July 18, 2008
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SANDERSON
– Terrell County extended its county-wide burn ban for another 30 days
Monday. County
Judge Leo Smith said the ban was being extended in spite of a heavy rainfall
at the end of last month. “The
grass is green on the bottom but it’s still brown on top,” he said. The
burn ban may be allowed to expire on Aug. 15 if some more rain falls. Fire
Chief Bobby Brotherton said his department has answered five fire alarms
since the heavy rains at the end of June. “If there is a follow-on rain, we should be
OK,” he said. Rain
was in the forecast for much of West Texas this week but it has been spotty
at best and no rain has fallen in Terrell County since a very light shower on
July 9, totaling less that one hundredth of an inch. Counties
throughout West Texas imposed burn bans last spring when a series of wildland
fires scorched hundreds of thousands of acres. Two
of the biggest fires occurred just days apart straddling the Terrell-Pecos
County line. SANDERSON
– The Permanent School Fund, which benefits Terrell County Schools, will be
worth more than $1 million more after action Monday by the County
Commissioners Court. The
Court awarded three contracts to two bidders for oil leases on Terrell
County-owned land in Gaines County, which will bring an initial “bonus” of
more than $900,000 to the PSF. Schools
gain not from the principal in the fund but from the interest it brings each
year. The
bidders also agreed to pay royalties of 25 percent to the county plus “delay
rentals.” Petroleum
Landman Clint Brasuel of Midland bid on two tracts with a total “bonus” of
$710,794.84. T.
Verne Dwyer, also of Midland, agreed to pay $191,927 as a bonus. The
award was pending on proper documentation. SANDERSON
– Terrell County Commissioners Monday got another look at a new budget for
the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, a budget that may look more out of balance
than it really is. County
Judge Leo Smith said there is “no way on Earth” the county will spend all the
money on the expenditure side of the budget. Every
year for several years, the county has taken in more than it has spent and
Smith said this will be the case in the coming year. And
there is $2.648 million right now in the “contingency” fund in the current
budget for unforeseen expenses. “There
is a good fund balance and that is good,” Smith said. “But we’ve got to spend
some of it.” He
said too big a fund balance means the county is not doing enough with its
revenues to provide for the county. Good
accounting principles will call for expenses less than income but too large a
balance will indicate the county is hoarding money. With
oil and gas activity in the county providing the lion’s share of current tax
revenues, Smith said, it is important to use some of that income for
infrastructure to provide the ability replace oil and gas revenues with other
income if and when the mineral activity decreases. The
budget shows income totals of $4.3 million and expenditures of $7.3 but that
does not mean the county will be in the red by $3 million, Smith said. If
there is a chance an expenditure will be needed, it can be put in the budget.
When the time comes to decide whether to use the money or not, the decision
can be made at that time. Smith
said there will be several Commissioners Court meetings in August as the
final details in the budget are hammered out. It
must be adopted, along with a tax rate to support it, before it goes into
effect Oct. 1. disaster
clause WASHINGTON
– The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 provides for the US Department
of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency to allow producers who would otherwise
be ineligible for the new disaster assistance programs to become eligible by
paying a fee. The
new law requires producers who wish to participate in the new disaster programs
to have crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance coverage for
the land for which assistance is being requested and for all farms in all
counties in which they have an interest. Since
the 2008 Act was enacted after the application periods had closed for those
programs, producers who did not have such coverage could not comply with this
requirement in order to be eligible for the new disaster programs. However,
the 2008 Act authorizes a waiver that allows producers to pay a “buy-in” fee
to be eligible for the new disaster assistance. Every
producer whose crops, including grazing lands, are not fully covered by crop
insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program – or NAP – may take
advantage of a one-time opportunity. The
buy-in fee is due no later than Sept. 16, 90 days after the date of
enactment, as required by the 2008 Act. Those
who miss this opportunity will not be eligible for disaster assistance.
