January 2026

Send your community events to kara.gerbert@alpineavalanche. January 29 Upcoming Voter Registration, Morgan University Center, Sul Ross, E Sul Ross Ave, Alpine, TX.11 am – 2 pm January 30 Birding for Beginners, Davis Mountains State Park, 9AM January 30 Upcoming Voter Registration, Terlingua Post Office, 53600 TX-118, Terlingua, TX, 11 am – 4 pm January 30-February 1 Alpine Wildlife Weekend January 30 Travel Talk, Alpine Public Library, 7 pm, when retired NPS ranger Valerie Naylor will present a talk on America’s National Parks: The Quest To Experience Them All.

It may seem a little early to be talking about spring, but until recently, the weather has been mild, to say the least. I suspect I’m not alone, so if we’re not going to have a true, deepfreeze winter, we might as well let things warm up so we can get back outside. This time of year also brings thoughts of summer weight-loss goals, lighter spring meals, eating a little better, and, of course, the countdown to the Masters.

A special program is planned for Saturday, January 31, at 1 p.m. in the Jeff Davis County Library, highlighting kachina figures also known as “katsinas.” Everyone is invited to “Art, Archeology, and the American West: The History of Katsina Figures,” presented by retired archeologist Tim Roberts, showing stunning pieces from his personal collection. Attendees are invited to bring their own kachinas to the program as well.

The non-partisan Tri-County Voter Promoters will be on hand in Alpine, Marfa, and Terlingua to register voters and to help update voter registrations this week. In Alpine, TCVP will be at the Morgan University Center today from 11 a.m.

Data centers could strain water supply A new report says the boom in data centers across Texas could consume nearly 3% of the state’s water by 2030, the Houston Chronicle reported. The Houston Advanced Research Center found that the data centers, used to power artificial intelligence, used 25 billion gallons of water in 2025.

The Sul Ross State University Theatre Program’s production of “True West” by Sam Shepard has been invited to perform at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, February 20-24, in Abilene.

The Texas Hotel Lodging Association is presenting a free human trafficking prevention training on Thursday, February 5 in Marathon and Lajitas. The Marathon training will be held at the Marathon Community Center from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and the Lajitas training will be held at 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in English and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Spanish at the Lajitas Resort Theater. This program is being hosted by Visit Big Bend.

A special program is planned for Saturday, January 31, at 1 p.m. in the Jeff Davis County Library, highlighting kachina figures also known as “katsinas.” Everyone is invited to “Art, Archeology, and the American West: The History of Katsina Figures,” presented by retired archeologist Tim Roberts, showing stunning pieces from his personal collection. Attendees are invited to bring their own kachinas to the program as well.

Grand Champion steer Grand Champion hog Reserve Grand Champion hog Courtesy photo Grand Champion goat Grand Champion lamb Reserve Grand Champion goat Reserve Grand Champion steer Grand Champion rabbit.

Clarification In a letter to the editor I submitted for the January 15th edition of the Alpine Avalanche, I wanted to clarify that on Election Day, precinct 2 voters DO vote at the Val Clark Beard Complex, 203 N. 7th Street in Alpine.