News

On March 22, Brewster County deputies and U.S. Border Patrol agents began tracing a group of suspects through mountainous terrain south of Alpine. By late afternoon, assisted by DPS Air Operations, the group of 13 illegal aliens from Mexico were apprehended. The suspects were referred to Border Patrol for processing and deportation. Courtesy photo

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is hosting the Big Bend Feral Hog Management Workshop on April 22 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kokernot Lodge in Alpine.

Doug Moreland’s Barn Dance Band plays for enthusiastic guests at the family barn dance held on March 18 at the Kelly Pavilion in Fort Davis. Band members are guitarist Case Southerland, fiddler Doug Moreland, and drummer Aaron Kinsey of Fort Davis, bassist Randy Roberts of Alpine, and guitarist Suzan Moreland of Fort Davis. Vocalist Mia Valentini of Marfa is not pictured. Photo by Jeff Lynch Photography

Noe Lujan, Adam Llanez, and Billy Hinojos came in third with a score of 60 at the annual Project Graduation fundraiser golf tournament held at Alpine Country Club. Courtesy photo.

It’s a busy time for tourism in Brewster County, and out-of-towners will soon have two more stops to help them get the most from their visits to the Big Bend. Brewster County Tourism Director Robert Alvarez spoke with the Avalanche, indicating initial plans were in the works for two new visitor centers - one in Marathon and one in Study Butte.

The Alpine ISD Board of Trustees held its regularly scheduled meeting on March 23, and a proposed timeline for completion of the new high school construction was the main topic of discussion. Several representatives from Weatherfordbased general contractor Imperial Construction were present. Interim Superintendent Dennis McEntire said the number one concern was the completion date for the high school, along with the subsequent demolition of the old building.

Sul Ross State University hosted its inaugural Women’s Conference on March 25 at Marshall Auditorium with several guest speakers and women leaders across a variety of fields. Here, Sul Ross professor Jessica Velasco welcomes Alpine natives Annika Canaba and Monica Salmon, along with Sul Ross Athletic Director Amanda Workman, as they talk about their experiences on a sports panel. Canaba was a standout athlete while at Alpine High School, graduating in 2018, and Salmon, a 2004 graduate, is currently an athletics coach with Alpine ISD, and the first female football coach in West Texas. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

Whether it’s something as simple as taking Fort Davis elementary school students to an ice cream outing, or raising scholarship funds for high school graduates, the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, El Paso Chapter, will gladly pick up the tab, all for a noble cause. Jeff Davis County Deputy and Fort Davis resident Victor Lopez is president of the All-American made motorcycle club, with members who are law enforcement officers and first responders, along with a few civilians. Jeff Davis County Sheriff Bill Kitts is the club’s vice president.

There are times in life when we experience a “lostness” when we cannot see what lies ahead. We cannot see our way forward or how to reach our destination in such areas as careers, education, finances, relationships, etc. Not knowing where to take the next step can be quite fearful and immobilizing. Many of us have been there in various times of our lives, and will most likely experience them again.

Breathtaking adventure awaits a group of extraordinarily talented runners from all over Texas who will all run for guts and glory in the beautiful Davis Mountains at the Southwest 100. The race will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27, at the Fort Davis National Historic Site and Davis Mountains State Park.