July 16, 2010

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Area dries out from rain

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SANDERSON – Sanderson and much of southwest Texas and northern Mexico were drying out this week after Hurricane Alex and a tropical storm a week later dumped almost the average annual rainfall in the area within two weeks.

Sanderson officially recorded 11.28 inches in the first two weeks of July, approaching the annual total of about 15 inches.

No flooding was reported, even though flood warnings were posted over a wide area throughout much of the period.

The rain did put a serious damper on the Fourth of July celebration here.

New drainage ditches being built around Sanderson reportedly did just what they were designed to do.

“It was as smooth as can be,” Road and Bridge Supervisor Mike Sanchez told county commissioners at Monday’s regular meeting.

The county is matching nearly $1 million in “Border Colonias” grant money from the Texas Department of Transportation to provide rock and concrete ditches throughout Sanderson.

While the ditches did their job, Sanchez said his crews have been working to patch 15 street cave-ins around town, which he attributed to the sewer system installation ten years ago.

There also were reported cave-ins at about 15 graves in Santa Rita Cemetery.

Terrell County is researching a state law that allows public aid to maintain private cemeteries if they contain graves more than 50 years old.

While Sanderson and Terrell County appeared to have escaped serious flood damage, water released from Amistad Reservoir near Del Rio sent flood waters into the Rio Grande, causing serious flooding downstream.

Along with millions of dollars in damage on both sides of the Rio, there was at least one drowning victim.

Alejandro “Cañitas” Moreno González, 70, a former baseball player with the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo and Pericos de Puebla in Liga Mexicana de Béisbol, was swept away Friday as he tried to cross a flooded street in Nuevo Laredo. His body was recovered Saturday.

The Rio at Laredo crested at 42 feet last week. Fire Department spokesman Capt. Eloy Vega said homeowners had been returning since the water started to recede Friday.

By Saturday afternoon, it was down to 32 feet but roads were still closed because of high water further down river in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties at mid-week.

“Many homes were damaged, and many lost most, if not all, of their belongings,” Vega said.

While the ditches in Sanderson performed as designed, some utility poles have wound up in the way and will have to be moved for them to work properly, County Judge Leo Smith said.

County commissioners Monday agreed to pay half of the cost of moving the poles.

Smith said he was encouraged TxDOT would allow the county to include the $22,000 as part of its $1 million local contribution to the project as an “in kind” contribution.

“The worst-case scenario is we don’t get in-kind credit,” he said, costing the county about $22,000 to move the poles.

He said work on new ditches has been halted pending resolution of the issue.

Some utility poles are too close to the ditch alignment and, in some cases, are right in the ditch.

Smith said the east-west streets in Sanderson appeared to be straight lines but global-positioning system surveying for the new ditches showed they were off by a few inches.

He said a one-inch deviation at the start of a ditch can result in a misalignment of several feet at the other end.

Texas/New Mexico Power Co. officials told Smith it would cost about $44,000 to relocate poles on Hackberry, Cargile and Pine Streets that are in the way of the new ditches.

He said the company offered to pay half the cost, to be matched by the county.

County sales tax up in July

AUSTIN – Sales taxes reported this month for Terrell County were up by 50 percent over the same period a year ago.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced last week that Terrell County reported $18,925.68 in sales tax revenues, compared to $12,616.93 in July, 2009.

For the year to date, taxes are still off 18.26 percent, from $276,468.23 last year to $225,979.24 for the current period.

Taxes reported in July represent taxes collected in June on sales that occurred in May.

Combs reported that state sales tax revenue in June totaled $1.61 billion, a 2.2 percent increase compared to June 2009.

“Total sales tax collections have now slightly exceeded year-ago levels for a third consecutive month,” Combs said.  “Net collections in the oil and gas and manufacturing sectors expanded but collections from the all-important retail sector were down from the year-ago level.

“While overall economic activity is no longer contracting, a resumption of solid growth in sales tax collections is not yet in evidence,” she said.

Terrell County relies primarily on oil and gas activity, rather than retail, thus a stronger showing than other areas of the state.

