January 2026

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The Alpine High School Fightin’ Bucks varsity basketball team (10-6) didn’t just head to Lubbock for the 2025 Caprock Classic, they made a statement that echoed well beyond the tournament floor. Over three days, December 2931, Alpine powered through a demanding slate of opponents, winning its bracket with a blend of dominant performances and gut-check victories that showcased the depth, toughness, and composure of a team peaking at just the right time.

In the last action item of the evening, the Alpine City Council unanimously approved the employment agreement with Henry Arredondo for the position of City Manager on Tuesday evening at its first regular meeting of 2026.

Holiday lights are the best. When colorful decorations delight, and fireworks illuminate the night.

This year, the Alpine Avalanche turns 135 years old. In just a few short months, the United States of America will mark its 250th birthday. On paper, these are simply numbers; anniversaries to be circled on a calendar. But here in Far West Texas, where history is not something we read about but something we live with every day, those numbers carry real weight.

To the Good Folks of the Tri-County area: I want to thank everyone who helped with the 38th production of the Live Nativity. It does take an army of volunteers to haul, unload, stuff hay in the stable as well as repair lanterns, wings, angel robes and the stable, cut sticker weeds, rake rocks, organize costumes, set up lights and sound, help angels don their wings, make cookies, coffee and hot chocolate for three nights for everyone, and then pack it all up and load it back in the trailer until next year.

Graveside services for Selette Darling Surratt, 95, of Cleburne, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Elm Grove Cemetery in Alpine.

The Sul Ross State Lobos (0-4 LSC, 2-7) tipped off 2026 on Friday, January 2, facing Eastern New Mexico (4-0 LSC, 11-1) at the Pete P. Gallego Center.

The Alpine High School girls’ varsity basketball team endured a challenging but eye-opening stretch at the 2025 Caprock Classic in Lubbock, December 29-31, finishing the tournament with a 1-3 record against some of the toughest competition in the state. Competing in the largest high school basketball tournament in Texas, the Lady Bucks were tested from the opening tip to the final buzzer, a demanding experience that revealed both where the team stands and where it can still grow.

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