Producers
are also reminded that the payment of the applicable buy-in fee does not
afford the producer crop insurance or NAP coverage. It only affords
eligibility for the 2008 disaster programs. The
crop insurance and NAP coverage requirements will be waived in 2008 for
producers who did not obtain crop insurance or NAP coverage by the applicable
sales closing date, if the producer files an application for waiver and pays
a buy-in fee in an amount equal to the 2008 applicable NAP coverage or
catastrophic risk protection plan fee for the crop or grazing lands. Producers
who meet the definition of “Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource” or
“Beginning Farmer or Rancher” do not have to meet the Risk Management
Purchase Requirement and, therefore, are not required to pay the buy-in fee. The
buy-in fee for 2008 eligibility only for either the catastrophic risk
protection insurance or NAP is $100 per crop, but not more than $300 per
producer per administrative county, or $900 total per producer for all
counties, less any previously paid fees for CAT and/or NAP. Producers
can contact their local administrative FSA county office to file the
application for waiver and pay the applicable fees. The
applicable buy-in form must be completed and applicable fees paid by Sept.
16. Payment
of the applicable fees will allow the producer to be eligible for benefits
for losses under Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program, Livestock
Forage Disaster Program, Tree Assistance Program and Emergency Assistance
Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program. The
2008 Act authorizes funds to be used to make payments to farmers and ranchers
incurring eligible crop production/quality losses under the SURE Program,
grazing losses under LFP, livestock death losses under LIP and losses
suffered by producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish under
ELAP. The 2008 Act also authorizes TAP. Because
Congress did not provide a rulemaking exception for these programs, FSA must
first publish a proposed rule seeking public comment, followed by a final
rule. FSA
is working to develop detailed regulations and software for these
programs. Sign
up for these programs is not expected until this winter. Three
‘staters’ report on trip SANDERSON
– Carver Tate, Jimmy Rapp and Raquel Hinkley reported to their sponsors
Monday on their experiences at Boys and Girls State this summer. The
American Legion sponsored the Boys Staters and the American Legion Auxiliary
sponsored Raquel. Raquel
spent a week in Seguin while the boys headed for Austin. Though
she wasn’t elected, Raquel ran for the office of City Tax Assessor/Collector.
“It
was quite the experience,” she told the News Leader. Carver’s
favorite part was meeting all the new people and making new friends. Jimmy
ran for County Treasurer, but to no avail. “I
learned a lot about our government and how it’s run,” he said. Jimmy
played football and basketball but his favorite activity was chasing
squirrels. Raquel
and Jimmy would both like to return next year as counselors. SANDERSON
– The Sanderson High School cheerleaders received a “Superior” ribbon at a
private cheer camp in the Junior High School library last week. Blakeney
Chriesman won the “Dance Diva” award and Taylor Johnson won the “Jumping
Queen” award. “They
camp was very fun and we learned a lot,” said cheer squad member Alexa Davis.
Cheer
instructor Brittany Blanco, a California marine biologist, presented the
squad with the superior award and Blakeney, Clarissa Brotherton and Lizette
Ramirez were named all-star cheerleaders. Blakeney
will be head cheerleader this season and Clarissa will be second in command. Also
on the squad this year are Roxanna Rodriguez and Julianna Larrinaga as the
“mascot.” MIDLAND – The Ninth Annual “Rock the Desert”
will be on August 8 and 9 here. Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on
Saturday. The theme of the two-day event is “Ignite” with
a Christian message for youth. Headliners this year include Needtobreathe,
Group 1 Crew, Family Force 5 and illusionist Brock Gill on Friday. Lined up for Saturday, among others, are Dove
award winners Disciple, Hawk Nelson and Switchfoot. The event also has a teen tent where teens
can cool off, play games and sit in on interviews with selected artists. Tyler Dodds will visit the teen tent on
Friday and Saturday will feature Brock Gill. “Rock the Desert” began in August, 2000, on the parking lot of Holy Trinity
Episcopal Church here. The original purpose of RTD was to provide a free concert as a
project to reach out to the church neighborhood but it has grown to become an
area-wide event and now costs $20 for advance tickets and $25 at the gate. In an effort to make the event non-denominational, the RTD
Planning Committee moved it to Beal Park. The concert was headlined by Newsboys and expanded to include
bands as well as skateboarding, extreme games a campout and the addition of a
Jumbotron screen. The attendance has grown to more than 32,000. The event now draws approximately 100,000 in attendance. For more information, go to rockthedesert.com. EL
