FIRST SERVE – Danae Fisher served to Fort Davis in doubles tennis in the first match on Sanderson school’s new courts Tuesday. The
courts were made possible by a $14 million school bond issue approved by Terrell County voters in May, 2007.
SANDERSON – A proposed “convention center” in downtown Sanderson should be an attractive, multi-use center that could cause visitors
to stop and spend money here.
But it must be built “within budget” and not with borrowed funds.
That was the strong message of most
of the approximately 60 Terrell County citizens at a public workshop on the convention center Tuesday.
After the meeting, County Judge
Leo Smith told the News Leader he got the message and he would recommend keeping the initial facility within the $750,000 “on hand”
and seek expansion in the future only when the economy allows it.
The meeting in the District Courtroom on the second floor of the
Courthouse drew one of the largest crowds in recent years.
There was one complaint of “snide remarks” mumbled in the back of the room
but the meeting was generally cordial.
Most speakers referred to the $750,000 in the “venue tax” fund collected as a half-cent sales
tax.
Attorney General Gregg Abbott ruled five years ago the fund can be used “only” in conjunction with a “convention center.”
Brewster County Judge
Val Beard
P. O. Box 1630
Alpine, TX 79831
432/819-2412
Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson
201 W. Ave
E.
Alpine, TX 79830
432/837-3488
County Commissioner
Ruben Ortega
P. O. Box 233
Marathon. TX 79842
432-294- J 096
Marathon
ISD Superintendent Conrad Arriola
N. 5th Street
Marathon. TX 79842
432/386-4431
Terrell County Judge
Leo Smith
P. O. Box 4810
432/345-2421
Terrell County Sheriff
Clint McDonald
P. O. Box 320
Sanderson, TX 79848
432/345-2525
Terrell County
ISD Superintendent
Gary Hamilton
P.O. Box 747
Sanderson, TX 79848
432/345-2515
SANDERSON – The Terrell County Airport Board Monday agreed to recommend that County Commissioners approve an amended “airport layout”
plan presented by the engineering firm of Landgraf, Crutcher & Associates, Inc., of Odessa.
The firm was hired to get the airport into “compliance” with rules of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Aviation Division of the Texas Department of Transportation, an action needed to qualify the county for future airport grants.
Read more...By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manager
GRANDFALLS – It wasn’t much of a surprise to anyone who attended but the Sanderson boys placed
first again here last weekend at the Gusher Relays. The girls from Sanderson placed fifth overall.
Phillip Lascano soared to victory in three events. He pole vaulted 11 feet even, won the triple jump competition with a jump measuring 40 feet, eight inches, and won the 4 X 400 relay with teammates J.D. Brotherton, Travis Roberts and Jacob Benavidez. The boys ran the mile race in just 3:43.27.
Read more...Vet bills pass US House
WASHINGTON, DC – The US House has unanimously passed three bills designed to improve benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Two weeks ago, the Sanderson American Legion post joined veterans across the country to oppose a plan by President Obama to force private insurance carriers to pay for treatment of service-related injuries and illnesses.
Read more...Murder suspect arrested
PRESIDIO – A man wanted in connection with a Missouri homicide investigation was arrested here late Saturday
night.
US Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents working at the Presidio port of entry nabbed 33-year-old Stephen H. Palmer.
Read more...160 plus set for Road Race
SANDERSON – The maximum complement of 160 race crews plus 18 alternates had signed up for the Big Bend Open
Road Race April 25 between Fort Stockton and here.
Sanderson Volunteer Coordinator Dale Carruthers told the Chamber of Commerce Tuesday a total of 160 cars will compete for the race from Fort Stockton to Sanderson and back.
Read more...Deadline for rendition nears
SANDERSON – Taxpayers face more than the income tax deadline on April 15.
Blain Chriesman, the chief appraiser of the Terrell County Appraisal District, said state law requires property owners to render their property with county appraisal districts by the April 15 deadline.
Read more...Rodriguez GIVE vote attacked
FAIRFAX, VA— The Americans for Limited Government has condemned US Rep. Ciro Rodriguez for voting in favor
of amendments to President Obama’s national service bill that “allows radical front groups to use $5.7 billion in taxpayer money to
push their political agenda through President Obama’s national ‘service’ corps.”
This week’s vote followed only one hour of closed debate, ALG said. The bill now heads to President Obama’s desk for signature.
Read more...SANDERSON – Cameron Baker has been chosen for this year’s Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership award.
He is the son of Sybilla and Shane Baker
and grandson of Paul and Glenda Ray, all of Sanderson. He will head for El Paso for the weekend of June 5 to 7.
Cameron’s interests
include his church youth group, working on ranches and showing animals and shooting sports in the local 4-H Club.
Relay for Life set at SRSU
ALPINE – The Alpine Relay for Life on April 17 will be the only time the cancer prevention study will enroll
participants in the Tri-County Area this year.
Spokesman Marvie Burton of Alpine said Alpine and Del Rio were chosen for the study for which backers hope to enlist data from half a million participants.
Read more...Fisher girls pace tracksters
GRANDFALLS – The Fisher sisters faired well here last week here at the Gusher relays, as did Kayla Fuéntez
and Jalen Chriesman.
Danae Fisher won the 800-meter run with a time of 2:46.27 and placed fifth in the 400-meter dash, clocking in at 1:12.27.
Read more...
Medical groups OKd
By MARK GLOVER
Contributing Editor
ALPINE – The board of directors of the Big Bend Regional Hospital District last
week approved an affiliation agreement between the district and the operators of the Big Bend Regional Medical Center Community Health
Systems to help finance the Indigent Healthcare Program in Brewster and Presidio County.
