By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

SANDERSON – The American Legion Auxiliary placed small flags on graves of veterans in Cedar Grove Cemetery on Memorial Day last week but those in Santa Rita Cemetery did not get the same honor.

Several family members asked the News Leader why the snub but Auxiliary members told us they could not get into the privately-owned Santa Rita.

Airport fencing gets OK

SANDERSON – Because of a bid County Judge Leo Smith said was “too good a deal not to do it,” a full fence around Terrell County Airport will be provided this year.

The county receives a $50,000 federal matching grant each year under the Routine Airport Maintenance Program, administered by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Creek meeting sought

SANDERSON – Terrell County Commissioners said Monday they want to meet in “executive session” with Bob Bass, their attorney dealing with the question of county maintenance on the six-mile Independence Creek Road in eastern Terrell County.

An agenda item Monday would have considered “the discontinuance of maintenance of the entirety” of the road. It was tabled pending the meeting with Bass.

Sales tax down slightly

AUSTIN — Sales taxes reported for Terrell County this month were down but by a much smaller percentage than in recent months.

Taxes collected in May for Terrell County were $14,323.91, down just seven percent from the $15,404.76 in the same period a year ago.

Check stop in operation

FORT STOCKTON – The US Border Patrol has a temporary checkpoint on US Highway 285 between Sanderson and here.

Border Patrol agents are using the tactical checkpoints as part of an in-depth strategy to find illegal entrants and smugglers.

SANDERSON – Some track and running meets for children of all ages will be an early highlight of Terrell County’s annual Summer Recreation program this year for children from Sanderson and surrounding communities.

County Commissioners Monday approved $4,500 to fund the early activities that organizer Jill Jahn said will be completed by July 3.

‘Coyotes’ second in softball tourney

BRACKETVILLE – Los Coyotes of Sanderson took second place in the Brackettville Bash Softball Tournament here last month, competing against teams from Del Rio, Brackettville and Uvalde.

Coyote team members include US Border Patrol Agent in Charge Ernest Rodriguez, Dan Subra, Joe Hopkins, Enrique Rivera, Tim Hopkins, Gabe Vega, Kelly Smiecinski, Davis Yanez, Joe Bonilla, Marco Fuéntez, Chance Bruno, Sam Silva and Fernando Sanchez of Sanderson and Joe Benavides of Del Rio.

By ANNA La FLEUR

Production Manager

FORT STOCKTON – Water was restored here last week after the principal water main broke, causing the city to ration water. And consumers were advised to boil water used for cooking and drinking.

“We are currently discussing the option of water storage,” City Councilman Darren Hodges said Friday. “The state regulates that water storage should maintain a three-day period and, at this current time, Fort Stockton can only store a two- day supply at the very most.”

Students attend band camp

ALPINE – Sanderson Junior High Students attended a three-and-a-half day Band Camp at Sul Ross University this week with schools from surrounding areas.

The Sul Ross State University Summer Music Camp focuses on middle school band students but also features a leadership program for high school band students, teaching music theory, ear-training, piano skills and music history classes were presented at the camp.

Park to mark 75 years

BIG BEND – Celebrations marking Big Bend National Park’s 75th anniversary will be at the Panther Junction Post Office and Panther Junction Visitor Center this month.

Big Bend National Park was officially authorized on June 20, 1935, by the US Congress.

The park was established on June 12, 1944, after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the park’s establishing legislation.

Preserve plans open weekend

FORT DAVIS — The Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve near here will have another Open Preserve Day June 18 to 20.

The facility will be open for hiking, camping, horseback riding, backpacking, picnicking, photography, birding, stargazing and other outdoor activities from about 10 a.m. Friday, June 18, until about 3 p.m. Sunday, June 20. The event is free and open to the public.

BIG BEND – For the first time in Texas history, smokejumpers are being used on a fire here.

The jumpers were dispatched from Silver City, NM, to a fire at Big Bend National Park. Five smokejumpers landed safely in the vicinity of the Sublett Fire last month.

Seven seniors ‘ace’ all their grades

SANDERSON – The final Honor Roll was released last week but somewhere in transit, the Elementary list was misplaced.

Seniors on the All A Honor Roll the last semester this year were Clarissa Brotherton, Victoria Busch, Blakeney Chriesman, Jessica Garza, Chris Marquez, Travis Roberts and Darren Seidel.

By MARK GLOVER

Contributing Editor

ALPINE - Clarence Russeau wants to save one of Alpine’s cultural sites. Known as the Morgan School, the one-room facility at one time educated most of Alpine’s African America children.

“It’s important for the history of our town to preserve the Morgan School Building,” Russeau said. “To understand the present, it’s important to understand the past.”