve really enjoyed the interviews,” Rios said. “It’s a really
unique experience. It’s neat to sit down with someone who was a part of the
Holocaust. I’ve been reading up on it for a few years.” During the interviews, Rios will research three aspects of life,
economic, cultural and social, and how they changed in moving from Germany to
Texas. The economic aspect involves finances and the transition from
Germany to Texas. The cultural aspect deals with religion and practices for the
survivors and the social aspect includes family and these survivors’ reaction
to society. “I had a mild idea of what I was going to find but, after the
first interview, it changed quite a bit,” Rios said. “After talking to
[adviser] Dr. [Wayne] Sheehan, I have taken a different direction with the
research.” Rios will travel to El Paso and has already been to Houston to
speak with survivors. In Houston, Rios spoke with Otto Schlamme, a survivor who has
had a few strokes and learned that health is a major issue for most of these
survivors. “Part of the reason I chose this is because they are a dying
group. Many of them are in their 90s or 100s,” Rios said. “Health is pretty critical.” Prior to this project, Rios wanted to study Mexican- American
History but has always been interested in the Holocaust. “It’s my own curiosity, asking them my own questions about the
Holocaust. Talking to them about it is very special and sometimes dramatic,”
he said. “Their life is being told question by question, answer by answer.” After graduation in May 2009, Rios wants to continue studying
the Holocaust in graduate school. “I want to go somewhere that offers Holocaust studies as
coursework,” Rios said. “That’s what I’m looking for.” He said the McNair program is the reason he has changed his interest
for graduate school. “I’ve always thought about going to the National Autonomous
University of Mexico, now maybe just for a Ph.D,” he said. While engaging in this project, Rios has learned a lot from the
survivors that he can apply to his everyday life. “I’m learning a lot but it’s one of those subjects not too many
people are enthusiastic about for obvious reasons,” Rios said. “It’s graphic
and brutal at times. “From talking to the survivors and other accounts you get a
sense of responsibility for learning, which you will hear time and time again
from them,” he said. “They would choose to learn something and not be a
bystander in any instance. “I’m choosing not to be a bystander by learning and, hopefully,
I will be teaching about them soon.” The McNair Program, named after Ronald E. McNair, the first
African American astronaut, is designed to assist low income, first
generation, and/or under represented students to earn doctoral degrees. The program assists students to prepare for and pass the GRE,
LSAT and MCAT tests as well as apply for doctoral programs at other
institutions. The McNair program also sponsors travel to graduate fairs and
symposiums, along with periodic workshops on how to find and secure graduate
funding for involved students. Each student will receives free tuition, room and board and a
stipend for summer research. Each student is mentored by a faculty member, appointed
depending on field of choice. Recipients
will receive three hours of college credit and will engage in an intense
research project in their field of interest. |
Smith
said some of the repairs might be included in a restoration project. He
said the interior would not necessarily be redone but he mused how nice it
might be to have hardwood floors, oak furniture in courtrooms and other
trappings of an early-20th Century courthouse. SANDERSON
– County Judge Leo Smith yesterday issued an emergency declaration banning on
all fireworks through July 5 and called on Gov. Rick Perry to extend the ban
because of extreme drought conditions. It
will be illegal to buy, sell or use any kind of fireworks in Terrell County
under the ban. Midland,
Ector and Andrews Counties took similar action. Smith
said he had to wait until Perry took action because of the wording of state
law. The law allows cities to ban fireworks outright but that does not apply
to counties, which have to wait for action from the governor. Officials
have battled several small wildfires in recent weeks. The
Texas Forest Service report this week showed the closest fire to Terrell
County was at Dry Devil’s River east of the
county line. This fire was estimated at 600 acres and containment as of
Wednesday was only 50 percent. The
Forest Service was also working on a 1,388-acre blaze fire known as the
Deaton fire, which was 50 percent contained Wednesday. Last week, a fire mainly in Crockett County came into the
northeast corner of Terrell County near Sheffield. County Judge Leo Smith told the News Leader this week
that anyone starting a fire would not be exempt from civil liability and
could face replacement charges that could amount to “hundreds of thousands of
dollars.” State
fire officials encouraged citizens to remain vigilant in their efforts to
prevent wildfires. The
current drought conditions mean that any moisture that does occur will be
immediately absorbed by the dry ground and vegetation. “Folks
have a tendency to think that with some rain, the fire danger has passed,”
said Texas Forest Service Fire Information Officer Nick Harrison. “We want to
emphasize that it will require a prolonged period of significant rain to
return to safe conditions.” He
urged citizens to continue a common-sense approach to wildland fire prevention. He
cautioned people to observe burn bans, use the vehicle ashtray, be careful
when using equipment or welding outdoors, avoid driving or parking on tall
grass and remember that almost any heat source can start a fire under these
conditions. Anyone
who observes smoke or flames is asked to call 911 immediately. Homeowners
can take steps to protect their property by ensuring vegetation is thinned
enough to prevent flames from finding a way to the structure. They
should remove other burnable material at least 30 feet around their homes. Helpful
tips can be found online at www.firewise.org,
Harrison said. A hotline has been
established for anyone who has information regarding possible arson starts.