Many who have operations in the county opt to pay sales taxes on equipment they buy here rather than in larger municipalities that often have higher rates.

Combs sent July sales tax allocations totaling $442.8 million to cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts Monday, up 3.8 percent compared to July, 2009.

Texas counties got sales tax payments of $27 million, up 3.9 percent compared to last July.

For the year to date, sales tax allocations to counties are down 6.4 percent compared to this point in 2009.

For details of July 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.

The Comptroller’s next sales tax allocation will be made on Friday, Aug. 13.

All stars get one more game

GARDEN CITY – Darren Seidel of Sanderson played his final high school football game in the Texas Bowl here Saturday.

It was a close, competitive game until the third quarter when the Division I All Stars pulled away from the Division II team with a final score 56 to 32. Seidel played for Division II.

The son of Darrel and Cheryl Seidel, he was all-defensive MVP and played nose guard on the Eagle football team last fall. He plans to major in agriculture at Angelo State University in the fall.

“It felt good to wear the number 58 one more time and now it is off to higher education at Angelo State this fall,” Seidel said.

Two more Eagles will be in action tomorrow, July 17, in Lubbock.

Sarah Sivils will play basketball at 1 p.m. and Jacob Benavidez will play football at 7 p.m. at the Six Man Coaches All Star games.

Head Coach Mark Dominguez and assistant coaches Jerry Garza, Brad Conway and Luis Martinez traveled with their players.

They attended coaching workshops all this week and will return Sunday.

Sivils was a varsity letterman all four years in high school, playing on the Eagle basketball team. The daughter of Lamon and Tina Sivils of Dryden, she plans to attend Tarleton State University at Stephenville majoring in agricultural business.

Benavidez was quarterback for the Eagles last fall and won the all-offensive MVP. He is the son of Eddie and Dora Benavidez and plans to attend Angelo State where he will major in sports medicine or physical therapy.

ISD eyes ‘tight’ budget

SANDERSON – The budget for the next school year is “going to be tight,” Terrell County ISD Business Manager Blain Chriesman told a “workshop” of School Board members Monday.

Only three of the board members were present for the meeting so no action could be taken but there was a discussion of what decisions need to be reached to deal with declining income in the school year ahead.

Chriesman produced a schedule prepared by First Southwest Company of Dallas that showed the taxable assessed valuation in the district at $640.5 million in the coming year, down 16.8 percent from the $769.9 million in the current year.

Chriesman offered four different “alternatives” for employer salaries and the board members present, President Ada Lee Robbins and members Cheryl Seidel and Sandy Pierce, suggested a combination of two plans.

All would involve a small increase in salaries next year.

Superintendent Gary Hamilton said the board needs to consider both financial restraint because of budget cuts but also enough pay to allow the district to attract competent employees.

Employee health insurance premiums also are expected to increase ten percent next year.

Some districts have discussed increasing deductibles and “co-pay” amounts to keep premiums down but there was consensus Tuesday to keep the benefits the same next year.

Sanderson and Iraan have been cited for having two of the best “Cadillac” health plans in the state.

Chriesman said the rain from Hurricane Alex and a tropical storm a week later that dumped more than 11 inches of rain in Sanderson since July 1 have seriously slowed down work on the current $14 million bond issue approved in 2007.

Hamilton said he has told crews that the priority right now should be getting the elementary school finished, or at least habitable, before the start of school.

Other classes can be shifted around work so it can continue, he said.

It was hoped to have the new field house at Eagle Stadium finished before the first home football game Sept. 3 but Robbins noted there is the old field house that can be used in case the new one is not finished.

Hamilton said he would like to have a “watermelon” open house when the field house at the east end of the football field is finished, letting visitors see the new facility.

Ciro loses cool at town hall

SAN ANTONIO – The race for Texas US Congressional District 23, which includes Terrell County, made national news this week when incumbent Ciro Rodriguez was filmed in a shouting match with a constituent here.

The video first appeared on conservative media entrepreneur Andrew Breitbart's "Big Government" website. 

“Video emerged Monday that shows Rep. Ciro Rodriguez and an audience member getting into an argument over his vote for the healthcare reform law,” Jordan Fabian wrote in The Hill. “The attendee suggested that the lawmaker stretched the facts about the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the provision. 