PASO – The first cast of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in a 65-year-old
El Paso man. The
El Paso City Department of Health said the man is now out of the hospital and
recovering at home. Terrell
County has a program to spray for mosquitoes “as needed” to prevent the
spread of West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases. El
Paso authorities urged residents to take extra precaution against the
illnesses. A
program called the “4 Ds” is designed to protect against mosquito bites,
dusk, dress, drain and Deet. Dusk
and dawn are when mosquitoes are most active. Dress
includes cover by long sleeve shirts, long pants, shoes and socks. Drain
standing water where mosquitoes can breed. And
Deet is used as a mosquito repellant. Checking
screens and prevention of over-watering were also suggested as ways to
prevent bites. ‘Petra’s
Cuento’ opens tonight ALPINE
– “Petra’s Cuento,” the second comedic bilingual trilogy, opens tonight, July
18 on the stage of the Theatre of the Big Bend. There
will be additional performances tomorrow and Sunday, July 19 and 20, Friday
through Sunday, July 25 to 27, and Aug. 1 to 3. All
shows will begin at 8:15 p.m. at the Kokernot Outdoor Theatre. “Petra’s
Cuento,” directed by Liz Castillo, is the second part of a bilingual trilogy
by of Rupert Reyes, Jr., about the fun loving, but very superstitious Petra
and her family and friends. Last
summer, Theatre of the Big Bend’s production of “Petra’s Pecado” was
extremely successful and attracted many new patrons to the summer
theatre. This
year the theatre is hoping to attract even bigger audiences and to raise
awareness of the Kokernot Amphitheatre Renovation Project, a two-year plan to
renovate the old amphitheatre and begin a Latino Theatre Festival in 2010. Tickets
are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children 12 and under. Complimentary
admission is provided for Sul Ross faculty and staff and currently enrolled
students. Activity cardholders will received half-price admission.
For
more information about “Petra’s Cuento” or the Kokernot Amphitheatre
Renovation Project, call 888-722-SRSU or www.sulross.edu/tobb. FORT
STOCKTON – Singer, songwriter and musician Terra Peters will return to Fort
Stockton on Thursday, July 24, to perform at the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum
for the “Summer Off the Patio”
series. The
free outdoor concert begins at 8 p.m. and everyone is welcome. Pecos
County State Bank is the special sponsor for the event, which is hosted by
the Fort Stockton Historical Society.
Call 432/336-2167
for more information or visit her website at www.terrapeters.com. Back |
The
first 90-day Terrell County burn ban was imposed in January and renewed in
April for another 90 days after the big fires. Also
included was a total ban on fireworks, which prohibited the annual fireworks
display for the Fourth of July festivities. The
April burn ban expired Sunday, the day before Commissioners Court action on
Monday. Unless
there are significant rains between now and then, commissioners could extend
the ban at their Aug. 11 meeting. SANDERSON
– The Terrell County Volunteer Fire Department received a “new” structural
fire truck and the first step on an expansion of its fire station, dubbed the
“mobile fire extinguisher,” Monday. County
Commissioners approved the purchase of a used fire truck from the Fort
Stockton Fire Department for $10,000 and a $22,400 contract with West Texas
Contractors of Fort Stockton for a 2,600-square-foot slab behind the existing
fire station. Fire
Chief Bobby Brotherton said the truck, a 1984 model with only 23,000 miles on
the odometer, was an “excellent truck” and a “tremendous buy.” The truck new
would sell for $350,000. Brotherton
said the hose, with 1,000 feet of hose, would be able to fight a fire in any
building and reach any fireplug in town. The
slab, at 72 by 36 feet and six inches deep with a ramp in the front, would
allow an extension of the building to the north, behind the existing
building. Brotherton
said the only plumbing in the extension would be for second rest room. The
Fire Department has $100,000 in its budget in the current year, which will
pay for the improvements approved Monday. The
proposed budget for next year proposes $95,000 in one line item plus $5,000
to pay for a newly-agreed “per run” pay for volunteer firemen. Contractor
C.D. Curry told commissioners the $22,400 bid for the work is a “really good
price.” SANDERSON
– A single building to serve both as an animal control facility and a
landfill office at the Terrell County landfill was one possibility discussed
Monday by Terrell County Commissioners Monday. Commissioners
agreed the positions of landfill attendant and animal control officer should
continue to be filled by one person and agreed to hire Juan “Nacho” Carrillo
for that job. Commissioner
Charles Stegall said one plan was to use the existing slab for the old Wool
Commission Building on Highway 90 near the Town & Country truck stop for
an animal control building. Using
