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SANDERSON –
Terrell County will be asked to seek funding for “about” $300,000 to repair a
runway lighting problem at Terrell County Airport. Greg Stube, a
Special Forces officer from Fort Bragg, NC, told the Airport Board Tuesday he
was on a flight to Terrell County late Saturday that had to return to Del Rio
when the runway lighting could not be turned on with the radio in the
twin-engine Cessna 421 in which he was a passenger. The runway
lights were set so they could be turned on by keying the microphone on an
aircraft radio but Airport Manager C.D. Curry said there was a radio problem
that prevented the lights from coming on. The Airport is
in process of an upgrade to get it into “compliance” with current airport
regulations. Megan Caffal
and Kari Campbell of the Aviation Division of the Texas Department of
Transportation told the board in October new rules now require runway
lighting and the rotating beacon to be on from “sundown to sunrise” every
night. They said the
radio-keyed light system was no longer permissible. Stube said he
plans to start a hunting business after his military commitment ends next
year and Terrell County is in “a valuable part of the country.” He said he
works with television travel shows and hopes to “bring people here. “I love this
area,” he said. “It has great potential.” The Airport
Board discussed a possible backup to the lighting problems and engineer John
Landgraf of Landgraf Crutcher Associates of Odessa said he would research
possibilities. Meanwhile, the
board agreed to recommend the county seek funding for a solution to the
problem. County Judge
Leo Smith, who attended part of the meeting, said he would order flares
immediately that could be placed along a runway in an emergency if the lights
are not available, But a
permanent fix to the lighting problem needs to be found as soon as possible,
Airport Board Chairman Jim Street said. Runway
lighting can qualify for federal Capital Improvement Program funds but there
is at least a three-year lead time for CIP funding. US Rep. Ciro
Rodriguez has offered to search for other federal fund that could be used for
the lighting fix sooner than CIP funds would be available. Along with the
runway light problem, Curry said the rotating beacon that shows the location
of the airport to passing aircrews went out Jan. 31 and it took until last
weekend to get a repair done. He said a new
beacon could cost about $5,000 plus $3,000 for installation. The present
beacon was installed in 1946. Landgraf and
LCA staff engineer Michael Garcia presented information on projected costs
for lighting of both runways, plus extension of the main terminal apron,
along with fencing. The
Commissioners have agreed to provide new eight-foot deer-proof fencing around
the airport in two phases using federal Routine Airport Improvement Program
funding. Landgraf said
the fact the lighting problem is a “safety issue” could qualify it for
funding sooner than other airport programs. The board also
addressed a January 11 inspection summary from TxDOT Special Projects
Administrator Greg Miller which covered the lighting issues, fueling and fire
extinguishers. Curry said the
fueling issue was addressed “immediately” and he will purchase the required
fire extinguishers. The Board
agreed that the next project for the airport after the lighting and fencing
have been addressed is an extension of the main terminal apron so hangars can
be built. Landgraf
estimated the apron extension at $750,000 and said it would qualify for
90-percent funding under CIP. But he
suggested the county start soon applying for the grant because of the long
lead time required. Lady Eagles
bi-district champs By
ANNA La FLEUR News
Leader Writer MARFA – The
Sanderson Lady Eagles basketball squad is bi-district champion after beating
Sierra Blanca 39-33 here Tuesday. Blakeney
Chriesman was top scorer with 21 points. Sarah Sivils scored eight points and
Noemi Nuñez had six. Roxanna Rodriguez and Jessica Garza each scored two
points. “How ‘bout
those Lady Eagles,” TCISD Superintendent Gary Hamilton said Wednesday. “Super
congrats go out to the Lady Eagles in their victory over Sierra Blanca in
bi-district play last night in Marfa.”
