June 2026

At approximately 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Zachary Vasquez and his K-9 partner Guido were critically injured in a collision on US Hwy. 67. One male suspect who was not identified, waiting for next of kin contact, was transported to Big Bend Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. As an ongoing investigation, many details were not given. Trooper Vasquez was airlifted to El Paso, where he is currently being treated. K-9 officer Guido was also transported after receiving care at Alpine Small Animal Clinic to a veterinary hospital in El Paso.

BBT is partnering with Guardian Group in an effort to combat human trafficking through a program that trains internet service provider employees and volunteers to recognize and report potential warning signs.

The smoke has cleared surrounding the Jeff Davis County courthouse, and the winners have been announced at this fourth annual resurgence of the Smoke in the Mountains BBQ and Ribeye Shootout, honoring the late Robert Rubio and Sara Adams.

Wesley Roach of Alpine passed away on June 19, 2026, after a lengthy illness. He was 73 years old.

Dear Editor, I read with interest your article on the Border Wall (“Border wall outcries fall on deaf ears,” Vol. 135, No. 25, 06/18/2026). The article almost exclusively focused on the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Mark Wayne Mullin, and his refusal to revoke his waiver of federal laws, which is allowing the construction of the wall. I don’t know whether you reported that this issue came before a committee in the House. The vote was lopsided, with Republican congressmen voting against Democratic efforts to block the wall through both the state park and Big Bend. The Republicans control both houses of Congress and could, if they chose, stop the wall.

Many serious conditions develop without warning signs. By the time symptoms appear, the disease may already be significantly advanced. This June, Big Bend Regional Medical Center is drawing attention to what that means for men’s health—and what can be done about it.

Old houses, I thought, do not belong to people ever, not really; people belong to them. — Book author Gladys Taber (1899–1980).

VARSITY FOOTBALL Aug 28 McCamey vs Alpine 7 p.m. Sept 4 Alpine @ Fabens 7 p.m.

The Alpine Cowboys continued to strengthen their position atop the Pecos League Mountain South Division during a busy stretch of games that featured dominant pitching performances, explosive offensive outings, and a key series against one of the league’s top teams.

Jun 25–27 Alpine @ Tucson 7 p.m. Jun 29 RoswellvsAlpine 4/6:30p.m.