The Texas Arson Hotline is 817/579-5686. visit
softball SANDERSON
– In a nail-biter Tuesday, Storm edged the Coyotes in Sanderson softball
21-20. Game
two was just the opposite as Los Pistoleros shot up Lonestar in a 37 to 13
rout. Meanwhile,
the All-Star team for Sanderson Little League Baseball has been selected and
will play in a tournament tomorrow, June 28, in Big Spring. All-Star
team members include Anthony Fuéntez, Jacob Helmers, Mikey Shoemaker, Jesse
Roberts and A.J. Rosas. Also
making the team were A.J.’s cousin Jaime Rosas, Joey Carrasco, Mason
Blackmon, Al Johnson, Daniel Luevano and Luis Garza. The
team is coached by Wayne Truesdell and Marco Fuéntez. The
tourney will be double elimination and Truesdell said he is “looking forward
to it.” In
other softball news, Paisano Geophysical has formed a team but was too late
to join the summer league. The
Terrell County Road & Bridge guys agreed to play a game, just for fun. After all, isn’t
softball supposed to be about fun? By Kim Rapp News Leader Production Manager SANDERSON
– A lot of kids are going to camps and such this summer and 15 Sanderson
youngsters went to GEARUP camp recently. GEARUP
stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. The
program began when these 15 students were in the seventh grade. It also
involved high school students as paid tutors. The
program is funded through a grant by the US Department of Education and is
administered by Sul Ross State University in Alpine, where the week-long camp
was held. “The
main goal of the program is to help these students pursue their education
after high school,” said GEARUP director Aster Treviño in an earlier
interview with Sul Ross News Writer Jason Hennington. Guys
attending the camp included Cordell Lawson, Andy Milstead and Jonathon
Calzada, who received two awards. One was the “Ironman Award” for which he
was given a tiny ironing board and the “Prince Charming Award” for which he
was given a tiny toy sword. Also
spending a week in the dorms were Casey Couch, L.A. Galvan, Kelly Lomas and
Ralston Rosas, who was awarded “most improved” and given a toy John Deere
tractor. Ladies
attending the camp were Taylor Johnson, Julianna Larrinaga, Roxanna
Rodriguez, Noemi Nuñez, Brianna Johnson and Ernestina Gonzalez. Juliana
Castro was honored with the “Bob the Builder Award” and received a little Bob
the Builder figurine for expressing team leadership and a positive outlook. The
“friendliest” award went to Lizette Ramirez, for which she was given a little
doll. In
addition to spending a week in the dorms at Sul Ross, the kids also went to
Fort Stockton one day for bowling, pizza and fun and headed for the Prude
Ranch in Fort Davis for some good food. They
also learned a little about reptiles and some even took a “leap of faith.” In
the “leap of faith,” one climbs a 40-foot pole, harnessed of course. He
walks across a beam to another pole, goes back across the beam and then free
falls from the center. The
purpose is to test your faith in your surroundings and those around you – or
beneath you as the case may be. John
Robert and Betty Prude are the third generation of the Prude family that
founded Prude Ranch Summer Camp in 1951. Accompanying
the students as chaperones were Ernestina’s mother Rosalina and her older
sister Rosa. Rosa
told the News Leader she had a
“fun, fun time.” She
will attend Sul Ross in the fall and will “definitely” stay involved in the
GEARUP program. She
said she is “looking forward to camp next summer.” The students are now
freshmen and the program will follow them throughout graduation. to
clean up SANDERSON
– The youth group 180º Revolution has volunteered to clean up
around the Terrell County Courthouse after the Fourth of July activities next
Friday, July 4, to prepare for the second day of a two-day observance. News Leader Production Manager Kim
Rapp told the Chamber of Commerce Tuesday the youth will do the cleanup as a
“community service project.” The