“He shot back, saying ‘Don't accuse me of not saying the truth.’” Fabian wrote.

“Unfortunately, political op-eratives associated with my opponent's campaign tried to turn it into something else – attempting to hijack a Congress[man] on your Corner event merely to engage in uncivil, cynical videotape-baiting tactics," Rodriguez said in a statement. "The people of Southwest Texas deserve better than that."

Rodriguez’s opponent Francisco Canseco said in a statement the congressman "has a history of cursing and yelling at people who disagree with him. It shows how much contempt he has for the people of this district and their concerns about the economy, exploding federal deficits and reckless government growth."

Canseco's statement referred to a town hall meeting last year in which Rodriguez became upset with an audience member, saying the behavior is nothing new for him. 

“This is not the first time Rep. Ciro Rodriguez has lost his temper while answering questions from constituents,” Canseco said. “He has gone so far as to curse in front of children while at town hall meetings in the past.”

"The simple fact is, Ciro Rodriguez misrepresents his record to people and, when he is called out on it, he resorts to yelling, intimidation and cursing," Canseco spokesman Scott Yeldell said. "November second will be the opportunity the voters of Southwest Texas have to restore some integrity, honesty and civility to this office."

Rodriguez later apologized for his actions. 

"I apologize for losing my temper at an event that should always be a civil and respectful exchange of ideas," he said. "I look forward to continuing to listen to folks all across southwest Texas as we work together to create jobs and get this economy back on track."

EMS classes mulled

SANDERSON – Terrell County Commissioners Court discussed classes for potential emergency medical personnel and acquiring a new ambulance at its regular monthly meeting Monday.

County Judge Leo Smith said he had received an e-mail from Barry Ingram of Crane offering to do a school for EMS personnel, which could yield some medical technicians for the county.

Smith noted Balmorhea is discontinuing its EMS department at the end of the year (“Town to lose EMS, News Leader, July 9, Page 9) and said Terrell County “can’t afford” to lose its service.

He said Ingram could provide training for $12,000 to $15,000.

“If we get 10 to 12 people, we’re in good shape,” Smith said. “If there are only one or two, it would be a hard sell.

“We need to do something and we may have to have them home grown,” he said.

Commissioner Kenn Norris suggested possible trainees needed an incentive but County Attorney Marsha Monroe said training “at no cost to them” would be incentive in itself.

“We don’t want to lose our EMS,” Norris said. “We’ve got to get it done.”

Smith said if the county can’t get people for its EMS, it may have to privatize “at what cost, we don’t know.”

In a related action, Norris and Commissioner Yolanda Lopez were tasked with researching a lease or purchase of a new ambulance.

Lopez served as an EMS before being elected to the court.

Smith said the current ambulance is a “lemon” and not reliable.

“It has multiple problems,” he said. “It’s always broken.”

Smith suggested lease rather than outright purchase because if the vehicle has problems, it can be turned back in after the first year.

The two commissioners were tasked with researching options while the question of available EMTs is resolved.

Smith is serving as interim EMS director until a permanent employee can be found for the job.

Two go to Band Camp

LUBBOCK – Shawn Stegall and Jesse Roberts of Sanderson attended the second Sanderson band camp this summer at Texas Tech University here last week with 558 other students.

Sanderson Band Director Eric Cooksey said the camp was composed mostly of Texas students but there were others from all over the country.

There were five bands, one middle school band, two orchestras and two jazz ensembles. Another camp included twirling, drum majors and flags.

The students slept in dorms and ate in the campus cafeteria just like college students.

“Both Jesse and Shawn were all fired up and encourage other students to join the next camp,” Cooksey said.

“Shawn played the electric bass as well as other instruments and received lessons from a very influential instructor while there at camp,” Cooksey said.

Jesse worked on his skills on tenor saxophone.

Airport fence under way

SANDERSON – Work on a “game-proof” fence around Terrell County Airport was under way this week, a project that was projected to take two years but should be completed in less than one.

