May 9, 2008

Fire nears 100,000 acres

FORT STOCKTON – A Pecos County fire that started on the ranch of Robert Huckaby of Fort Stockton last week has burned 98,200 acres and destroyed one un-occupied building but was reported 95 percent contained Wednesday. “It got about two thirds of my ranch,” Huckaby told the News Leader. He said it did not affect any structures on his ranch near Gray Ranch Road “but my lifestock has nothing to eat.” The ranch home of Alpheus and Peggy Harral of Fort Stockton burned to the ground this week but it was not a result of the grass fire nearby. Fire Chief Melvin Thomas said the house was a “total loss.” The Harrels were in the home but they were not injured. They went to the home of their son Day nearby, Thomas said. “The house was saved by firefighters on the Huckaby fire but it was destroyed later by lightning,” US Forest Service spokesman Lewis Kearney said. The current fire, which was attributed to a downed power line, is almost twice as large as the March 14 fire, which broke out on the Gerald Porter Ranch. That fire blackened 51,400 acres, a lot of them in Terrell County. The current fire was just north of that blaze. This week’s flames came dangerously close to the Mitchell and the Puckett Gas Plant facilities and moved as far north as Bakersfield. The two $10 million plants were directly threatened but were saved by the resources of the Texas Forest Service and local agencies. Each plant produces $1 million worth of natural gas a day. Rodriguez proposes a ‘trainload’ of suggestions SANDERSON – Daily passenger train service, a museum in the old Sanderson depot, a re-enactment of the “last great train robbery in Texas” and an additional federal relief package for the economic downturn were among suggestions delivered at train-side by US Rep. Ciro Rodriguez Saturday. He also suggested the “whistle-stop” tour of his district in far West Texas, including Sanderson, could become an annual event. A group of about 20 Terrell County citizens and officials were on hand to greet the Democratic congressman from San Antonio, even though the train was more than four hours late when it pulled into the old Sanderson Depot. Among those on hand to greet Rodriguez were County Judge Leo Smith, three of the four county commissioners, Sheriff Clint McDonald and three of the four deputies. Smith was instrumental five years ago in defeating a plan to restore the depot with a $500,000 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. He sited cost and environmental concerns in leading the opposition to the depot. The train robbery occurred on March 12, 1912, at Baxter’s Curve east of Sanderson, attempted by two members of the “Hole-in-the Wall” gang of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Train baggage agent David Trousdale foiled the robbery when he convinced robber Ole Holbek there was more treasure in the baggage car and, when he bent down to look, struck him in the head with an ice mallet, killing him. When Ben Kilpatrick came to check on his partner, Trousdale shot and killed him with Holbek’s rifle. The two bodies were displayed later at Sanderson Depot. Amtrak currently comes through Sanderson three times per week in each direction. Texas Association of Rail Passengers President Henry Wulff of Harlingen has been in the area recently seeking daily service. Rodriguez said the “rebate” program, which is currently sending out checks of as much as $600 per person, is just the first part of the effort to allay the pains of the economic downturn. “People are really hurting,” Rodriguez said. “The cost of gas is out of hand as are food and education. People are losing their homes.” He said the rebates are “not the whole answer but they should begin to bring some stability.” Back 4-Hers score big at roundup GARDEN CITY – Grace Jahn and Abby Carrasco of Sanderson placed first in their public speaking division with their educational presentation on scrapbooking at the District Six 4-H Roundup here Saturday. Dryden Baker and Joseph Carrasco placed first in their division. Grace and Abby won for their entry titled “Photo Fun” and the boys won for an educational presentation on flood safety titled “Preparing for a Flood.” The educational presentations were coached by Judy Houston and Extension Agent Mark Carroll. The Terrell County 4-H Club members competed against participants from 22 counties in public speaking and photography. Several Terrell County participants won in photography events. Grace received a blue ribbon for Animals Color Digital and red ribbons for Still Life Color and People Color Digital. Abby won red ribbons for Color Digital and Special Effects Color Digital. Doodle Odgers won red ribbons for Special Effects All Media, Still Life Color Digital, Still Life Color, Natural Landscape Color and Natural Landscape Color Digital. Eliza Odgers won blue ribbons for People Color Digital and Special Effects All Media, red ribbons for People Color and Still Life Color Digital and a white ribbon