The Lady
Eagles will face Lorenzo at 6 p.m. tonight, Feb. 19, in an area playoff game
at Midland Christian School in Midland. The Eagle boys
will face their first bi-district playoff at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23,
against Balmorhea at Grandfalls. There will be
a practice game against Dell City at 12 noon tomorrow, also at Grandfalls. The boys
played a pair of practice games including a 41 to 46 loss to Marfa Tuesday
night. Travis Roberts
had top score with 13 points. Cordell Lawson made 12 points and Darren Seidel
contributed nine. Tim Hopkins
scored six and William Roberts scored one point. Last Friday
night, the varsity boys got a look at Wink at Fort Stockton. Wink will be in
the same district in next year’s UIL alignment. Wink still
plays 11-man football but the Eagles only lost by two Friday, 41 to 43. Travis had top
score with 13 points. Cordell was on his heels with 12 and Darren was right
behind with 11 points. Robert
Montalvo dumped in four and William contributed a free throw. ALPINE –
Travis Roberts of Sanderson, who set several records in cross country events
last spring and went on to win the state title last fall, will sign a
scholarship here today, Feb. 19, to run cross-country for Rice University. “Even though
Travis is going to get to participate in athletics while in college, he has
so much more to offer,” said State Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine who will host
the signing. Travis is a
senior at Sanderson High School and ran his four years under Coach Leighton
Conway. “It has been a
real treat to coach Travis,” Conway said. “He’s a hard worker who not only
sets new and higher goals, but he knows what it takes to get things
done.” Gallego said
Travis has been a role model in both his academics and extracurricular
activities. His
leadership is evident as Travis helped lead Sanderson to a second place
overall finish at the state meet this school year. Besides
finishing his high school career as Texas’ 1A Cross Country Champion, Travis is
on the honor roll and has also spent time participating in tennis, basketball
and football. Travis has put
in a lot of hard time and effort. “He’s so busy,
I usually don’t see him home till around nine every day,” his mother Katie
Roberts said. Travis will
sign his letter at 2 p.m. today at Gallego’s office at 117 N. 6th Street
here. Everyone is
welcome to come and give Travis their best as he begins this new chapter in
his life, Gallego said. By
MARK GLOVER Contributing
Editor ALPINE - While
the West Texas water export plans of Clayton Williams hang in a Federal Court
in Midland, Dr. Megan Benson presented an historical overview of the
evolution of Texas groundwater law at the Sul Ross campus Friday night,
hosted by the Center for Big Bend Studies. “In Texas,
because of the Rule of Capture, one landowner or corporation can mine and
market a disproportionate amount of water for immediate gain, seriously
impacting or depleting resources without liability to his neighbors,” said Benson,
a recipient of the 2009 Fellowship for Excellence in West Texas History. Texas, the
only western state that practices the Rule of Capture, which Benson calls
“the law of the biggest pump.” It gained its
head of steam in a 1904 court case known as W.A. East v Houston & Texas
Central Railroad, Inc. The Right of
Capture is an ancient English Common Law concept that originated in conflicts
between landowners and hunters. “Specifically,
it asked at what moment the animal becomes the private property of the
hunter,” Benson said. Later in an
1843 English courtroom, this concept was applied by the court to settle a
case involving a drained well. By
implementing the Rule of Capture, courts ruled against neighbors trying to
collect damages from those who out-pumped them. Standing at
the podium with black framed glasses and a leather jacket, Benson, whose
SRSU-funded research fellowship allowed her to study the subject for one
year, unveiled the back story that led to the 1904landmark decision. Edward House,
son of a wealthy Texas banker, pursued a course of multiplying his father’s
substantial holdings by engaging in transportation. Eminent in the
dredging of the Houston ship channel in the 1890s, House was also engaged in
the railroad business at a time when common carrier law was being crafted by
the Texas legislature. “Weak in
appearance, with no discernable public speaking skills, House was a
behind-the- scenes man,” Benson said. House
befriended William Hogg who went on to become Texas governor in 1891, as well
as a series of governors through 1907 including Charles Allen Culberson,
Joseph Draper Sayers and Samuel Willis Tucker Lanham, part of “our crowd,” a
term used by House to define his political posse. This series of
governors oversaw the sale of Texas public lands that financed Texas schools.
