August 22, 2008

QUIET ZONE – Lonnie Maltos, Ben Ramirez and Domingo Garcia, left to right, of Marathon Construction Company worked on the new curb at the railroad crossing in Marathon this week. The new barricade is intended to make sure cars don't cross the tracks during a passing so the train crew doesn’t have to blow the horn. Approved by Brewster County Commissioners last year, the no-blow zone is expected to be completed this month.

ENDOWMENT SET - Peggy Landis Matli of Fredericksburg, her nephew Heath Landis of New Braunfels and Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan are shown signing documents that established the Gilbert A. and Laura P. Schmidt Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Endowment and Scholarship Fund.

DOWN YOU GO – Marathon Mustand Edward Gonzales brought down teammate Cito Hernandez at Midnight madness last weekend.  The Mustangs will begin their regular season on September 18 when they will face the Indians from Ft. Davis at home at 6 p.m.

LITTLEST CHARGES – Deborah Raatz is Marathon’s new Pre-K and kindergarten teacher. She previously taught in Sanderson, Fort Worth and San Vicente.

NEW TEACHER - Carley Lethco is the new math and science teacher at Marathon schools. She previously taught in Canutillo, Alpine, Balmorhea, Van Horn and at Sul Ross.

GOLF PRO –Joe Valenzuela is the new science and golf instructor for Marathon schools. He taught in Alpine for 21 years, leading the Alpine High School golf team to the state finals five times, placing first  in 1987 for the girls team.

RODRIGUEZ RECEIVES PHOTO - President R. Vic Morgan, left, and Dr. Charles R. Matthews, right, Chancellor of the Texas State University System, are shown presenting US Representative Ciro Rodriguez with a framed aerial photograph of the Sul Ross campus. Rodriguez was honored for his service to higher education and regional interests.

Photo by Big Bend Gazette

MOUNTAIN ENTRY – The Terlingua Ranch subdivision may provide new access to the Christmas Mountains near Big Bend National Park in this photo provided by the Big Bend Gazette. A current lawsuit challenges the right of property owners to put up locked gates that could prevent others from getting to their land.

THE ENVIRONMENT – Clyde Curry lead a tour of Eve's Bed and Breakfast for a group of Environmental Core members this week. The high school and college students stopped in Marathon en route to the Big Bend National Park. They will camp and spend a week and a half clearing trails for the Park Service. The volunteer organization is a part of Ameri-Corp, a quasi-government organization designed to help students pay for college tuition while working as volunteers.

BOOM BOX – Olivia Murray was the winner of a CD player form the Alpine Public Library this week. Presenting the award was Library Director Anitra Clausen. Olivia participated in the “We the People” reading program this summer. For more pictures of kids at the library visit www.flickr.com/alpkids.

PUDDLES  – Muddy streets and rain-filled clouds give indication that the long dry spell is at an end, much to the relief of Marathon residents.  Although the rains are welcome, they have caused problems for some.