for Architectural Elements Black and White. Kelly Lomas won a blue ribbon Architectural Elements Color and red ribbons for Natural Landscape Color and Still Life Color. And Mason Blackmon won a red for Still Live Color Digital and a blue for Special Effects Color. Back Danell receives DAR award SANDERSON – Danell Graham of Sanderson has been chosen as this year’s recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution award. Danell entered an essay contest with a discourse on “Our American Heritage and Why Should We Preserve it?” Among her accomplishments are varsity cheerleader all four years of high school, NHS secretary, UIL, basketball, tennis, track and even “who’s who in American high school students.” Other achievements include being selected delegate for Girl’s State and a HOBY delegate. She also has been involved in the community 4-H program, serving two years as treasurer and two years as president. Danell was voted “most likely to succeed” by her teachers and her future plans include attending the University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa. She plans to major in biology and minor in chemistry before transferring to Texas Tech for the medical training to become an anesthesiologist. The DAR is a linage-based membership organization de-dicated to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. DAR chapters are involved in raising funds for local scholarships and educational awards, preserving historical properties and artifacts and promoting patriotism within their communities. Back Medal honors Taylor at fair By KIM RAPP News Leader Production Manager AUSTIN – Taylor Roberts of Sanderson, whose regional History Fair entry “Early 20th Century Texas Rangers” won him the right to advance to state, received a medal for the most outstanding junior high regional entry last week. Ten students represented Sanderson at the State History Fair here. “The kids did well,” coach and teacher Adam Portillo said. The interpretive website, “The Civil War: Was It Worth It?” by Raquel Hinkley and Victoria Busch was on display at the Bob Bullock Museum. Noemi Nuñez and Andrew Milstead performed their play, “The Heroic Children of Chapultepec.” Jalen Chriesman, Daniel Luevano and Mason Blackmon showed their group documentary, “Separate But Equal: The Negro Leagues.” Casey Couch and Travis Roberts showed their group documentary, “The Atomic Bomb: The Decision for Even Bigger Booms.” Although their projects did not make the finals, they received good comments from the judges and the kids got some ideas for future History Fair competitions, Portillo said. Among the experiences were a dinner at Austin Park and Pizza, the Bob Bullock Museum, a tour of the Capitol and a guided Tour of Austin. They also went on an amphibious boat ride on Lake Travis through Austin Duck Adventures. The trip also included a walk on the University of Texas campus. “We had a great time along with some great food and the kids were really excited,” Portillo said. “David Carrasco, Coach Trisha Nichols, Marissa Aranda and I are really proud of the kids and their projects,” he said, speaking of the other sponsors. The kids are already talking about next year’s History Fair with the theme, “An Individual in History.” Back Sanchez starts as BP agent MARFA – The US Border Patrol count is up by one with the addition of Eric Sanchez of Sanderson. He graduated from the US Border Patrol academy in Artesia, NM, and will begin work next week. The SHS graduate of ’03 went to Sul Ross State University for three years before following the footsteps of older brother Mikey, who is a border Patrol agent in El Paso. Sanchez is the son of Mike and Karen Sanchez of Sanderson and has two other brothers, Joseph and James Daniel. Back The legend of the Golden Pig By SUSANNA FUÉNTEZ Special to the News Leader MARATHON – I heard this story many years ago when I was a little girl and then again in the 70s from my in-laws. Both stories were similar and came from trustworthy families so I grew up believing it. Besides, my in-laws said they actually saw this giant golden pig and her little ones in the grassy meadow beside their house. Before I relate this story, it’s important to understand that among the Mexican culture there was a belief that if someone saw an animal in the meadow, there was sure to be some kind of treasure buried there. This is why these different animals appeared, to tell us of a treasure somewhere around there. So, anyone that saw this apparition was sure to investigate it in the hopes they would find treasures. Again, many people, as were my parents and in-laws, were God-fearing and timid and they hoped someone would find treasure so that those “sightings” would disappear. It was also rumored that for anyone who did find treasure, some kind of bad luck would fall upon him. Nevertheless, these “sightings” were given a lot of importance, whether from curiosity or fear. Yes, it’s a bit short, but very interesting. Supposedly, around the 20s, close to