News

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History. Isn’t it ironic that the longer you become part of history, the more you are intrigued by it? In my youth, history was something I signed up for because it was required. But as I grew older, a thought finally occurred to me – “I wonder if someone has ever experienced something similar to what I or my community or country is facing today?”

As a small child in 1976, I vividly remember celebrating our nation’s bicentennial. I recall the commemorative quarters, the parades, pinwheels, fireworks, and large joyous Fourth of July parties. Now, in what seems like the blink of an eye, we are celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

GARDENER’S MAILBAG Dear Neil, what in the world has happened to my lantanas? I have three that look like this one, while the others look normal. This is damage done by lace bugs.

A lot has changed in the 250 years we’ve officially been a country. Today is the anniversary of the day that America voted for its freedom from England. In 1776, the 13 colonies’ Continental Congress, their governing body, voted to end England’s rule. Two days later, on July 4, 1776, the day America celebrates its Independence Day, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted, and laid the cornerstone of our country.

Texas first state to mandate Bible reading in school The State Board of Education gave final approval last week to a new required reading list for every grade level and also passed a rewrite of the state’s social studies requirements for kindergarten to eighth grade, the Austin American- Statesman reported. Both plans include Biblical concepts, essentially making the state the first in the nation to mandate the teaching of Christianity in public school classrooms.

The Marfa City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, June 25, at 6 p.m. in the Casner Room at Marfa’s City Hall.

The granddaughter of Robert LaFarelle, a native of Alpine, and his wife, Thelma, advised the Avalanche that Alice LaFarelle of Midland was accepted into the United States Naval Academy Class of 2030. She was inducted into the Class of 2030 on June 25, marking the beginning of a rigorous six-week indoctrination program in Annapolis, MD called Plebe Summer.

Big Bend Regional Medical Center could soon become part of a nonprofit health system under a proposed transition announced by its parent company, Quorum Health. In May, Quorum Health announced it had entered into a definitive agreement with QKA Health Corporation, doing business as Healthside Partners, that would allow the organization to transition from a forprofit, private equitybacked company into a nonprofit health system.

More than eight years after the killing of Sophia Sullivan shocked Fort Davis, the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help as investigators take a fresh look at a case that has remained unresolved since 2018. Sullivan, a Marfa ISD teacher and mother, was found dead on March 16, 2018, inside her Fort Davis home. She was 31 years old.