They also crafted early common carrier laws that Benson said “chipped away
the liability by common carriers for negligence. “If a train
killed a horse at a railroad crossing – no negligence,” she said. “If a man was
unloading a boxcar and hurt himself – no negligence. If a bridge failed – no
liability.” Trains needed
water for their steam engines and East didn’t realize when the Houston and TC
Railroad built a well across the street from his in what is now downtown
Denison that a 50,000 gallon-a-day well was going to suck his well dry. He took them
to court in Denison and lost. He appealed at the “Old Red” courthouse in
Dallas where Judge John Bookhout of the Fifth Circuit Court of Civil Appeals
overturned the case. “It shocks our
sense of justice … that the appellee claims immunity from liability,” said
the former New Yorker turned Texan said. The judge
ordered the railroad to pay $210 to East. But the
railroad appealed to the Texas Supreme Court. Frank Alvan Williams,
presided over the case. A friend of Edward House and a member of “our crowd,”
Williams was appointed to the First District Court of Appeals in Houston by
Gov. Hogg in 1892 and went on to the Texas Supreme Court in 1899. The court’s
decision of 1904 includes the now sacred if not infamous wording, “Because
the existence, origin, movement and course of such waters and the causes
which govern and direct their movements are so secret, occult and concealed
that an attempt to administer any set of legal rules in respect to them would
be involved in hopeless uncertainty and would therefore be practically
impossible.” The court’s
finding not only used ephemeral wording to explain the “occult” like nature
of water to establish the non-liability of the railroad for sucking their
neighbor’s well dry, but also exercised selective precedence mining these
words from an Ohio court’s decision rendered 50 years earlier. The oil
industry in Texas also works under the Rule of Capture and the law was
summarily explained by Irish actor Daniel Day Lewis in the Marfa-filmed
movie, “There Will Be Blood.” “If you have a
milkshake and I have a milkshake and I have a straw and my straw reaches
across the room and starts to drink your milkshake, I drink your milkshake! I
drink it up!” the actor says. Thirty miles
east of that movie set, Benson, who earned her Ph.D. in American History from
the University of Oklahoma, delivered the final touches of the lecture. “The Texas Supreme Court found no validity
in Judge Bookhouts opinion,” Benson said. “It simply served the intent of the
railroad.” Benson
reported House was later quoted as saying in reference to “our crowd,” “We
got just about everything we wanted, including the East Decision.” Benson pointed
out some exceptions to the Rule of Capture. In 1917,
Article 16, known as the conservation amendment, legislated against wasting
water. In 1949, the
Texas legislature authorized the creation of Underground Water Conservation
Districts, most of them starting in the panhandle to protect the Ogallala
Aquifer. In 1993, State
Bill 1477 created the Edwards Aquifer Authority which replaced the Edwards
Underground Water Conservation District, an entity that Benson suggested was
“more powerful” than a regular district and that “challenged the Rule of
Capture.” In 1997, SB 1
and 2001, SB2 extended the regulating authority of water districts. Today the
50/50 Rule is making its way into many regional Texas jurisdictions, a rule
that limits depletions of aquifers to no more than 50 per cent in a 50-year
period. Some districts
are limiting pumping to the size of the land owned and still others permit
pumping based on historical usage. Challenges to
these new water distribution limits consistently find their way to the
courtroom where ultimately the Rule of Capture prevails. Brewster
County Judge Val Beard has stated in the past that she believes the law and
the conservation districts should be abolished, clearing the way for tort law
to adjudicate liability issues. Hawaii
eliminates the problem altogether by claiming all underground water as
property of the state, as do most countries in the world. Likely most
rural west Texans will not be sitting back and enjoying their underground
water being pumped to urban centers like Midland-Odessa as Clayton Williams
plans. Fort Stockton
Holdings Inc., a Williams’ family owned operation with farming roots in
Belton, seeks damages in a federal suit against the Middle Pecos Groundwater
Conservation District for denying their water export permit. FSH is not challenging
the Rule of Capture, but rather claims their constitutional rights under
Articles 5, 13, and 14 in the US Constitution were breached in the water
district’s decision. In the
meantime the hairy hunted animal of the Rule of Capture continues un-caught
and legally safe in the occult wanderings of the Texas legal system. “The Rule of
Capture, established in the 1904 East case, and based on 1843 English
precedent, allows for enormous private wealth to be gained yet depletes our
most valuable resource. By selectively
using precedent and undisputable sacred text, the question is, “Is the Rule
of Capture a good resource management plan?” Belton asked. “’And was it
ever?’” SANDERSON – Funeral
services were Tuesday at St. James Catholic Church here for Isidoro “Nuno”
Villarreal, Jr., 65, a native of Sanderson who died Saturday in Odessa.