that slab would indicate a 2,400-square-foot building but commissioners
wondered if the animal-control function would need that much space. If
one employee is to provide both services, it could all be done at the
landfill, taking the animal control function out of a populated area. The
landfill officer needs a place to stay, County Judge Leo Smith said. In
the past, employees have stayed in a county vehicle, running the engine to
provide heat or air conditioning. Road
and Bridge Supervisor Mike Sanchez agreed to explore getting water, sewer and
electricity to the landfill to service the building. In
other action, commissioners approved the hiring of Michael Ray Sanchez as a
full-time Road and Bridge worker. Smith
noted there were three applications for the job but Sanchez, a nephew of Mike
Sanchez, was the “best applicant for the position – by far.” Smith
said he would get one or two members of the court to meet with the Airport
Board and Odessa engineer John Landgraf at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, to
discuss recommended actions for Terrell County Airport. The
Texas Department of Transportation said earlier this year the airport was not
“in compliance” on some issues and Landgraf was hired to determine what
needed to be done. And
the county agreed to apply for two grants, one that could provide as much as
$280,000 with no local match to provide a communications tower and as much as
$1 million with a 25 percent local match that could be used for the
Convention Center. And
the court agreed to hire election judges for the November general election. Gloria
Marquez is the judge for Precinct One and Consuelo Galvan is the alternate. Monica
Graham is judge for Precinct Two and Kristy Escamilla is alternate. Lee
Brandon was appointed judge for Precinct Three and John Breckenridge is
alternate. Carolyn
Hutto is Precinct Four judge and Don Kelso is alternate. And
Lisa Harkins is early voting judge and Lyn Rosas is the alternate. MONAHANS
– Two people were killed in a three-vehicle accident south of here Friday
night. The
Texas Department of Public Safety said Oscar Sotelo Torres, 63, of Odessa was
driving east on Ranch Road 1776 when he “ignored a stop sign” at Texas
Highway 18 and his pickup was struck broadside by a southbound tractor
trailer. The
truck’s driver, Marcus Genison Taylor of Odessa, helped the passenger, Jeremy
Minharez Torres, 21, also of Odessa out of the wrecked pickup. A
third vehicle southbound on Highway 18 did not see the accident in time and
ran into the younger Torres. Both
the driver of the pickup and his passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. FORT
STOCKTON – Recent growth spurred by oil and gas activity in the area has
prompted city officials to consider a seven-year, $25 million program to
upgrade infrastructure. City
Manager Rafael Castillo, Jr., told the News Leader the “enterprise
funds” for water and sewer development are “the most important.” The
total program, to be backed by revenue bonds, will be $14.8 million over the
term of the program with $3.7 million to be spent in the first year. The
program also includes $10.2 million in “certificates of obligation” for other
city projects, including about $3 million in the first year. A
CO is similar to a bond issue but does not require voter approval. Castillo
said there will be a small increase in utility rates to pay for the revenue
bonds but no new taxes are contemplated. City
improvements will include a new or remodeled police building, city hall
improvements, new fire truck and police car, other vehicles and street and
drainage improvements. SANDERSON
– Three Sanderson High School students returned from band camp this week. Juliana
Castro, Cordell Lawson and Jimmy Rapp attended the camp in San Angelo,
courtesy of the Band Booster Club. The
trio wrote letters to the booster club asking to be sent and explaining why
they wanted to go. This
was Jimmy’s second year. He said he absolutely loved it. He “came home a
better musician,” he said. Jimmy
said he is excited to have Eric Cooksey as the new band director and is
looking forward to band this year. Juliana
also enjoyed it very much. “It
was awesome,” she told the News Leader. “It was a nice experience to
play in a band with kids who really wanted to play. It will be nice to
rebuild the band program.” She
stated that she would go to camp again but would like to see other kids take
an interest in band. Cordell
thought the camp was “a good experience.” His favorite part was the band
directors “who were really nice and actually tried to help me and the other
kids,” he said. Cordell
is also looking forward to band this year with a new director. Baugh
award ALPINE
– Surveyor and historical researcher J. Travis Roberts, Jr., of Marathon will
receive the Slingin’ Sammy Baugh Award for Outstanding Service to Sul Ross
during the 2008 Homecoming festivities at Sul Ross State University in
November. Baseball
standout Isaac Beard of Las Vegas, NV, women’s basketball stars Melissa Davis
Dutchover of Haskell and Amie Parsons of Sweetwater and long-time boosters
Sanford and Maurine DeVoll of Alpine have been elected as 2008 inductees to