my in-laws, was a huge meadow or plain with tall, tall grass. People referred to it as “Chihuahuitas” because a family or two from Chihuahua had moved there. It was a desolate place, so not too many people ventured over there. (My husband and I live in that area.) Well, one afternoon when the sun set behind the mountains, one could hear a loud rustle through the tall grass and a huge, bright light could also be seen. One afternoon, my in-laws happened to be working in their vegetable gardens – as they did every afternoon – and heard that noise as if horses were running through the tall grass and they decided to investigate. What they encountered was almost supernatural. There, running through the tall grass was a giant pig and her piglets – and she was pure gold, which accounted for the bright light. She saw them and stopped in her tracks and looked at them as if asking them to follow her. Frightened, my mother-in-law blessed them and went back to her garden. They never again followed that “golden pig and her piglets.” To this day, no one knows if in fact someone followed the giant pig and found a treasure or what. Perhaps, those who have lived longer in Marathon know this story better than I and have a much more interesting ending than mine. EDITOR’S NOTE: We ran this story for our Spanish-speaking friends last week. It is repeated here, courtesy of its author. Back

Other critical infrastructures that were threatened included the Mesa Vineyard and Sherbino I Wind Farm. The wind farm is a $280 million facility employing 250 people. Mesa Vineyards is a $10 million facility with 800 acres of vineyards producing $16 million in products annually. Oil/natural gas wells, several ranches, houses and outbuildings were also threatened by the fire. Seven ranch structures were reported saved. Resources included four single-engine air tankers similar to crop dusters, four helitankers, one air attack and four dozers along with several area fire departments and other volunteers. Nurse Jane dies BRENHAM – A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Memorial Oaks Chapel here for Frances Pauline Hanson, 91, who died May 3, 2008 in Trinity Medical Center. Rev. Wally Westbrook will officiate and burial will be in Sanderson at a later date. Known as “Nurse Jane,” Hanson served as Sanderson school nurse for 27 years. She was born October 26, 1916, to B.H. and Ollie Louise Williams Smith in Pace, MS. She attended Shannon School of Nursing in San Angelo and graduated as a Registered Nurse. She met Jimmy Hanson in San Angelo and they were married on Nov. 29, 1938. While living in San Angelo, a son, Eddie James Hanson, Jr., was born on December 12, 1938. The family then moved to Sanderson where they owned and operated an automobile dealership. A daughter, Paula Louise, was born September 25, 1944. Frances was active in her children’s activities, including the PTA, as well as in the Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of several bridge clubs. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974 and her son in 1995. Survivors include her daughter, Paula and Larry Harrell of Burton; sister-in-law Gail Hanson, two granddaughters three great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. Back Raul added to all star team SANDERSON – Senior Raul Salazar has been chosen to join Ben Rubio in the Texas Six Man Coaches Association All-Star game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Lowry Field in Lubbock. He has also been selected to play in the Texas Bowl II in Garden City on July 12. Practice for the Coaches Association game will begin Monday, July 21. Head Coach for the All-Stars will be none other than our own Athletic Director, Mark Dominguez. “I will be taking my own staff,” Dominguez told the News Leader. “They were very instrumental in getting us as far as we got this year and there’s no need to change anything there.” The association said Dominguez could select anyone he wanted for the coaching staff. Assistant coaches helping Dominguez at the game will be Jerry Garza, Adam Portillo and Leighton Conway. Dominguez said the all-star honor is bestowed upon those who are nominated by the coaches in the district in which he plays. Back Sale nets nearly $40,000 SANDERSON – The sale of properties at auction to settle past-due taxes brought in $37,775 Tuesday. Several properties brought considerably more than the “minimum bid,” a number based on the amount of taxes owed plus costs. The largest single bid was on a lot in the “Wilson Edition.” Monte Harkins and Jay T. Holstein, dba Village Shopping Center, bid $5,000 for the property against a minimum bid of $1,075. There was one “no bid” on a Sanderson lot but Wayne Sutton of Dryden agreed to buy it for the $3,250 minimum bid. Dale Busch of Sanderson bought four properties for a total of $8,825. “All properties for sale at this time have a 180-day redemption clause,” said Attorney Noe Reyes of the San Angelo legal office of McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen. “The 