News

The Alpine ISD Board of Trustees held its regular meeting on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the school administration building. Single Member District 4 representative Jimmy Morris was absent due to a work confl ict.

Sul Ross State University and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) have joined forces to address the critical shortage of mental health providers in West Texas, one of the nation’s most underserved regions. Through innovative training programs, these institutions are equipping future mental health professionals with the skills needed to serve the unique needs of rural communities. Dr. Barbara Tucker, the Dean of Education and Professional Studies at SRSU, Dr. Audrey H. Stevens, Psy.D., TTUHSC Permian Basin, and Crystal Lujan, M.Ed., a mental health rural fellow, presented the initiative at the Healthier Texas Summit in Austin last month.

The Big Bend Regional Hospital District held its regular meeting on Thursday, November 21, at 4 p.m. at the Alpine office, 105 W.

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Last week, as part of the 50th anniversary of the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosted various local and state law enforcement agencies as part of the EPIC 2024 Law Enforcement Summit. These agencies, who came from various communities across the country, were able to hear what the DEA can do for local law enforcement, especially through the tools and resources available through EPIC.

Information from the United States Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Texas stated that the former Valentine Independent School District employee, Ernesto Villarreal Jr., pleaded guilty to fraudulent misappropriation of school district funds for personal expenses.

Paralleling US Highway 90 to the west from Valentine is the Sierra Vieja range. A barrier between the Rio Grande and the Davis Mountains, this range is pierced by a pass west of Valentine. This location has a varied and unique history. It was the site of the last engagement between the Apache and the US Army, where the military was also primarily represented by a group of Native Americans. It was also the location of an isolated army post constructed to protect the border from incursions during the “border troubles” of the early 20th Century.

The Alpine City Council gathered for its regular session on Tuesday, November 19, in the council chambers. Ward 2 Councilor Eva Martinez was absent, but with the presence of all other councilors and Mayor Catherine Eaves, a quorum was established, allowing the meeting to proceed.

The Brewster County commissioners court convened for a special meeting on Tuesday, November 19, in the commissioners courtroom at the Brewster County Courthouse. With all commissioners present, Brewster County Judge Greg Henington presided over discussions and decisions on several key issues impacting the county.