News

In a special-called meeting this past Saturday, July 11, the Marfa ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the selection of former Cleveland ISD Superintendent Stephen McCanless as their new superintendent.

In the “Parable of the Sower,” Jesus chooses an activity familiar to the people of his day: a farmer going out to sow seeds for a crop he was planting. In the metaphoric structure of this parable, the sower is Jesus or one of his disciples who is spreading the Word of God to various types of potential listeners. These categories of listeners (portrayed as types of soil) are discussed in terms of their ability to receive the Message (the seeds); each soil type is the equivalent of a listener’s response to hearing the Word of God.

Dear Neil, While I was working in my yard, I noticed a hole in the trunk of my Chinese tallow tree. Insects were coming in and out of it freely, including ants, waterbugs, and others. The tree has also been producing lots of new sprouts a foot or two from the ground. Does that mean it’s likely to fall into the street sometime in the near future? What should I do?

Alpine Avalanche.

What entices the senses more than a familiar food or a smell that can transport you to a destination far from the dry West Texas Heat? For me, when I vacation, food is a big part of the adventure, and recently I took a trip to Northern Michigan to visit family. And in Northern Michigan, whitefish is a staple food. Whitefish is a versatile fish that can be smoked, made into dips, or fried like lake perch, and used in fish and chips. I personally like smoked white fish, creamy, with garlic and chives... I can taste it now and instantly remove myself back to Northern Michigan, where the cool summer days roll on.

Send your community events to kara.gerbert@alpineavalanche.com July 16-19 Theatre of the Big Bend-School House Rock July 17-19 ANRS Exes Reunion July 20-24 Museum of the Big Bend Summer Art Camp, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Texas home insurers see record profits Preliminary data indicate Texas home insurers earned a 22% profit on premiums collected last year, according to the Houston Chronicle. It was the best year insurers have had in two decades and follows several years of doubledigit rate increases and flat or slightly negative returns for insurers due to increased natural disasters.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized eight firearms and 500 rounds of ammunition at the Port of Entry at Presidio on July 8. Officers working the southbound inspections discovered six rifles and two handguns, along with 180 magazines, ammunition, and firearm components that included machine gun barrels, in an attempt by the suspects to smuggle the contraband into Mexico.

Residents of Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio Counties are invited to water well screenings and results meetings. The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting upcoming events in the Alpine area, July 20-21, to allow residents to have their well water screened.

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