the Sul Ross State University Hall of Honor. Longtime
Sul Ross faculty member, the late Dr. Abelardo “Abe” Baeza, and Dr. Roberta
L. Rudnick of College Park, MD, professor of Geology at the University of
Maryland, have been selected as 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award
recipients. The
honorees will be feted at the annual Hall of Honor/Distinguished Alumni
banquet Saturday, Nov. 1, in the Espino Conference Center at the University
Center. Roberts,
who grew up on the Roberts Ranch near Marathon, has dedicated much of his
private life to historical preservation, including the Center for Big Bend
Studies at Sul Ross. While
serving as president of the Friends for the Center of Big Bend Studies, he
donated $1,000 to the CBBS to demonstrate to the board that their duty is to
promote fund-raising efforts. As
a member of the CBBS Advisory Council, he devised the idea of a $1,000
lifetime membership and wrote the first check to support it. A
1959 civil engineering graduate of Texas A&M University, he worked four
years for the Texas Highway Department and 43 years for Hunter and
Associates, serving as president. He
now is self-employed as a professional land surveyor in Marathon. Roberts
has served on numerous boards and committees dedicated to historical
preservation including sponsoring member of the Texas State Historical
Commission, chairman of the Brewster County Historical Commission, treasurer
of Preservation Texas, president of the West Texas Historical Association and
president of the Marathon Museum Society. He
has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Historical
Commission and has authored several historical works about his family and
Brewster County. Isaac
Beard, a 1996 graduate, played for the Lobo baseball team from 1994 to 96
after transferring from Odessa College. He
led the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association and NAIA District 8 in home
runs and runs batted in while leading Sul Ross to the 1996 conference
championship. Beard
was a two-time TIAA Most Valuable Player, three-time All-TIAA first team
selection and won NAIA District and Southwest Region honors. He
twice paced District 8 in homers and RBI and posted a .428 batting average. Melissa
“Missy” Davis Dutchover, who graduated in 1995, was a three-time All-TIAA
selection for the Lady Lobos basketball team from 1991 to 93 and the team MVP
twice, in 1992 and 1993. A
member of the 1992 conference champions, Dutchover finished her career as the
all-time leader in three-point shots attempted with 531 and made with 182. She
was fourth on the career scoring list with 1,063 points, averaging 13.99
points per game, and her 18.1 average in 1991 and 92 was the third highest
single-season mark. Dutchover
added 280 assists, 3.68 per game, and was on pace to break the career scoring
record and several other marks when a knee injury ended her career early in
her senior year. Dutchover,
who twice received Academic All-Conference honors, is presently employed by
the Granbury Independent School District. Amie
Parsons graduated cum laude in 1996 after a four-year basketball career from
1993 to 96 that saw her tally 1,112 points, 12.8 per game, and grab 521
rebounds for 5.99 per game, good for fifth place on both Lady Lobo career
lists. She
earned All-TIAA honors in 1993, 1994 and 1995 and was an Academic
All-Conference selection in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Parsons,
a two-time team MVP in 1994 and 95, holds the single-game records of free
throws attempted with 21 and made 17. She
was on pace to become the career record holder in several categories when she
suffered a knee injury during her senior season. She
chose to bypass a medical red shirt and, despite limited playing time, helped
Sul Ross win the conference title and gain a trip to the NAIA national
tournament in Angola, IN. A
member of the Dean’s List in each semester at Sul Ross, Parsons lives in
Sweetwater. Sanford
and Maurine DeVoll are long-time members of the Sul Ross Century Club. Sanford
DeVoll was instrumental in helping the Lobos gain the home field for the NAIA
national quarterfinal football game in 1982. The
DeVolls remain strong supporters of Sul Ross and its athletic programs. Dr.
Abelardo “Abe” Baeza, who died in 2004, received a BS degree in 1967 and an
MA in 1970 from Sul Ross and a Ph.D
in 1979 from Texas Tech University in
Lubbock. The
Alpine native was the first Hispanic Ph.D to teach at Sul Ross, beginning his
tenure in 1970. Baeza,
who received the Outstanding Teaching Award in 1997, served in numerous
capacities, including instructor, associate professor and professor of
English and Spanish, Minority Affairs director, director of Title V and
director of the Mexican American Studies program. \ He
was twice nominated for the Piper Professor Award from the Minnie Stevens
Piper Foundation. A
prolific writer, Baeza both wrote about and promoted Chicano/Chicana authors
and literature. His
first book, “Keep Blessing Us Ultima,” serves as a reading guide for Rudolfo
Anaya’s memorable novel, “Bless Me, Ultima.” Dr.
