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Dear Neil, A few weeks ago, my magnolia tree started developing brown spots around the edges of its leaves. Then they turn yellow and fall off. I’m not aware of anything I might have done. What is happening?

Alpine Avalanche.

It’s hard to say no to mashed potatoes, though colcannon potatoes are a bit different from what most of us around these parts are used to. And, although we’re two days past St. Patrick’s Day, these tasty taters are comforting all the same.

INGREDIENTS 1 pound of potatoes 1 pound of green cabbage, sliced 2 small leeks, cleaned and thinly sliced 1 cup of milk, or as needed 1 pinch of mace ½ cup of butter Salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium- low and simmer until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.

Send your community events to kara.gerbert@alpineavalanche.com March 20 Essentials of Estate Planning, 8:30 a.m. Marathon Public Library presents Attorney Elizabeth Lewis, who will cover the key components of estate planning, including wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and living wills and advance directives, at no charge.

Last week’s lead story concerning the possibility of a border wall in Big Bend left the question unanswered as to whether or not high-flying drones could be used in border surveillance within Big Bend National Park (BBNP). Since that time, the Avalanche has heard from a former BBNP superintendent as well as the current interim superintendent, Rick Gupman, on this matter.

In partnership with the Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library and Archives of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University, Historic Alpine will host a year of community- focused programming celebrating the Archives’ 50th anniversary beginning Sunday, March 22. The interactive Archives “Roadshow” Community Preview will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Archives, located in the library on SRSU’s Alpine campus. The Archives “Roadshow” invites residents to bring photographs, letters, documents, videos, and family stories connected to Alpine and the Big Bend. With the guidance of archivists and trained volunteers, materials will be digitized, stories recorded, and historical context preserved, while all original items are returned to their owners the same day. For Alpine and the greater Big Bend, the Archives serve as a vital cultural anchor, supporting research, education, preservation, and civic identity in a region where stories are often passed down orally and at risk of being lost. Save the date for a 50th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, July 10, at 6 p.m. Learn more about the Archives at library.sulross. edu/archives50.

The Brewster County Commissioner’s Court met on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. with all commissioners present except Precinct 4 Commissioner Mo Morrow.

Effective February 17, 2026, then Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem published in the Federal Register that, due to the large numbers of illegal aliens coming across in the Big Bend Sector, along with large amounts of narcotics, that she would be waiving 28 different protection laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, multiple wildlife conservation acts and historical and archaeological acts, and other federal protections to build a border wall in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.