Burial was in Santa Rita Cemetery. His brother
Enrique died in August. Villarreal was
born in Sanderson on Nov. 6, 1944, to Isidoro, Sr., and Obdulia Villarreal. His parents
and a sister, Gloria Villarreal, preceded him in death. He is survived
by his sister, Olga Villarreal of Sanderson. Pallbearers
were Chel Duarte, Chago Flores, Chano Lomas, Jimmy Davis, David Flores,
Silvestre Silvas, Sostenes Cha-lambaga, Martin Arrendondo, Francisco Fuentez,
Mauro Lopes, Cristoval Lomas and Tomas Lomas. Work aids
graduation night event SANDERSON –
Some hard work by seven parents and 14 Sanderson High School students have
benefited the high school’s Project Graduation to the tune of $7,700. The School
Board offered to let the volunteers refurbish the old field house so it
can accompany the new field house now
going up east of the Eagle Stadium football field. The board
approved the contribution at its meeting Monday. School
Business Manager Blain Chriesman said Architect Monte Hunter of Odessa said
it would have cost “at least three times as much” for a professional crew to
do the work. Project
Graduation is the annual all-night, chemical-free party after high school
graduation each May. Businesses and
others donate money and prizes for the new graduates on their special night. SANDERSON –
The Terrell County Independent School District ended the last year on a
“positive” note with a fund balance of $780,677, up significantly from a
“negative” balance of about $600,000 just a few years ago. The figures
were released at last month’s School Board meeting but Tarter presented the
findings this week and the board accepted the report. It shows total
revenues of $10,467,673 but the district had to send $7,267,901 to the state
for distribution to other school districts under the state’s so-called “Robin
Hood” finances scheme. In other
action, Board President Ada Lee Robbins said the construction program under a
$14 million bond issue approved almost two years ago is “pretty much on
schedule.” Lockers have
been installed in the new high school classrooms being build just south of
the junior high school building, pouring was to get under way this week on
the slab for a new field house and a vocational building just east of the
junior high building was nearing completion. Work on the
gymnasium will start after basketball season which is now in playoffs. Superintendent
Gary Hamilton said he hoped the April Board meeting could be in the new
meeting room in the new classroom building. Counselor
Isidoro Calzada, Jr., told the board that all seniors who had applied to
college for after graduation had been accepted. He said some
of them are still working on scholarships and the “local” scholarship
providers would determine their winners next month. Elementary
Assistant Principal Tanna Lowrance said the elementary school won two awards
recently. The Texas
Education Agency awarded a Distinguished Performance Award last week “in
recognition for ensuring that all children have the opportunity to obtain a
high quality education and reach proficiency on challenging state academic
standards and assessment for the 2009-2010 school year,” she said. “The
elementary campus also received a Recognized Award for achievement as a
Distinguished Performance Title I, Part A, school from Region 18 Education
Service Center,” she said. Junior High
Assistant Administrator Jerry Garza told the board the Spanish Club trip to
Spain in June is on track. Garza said
eight students and four chaperones will to Madrid, Córdova, Seville, Costa
del Sol, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona. Students include
seniors Vicky Busch, Jessica Garza, Chris Marquez, Noemi Nuñez and Travis
Roberts. Graduates who were schedule to go last year and wanted to be
included are Monica Lozano, Miriam Nuñez and Fabian Orozco. Chaperones
will be Garza, Teacher Amy Carman, Coach Trisha Nichols and friend Jesse
Daniel. The club
planned the trip last year but was not able to raise enough funds. A trip to
Mexico was to be substituted but Garza said drug cartel violence and the
economy squelched that trip. He said the
club has now raised more than $17,000, which is about $2,900 short of what is
needed. The club plans
another car wash at 10 a.m. Sunday at Sanderson Tire Center to collect more
funds for the trip. Garza also
said nine Sanderson Junior High School students will join 13 High School
students entered in the Regional History Fair today at Sul Ross State
University in Alpine. And the
Mathathon sponsored by teacher Becky Norris raised $1,154.10 for St. Jude’s
Children’s Hospital. Athletic
Director and High School Assistant Administrator Mark Dominguez said the new
UIL football alignment putting Sanderson in with Balmorhea, Dell City,
Grandfalls-Royalty and Imperial Buena Vista will result in “home and home”
games next fall. In recent
years, teams have only faced district competition once each during a season. Now, each will
have two games, one each on home turf, to decide the district championship. Basketball
teams will be aligned with Grandfalls, Buena Vista, Marathon, Rankin and
Wink. Dominguez said
Wink plays 11-man football but they qualify for six-man. He said boys
basketball team has played Wink close in a practice game. And Dominguez
said the Band Booster’s Chili Supper Feb. 7 raised a net of $2,900, rather
than the $4,300 reported in the News Leader.