The Terrell County Commissioners Court Monday agreed to pay Twin Mountain Fence of San Angelo $52,546.36 for materials on the fence that will go around the 640-acre airport. Total bill for the job will be $94,815.36.

The county gets an annual $50,000 matching Routine Airport Maintenance grant each year from the Federal Aviation Administration, administered by the Texas Department of Transportation.

With the local match, it provides $100,000 for items such as the fence.

It was projected the current- year allotment would provide a fence for two sides but Twin Mountain’s bid was enough under the estimate, the engineer firm of Landgraf Crutcher Associates of Odessa negotiated with Twin Mountain to do all four sides plus a gate at the entrance on the north side for the same unit price.

In other action Monday, the court approved a plan to keep employee health insurance the same next year in spite of a raise in premiums paid by the county.

The action and increasing the county contribution to the employee retirement fund were approve in lieu of raises for the next fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

Commissioners waived the $100 fee for use of Legion Field for its annual softball tournament as part of its St. James Festival July 24 and 25.

And it approved the hiring of James Daniel Heflin as a Tech 1 for the Road and Bridge Department.

Spanish trip related

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

SANDERSON – Six Sanderson High School Spanish Club members told supporters about their recent trip to Spain in a slide show Monday, sharing pictures of a lifetime of memories.

The group took guided tours all over Spain that led them to palaces, spacious gardens, cathedrals, a bull fight, the beach, a flamenco show or two, a soccer game and to Oceanografic, which is the Spanish version of Sea World.

I thought that the trip was fun and it was an excellent escape from normal life.” Chris Marquez said. “I enjoyed spending time with my friends and making new ones there.

“I had remembered a lot of the places from my childhood,” he said. “My favorite parts were staying at the beach in Costa del Sol and visiting the few places in Spain that I had never visited when I had lived there.

“I also liked the atmosphere when Spain was playing for the World Cup” in soccer, he said.

Spain later went on to win the world championship.

“The group tasted the local cuisines,” Jerry Garza said. “Travis Roberts reportedly could not eat enough of the churros that were served with dipping chocolate.”

“I thought the trip was okay,” Victoria Busch said. “It was a lot more educational than I thought it would be but it was okay.”

Jessica Garza and Noemi Nunez agreed the trip was “a lot of fun.”

Door prizes were offered to those attending the show.

“We had a little money left over on the trip so we bought some gifts to share,” Jerry Garza said.

Martha Allen, Mary Lou Maldonado, Gary Hamilton and Helen Zeyen each won a picture of the works of Spanish architect Antonio Goudí who designed many of the buildings visited on the trip.

Anna La Fleur received a decorative fan from Seville.

Flood maps delayed

SANDERSON – Terrell County Commissioners Monday tabled an action to hire Glenn Wright of Austin to take a plan for new flood-plain maps to the government as the final step to completion.

It was erroneously reported here last month that commissioners approved the appointment at the June 14 meeting but the action was overlooked.

County Judge Leo Smith said this week Wright did not have all his “numbers” together and was not ready to move forward.

Wright is an engineer with AECOM Technology Corp. and was recommended by David R. Maidment, director of the Center for Research in Water Resources at the University of Texas at Austin, who did a study of the flood plain here this year.

The action would be to prepare a report to Federal Emergency Management Agency and get the new maps updated to reflect a series of dams in the Sanderson Canyon watershed so property owners can get a break on flood insurance premiums.

William Roberts wins 5K at SR

ALPINE – William Roberts of Sanderson kept the Sul Ross run/walk laurels in the family Saturday.

William, 16, son of Travis and Katie Roberts of Sanderson, won the fourth annual Alumni Association race in a time of 16:40. He will be a junior in the fall at Sanderson High School.

He traced the footsteps of older brother Travis, last year’s winner.

Travis Roberts, who won two state 1A titles this year and will attend Rice University on a track scholarship this fall, did not enter this year’s run. His 2009 time of 15:52 over the 3.1 mile course remains the record.

Rashae Skillern, 15, of Alpine was the overall women’s winner, finishing in 22:03.

The race begins and ends at Kokernot Lodge. A total of 65 runners and walkers participated in the annual event, part of the Branding Together summer reunion.

