News

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) has awarded a $40,000 grant for 2026 to the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University, continuing its long-term commitment to the BRI Undergraduate Mentorship Program (BUMP). Now entering its 12th anniversary, BUMP has supported more than 75 student-led research projects and continues to be a transformative program.

The elections office has received many calls and office visits from concerned citizens regarding expired Yellow Voter Registration Certificates. “We generally send out new certificates by December 31st. However, there are currently delays at the Secretary of State Elections Office- this is a statewide issue. As soon as we receive approval from them, the 2026 Voter Registration Certificates will be mailed out,” said Brewster County Elections Clerk.

The Tri-County Voter Promoters (TCVP) will hold voter registration events from today to January 23 in Alpine, Marfa, with additional events to be added later. The first voter registration event will be held today in Alpine at the Morgan University Center on the campus of Sul Ross State University from 11 a.m.

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A special program is planned for Saturday, January 31, at 1 p.m. in the Jeff Davis County Library, highlighting kachina figures also known as “katsinas.” Everyone is invited to “Art, Archeology, and the American West: The History of Katsina Figures,” presented by retired archeologist Tim Roberts, showing stunning pieces from his personal collection. Attendees are invited to bring their own kachinas to the program as well.

The Brewster County Commissioner’s Court held its first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the commissioner’s courtroom of the Brewster County Courthouse. Commissioner Pct. 3 Ruben Ortega was absent.

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The 82nd annual Big Bend Livestock Show and Sale wrapped up this past Saturday evening with $313,000 in market animal sales. The show began at 9 a.m.

On Saturday, January 3, a resident of Terlingua Ranch, 47-year-old Rique J. Rivera, was arrested by the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) on charges of endangering a child, cruelty to non-livestock animals, and unlawful restraint of a dog, among other violations. Multiple officers were on hand due to the nature of the offense and the overwhelming number of dogs involved, with Brandon Green listed as the investigator after the Avalanche submitted a request for public information (PIR).

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