He said the
earlier estimate was based on a hasty count “based on trying to do a ‘quick
total’ the day of the event.” And the board
extended contracts for one year for Dominguez, Business Manager Blain
Chriesman, Technology Director David Carrasco and Maintenance Director
Arnulfo Serna. SANDERSON –
Workers digging a grave for Isidoro “Nuno” Villarreal, Jr., who died
Saturday, discovered some unidentified bones in his grave at Santa Rita
Cemetery Monday. “This body
appears to be wrapped in a rug and there seems to be stockings on the legs of
the deceased which leads me to believe that it is a woman,” Santa Rita Board
Member Ray Hernandez said. “Someone from
the sheriff’s office came by and asked me if I knew who this was because I
used to bury bodies but I have never buried one without a coffin,” Joe “Pepe”
Fuentes said. “It looked like it was wrapped in a quilt or something.” The cemetery
predates the 1965 flood and some wondered if it could have been a flood
victim. Others wondered if it was a
murder victim, an Indian or a pioneer. The cemetery has been there since the
1950s. “The body will
be reburied and there will be a marker put in place so this will not happen
again,” Chief Deputy Kenneth Turner said. “The marker could have been washed
away, been taken or just deteriorated over time.” Villarreal was
buried in a different location as to not disturb the already occupied grave
of another. God, voting,
abortion, on ballot AUSTIN – Texas
Republican voters will be able to express their opinions on issues including
the use of the word “God” in gatherings including at schools, limiting
government spending and abortion at the March primary election. Early voting
is already underway for the March 2 election and the Republican ballot has
five non-binding resolutions in addition to candidates. There are no
resolutions on the Democratic Primary ballot. The
resolutions were chosen by the State Republican Executive Committee and,
while not binding on any legislative body, are designed to send a message to
elected leaders. One resolution
would encourage the Legislature to "make it a priority to protect the
integrity of our election process by enacting legislation that requires
voters to provide valid photo identification in order to cast a ballot in any
and all elections" in Texas. A voter ID
bill failed in the last Legislative session but is expected to re-appear at
the next Legislative session next year. Republicans
also will be asked to support legislation that would require government
bodies in the state to limit annual budget increases to "the combined
increase of population and inflation unless it first gets voter approval to
exceed the allowed annual growth or in the case of an official
emergency." Versions of
both the spending and voter identification propositions appeared on the 2008
and 2006 primary ballots and were approved by Republican voters. Another
proposition involves federal spending. "In
addition to aggressively eliminating irresponsible federal spending, Congress
should empower American citizens to stimulate the economy by Congress cutting
federal income taxes for all federal taxpayers, rather than spending hundreds
of billions of dollars on so-called federal economic stimulus," it
reads. "The use
of the word 'God,' prayers and the Ten Commandments should be allowed at
public gatherings and public educational institutions, as well as be
permitted on government buildings and property," another states. Ballot
Proposition No. 5 deals with abortion. "The
Texas Legislature should enact legislation requiring a sonogram to be
performed and shown to each mother about to undergo a medically unnecessary,
elective abortion," it reads. Early voting
continues until Friday, Feb. 26, including 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Feb.
20. \The election will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2. All county
precincts for both parties will be at the Terrell County Courthouse. AUSTIN — Sales
tax receipts reported this month were off again by a substantial percentage
from the year before as the economy continues to struggle. Texas
Comptroller Susan Combs said the state collected $1.66 billion in sales tax
revenue in January, down 14.2 percent compared to January 2009. Terrell County
received $16,775.49, down nearly 65 percent from the $47,562.75 in the same
reporting period last year. For the calendar year, the county collected
$20,596.39, down 81 percent from the $107,383.63 collected a year earlier. Sales taxes
reported in February were collected in January for sales that occurred in
Dec- ember. “Collections
continue to be down in major industry sectors like retail trade, oil and
natural gas production, construction and manufacturing,” Combs said.