April Watley of Alpine and Katie Maloney of Pleasanton, CA, both seven years old, were the youngest entrants.

Mary Kaplan, 71, of Sunrise Beach was the oldest.

Odgers go to bird camp

By DOODLE ODGERS

Special to the News Leader

My sister Eliza and I went to the Texas Bobwhite Brigade in Talpa last month.

We arrived at the Centennial Lodge and it was a nice place but we wondered where all the other cadets were. It turned out we were two hours early so we went to get a bite to eat.

When we returned, they started to show up. We put our bags away and went to find the "coveys," which was our group.

After our introductions, we went outside where we were given two dead quail and we dissected them. I had fun with that.

That was just one the many things we did at the five-day camp. We also had radio telemetry, when a tracking device is placed on an animal so you can track its movement with a tracking radio.

But the camp also taught us leadership. And we learned, even when we played games.

The food was the best camp food I have ever had. We could get as much as we wanted so long as we ate it all.

I would like to thank Sanderson for getting us to these amazing camps. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot.

‘Quince’ here from Kansas

By LYN ROSAS

Business Manager

SANDERSON – Anahi Rodriguez wanted to celebrate her birthday with her great “Tio” Jose Rodriguez present, so she traveled here from Topeka, KS, to do so.

Along with her parents, Alfredo and Bertha Rodriguez, she came to celebrate with a dinner and dance here.

Jose was unable to make the trip to Kansas so they brought the celebration to him and named him and his wife, Micaela Rodriguez, the honorary sponsors.

The dinner was Saturday, July 10, at St. James Hall with family and friends. The dance followed, with DJ services by RPM Productions of Sanderson.

The quinceañera honored Anahi with more than a dinner and dance. She had several sponsors to help make the celebration complete.

Maria Inez Hernandez and Juanita Cantu sponsored the crown. Cornelio ad Norma Candella sponsored the bouquet.

Jesse and Cindy Beltran sponsored the sign-in book. Joser Millo and Sonya Rodriguez sponsored the photo album. Ruperto and Yola Vega along with Pablo and Alma Vega sponsored the doll.

Jaime, Marcelino and Pepe Juan Rodriguez sponsored the DJ. Eligio Carrillo, Luceria Carrillo, Roberto Morales and Carlala Morales all sponsored the cake.

Mayine Vega, Cornelio Candella and Chuy Reyes sponsored drinks. “Tio” Jose Rodriguez sponsored the food. Marcelino Rodriguez, Irene Rodriguez, Jesus Rodriguez and Maria Rodriguez sponsored the hall.

Roads finally get ‘seal coating’

SANDERSON – Ranch Roads 2400 and 2886 in Terrell County finally got the “seal coat” scheduled last month when rains let up enough to get the work done.

Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Glen Larum of Odessa said the final touches were put on the two roads this week.

Highway 2400 was coated from the Pecos County line to State Highway 349. The other project was Ranch Road 2886 from the 2400 intersection north to the Pecos County line.

Larum said the work was delayed by rains from Hurricane Alex and a tropical storm a week later.

Sanderson has officially reported 11.28 inches of rain this month, nearly the total average annual rainfall of about 15 inches.

The remainder of the 200 miles of highways being resurfaced this summer are north of Interstate 10.

“Seal coat” is a rock and asphalt layer on the highway to reseal the surface and keep moisture from damaging the road base and extending the life of the pavement.

The work is part of an annual preventive maintenance program involving 276 miles of highways across the 12-county TxDOT district in 2010.

Ronald R. Wagner & Company of Kendalia near San Antonio was the successful bidder for the district’s annual seal coat contract with a bid of $6,764,328.35.

Alpine poles not part of recall

ALPINE – Sul Ross State University here said last week that light poles at Kokernot Field are not subject to a US Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice, as reported earlier.

Sul Ross State University President Ricardo Maestas said the poles were not subject to the recall of more than 2,500 lighting systems installed by Whitco Co. of Fort Worth between 2000 and 2005.