2007 taxes are also due on these properties.” Reyes acted as the auctioneer. The Terrell County Appraisal District, representing Terrell County and Terrell County Independent School District, will receive the amount of past-due taxes plus expenses to recover them. The balance will go to the property owner. A similar sale is scheduled for one remaining property from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 3. Back The latest from 4-H By ELIZA ODGERS 4-H Reporter SANDERSON – OK 4-Hers, here’s what happened the last two weeks. At the Big Bend Open Road Race, we had 14 kids show up to hand out food to the “speedy racers” and what they got was burritos, green beans, pastries and cokes. Then we had textile show in Garden City last week. In public speaking, Grace Jahn, Abby Carrasco, Dryden Baker and Joseph Carrasco all got first place. WOW! In photography, Grace had first and second. Kelly Lomas and Mason Blackmon also got first and second. Abby and Doodle Odgers got second place. Eliza got first, second and third place. This is to let everyone know this will be my last article. New officers will be elected at next meeting. I want to thank everyone for reading our letters and their support. Back ‘Mathathon’ to benefit St. Jude’s SANDERSON – Students in the Sanderson Junior High School math class of Becky Norris had a “mathathon” to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital this week. “Our students ask for pledges, work the math problems and collect donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,” Norris said. “St. Jude’s is the largest childhood cancer research center in the world.” The Memphis, TN, hospital was founded in 1962 by comedian Danny Thomas. It exists on donations and no family ever pays St. Jude for medical treatment beyond its ability to pay. Eighty five percent of every dollar collected goes directly to research and treatment. With Mother’s Day coming Sunday, the hospital has offered donors a chance to contribute and honor Mother at the same time. St. Jude will send a personalized Mother’s Day Tribute Card to the donor’s mother that honors the contributions of mothers everywhere. “We are where some of today’s most gifted researchers are able to do more science more quickly,” the St. Jude website proclaims. The hospital is “where doctors across the world send their toughest cases and most vulnerable patients. “We've built America’s third largest health-care charity with a model that keeps the costs down and the funds flowing so the science never stops,” the site says. Back Grants workshop next week PECOS – Today is the deadline to sign up for a workshop on securing grants here next week. The Texas Pecos Trails Region will sponsor the workshop, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, May 16, at the Pecos Community Center at 508 S. Oak. Registration is $10 and lunch is included. There will be presentations by Bonita Gibson, grant writer for the City of Fort Stockton, and Greg Huber of the USDA Rural Community & Development Agency in Monahans. Contact the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce at 432/445-2406. Back Salvador band paces concert By KIM RAPP News Leader Production Manager ALPINE – The Dove-award- winning Christian Latin band Salvador performed Saturday night at the first annual “Awaken the Desert” concert at Jackson Field here. Comedian Carlos Oscar and the Christian rock band U4O opened for Salvador. U4O stands for “United For One.” U4O took center stage at Paisano Baptist Encampment Friday where seven Sanderson youth and two adults stayed the night. U4O hails from San Antonio and combined members are from four different churches, hence the name. “We believe we should all unite under God as one voice, as in the book of Acts,” drummer Jesse Reyna said. Ryan Buck is the headmaster of Alpine Christian School and is responsible for pulling the event together. Alpine Christian School sponsored the event and paid for the bands. The event was free to the public. “The kids here have to travel so far to see an event, I wanted to bring something to them,” Buck told the News Leader. He called on his brother Larry Buck in San Angelo, who brought his friend James Stell, a youth counselor, to bring the message at the camp. “We need to stop being ‘closet’ Christians,” Stell said. Members of U4O include Rene Robles, Jesse Reyna, Tim Gonzales on the keyboards, Giovanni Reyes, Justin Vargas, 16-year-old Ned Waldie – the baby of the bunch – Juan Aguilar and Aaron Torres. Catering supper at the camp were Shirley and Mark Williams and Grace Christian Fellowship, formerly of Marathon. They outgrew their building and had to relocate to Alpine to accommodate their congregation. “Baptist Student Ministry from Sul Ross was very instrumental in making this event happen,” Ryan Buck said. “This is the first of many. We plan to make it an annual event.” The BSM even sang a song or two at the camp, interacting with the youth and making an impact on a few of them. Also opening Saturday night was a local band called Crossing Jordan. Salvador is made up of Lead singer Nic Gonzales, his cousin Josh Gonzales on the bass guitar, Chris Bevins on keyboard, Ben Cordonero on drums, Alex Santoyo also on percussion, Herman Jimenez plays a mean trombone, Leif Shires on trumpet and Craig Swift wooed the crowd with his saxophone. Elliot Torres was also present. He said he plays with the guys “off and on” when he’s not playing drums for Nic’s wife, Dove award winning Christian artist Jaci Velasquez. Back

