News

At a cookout hosted by Dave Durant and The Stable Performance Cars in Alpine, local law enforcement, Border Patrol, and EMS personnel enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers with all the trimmings on Oct. 3. In the photo, Alpine Police Department Chief Darrell Losoya, EMS Shea Roberts, and Alpine Police Department officer Wyatt Chopelas and Captain Felipe Fierro enjoyed the fare. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

Dear Neil: We have had a planting of dianthus in our flowerbed for probably 15 years. They have done really well until this year, but now they are turning yellow and dying out for some unknown reason. We have not made any changes. What might be causing this?

A new partnership between Sul Ross State University, the University of Texas-El Paso, and Preventative Care Health Services with locations in Alpine, Marfa and Presidio, will develop a behavioral health specialists workforce to improve access to mental health services in five southwest Texas rural counties.

Visit Alpine, Texas brought home four awards in the inaugural Texas Travel Awards. Launched by the publishers of Austin Monthly, San Antonio Magazine, and Texas Music, the awards set out to celebrate the top travel destinations and attractions across the Lone Star State in a year when the travel industry is working hard to bounce back after significant impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Mexican national was sentenced last week to 115 months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the U.S., and to 60 months for transporting illegal aliens in the U.S. According to court documents, Juan Luis Mendoza-Iturralde, 39, a former Mexican soldier, pleaded guilty to one count of transporting illegal aliens and one count of illegal reentry into the U.S.

On Sept. 24 the Rio Grande Council of Governments held its annual meeting where its general membership approved the organization’s Annual Work Program and Budget of $8.88 million. The general membership also approved an installation of officers and directors.

The oldest intact structure in Big Bend National Park is getting much needed protection thanks to a preservation project funded by Big Bend Conservancy. The Alvino House, located in the Castolon district on the southwest side of the park, was acquired in the 1960s at a time when sentiment favored preserving historic structures.

All are invited to attend a reception designating the Jeff Davis County Library as a Literary Landmark, and recognizing the late author Lonn W. Taylor on Friday, Oct.