December 2023

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Dear Neil: A friend has sage plants in her native plant landscape in Wichita Falls. Big sections of several of them are dying out – have been for some time. They have been watered fairly well, both from rain and irrigation. What might cause them to be dying in parts?

Alpine Avalanche.

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For someone who writes about food, the holidays are always the best time of the year. Parties and gatherings galore are all a part of the festivities and most of the time these get-togethers involve some sort of food. While many of these focus on appetizers and finger foods, the more legit holiday gatherings like Christmas always bring out savory delights and scrumptious desserts.

On November 28 Richard Charles Kelly went to be with his Lord and Savior. Rick was 80 years old and from Midland. Born on February 19, 1943, in Stockton, California to Harold Francis and Beatrice Marsha Kelly, the family moved to Midland in 1948 where he graduated from Midland High School and in 1965 from Sul Ross University with a BA in History and Government. Rick served in Naval Intelligence during the Vietnam era and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal. He became a Brewery Representative for Miller Brewing Company following his service.

Debra Ellen Burks, 70, of Pampa passed away on November 15 in Hobbs, NM. She was born on May 28, 1953, in Pampa.

The Alpine City Council held their last meeting of the year on Tuesday. Topics of discussion included highly contested rezoning issues, the first readings of amended ordinances, and the accepted invitation to join a coalition of cities to argue a reasonable rate case with the service provider AEP.

The Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) has acquired a new team member. Mike Janis, formerly with Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Wildlife Division has joined the BRI team as part of the Center for Land Stewardship and Stakeholder Engagement. Janis will help manage a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) grant that was recently awarded to BRI which will provide over $2 million of Pittman-Robertson funds.