April 2026

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Multiple Marathon Mustangs earned hardware at the Area track meet recently, allowing them to advance to the Regional competition. Kaden Lees earned two first-place finishes in both the 1600-meters and the 800-meter races. He was also a part of the 4x400 relay that placed fourth. Annaliese West advances in the 300-meter hurdles with her thirdplace finish, and she also finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles. Sadie Carter will be advancing in the 100-meter dash with her third- place finish. She also competed in the 200-meter dash and the long jump, where she placed fifth in both events. Teegan Wheeten, Marco Briones, and Joe David Gonzales were the other members of the 4x400-meter relay team that placed fourth and will advance to Regionals. Gonzales also advanced with his thirdplace 400-meter race and fourth-place long jump. Melody Aguilar will advance in the discus with her fourth-place win, and Izabella Briones advances in the 800-meter race, 400-meter race, 100-meter dash, and the long jump, placing first in both the 800 and 400 and second in the 100 and long jump.

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The newly crowned 2026 District Champion Alpine Fightin’ Bucks varsity baseball team is on a tear. Riding a seven-game win streak, the Bucks will travel to Kermit for a neutral-site matchup against the Coahoma Bulldogs (10-12-1) in the first round of the playoffs this weekend.

Alpine Avalanche.

Dear Neil, I just noticed this bark damage in my otherwise healthy-looking mature live oak. It seems like it happened almost overnight. I have woodpeckers and squirrels, but I have not seen much activity recently, and certainly not anything that would cause this amount of damage. Do you have any idea what this might be?

It sits alone, surrounded by miles of West Texas sky, and yet it has long been a destination whispered about, recommended, and returned to by those who know. The Gage Hotel is not just a stop along the road; it’s a place people seek out.

Send your community events to kara.gerbert@alpineavalanche.com May 1-2 Cinco de Mayo, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

State officials began sending out the first notices to families awarded education vouchers last week, the Houston Chronicle reported. In the first round, 42,644 qualified, mostly students with special needs who are considered the highest priority.