News

Alpine Humane Society Pet of the Week is Storm, a four-year-old Chihuahua mix, just one of five currently at the shelter. She weighs around 11 pounds. Storm, Maple, Lacey, Kobe, and Zekara are all waiting for new homes.

Alpine High School ag teacher Doug Fox heads up this week’s Greenhand Leadership Conference at the Sul Ross State University SALE arena for FFA students in the Big Bend District. Nine area schools participated, including Alpine, Fort Davis, Fort Stockton, Pecos, and more. In the photo the greenhands, typically freshmen in their first year of ag class, await the start of group sessions in which they practice leadership and communication skills, along with team building. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

Big Bend Chamber of Commerce met for its annual membership and board meeting in Big Bend National Park on Sept. 9. The meeting was held in the outdoor amphitheater at Chisos Basin, and catered by the park lodge. Entrance to the park was free for those attending.

City of Alpine code enforcement issues affecting county jurisdiction was the main topic of discussion at the Brewster County Commissioners Court regular meeting on Sept. 8. Commissioner, Pct. 3, Ruben Ortega was absent.

A triangle flag and a wreath honor those lost on Sept. 11, 2001 at the 20th Anniversary Memorial ceremony Saturday at the Alpine Border Patrol Station. The Alpine Station has a direct connection to the terrorist attacks on 9/11 as there was a groundbreaking ceremony that fateful day for the station building. Ten years later a memorial using a large piece of steel from the World Trade Center Towers was erected at the station. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

Hometown boy and law enforcement veteran Darrell Losoya recently took over the position of chief at Alpine Police Department. Born and raised in Alpine, he played football at Alpine High School, and calls himself “a Buck through and through.” After high school graduation in 1989, Losoya joined the U.S.

It was a day of fun for the whole family as Big Bend favorite Doug Moreland sings live to an enthusiastic crowd at the Alpine Visitor Center on Aug. 26 for the Midweek Mercantile and Music event. The weekly event features arts and crafts along with food vendors, while the public enjoys live music on the Visitor Center lawn.

Dodson Guns owner Ronny Dodson shows his wares to a customer at the annual Lions Club gun and knife show at the Gallego Center in Alpine last weekend. A large crowd turned out for the event that benefits Lions Club charitable activities in the Big Bend.

The nonpartisan Tri-County Voter Promoters group is setting up registration tables in various locations in Jeff Davis, Brewster, and Presidio counties in advance of National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 28.

The Texas Legislature passed several laws in the recently completed session regarding the carrying of firearms. They were signed into law by the governor, and took effect Sept. 1. The laws can be very confusing, and a person would be wise to study and fully understand them before carrying in public.