December 2021

Brewster County Sheriff’s Office Brown Santa visited Marathon Elementary School students on Dec. 16, bringing toys and joy to youngsters in grades pre-K through fourth. In the photo, back row, are Deputy Joey Prieto, Chief Deputy Ryan Skelton, Brown Santa, Sheriff Ronny Dodson, and Administrative Assistant Erica Chavez. Up front, happy kids smile after receiving their presents. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

Editor’s note: Sul Ross State University made headlines several times this year, COVID-19 vaccines reached the Tri-County, delays in Alpine High School construction continued, and illegal aliens flooded the area as newly inaugurated President Joe Biden opened the U.S. borders. Following are the top headlines in the Alpine Avalanche from 2021.

At the Brewster County Commissioners Court regular meeting on Dec. 28, commissioners approved an agreement with Terlingua Fire and EMS to provide emergency medical service to the same coverage areas provided by West Texas Ambulance, effective Jan. 1, 2022. Commissioner. Pct. 3, Ruben Ortega and Commissioner, Pct. 4, Mike Pallanez were absent, but a quorum was present.

The City of Alpine held a special council meeting on Dec. 21 to discuss emergency medical services. Interim City Manager Megan Antrim announced the city had been notified that West Texas Ambulance Service will no longer be in operation as of Dec. 31 after the passing of former Alpine Fire Chief and EMS Director Mike Scudder, who owned the service.

Susan Roberts, better known to everyone as Sue, entered eternal rest on Dec. 26, 2021. Sue was born Oct. 8, 1944, in Wolverhampton, England. She went to school in Erdington, Birmingham, at St. Agnes Convent School.

Catherine Rose Driffill Kolodejcak went to be with the Lord in heaven on Dec. 20, 2021, joining her husband Conrad J. Kolodejcak, Sr., her son Conrad J. Kolodejcak, Jr., mother Mercedes Gleim Driffill, father Alfred Driffill, Sr., and her 13 siblings. She was born Aug. 31, 1924.

Arlys Simpson was born to Alfred and Norma Pflughoeft on Jan. 23, 1930.

As a kid, Christmas was a day I was able to experience peace and joy within my family apart from the tension and strife that permeated the other 364 days of the year. There were many components that made up the “event” of Christmas.

What are you especially looking forward to in your senior year? What I am especially looking forward to in my senior year is graduating and playing sports. What activities are you involved in during your senior year? Some activities I am involved in would include National Honor Society, and I am in active in art, volleyball, cross country, track and field, and tennis.

Eva’s Salon celebrated its 20th anniversary with a Christmas open house on Dec. 18, complete with refreshments and a mariachi band. Here owner Eva Olivas welcomes Sara Bow, Sara Mele, and Sarah Griffing to the party. Courtesy photo