December 2024

On Wednesday, December 4, Texas Parks and Wildlife reintroduced a population of desert big horn sheep to the Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso. This was the first release of these animals into their historic range as a part of a long-term restoration project. These animals were captured and relocated from the herd at Brewster County’s Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area.

Registration is now open for youth basketball for the Alpine Junior Bucks youth sports organization. The Junior Bucks are once again excited to provide the opportunity for area youth to participate in basketball this winter. With registration open until December 31, children in grades first through sixth can get ready to hit the courts, with games starting January 25 and commencing with a tournament on Saturday, March 8.

In the heart of West Texas lies Alpine, a small yet vibrant community that thrives on its deep sense of unity and resilience. I answered the call when the Alpine Volunteer Fire Department needed strong leadership. Taking over as fire chief in the middle of 2023, I stepped into a critical role with determination and a clear sense of purpose. My dedication, with the help of the rest of the members, has already begun to leave a lasting impact on the department and the broader Alpine community.

As 2024 comes to a close, it is a great time to reflect on the tremendous progress and accomplishments made by the City of Alpine over the past year. This has been a year of growth, service, and collaboration, and I am proud of what our city has achieved. Working hand-in-hand with the City Council, staff, and our community, we have laid the groundwork for a brighter future while continuing to provide essential services to our residents.

Note: This is part two of the two-part series. The rhythmic sound of a basketball hitting the court echoes in the gym, a familiar backdrop for junior Dae Hardwick.

The Alpine Lady Bucks varsity basketball team faced a tough challenge recently as they fell to a dominant Klondike squad 51-88 in Wink. The loss brings Alpine’s record to 7-3, but despite the tough result, the Lady Bucks’ performance had bright spots.

As we wrap up the fall semester and the year, I want to review some of Sul Ross State University’s many accomplishments in 2024. It’s been a success by all measures, including enrollment and retention – though we remain steadfast in our commitment to pursuing growth and success in our student population and for the entire campus community.

The annual Live Nativity began last night and will continue through Friday evening. Performances will occur at the “stable “ area between Kokernot Lodge and the Sul Ross Outdoor Theater at 7 p.m.

Davis Mountains State Park, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Alpine Avalanche.