A letter from Rodney M. Hawthorne, president of Techline Sports Lighting Systems of Austin, emphasized that the light standards installed at Kokernot Field on March 24, 2003, were of a “concrete encased” foundation design, not the anchor-base design subject to a July 7 recall notice by the CPSC.

The CPSC said poles can fracture or crack and fall over, posing a risk of serious injury or death to patrons and bystanders from being hit or crushed.

The poles in question range in height from 70 to 135 feet and weigh from one to four tons, increasing the risk of death if the pole falls toward a crowded stadium or onto a building.

As of June, 11 incidents of falling poles were confirmed. The poles are constructed of steel with a galvanized coating.

Hawthorne’s letter said all failures reported are occurring at or near the weld between the base plate and the pole shaft.

“The ‘concrete encased’ pole provides a continuous steel shaft throughout the ground line area eliminating this risk,” he wrote. “Therefore, the ‘concrete encased’ pole is not susceptible to the type of failures currently being experienced with numerous ‘anchor base’ type poles.

“Each Techline Sports Lighting System is designed to perform at or above industry standards based on its specific installation location and loading on each pole,” Hawthorne wrote.

“Based on our specifications and examination of the design plans and facilities, we are confident that the Kokernot Field lighting system is not subject to this recall notice,” Maestas said.

Lighting systems at Sul Ross’ Lobo softball field and Jackson Field for football are not affected by the recall.

122 visitors last month

SANDERSON – Visitor Center Director Carolyn Hutto reported 122 visitors here for the month of June.

There were 14 states and nine countries represented including the Netherlands, Czech Republic, France, Chile, Canada and Mexico.

She said comments in the guest book included “very helpful” and “great conversation.”

Another wreck at curve

SHEFFIELD – Another truck driver was injured this week on a curve approximately 5.5 miles south of here that has seen numerous such accidents in the past.

Frederico Soliz, 49, of Corpus Christi, a driver for Trout Trucking Company, Inc., rolled his truck carrying hazardous materials on the curve and sustained a neck injury.

He was reported in stable condition at Iraan General Hospital. The curve is just north of the Terrell-Pecos County line.

Cactus Chat

Holiday brings more visiting

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

SANDERSON – Rosemary Martinez of Austin visited her mom Rosie Martinez & sisters Anna Martinez & Maricela Luevano & her husband Frank Luevano, Jr., over the July 4 weekend here.

Rosemary’s daughter Carolina Sanchez also visited her grandmother Rosie & her aunts.

Carolina’s boyfriend Johnny Ramirez & sister Marissa Ramirez also were at Rosie’s home.

“Even though it rained everybody had a great time,” Rosie said.

Julie Ramirez & children Jaylie & Justin just returned home from the Cantu 25th family reunion at McGregor over the Independence Day weekend.

The Villarreal family hosted the event that gathered 175 family members representing six generations.

Ramirez’s aunt Juanita & Joe Hinojosa of Comstock came to Sanderson after the reunion to celebrate Jaylie’s second birthday on July 11.

Juanita’s sister Lupe Varela from Fairfield, CA, also arrived for the party with her daughter Becky Gonzales, also of Fairfield.

Gonzales brought with her fiancé Rigo Parra of Fairfield & her son Gustavo Varela who in turn brought his wife Adriana & their son Victor from Henderson, NV.

Also in attendance at the Ramirez home was uncle “Robin” who came all the way from Amarillo.

Julie’s sister Teresa & Tommy Barton brought their children Joe, who is 16, Chelsea, an 11-year-old, seven-year-old Katlyn & Maria who is two.

The family went sightseeing to Langtry and the Pecos River.

“We enjoyed visiting with old friends,” Juanita said. “We used to live here so everyone knows us.”

Recently, 23 Harley riders from Denmark passed through Sanderson on their trip from coast to coast that began in Orlando, FL, on June 7.

The group rented the bikes to ride across our country and planned to be in Los Angeles by June 16. Their ages ranged from 35 to 66.

“We are having a great time here and enjoy visiting your country,” rider Lisbeth Kris said.

Head Coach Mark Dominguez & assistant coaches Jerry Garza, Brad Conway & Luis Martinez of Sanderson traveled to Lubbock this week for coaching school where they took workshops the entire week.

