News

Museum of the Big Bend Director Mary Bones visits with Robert and Sherry Colburn of Fredericksburg at the Sept. 16 Trappings of Texas preview party. Visitors came from far and wide to view and purchase art and custom gear celebrating the cowboy. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

Those who live in West Texas and have experienced flooding at their home or business should contact the Upper Rio Grande Regional Flood Planning Group. As part of the Texas Water Development Board’s statewide flood planning process, the Rio Grande Council of Governments has sponsored the Flood Planning Group to ensure West Texans from across the 23-county area have a voice in helping the state prioritize flood control projects.

Let’s talk potatoes. Potatoes are a starchy root vegetable that is so versatile you have no excuse not to use them. They can be boiled, baked, fried, mashed, scalloped, and even made into soup. There are literally hundreds of ways to make potatoes into a side dish or a main dish that can stand up to any main course or become one themselves. One of the best ways is fondant potatoes.

Ingredients Three russet potatoes 2 tablespoons of high-heat-resistant oil such as grapeseed oil Salt and pepper 3 tablespoons butter, 4 sprigs of fresh thyme, plus more for garnish ½ cup of chicken broth or more as needed Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut off the ends of the potatoes and stand them on their ends, peeling from top to bottom with a knife so they become a uniform cylinder.

Sul Ross State University will host another vaccine drive with the Department of Health and Human Services and Nomi Health on Thursday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to administer COVID-19 vaccines to Big Bend area residents over the age of 12. Individuals will be able to choose the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, and both require two doses for optimal protection. Individuals will be able to get the first or second dose.

September 12, 1991 Shown with some of the items purchased by the hospital auxiliary for use at Big Bend Regional Medical Center are purchasing agent Jesse Saucedo, Director of Nurses Marilyn Chappell, fiscal services Mary Olazaba, outgoing auxiliary president Luz Olga Prieto, and administrator Richard Arnold. The Big Bend Regional Hospital Endowment Fund assisted with costs, all of which totaled $12,828.

Dear Neil: What are these eggs/insects on the trunk of my crepe myrtle? These are the crepe myrtle bark scale insects. Use the systemic insecticide Imidacloprid as a soil drench in mid-May to prevent them.

Alpine artist Kathleen Griffith shows off her part of a collaborative mural painted by local artists and the Sul Ross Art Colony at the Harvest Moon Weekend Art and Music Under the Stars on Sept. 18 at the Alley Arts district between Fifth and Sixth streets in downtown Alpine. Locals and visitors alike enjoyed a festive evening of live music from Alpine musician Tom Griffith and other performers. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

Alpine ISD Board of Trustees held its regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 15, and the new high school construction progress brought positive feedback from trustees. Board members absent were Dist. 2, Joe Portillo, and Dist. 5, Justin Cross.

Sul Ross State University is nationally known for its rodeo program, and in 1949 was the birthplace of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. The Sul Ross rodeo team has since earned nine national championships - seven men’s and two women’s - and the rodeo program is currently experiencing a resurgence, led by nationally acclaimed coach C.J. Aragon.