Roberta L. Rudnick, who received a master’s degree in geology from Sul Ross
in 1983, taught at Harvard University from 1989 to 2000 and has been a member
of the University of Maryland faculty since 2000. She
is an Elected Fellow of the Geochemical Society and European Association of
Geochemistry and has received numerous other academic awards. A
native of Portland, OR, Rudnick received a BS degree from Portland State
University in 1980 and her Ph.D from the Research School of Earth Sciences at
Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, in 1988. She was a Research Fellow for the
Australian National University from 1989 to 1994 and a von Humboldt Fellow at
Max-Planck-Inst. for Chemie at Mainz, Germany, from 1987 to 89. In
addition to her teaching and research, Rudnick serves as editor-in-chief of
Chemical Geology and international editor, Journal of China University of
Geosciences. |
The
Terrell County burn ban does allow trash burning with a screen on top of the
can to prevent sparks, welding with a substantial amount of water present and
barbecuing in an enclosed pit only. Jessica
tells of trip to Europe By JESSICA GARZA People to People Ambassador SANDERSON
– The People to People trip was an amazing experience, getting to go to a different
country, learning about the culture and also making friends that will last a
lifetime. The
best part of the whole trip would have to be the home stay in Germany and
rafting through the Swiss Alps along with trottinetdriving down them. A
trottinet is a two-wheel scooter. The
most educational part would definitely be getting to meet a member of
parliament and walking through Anne Frank’s “Secret Annex.” Everything
was absolutely wonderful. Each country just got better and better than the
one before. We
started in London where we took an overnight ferry to France and from France
we went to Belgium then the Netherlands then Germany and finally Switzerland.
In
London, we visited Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London and the Covent
Garden area of London as well as riding the London Eye – a giant ferris wheel
– watching a play on the Lord of the Rings and witnessing a parade for the
Queen’s official birthday which featured everyone in the royal family. In
France, we visited the Normandy American, the Memorial American Museum in
Caen, the Chateau de Versailles, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Musee du Louvre,
the Eiffel Tower and tried escargo. In
Belgium we visited the “In Flanders Field Museum” and the Menin Gate
memorial. We saw a demonstration on how to make Belgian Chocolate and lace. In
the Netherlands – also known as Holland – we rode bikes through a windmill
park, saw how Dutch clogs and cheese are made, visited Anne Frank’s house and
took a canal cruise. In
Germany, or Deutschland to the Germans, we experienced their culture by
staying with our home stay families and seeing how we live our lives
differently and how they are the same. We
also became fans of Germany’s “futbol” team after experiencing a game with
their fans first hand when they played Turkey and won. While
in Germany, we also saw how they make cuckoo clocks and we visited a glass
factory. In
Switzerland we took a night hike through the Swiss Alps along with rafting
and trottinetdriving down them. EDITOR’S
NOTE: Jessica left June 12 and returned July 2 on her trip to Europe. She
agreed to share her experiences with News Leader readers. County
to staff visitor center SANDERSON
– Terrell County will take over responsibility for paying for staff at the
Visitor Center Aug. 1 after the position was dropped from the Texas
“Experience Works” program, formerly known as STEP, for Senior Training
Employment Program. Carolyn
Hutto was paid for 20 hours a week under the program but that position was
eliminated. The program is aimed at hiring people temporarily until they can
find employment on their own. County
Judge Leo Smith said Hutto has served in that capacity for 12 years and
County Commissioners agreed Monday to pay that salary for the two months
remaining in the fiscal year. At
a budget workshop Monday afternoon, Smith presented a line item for $8,175 to
fund the position next year. Commissioner
Kenn Norris said he would like to see the Visitor Center open more than 20
hours a week, particularly on Saturday. “I
am forever seeing people peering in the window [of the Visitor Center] trying
to get in,” he said. The
Chamber of Commerce has asked commissioners to open the center 40 hours per
week, including some weekend hours. “If
Carolyn wants to work more hours, we could increase it to 24 or 25 hours,”
Smith said. He
said when the county builds its proposed Convention Center, there will be a
visitor center included and he hopes to keep it open full time when that
happens. Norris
