August 2021

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Aug. 12 at Sul Ross State University in Alpine for the future expansion of the Emmett and Miriam McCoy Building at Museum of the Big Bend. Present at the ceremony and holding the traditional groundbreaking shovels were TSUS Student Regent Camile Settegast, Dean of Educational and Cultural Resources April Aultman Becker, TSUS Regents Alan Tinsley, Regent Don Flores, and Nicki Harle, TSUS Second Vice Chairman Garry Crain, TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall, TSUS Chairman Charlie Amato, TSUS First Vice Chairman Duke Austin, Brian McCoy, Brenda McCoy Remme, Reid McCoy, and Sul Ross President Pete Gallego. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

As a research engineer at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, John Kuehne specializes in bringing automation to the movement of the telescopes. He is likely to be found rewriting automation software he previously created into the more “robust programming language” called Ada.

The 2021 Lady Bucks volleyball season officially began this past week with a flurry as Alpine competed against seven teams in a four-day span. What is looking like an impressive young team to challenge in district play will be led by seniors Chloe Cordova, Kylie Garcia, and Amory Aranda.

Alpine High School seniors Amory Aranda, Chloe Cordova, and Kylie Garcia will lead the team for Lady Bucks volleyball and Coach Rick Garcia. Courtesy photo.

Coach Sandra Fellows talks to the Lady Bucks during the Coach Pancho Martinez Memorial scrimmage in Marfa on Aug. 6.

The Smith Cattle Company cowboys will travel to the high desert of Far West Texas to show off their skills at this year’s Big Bend Ranch Rodeo. The 2021 Ranch Rodeo will begin Friday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Sul Ross State University SALE arena in Alpine.

It was a fun-filled day for baseball at the Alpine Cowboys baseball camp at Kokernot Field in Alpine on July 30, as kids of all ages pause for a photo after a training session with Cowboys players as they worked one-on-one and in small group drills. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

Runners take off at the Texas Music 5k Fun Run held in front of Printco on July 31 in Alpine. The event was hosted by Artwalk Alpine, Visit Alpine, and Viva Big Bend. Proceeds from the race went toward the maintenance of four of the city’s murals. Participants earned old school cassette tape medals created by Alpine artist Amanda Calhoun. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

On Aug. 9 at the Manuel Payne softball field at Kokernot Park in Alpine, Alpine High School Class of 2021 graduate and accomplished athlete Aneesa Payne was surprised with a $1,000 check from the Big Bend Amateur Softball Association of Alpine. She was recognized for her dedication and work as a softball player, and recently as a successful first-year coach for the 10-12U girls.