Recognizing the losses hospitals incur providing health care for indigent patients, the federal and state governments have instituted a new program called Medicaid Upper Payment Limit to help hospitals offset the losses.
Read more...By KIM RAPP
News Leader Production Manager
SANDERSON – Another addition to our Sheriffs Department is George Kirchman II.
He comes to us from Junction, bringing wife Kristie, seven-year-old daughter Madison and two-year-old baby girl Avery.
Read more...
SANDERSON – Guadencio Campos won the Kawasaki Mule raffled off by Project Graduation this week.
The project has been selling raffle tickets for the Mule to raise money for the all-night, chemical-free, alcohol-free party for seniors and a guest on graduation night.
Read more...INDEPENDENCE CREEK – The Nature Conservancy here has invited the public to camp, swim, fish and enjoy the beauty of a natural oasis during Open Preserve Weekend at Independence Creek Preserve April 17 to 19.
The event is free, although advance registration and reservations for camping are required by Monday, April 6.
Read more...Fees not needed for US jobs
WASHINGTON — Another telephone scam has been revealed with someone on the line promising to get a government
job for a fee.
An applicant at a job fair for US Border Patrol mission and operations support positions in Edinburg recently notified local personnel that an individual told the applicant they had a job offer with the Border Patrol and to be hired the applicant must pay $1,000.
Read more...‘River Road’ reopens
ALPINE – Ranch Road 170, also known as the “River Road” between Presidio and Terlingua, re-opened this week.
The Texas Department of Transportation said the highway reopened Wednesday, April 1, after being closed for six months for flood damage repair.
Read more...LOOONG JUMP – Jacob Benavidez jumped 18 feet, two 3/4 inches in Grandfalls at the Gusher Relays last weekend. Older brother and Grandfalls
coach John Edward Benavidez looked on. The Eagle boys won the track meet.
UP, UP AND AWAY – Andrew Woosley flew over the high jump bar at the Gusher Relays in Grandfalls last weekend. The Eagle boys won the
track meet.
AIRPORT LAYOUT – Engineers John Landgraf, left, and Michael Garcia of Landgraf, Crutcher & Associates of Odessa reviewed a “layout”
plan for the Terrell County Airport with Airport Board members Monday. The board recommended approval of a modified plan plus a draft
agreement with the US Border Patrol for its facilities on the airport.
CENTURY SITE – Workers are at work on a site for the Century Plant 27 miles southeast of Fort Stockton near US 285 and Puckett Road.
G.R. Birdwell Construction of Houston is leveling about 300 acres and the Century Plant will occupy about half that. The work can
be seen from 285 from just south of Puckett Road to as far south as the Cerf Ranch. A $1.1 billion joint venture by SandRidge Energy
of Oklahoma City and Oxy Petroleum of Los Angeles will separate carbon dioxide from natural gas.
GOING UP – Almost two years after voters approved a $14 million bond issue for Terrell County schools, the biggest piece started coming
“out of the ground” this week. Crews for Mid Tex of Midland began erecting steel for the new high school addition to the junior high
building. Six new tennis courts have been completed, the vocational building is under construction and other work, including a new
field house and improvements to the elementary school should be awarded soon.
NEW LAWMAN – George Kirchman II has joined the Terrell County Sheriff’s office as a deputy. He comes to us from Junction, which just
happens to be the home of his boss Sheriff Clint McDonald. Kirchman brings wife Kristie and two small children to Sanderson.
SPRING PICNIC – Tammy Ramsey, left, and Susan Brotherton showed off a picnic basket being raffled off by Project Graduation. The raffle
will be tomorrow, Saturday April 4, at the Sanderson Invitational tennis meet. Project Graduation is the all-night, chemical-free
party following High School graduation.
OASIS BECKONS – The Nature Conservancy of Texas will have an open weekend at its oasis at Independence Creek this month. The 20,000-acre
preserves the Caroline Spring and habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna of the region.
TREES, MISTER? – Sanderson Boy Scout Hunter Truesdell encouraged shoppers to stop by at a tree sale at The Tumbleweed Co. Saturday.
The scouts collected more than $500 at the sale, enough to buy official Boy Scout shirts and handbooks. They sold out Saturday but
can still take orders for trees to be delivered later.
CLIP JOINT – One of Sanderson’s newest businesses became “official” Tuesday with a ribbon cutting. Janis Wiggins snipped a ribbon
to open her “Haircuts by Janis” with help from County Judge Leo Smith, left, and Chamber of Commerce President Jim Street. The shop
offers haircuts for men and styling for women in the former Prickly Pear Liquor Store at 406 East Oak.
THIS BIG – Bill Hawn of Sanderson was one of the speakers at a “workshop” on a proposed “convention center” Tuesday. He said the facility
should be “flexible” so it could be divided into smaller meeting rooms. And it could contain a museum and other attractions. Hawn
was one of some 60 at the meeting.
SERGEANT BILL – Terrell County Deputy Sheriff Bill Adams became Sgt. Adams late last week. Sheriff Clint McDonald promoted Adams to
sergeant. Adams, of Junction, joined the department in October. He grew up in Junction and graduated from the San Antonio police
academy in 1982. He has worked in Kendall and Irion Counties and the Junction Police Department.
BIG SHOT – Micole Calzada of Sanderson displayed a Sharps Rifle he won in the drawing at the Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Officers
Association last month. The raffle was a fund raiser for the West Texas Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, a project to be
placed on the grounds of Sul Ross State University at Alpine. The gun was a USA Shooting Team 1874 45/70 Creedmore Sharps Rifle.
MONTHLY BUSINESS – Dale Carruthers, owner of Somewhere in Time, received her “Business of the Month” certificate from Sanderson Chamber
of Commerce President Jim Street this week. The award was for March. Somewhere in Time specializes in gifts and household items.