They took Sarah Sivils & Jacob Benavidez on the trip where they will compete in All Star games.

Sivils will compete in the all-star basketball game tomorrow at 1 p.m. Benavidez will play all-star football at 7 p.m.

S. Matt Read traveled through Sanderson recently with his dog Raisin on his trip around the perimeter of the state, on foot, no less.

The pair traveled counter-clockwise around the state and was headed back to Corpus Christi where they call home.

They said they were “almost home” with only some 600 miles to go.

“She [Raisin] was a stray dog that I found in Fabens, Texas, and decided to keep her,” Read said.

He began his trip a year ago next month and stopped for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“I had to carry her most of the time in the beginning but, now that we have gone so far, Raisin likes to walk along side me,” Read said.

Now that the two have made it over the “top of the bend,” they will continue to walk the rest of the trip down to Brownsville and up to Corpus Christi.

To find out more about Read and Raisin and their journey they can be found at www.texasperimeterhike.blogspot.com.

Another weary traveler that many here are familiar with, Jeff Alexander, has set up roots and is working all over town.

Alexander was known as the “Wagon Man” and was featured in recent News Leader stories.

He had a visitor from Tucson, AZ, by the name of Daniela Ugaz. The two friends met in Madison, WI, where they both lived at the time.

Ugaz stayed at the Granny’s Guest House from July 8 to July 13 when she packed up and went back home.

Ugaz is working on her Masters Degree in creative writing and works in web design and content writing for the Cancer Research Center.

Livingston wins PG raffle

SANDERSON – Pascuala Livingston won the Project Graduation drawing on July 3 for the ice chest full of picnic goods.

“Project Graduation is off to a slow start with our fundraisers due to all the rain over the July 4 weekend,” Chairman Johnnie Couch said.

The project is operating the concessions stand for the softball games on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Legion Field.

“We have hamburgers, hotdogs, Frito pies and more,” Couch said.

Project Graduation has raised upwards of $800 so far this year for 2011 graduates.

The program provides an all-night, chemical-free party for graduates after the high school graduation ceremony each May.

Participants can win a number of prizes donated by area businesses and citizens.

Sullivan on TASA committee

ALPINE – Sul Ross State University Professor of School Administration Dr. Kip Sullivan has been reappointed to the Texas Association of School Administrators Higher Education Committee.

The invitation was provided by TASA President H. John Fuller, superintendent of Wylie ISD.

The Higher Education Committee is responsible for developing recommendations to the Executive Committee and staff regarding areas of study, projects and programs that should be considered by the association.

‘Rec.’ says thanks

SANDERSON – County Judge Leo Smith read a “thank you” letter to the Commissioners Court Monday about their contribution to the summer recreation program and a track and field camp in particular.

“It is my belief that all those participating learned quite a bit and I know we all had fun,” camp “coach” Travis Roberts wrote. “Between the scorching heat and the almost 'a foot of rain, we managed to practice five days a week, attend two track meets – one in Midland and one in Abilene – and participate in two camps.”

Terrell County provided the cost for all expenses except insurance for out-of-town participants plus coaches from Hardin-Simmons University at Abilene

The Hunter’s Feast provided coaches from McMurry University, also at Abilene.

“None of this would have been possible without your help,” Robert wrote. “While the focus of the program was track, I think the kids and volunteers both learned much more than just how to run faster.

“Goal setting, team building and learning to work as a group became a theme throughout this past month,” he wrote. “This is something that will aid these children through the upcoming year and the rest of their lives.

“Friendships built with kids from out-of-town and goodwill from neighboring communities are assets that will hopefully continue in the future,” he wrote

Roberts said Sanderson participants “won an impressive amount of medals through these meets.”

All who competed in Abilene have medaled and may advance to the AAU National Meet in Norfolk, VA, and several plan to attend, Roberts wrote.

“You should be proud of the way they conducted themselves and represented Terrell County,” the letter said. “They were a joy to be around.”

Roberts invited commissioners to attend future Summer Rec. programs in soccer and football.