“January’s [statewide] sales tax revenue was down by double digits compared
to January 2009, which was the third highest collection month ever and was
also the last month of year-over-year growth. “We will
continue to closely monitor sales tax revenue and, although we expect further
collection declines in the near term, it is anticipated the rate of decline
will moderate and then return to revenue growth sometime in the second
quarter of 2010,” Combs said. She sent
$618.2 million in local sales tax to Texas cities, counties, transit systems
and special purpose taxing districts, down 7.1 percent compared to sales tax
distributions to local governments in February 2009. The
comptroller sent $417.7 million in sales tax to Texas cities, down 6.2
percent compared to February 2009 payments. Texas counties received
February sales tax payments of $35.1 million, down 15.1 percent compared to
last February. The 163
special purpose taxing districts around the state received $24.6 million in
sales tax, down 7.8 percent compared to February 2009. Ten local
transit systems received $140.6 million in February sales tax payments, down
7.5 percent compared to a year ago. For details of
February sales tax payments to individual cities, counties, transit systems
and special purpose districts, locate the Monthly Sales Tax Allocation
Comparison Summary Reports on the Web site at www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/allocsum/compsum.html.
MARATHON – The
Sixth Annual Fish Fry at the Marathon Community Center here Saturday raised
about $8,000 to benefit the building construction fund. Funds will go
towards additional improvements to the center, including porches both in
front and back. Both will be equipped with a roof and electricity. The dinner was
followed by a dance with entertainment by Justin Treviño, who performs
western swing music and has toured with Johnny Bush. There also was
a dessert auction that helped in raising the money. One cake sold for $350 at
the auction. There were about
ten cakes that sold that evening and a few other items. Supporters
said there were more people at this fish fry than the last one. Another fish
fry is scheduled for August 7 and Treviño will be back for that event. Like last
week’s event, the next fish fry will be for donations and not a set price. By
ANNA La FLEUR News
Leader Writer MARATHON –
April 1 is April Fool’s Day but no one here is laughing. Russ Tidwell,
owner of the Chisos Gallery, confirmed reports this week that the popular
gallery on Main Street will close that day or some time close to it. “I regret to
announce that we are closing the Chisos Gallery after 15 years,” Tidwell told
the News Leader. He said the
closing had become necessary because of the increased operational losses
after the economic collapse starting in 2008. “The good
news, I believe, is that someone who is in Marathon full time can open a
successful gallery in the same wonderful, historic space,” Tidwell said. A new owner will need to invest full time
into operations, something that Tidwell said he had never been in a position
to do. “I want to
thank the dedicated full- and part-time employees and everyone in Marathon
who have been so supportive for all these years,” Tidwell said. There will be a
sale in March, he said. Details on that will be available later. AUSTIN –
Expansion of mule deer hunting opportunities is one of the topics to be
covered at a series of public hearings across the state over the next two
weeks. The Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department is considering the changes to the state’s
hunting and fishing regulations for the 2010-11 hunting season. Among the
changes are open general season for mule deer in Dawson and Wheeler counties
and adding a day to the season across the Trans Pecos region. The proposals
would address a priority goal in TPWD’s Land and Water Resource Conservation
and Recreation Plan to increase access to and participation in the outdoors. Hearings sites
include Fort Stockton on March 2, Alpine on March 3 and Van Horn on March 4.
