News

Each year, Hillside Baptist Church in Alpine receives boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse. This organization, led by Franklin Graham, responds to the physical and spiritual needs of people in crisis worldwide and works in over 110 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution.

In last week’s lead story, information received from a board member of the Big Bend Regional Hospital District was incorrect on the number of health clinics in Presidio. Lynette Brehm, Executive Director, informed the Avalanche that currently, PCHS and Bravo Health have the only two open and functioning clinics in the City of Presidio, and that once the new health clinic building is complete, Bravo Health would become a tenant of that building.

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The Union Pacific Railroad bridge on the west side of Alpine, which continues to be struck by over height semi-trucks, is scheduled to be upgraded from its current 13’7” to 14’3”— according to information received from Brewster County Judge Greg Henington. Alpine’s TxDOT Supervisor, Anthony Marquez, advised him of the upgrades.

The American Land Title Association (ALTA) Good Deeds Foundation, a registered 501(c) (3) charitable organization founded by ALTA, the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, today announced they have awarded $5,000 to Smoke in the Mountains BBQ & Ribeye Shootout in Fort Davis.

Sul Ross State University and the Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) have entered into a new agreement to increase opportunities for aspiring medical students. Both universities are members of the Texas State University System (TSUS).

Sul Ross State University in Alpine has announced a leadership transition at the Center for Big Bend Studies (CBBS) designed to strengthen operations and expand research capacity for one of the university’s longest-running research programs.

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As part of the 2025 Rio Grande River Symposium, which began yesterday in McAllen, Sul Ross’ Dr. Kevin Urbanczyk and Rio Grande Joint Venture conservationists Karen Chapman and Jeff Bennett will present discussions and organize workshops on the challenges of conserving the Rio Grande watershed in the Big Bend and Chihuahuan Desert, both in Texas and with their partners in Mexico.

In last Wednesday’s October board meeting of the Big Bend Regional Hospital District (BBRHD), board members voted three to two on the approval of a $3M project, up from the original $2.5M investment, for another permanent healthcare clinic in the City of Presidio. This large-scale project, funded by BBRHD, would add yet another clinic to the City of Presidio, bringing the number to four, according to Board Chairman Buddy Cavness.