May 2025

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Lawmakers agree on $8 billion school funding package Leaders from the Texas House and Senate have agreed on an $8 billion school funding package, which is being called the largest in state history, The Dallas Morning News reported.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will hold a Far West Texas private applicators training on Wednesday, July 16, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Reeves County Extension Office in Pecos.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced several Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment opportunities for agricultural producers and landowners on May 12. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for both the General and Continuous CRP beginning today through June 6, 2025.

Raymond Glen (R.G. “Real Good”) (Pawpaw) Decker passed away Wednesday, May 14, in his home in Alpine. He will be truly missed. Born in Dallas to Lois and Elmer W. Decker on January 28, 1950, R.G. lived most of his young life in the Odessa and Midland area, attending Midland High School. He spent over four years in the United States Marine Corps, from 1967 to 1971. Semper Fi. He then received his Ranch and Livestock degree from TSTI in Waco. Having learned at an early age the trade of boot making and shoe repair from his father, he spent many years maintaining Decker Boot and Shoe Repair in Midland and later in Mesquite. He met the love of his life in 1971, Laura Martin, and they wed and enjoyed 54 beautiful years of marriage and raised four wonderful children. Upon retiring to Alpine, they enjoyed going to garage sales every Saturday, where he was an enthusiastic conversationalist. He reluctantly traveled and enjoyed every bit of it. He enjoyed entertaining grandchildren, being cohorts in mischief and mayhem. He created his own personal oasis with ponds, trees, and plants, then enjoyed the domestic and wild animals that would visit.

The Brewster County Appraisal District is once again moving values up to try to hit the state standard of 95% of market value. Alpine ISD has lost state funding due to the continuous failure of the Property Tax Value study done annually by the State Comptroller. The rapidly rising local market after the pandemic, coupled with a general increase in values throughout the state, has exacerbated the difficulty of setting correct values.

“Our mission is to connect every person in the world.” – Mark Zuckerberg Technological advancement should bring improved quality of life with rewards in saving time and productivity. The internet does that, as do phones that can replace a plethora of everyday items while fitting in a pocket or purse.

Alpine ISD has released its summer training and camp schedule for studentathletes, and one thing is clear: Athletic Director Jerry Dominguez is determined to have the Bucks battle-ready for the 20252026 season. Whether on the court, the field, or in the weight room, the focus this summer is on building strong, conditioned athletes who are ready to compete.

The Alpine Cowboys are gearing up to defend their Pecos League crown after a record-breaking 2024 campaign, and they’ll do it under a familiar face in a new role. Lance Myers, a former Cowboys standout and assistant coach, takes the reins as head manager following Sean Persky’s five-season run that netted two league titles and a 45-4 mark last year, good for the best winning percentage in Pecos League history.