suggested the hours be increased, perhaps to five hours a day, six days a
week. But
there was a discussion about the fact 30 hours would make the position “full
time,” requiring the payment of benefits. “This
is just my opinion but we got so hung up on paying benefits,” he said. “We
need to consider that some of our part-time employees have been very loyal. “With
a $7 million budget, it is wrong to try to keep people from getting
benefits,” he said. County
Attorney Marsha Monroe said no one is trying to keep from paying benefits. She
suggested the center could be manned by two part-time people. But
she agreed the county could consider a benefits package for part-time
employees who have “worked a long time and are very loyal.” 111
years old SANDERSON – There has been a weather recording presence in Sanderson for 111 years and Bill Goldwire of Sanderson was honored Monday for providing more than 43 years of that service. Susan
Griffin and Pat Vesper of the US Weather Service honored Goldwire with a
certificate at Monday’s County Commissioners Court meeting. A
second plaque was presented to News Leader publisher Jim Street, the current
weather watcher. Griffin
noted Goldwire had provided a “valuable resource for more than 43 years. While
others have maintained daily records, Goldwire kept rainfall records on a
15-minute basis with equipment provided by the US Weather Service. Vesper
noted the Sanderson station first came on line on Sept. 1, 1896, the year
before the Diesel engine was invented. The
Sanderson station is “one of the oldest” weather stations in the country, he
said. County
Judge Leo Smith noted the county has acquired new warning sirens and a
telephone warning system in case of emergencies, including threatening
weather. “That
is a great step in keeping everyone safe,” Vesper said. SANDERSON
– Softball season has come to an end here and the Pistoleros have won the
season, as they did last year. Their
record for this year was 11 and one with their only loss of the season coming
at the hands of the Storm. Last
night, July 17, was scheduled to be the last game of the season, a make-up
game between Storm and Los Coyotes. The
adult softball league is sponsored by the Cactus Health Services, Inc.,
wellness program and promotes healthy activities such as softball, water
aerobics and a cooking class. SANDERSON
– A dozen participants in the Terrell County Summer Recreation program will
go to San Antonio next week to participate in the Texas Amateur Athletic
Association State Games in track and field. The
tricksters qualified for the state event last week at San Angelo. Recreation
Coordinator Sarah Gonzales said there are three shot putters, two competing
in 3,200- and 1,500-meter runs, four in the 400-meter dash, two in the
800-meter run and one who will compete in both 100- and 300- meter hurdles. Taking
part in the state meet will be Isaiah Aguilar, Denae Fisher, Al Johnson,
Hunter Truesdell, Jacob Helmers, Austen Stepp, Travis, William and Jesse
Roberts and Matthew, Gabriel and Andrew Portillo. Danielle
Fisher participated in the summer events but chose not to compete in the
state event. The
Sanderson youngsters are the only representatives of Region 17, which goes
all the way to El Paso. Gonzales
said the next goal is to encourage participation in other West Texas
communities so there can be a regional competition next year. “
We were lucky to be able to compete in Region 10 in San Angelo,” she said.
“You have to qualify by competing at the regional level. “We
want to get bigger,” she said. “We could have people from Iraan, Alpine,
Pecos, all of them.” ‘Living
with Nature’ By MARK GLOVER Marathon News Leader MARATHON
– The Fourth Annual “Living with Nature” festival here is drawing speakers
from around the country to highlight this year’s theme of sustainable living
and green building techniques. David
C. Lynch
will speak Saturday, Aug. 2, on “Alternative Fuels.” Dr. Richard Erdlac,
director of energy technologies research and commercialization for
Energy America, Inc., will speak on Geothermal Energy for home heating and
cooling and community energy generation. Kenneth
L. Starcher, director of the Alternative Energy Institute, will speak on wind energy for the home and community. And
William Wren, special assistant to the superintendent of the University
of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory will speak about
“Outdoor Lighting Control.” For
more information contact Bennett Jones at 432/837-3008. By KIM RAPP News Leader Production Manager
FORT
STOCKTON – Terrell County School Superintendent Gary Hamilton will serve as a
judge at the annual Water Carnival this weekend. It
was scheduled to begin last night with the crowning of the tiny tots and wee
miss winners. Tonight,
Hamilton will take part in judging the sub-teen, miss teen and junior miss
