News

With the right training and responsible use, owning a gun can play a crucial role to safeguard liberty, safety, and property. Alpine resident Zach Vaughn, coowner of Gunsmoke Training & Defense, does that with simple, realistic, and effective firearms training.

On Dec. 15, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Alpine Border Patrol Station arrested five subjects from a failed smuggling event at the Highway 118 Border Patrol checkpoint. All five subjects were taken to the Alpine Border Patrol station for processing. It was discovered that one of the subjects, a citizen of Mexico, was convicted of murder and felony assault, and was sentenced to 20 years.

Members of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church Matachines Danza Guadalup pause for a photo at the church in Alpine on Dec. 12, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of the Americas, and considered the Mother of the Catholic Church. The celebration commemorates the Virgin’s appearance to Juan Diego, an indigenous peasant, on Dec. 12, 1531, near Mexico City, according to the Catholic Church. Danza Guadalup dancers celebrated the occasion by dancing outside the church as well as leading a procession. Photo by Teresa Huckaby

Our Avalanche reporter asked, “What is the best Christmas gift you have ever received?” Maribel Ramirez, Alpine: When I was about eight, there was a doll that I’d been wanting. It would eat, and you could feed it.

Jan. 1 Black-Eyed Pea Off, turn in at 2 p.m., in Terlingua Ghost Town.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 502 E. Lockhart Ave.

Alpine Humane Society Pet of the Week is Hanukkah! It’s the holiday season, and Hanukkah is all dressed up in her tuxedo, and showing off her distinctive nose spot. Hanukkah is just one of many felines hoping to have a home for the holidays.

Michael’s Mountain Ministry Live Nativity at Kokernot Lodge in Alpine on Dec. 18 here depicts the Three Wise Men visiting Jesus, Mary, and Joseph at the creche in Bethlehem. The Live Nativity was presented on three nights to recognize the birth of Jesus. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

December 13,2001 Seven-year-old T.J. Raby whispers to Jolly Old St.

Dear Neil: Two years ago, on a whim, I bought a Z plant. About five months ago, two of the stalks looked as if they had been broken off the mother plant. I used them in a floral design, and they remained green long after the flowers had dried. Then, I noticed they have formed roots. Should I pot them into potting soil? I hate throwing away healthy plants if they might succeed.