The meetings are all set for 7 p.m. Currently
there is no open season for mule deer in Dawson or Wheeler counties. Implementing a
nine-day, buck-only season in Dawson County and a 16-day, buck-only season in
Wheeler County would offer increased hunter opportunity without adversely
impacting mule deer reproduction or distribution. TPWD wildlife
biologists say mule deer populations in these counties are limited but are
present in some areas having suitable habitat and implementation of a
buck-only season will not have any measurable impact on herd productivity or
expansion. Traditionally,
big game hunting seasons in Texas open on Saturday to give hunters a full
weekend of opportunity. Because the mule
deer season in the Trans Pecos starts on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the
TPW Commission asked the Wildlife Division to explore an option to open a day
earlier to take advantage of the long holiday weekend. This proposal
would add a day to the current 16-day season and create an opening day on the
Friday after Thanksgiving each year. Wildlife
biologists suggest adding a day to the season in the Trans Pecos will not
negatively impact the mule deer resource. In addition to
hunting regulation proposals, TPWD staff presented an abbreviated slate of
potential changes to fishing regulations and, based on input during recent
public scoping meetings, removed from consideration a proposal to lower the
length limit on snook from 24 to 22 inches. The department
had considered the drop in length limit on snook to allow additional harvest
of fat snook. Opinions
expressed during scoping meetings reflected concern about potential impacts
to common snook resources under reduced length limits and TPWD coastal fisheries
officials opted to table the recommendation. Fisheries
staff will be seeking public comment on proposals strengthening commercial
reporting requirements and separating commercial and recreational
regulations, as well as a clarification of rules regarding catching and
possessing fish within protected length limits or in excess of bag limits. Official
proposals will be available for review and comment during a series of public
meetings in February, as well as online. The TPW
Commission will make final determination on proposed changes at its April 1
public hearing. Wreck kills
one, injures seven MONAHANS – An
11-year-old Fort Worth boy was killed and seven of his family members were
injured, one critically, in a one-vehicle rollover on Interstate 20 one mile
west of here last week. Edward Orozco
was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Juan Pascual Olivas. Selena Orozco,
also 11, was critically injured when the sports utility vehicle driven by
Moncerrat Orozco, 55, of Fort Worth struck a guard rail and the vehicle
rolled over several times in the median. Less seriously
injured were Araseli Orozco, 33, Raymond Orozco, 13, Ivan Orozco, 16, Alex
Orozco, 8, and Alan Orozco, 10, and the driver. Two other
passengers were uninjured. The accident was
investigated by Department of Public Safety Trooper Tanner Purvis of
Balmorhea. SAN ANTONIO –
An award of more than $1.7 million has been approved to fund a border
prosecution unit to amplify the state’s border security efforts. Gov. Rick
Perry used the announcement to praise the men and women of law enforcement,
emergency responders, volunteer organizations, Texas military forces and the
continued coordination between state, local and federal agencies for
preparing and protecting Texans from natural and man-made threats. “Whether
you’re on another preparedness exercise or a search and rescue operation
after a major storm, your selfless service makes our state a better place to
live and everyone here has a role to play in our state’s forward-leaning
approach to emergency management and homeland security,” Perry told the
annual Texas Homeland Security Conference. “People
already move to Texas to take part in our strong economy, enjoy our state’s
natural beauty and immerse themselves in our culture but your dedication
ensures they can enjoy those qualities in safety,” Perry said. He said a
significant threat to the state’s security is the growing danger presented by
ruthless drug cartels and transnational gangs operating on both sides of the
Texas-Mexico border. Perry accused
the federal government of failing in its responsibility to secure our
international border. He said at his request last session, the
Legislature again allocated more than $110 million to continue the state’s
border security operations, including funding to combat transnational gangs. The $1.7
million grant will go to El Paso County to participate in and serve as the
fiscal agent for the Border Prosecution Unit, which is a collaborative
initiative of the 16 district attorneys along the border. Perry said the
state’s efforts in strengthening border security resulted in an increase in
the number of cases for money laundering, drug and human trafficking,
kidnapping, murder and gang-related offenses. The unit will
use these funds to increase the number of prosecutors and specialized
investigators to handle cases resulting from border-related crime. Busts yield
$2.5 million in weed MARFA - Border
Patrol agents seized nearly two tons of pots in two busts this week. Agents seized
3,106 pounds of marijuana, valued at $2.5 million in one pickup load north of
Presidio load Wednesday. Three US citizens, the truck and two other vehicles
were seized. Earlier,
Sanderson agents found tracks from a group of illegal aliens in the Bullis
Gap area south of Sanderson Monday and tracked down a group of ten. As the agents
approached, the men scattered. Two of them were apprehended, one adult and
one juvenile. A third man
was nabbed later who complained of a broken ankle. He was transported
by Terrell County EMS to the Pecos County Hospital where it was discovered he
did have a broken ankle. He was put in a boot and released to Border Patrol. Agents seized
447 pounds of marijuana in backpacks. The three men and the pot were turned over
to the Drug Enforcement Agency. SANDERSON –
“Take a bit out of reading” is the theme for the Scholastic Book Fair at the
Sanderson Elementary School Library starting Monday, Feb. 22, and running
until Tuesday, March 2. The fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. “There will be
many exciting books for everyone as well as learning products and games to
share with readers,” Librarian Pam Deaton said. “Parents and teachers will
find plenty of items which will interest them, too.” The annual
Book Fair Family Night will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 1. “Please come
to the Scholastic Book Fair at Sanderson Elementary School Library Monday
until Friday and take a bite out of reading,” Deaton said. ALPINE –
Prospective students and their families can explore educational opportunities
and campus life at Sul Ross State University during Sully’s Super tomorrow,
Feb. 20. Check-in and
registration begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Morgan University Center. The opening
assembly will include a greeting from the Sul Ross President Dr. Ricardo
Maestas, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr.
