July 2021

Last week and into a busy weekend, the Alpine Cowboys faced the Santa Fe Fuego in a six game series. The long series ended with a doubleheader at Kokernot Field on June 26.

Alpine’s 7on7 team again qualified for the Texas State 7on7 tournament for the eighth time in 16 years. Although the team is not directly associated with Alpine High School, its freshmen through seniors make up the 7on7, and manager and coach Phil Fierro said the activity promotes camaraderie and physical fitness over the summer.

Third baseman James Prockish believes the season is going well so far. While the team was off to a slow start, Prockish said that’s normal when the players don’t yet know each other.

The United States of America will celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. This day reminds us of everything this great nation stands for. Our freedom and independence comes with the responsibility to be grateful for all that we have and are allowed to do.

My name is Dr. Matthew Short, and like you, I stand proud as a Sul Ross alumnus. When you became the 13th president of Sul Ross, I knew the university would be taken care of by one of its own for the first time in its history. Your welcome letter stated that your goal was to ensure students have the same career opportunities you had. Where did that go?

Now that Sul Ross has a national champion in the bull riding competition, perhaps it is a good time to point out that these student athletes are not recognized by Sul Ross to be athletes, but rather, only a student in the Range Animal Science department. By denying these rodeo athletes the full recognition of the Athletic Department, and relegating them to second-class participants, the rodeo program barely subsists financially.

I was saddened to learn that Sul Ross State University’s financial struggles may result in significant changes to the university, including the dismantling of the theater and art departments and a probationary arrangement for the new nursing program.

Alpine’s downtown has a building being renovated. It’s across Sixth Avenue from the Old Holland Hotel, and it is beautiful! It would be wonderful if all the buildings would get some updating.

Marathon Public Library on June 28 announced that it received a $35,000 grant from the COVID Library Relief Fund of the American Library Association. The library is one of 34 grantees representing public, school, and tribal libraries that experienced substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. Only 15% of applicants received an award.

It’s summertime, the time of year when outdoor festivities are in full swing and ready to beckon crowds with fun-filled activities. With the Fourth of July right around the corner, local musicians are sure to celebrate the Stars and Stripes with delightful tunes and groovy music. Alpine resident Tom Griffith, a singer-songwriter originally from San Antonio, will be one of those performers at the Fort Davis Coolest Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 3, at 2 p.m. at the Jeff Davis County courthouse square.