Porter reportedly was seriously injured last week when he was accidentally run over by his own pickup but it was not related to the fire. Sources said Porter was working on his ranch when the truck rolled over him. Back ‘No way’ for Marathon race FORT STOCKTON – After three runnings of the Road Runner Open Road Race between here and Marathon, there is “no way” the race can be run this year, Race Coordinator Kenda Furman told the News Leader this week. The race was a spin-off of the Big Bend Open Road Race between here and Sanderson that just completed its twelfth race last month. While it did not look good for Marathon, a decision was not announced until after the running of the BBORR. Drilling activity along US Highway 385, the racecourse for the RRORR, is too intense this year. Just one day lost for producers of the valuable commodity can cost them $1 million. While they may want to support the event, it just plain costs them too much. There was talk among some of the drivers this year that, if RRORR could not be run, the BBORR be repeated in October instead. “That’s what some of the drivers want, but not this year anyway,” Furman said. Many drivers prefer the race between Fort Stockton and Sanderson, not because of any negatives from Marathon. US 285 is simply more “challenging” with sharper curves and steeper hills than US 385. “I understand all the oil field traffic up there on the road complicated it,” Marathon civic leader Patsy Cavness said. “We may loose a little business but Fort Stockton loses the most. Maybe we can work up the M2M and West Fest and make up for it.” The M2M is the annual foot race from 26.2 miles west into Marathon, scheduled about the same time as the road race. It also features several shorter runs and has become a red-letter day for Marathon. The race is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The West Fest and Cabrito Cook-off in September is another major event on the social calendar. It was moved last year from the Ritchie Brothers to the Post Park. Back Cinco fete might be no more SANDERSON – Cool, cloudy weather cut into the crowds for the Sanderson observation of Cinco de Mayo Saturday but that may have been the least of the celebration’s problems. Yolanda Connelly, who has produced the event for several years, said this was her last year. Unless someone else steps up to meet the challenge, the observance may not happen next year. Contrary to some beliefs, Cinco is not Mexican independence day. It celebrates the Mexican victory over French Emperor Napoléon III at Puebla in 1862. Mexican independence is celebrated on September 16, or dies y seis de septiembre, marking the day in 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Castilla read the “Gritto de Hidalgo” proclaiming independence from Spain. Like the US declaration of independence from Britain, the Grito was just the call. It would take Mexico almost 11 years to secure that independence. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory by Gen. Ignacio Zara-goza over the French and, while it was a feather in the Mexicans’ caps, the victory was short-lived and the French installed Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximillian as emperor of Mexico in 1864. But Maximillian’s rule only lasted three years until he was executed after his capture in 1867. This year’s Cinco celebration featured El Mariachi Perla of Pecos singing on the Courthouse Lawn while vendors sold food and wares. Wayne West provided the music for a street dance Saturday night but, again, crowds were light. Connelly said Cinco has raised about $4,500 from the event and other activities. She said with “just a little to push me over,” the organization can provide $5,000 in scholarship funds this year. Connelly said she had help this year from Billye Scott, Rita Rodriguez, Albert Peña, Veronica Ybarra and Isidoro Calzada, Jr. Back Love is in the air at Cinco de Mayo SANDERSON – There were more than Mariachis and Tequila at the Cinco de Mayo dance Saturday. Kevin Ashbaker borrowed the mike and asked Brigette Duncan to be his wife. She, of course, said yes and the happy couple will say their vows on May 17 in the back yard of friend Dale Busch. Ashbaker is the son of Sandi Solum of Sanderson. Duncan is the daughter of Peggy Sue Murray, also of Sanderson, and Harold and Sheri Duncan of McBee, SC. The two met over the phone and it was love at first “hello.” Back Death probe continues MARATHON – Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson said this week there was “nothing new” in the murder in front of the Gage Hotel April 26. T.J. Dunlap, 68, of Presidio was still in jail in lieu $100,000 bond in the shooting of Richard Lyn Purdy, 48, of Lubbock. The two were seen walking up the sidewalk from The Oasis Café and the shooting stemmed from an argument. Dunlap drove towards Alpine but was arrested and was booked on a charge of first-degree murder. Back New type of star seen, confirmed AUSTIN – University of Texas at Austin astronomers Michael H. Montgomery and Kurtis A. Williams, along with graduate student Steven DeGennaro, have predicted and confirmed the existence of a new type of variable star with the help of the 2.1-meter Otto Struve Telescope at McDonald Observatory at Fort Davis. The discovery was announced this week in Astrophysical Journal Letters. Called a “pulsating carbon white dwarf,” this is the first new class of variable white dwarf star discovered in more than 25 years. Because the overwhelming majority of stars in the universe – including the Sun – will end their lives as white dwarfs, studying the pulsations – or variations in light output – of these newly discovered examples gives astronomers a window on an important endpoint in the lives of most stars. A white dwarf star is the leftover remnant of a Sun-like star that has burned all of the nuclear fuel in its core. It is extremely dense, packing half to 1.5 times the Sun’s mass into a volume about the size of Earth. Until recently, there have been two main types of white dwarfs known, those that have an outer layer of about 80 percent hydrogen and those with an outer layer of about 20 percent helium, whose hydrogen shells have somehow been stripped away. Last year, University of Arizona astronomers Patrick Dufour and James Liebert discovered a third type of white dwarf star, still more rare. For reasons that are not understood, these “hot carbon white dwarfs” have had both their hydrogen and helium shells stripped off, leaving their carbon layer exposed. Astronomers suspect these could be among the most massive white dwarfs of all and are the remnants of stars slightly too small to end their lives in a supernova explosion. After these new carbon white dwarfs were announced, Montgomery calculated that pulsations in these stars were possible. Pulsating stars are of interest to astronomers because the changes in their light output can reveal what goes on in their interiors – similar to the way geologists study seismic waves from earthquakes to understand what goes on in Earth’s interior. In fact, this type of star-study is called “asteroseismology.” So Montgomery and Williams’ team began a systematic study of carbon white dwarfs with the Struve Telescope at McDonald Observatory, looking for pulsators. DeGennaro discovered that a star about 800 light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major called SDSS J142625.71 +575218.3, fits the bill. Its light intensity varies regularly by nearly two percent about every eight minutes. “The discovery that one of these stars is pulsating is remarkably important,” National Science Foundation astronomer Michael Briley said. “This will allow us to probe the white dwarf’s interior which, in turn, should help us solve the riddle of where the carbon white dwarfs come from and what happens to their hydrogen and helium.” The research was funded by NSF and the Delaware Asteroseismic Research Center. The star lies about ten degrees east northeast of Mizar, the middle star in the handle of the Big Dipper. This white dwarf has about the same mass as our Sun, but its diameter is smaller than Earth’s. The star has a temperature of 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit and is only 1/600th as bright as the Sun. None of the other stars in their sample were found to pulsate. Given the masses and temperatures of the stars in their sample, SDSS J142625.71+ 575218.3 is the only one expected to pulsate based on Montgomery’s calculations. The astronomers speculate that the pulsations are caused by changes in the star’s carbon outer envelope as the star cools down from its formation as a hot white dwarf. The ionized carbon atoms in the star’s outer layers return to a neutral state, triggering the pulsations. There is a chance that the star’s variations might have another cause. Further study is needed, the astronomers say. Either way, studying these stars will shed light on the unknown process that strips away their surface layers of hydrogen and helium to lay bare their carbon interiors. Back Student officers named  ALPINE – Monte Piper of Houston has been elected president of the Sul Ross State University’s Student Government Association. Piper succeeds Jaime Rios of Roma. New officers were named during the SGA awards banquet last week. Juan Garcia of San Antonio was elected vice president for 2008-09. Stephanie Marshall of Kermit was elected secretary and Kenzi Miller of Lamesa is the new treasurer. Back