Opinion

The storyline of 2024 could be about the negative impacts of Texas’ continued divestment in public education. While that’s undoubtedly true, especially in rural communities across the state, it would be an incomplete narrative.

“Thunder rolls And the lightnin’ strikes. Another love grows cold On a sleepless night.” ― Song lyrics by Garth Brooks A storm rages as I draft this column—rain, wind, lightning, thunder.

Once again, another year has flown by. Halloween marked the second anniversary of my official start as managing editor for the Alpine Avalanche.

“We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.” ― Robert Burns, “Auld Lang Syne” That 1700s Scots poem set to familiar music is often used to mark the end of something. In our culture, usually, another year is “for (the sake of) old times.” “Auld Lang Syne” became a U.S.

Why should the government be on the hook for natural disasters? The national news over the weekend was full of stories about congressional action on a bill to prevent a partial government shutdown. The Senate passed a compromise bill approved earlier by the House.

As 2024 comes to a close, it is a great time to reflect on the tremendous progress and accomplishments made by the City of Alpine over the past year. This has been a year of growth, service, and collaboration, and I am proud of what our city has achieved.

In the heart of West Texas lies Alpine, a small yet vibrant community that thrives on its deep sense of unity and resilience. I answered the call when the Alpine Volunteer Fire Department needed strong leadership.

“Singin’ the blues while the lady cats cry, ‘Wild stray cat, you’re a real gone guy.’ I wish I could be as carefree and wild But I got cat class, and I got cat style.” ― The Stray Cats, an American rockabilly band I saw another news item about big cats in East Texas last week.

As we wrap up the fall semester and the year, I want to review some of Sul Ross State University’s many accomplishments in 2024.

“It is strange that the years teach us patience; that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.” ― Actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932 – 2011) “I’m going up to W.R. DeWoody’s Western Auto,” my grandfather announced one summer day in the early 1960s.