SANDERSON – Ted Sexton, assistant secretary for state and local law enforcement for the US Department of Homeland Security, met with area sheriffs here Wednesday.

Sexton said he is “just here to get the perspective of local law enforcement” and could not comment on reported violence across the border in Mexico.

The Mexican government has committed 45,000 troops to battle the ongoing wars between drug cartels along the border.

Meanwhile, US Reps. Ciro D. Rodriguez of Texas and Harry Teague of New Mexico have joined nine others in introducing HR 1448, the Border Reinforcement and Violence Reduction Act, in an effort put a halt to continuing drug cartel fueled violence along the US-Mexico border. 

The bill would increase funding for several existing law enforcement programs for a period of two years with $379 million to crack down on gun smuggling and alleviate the violence from drug cartels happening on the border every day.   

“It’s critical that we keep our communities safe by ensuring that our borders are secure,” Rodriguez said. “America can only be safe and secure when our neighbors are also secure. 

Buzzards come to roost

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

MARATHON – Years ago when my husband Steve worked for Texas A&M University Press, they published a book entitled “Heralds of Spring” by Texas naturalist Roland A. Wauer in which he offers his own special memories of spring in the Lone Star State.

The book also brings together the thoughts of other Texas naturalists as he walks us through the state from the Rio Grande to the Panhandle.

Harbingers of spring explored include birds, trees, mammals and the night sky, among others.

Veteran plan raises ire

SANDERSON – The American Legion here and across the country has expressed dismay over a plan by President Obama to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries.

Tree sale to support Cub Scouts

SANDERSON – The Cub Scout Troop 432 will have a tree sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, at The Tumbleweed Co. Gar­dens at 102 E. Oak Street.

City ‘anxiously’ awaits plant

FORT STOCKTON – Officials here are “anxiously awaiting” the start of construction on the $1.1 billion “Century Plant” between here and Sanderson.

Snake rule change supported

AUSTIN – Roy Engeldorf of Sanderson testified at a meeting last week of the State House Committee on Culture, Tourism and Recreation on a bill that would allow the “capture, trapping or hunting of a reptile, amphibian or insect from a public road or right-of-way” in the state.

‘Closer’ this weekend at Sul Ross

ALPINE – “Closer,” written by Patrick Marber and directed by Sul Ross State University student Pedro Garcia of Alpine, will be performed tonight and tomorrow, March 20 and 21, in the Studio Theatre at the Francois Fine Arts Building.

Dr. Freed performs own work

ALPINE – Sul Ross State University Associate Professor of Music Dr. Donald Callen Freed performed his original compositions at concerts in Holdrege, NE, and the University of Oklahoma at Norman last week.

Plans set for VBS

SANDERSON – The First Baptist Church has announced plans for its annual Vacation Bible School.

It will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, to Friday, June 19 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 20.

By ARLENE GRIFFIS

Marathon Editor

EL PASO – I am here as these words are written visiting with my children. My daughter Callie and her husband Dimitri live here and my older daughter Casey flew down from her home in Amarillo to join us. 

March 17 was Callie’s birthday and March 18 was mine and Steve’s and my 31st wedding anniversary. 

Cohen of SR wins

‘outstanding’ poster

ALPINE – Sul Ross State University student Samantha “Sami” Cohen of San Antonio, won the outstanding undergraduate student poster presentation at the 112th annual meeting of the Texas Academy of Science.