February 2022

As the 120-day deadline approaches, emergency medical service for north Brewster County and Alpine is still uncertain, but County Judge Eleazar Cano said a clearer picture should emerge by the end of the month.

After missing for over two weeks, Hector Flores, Jr., and his daughter Luna have been successfully located alive and well in the Mexican state of Coahuila adjacent to Big Bend National Park. On Feb. 13 the National Park Service was notified by residents of a remote Mexican community across the Rio Grande that a man and young girl fitting the description of Hector and Luna were in the area and seeking to purchase food. Mexico State Police were able to reach the area and confirm their identities Monday afternoon. Both were reported to be in healthy condition. The two were detained by Mexican authorities, and were returned to the U.S. to reunite with family members on Feb. 15. Big Bend National Park rangers would like to thank all who participated in this search, and the public for their concern and assistance in helping spread the request for information. Searchers from the NPS, FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Fort Stockton Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, residents of Boquillas, Mexican officials, and Mexican State Police had searched for the two individuals since Feb. 5 when Flores’ vehicle was found abandoned along the remote Old Ore Road in Big Bend National Park. An investigation into this incident is still underway. No additional information is available at this time.

Cathy Corkins Neie, 61, died unexpectedly Feb. 9, 2022, at Midland Memorial Hospital.

Usbaldo “Baldo” Ybarra, 84, of San Angelo, Texas, passed away on Feb. 13, 2022, in Fort Stockton, Texas.

Dale E. Cardwell died suddenly at home on Feb. 11, 2022. He is survived by his sisters Dorothy A. Berry (Steve Spencer) of Alpine, Texas, and Dinah K. Berry of Sugar Land, Texas; two nephews and their families; an aunt; several cousins; and many friends made in Alpine, Wimberley, Texas, and at his beloved high school, San Marcos Academy in San Marcos, Texas.

After more than three decades of sharing astronomy with the public and working to protect dark skies from light pollution, Bill Wren has retired from McDonald Observatory. “Bill Wren has had a strong, positive impact on McDonald Observatory over his career, focused on dark skies preservation, but also including public outreach and new telescope development,” said Taft Armandroff, Director of McDonald Observatory.

What are you especially looking forward to in your senior year? Prom and Graduation What activities are you involved in during your senior year? I participate in cheer, play clarinet with the band, student advisory council, National Honor Society, and I do graphic design. Who has been your most influential teacher or coach through high Lourdes Acosta school? Mrs.

Marathon Chamber of Commerce met for its quarterly membership meeting on Feb. 9 on the outdoor patio of Rita’s Cantina in Marathon.

It was an exciting night of nostalgic rockabilly tunes on Feb. 10 as Elvis cover act Bryon Garrison, Alpine’s own Anthony Ray Wright, and Dave Johnson presented “Just Like Elvis.” The concert, a fundraiser the Alpine FFA, was held at the Alpine ISD Administration Building Auditorium, and the group played to an enthusiastic crowd. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

Ingredients 3 leeks, bulbs only, cleaned and sliced into rings 5 medium potatoes, 2”-3” in diameter, 5 medium potatoes, 2”-3” in diameter, peeled and thinly sliced 1 sliced onion 1 tbsp. butter salt and pepper to taste ¼ tsp.