competitions. He
will be joined by Christy Peterson of Iraan and Keysha Kidd of Midland as
judges. All
shows begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Comanche Springs Swimming Pool. Tomorrow
the day begins with the annual parade, which has moved this year to Hornbeck
Street. Line-up
will be on Hornbeck and Main at 10 a.m. and will continue on to the High
School. At
1 p.m., the contestants and judges will have lunch at the “Fifth Street
House,” followed by interviews. The
contestants are judged on interviews, a swimsuit competition and the evening
gown competition as well as beauty, poise and personality. Competing
for the Miss Fort Stockton title this year are Meaghan Nix, Elysha Sanchez,
Linda Morales, Julia Childress, Louisa Mireles and Jenna Young. Tomorrow
night will bring a special guest. Miss Texas, Rebecca Robinson, will sing for
the crowd. The
crowned Miss Fort Stockton will receive a $1,000 scholarship towards the
college of her choice, courtesy of the Fort Stockton Water Carnival
Association, a trophy and several gifts donated by local businesses. First
runner up will receive a $600 scholarship and second runner up will take home
a $400 scholarship. There
is also a Miss Congeniality category in which the contestants choose one
winner who receives a gift and a Miss Photogenic category in which one lucky
girl will win an 11 x 14 framed photo of herself, courtesy of Angela Free
Photography. The
water show this year is titled “Surf’s Up.” It is directed by Angela Harral
and consists of synchronized swimming, dance, acting and singing. The
Water Carnival dates to the summer of 1936 when the Fort Stockton Lions Club,
under the leadership of Henry Mansfield Long, decided to create a festival to
commemorate the Texas Centennial – 100 years of statehood. The
club also intended to pay tribute to Comanche Spring that contributed much to
the entire region. The
owners of the water are the landowners of Pecos County Water District #1 –
mostly farmers who received the benefits of the estimated 45 to 65 million
gallons per day of spring water flow from the spring. The
first Water Carnival included a band concert presented by the Fort Stockton
High School Band, miniature golf in Rooney Park and swimming and diving
events. The
celebration was topped off by the crowning of the first Miss Fort Stockton,
Sammie Lee Warnock Pfiester. By
1940, the spring flow was estimated at 40 million gallons per day as
increased demands on the spring were made by the drilling of many water wells
and vastly expanded farming, as well as other types of water use. By
1951, the springs were reduced to half of their original estimated flow, to
17 million gallons per day, and a drought from 1951 to 1957 created great
demands on the spring water for irrigation. By
1953, the spring flow had dropped to three million gallons per day and was no
longer sufficient to keep the natural pool area filled. Comanche
Springs ceased flowing above ground and the community built the municipal
swimming pool where the Water Carnival is today. Water
Carnival Secretary Armando Portillo said he loves doing this and plans to be
involved even after his three- year term expires next year. By KIM RAPP News Leader
Production Manager SANDERSON
– There were some visitors left over from the Fourth of July. Yolie Connelly
had a houseful with grandkids Leah,
Trinidad & Eric Rubio from
Katy and Danielle Villa from
Monahans. Leah, Trinidad & Eric
belong to Jay & Holly Rubio
while Danielle is the daughter of Sheryl & Peter Villa. While
here they had a little family party at the Pavilion to celebrate Leah’s 11th birthday. About
15 people showed up for chili dogs and chips. The
kids enjoyed spending time with cousins Katy
Rubio of Fort Stockton and Analise
Galvan and Ben Rubio of
Sanderson. They
also enjoyed riding a golf cart in our Fourth of July parade with their Hernandez cousins, which won them a
first place ribbon. Sheryl & Peter
came for a short visit took retrieve Danielle
and grandma Yolie and great
grandpa Tony Calzada drove to Uvalde
to return Leah, Trinidad & Eric
to their parents. Devona Culver
came to visit mom Shelly Martin
for the summer. Culver is on summer
break from Lane Community College in Eugene, OR, where she is a music major. Culver & Martin
made the trip recently to Llano, where Shelly’s
husband Steve is working. They
were met there by Shelly’s
daughter Lisa Coleman and her
15-year-old daughter Skyler. They
hail from Little Rock, AR, where Lisa
is married to musician Jeff Coleman,
who has performed in Sanderson a time or two. Deanna Clark
spent some time here visiting sisters Phyllis
Causey & Nona Grubbs,
among other family. Clark is from
Connerville, OK, where she is retired and enjoys being able to stay home and
take care of husband Leslie, a
Baptist preacher. |