NO CROSSING – The new "No Blow Zone" curb has been completed at the Railroad Crossing at Fifth Street in Marathon. At 18 inches tall, it is enough to make most people think twice before going over it and trying to go through the barricades. Even some four-wheel drives will have trouble with this curb. It is designed to make it unnecessary for train crews to blow the horn when approaching the crossing.

              By ARLENE GRIFFIS

ON DUTY – Edward Cardoza is the new Brewster County deputy sheriff assigned to Marathon. He replaced James Graham, who retired and has since written a book.  

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.

BASHING BALLOON – Balloons like these should full the skies over Alpine this weekend. The 13th Annual Balloon Bash will be Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Aug. 30 and 31 and Labor Day, Sept. 1. Launchings will be at Sierra La Rana two miles south of Alpine all there days.

CARTEL HIGHWAY – The drug cartels in Mexico are apparently building new roads to make smuggling of narcotics and people easier. This system of highways leading up to the Rio Grande from the Mexican interior was photographed recently south of Dryden by a law-enforcement helicopter crew.

QUEEN NORMA – Norma Guadarrama of Sanderson was honored at a party fit for a queen last week. No less than 39 friends and supporters showed up at Cantina El Galivan to show their support in her battle against cancer. It started as breast cancer, then spread to other parts of her body.

PINK RIBBON CAKE – What’s a “ribbon cake?” Susan Brotherton, left, prepared one for her friend Norma Guadarrama who is battling cancer. A group of friends showed up to show their support at Cantina El Galivan last week.

PRESERVED PRESERVE – Independence Creek is a major feature at the Nature Conservancy of Texas Independence Creek Preserve 22 miles south of Sheffield. An Open Preserve Day at the facility will be Saturday, Sept. 13.

NEW COACH – The new girls coach for Marathon Independent School District this year is Nitra Woods. She was pictured near the weight room on campus.

BACK TO SCHOOL BLUES – Zane “Scooter” Turner’s tears at the first day of school spread to Daddy Rick Turner this week. Scooter is a brand new pre-kindergartner at Sanderson Elementary, one of 164 school kids to show up for the brand new school year Monday.