HUSH, TRAIN – Trains like this Union Pacific freight may soon be prohibited from blowing their horns at railroad crossings in Marathon. Brewster County, with help from the Gage Hotel, plans to begin erecting barricades soon designed to prevent cars from crossing in the path of an oncoming train, negating the need for the horns.

MOUNTAIN VIEW – Marathon News Leader Editor R.M. Glover paused at a “pila” with Chinati Peak in the background recently. The state hopes to open the area around the third highest point in Texas to the public as the Chinati Mountains State Natural Preserve.

CONFERENCE BOUND – Marathon Librarian Carol Townsend, left, will attend the Texas Library Conference in Dallas next month. A grant from the Tocker Foundation of Austin will make it all possible. Library Director Anitra Clausen of Alpine credited Arlene Griffis for preparing the grand application.

BACK TO THE 50s – Johnny B’s lunch counter next to the Gage Hotel in Marathon reopened last week. The restaurant with a 1950s theme will be open evenings Thursday through Sunday.