David Cockrum and Gregory Schwab, associate vice president for Enrollment
Management. The schedule
also includes a campus tour and
information on major requirements, degree programs, sponsored activities and
course offerings. Information on
admissions, financial aid, housing and student activities will be provided. A lunch will
be prepared by Campus Dining Services. Visitors may also choose to attend
women’s and men’s basketball games between Sul Ross and Concordia
University-Texas in the Gallego Center, at 1 and 3 p.m. or several other
activities, including a hike up Sul Ross Mountain, Planetarium presentations
and tours of the Turner Range Animal Science Center and the Museum of the Big
Bend. Students and
guests staying overnight may obtain complimentary tickets for the Sul Ross
Theatre production of “The Private Lives of Private Spies,” playing at the
Granada Theatre, downtown Alpine. For more
information, contact the Sul Ross Office of Recruiting, 888-722-7778 or 432/
837-8050 or email the Sul Ross Ambassadors at ambassad@sulross.edu. Details also
are available online at www.sulross.edu/sully. By
ANNA La FLUER News
Leader Writer SANDERSON –
The 11th Annual Falkfest is this weekend here and in Junction. Falkfest is a weekend
party in which one of the co-founders, the late Walter Falk, would display
his art work, mostly of landscapes. Walter Falk,
aka “Falkman” moved here in the 90s with wife and school teacher Rhonda and
their two boys, Nathan and Ben. They stayed a
few years before moving to Rockport. Falkman said
he loved it here and decided to keep their 100- year-old home. “My front
porch in Sanderson is my favorite place in the whole world,” he said often. Walter S.
Falk, III, died suddenly Tuesday, July 10, 2007, but Falkfest continues with
friends like Steve Anderson, his wife Ellen Weed and Mason and Mary Atkins,
who had a big part in planning this year’s gala. Falkfest began
in Boquillas, Chih. Falk said he thought it just seemed like a nice place for
an art show and so it began. There will be
no art work on display this year but friends will reminisce and remember
their fun-loving, easy-going friend Walter Falk. Some of the
past Falkfest events had live music. There will not be any music this year
but there will be friends, laughing, relaxing, beer and barbecue. Friends
gathered at noon yesterday, Feb. 18, at the Cantina el Gavilan before heading
over to a cave party on a ranch on the Rio Grande south of Sanderson for more
beer and barbecue. The party
moves to the Riverside Inn in Junction tomorrow for more beer and barbecue. This is a
chance to relax, laugh, eat and, you guessed it, drink. For more
information contact Steve Anderson at 512/771-2041. SANDERSON –
Wilson Culverts of Elkhart submitted the only bid Tuesday for culverts needed
for new drainage ditches. Wilson turned
in a bid too late to be considered last month so it resubmitted a bid for
$221,751. Four bidders
submitted offers for cement and rock work. Francisco Hernandez was apparent
low bidder on labor for rock work with an offer of $2.75 per square foot.
Pedro Martinez bid $3 and Osvaldo Martinez and Andreas Batista offered to do
the work for $3.75. Pedro Martinez
was low on the cement work at $5 per linear foot. Osvaldo Martinez offered
$5.50, Hernandez bid $5.75 and Batista bid $6. The bids were
given to engineer John Landgraf of Landgraf Crutcher Associates of Odessa for
a recommendation. OC group
sponsors Haiti relief ODESSA – Local
bands and poets are donating their time and talents to “Rock for Relief,” an
event sponsored by the Odessa College Student Government Association in hopes
of raising funds to benefit relief efforts in Haiti. The
performances will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26 at the OC Sports Center. A 7.0
earthquake struck the Caribbean nation on Jan. 12, killing more than 200,000
and leaving many more homeless. Bands in the
lineup include “Moving Forward,” “Matty D, Dolly’s Clone” and “Sleep Walk to
Texas.” Poets Matt
Willingham and Fysch Palsy will read their works during the benefit. “Rock for
Relief” is free and open to the public. Donations will go to the American Red
Cross to aid in the disaster recovery efforts in Haiti. |
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