Chamber then voted to make a $50 contribution to the group to be used for its
activities. It
was suggested other July 4 participants also consider a donation to the club. A
representative of Terrell County told Chamber President Jim Street that with
the two-day observance, the Chamber should arrange to empty trash cans and
pick up litter for the second day because county workers do not work on
weekends. Several organizations contribute to the
Independence Day activities with no group having overall responsibility. Some
of the participating organizations offered to contribute to the cleanup
effort. Street
suggested that money be used instead to pay for a Chamber of Commerce schedule
in the News Leader, on Page 3 of this week’s paper. The
Chamber asked Street to contact the county to decide who would have “buck
stops here” authority. The
County Commissioners decided this year’s observance would be over two days,
Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5. Several
organizations that had expressed interest in operating booths on the Courthouse
Lawn during either or both of the days had not filled out forms. “There
is no cost but we need the forms filled out to determine needs for
electricity and the like,” Street said. “They forms are available in the News Leader office.” Henry Beth Hogg agreed
to contact those who had not yet filled out a form. this weekend ALPINE
– Thousands of ham radio operators will show off their emergency capabilities
this weekend south of here. Tomorrow
and Sunday, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with these ham
radio operators and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is
about. Showing
the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even
historic Morse code, hams from across the US will hold public demonstrations
of their emergency communications abilities at the Pavilion behind the sales
office of the Double Diamond Ranch south of here on Highway 118. The
annual event, called “Field Day,” is the climax of the week long “Amateur
Radio Week” sponsored by the National Association for Amateur Radio. Using
only emergency power supplies, ham operators will construct emergency stations
in parks, shopping malls, schools and back yards around the country. Their
slogan, “When all else fails,”
is more than just words to the hams as they prove they can send
messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or any
other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis. During
the recent tornadoes and in Hurricane Katrina, amateur radio – often called
“ham radio” – was often the only way by which people could communicate.
Members
of the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club will participate in the event, as they
have for more than 35 years. More
than 34,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last
year’s event. Members
of the club, who come from Brewster, Jeff Davis and Terrell Counties as well
as guest operators from as far away as Houston, will begin setting up
stations and antennas at 1 p.m. today, June 27. Beginning
at 1 p.m. tomorrow, June 28, the hams will try to contact as many other stations
in the US and Canada as they can. “This
is a good chance for the public to view amateur radio in operation,” said
club president Billy Roberts, W5NPR. “Our club prides itself on our focus on
public service and by participating in field day we get another opportunity
to plan and rehearse for the possible public emergency where we might have to
provide emergency communications support.” Last
year, about 20 hams contacted over 2,000 stations in the event. There
are 654,000 amateur radio operators in the US, and more than 2.5 million
around the world. Through
the ARRL, ham volunteers provide emergency communications for the Department of
Homeland Security Citizens’ Corps, Salvation Army, Federal Emergency
Management Agency and hundreds of state and local agencies, all for free. To learn more about
Amateur Radio, go to the website at www.WeDoThat-Radio.org. |